The Institute of Healthcare Improvement’s Age-Friendly Health Systems (AFHS) movement is currently recruiting nursing home teams for the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) “Action Community” that begins in September. The Action Community is a free virtual learning opportunity for nursing homes to come together with different healthcare systems (including hospitals and ambulatory settings) over 7 months to accelerate the adoption of the 4Ms Framework. The 4Ms (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility) are a set of evidence-based practices intended to make the complex care of older adults manageable. The 4Ms are a framework, not a program, to guide care of older adults in every setting. The intention is to incorporate the 4Ms into existing care, rather than layering them on top, to organize the efficient delivery of effective care. Nearly 500 nursing homes are already recognized as Age-Friendly. Past Action Community participants have seen positive results for residents and staff. A nursing home physician reports:
“The Age Friendly Healthcare System has had a transformative impact in our skilled nursing facility. The 4Ms framework provides a systematic approach to geriatric care, relatable to patients and staff. It provides an opportunity to connect and enlist the interprofessional team, and we found increases in staff morale and engagement after implementation of the 4Ms. On top of this, there was significant improvement in our care and clinical outcomes after adoption of the 4Ms framework such as falls, prescribing of potentially inappropriate medications, disruptive behaviors, and what matters most documentation. We found the 4Ms to be easy to implement and the resources extremely valuable. The culture shift in our skilled nursing facility after adoption cannot be understated, and the framework gives staff an opportunity to celebrate the care we are providing.” Go to this link for more information on the program and here to sign up to be part of the Fall 2023 Action Community.
