ChristianaCare has been designated a national Age-Friendly Health System

In 2017, the John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement launched the the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative, with a goal to make 20% of hospitals and health systems in the United States “age-friendly” by 2020.

ChristianaCare has been designated as one of the approximately 300 systems recognized for exemplary elder care, it announced this week.

Age-friendly means that the health system provides reliable, evidence-based care designed to improve the lives of older adults, including a focus on age-related mobility concerns, medication issues for older adults, and prevention and management of dementia, depression and delirium.

“When we design care in a way that addresses the specific needs of older adults, we create a better experience and better outcomes for everyone involved,” said Dr. Patricia M. Curtin, chief of ChristianaCare’s Geriatric Medicine Section, in a statement. “Our participation in the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative is an important part of our overarching vision to provide every older adult with the best care possible.”

In addition to Christiana Hospital and Wilmington Hospital, seven ChristianaCare primary care practices were recognized as age-friendly:

• ChristianaCare Primary Care at Carney’s Point
• ChristianaCare Primary Care at Greenville
• ChristianaCare Primary Care at Hockessin
• ChristianaCare Primary Care at Limestone
• ChristianaCare Primary Care at MAP II
• ChristianaCare Primary Care at New Castle
• ChristianaCare Primary Care at Springside