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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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WHAT WE'RE LEARNING Dear Colleagues— Identifying and creating treatment plans that reflect what matters to older adults and their families is a foundational element of age-friendly care. It requires open and honest conversations in which people feel safe, heard, and in control. For many older adults with complex, chronic conditions…
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WHAT WE'RE LEARNING Dear Colleagues— We can all recognize that people living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia urgently need help, as do the family members, clinicians, and health systems that provide care for them. One in three older persons die with this devastating serious illness, and they have twice…
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WHAT WE'RE LEARNING Dear Colleagues— At JAHF we want to know how we can better support family caregivers—the nearly 18 million family members in the United States who provide care to older people who need assistance. They are often invisible members of our health care system who receive little preparation…
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