Logo for SGMSSociety for Geriatric Medicine, Singapore

Since 1996

Our Mission

The Society for Geriatric Medicine (Singapore) was officially registered on 24th October 1996 with the following objectives:

  1. To promote and maintain standards of geriatric medicine and care of the elderly.

  2. To promote the development of comprehensive geriatric services.

  3. To promote research in geriatric medicine and care of the elderly.

  4. To promote the training of medical students and doctors in geriatric medicine.

 

Formation of the Society

The practice of Geriatric Medicine was formally introduced in Singapore in 1987. In the early years, several concerns largely resulting from ageism in attitudes, mindsets and policies were recognized:

  1. many older patients did not receive appropriate treatment and care;

  2. the direction for provision of geriatric services was unclear;

  3. there was lack of specific training for both professionals and lay persons caring for the older person and

  4. there was conflict of interest in how geriatric specialists deliver geriatric services.

There was a need to congregate all practitioners of geriatric medicine and geriatric psychiatry to a common platform so that better solutions to these areas of concern may surface and be shared by all. The Society for Geriatric Medicine (Singapore) was hence formed and officially launched on 3rd July 1997.

 

Our Logo

The symbol shows an elderly Asian couple facing each other, under the umbrella of a caduceus, representing medical care of the elderly.  The designed was put together from contributions by Society members.