Geriatric Care Models: How to Design Age-Friendly Healthcare Services

“The greatest secret of success is to care more about others than yourself.” – Norman Vincent Peale, American minister and author

As the world’s population ages, healthcare must change to meet older adults’ needs. The US will see a big increase in people aged 65+ from 43.1 million in 2012 to 83.7 million by 2050. Healthcare providers need new ways to care for seniors, focusing on elderly healthcare and age-friendly communities.

Creating age-friendly healthcare is key for older adults to live well. It involves many services like long-term care and managing chronic diseases. By using proven methods and putting patients first, healthcare can improve the lives of seniors and their families.

Key Takeaways

The aging population is rapidly growing, necessitating adaptations in healthcare systems to meet their complex needs.
Developing age-friendly healthcare models is crucial for promoting successful, healthy, and active aging among older adults.
Comprehensive geriatric care encompasses a range of services, including long-term care, dementia care, fall prevention, chronic disease management, caregiver support, and palliative care.
Patient-centered, evidence-based practices are essential for enhancing the quality of life for older adults and their families.
Collaboration between healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations is key to implementing effective age-friendly initiatives.

Introduction to Aging Population and Healthcare Needs

The aging population is a big challenge for healthcare systems around the world. By 2050, the number of people aged 60 and above will double to 2.1 billion. This will put a lot of pressure on healthcare services, as older adults often have complex needs.

Demographic Shifts and Impact on Healthcare Systems

The number of people aged 80 or older is expected to triple by 2050, reaching 426 million. By then, two-thirds of the world’s 60+ population will live in low- and middle-income countries. This rapid aging will require healthcare systems to adapt and offer targeted services for the elderly.

Importance of Age-Friendly Healthcare Services

It’s vital to design healthcare services that meet the needs of older adults. Key challenges include managing chronic conditions, preventing falls, addressing malnutrition, and providing personalized, dignified care. Age-friendly practices can help healthcare systems better serve the growing number of older adults and address their unique challenges.

“By 2050, 80% of older people will be living in low- and middle-income countries, placing significant strain on their healthcare systems to provide age-friendly services.”

What is an Age-Friendly Health System?

An Age-Friendly Health System is a new way to care for older adults. It aims to give safe, reliable, and high-quality healthcare that meets their needs. This model was created by The John A. Hartford Foundation, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the American Hospital Association, and the Catholic Health Association of the United States.

Defining Age-Friendly Health Systems

The core of this system is the “4Ms Framework.” It focuses on What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. This helps healthcare providers give care that fits the unique needs of older adults. By using the 4Ms, healthcare can better serve the aging population and improve health outcomes.

Core Elements: The 4Ms Framework

What Matters: Identifying and aligning care with each patient’s specific health goals, care preferences, and values.
Medication: Ensuring appropriate medication management, minimizing polypharmacy, and reducing adverse drug events.
Mentation: Recognizing and addressing cognitive impairments, such as dementia and delirium, while promoting mental well-being.
Mobility: Maintaining and improving patients’ physical function, strength, and independence to prevent falls and enable active living.

Age-Friendly Health Systems focus on these four elements to provide care that empowers older adults. More healthcare organizations are adopting this approach. It’s changing how we care for the aging population.

Age-Friendly Health Systemsand the4Ms Frameworklead in patient-centered geriatric care. They improve healthcare experiences and outcomes for older adults.

“The Age-Friendly Health Systems approach focuses on improving outcomes, reducing avoidable hospital readmissions, enhancing patient and family satisfaction, and lowering overall costs.”

The 4Ms Framework of Age-Friendly Care

The number of adults 65 and older in the U.S. is expected to nearly double by 2050. Healthcare providers must adapt to meet the unique needs of older adults. The 4Ms Framework of Age-Friendly Care offers a comprehensive approach to delivering patient-centered, age-friendly healthcare services.

What Matters: Aligning Care with Patient Preferences

The 4Ms framework focuses on “What Matters” – knowing and acting on each older adult’s health goals and care preferences. Healthcare providers engage in meaningful conversations with patients. This ensures the care plan aligns with the individual’s values and personal health goals.

This patient-centered care approach makes sure the care delivered meets the older adult’s needs and preferences.

Medication Management for Older Adults

The “Medication” component of the 4Ms framework focuses on optimizing medication use for older adults. It includes conducting thorough medication reconciliation and deprescribing unnecessary medications. Effective medication management is crucial for older adults, as they often take multiple medications and are at a higher risk of adverse drug events and interactions.

