Madison Clinic recognized as Age-Friendly Ambulatory Care Site

The Madison Clinic at Harborview has been nationally recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) as an Age-Friendly Ambulatory Care Site. The Madison Clinic provides medical care and social services for men and women with HIV regardless of sexual orientation, race, or ability to pay.

The aging population

Comprehensive and patient-centered care for older adults is more important than ever. Today, more than 61 million Americans are 65 or older, and that number is expected to rise to nearly 95 million by 2060.

These adults are more likely to encounter medical and social challenges that can undermine their well-being as they age, such as multimorbidity, polypharmacy and adverse drug interactions, poor coordination between multiple care settings, social isolation, and cognitive changes.

Age-Friendly Care

Age-Friendly Care is an evidence-based framework that recognizes and addresses these unique needs. Through the Age-Friendly Health Systems Initiative, the IHI recognizes hospitals, ambulatory clinics, and post-acute care facilities that demonstrate consistent use of this framework to better address the complex needs of our aging population.

Studies have shown that this framework applied in outpatient settings improves transitions across healthcare settings, helps older adults age in place at home, improves patient and caregiver satisfaction, and reduces unexpected hospitalizations.

Age-Friendly Care Framework: The 4Ms

• What Matters: Elucidate each older adult’s specific and dynamic goals, care preferences, and values to align their care plan with what is most important to them across healthcare settings.
• Medications: Regularly review regimens to prevent medication interactions and adverse effects, especially related to their mentation and mobility. 
• Mentation: Prevent, identify, treat and manage depression, dementia, and delirium across settings of care.
• Mobility: Assess how older adults navigate their environment, minimize fall risk, and improve physical strength to optimize functional ability and independence.

“This designation reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care for older adults living with HIV,” said Dr. Reema Navalurkar, assistant professor of clinical practice (Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine), who led the effort.

“Because people living with HIV are now living longer and experience aging-related syndromes earlier than adults without HIV (so-called ”accelerated aging”), integrating geriatric principles into routine primary care is essential. We are very proud of this achievement.”