/ en Fri, 25 Apr 2025 20:16:43 -0500 Fri, 11 Apr 25 13:10:53 -0500 /role-hospitals-virtual-singing-walking-groups-dartmouth-healths-programs-older-adults-enhance-health <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-9"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-5"><p><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/stc-dartmouth-aging-resource-center-700x532.png" alt="Dartmouth Health. A female art teacher stands talking to an older woman seated at a craft table" width="700" height="532"></p></div><p>Food for Your Soul: Reading Poetry Together. Get Hooked on Walking. Virtual Morning Sing. How to Eat to Improve Our Resilience to Stress. These classes are among hundreds offered by the Dartmouth Health Aging Resource Center in Lebanon, N.H., each year.</p><p>The Aging Resource Center, part of the health system’s Geriatric Center of Excellence, offers free educational classes, support and services to improve the minds, bodies and spirits of older adults and their families. Programs and support groups are held in person and virtually.</p><p>Older adults can take a class or series of classes to improve their balance, get help using their iPhone, participate in a morning virtual sing or in-person singing group, write poetry, learn strategies for coping with symptoms of chronic disease and get tips for eating healthy when money is tight — and much more. In addition, they can access the Aging Resource Center to simply relax, read, browse the internet or enjoy exhibits by local artists who also are older adults.</p><p>The center also hosts a Memory Café for individuals with dementia and their caregivers, which is organized by Dartmouth medical students and an attending physician. The café provides social, cognitive and physical activities for patients, including live music, arts and crafts, and chair exercises, and offers informational sessions for caregivers.</p><p>One older adult with Parkinson’s disease noted, “We often feel like we’re on our own fighting the progression of this disease. We’re excited to have access to this support group and are looking forward to attending future sessions.”</p><p>A Food for Your Soul program participant observed, “Reading and discussing poetry biweekly lifts our spirits and engages our minds and emotions in new, challenging and inspiring ways.”</p><p><a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/aging-resource-center" target="_blank">LEARN MORE</a></p></div></div><div class="col-md-3"><div><h4>Resources on the Role of Hospitals</h4><ul><li><a href="/center/population-health">Improving Health and Wellness</a></li><li><a href="/roleofhospitals">All Case Studies</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> Fri, 11 Apr 2025 13:10:53 -0500 Older Adults /role-hospitals-elizabethtown-community-hospitals-community-friendship-volunteer-program-helps-reduce-social-isolation-among <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-9"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-5"><p><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/ths-elizabethtown-senior-friendship-volunteer-700x532.jpg" alt="Elizabethtown Community Hospital. A young female caregiver helps an elderly woman shop in a grocery store" width="700" height="532"></p></div><p>Loneliness and social isolation are a growing public health concern. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office released “<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf" target="_blank">Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community</a>.” The report highlights data showing that loneliness is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and premature death. The highest rates of social isolation are found among adults age 65 or older.</p><p>To reduce social isolation and loneliness among older adults and help improve their health and well-being, Elizabethtown (N.Y.) Community Hospital launched the Community Friendship Volunteer Program in fall 2024. Developed with Mercy Care for the Adirondacks, a nonprofit organization that provides support services for seniors, the program pairs older adults with volunteers who provide companionship and support, but not clinical assistance. All volunteers must complete an application and background check.</p><p>“Too often seniors in our community experience social isolation and loneliness, and this can have drastic effects on their health,” <a href="https://www.ech.org/News/Detail/94" target="_blank">observes Julie Tromblee</a>, vice president and chief nursing officer at Elizabethtown Community Hospital, part of the University of Vermont Health Network.</p><p>Program volunteers visit older adults at their home or talk by telephone and may assist with correspondence and with shopping or other errands. Together, a volunteer and older adult may plan outings, enjoy music and literature, and participate in crafts, gardening or other activities. Families, friends and older adults themselves can request a volunteer match, and all services are free.</p><p>The hospital is part of the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative and views its volunteer program as complementary support. “The AFHS and Community Friendship Volunteer Program help ensure that we are supporting seniors both here at the hospital and in their own home,” Tromblee said.