Medication Challenges for Older Adults	Strategies for Medication Management
Polypharmacy (taking 3 or more daily medications) Increased risk of adverse drug events and interactions Difficulty adhering to complex medication regimens	Medication reconciliation and review Deprescribing unnecessary or potentially harmful medications Simplifying medication regimens Engaging patients in shared decision-making Utilizing medication management tools and resources

By prioritizing “What Matters” and optimizing medication management, healthcare providers can deliver more age-friendly, geriatric care that aligns with the unique needs and preferences of older adults.

“Providing age-friendly, patient-centered care is essential as the population continues to age. The 4Ms Framework offers a comprehensive approach to addressing the complex healthcare needs of older adults.”

Mobility: Enabling Safe and Functional Movement

In the age-friendly care model, keeping older adults mobile is key. Mobility lets them move safely and on their own. It’s linked to their health, function, and geriatric rehabilitation. As people get older, moving around can get harder. Over 31.7% of adults aged 65 and older find walking 3 city blocks tough.

Falls are a big risk for older adults. More than 50% of nursing home residents fall each year. The age-friendly care model focuses on helping each resident move safely every day. This keeps them independent and prevents serious injuries.

Mobility is also tied to other important aspects of age-friendly care. These include what matters to the patient, managing medications, and cognitive health. Things like medications, mental health, and the environment can affect how well an older adult moves.

It’s crucial to promote mobility and prevent falls in older adults. This helps keep them independent and improves their quality of life. By using age-friendly practices, healthcare providers can help older adults stay active and confident in their daily lives.

Mentation: Supporting Cognitive Health and Well-Being

As more people get older, it’s vital to focus on their mental health. The mentation part of the 4Ms Age-Friendly Healthcare Model helps with this. It aims to keep minds sharp, support independence, and treat conditions like dementia and depression.

Identifying and Treating Dementia, Delirium, and Depression

It’s important to assess and treat mental health needs well. Doctors need to know how to spot signs of mental decline. Early diagnosis and treatment help keep minds healthy and sharp.

Promoting Independence and Dignity

Good mental health lets older adults live on their own with pride. The mentation part of the model includes counseling and social activities. These help seniors stay mentally strong and independent.

Statistic	Value
U.S. Spending on Long-Term Care Services	Over $400 billion annually
U.S. Ranking in Public Spending on Long-Term Care	Between Portugal and Israel
Family Caregiving Cost in the U.S.	Over $1 trillion, exceeding spending on entertainment, apparel, and consumer electronics
Individuals on Waiting Lists for Home and Community-Based Services	Over 700,000

By focusing on mentation, healthcare can boost cognitive health. It also helps keep seniors independent and proud. This ensures they get the mental health care they need for geriatric psychiatry.

geriatric care models, elderly health, aging population

As the world’s population ages, creating good geriatric care models is key. It helps meet the needs of older adults. By offering age-friendly healthcare services, we can better serve the aging population. This leads to healthier, more active aging.

Studies show the value of comprehensive geriatric assessment and coordinated care. For example, a study at Lakewood Family Health Center showed benefits. About 150 geriatric patients in the Patient Priorities Care (PPC) program saw better health and care that matched their goals.

Geriatric Care Model	Key Findings
Patient Priorities Care (PPC)	Patients had a phone interview a week before seeing their primary care provider (PCP). This was the first study in primary care to use a PPC approach for geriatric patients with many chronic conditions. The study was funded by the Donaghue Foundation, and the data is still being validated. Results will come out later this year.

By focusing on what older adults need, healthcare providers can create better geriatric care models. This improves elderly health and leads to better outcomes for the aging population. By exploring and using these models, we can make healthcare more age-friendly.

“Developing effective geriatric care models is essential for supporting the growing aging population and enhancing the overall health and well-being of older adults.”

Implementing Age-Friendly Practices in Hospitals

Hospitals are changing to meet the needs of older adults. They use the 4Ms Framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility) to guide their care. This approach helps them focus on what’s important to older patients.

Strategies for Acute Care Settings

Creating age-friendly hospitals is a big task. Here are some key steps:

They focus on care that fits older adults’ needs and wants.
They make sure patients are safe, especially from falls and medication mistakes.
They use the 4Ms Framework in every part of care, from start to finish.

Transitioning to Age-Friendly Emergency Departments

Emergency departments are key for older adults. They need to be welcoming and ready for their complex needs. Making EDs age-friendly means:

They use special protocols and train staff to handle issues like delirium and dementia.
They make the place more accessible and comfy for older patients.
They work on better care coordination and support after leaving the hospital.

