Geriatric medicine in Singapore: quo vadis?

In this review article, the demography of Singapore and future needs for medical care for the elderly are discussed. Tracing the history of the development of the specialty in UK, the following conclusions can be drawn: Home visits for assessment by specialists can avoid many unnecessary hospital admissions by using existing community services. Elderly people fare badly in acute sectors of hospitals. Elderly people respond to, and need, rehabilitation. The elderly are poor reporters of illness. There have been, and still are, misunderstandings between general physicians and physicians in geriatric medicine as to their roles and the future of the specialty. The role of geriatric medicine versus general medicine is defined. The possibilities for the future role of geriatric medicine in Singapore are discussed. The present use of medical services by the elderly and financial implications are reviewed. Suggestions are made for research into a comprehensive type of medical care for the elderly in Singapore.