As the COVID-19 pandemic keeps patients away from their trusted health care professionals, telehealth offers a glimpse into the future. The novel coronavirus is having a seismic impact on the medical care of older adults in America, regardless of whether they get sick with COVID-19. The pandemic is affecting their…
Read full post
As the reality of our global state of affairs during the COVID-19 pandemic continues to simultaneously settle in and disrupt the lives of so many, the chasms that define our society are becoming clearer for some people. For others, the injustices that are being revealed are not new, and in…
Read full post
Join The John A. Hartford Foundation in celebrating and thanking nurses during the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife 2020 and National Nurses Week May 6-12. It has been a timely coincidence for the World Health Organization to have designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and…
Read full post
We have failed our nursing homes and all those who live and work there. It is absolutely heart-wrenching to see the ravishing toll that COVID-19 is having on residents and staff of long-term care facilities and we must act now to prevent further deaths and suffering. As reported in the…
Read full post
At this challenging moment in time, the thoughts of everyone at The John A. Hartford Foundation are centered especially on older adults and other individuals at highest risk because of COVID-19, as well as the valiant health care providers who are working to care for us all. As Mr. Rogers…
Read full post
WHAT WE'RE LEARNING Dear Colleagues— What does it mean for public health to be age-friendly? Imagine an older woman living alone and managing her many health conditions while raising three grandchildren. She falls and winds up in the hospital. Now, imagine you are a county public health official charged with…
Read full post
WHAT WE'RE LEARNING Dear Colleagues— Hospitals and health systems have long recognized that a one-size-fits-all approach to treating patients doesn’t really fit everyone. We’re all unique, with different needs, circumstances, and preferences. This is especially true for older adults, who often have both complex medical conditions and unmet social needs…
Read full post
WHAT WE'RE LEARNING Dear Colleagues— Family caregivers provide an estimated $470 billion in unpaid care each year. All family caregivers need more support, but the diverse needs of family caregivers have not been fully appreciated. Thanks to research supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation, we’re learning a lot more…
Read full post
This summer, I was thrilled to join The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF) team as a Program Officer. The organization’s founding directive is to do the greatest good for the greatest number, and for the last 30 years that has meant improving the care of older adults. I moved across…
Read full post
WHAT WE’RE LEARNING Dear Colleagues— “What matters to you?” It’s a powerful question that should guide health care decisions for everyone. The question becomes even more important as people age and consider procedures like surgery that carry risks along with benefits. An 85-year-old woman who develops a heart condition wouldn’t…
Read full post