By adopting age-friendly practices, hospitals can improve care for older adults. This leads to better health outcomes and a more supportive healthcare experience.

“The 4Ms Framework has become a guiding principle for acute care settings, helping hospitals transform their care models to better serve older adults.”

Age-Friendly Practices in Long-Term Care Facilities

As more people age, the need for age-friendly nursing homes grows. These places are meant for older adults, but they need to do better. They should focus more on the needs and wishes of their residents.

Nursing Home Care and the 4Ms

The 4Ms framework is key for good care in nursing homes. It stands for what matters, medications, mentation, and mobility. Using this framework helps nursing homes meet the unique needs of their residents.

Promoting Resident-Centered Care

Creating a caring environment in long-term care is vital. It means giving residents power, respecting their choices, and helping them stay active and social. This approach improves the lives of older adults in care.

Nursing Home Care and the 4Ms	Promoting Resident-Centered Care
Aligning care plans with the 4Ms framework Integrating the 4Ms into daily routines Addressing the unique needs and preferences of older adult residents	Fostering a culture of age-friendly care Empowering residents and honoring their individual preferences Encouraging independence and social engagement

“Implementing the 4Ms framework and promoting resident-centered care in long-term care facilities are essential for supporting the health and well-being of our aging population.”

Workforce Development for Age-Friendly Care

Delivering top-notch age-friendly healthcare needs a dedicated, well-trained team. They must know how to handle the complex needs of older adults. Programs for healthcare education and training should focus on geriatric care. They should also promote interprofessional collaboration for better, coordinated care for the aging population.

Investing in a skilled, knowledgeable geriatric workforce is key. It’s vital for the success of age-friendly healthcare models.

Training and Education for Healthcare Professionals

In 2024, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funded 42 Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) grantees in 37 states. These programs are in schools of medicine, nursing, and more. They also include primary care clinics, like federally qualified health centers (FQHC).

The GWEP coordinating center gives each program $1,000 a year. This money helps healthcare professionals get the training and education they need for age-friendly care.

Interprofessional Collaboration in Geriatric Care

Interprofessional collaboration is key for comprehensive care for older adults. A study in August 2024 showed how a geriatric case competition helped students work better together. It also found that a geriatric game improved teamwork and communication among healthcare providers.

“Transforming geriatric practice through leveraging electronic health records for healthcare team training is crucial for ensuring a well-equipped workforce capable of delivering age-friendly care.”

By investing in training and education and promoting interprofessional collaboration, healthcare systems can build a strong geriatric workforce. This workforce will be ready to meet the changing needs of the aging population.

Community-Based Age-Friendly Initiatives

Creating age-friendly healthcare needs a team effort from the whole community. Age-friendly city and community initiatives are key. They improve infrastructure, social services, and civic engagement for older adults.

Age-Friendly Cities and Communities

These efforts make cities and towns better for everyone, no matter their age. They focus on accessible public spaces, reliable transport, and affordable homes. They also aim to keep older adults engaged and active.

By involving older adults in planning, communities can better meet their needs. This ensures programs are tailored and effective.

Engaging Older Adults and Caregivers

It’s vital to involve older adults and their caregivers in these initiatives. Older adults offer valuable insights into their challenges and needs. Caregivers help by advocating for their loved ones and working with local authorities.

Intergenerational programs are also important. They bring together older adults, their families, and younger people. These programs strengthen social bonds and fight ageism.

“Older adults with lower incomes are more likely to have disabilities and die younger. About 8 in 10 older adults struggle to use medical documents like forms or charts. Most older adults in the United States have at least 1 chronic health condition.”

The world’s population is aging fast, with older adults set to double in the next 30 years. Community-based initiatives are more crucial than ever. By focusing on older adults’ needs, we can build inclusive, supportive places for healthy aging.

Policy and Regulatory Considerations

Creating effective age-friendly healthcare models needs good policies and government support. The Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) is a federal program that focuses on training healthcare workers for older adults. It aims to make healthcare better for the elderly.

Regulatory bodies and standards are also changing. They now include age-friendly care, like the 4Ms framework. This helps ensure older adults get the best care possible.

Government Initiatives and Funding

The number of people over 65 in the US is growing fast. The “oldest old” group, those over 85, is growing even faster. To meet this challenge, the government has started new programs and funding.

These efforts aim to improve care for older adults. They also work to reduce health disparities and keep the healthcare system strong.

Quality Measures and Accreditation Standards

Quality standards and accreditation are now focusing on age-friendly care. This means healthcare providers must pay more attention to the needs of older adults. They need to offer care that is tailored to each person’s needs.

