Who We Are

Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a nationwide, not-for-profit society of geriatrics healthcare professionals dedicated to improving the health, independence, and quality of life of older people. Our 6,000+ members include geriatricians, geriatrics nurse practitioners, social workers, family practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and internists who are pioneers in advanced-illness care for older individuals, with a focus on championing interprofessional teams, eliciting personal care goals, and treating older people as whole persons.

The Society provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in clinical care, research, professional and public education, and public policy that can support us all as we age.

"Stronger Than Ever"

In 2017, our member community celebrated 75 years of caring for older adults. What does 75 years of geriatrics expertise look like (and sound like)? Find out, in this one-of-a-kind commemorative song commissioned for our anniversary. Music by John B. Sebastian with words by David B. Reuben, MD, AGSF. Performed by James T Pacala, MD, MS, AGSF, Miguel Paniagua, MD, and our #AGS17 attendees.

Our Mission

To improve the health, independence, and quality of life of all older people.

Our Vision for the Future

We are all able to contribute to our communities and maintain our health, safety, and independence as we age.

We all have access to high-quality, person-centered care informed by geriatrics principles and free of ageism.

We all are supported by and able to contribute to communities where ageism, ableism, classism, homophobia, racism, sexism, xenophobia, and other forms of bias and discrimination no longer impact healthcare access, quality, and outcomes for older adults and their caregivers.

Strategies for Achieving Our Vision

  1. Expanding the geriatrics knowledge base by disseminating basic, clinical, and health services research focused on the health of all older people.
  2. Increasing the number of healthcare professionals employing geriatrics principles when caring for diverse older persons by supporting the integration of geriatrics concepts into health professional education.
  3. Recruiting diverse healthcare professional trainees into geriatrics by focusing on the rewards and potential of a career caring for older people.
  4. Advocating for public policy that promotes the health and independence of diverse older Americans, with the goal of improving health, quality of life, and healthcare systems serving us all as we age.
  5. Creating awareness about the ways geriatrics can support diverse older people remaining active, independent, and engaged in our communities.
  6. Working across our other strategic priorities in health care to identify and eliminate ageism, ableism, classism, homophobia, racism, sexism, xenophobia, and other forms of social and structural bias/discrimination given their impact on health, safety, and independence as we age.
AGS Caring, Compassions, Respect

“The AGS is uniquely positioned because we represent a committed group of healthcare professionals who are actually doing the care. It’s imperative that the AGS seize the opportunity to advance its mission—ensuring quality care for all older adults—while Washington works to redesign healthcare.”                                                                                                                             

–Cheryl P., MD