A New Era of Age-Friendly Healthcare What It Means for Older Adults
WRITTEN BY MALLORY OTTO, MD, CINDI LISUZZO BS, RN, CCM, AND
MICHELLE LITTLE BS, RN, CMSRN OF SARATOGA HOSPITAL
Photo: Fellowship-trained geriatrician Mallory Otto, MD, is a member of Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Geriatric Care. Cindi Lisuzzo, BS, RN, Certified Case Manager, is Director of Care Management at Saratoga Hospital. Michelle Little, BS, RN, Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse, is Director of the Cardiac-Renal Medical-Surgical Unit at Saratoga Hospital. Learn more at SaratogaHospital.org
58 | SARATOGA FAMILY | SPRING 2021
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aratoga County’s population of residents over age 65 has grown more than 50% in the last decade. Our community needs are changing, both in healthcare settings and at home. As people are living longer, they are needing care for multiple chronic conditions and, often, some form of disability. In addition, older adults have lost much during the pandemic. Long-term social isolation is a serious concern, and while it has been hard on everyone, it’s been especially distressing for older adults. Even before COVID-19, nearly one-fourth of Americans 65 and older were considered socially isolated. This is why age-friendly care is important now, and well beyond the pandemic. Age-friendly care is an approach to healthcare, both inpatient and outpatient, that focuses on meeting the unique needs of older patients. It takes into account their priorities and personal definitions of quality of life. The good news is that there is a growing movement to provide such care across the nation—and Saratoga Hospital is part of that movement. Nonclinical senior facilities and families have roles to play, too. Working with The Healthcare Association of New York State Upstate New York Cohort Action Community, Saratoga Hospital is participating in AgeFriendly Health Systems, 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. As a participant, Saratoga Hospital is recognized as being on the journey to becoming named an Age-Friendly Health System Committed to Care Excellence.
saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
