The 4Ms: Age-Friendly Health Systems

To successfully expand age-friendly health systems into the community, older adults and their caregivers need resources and education on addressing “what matters,” medications, mind, and mobility with their healthcare team. 

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) describes an Age-Friendly Health Systems (AFHS) as one that incorporates the 4Ms:

WHAT MATTERS: Aligning care with each older adult’s specific health outcome goals and care preferences.

MEDICATION: Reviewing if medication is necessary, and when necessary using age-friendly medications that do not interfere with “What Matters” to the older adult, mobility, or mind. 

MIND: Prevent, identify, treat, and manage delirium, dementia, and depression across settings of care.

MOBILITY: Ensure that each older adult moves safely every day to maintain function and do “What Matters.”

The 4Ms brochures and posters can be downloaded and used to engage older adults and their caregivers to take an active role in their health.