About us

The purpose of the program is to serve as a hub for research, teaching and service, while integrating and collaborating with community stakeholders.

Studying a growing profession

The Gerontology Program at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is one of the few programs in Israel in this field. It stands out by being offered within the Faculty of Health Sciences and in collaboration with Soroka University Medical Center. The program is multidisciplinary, with the overarching goal of serving as a hub for research, teaching, and service while collaborating with community stakeholders. This is particularly relevant in an era where the population is aging, and the demand for professionals in the field is increasing.

The master's program in gerontology trains researchers and skilled professionals in elderly care and service management. As part of the program, students undergo practical training in community and institutional services under the guidance and supervision of university faculty and field professionals. Graduates of the program find employment in nursing homes, senior day centers, municipal and local council elderly care departments, research centers, nursing service companies, elderly health promotion departments, and more.

The program is recognized for academic credit compensation for nurses and paramedical staff working in elderly care institutions and hospital departments where most patients are elderly.
The degree in Elderly Service Management is recognized by the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security as conferring expertise in managing assisted living centers.
Graduates of the Elderly Service Management and Care Management tracks are recognized by the National Insurance Institute as professional employees in companies providing elderly care services.
The program is recognized by the Association of Social Workers as a training program for social workers specializing in gerontology and for academic credit compensation.

✅ Care Management – The gerontologist conducts a multi-step process that includes assessment, developing a care plan for the elderly, and serving as a diagnostician, consultant, mediator, and coordinator between various authorities and services and the elderly and their families.

✅ Elderly Service Management – This track provides students with extensive theoretical and practical knowledge in managing housing facilities and community services for the elderly. In addition to the degree, graduates will receive a certificate for completing a housing management program approved by the Ministry of Welfare.

✅ Research – Writing a thesis; thesis studies allow for further academic advancement toward a Ph.D.

The program is multidisciplinary and covers a wide range of topics, including:

✅ The aging process in its biological, psychological, and social aspects.

✅ The meaning of "successful aging" from the perspectives of the elderly, their families, and the social environment.

✅ Unique issues related to the elderly, special patient groups, and intervention methods for patients and their families.

✅ Policies in elderly care, the elderly service system, different service models, methods for organizing and operating services, and approaches for evaluating services and interventions.

✅ Practice at the Core – The program emphasizes the knowledge required to meet professional demands, covering essential topics in psychology, biology, management, law, and medicine, alongside hands-on experience (practicum). Studies are dynamic and include guest lectures by experts from Israel and abroad, field trips, and learning through simulations.

✅ Access to Soroka Hospital and the Mental Health Center – The program benefits from being part of the Faculty of Health Sciences, providing access to medical institutions, faculty members, and researchers.

✅ One Study Day per Week – The curriculum is designed for one full study day per week (Wednesday), allowing students to work and balance their studies with their personal lives. In the second year, additional hours may be required for practical training, coordinated with the student.

✅ Blended Learning Format – Most study days will be conducted in-person, with several online learning days per semester to provide students with flexibility.

✅ A Wide Range of Courses – The program offers extensive knowledge across disciplines, including social sciences, natural sciences, and health sciences. Recent courses have included:

The aging process from biological, psychological, and social perspectives
Quality of life and the meaning of life in light of elderly loss and family dynamics
The concept of successful aging from the perspectives of the elderly, their families, and society
The elderly service system
Unique issues for elderly populations and special patient groups
Methods for organizing and managing services
Policies in elderly care

✅ An Enriching Academic Environment – The university setting offers access to research and interdisciplinary platforms, such as the Multidisciplinary Aging Research Center, the Faculty of Health Sciences' Active Aging Hub, the Pension, Insurance, and Financial Literacy Center, and more.

✅ A Collaborative Learning Atmosphere – Studying at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev offers a unique experience with a close-knit, supportive environment.

Vision

Postmodern societies are aging, and in Israel, the aging process is among the fastest in the world. Since the establishment of the state, the percentage of elderly people in the population has increased two and a half times (from 3.8% to approximately 12%) and continues to rise steadily. The growth rate of seniors aged 75 and older is particularly high in Israel. Today, over one million elderly individuals live in Israel, with 45% of them being 75 years old or older.

This population group is largely outside the workforce and is increasingly exposed to physical, mental, economic, and social losses. Their unique needs require social planning, posing a national challenge of significant importance. As part of this preparation, it is essential to develop services, establish research centers, and train skilled professionals. The Gerontology Program serves as one of the key frameworks aimed at advancing both research and services, thereby contributing to the well-being of the elderly and their families.

Even today, there is a high demand for professionals in elderly services. This demand is expected to grow significantly with the anticipated increase in the elderly population, the rising awareness of their evolving needs due to demographic shifts, and the expansion of the number and variety of services available to them.

Goals

The central goal set by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is to serve as a hub for research, teaching, and service while integrating and collaborating with community stakeholders. The Gerontology Program aligns with this fundamental vision.

The program is designed to train researchers, elderly care specialists (care managers), and managers of elderly services in both community and institutional settings. As part of the program, students gain practical experience in the field—working within community and institutional services—under the guidance and supervision of university faculty and field professionals.

The program also serves as a research center on aging-related topics, acting as a consultation hub and a platform for exploring new ideas for field professionals. Within this framework, applied field research is conducted, providing research support for ongoing evaluations of community and institutional services, as well as interventions in various social and health-related areas.