With an aging population and a plunging birth rate, the need for age-friendly health systems in the U.S. is growing, Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, wrote in an article posted July 11 by the American Hospital Association.
Dr. Fulmer, president of the John A. Hartford Foundation, said 57 million Americans are 65 or older, and that number is expected to rise to 89 million by 2060. Within a decade, older Americans will outnumber younger Americans.
Dr. Fulmer outlined a "4Ms" framework for health systems to follow:
- What Matters: Care for older adults should fit each individual's goals and preferences.
- Medications: These should be age-friendly and not interfere with other health goals.
- Mentation: It is necessary to focus on preventing, identifying and treating depression, dementia and delirium.
- Mobility: Health systems should ensure older adults can continue to move safely every day.
This approach tackles not only physical health, but other issues concerning older Americans, including disability and loneliness, Dr. Fulmer wrote.
The growing age imbalance is also an economic issue, Michael Dowling, co-author of "The Aging Revolution," told Becker's in June. Mr. Dowling, president and CEO of New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health, highlighted the challenge of paying and caring for an aging population with declining birth rates.