A Course on Spirituality and Aging in the 21st Century: Development and DesignTaking a Life-Span Approach

Gerontologists and gerontology educators provide important work on behalf of the needs of our aging population. Teaching and research in the field continues to move forward. Familiar terms have been coined to describe the positive components of aging- among them include 'healthy aging', 'optimal aging' and 'successful aging'. An equally important aspect of aging which is often neglected is 'spiritual aging'. As current research is continuing to find its validity, it deserves additional due credence. However, recently increased research attention is taking place demonstrating the role, importance and benefits of spirituality among older individuals; teaching spiritualty and meaningful aging in an academic manner will do much to influence and add to the field of gerontology. Addressing this unmet need in gerontology, the following is the development and design of a university course on spirituality and aging. It is time to bring spirituality's value to the forefront, so that in the future it will no longer be referred to as, "The forgotten factor" in healthy, successful, optimal aging. The University of Utah's Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program takes a life course approach. The class I propose follows suit in an attempt to attract interest in students from multiple disciplines, owing to the fact that gerontologists have an opportunity and responsibility to study and teach all aspects of aging.