Saddleback’s rising Gerontology Program
The Saddleback College Socialogy Department and Gerontology Program hosted the first Gerentology Education and Career Event in the Student Services Center Room, Tuesday.
The event was held as an opportunity for current Gerontology students to gain employment opportunities as well to inform those in attendance of the Gerontology Certificate Program.
“The first year of the Gerontology program was successful,” Allison Camelot said. “The senior population has increased over the years and is continuing to increase.”
The Gerontology program launched last year in fall of 2011, but according Camelot the program has had a lot of success in helping students.
“We are looking at the field of Gerontology and the need to work with older adults has increased up to 30 percent,” Camelot said.
Companies that participated in the event are: Social Security Administration, Adapt 2 It, Age Well Senior Services, Aegis Living, Comfort Cottages, Council on Aging and the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center, Newport Beach’s Recreation & Senior Services Department.
“It was a little bit hard (Gerontology Program) at the beginning, but it was all worth it when you get it done,” Brandi Marchegiano 32, a human services major and the first graduate of the program said.
Marchegiano now owns an in-home senior care service named Giving Back.
Marilyn L. Ditty from the Age Well Senior Services also spoke to the audience about the importance of senior care.
According to Ditty, baby boomers are living longer that requires different types and of care.
“The challenges in this field are great, but the opportunities are endless,” Ditty said.”If you fell a strong pull toward working with the elderly I highly encourage you, we need people today who truly care.”