</p><p><a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://www.ech.org/About-Us/Community-Friendship-Volunteer-Program" target="_blank">LEARN MORE</a></p></div></div><div class="col-md-3"><div><h4>Resources on the Role of Hospitals</h4><ul><li><a href="/center/population-health">Improving Health and Wellness</a></li><li><a href="/roleofhospitals">All Case Studies</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:04:38 -0500 Older Adults /news/headline/2025-01-28-study-dementia-cases-estimated-double-2060 <p>Dementia cases in the U.S. are expected to double by 2060, reaching 1 million new cases per year, according to a <a href="https://nyulangone.org/news/united-states-dementia-cases-estimated-double-2060">study</a> released Jan. 13 by NYU Langone Health. The study found that the risk of developing dementia any time after age 55 is 42%, more than double the risk reported in prior studies. The study authors attributed previous underestimates of dementia risk to unreliable documentation in health records and on death certificates, minimal surveillance of early-stage dementia cases and underreporting of cases by race. </p> Tue, 28 Jan 2025 15:53:13 -0600 Older Adults /case-studies/2024-01-31-case-study-integrating-age-friendly-care-geriatric-emergency-department <p>An interdisciplinary team at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, Calif., has effectively integrated age-friendly care in its busy emergency department, which also is recognized as a <a href="https://www.acep.org/geda" target="_blank">GEDA (Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation)</a>  Gold Level 1 facility.</p><p>By prioritizing data collection and analysis and addressing quality of life, care goals and caregiver strain, the hospital has decreased readmissions for patients age 65 and older, improved job satisfaction and retention among nurses, and achieved other positive outcomes. The team is now collaborating to share best practices and standardize guidelines of care for older adult patients across the health system.</p> Wed, 31 Jan 2024 11:06:37 -0600 Older Adults /news/headline/2023-07-31-cms-announces-medicare-part-b-dementia-care-model <p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today <a href="https://innovation.cms.gov/innovation-models/guide">announced</a> the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, a voluntary national Medicare payment model beginning next July that aims to help dementia patients remain at home and improve quality of life for them and their caregivers. Participating Medicare Part B providers and suppliers will receive a monthly per-beneficiary amount for providing care management and coordination and caregiver education and support services. Certain safety net providers in the new program track will be eligible for a one-time, lump sum infrastructure payment to support program development activities. CMS is accepting <a href="https://app1.innovation.cms.gov/GUIDELOI/s/">letters of interest</a> through Sept. 15 and plans to release a request for applications this fall. <br />  </p> Mon, 31 Jul 2023 15:01:00 -0500 Older Adults /news/headline/2023-07-12-aha-podcast-enhancing-care-older-patients-age-friendly-health-systems <p>Sonja Rosen, M.D., chief of geriatrics at Cedars-Sinai, discusses the health system’s journey as an Age-Friendly Health System and its multidisciplinary approach to providing quality care for older patients in the midst of a workforce shortage. <strong><a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2023-07-11-title-enhancing-care-older-patients-age-friendly-health-systems?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=aha-today" target="_blank">LISTEN NOW</a></strong></p> <p></p> <div><a href="https://soundcloud.com/advancinghealth" target="_blank" title="Advancing Health">Advancing Health</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/advancinghealth/230113-agefriendlypodcast" target="_blank" title="Enhancing Care for Older Patients with Age-Friendly Health Systems">Enhancing Care for Older Patients with Age-Friendly Health Systems</a></div> Wed, 12 Jul 2023 15:32:07 -0500 Older Adults /education-events/healthy-aging-leveraging-interdisciplinary-collaboration-create-age-friendly-health-systems-aug-9 <div class="TTevent"> /* Forces the event Content Type to be 100% */ .container .row .col-md-8{ width: 100% } .event-registration-link a{ margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; display: block; text-align: center; } .event-registration-link a.btn-block { max-width: 300px; } .TTevent h3{ color:#002855; } .TTeventBonus{ color:#9d2235; font-weight:700; font-style: italic; } .TTeventdate{ font-weight: 700; font-size: 18px; color: #555555bb; line-height: 20px; } .TTeventSponsor img{ max-height:100px; } <p class="TTeventdate">August 9, 2023</p> <p>By the year 2050, the nation’s adult population over age 65 is projected to reach 83.7 million or 39%. Through the development of Age-Friendly Health Systems and increased focus on four key areas (the 4Ms), we aim to improve patient care and safety as well as reduce length of stay and number of readmissions. Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative designed to meet the needs of older adults, looking beyond acute events, engaging the whole community, and achieving better health for older adults. View this webinar to learn about the impact and outcomes of the 4Ms Framework — what matters, medications, mobility and mentation — through a case example featuring Atrium Health. Learn how they tracked data and used the skill set of their team to provide reliable 4Ms care to older adults.