As individuals age, their health needs become more complex and complicated. The John A. Hartford Foundation, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the American Hospital Association, and the Catholic Health Association of the United States partnered to develop the Age-Friendly Health Systems Initiative to address the aging population. This initiative aims to implement evidence-based practices essential to this unique population, cause no harm, and ensure alignment with what matters most to older adults and their caregivers ​(Institute for Healthcare Improvement, 2023)​. These evidence-based practices are the “4Ms”: What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility.

When admitted to a Houston Methodist hospital, patients are asked what is most important to them during their stay, and their care plan is aligned with their identified goals. Patients have their medications reviewed and are screened for mentation and mobility issues to identify potential safety risks. Implementing this initiative aligns with our Professional Practice Model by ensuring that patients and families are at the center of everything we do.