What is Gerontology and Palliative Care Social Work?

As the American population grows older, social workers who understand the needs and experiences of older adults have an increasingly important role to play. In 1920, fewer than one in 20 Americans were age 65 or older. By 2020, that proportion had grown to approximately one in six.¹ Over the same century, the number of Americans age 65 and older increased from 4.9 million to 55.8 million.¹

Social workers specializing in gerontology help older adults navigate challenges that can accompany aging, including changes in health, housing and financial circumstances, while connecting them with services and advocating for their well-being. Palliative care social workers support people with serious illnesses and their families as they navigate complex medical, emotional and practical concerns. This work is critically necessary: Fewer than 10% of people worldwide who need palliative care are able to access it.²

Both specializations offer opportunities to support people through consequential periods of their lives, but gerontology and palliative care social work serve different populations and require different areas of expertise. This post explores both specializations, where they intersect and how an MSW can help prepare you to pursue work in either area.

Exploring Gerontology Social Work

Gerontology social work focuses on supporting the well-being of aging adults.³ Social workers in this area practice in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community centers, mental health clinics and nursing homes.

As we age, our needs can become more complex and interconnected. Changes in health may affect our ability to live independently, while financial circumstances can influence options for housing, transportation and care. Social workers can help older adults and their families understand available resources, evaluate options for in-home care or residential support and address concerns such as social isolation. They may also help clients navigate advance care planning, including advance directives and living wills.

Aging adults comprise a growing portion of our population. Witness the changing balance between older adults and children: In 2020, three states had more residents age 65 and older than residents under age 18. By 2024, that number had increased to 11 states.⁴

The Role of a Palliative Care Social Worker

Palliative care social workers work with people living with serious illness and the families and caregivers who support them.⁵ They often work as part of multidisciplinary healthcare teams in hospitals, hospice programs and other care settings, where social work services can complement the medical care a patient receives.

Their responsibilities may include providing emotional support, helping patients and families understand available resources and coordinating care across providers and settings. These social workers can also help families navigate practical concerns, including financial matters and transitions between care settings. When patients and families are coping with grief, changing circumstances or difficult decisions about care, social workers can provide support throughout the process.

Although hospice and palliative care are closely related, palliative care is not limited to people who are approaching the end of life. That distinction is important: Palliative care can support people with serious illnesses at different stages of treatment, while hospice care is specifically intended for people nearing the end of life.⁶

The Difference Between Geriatrics and Palliative Care

Gerontology and palliative care social work can overlap, but they focus on different populations and needs. Gerontology social work centers on older adults and the experiences and challenges associated with aging. Palliative care social work supports people of any age who are living with serious illness.

For example, a gerontology social worker might help an older adult evaluate options for remaining at home, moving to assisted living or accessing community-based services. A palliative care social worker might support a person with serious illness and their family as they coordinate care, address emotional and practical concerns or make decisions about treatment and quality of life.

The two areas may intersect when an older adult is living with a serious illness or making plans for future healthcare. Social workers in either specialization may help clients and families understand advance directives and living wills, which allow people to document their preferences for medical care.⁷ The difference lies primarily in the focus of the work: Gerontology addresses the broader needs associated with aging, while palliative care addresses the needs that arise with serious illness.

Professional Growth and GPC Certification

Social workers who want to specialize in gerontology or palliative care can build expertise through graduate education, professional experience and continuing education. Advanced credentials are also available to experienced social workers who meet specific requirements.

The National Association of Social Workers offers the Advanced Social Worker in Gerontology (ASW-G) credential and the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker (ACHP-SW) credential.^8,9 Both require an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program, relevant professional experience, continuing education and a current social work license.

At Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work, students in the online MSW program can pursue an embedded Gerontology and Palliative Care certificate. The certificate coursework provides additional preparation in chronic illness, end-of-life planning and psychosocial support, helping students deepen their knowledge of the needs of older adults, people living with serious illness and the families who support them.

Build the Expertise to Support People Through Life’s Most Complex Transitions

Gerontology and palliative care social work call for professionals who can bring knowledge, empathy and sound judgment to complex situations. Whether you want to advocate for older adults, support people living with serious illness or help families navigate difficult decisions, specialized education can deepen your ability to serve clients with sensitivity and skill.

Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work offers an online MSW that combines advanced coursework with 1,200 hours of supervised practicum experience. The embedded Gerontology and Palliative Care certificate gives you a way to focus part of that education on needs of older adults and people living with serious illness. You can build a broad foundation in social work while developing specialized knowledge relevant to aging, serious illness and end-of-life care.

Wurzweiler’s online format provides the flexibility to complete coursework around your existing responsibilities while preparing for work that can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families.

Explore the online MSW curriculum and admission requirements. Then contact us directly or schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor to discuss your goals and your path to Wurzweiler.