#USA #New York City #FAIR Health #Older Adults #NYC Health

FAIR Health Enhances Older Adult Care in NYC

FAIR Health, a leading independent nonprofit organization, has announced significant collaborations with three prominent healthcare facilities in New York City. This initiative, titled FH SHARE (Sharing Healthy Aging Resources and Education) NYC, is designed to bolster the healthcare experience and decision-making for older adults. Funded by The New York Community Trust, this program aims to integrate age-friendly practices and empower patients with the necessary tools for informed healthcare choices.

The clinical sites involved in this transformative initiative are notable for their commitment to high-quality care for older populations. They include NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, and Ryan Health, all of which have been recognized as Age-Friendly Health Systems. This recognition reflects their dedication to providing appropriate, patient-centered care that takes into account the unique needs of seniors.

Purpose and Scope of FH SHARE NYC

Through FH SHARE NYC, the three healthcare providers are integrating shared decision-making tools directly into patient interactions. This approach allows older patients and their family caregivers to engage meaningfully with healthcare providers at the point of care. The tools provided by FAIR Health for Older Adults, accessible at FAIRHealthOlderAdults.org, serve as a free national online resource designed to equip older adults with essential clinical, financial, and educational information.

The initiative emphasizes the importance of shared decision-making, which encourages collaboration among patients, their family members, and healthcare professionals. This process helps align clinical evidence with the personal preferences and values of the patients—ensuring that they are active participants in their treatment options. By enriching the dialogue around healthcare decisions, FH SHARE NYC aims to support the “What Matters” aspect of the 4Ms framework of age-friendly care, which is crucial for enhancing the livelihood of older adults within the healthcare system.

Customized Tools for Patient Engagement

A standout feature of this initiative is its flexibility. Clinicians at the involved facilities have the autonomy to select the most relevant decision-making tools tailored to their patients' needs. These resources include condition-specific tools that combine clinical information with associated costs, showcasing the financial implications of various treatments. These tools cater particularly to older adults, patients with serious illnesses, and minority communities, ensuring a broad applicability.

In addition, the initiative provides:

• - Total Treatment Cost tools: Offering insights into annual care expenses for chronic conditions and acute events.
• - A Toolkit for Healthy Aging: This encompasses actionable checklists, educational articles, and additional resources shared with patients and caregivers during consultations.
• - Resources for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias: Providing critical educational content and tools for better patient care.
• - General educational articles and checklists: These are designed to enhance patient understanding of their conditions and treatment options.

Clinicians at Belleview Hospital have already begun using these tools across a range of health conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, and prostate cancer. Dr. Saima Ajmal, Chief of Geriatric Medicine at Bellevue, affirmed that this partnership emphasizes a commitment to delivering compassionate, culturally sensitive care tailored for older patients.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and Ryan Health are similarly employing these decision-making aids across various conditions. By supporting older adults and their caregivers in understanding treatment costs and options better, these organizations are helping them to become proactive participants in their healthcare journeys. Dr. Alan Roth, from Jamaica Hospital, noted that the project accorded older patients the necessary insights to navigate their treatment pathways effectively.

Expanding Community Resources

In tandem with direct patient engagement, FAIR Health is broadening its resource dissemination efforts to local community organizations and social service providers throughout the New York metropolitan area. This outreach is designed to ensure that the tools and resources provided are accessible to those who need them most, particularly within underserved communities.

Irfan Hasan, Vice President of Programs and Grants at The New York Community Trust, highlighted the importance of such partnerships in catalyzing improvements in the healthcare landscape for older adults. This initiative builds upon prior efforts that have shown success in facilitating informed healthcare decision-making through accessible and comprehensive tools.

Conclusion

The innovative FH SHARE NYC initiative reflects a significant step toward empowering older adults in their healthcare decisions. By fostering an environment that encourages active engagement through shared decision-making, FAIR Health and its partner organizations are setting a precedent for age-friendly healthcare practices across the nation. To explore the valuable resources provided under this initiative, visit FAIR Health for Older Adults.