Published on: March 3, 2025

As India’s elderly population continues to grow, the need for specialized palliative care for older adults has become more pressing than ever. With over 100 million people aged 60 and above in India, the country faces a unique challenge in providing good-quality care for its aging population. In a groundbreaking move to enhance geriatrics and palliative care, Pallium India launched the 5M Approach to Geriatrics in Palliative Care program for MBBS/BDS doctors trained in palliative care on September 10, 2024. This initiative aims to address the complex needs of older patients facing life-limiting illnesses with a unique, holistic approach that integrates the 5 M’s of geriatrics, which was originally described by Tinetti et al, with the American Geriatric Society(AGS). Through its multidisciplinary framework, it has proven to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to address the multifaceted needs of older adults. With expert collaboration, an evidence-based curriculum, and a strong emphasis on compassionate, patient-centered care, this program promises to reshape the future of geriatric palliative care, ultimately improving the quality of life for older adults across the country.

A total of 49 participants enrolled in the program. The curriculum comprises 13 sessions, each consisting of didactic content followed by patient story discussions, spread over 19.5 hours. The curriculum was meticulously designed in collaboration with leading experts in geriatric care. Dr. Rosmy Jimmy, MBBS, MD, who is a Geriatric and Palliative Care Physician trained at Mount Sinai, New York, currently practicing in New Hampshire, USA played a pivotal role in shaping the entire program from scratch along with Dr. Sreedevi Warrier, Head of Education & Skill Building, Pallium India Trust. Additionally, Dr. Divyamol K Sasidharan, MD Geriatrics, President of the Indian Academy of Geriatrics (IAG), Kerala chapter contributed significantly to the later stages of the program, ensuring it was tailored to meet the needs of the Indian healthcare context. The sessions were facilitated by Dr. Greeshma S. Nair, Palliative Care Physician from Pallium India and coordinated by Mr.Sangeeth Krishna, Project Executive at Pallium India. All the sessions were taken by renowned faculties in the field of geriatrics and palliative care.

This program addresses the growing need for training and specialization in geriatric palliative care. As more healthcare providers gain expertise in this area, the quality of care for older adults in India will improve significantly, ensuring they receive the dignity and comfort they deserve. The program has received excellent feedback from participants, and Pallium India is now preparing to launch the next batch of The 5M Approach to Geriatrics in Palliative Care in April 2025  in collaboration with the Indian Academy of Geriatrics – Kerala Chapter. At this moment, we would also like to sincerely thank Dr. Anish S, General Secretary of the Indian Academy of Geriatrics – Kerala Chapter, for being an exceptional bridge in connecting both organizations in working towards a shared vision.