Objectives: An expert panel reviewed and summarized the literature related to the evidence for the 4Ms—what matters, medication, mentation, and mobility—in supporting care for older adults. Methods: In 2017, geriatric experts and health system executives collaborated with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) to develop the 4Ms framework. Through a strategic search of the IHI database and recent literature, evidence was compiled in support of the framework’s positive clinical outcomes. Results: Asking what matters from the outset of care planning improved both psychological and physiological health statuses. Using screening protocols such as the Beers’ criteria inhibited overprescribing. Mentation strategies aided in prevention and treatment. Fall risk and physical function assessment with early goals and safe environments allowed for safe mobility. Discussion: Through a framework that reduces cognitive load of providers and improves the reliability of evidence-based care for older adults, all clinicians and healthcare workers can engage in age-friendly care.

The designation of “age friendly” has clearly engaged the attention of scholars and leading experts in the field of aging. A search of PubMed references citing the term produced 15 results in the 5‐year period from 2006 to 2011; that number increased to 572 in the period from 2015 to 2019. The work, notably led by the World Health Organization with the initiation of age‐friendly cities and age‐friendly communities, has now sparked a movement for the creation of age‐friendly health systems and age‐friendly public health systems. Now more than ever, in an era of pandemics, it seems wise to create an ecosystem where each of the age‐friendly initiatives can create synergies and additional momentum as the population continues to age. Work of a global nature is especially important given the array of international programs and scientific groups focused on improving the lives of older adults along with their care and support system and our interconnectedness as a world community. In this article, we review the historical evolution of age‐friendly programs and describe a vision for an age‐friendly ecosystem that can encompass the lived environment, social determinants of health, the healthcare system, and our prevention‐focused public health system.

Objective To measure US hospitals’ adoption of electronic health record (EHR) functions that support care for older adults, focusing on structured documentation of the 4Ms (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility) and electronic health information exchange/communication with patients, caregivers, and long-term care providers. Materials and Methods In an online survey of a national, random sample of 797 US acute-care hospitals in 2018–2019, 479 (60.1%) responded. We calculated nationally representative measures of the percentages of hospitals with EHRs that include structured documentation of the 4Ms and exchange/communications functions. Results Structured EHR documentation of the 4Ms was fully implemented in at least 1 unit in 64.0% of hospitals and across all units in 41.5% of hospitals. Of the 4Ms, structured documentation was the highest for medications (91.3% in at least 1 unit) and the lowest for mentation (70.3% in at least 1 unit). All exchange/communication functions had been implemented in at least 1 unit in 16.2% of facilities and across all units in 7.6% of hospitals. Less than half of the hospitals had an EHR portal for long-term care facilities to access hospital information (45.4% in at least 1 unit), sent information electronically to long-term care facilities (44.6%), and had training for adults/caregivers on the patient portal (32.1%). Discussion Despite significant national investment in EHRs, hospital EHRs do not yet include key documentation, exchange, and communication functions needed to support evidence-based care for the older adults who comprise the majority of the inpatient population. Additional policy efforts are likely needed to promote the expansion of EHR capabilities into these high-value domains. Conclusions US acute-care hospital EHRs are lacking key functions that support care for older adults.

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