</p> <h4>Learning Objectives:</h4> <ul> <li>Assess the need for health systems to become Age-Friendly</li> <li>Learn about the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement and how the 4Ms Framework (what matters, medications, mobility, and mentation) can be applied to a care setting</li> <li>Review the progress and challenges of the initiative at a site and hear about how your organization can become involved</li> </ul> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-5"> <h4>Speakers:</h4> <ul> <li><strong>Tru Byrnes, DNP, RN, CNL, GERO-BC, CMSRN</strong><br> <em>Geriatric Clinical Nurse Leader/ NICHE Coordinator,</em> Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center</li> <li><strong>Mercy Kern, MSN, NEA-BC, </strong><br> <em>Nurse Manager,</em> Atrium Health Mercy</li> </ul> <p class="text-align-center"><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/system/files/media/file/2023/08/AHA_Team_Training_Webinar_Slides_Aug_2023.pdf" target="_blank">Download the slides</a></p> <div class="col-md-6"> <h4>SPONSORED BY:</h4> </div> <div class="col-md-6"> <p><a href="https://q-reviews.com/q-reviews/" target="_blank"><img alt="Quality Reviews logo" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="/sites/default/files/2021-01/Quality_Reviews_transparent_logo_200.png" /></a></p> </div> </div>--></div> <div class="col-md-7"> <div></div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-embed-button="webform_embed" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:webform.token" data-entity-type="webform" data-entity-uuid="0b43a680-6f37-4d3f-9bf9-4cd6c7c7ddc5" data-langcode="en" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" class="embedded-entity"> <div id="edit-processed-text" class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-processed-text form-item- js-form-item- form-no-label"> <div class="TTwebinarHide"> .webform-submission-form { max-width: 700px; } .TTwebinarHide{ display:none } .event-content.panel .TTwebinarHide { display:block; background-color: #fff; padding: 15px 15px 15px 15px; border: solid 2px #307FE2; text-align: center; } <p><a href="/center/team-training">Team Training</a> offers a variety of webinars - view our <a href="/center/team-training/webinars">current offering(s)</a> or browse the <a href="/center/team-training/webinars/library">library</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 11:09:52 -0500 Older Adults /news/headline/2023-05-18-aha-blog-supporting-behavioral-health-older-americans <p>“As a practicing geriatric psychiatrist for more than 15 years, I’ve seen firsthand the mental and physical toll that anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions have taken on older adults, especially when left untreated for years,” writes Arpan Waghray, M.D., CEO of Providence’s Well Being Trust and past chair of AHA’s Committee on Behavioral Health. “…We must work now to help ensure that the mental health of our seniors does not go ignored and provide the resources to adequately care for them.” <a href="/news/blog/2023-05-16-supporting-behavioral-health-older-americans?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=aha-today"><strong>LEARN MORE</strong></a>  </p> Thu, 18 May 2023 16:06:00 -0500 Older Adults /news/headline/2023-04-03-aha-ahca-cms-mandating-nursing-home-staffing-ratios-wrong-approach <p>Mandating federal staffing ratios for nursing homes would accelerate the labor shortage across the continuum of care and reduce access to care for America’s seniors, AHA and the American Health Care Association told the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on April 3.</p> <p>“We anticipate many nursing homes will be forced to further reduce their capacity and even close their doors if they are unable to meet these staffing mandates,” the organizations <a href="/lettercomment/2023-04-03-aha-ahca-letter-cms-opposing-mandated-nursing-home-staffing-ratios">wrote</a>. “This would accelerate the domino effect across the entire continuum of care and leave vulnerable seniors with fewer care options. Furthermore, mandating staffing levels is a simplistic, one-size-fits-all approach to the needs of complex and unique nursing home residents and patients.”</p> <p>As CMS prepares to issue a federal staffing minimum for nursing homes this year, the letter instead urges the agency and other policy makers to: support a temporary visa option for registered nurses and apprenticeship, loan repayment and other incentive programs to retain and attract talent; extend COVID-19 public health emergency flexibilities that provide nurse aides with job experience to become certified nursing assistants; and examine the business practices of travel nurse staffing agencies.</p> Mon, 03 Apr 2023 16:01:00 -0500 Older Adults /news/headline/2022-10-27-sign-ahas-age-friendly-health-systems-action-community <p>Join more than 2,800 care sites that are part of the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement, addressing the unique care needs of patients age 65 and older. The AHA is leading its fourth virtual action community this fall, providing free access to live webinars, resources and customized coaching. Past action community participants have reduced hospital readmissions, prevented patient falls and improved value and patient satisfaction. <strong><a href="/center/age-friendly-health-systems" target="_blank">LEARN MORE</a></strong></p> Thu, 27 Oct 2022 15:52:53 -0500 Older Adults