No Wrong Floor on the Elevator: A Vision for the VA as an Age-Friendly Health System.

Abstract

Background: The Age-Friendly Health Systems Initiative is a quality improvement movement led by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and supported by the John A. Hartford Foundation to improve care for older adults. The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has set a goal to become the largest integrated Age-Friendly Health System in the United States.

Observations: As the veteran population ages, delivering Age-Friendly care is an urgent priority. VA clinicians should apply the 4Ms of the Age-Friendly Health Systems Initiative: Mobility, Mentation, Medications, and What Matters.

Conclusions: No matter which floor a veteran exits on a VA elevator, they should expect to receive Age-Friendly care that will meet their needs as they age.