Accommodating Aging with New Age-Friendly Patient Rooms
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Maine is the oldest state in the country. To help support older Mainers, St. Joseph Healthcare recently celebrated the opening of nine Age-Friendly updated rooms on one of its in-patient care units. The renovations were funded by a $1.5 million grant, supported by Senator Susan Collins and Senator Angus King and donations to The Campaign for St. Joe’s.
“We’re on a continuing journey to deliver patient-centered care,” says Tracy Hopkins, RN, clinical nurse manager. “We’ve prioritized implementing age-friendly healthcare enhancements because they greatly improve the overall safety and well-being of our older patients.”
What is Age-Friendly Healthcare?
It is an effort that focuses on making sure every older person gets the best care possible, is not hurt and is happy with their care. It focuses on these 4Ms:
- What Matters – Matching care to what an older adult would like.
- Medication – Prescribing appropriate medicine.
- Mentation – Managing dementia, depression and more.
- Mobility – Ensuring an older adult safely moves every day.
The unit’s specific improvements include:
- New soothing paint colors
- Individualized patient room signage
- New maneuverable and comfortable furniture
- Brighter and dimmable lighting
- Upgraded slip resistant floors
- New handrails in patient rooms
- More accessible bathrooms and showers
- New whiteboards communicating the 4Ms
- Additional ceiling lifts for safe patient transfer
- Comfort care rooms to accommodate family
Lynn King, RN, clinical senior director, “Mainers are living longer, more active lives, therefore we want to provide individualized care that aligns with what matters to them, in an environment that is welcoming, comfortable and safe.”
To learn about St. Joe’s services and care for older adults or the grant that helped St. Joe’s implement age-friendly renovations, please visit stjosephbangor.org.