Age-Friendly Health Systems Movement changes approach

The Harris County Psychiatric Center (HCPC) is proud to be recognized as part of the “Age-Friendly Health Systems Movement.” The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States, came together to from the Age Friendly Health System.

The movement focuses on improving health care for elderly patients. As the world’s population grows, and people, on average, are living longer, the number of older people will continue to increase. The result will put more pressure on healthcare facilities to not only take on more patients, but to also be ready to offer specialized treatments to an older population.

The Age-Friendly Health System looks to develop a framework using four high-level interventions, what matters, mobility, medications, and mentation, known as the “4 M’s.” These help physicians understand the patient’s needs, review plans for each patient, making adjustments if needed, open a discussion involving medicine use, and improve any other condition such as dementia, delirium, and depression.

All of this will be used to create an organized approach to meet an older population’s medical needs. As a result of being recognized by the movement, HCPC will have the opportunity to be ahead of the curve in preparing for a shifting market as well as take an overall look at the operation to ensure maximum efficiency.

For additional information, click here.

 

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