History of professional interest in old age medicine in Czech lands goes back to 1843 when first lectures on “diseases in old age” were held at Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague by Prof. J Hammerník (Table 1). But it was only in 1958 when Gerontological Section of Czech Society of Internal Medicine, Czech Medical Association was established by Bohumil Prusík, Professor of Internal Medicine at Charles University and a founding member of the International Association of Gerontology. It is worth mentioning that Professor Prusík was 72 when he became the first President of the Section for another 4 years . Later on, in 1962 the Section was renamed as Czech Society of Gerontology. Since then membership grew up to almost 500 members – physicians, nurses, social workers and other health care professionals, academicians and scientists working in the field of gerontology and geriatrics.

But it was only in early 80s when demographic ageing of the population and growing number of older persons (currently 14 % of the population are 65 and over ) together with their increasing need for medical, rehabilitative, nursing and community care speeded up further development of the field. In 1983 the Czechoslovak Society of Gerontology supported the establishment of a new medical specialty – geriatrics with 3 years-long professional training on the internal common trunk . First medical textbooks of gerontology and geriatrics have been published in Czech language. Growing interest in clinical issues resulted in re-naming as Czech Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics (Česká gerontologická a geriatrická společnost (CGGS) in Czech) in 1993 shortly after splitting of the Czech and Slovak Republics in 1992.

In 1990 activities of the Society broadened and opened up not only to professionals but started contacts and co-operation with older people themselves, their carers, with voluntary bodies and organisations (Czech Association of Retired People). More emphasis has been given to the mutual dialog with policy makers, health and social care managers and administartors, media, politicians and trade union organisation of health workers. Today, CGGS is one of the professional associations of Czech Medical Association J. E. Purkynje. It offers specialist´s expertise and advise in the whole range of medical, health care and social care of older persons.

The mission of the CGGS from the very beginning was to improve care practice and care delivery of older people. This mission is being accomplished through complex tasks covering clincal practice and care, education, research and policy (Table 2 – aims of CGGS).
Current activities involve ongoing scientific and educational activities and publications. The official scientific journal of the society - Ceska geriatrická revue is published since 2003.