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<\/a>Douglas Rapelje received an honorary doctorate from Brock University in 2013.<\/p><\/div>\n
As governments, health care and social service agencies continuously adapt to deal with an aging population \u2014 in the next decade, nearly 1 in 4 people will be 65 or older \u2014 Brock University is launching a new Master of Applied Gerontology program for students to play a positive role in the lives of aging Canadians.<\/p>\n
Offered through the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, the one-year graduate program will launch in January. It will tap into the expertise of faculty members in four Brock departments: Health Sciences, Nursing, Kinesiology, and Recreation and Leisure Studies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a misconception that gerontology, the study of the social, cultural, psychological, cognitive and biological aspects of aging, isn\u2019t an interesting career path for this generation,\u201d says Master of Applied Gerontology Graduate Program Director Lynn McCleary. \u201cThe reality is that students really want this opportunity and have been making inquiries for months about the status of the program.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brock received approval for funding from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities on Friday, Sept. 13.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrock\u2019s new Master of Applied Gerontology program is unique in Ontario due to the applied nature and health focus of the program\u2019s interdisciplinary curriculum and practicum,\u201d says Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Dean Peter Tiidus. \u201cThis program was developed through a formal consultation with stakeholders, businesses and agencies that provide health and social services to older adults. As a result, a new pool of highly skilled graduates with gerontological competences will soon enter the workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n
The purpose of the formal engagement process, which entailed conducting needs assessments for both urban and rural communities, was to ensure Brock\u2019s program responds to the relevant needs of the Niagara community, while also being representative of North America\u2019s aging population.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are definite gaps and challenges in health and social services for older adults,\u201d McCleary says. \u201cGrowing gerontology at Brock will ensure our students are well-positioned to meet these challenges and improve the lives of older adults. They will graduate with advanced skills in planning and providing health services, recreation services, health promotion and more.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/a>Douglas Rapelje received an honorary doctorate from Brock University in 2013.<\/p><\/div>\n