As India’s elderly population continues to grow, the need for specialised cancer care tailored to older adults is becoming increasingly important. Addressing this emerging healthcare challenge, Geri Care has launched what it describes as India’s first dedicated Geriatric Oncology Centre, created exclusively to serve the unique medical needs of senior citizens diagnosed with cancer.
The centre will operate from Geri Care’s Adambakkam hospital, with specialist teams also available at its T. Nagar and Adyar facilities. The initiative expands the organisation’s specialised healthcare services for older adults by offering cancer care through an integrated, multidisciplinary approach.
Unlike conventional oncology services, where patients often consult multiple specialists at different locations, the new centre provides coordinated treatment through a single clinical team. The model combines cancer treatment with geriatric medicine, recognising that ageing patients require care that considers their overall health, physical function and emotional well-being alongside the disease itself.
The clinical team includes specialists in medical, surgical and radiation oncology working together with geriatricians. Supporting services include psycho-oncology, psychiatric care, nutrition counselling, pain management, palliative care, preventive cancer screening, dedicated geriatric nursing and guidance for family caregivers, ensuring comprehensive support throughout the treatment journey.
The launch comes at a time when India’s ageing demographics are expected to place greater demands on healthcare services. According to a Science Direct report, people aged 60 years and above are projected to account for more than one-fifth of the country’s population by 2050, compared with 8.6% in 2011. The report also indicates that population ageing alone is likely to more than double India’s cancer burden over the same period, reinforcing the need for specialised treatment models for elderly patients.
Dr Lakshmipathy Ramesh, Founder and Managing Director, Geri Care, said, “Cancer in older adults cannot be managed the way it is in younger patients. Every treatment decision must account for the elder’s overall health, existing medical conditions, functional independence and quality of life. Geriatric oncology is a far wider discipline than oncology alone, and until now, no centre in India has offered it in its entirety. With the Geriatric Oncology Centre, we are pleased to bring together the complete spectrum of cancer care for senior citizens, from screening and diagnosis through treatment, nutrition, palliative support and caregiver counselling, under one multidisciplinary team.”
Cancer treatment in elderly individuals often involves managing multiple health conditions, age-related physiological changes, frailty, nutritional concerns and cognitive health. These factors can influence treatment choices and recovery, making personalised care essential. Geri Care says its new centre has been designed specifically to address these complexities through coordinated clinical decision-making.
Drawing on its experience of operating multi-specialty hospitals dedicated to senior citizens, the organisation has developed the oncology programme to deliver age-appropriate treatment while also supporting patients’ families throughout the care process.
Dr Rejiv Rajendranath, Lead- Geriatric Oncology at Geri Care, said, “Older adults living with cancer need coordinated care that goes beyond treating the disease alone. By bringing specialists across medical, surgical and radiation oncology together with psycho-oncology, nutrition, psychiatry, palliative care and geriatric nursing, we make every treatment decision collaboratively and tailor care to each elderly patient. Just as importantly, we support the families and caregivers who walk this journey with them.”
The new oncology centre further strengthens Geri Care’s long-term strategy of expanding specialised healthcare services for India’s ageing population. The announcement follows the recent opening of Coimbatore’s first geriatrician-led Skilled Nursing Facility and Long-term Care Hospital, adding another specialised service to the organisation’s growing eldercare network.
With the introduction of its dedicated Geriatric Oncology Centre, Geri Care aims to bridge an important gap in cancer treatment for senior citizens. By combining oncology expertise with geriatric care and comprehensive patient support, the initiative reflects the growing importance of specialised healthcare models designed for India’s rapidly expanding elderly population.