Resources

Aging Resources

Everybody ages. It is the most universal of human health concerns. And in the United States the number of elderly is growing at a startling pace. In 2010, 40 million Americans were over 65, and the U.S. government predicts that number will grow to over 72 million by 2030. Thousands of nurses, doctors, and researchers are already needed to care for the elderly and treat diseases like cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's. Yet at the same time, thanks to scientific breakthroughs, many predict humans will be able to cure aging altogether. Below you will find useful organizations and resources for the promising and challenging world of aging.

Open Access Journals

While there are plenty of journals publishing research on aging, many now offer their content free to the public as part of the growing "Open Access" initiative. Below are the highest impact journals dedicated to aging research that do not require a subscription.

  • Geriatrics & Gerontology International

    Publisher: Wiley

    The official journal of the Japan Geriatrics Society, this quarterly publishes multidisciplinary aging research particularly relevant to societies with growing elderly populations.

  • Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience

    Publisher: Frontiers

    With a respectable impact factor of 5.2, this open-access Swiss publication focuses on understanding the fundamental processes behind Alzheimer's and other age-related diseases.

  • Aging Cell

    Publisher: Wiley

    Publishing the latest research on the nuts and bolts of the aging process, this high-impact journal offers all of its content free to the public.

  • AGING

    Publisher: Impact Journals LLC

    This journal carries a high impact factor of 5.127 and counts Nobel prize laureates among its authors and editors. Inside you will find recent discoveries on the aging process from the molecular to the human level.

OpenCourseWare

The average lifespan in America has increased dramatically over the past century, and many expect it to keep rising. Learn about the biological processes and theory behind aging with these free courses from top universities.

  • Death

    Whether we like to admit it or not, aging is an inexorable march toward death. Explore the diverse belief and philosophies surrounding this inevitable destination with these free lectures from Yale University.

  • Health Issues for Aging Populations

    With audio lectures and readings, this course takes a multidisciplinary look at the issues facing older populations, from social policies to disease treatments.

  • The Biology of Aging

    Follow the readings from this MIT course and familiarize yourself with the biological nuts and bolts of the aging process.

  • Neurology, Neuropsychology, and Neurobiology of Aging

    Explore the hard science of what is really happening to your aging brain with these free course materials from the world's most renowned technical university.

  • Health Across the Life Span: Frameworks, Contexts, and Measurements

    Put the aging process into perspective with this look into measuring and affecting human health from early life to later years. The course includes audio lectures and readings.

Research Organizations

More people than ever will live to see their golden years, and with recent advances in stem cell research and gene therapy, these years could be brighter than ever. Below are some of the top research organizations dedicated to making life longer and happier.

  • The Ellison Medical Foundation

    This nonprofit organization supports scholarly research that sets out to understand the fundamentals of the aging process. The website features an informative overview covering its major aging-related research areas.

  • Cancer and Aging Research Group

    Cancer is the second most common killer of elderly Americans. This organization aims to bring together researchers from across the country through grants and ongoing studies on cancer treatment.

  • SENS Research Foundation

    SENS works with universities across the country and through its own research center in Mountain View, CA to develop cutting-edge treatments for repairing age-related damage to the body's cells and tissues, with an ultimate goal of eliminating the diseases of old age.

  • The Dartmouth Institute for Aging Research

    This Ivy League research institute focuses on improving clinical practice and health policy for older Americans.

  • Einstein College of Medicine Institute for Aging Research

    The Albert Einstein College of Medicine has a reputation for cutting-edge medical research, and the Aging Institute focuses particularly on understanding the genetics of growing old and extending human life.

  • Institute on Aging

    This research institute at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine gives particular attention to treating neurocognitive diseases like Alzheimer's.

  • Buck Institute for Research on Aging

    The oldest independent research facility in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to aging, this organization focuses on understanding and treating common old-age afflictions like cancer, stroke, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's Disease.

  • Institute for Aging Research

    Affiliated with Harvard University, this Boston-based facility is the largest gerontological research center in the United States, developing new treatments for old-age brain and bone health.

  • American Federation for Aging Research

    Since its start in 1981, this independent foundation has provided well over $100 million to biomedical researchers working to understand the fundamentals of the aging process.

  • UCLA Longevity Center

    Based at one of the top universities for geriatric medicine in the United States, the UCLA Longevity Center aims to develop new treatments and approaches for elderly care.

Professional Organizations

Millions of Americans work with the elderly every day, as nurses, caregivers, doctors, and researchers. If your career relates to aging, below you will find a professional organization for specialty.

  • Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association

    This professional organization is dedicated exclusively to advanced practice nurses with master's degrees specializing in elderly care.

  • The American Geriatrics Society

    The American Geriatrics Society counts over 6,000 members and is dedicated to advancing the careers of those working in direct medical care for old adults.

  • American Society of Aging

    With over 5,000 members nationwide, this organization links all sorts of professionals dedicated to elderly care, through conferences professional education, awards, and journals.

  • Association for Gerontology in Higher Education

    Through the participation of its member institutions, a quarterly newsletter, and an annual conference, this organization brings together academics in the field of gerontology from many different colleges and universities.

  • National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

    There is a greater need for professional elderly care than ever before. This organization provides networking opportunities and industry updates to its 2,000+ members, including social workers, nurses and psychologists.

  • The Gerontological Society of America

    This broad professional organization aims to improve and disseminate the latest aging research to doctors, scientists, and policymakers.

Public Awareness Organizations

Aging is hard. It carries the potential for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's, not to mention everyday challenges, like pain, fatigue, and limited mobility. Thankfully, there are organizations like these, dedicated to helping people live longer and happier lives.

  • National Council on Aging

    A leading nonprofit advocating for America's elderly, this group supports both health and economic security for old people in the United States.

  • American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)

    No organization is better known for representing the interests of old people in the U.S. than the AARP. Claiming around 28 million members, the group represents the political interests of Americans who are 50 years and older.

  • The Retirement Research Foundation

    Through numerous small grants, this organization aims to raise the quality of life for America's elderly population. They do this by supporting greater autonomy and status in society.

  • The John A. Hartford Foundation

    This private philanthropy works to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare for the growing number of older Americans, through millions of dollars in grants for research and treatment programs.

  • Methuselah Foundation

    The lofty goal of this charity is making 90 year-olds as healthy as 50 year-olds by 2030. A goal it hopes to reach through fundraising for research in the exciting field of regenerative medicine.

  • The Commonwealth Fund

    With an endowment of roughly $700 million, this foundation has been working to improve healthcare for vulnerable populations since 1918, with many programs aimed at elderly adults.