The American Geriatrics Society

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 associates, pharmacists, and internists who are pioneers in serious illness care for older individuals, with a focus on championing interprofessional teams, eliciting personal care goals, and treating older people as whole persons. AGS believes in a just society, one where 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. AGS advocates for policies and programs that support the health, independence, and quality of life of all of us as we age.

AGS works across patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy to improve the health, independence, and quality of life of all older people.

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

The AGS mission is to improve the health, independence, and quality of life of all older people. We believe that doing so will ensure that we all can continue to make meaningful contributions to our communities as we age.

We believe in a vision for the future when:

* 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.

To achieve our vision, the AGS is working hard as a leader and with our partners to shape programs and policies that are important to older people, their families, and healthcare professionals.

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:

Working across our 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.

Expanding the geriatrics knowledge base by disseminating basic, clinical, and health services research focused on the health of all older people.

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.

Recruiting healthcare professional trainees into geriatrics by focusing on the rewards and potential of a career caring for older people.

Advocating for public policy that promotes the health and independence of older Americans, with the goal of improving health, quality of life, and healthcare systems serving us all as we age.

Creating awareness about the ways geriatrics can support older people remaining active, independent, and engaged in our communities.

HOW WE ADVANCE OUR MISSION & VISION

The AGS works across six strategic priority areas to advance its mission and vision.

Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Healthcare
We are committed to taking purposeful steps to address racism in health care, given its impact on older adults, their families, and our communities. In fall 2020, AGS added a statement to our vision for the future: “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.” The Society work across its strategic priorities to advance this vision. Our current major focus is on the intersection of structural racism and ageism in health care.

Health Professionals
We’re committed to expanding the geriatrics knowledge base through initiatives that promote basic, clinical, and health services research. Through our efforts to connect with professionals across health care, we’re also working to increase exposure to principles of geriatrics excellence for all health professionals who care for older adults. Our anchors for these endeavors remain the wealth of publications, clinical tools, guidelines, and recommendations we develop on an ongoing basis; the research we promote and support through the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society and other venues; and the opportunities we facilitate at our Annual Scientific Meeting.

Supporting the Geriatrics Workforce
The tools and insights championed by AGS members are essential to the future of high-quality care for older adults, and so, too, is our ability to share those tools with all health professionals. One way we make that possible is by offering travel stipends for trainees via our AGS Health in Aging Foundation. Stipends have supported hundreds of trainees so they can attend our Annual Scientific Meeting and learn more about geriatrics expertise.

Advancing Equitable Public Policy
To realize a future when every older American receives high-quality, person-centered care, we’re working in the present to address the shortage of geriatrics healthcare professionals; to strengthen primary and preventive care services; to impact the changing payment landscape; and to expand research and healthcare options that can lead to higher-quality care.

Educating the Public
Through the AGS Health in Aging Foundation, we advance our commitment to maintaining the health, independence, and quality of life of all older people by meeting older individuals where they live. Countless older adults and caregivers have visited HealthinAging.org for reliable, trustworthy information on health and care—all authored by our member experts.

MEMBERSHIP
AGS membership provides you with over $1,500 in valuable benefits to keep you abreast of clinical innovations, new research, and policy initiatives.

Join our inter-professional community to become a part of our shared vision that every older adult will receive high-quality, person-centered care. AGS membership connects you with a community of over 6,500 professionals and offers over $1,500 in valuable benefits that help you stay abreast of clinical innovations, new research and policy initiatives.

PROGRAMS
Our work on behalf of older adults, caregivers, and geriatrics healthcare professionals brings us to the cutting-edge of challenges and opportunities across healthcare.

GERIATRICS AS A PROFESSION
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As we age, our needs and expectations change—and our health care should follow suit. Geriatrics is the healthcare specialty dedicated exclusively to providing high-quality, person-centered care for older adults.

Geriatrics healthcare professionals include doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, social workers, and many others with unique skills for evaluating and managing health and care for older men and women.

PATHWAYS IN GERIATRICS
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Whether you’re a nurse, pharmacist, physician, physician assistant, social worker, or other type of healthcare professional, a career in geriatrics can take many forms, just as it can offer many rewards.

Geriatrics professionals provide care to older adults, but they also teach in health professions schools, conduct research, educate policymakers, and oversee administration at a variety of healthcare institutions. Explore the career pathways below to learn more about the variety of ways you can make geriatrics your professional home.

Clinicians
Clinicians are the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals whose main career focus is to see and treat patients. In geriatrics, being a clinician often involves working to coordinate care with an interprofessional team of colleagues.

Educators
Educators are healthcare professionals who teach medical and healthcare professions students. Most of these teachers are Clinician Educators who split their time between seeing patients and training the next generation of geriatrics health professionals.

Administrators
Administrators are health professionals, often clinician educators or researchers, who also oversee a team of coworkers within their department or division. They help make decisions for their institutions while advocating for the needs of their team.

Researchers
Researchers are the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, scientists, social workers and other healthcare professionals whose career focus is finding evidence-based answers to the health and social issues that concern older adults. A researcher may or may not also have a clinical practice. He or she often works in interdisciplinary teams, across many hospital and academic settings.

Advocates
Advocates are health professionals and other stakeholders who stay engaged with legislative rules and regulations that affect their work or the people they serve. Anyone can be an advocate for our health, independence, quality of life, and care as we age. Visit our Advocacy Center to see how you can show your support, or click the link below to read the profile of a geriatrics advocate.

Learn more here about what geriatrics is, why it’s important, and where your career path might take you in this growing healthcare specialty.

Contact Us:
American Geriatrics Society
40 Fulton St, Suite 809
New York, NY 10038
Phone: 212.308.1414