The changes came on gradually. A forgotten name here and there, confusion over details from often-told family stories, failing to remember simple tasks that were once second nature. “My dad has always been the pillar of the family—the strong one,” said the daughter of a 76-yearold man in the middle stages of his dementia journey. “It’s difficult seeing the deterioration in a person you love. Where he used to be sharp as a tack and the one we leaned on for answers, he is now easily agitated and often confused. It’s a new normal.” As people age, cognitive decline may seem as commonplace as bad knees and gray hair, but it is not part of normal aging. Aging individuals generally have a wide swath of both mental and physical needs that are unique and require specialized attention from loved ones and caregivers alike. Thanks to generous donor support to the Kootenai Health Foundation, Kootenai Health has been able to spearhead a program dedicated to providing tools and education for staff to ensure the best possible experience for geriatric patients and their families. A year and a half ago, Kootenai Health adopted the Institute for Health Care Improvement (IHI) 4M framework as a model to improve care. The 4Ms are defined as: • What Matters—identifying what matters most to our patients • Mobility—improving strength and balance • Mentation—checking for signs of depression or dementia • Medication safety The framework is designed to work across all settings of care. Kootenai Health has proven progress toward this goal and was recognized as an Age-Friendly Health Systems Participant in August 2021. Generosity Enhances Geriatric Care By Shannon Carroll 20
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