Building the Future of Geriatric Care in Armenia

Caring for older adults has always been at the heart of FAR’s work. From the Soup Kitchens that provide daily meals to vulnerable seniors, to the long-term, compassionate care offered at the Vanadzor Old Age Home, FAR has been committed to supporting the wellbeing, dignity, and community of Armenia’s elders. By 2050, nearly one in four Armenians will be over the age of 60, and today, through our partnership with the Armenian Association of Geriatrics and Gerontology (AAGG), we are helping take that commitment even further.

Thanks to FAR’s "Supporting the Development of Geriatrics in Armenia" program, founder and president of AAGG, Dr.  Artur Torosyan and his colleague Dr. Tigran Chilingaryan were able to pursue intensive clinical training at Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University in Moscow. This residency—the first formal geriatric training available to Armenian specialists—represents a key step toward strengthening elder care across the country.

Artur first recognized the gaps in care while working as a paramedic. Many of the calls he responded to had little to do with medical emergencies; the true needs were loneliness, fear, and the daily challenges of life. “Loneliness, fear, household difficulties—these were just as common as illness,” he recalls. Those experiences inspired him to build an organization focused not only on treatment but on the full physical, emotional, and social wellbeing of older adults.

Now back in Armenia, both Artur and Tigran are applying their skills to transform care for older adults. “This residency is the first building block,” Artur says. “We are the first specialists formally trained in geriatrics in Armenia, so we need to lay the foundation—developing standards, training the next generation, and creating a system where older adults can receive care that is consistent.” His expertise has already been recognized: Artur was recently invited to lecture at Yerevan State Medical University on geriatrics—the first time this specialty has ever been formally taught in Armenia—sharing his knowledge with the next generation of Armenian doctors.

Under Artur’s leadership, AAGG is raising public awareness, and building services that fill critical gaps, particularly in neuropediatric, where support for cognitive decline is urgently needed.

FAR’s"Supporting the Development of Geriatrics in Armenia" program, launched in 2023, is generously supported by HoVeKim Foundation.