Age-Friendly Health Systems, making care better and friendlier for older adults

Posted on: 8/30/19


Age-friendly health care is an urgent need. There are more than 46 million Americans age 65 and over, and that number is projected to double to more than 98 million by 2060. Many older adults have more than one chronic disease, take multiple medications and live with uncertainty as they transition from living independently to reliance on others.

Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA). The goal of the initiative is to rapidly spread the 4Ms Framework to 20 percent of US hospitals and medical practices by 2020.

The Age-Friendly Health System 4Ms Framework:
  • What Matters: know and align care with each older adult’s specific health outcome goals and care preferences including, but not limited to, end-of-life care and across settings of care.
  • Medications: if medications are necessary, use age-friendly medications that do not interfere with What Matters, Mentation or Mobility.
  • Mentation: prevent, identify, treat and manage depression, dementia and delirium across settings of care.
  • Mobility: ensure that older adults move safely every day in order to maintain function and do What Matters.
An Age-Friendly Health System is one in which every older adult’s care is: (1) guided by an essential set of evidence-based practices (the 4Ms), (2) causes no harm and (3) is consistent with What Matters to the older adult and their family.

Additional information and resources about the Age Friendly Health Systems Initiative and 4Ms Framework can be found at Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

Join the Action Community
Join the first AHA Age-Friendly Health Systems Action Community, convening September 2019. An Age-Friendly Health System Action Community tests the 4Ms Framework in hospital and ambulatory settings, sharing learnings in a seven-month virtual community. There is no cost for participation.

The benefits of joining this Action Community include:
  • Re-deploying and prioritizing existing hospital/health system resources.
  • Supporting your health organization’s mission, vision and values.
  • Putting your organization ahead of the curve in preparing for the impending market shift.
  • Be recognized as an “Age-Friendly Health System Participant.”
To find out more about the Age-Friendly Health Systems Action Community, download a one-page flyer. Email [email protected] for additional information or to ask questions.

Save the dates for OHA 2022 events

Posted on: 2/18/22


It’s a new year and a new lineup of important events for you and your staff. Don’t miss out on these opportunities to engage in advocacy, education and networking all year long. Mark your calendar now!

OHA Advocacy Day - Tuesday, April 5, Oklahoma History Center. Join us for our annual legislative day. We will begin with a member briefing at 3 p.m., followed by a legislative reception at 5 p.m. Watch for registration materials soon.

OHA-PAC Golf Tournament - Tuesday, June 21, Jimmie Austin Golf Club at OU, Norman. Time and details TBA.

OHA Health Care Leaders Forum - Tuesday, July 19 - Thursday, July 21, Shangri-La Resort, Grand Lake. Watch for registration soon!

OHA Connect 22 - Wednesday, Nov. 9 - Friday, Nov. 11, Oklahoma City Convention Center and Omni Hotel, downtown Oklahoma City. Plan now to attend OHA’s annual conference and exhibit hall. More details to come.

Details on these events and other upcoming education opportunities will be available on the OHA website.