Table 1 Examples of proposed age friendly hospital (AFH) frameworks, including definitions and key constructs
Definition of AFH | Key constructs of AFH framework |
|---|---|
“An age-friendly hospital is a hospital promoting health, dignity and participation of persons of older ages” [8] (Taiwan) | Management policies Communication and services Physical environment Care processes |
“Core components of a system-wide, acute care program designed to meet the needs of older adults” [7] (USA) | Guiding principles Leadership Patient- and family-centred approaches Geriatric staff competencies Interdisciplinary resources and processes Aging-sensitive practices Organisational structures Physical environment |
“To promote excellence in hospital care for acutely ill older adults through the provision of evidence-based service delivery and patient-family focussed care …” [10] (Canada) | A favourable physical environment Zero tolerance towards ageism at all organisational levels Comprehensive services using principles of the geriatric approach Assistance with appropriate decision-making Fostering links between the acute care hospital and the community |
“An evidence-informed framework applied organization-wide to help hospitals achieve better outcomes for frail seniors” [11] (Canada) | Organizational support Emotional and behavioural environment Processes of care Ethics in clinical care and research Physical environment |
“An age-friendly health system is based on patients’ goals and values, and on improved outcomes and lower costs of care within the walls of the hospital and beyond” [9] (USA) | Leadership committed to addressing ageism A strategy to identify, coordinate with and support family caregivers A clear process for eliciting patient goals and preferences Clinical staff specifically trained in expert care of older adults Care teams that are high performing and can show measurable results for care of older adults A geriatric care prototype specific to older adults A systematic approach for coordinating care with organizations beyond the walls of the hospital |