According to the US Census Bureau, the US population aged 65+ years is expected to nearly double over the next 30 years, from 43.1 million in 2012 to an estimated 83.7 million in 2050.
All older adults deserve safe, high-quality health care that is based on what matters most to them as individuals and delivered reliably in every setting.
Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center is leading the way in making sure that every day, every older adult receives age-friendly health care. Recently recognized by Age-Friendly Health Systems, an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), in partnership with the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center is among the health systems in the country implementing age-friendly health care.
Becoming an Age-Friendly Health System entails reliably providing a set of four evidence-based elements of high-quality care, known as the “4Ms,” to all older adults in our system: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility.
- 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 medication that does 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 that older adults move safely every day in order to maintain function and do What Matters.
Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center’s Division of Geriatric Medicine provides comprehensive care for adults who are late-middle-aged and older. The experienced geriatricians at Hackensack University Medical Center help older adults age successfully — treating acute and chronic medical conditions while helping patients maximize their independence and quality of life. Hackensack University Medical Center’s Geriatric Emergency Department certification shows the hospital’s Geri-ED is dedicated to providing emergency care specifically tailored to the needs of elderly patients as well as improving overall care for Geriatric ED patients. We employ assessment and initial care coordination for high-risk patients. This includes early identification of patients over 65 years old who are at risk for delirium, display functional and cognitive decline or have fallen.
Additionally, Hackensack University Medical Center is a state-designated Level 1 Trauma Center equipped to handle all critically injured patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – with a seamless continuum of care for our geriatric population, including a geriatric consultation for all geroatroc trauma admissions.
Our team of geriatric medicine specialists provides care in a variety of settings, including outpatient, inpatient, and in a long-term care or rehabilitation facility. We also enable seamless transitions between outpatient care settings, emergency care, inpatient hospital stays, and, if needed, rehabilitation and post-acute care, assisted living, and long-term care.
“It is so exciting that Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center received the Age-Friendly recognition,” said Manisha Parulekar, M.D., AGSF, FACP, Division Chief, Geriatrics, Co-Director of the Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health and Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. “With our Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), NICHE, and Delirium DSC, Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center leads the way in providing age-friendly health care. This recognition confirms our commitment to provide the highest quality care to older adults.”
“We are so happy to receive this recognition for the work that we do with our older patients,” said Mark Sparta, FACHE, president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Center and executive vice president of Population Health, Hackensack Meridian Health. “The 4Ms associated with being an Age-Friendly Health System align perfectly with the health interventions we share with patients in their efforts to age optimally and we are excited to build upon the progress we have made to continue to help older adults thrive as they age.”
To learn more about the 4Ms in the Care of Older Adults click here. To learn more about Hackensack University Medical Center’s Geriatrics Division, click here.
For an interview with a geriatric physician or patient, please contact Mary McGeever, manager, PR, 551-795-1675 or mary.mcgeever@hmhn.org.
ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
Hackensack University Medical Center, a 771-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in New Jersey. Founded in 1888 as Bergen County’s first hospital, it was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet®-recognized hospital for nursing excellence. The academic flagship of Hackensack Meridian Health, Hackensack University Medical Center ranked #1 in New Jersey and #7 in the New York metro area by U.S. News & World Report’s 2021-2022 “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll, making it the only hospital in New Jersey with the #1 adult and children’s hospital rankings. Hackensack University Medical Center is also rated as High Performing in 14 specialties procedures and conditions, and sets the standard for all New Jersey hospitals in several specialties. The campus is home to facilities such as John Theurer Cancer Center, the #1 hospital for cancer care in New Jersey in U.S. News & World Report’s 2021-2022 “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll; the Heart & Vascular Hospital, and the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, recognized as being in the top 1% of children’s hospitals in the nation and #1 children’s hospital in New Jersey by U.S. News & World Report’s 2021-22 “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll. Hackensack University Medical Center’s comprehensive clinical research portfolio includes studies focused on precision medicine, translational medicine, immunotherapy, cell therapy, and vaccine development.
