This paper aims to contribute to the discussion on professional knowledge and professional
work of gerontologists.
The empirical data are from FCT research project, named “Knowledge, Autonomy and Reflexivity
in Professional Work in the Third Sector (SARTPRO)”, dedicated to the professional work and professional
knowledge of the graduates in the humanities and social sciences who work in the third
social sector.
The methodology was based on: ethnographic observations of the professional work of a gerontologist,
four in-depth interviews with two gerontologists focused on their individual perception on
the problems of aging, the work context and career, and five in-depth interviews with the gerontologists’
employers - the directors of long-term institutions for the elderly.
The study revealed the existence of 24 different professional tasks. These are complex concerning
the knowledge they require; are expressed by technical, relational, prudential and discursive
skills; are promoters of confidence, self-efficacy and empowerment, both of the caregiver and the
person cared; are a referential for the identity and professional culture and are emancipatory, generating
innovation and excellence.
