Age-Friendly Care at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center
At Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, we are proud to be part of a growing national movement to provide age-friendly care—care that is safe, evidence-based, and tailored to what matters most to older adults and their families.
We are committed to becoming an Age-Friendly Health System, guided by the 4Ms Framework: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility.
An Age-Friendly Health System ensures that older adults receive care that aligns with their personal goals and preferences while promoting their safety and independence.
Wyckoff’s Commitment: Putting the 4Ms into Action
What Matters
We are listening more to older adults and aligning care with their health goals and preferences. Wyckoff has set up “What Matters to You?” conversations throughout our hospital and clinics, ensuring that treatment plans include what matters most to patients and families, whether it’s maintaining independence, managing pain, or enjoying family time. Our staff are trained to document and communicate these preferences across teams to ensure consistent, personalized care.
Medication
We review medications regularly to avoid drug interactions and lessen the effects of certain medication on older adults, and ensure each prescription supports what matters to the patient. Our pharmacists and clinicians collaborate to promote safe prescribing practices, especially for older adults at risk for adverse drug events.
Mentation (Mind and Memory)
We screen all older adults for cognitive issues including delirium, depression, and dementia during admission and throughout their stay. Our staff is trained to recognize early signs of changes, and we use evidence-based strategies to support mental health.
Mobility
Maintaining movement is key to preserving independence and preventing complications. Our team encourages safe, frequent movement and works with patients and families to create mobility plans that consider their current abilities and risks. We also provide assistive devices and physical therapy referrals as needed and appropriate education in the safe use of assistive devices.
Partnering With Our Community: Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC)
As part of our commitment to patient-centered care, Wyckoff has launched a Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) with strong community representation, including older adults and caregivers. This council plays a vital role in shaping our age-friendly efforts by:
- Sharing insights and lived experiences to improve care processes
- Participating in the design and evaluation of programs for older adults
- Helping develop education and communication tools for patients and families
- Helping to improve safety and quality of care
Through the PFAC, we ensure that older adults and their loved ones have a voice in care decisions and how we provide care and service.
Looking Ahead
Wyckoff Heights Medical Center is expanding its age-friendly initiatives across hospital inpatient units and in the clinics. Our interdisciplinary team is leading the way, supported by executive leaders who have signed a pledge to model and support age-friendly care throughout our organization.
Embrace your aging journey with us at Wyckoff. Together we can build a health system that respects, supports, and celebrates aging regardless of your regardless of race, ethnicity, age, status and other diverse backgrounds. Click here for additional information on Health Equity.