Geriatric Medicine
The health and safety of all our patients is a top priority. For adults aged 65 and older, healthcare needs are often more complex and require additional assessment, communication, and support. More than half of hospital stays involve older adults, and patients living with dementia and another chronic illness often experience significantly longer hospitalizations. Our goal is to provide innovative, age-friendly care that improves clinical outcomes while preserving independence, maintaining wellness, and reducing the risk of functional decline during hospitalization.
Older adults may face a variety of health challenges such as:
- Increased risk of falls and injury
- Changes in sleep quality and patterns
- Vision impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Depression and social isolation
- Adverse effects related to multiple medications (polypharmacy)
- Food insecurity and poor nutrition
- Reduced physical activity and exercise
Support for the unique needs of older adults
Sturdy Health is committed to delivering age-friendly care that supports the unique needs of older adults. Through thoughtful, evidence-based approaches, our teams help patients maintain their safety, comfort, independence, and overall well-being with the following age-friendly practices:
- Minimize unnecessary IV poles, lines, and tubes whenever clinically appropriate to promote comfort and mobility
- Support healthy sleep by providing headphones, warm blankets, reducing nighttime disruptions, and creating a calm environment with softer lighting
- Maintain patient rooms and walkways clear to reduce the risk of falls and injury
- Provide access to nutritious food and refreshments to support proper nutrition and hydration
- Engage patients with dementia through meaningful activities provided by trained staff and volunteers
- Develop individualized mobility plans to help patients remain active, maintain strength, and preserve independence
Specialized care for older adults
NICHE Program
At Sturdy Health, we are dedicated to providing exceptional, age-friendly care that supports the unique needs and goals of older adults. Our team includes nurses and geriatric volunteers specially trained through the Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) program, a nationally recognized initiative focused on enhancing the quality of care for older patients. Through our ongoing commitment to improving care for older adults, Sturdy Health has earned NICHE Exemplar Status, the highest level of recognition within the NICHE program.
By combining specialized geriatric expertise with evidence-based practices, we create an environment that promotes safety, independence, comfort, and dignity. Our goal is to support the health and well-being of older adults while providing peace of mind for their families and caregivers.
ACEP-Accredited Geriatric Emergency Department
Specialized Emergency Care for Older Adults
Sturdy Health's Emergency Department has earned Silver Level Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), recognizing our commitment to providing high-quality, age-friendly emergency care for older adults.
Older adults often have unique healthcare needs that require specialized expertise and a thoughtful approach. Our Emergency Department integrates geriatric-focused protocols, specialized staff training, and age-friendly care practices to improve safety, comfort, and overall outcomes.
Our age-friendly approach includes:
- Personalized Care: Comprehensive assessments and treatment plans tailored to the unique needs and goals of older adults.
- Enhanced Safety and Comfort: Environmental and care process improvements designed to reduce risks such as falls, confusion, and delirium.
- Dedicated Rehabilitation Support: Physical and occupational therapists available in the Emergency Department to help evaluate mobility, support safe discharge planning, and promote functional independence.
- Whole-Person Care: Attention to mobility, medications, cognition, nutrition, and what matters most to each patient.
- Health Equity and Inclusion: A commitment to providing compassionate, equitable, and unbiased care to all older adults.
4M Model of Care
Our commitment to age-friendly care extends throughout the hospital experience and is guided by nationally recognized best practices, including the 4Ms Framework and partnerships that support seamless care transitions for older adults.
The "4M" Model of Care
What Matters: We work with older adults and their families to determine what their health outcome goals are and how they can be accomplished.
Medication: If medications need to be prescribed, we use age-friendly medications and work with our older patients to determine the best treatment for their health goals.
Mentation: We'll assess our older patients for delirium and dementia. Our care team is trained to understand the needs of these patients, including orienting the patients to the environment, providing adaptive equipment and sleep enhancement strategies.
Mobility: We screen our older patients for mobility limitations and work to create safe walking plans and physical therapy plans.
Long-Term Care
Our patients' health and well-being are at the center of everything we do. For patients needing long-term care, our case managers will work with patients and families to provide resources for continued care. We will make available opportunities for at-home visits from a visiting nurse or physical therapist, enrollment in a palliative care or rehabilitation program, or medication management. We strive to ensure an optimal transition of care from our facility to maximize the patient's quality of life.