These standards are based on the 4Ms framework. It covers what matters to the patient, their medications, their mental health, and their mobility. This ensures care is comprehensive and focused on the person.

“Effective management of older adults with multiple chronic conditions is essential for higher-value health care.”

Programs like the Transitional Care Model (TCM) and the Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers (INTERACT) have shown great results. They have improved patient care, health outcomes, and even saved money. As healthcare changes, it’s crucial for policymakers and regulators to keep focusing on age-friendly care.

Challenges and Barriers to Age-Friendly Care

Creating age-friendly healthcare models is tough. It’s up against deep-seated ageism and wrong ideas about aging. We must fight these biases and stereotypes to help older adults get better care. Also, making sure resources are shared fairly and showing that age-friendly care saves money are big challenges.

Overcoming Ageism and Misconceptions

Ageism is a big problem in society, including healthcare. Old-fashioned views and negative attitudes about aging hold back age-friendly care. We need to educate people and change these views to support older adults better.

Resource Allocation and Cost-Effectiveness

Getting resources and showing age-friendly care is cost-effective is hard. Healthcare systems have to choose between many needs and have limited money. We need to show how age-friendly care saves money and improves health to get the support it needs.

“Modifiable factors in healthcare for the elderly can prevent and manage chronic disease effectively and make up 75% of differences in health and function for senior adults compared to genetics at 25%.”

By tackling these challenges, we can make healthcare better for older adults. This will improve their health and happiness.

Future Directions and Research Priorities

As more people get older, healthcare needs to change and grow. New technologies like telehealth and smart homes could help. They promise better care access and support for the elderly.

Emerging Technologies in Geriatric Care

Geriatric technology can tackle aging challenges. It includes tools for managing health and staying independent. This way, older adults can get better care and live better lives.

Evidence-Based Practice and Continuous Improvement

Keeping care based on evidence and improving it is key. Evidence-based geriatric care and continuous quality improvement are crucial. They help make healthcare better for older adults over time.

The world is aging fast, with 2 billion over 60 by mid-century. Investing in new, age-friendly healthcare is vital. By using new tech and improving care, we can ensure older adults get the care they need.

“The future of geriatric care lies in the harmonious integration of emerging technologies, evidence-based practices, and a deep commitment to continuously improving the quality of services for our rapidly aging population.”

Conclusion

Creating age-friendly healthcare services is key for the growing number of older people in the U.S. It helps improve their health and happiness. Healthcare can use the 4Ms framework to focus on what matters most to each person. This includes their medication, mobility, and mental state.

Healthcare can tackle challenges by working together across the community. This includes making policies, training staff, and using new technologies. As more people age, the need for care that prevents disease and keeps them independent will grow.

Healthcare providers must focus on age-friendly care in hospitals and other places. This ensures older Americans get the care they need to stay healthy and happy. Success in age-friendly healthcare depends on working together to meet the changing needs of older adults.

FAQ

What is an age-friendly health system?

An age-friendly health system focuses on older adults’ needs. It uses the “4Ms”: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. This approach aims to provide safe, effective care.

What are the core elements of the 4Ms framework for age-friendly care?

The 4Ms framework has four main parts. First, “What Matters” focuses on an older adult’s health goals and preferences. Second, “Medication” aims to manage medications safely.

Third, “Mobility” ensures older adults move safely every day. Lastly, “Mentation” supports their cognitive health and independence.

How can age-friendly practices be implemented in hospitals and nursing homes?

In hospitals, age-friendly care means using evidence-based practices. It also means prioritizing patient safety and aligning care with older adults’ wishes.

In nursing homes, the 4Ms framework is key. It’s important to create care plans that focus on the individual. A culture of person-centered care is also crucial.

Why is workforce development crucial for age-friendly healthcare?

Training healthcare professionals in geriatrics is vital. It helps them provide better care for older adults. Investing in a skilled geriatric workforce is essential for age-friendly healthcare.

How can communities support age-friendly initiatives?

Communities can support age-friendly initiatives in many ways. They can improve infrastructure and social services. They can also engage older adults and caregivers in planning.

This ensures programs meet the unique needs of older adults. It helps them age actively and independently.

What are some challenges to implementing age-friendly healthcare models?

Implementing age-friendly healthcare faces several challenges. Overcoming ageism and misconceptions about aging is one. Ensuring fair resource allocation is another.

Showing the cost-effectiveness of these programs is also important. Addressing biases and making a strong case for age-friendly care will help drive adoption.