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The present and future needs of geriatric medicine are outlined, including a greatly increased need for personnel in various categories. Reasons for the present inadequacy may be traced to the negative attitudes of medical and nursing school faculties, and the lack of communication between various groups who care for the elderly. The Council on Long-Term Care of Geriatric Patients of the American Geriatrics Society plans to attack these problems in several ways, e.g., better guidelines, interdisciplinary symposia and training programs. Also, emphasis is placed upon present methods for preventing premature disability in association with the aging process, and the need for basic research to reach a much deeper understanding of aging. A great new movement is underway. Physicians and social scientists should meet the challenge.