EILEEN ADLER

The 4Ms are a framework to guide the care of older adults wherever and whenever they encounter a health system’s care and services.

 WHAT MATTERS

What Matters to each older adult, their goals and preferences for care, guides the health care team, and aligns care to what really matters to them. This is not limited to end-of-life care.

MEDICATIONS

Age-related changes can increase the chances of side effects from medications. The health team monitors all medications, decides if medications are still necessary, and ensures older adults’ medications do not interfere with what matters, mentation, or mobility.

MENTATION (Mind and Mood)

Mental processing, thinking and memory are important! The health team pays attention to this aspect of care, screening for changes that could be related to dementia, depression, and delirium.        Older adults are at risk for dementia (problems with thinking, memory, and reasoning), depression (ongoing sadness or loss of interest) and delirium (sudden confusion). Be aware, share your observations, and care.

MOBILITY

Staying active and moving daily is how older adults stay strong, maintain function, and do what matters. The health care team ensures safe mobility to keep older adults moving.

Life Lesson: Maya Angelou’s wisdom:

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands,

one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”