Bassett Healthcare Network Nationally Recognized for System-Wide Excellence in Age-Friendly Care

Bassett Healthcare Network has been recognized nationally among only 14 leading health organizations as an Age-Friendly Health System committed to care excellence for older adults.

Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative of the John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States. Hospitals and health systems designated as age-friendly follow rigorous standards and evidence-based interventions specifically designed to improve care for older adults. Bassett Healthcare Network's hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, home health agency, and other care settings across eight counties have accomplished Excellence in System-Wide Spread through 2029, a designation reserved for health systems that adhere to the highest standards for older adult care.

"We are incredibly proud at Bassett to be a leader in age-friendly healthcare to the communities who depend on us," says Carlton J. Rule, MD, Chief Quality Officer for Bassett Healthcare Network. "Our population is aging rapidly in New York State. More than 18 percent of the state's total population is age 65 or older. In rural regions, this number is even higher and continues to grow. It is vital that Bassett remains dedicated to providing outstanding care to aging patients, and this is an important element of Bassett's strategic priorities to continually improve care experiences, quality, and access to services. Most importantly, our dedication to age-friendly care reflects our deep commitment to rural community health."

The four essential elements of an Age-Friendly Health System are known as the 4Ms:

• 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 medications that do not interfere with what matters to the older adult, mobility, or mind 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 to maintain function and do what matters.