Behavioral gerontology is the application of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to the care of aging adults. Behavior analysts in this specialty work in hospitals, nursing homes, and memory care facilities — using evidence-based techniques to address behavioral challenges like dementia-related aggression, depression, hoarding, and declining self-care skills.
If you’ve been exploring careers in ABA, you’ve probably noticed that most job postings focus on autism services. That makes sense — demand for ABA professionals in autism treatment has grown dramatically over the past few decades. But there’s a second wave building, and it’s driven by a very different population: America’s aging adults.
Behavioral gerontology is one of the fastest-growing specialty areas in applied behavior analysis. As our population ages and the limits of medication-only treatment become clearer, behavior analysts are stepping into geriatric care settings in ways that simply didn’t exist a generation ago. If you’re drawn to working with older adults — or you’re already in a care setting and want to understand what behavioral approaches can offer — this guide covers what the work actually looks like, what training you’ll need, and what you can expect to earn.
What Is Behavioral Gerontology?
Behavioral gerontology applies the principles of applied behavior analysis to the challenges that come with aging. That means behavior analysts examine the antecedents (triggers) and consequences (outcomes) of behavior in elderly patients, then design interventions to improve quality of life.
The conditions most commonly addressed in geriatric ABA include Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, depression and anxiety, declining hygiene and self-care, confusion, paranoia, and obsessive or compulsive behaviors. These aren’t entirely different from the challenges addressed in autism treatment — many of the same ABA techniques apply. The key difference is the population and the context: elderly patients often live in shared residential settings, have complex medical histories, and may have cognitive decline that affects how traditional talk therapies work.
That’s where ABA’s emphasis on environment and behavior — rather than cognition alone — makes it particularly well-suited for geriatric care.
Why This Specialty Is Growing
By 2050, the U.S. Census Bureau projects that roughly 88 million Americans will be over 65, representing about 20 percent of the total population. That’s more than double the figure from 2010. And with longer lifespans comes a higher prevalence of age-related behavioral and cognitive challenges — including dementia, which affects roughly 10 percent of adults over 65.
For decades, most behavioral problems in older patients were treated primarily with medication. That approach is shifting. Research published by the American Psychological Association highlights the growing recognition of behavioral health needs in older Americans. And at least one peer-reviewed study has found that many behavioral issues in elderly populations stem not just from medical conditions, but from environmental factors — and that behavioral interventions can reduce problem behaviors without the side effects that come with adding yet another drug to an already complex medication regimen.
ABAs are especially well-positioned for this work. Rather than prescribing or treating underlying medical conditions, they analyze the context in which problematic behaviors occur and modify the environment or consequences to bring about change.
How ABA Is Applied in Geriatric Settings
The core framework is the same one used across all ABA populations: the ABCs of behavior analysis.
Antecedent: the situation or prompt that precedes a behavior. Behavior: the action that follows. Consequence: the outcome that reinforces or discourages that behavior. In geriatric care, identifying the right antecedent-behavior-consequence chain often takes careful observation. An elderly patient who becomes agitated every afternoon might be reacting to a shift change in nursing staff, a scheduled activity they find distressing, or an unaddressed pain trigger.
One of the most effective tools behavior analysts use in geriatric settings is the token economy. Patients earn tokens for engaging in appropriate behaviors — maintaining hygiene, participating in group activities, staying calm in stressful situations. Those tokens can later be exchanged for preferred activities or items. It sounds simple, but it works. In one case study involving 80 chronic geriatric mental health patients in a long-term care facility, a six-month token economy produced measurable decreases in bizarre behavioral outbursts and incontinence episodes, along with meaningful increases in physical activity.
Another key tool is the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA). Before designing any intervention, the behavior analyst interviews the patient, reviews medical and behavioral records, and observes daily routines to identify what’s driving the problematic behavior. A review of behavior-analytic research on dementia confirms that this kind of systematic assessment is central to effective treatment in older populations.
One well-known example: dementia patients in two residential care facilities kept getting lost looking for their rooms. Standard room numbering meant nothing to patients who couldn’t hold onto new short-term memories. The ABA team recognized, however, that many dementia patients retain access to older memories clearly. Their solution was to mark each room with a personalized shadow box containing familiar memorabilia from the patient’s past. Wandering and frustration dropped dramatically — without a single medication change.
Those solutions get documented in a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP), which may include direct therapy sessions, environmental modifications, caregiver training, and structured routines. The behavior analyst doesn’t just design the plan and disappear — they monitor progress and adjust the approach as the patient’s needs evolve.
