Group focused on age-friendly care set to convene

August 1, 2023

The American Hospital Association is convening an "action community" this fall to expand knowledge of the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative and invites all clinical care sites that provide care to older adults to participate.

Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative based on a set of evidence-based practices called the "4Ms" — what matters to the patient, mobility, mentation and medication.

Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, in partnership with CHA and the American Hospital Association.

"The 4M framework represents the greatest advancement in quality care for older adults I have encountered, as a nurse and as a CHA staff member," says Julie Trocchio, senior director of community benefit and continuing care at CHA. "It translates many years of health research into vital and practical practices that work in all settings caring for seniors."

Entities within Providence St. Joseph Health, Ascension and Trinity Health were among the first to test the concepts behind the initiative. To date, more than 3,000 hospitals and health care practices have become Age-Friendly Health Systems by learning and using the 4Ms framework.

Once health facilities or practices incorporate the initiative's framework into patient care, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement provides them with a tool kit to market themselves as an Age-Friendly Health System. The institute is a nonprofit focused on motivating and building the will for change.

Joining an action community is one of the on-ramps to taking part in the initiative. The community tests the 4M framework in hospital and ambulatory settings and shares learnings in a seven-month program. Community participation comes with webinars, coaching and resources.

More information on Age-Friendly Health Systems and a form to join the action community is online at aha.org/center/age-friendly-health-systems.

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