Final answer:
The study of the aging process is called Gerontology. It is a multidisciplinary field encompassing various aspects of aging. Geriatrics, on the other hand, is the medical specialty focused on the elderly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Study of Aging
The study of the aging process is called Gerontology. Gerontology is a multidisciplinary field that encompasses the biological, social, and psychological changes that occur in aging. Geriatric medicine is specifically related to the medical care and treatment of older adults.
Social gerontology examines the social aspects of aging and focuses on understanding the experiences of people at specific ages, including mental and physical well-being, as well as societal concerns such as the process of dying.
In contrast to gerontology, Thanatology is the study of death and dying. The term 'geriatrics' was coined in the early 1900s by Dr. Ignatz Nascher, and it refers to the medical specialty focused on the elderly. The graying of the United States refers to the increasing percentage of the population that is over sixty-five years old.