CHI Health St. Elizabeth and Clinics Recognized as Age-Friendly Health System
Our population is older today than ever before. The U.S. Census Bureau projects the number of Americans 65+ will increase by nearly 50 percent by 2050. So how will our healthcare systems ensure they’re equipped to care for this aging population? The work has to start now, which is why CHI Health St.
Elizabeth and CHI Health Clinics in Lincoln are proud to be named an Age Friendly Health System - Committed to Care Excellence through the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and the John A. Hartford Foundation.
CommonSpirit Health, CHI Health’s parent organization, selected St. Elizabeth and primary care clinics in Lincoln to pilot this program ahead of other locations throughout the healthcare system. The Age-Friendly Health Systems movement promotes reliable, evidence-based practices that lead to an improved patient experience, better health outcomes and lower costs for older adults. Over the last several months, the St. Elizabeth and clinic teams have been working to incorporate the The 4Ms of Care:
- 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. - Medication: If medication is necessary, use Age-Friendly medications that do not interfere with What Matters to the older adult, Mobility, or Mentation across settings of care.
- Mentation: Prevent, identify, treat and manage dementia, depression, and delirium across settings of care.
- Mobility: Ensure older adults move safely every day in order to maintain function and do What Matters to them.
“St. Elizabeth and CHI Health Clinics in Lincoln are leading the way in making sure that every day, every older adult receives age-friendly health care,” said Jenny Stachura, CHI Health Nebraska/Iowa Market Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services at St. Elizabeth. “This care movement helps us fulfill our mission of delivering human kindness in every interaction. Age Friendly Care goes beyond treating disease or illness, but simultaneously respects each patient’s wishes, values and beliefs.”
As of August 2023, more than 1,900 hospitals, practices, convenient care clinics, and nursing homes have been recognized as AgeFriendly Health Systems – Committed to Care Excellence. Globally, more
than 2,480,000 older adults have been reached with 4Ms care, which has been found to extend the lifespan of adult patients by a little more than six months.
In addition to St. Elizabeth and CHI Health Clinics in Lincoln, CHI Health at Home - Home Care and Hospice and CHI Health St. Francis Senior Living in Grand Island were also a part of this pilot program and achieved Age Friendly Health System recognition.