Dr. Ed Rosenberg studies your grandparents. Actually, he’s an expert in gerontology, the study of aging and older people.
“Many people are attracted to gerontology because of personal experience,” Rosenberg said. “Some helped care for a grandparent, or were raised by a grandparent. Others volunteered in a long-term care facility as a high school or church project.”
Gerontology is highly relevant now, he said. There is growing concern about the feasibility of sustaining the large, aging baby boomer population through Social Security and Medicare.
“These trends and issues are not just American – nearly every nation is facing the same challenges,” Rosenberg said. “It’s a good time to be studying aging and the older population.”
Rosenberg has been at Appalachian since 1991. Rosenberg spent a year teaching gerontology in France, was involved with a European Union gerontology master’s degree program, and continues to work with other gerontologists in France and Thailand.
Rosenberg also participates in research with Appalachian graduate students. Topics include the aging of prison population, eating disorders and midlife/older persons, Alzheimer’s disease caregivers, age-friendly communities, and aging and obesity. Rosenberg has also evaluated programs to help caregivers be more effective for their elderly family members.
“Regardless of whether the focus is American or international, such topics and findings make their way into my courses,” Rosenberg said. “This helps keep the courses current, which is especially important since the older population and its issues, concerns and challenges are constantly changing, both in the U.S.A. and abroad.”RELATED: Rosenberg honored by Global Science and Technology Forum
