The number of adults in the U.S. aged 65 and older grows daily, putting renewed emphasis on how to care for older Americans and those who have unique needs.
“We put a lot of priority on children’s health, but we have a very active population of older adults, and it’s important to recognize the impact they have on society, and to boost their health care,” said Maureen S. Beck, DNP, APRN, GNP-C, a gerontological nurse practitioner and co-director of the UT Physicians Center for Healthy Aging.
Age-friendly care
In 2019, the UT Physicians Center for Healthy Aging – Bellaire Station was designated an Age-Friendly Health System. It was the second outpatient clinic in Texas to earn this recognition for a commitment to providing a nurturing, caring place for older adults facing a myriad of health concerns.
The designation comes from the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative, which The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement launched to prevent harm to older adults, improve health outcomes, and lower overall costs.
“This is an international effort to better support a population that is expected to balloon by 2050,” said Beck, an assistant professor of geriatric and palliative medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston.
Four important checks
The age-friendly care designation entails a dedication to four elements of high-quality care known as the “4Ms.”
- What Matters Most: Always ask the patient what matters most to them. This key question can help align care with what’s important to the patient.
- Medication: Providers should thoroughly look at each patient’s medication list. Look for medications that could be dangerous in combination, are no longer needed, and cause more harm than good.
- Mentation: This assessment of the patient’s mental state includes how they feel, memory function, and their cognitive state.
- Mobility: Providers should fully understand the patient’s mobility by evaluating their ability to walk, sit, and stand unassisted.
“At the Center for Healthy Aging, we specialize in geriatrics, but with an emphasis on these four elements, we go above and beyond to achieve the best patient outcomes possible,” said Beck.
What patients can do
Patients, patient advocates, and caregivers can also work with providers to facilitate the 4Ms approach into each wellness exam.
“For example, a patient might express that they don’t ever want to go to the emergency room again. They might be 98, and at this point in their life, they just want to stay in their home. This is when it’s important to express what matters most,” said Beck. “So, we find ways to take care of them without pushing them to the emergency room.”
What providers can do
The 4Ms approach is simple and actionable, allowing any provider to utilize these elements during exams to administer age-friendly care for patients 65-plus.
“Following the 4Ms as part of the exam process will help providers do a more complete job of taking care of our aging population,” said Beck. “It may not fit into every appointment, but at the least, every provider can align their care with what matters most to that patient.”
