GWEP-CC Age-Friendly Action Community
Written by Robin Arnold, Clinical Quality Improvement Analyst, Deaconess Clinic
Deaconess Health System, in partnership with the University of Southern Indiana’s Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP), is now an instrumental participant in the Age-Friendly Action Community. This community leads initiatives that heighten healthcare services and physical structures in order to create a more inclusive platform to improve adult quality of life as one ages. Healthcare teams from all 50 states are now engaged in adopting a research-informed care model for older adults in hospitals and outpatient settings that focuses on the 4Ms of Age-Friendly Health Systems. As part of an age-friendly health system, Deaconess has implemented high-quality care by modeling the 4Ms (What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility) for all older adults. As we age, our healthcare needs tend to evolve, making it crucial that providers embrace this model of care to ensure patients and their family caregivers are being provided care that best aligns with their needs.
In order to achieve such care, Deaconess has identified a provider from each of our three primary care clinics to serve as an Age-Friendly Clinic Provider Champion. The GWEP works in three clinics in the Tri-State area: downtown Evansville, Reo and Petersburg. Each champion in every clinic will support a Deaconess geriatrician in the delivery of 4Ms-related content to provider staff. The champion will educate and advocate on the importance of fostering a community with a shared goal of promoting health and well-being for our older adult population.
By dedicating two hours a month to serving this initiative, our provider champions will learn the significance of addressing challenges which influence access to healthcare, social services, safety and social support. They will become proficient at tailoring clinic care plans and workflows around geriatric needs, such as identifying a possible fall risk, medication change, management of a disease or providing education to someone suffering from delirium.
The GWEP is dedicated to creating a community that encompasses a healthcare model which acts to enhance the care of older adult patients. We are honored to serve in this community and will collaborate with other healthcare teams as we strive to improve health outcomes and maximize patient and family engagement for all older adults.
