Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital (APD), a member of Dartmouth Health, has been recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System by an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States.
This designation acknowledges APD’s ongoing dedication to improving care for patients aged 65 and older, aligning with a nationally recognized model of best practices known as the “4Ms.”
“The 4Ms—What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility—are the foundation of the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative,” said Sarah R. Johnston, MSN, RN, CENP, CCRN, AVP Inpatient Clinical Operations. “By focusing on what’s most important to each patient’s health, ensuring appropriate medications, addressing cognitive and mental health concerns, and promoting safe mobility, the 4Ms approach seeks to improve outcomes and enhance quality of life for older adults.” Johnston has spearheaded APD’s efforts to achieve the Age-Friendly designation since 2021.
Dartmouth Health’s strategic focus on senior care includes APD earning Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department (GED) accreditation, implementing Nurses Improving Care for Health System Elders, a care model for older patients across hospital settings, and implementing the 4Ms across multiple care settings. Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, another member of Dartmouth Health, also holds Level 1 GED accreditation.
“Our care teams’ dedication to integrating the 4Ms throughout our hospital underscores our deep commitment to serving older adults with the care and respect they deserve,” said APD’s chief nursing officer Paula B. Seaman, MSN, DA, RN, CENP. “This designation reflects APD’s pledge to continuously improve our approach, ensuring that older patients receive care that aligns with their values, goals, and unique health needs.”
New Hampshire is the second oldest state in the country, behind Maine, and with the U.S. population aged 65 and older expected to nearly double by 2050, the need for hospitals and health systems to adapt to the specific requirements of this demographic has never been more urgent. The Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative addresses this challenge directly by promoting consistent, evidence-based practices that cause no harm and align with what matters most to older adults and their families.
About Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital (APD)
Known for highly personalized and high-quality care, APD is the community hospital of the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire. Founded in 1932 and a member of Dartmouth Health since 2016, APD’s areas of clinical excellence include surgical services, primary care, geriatric care, sleep health, orthopaedics, and emergency services. The APD campus is also home to a senior living community with assisted and independent living facilities. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.