Final answer:
Gerontology is the correct answer as it specifically targets understanding and assisting with the process of aging and the challenges faced by seniors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Helping the elderly to function independently during old age is part of the field referred to as gerontology. Gerontology is a multidisciplinary field that includes the work of medical and biological scientists, social scientists, as well as financial and economic scholars. It addresses the process of aging and the various challenges that seniors might encounter as they grow older. Social gerontology, specifically, focuses on the social aspects of aging, facilitating independence, well-being, and advocacy for older adults.