Salary and Career Outlook
If you’re considering this as a career path, salary and job availability are reasonable things to want to know.
The BLS tracks this workforce under the broader category of Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (SOC 21-1018), which includes ABA professionals in clinical and care settings. As of May 2024, the national median salary for this occupational group was $53,710. Entry-level positions start around $34,380, while experienced professionals at the top of the field earn $82,030 or more. Keep in mind that ABA and BCBA-certified professionals typically earn on the higher end of this range, given their specialized credentials. For a broader look at how compensation varies across states, the ABA salaries by state guide breaks it down in detail.
Job growth projections for this field are strong. National employment for this occupational category is projected to grow by 18% through 2032, well above the average for all occupations. The aging of the baby boomer generation is the primary driver — demand for behavioral health specialists in geriatric settings is expected to accelerate over the next decade.
Work settings for behavioral gerontologists include long-term care and memory care facilities, hospital behavioral health units, adult day programs, and home-based care. Some behavior analysts split their time between direct patient care and supervising other staff who implement behavior plans.
Education and Credentials
Applied behavior analysts working in geriatric settings are almost always required to hold advanced degrees. A master’s degree in applied behavior analysis, psychology, or a related field gives you the foundational training you’ll need. Most positions in hospitals and nursing homes also require a BCBA certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Earning the BCBA involves completing a qualifying graduate degree, accumulating supervised fieldwork hours, and passing the national certification exam.
A background in biology, psychology, gerontology, or pre-medicine at the undergraduate level can give you a meaningful advantage when applying to geriatric-focused ABA roles. Some colleges offer gerontology concentrations within their behavioral science programs.
If you’re not yet in a degree program and want to test the waters, many hospitals and long-term care facilities have volunteer programs that offer early exposure to geriatric patient populations. The work won’t directly involve behavior analysis, but it’s a valuable context for understanding the environment you’d be entering.
One important practical note: working with elderly populations almost always involves a background check. Keep that in mind as you plan your career path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a behavioral gerontologist actually do day-to-day?
Most behavioral gerontologists split their time between conducting assessments, designing and monitoring behavior intervention plans, and training other caregivers to implement those plans consistently. Direct patient therapy is part of the role, but so is supervisory and consultative work that keeps interventions running across shifts and staff.
What’s the difference between behavioral gerontology and traditional geriatric care?
Traditional geriatric care tends to rely heavily on medication to manage behavioral symptoms. Behavioral gerontology takes a different approach — identifying the environmental and situational triggers behind problem behaviors and modifying those conditions. It’s not a replacement for medical care, but it’s often a complement to it, particularly for behaviors that don’t have clear pharmacological solutions.
What salary can a behavioral gerontologist expect?
Salaries vary based on setting, credentials, and location. ABAs holding BCBA certification and working in hospital or residential care settings typically earn more than the general BLS median for this occupational category. The median national figure for the broader SOC 21-1018 category was $53,710 as of May 2024.
Do I need a BCBA to work in behavioral gerontology?
Most hospitals and licensed care facilities expect applicants to hold a BCBA or to be actively working toward it. Some entry-level roles in residential care settings may be open to candidates with a bachelor’s degree and relevant experience, but advancing in the field — and taking on independent assessment and intervention design work — generally requires BCBA certification.
Is behavioral gerontology a good career choice long-term?
The demographics make a compelling case. The U.S. population over 65 is projected to nearly double by 2050, and behavioral health needs in that population are significant and growing. ABAs who build expertise in geriatric settings now are positioning themselves for a specialty area where demand is only going to increase.
Key Takeaways
- Behavioral gerontology applies ABA principles to aging — including dementia, depression, declining self-care, and behavioral outbursts in residential care settings.
- The specialty is growing fast — by 2050, roughly 20% of Americans will be over 65, and demand for behavioral health specialists in geriatric care is projected to accelerate well above average.
- Core ABA tools translate directly to geriatric populations — token economies, Functional Behavior Assessments, and Behavior Intervention Plans all have documented effectiveness in elderly care settings.
- Most geriatric ABA roles require a BCBA and a master’s degree — a background in gerontology, psychology, or pre-medicine strengthens your candidacy.
- Salary starts around $34,380 and reaches $82,030 or more — with a national median of $53,710 as of May 2024 and 18% projected job growth through 2032.
Ready to build the credentials for a career in behavioral gerontology? Explore graduate ABA programs from accredited schools and find the right fit for your goals.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Note: ABA/BCBA roles are included in this broader BLS category, and actual salaries for these professionals are frequently higher. ABA salaries can vary based on experience, location, and setting. Data accessed February 2026.