Survey results underscore the importance of age-friendly care

WebMD and The John A. Hartford Foundation performed a comprehensive consumer survey of attitudes and experiences with the “4Ms” of care: what matters, medication, mental activity and mobility. More than 2,361 older adults and 405 family caregivers responded to the survey, with 87% reporting satisfaction with the older adult’s care during the preceding year. Caregiver respondents were more likely to negatively rate the care received by their loved ones, who were sicker on average than other respondents. Socioeconomic status and geographic location did not affect respondents’ perceptions of care. According to the survey report, “The goals of age-friendly health systems are to deliver the best evidence-based care, cause no harm, and always be consistent with what matters to the older person. Simply, we need to do better for older adults and their caregivers.” The American Hospital Association partners with The John A. Hartford Foundation to promote age-friendly health systems.