Loading...
Recommended Citation
Harvey S. Age Friendly Health Systems: Implementing a Social Modal of Care for Older Adults. Quality Improvement poster presented at Transforming Practice: The Intersection of Technology and Nursing Excellence; Advocate Health Nursing Research and Professional Development Conference 2025; November 12, 2025; Virtual.
Presentation Notes
Quality Improvement poster presented at Transforming Practice: The Intersection of Technology and Nursing Excellence; Advocate Health Nursing Research and Professional Development Conference 2025; November 12, 2025; Virtual.
Abstract
Background
Age Friendly Health Systems (AFHS) is a social movement to care for older adults.
The framework of Age-Friendly care is the 4Ms: Mobility, Medication, Mentation and What Matters, each acting on and acted upon by the rest. Clinicians assess and act on the 4Ms for every older adult in their care.
Local Problem
At this hospital, 58% of inpatients are older adults. The implementation of AFHS drives care for this important demographic.
The goal is to implement AFHS 4M care on all inpatient units by 2025.
Method
With support of the AFHS Action Community, an interdisciplinary Steering Committee studied demographics and defined teammate education and workflows for the 4Ms. On the pilot unit, the aim was to assess and act on the 4Ms for 30 patients in 3 months. In the first 2 months, 21% of patients had 4M assessments and no patients received 4M care as a set
Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) was used to study the process and adapt AFHS practices. The 4M assessments were built into the Epic admission process, however, the telemetry unit received patients who had been admitted or transferred from units throughout the hospital. Documentation was done by unit-based, virtual, agency and resource nurses, most who were not trained in 4M assessment. Rapid-cycle PDSA addressed the complexity of the AFHS assessments and care plans.
Results
We met the goal of 30 patients with 4M care after 5 months; 64% of patients on the pilot unit had all 4Ms assessed. All inpatient units implemented AFHS in 2024.
Implications for Practice
The prevalence and complexity of care for older adults is daunting. Hospitals can utilize the 4M framework to provide geriatric-sensitive care with what matters to the patient driving their care.
The practice of Age-Friendly care on all units allows consistency and efficiency to 4M assessment and interventions.
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
11-12-2025
Age Friendly Health Systems: Implementing a Social Modal of Care for Older Adults
Background
Age Friendly Health Systems (AFHS) is a social movement to care for older adults.
The framework of Age-Friendly care is the 4Ms: Mobility, Medication, Mentation and What Matters, each acting on and acted upon by the rest. Clinicians assess and act on the 4Ms for every older adult in their care.
Local Problem
At this hospital, 58% of inpatients are older adults. The implementation of AFHS drives care for this important demographic.
The goal is to implement AFHS 4M care on all inpatient units by 2025.
Method
With support of the AFHS Action Community, an interdisciplinary Steering Committee studied demographics and defined teammate education and workflows for the 4Ms. On the pilot unit, the aim was to assess and act on the 4Ms for 30 patients in 3 months. In the first 2 months, 21% of patients had 4M assessments and no patients received 4M care as a set
Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) was used to study the process and adapt AFHS practices. The 4M assessments were built into the Epic admission process, however, the telemetry unit received patients who had been admitted or transferred from units throughout the hospital. Documentation was done by unit-based, virtual, agency and resource nurses, most who were not trained in 4M assessment. Rapid-cycle PDSA addressed the complexity of the AFHS assessments and care plans.
Results
We met the goal of 30 patients with 4M care after 5 months; 64% of patients on the pilot unit had all 4Ms assessed. All inpatient units implemented AFHS in 2024.
Implications for Practice
The prevalence and complexity of care for older adults is daunting. Hospitals can utilize the 4M framework to provide geriatric-sensitive care with what matters to the patient driving their care.
The practice of Age-Friendly care on all units allows consistency and efficiency to 4M assessment and interventions.
Affiliations
South Suburban Hospital