Dr Chan Kin Ming is a senior consultant geriatrician who runs Chan KM Geriatric & Medical Clinic at Mount Alvernia Medical Centre. He was an early practitioner of geriatric medicine in Singapore and previously served as head of geriatric medicine at Alexandra Hospital and Changi General Hospital. His practice covers comprehensive geriatric assessment, chronic disease management, frailty assessment and advance care planning for older adults.
Clinical focus
General geriatric medicine and comprehensive geriatric assessment.
Qualifications (as publicly listed)
MBBS, MMed, DGM (Glasgow), FAMS (Geriatric Medicine).
Where they practise
- Clinic / practice: Chan KM Geriatric & Medical Clinic (see our clinic listing) — Mount Alvernia Medical Centre, Thomson Road
- Hospital / training affiliation(s): Formerly Head of Geriatric Medicine, Alexandra Hospital and Changi General Hospital
Getting to the clinic
Dr Chan Kin Ming runs Chan KM Geriatric and Medical Clinic at Mount Alvernia Medical Centre, off Thomson Road in central Singapore. Mount Alvernia is not directly served by an MRT station, so for many patients a taxi or ride-hailing trip is the simplest way to arrive, with a drop-off at the medical centre entrance. By rail, Marymount station (CC16) on the Circle Line and Novena station (NS20) on the North-South Line are the closest options, with a short bus or taxi connection to the hospital.
- By MRT and connection: alight at Marymount (CC16) or Novena (NS20) and take a feeder bus or short taxi ride to Mount Alvernia.
- By bus: several routes run along Thomson Road, with stops near the hospital grounds.
- By car or taxi: there is a drop-off point and paid parking on site; taxi and ride-hailing are convenient for older patients.
As this is a practice for older adults, arranging a taxi drop-off close to the entrance and having someone accompany the patient can make the visit easier.
What general geriatric medicine and comprehensive assessment covers
General geriatric medicine looks after the overall health of older adults, who often have several conditions at once together with the effects of ageing. Comprehensive geriatric assessment is a structured, all-round evaluation that considers not only medical problems but also how a person manages daily life, their thinking and memory, mood, mobility and social circumstances.
- Management of multiple long-term conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.
- Review and simplification of medications, reducing unnecessary or interacting drugs.
- Assessment of memory, mood and cognition.
- Evaluation of frailty, mobility and the ability to carry out daily activities.
- Advance care planning and discussion of future care wishes.
A key aim is to see the whole person rather than treat each problem in isolation. Older adults can be more sensitive to medication and to the knock-on effects of illness, so careful, balanced management, sometimes meaning fewer rather than more interventions, often serves them best.
What to expect at a consultation
A first consultation usually involves a thorough history, often with input from a family member or carer, covering medical conditions, medications, memory, mood, mobility, continence, nutrition and how the person copes at home. The specialist will carry out a physical examination and may use simple tests of memory and mobility. Investigations such as blood tests or imaging may be arranged where needed.
The specialist then draws the findings together and discusses a plan that reflects the person’s priorities and circumstances. This may involve adjusting medications, treating specific conditions, arranging support services, and planning for the future. Because so many factors interact in older age, the assessment is deliberately broad.
Preparing for your appointment
Helpful items to bring include:
- Photo identification and any GP or polyclinic referral letter.
- Previous medical records, scans and test results.
- A complete and current list of all medications and supplements, ideally the actual boxes or a pharmacy list.
- A note of recent changes in memory, mood, weight, mobility or daily function.
- A written list of questions and concerns, prepared with the patient and family where possible.
Bringing the patient’s glasses and hearing aids, if used, helps with communication during the assessment.
After your consultation and follow-up
After the visit, the patient may be referred for tests or to other services, and a follow-up appointment is usually arranged to review progress and fine-tune the plan. Reports and results are discussed at review visits, and medication changes are monitored over time. Continuity of care is particularly valuable for older adults with several conditions, as it allows treatment to be adjusted steadily and avoids fragmented care.
A second opinion can always be sought. Seek urgent help for sudden confusion, a marked change in alertness, signs of a stroke, a serious fall, chest pain or breathlessness, as these need prompt assessment.
Booking, referrals and fees
As a private specialist, an appointment can usually be made without a referral, though a GP or polyclinic letter may help with subsidies if the patient is seen at a public clinic. For eligible investigations or procedures, MediSave, MediShield Life or an Integrated Shield Plan may apply within set limits, while consultations are generally out of pocket. As amounts vary, confirm current fees and any insurance or MediSave use directly with the clinic.
Common questions
What is a comprehensive geriatric assessment?
It is a thorough, all-round evaluation of an older person’s medical conditions, medications, memory, mood, mobility and daily functioning, used to build a balanced care plan.
Why review an older person’s medications?
Older adults often take several medicines, which can interact or cause side effects. Reviewing them can reduce unnecessary drugs and improve safety and well-being.
When should an older adult see a geriatrician?
It can be helpful when there are several health conditions, frequent falls, memory concerns, frailty, or difficulty coping at home, where a broad assessment is valuable.
What is advance care planning?
It is a discussion about a person’s values and wishes for future care, so that these can guide decisions if they later become unwell or unable to decide for themselves.
Related guides
Sources & verification
See also: our editorial directory of geriatricians (doctors for older adults) in Singapore and our shortlist of geriatric clinics.
This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.
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