Gerontology Certificate

Deepen your understanding of the physical, emotional, mental, social and ethical aspects of aging. Learn practical skills to support the health and well-being of our senior population.

Gerontology Certificate Overview

As our senior population increases, so does demand for skilled and compassionate geriatric care providers.

Professionals who work with seniors must understand the complexities and challenges of aging, and how to support health and well-being in older adults. This is the purpose and goal of the Gerontology certificate.

This training combines cutting-edge research and application to real-life situations to help you learn:

  • The functional changes of aging, common illnesses related to aging, and the relationship between aging and quality of life
  • The symptoms and treatments of common mental health issues among seniors (such as dementia, depression, and delirium)
  • Legal and ethical issues around elder abuse, consent and capacity, medically assisted dying, and advanced care planning
  • Techniques for engaging seniors in recreational activities and programs, social engagement, and a healthy lifestyle
  • A variety of community resources available to seniors, long-term care, and palliative care

Benefits of Online Gerontology Training at Kompass

The Gerontology certificate is delivered online for maximum flexibility without sacrificing on quality, engagement, or instructor support.

Here’s how it works:

  • Study online and fit coursework around your schedule
  • Learn from experienced geriatric health care professionals
  • Exchange ideas with your peers through online discussions
  • Get personalized support and coaching
  • Learn practical skills you can apply immediately in your own work
Joyful woman taking care of elderly mother

Meet our gerontology instructor, learn more about the topics and skills covered in the course, and see who the training is geared toward.

READ MORE

Careers in Gerontology

There are several career paths that focus on the care and support of seniors, in both clinical and community settings.

Some common job titles in this field include:

  • Community Support Worker
  • Personal Support Worker
  • Health Care Aide
  • Geriatric Nurse
  • Recreation Program Manager
  • Social Worker
  • Mental Health Clinician

Course Format and Schedule

(Asynchronous)
Instructor Supported courses come with the support of a dedicated Instructor but do not follow a set class schedule. Students work at their own pace to complete the course within a set time period. The Instructor may offer pre-recorded lectures that are available for students to review or monthly check-in sessions that students can participate in via phone or video.

The Instructor Supported format offers students continued support from a dedicated Instructor with the flexibility to complete the certificate over a longer period of time.

The Aging Process training module will explore the social, biological and psychological aspects of aging.  Social theories of aging will be explored. Students will explore the functional changes of aging, common illnesses related to aging, and the relationship between aging and quality of life. Diversity in aging will be explored from a cultural and religious perspective. Psycho-social issues facing aging population will be explored including:  relationships with children, sexuality and love, retirement. A brief orientation to death and dying is discussed.

The Cognitive Issues in Aging training module will look at issue of mental health as it relates to the aging process. Illnesses such as dementia, depression, and delirium will be explored in the context of causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. Students will explore various cognitive assessment tools and supports available. Current issues related to mental health and aging will be discussed.

The Ethical and Legal Aspects of Aging training module explores the issues of consent and capacity as they relate to aging. Students will identify and discuss when capacity is assessed and how; issues of consent, including substitute decision makers. Advanced care planning is discussed. The issue of MAID (medical assistance in dying) is explored and discussed. Elder abuse is explored in the context of signs & symptoms and how to report.

The Health promotion training module explores how to engage people in adopting a healthy lifestyle during the aging process. Recreational activities and programs are explored as well as community resources available. This module also explores pain management and issues of sleep. Aging and technology are also explored in this module.

The Community Resources and Social Policy training module explores community resources available for seniors. Social issues related to aging including housing, transportation, income will be explored. Long-term care and palliative care are explored in relation to funding and policy. Edit Course

Instructors

Meet our industry-expert Instructors.

Overview

START DATES
Weekly (Mondays)
TOTAL PROGRAM LENGTH
3-6 months
DELIVERY
Online (Instructor Supported)
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENT
Post-secondary education (degree or diploma) OR experience in a related field

Scholarship Offer

Register for a certificate and receive a $500 discount on tuition!

Ready to start?

Classes begin every Monday!

Who Should Take the Certificate?

The Gerontology certificate is designed for professionals seeking to more effectively support and care for seniors. Anyone who regularly interacts with seniors will benefit from this training, including:

  • Healthcare workers
  • Social workers
  • Community outreach professionals
  • Caregivers

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Post-secondary university degree or college diploma; OR
  • Relevant professional experience

Tuition

**Register for a certificate and receive a $500 scholarship towards tuition!**

The chart below outlines the cost of the classes if you choose to take them individually. Once you register for 3 more classes within a certificate you will be charged the non-refundable $200 registration fee. Individual classes must be paid in full at time of registration.

To register  for a certificate we charge a $200 non-refundable registration fee. We offer payment plans for the remaining tuition (Total due is $1,995 after the $500 scholarship discount) in 3 equal payments of $665 that are charged week 1, week 5 and week 9 of your course.

We also offer an extended payment plan over 6 months for monthly payments of $333 over 6 months. Please note your course must be paid in full prior to completion.

Kompass Alumni Benefit: If you successfully complete a certificate with Kompass you are eligible for 20% off the tuition of future certificates and classes!

**Group and employer discounts and custom corporate training options are available for 3 or more students**


Textbooks

All reading materials are provided for this course.

Courses
Individual Cost
The Aging Process (3-6 weeks)
$624
Cognitive Issues in Aging (3-6 weeks)
$624
Ethical and Legal Aspects of Aging (2-4 weeks)
$415
Health Promotion (2-4 weeks)
$416
Community Resources and Social Policy (2-4 week)
$416