Chair File: Age-Friendly Care that Supports Older Adults and Their Care Teams

Consider these statistics and the impact on health care: By 2035, the number of adults age 65 or older is expected to outnumber children under age 18 for the first time in U.S. history, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The total number of older adults in the U.S. is expected to reach about 90 million by 2060.

We must ensure that older adults receive the care they need and that health care teams are supported in this work.

As part of these efforts, the AHA is a partner in the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement, which focuses on addressing the unique care needs of older adult patients and supporting care teams.

Underpinning this initiative is a set of evidence-based practices known as the 4Ms: what matters to the patient, medications, mentation and mobility. Care teams recognized as “age friendly” reliably implement the 4Ms together in every encounter with older adult patients.

The AHA this fall will convene its fifth Age-Friendly Health Systems Action Community and welcome individuals and teams from hospitals, health systems, ambulatory care settings, long-term care settings, clinical practices, skilled nursing facilities and other care sites. Participants in this virtual community will have access to monthly webinars, 1-to-1 coaching and valuable resources — plus an opportunity to share learnings and progress with others. Participation is free, and there’s still time to reserve a spot.

Health care teams that have participated in previous action communities report that using the 4Ms framework has decreased length of stay for older adult patients, improved health outcomes, increased patient and staff satisfaction, helped address workforce challenges and had other positive impacts.

Grady Health System, the organization I lead, is one of more than 3,000 care sites in all 50 states that has participated in an action community and is now recognized as “age friendly.” I’m proud that the Grady team also received the “Committed to Care Excellence” designation.

To learn more about age-friendly recognition and the upcoming AHA Age-Friendly Health Systems Action Community, visit AHA.org/agefriendly.

As we navigate current challenges in the field, providing age-friendly care is part of AHA’s commitment to deliver better care and greater value — and advance the health of all individuals at every life stage in communities across the country.