What has the pandemic shown us about ageism in health care, what needs to change and what can philanthropy do to push progress?

Ageism is one of many long-standing problems in both health care and society that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed in a glaring light. As a nation, we have willfully ignored the plight of staff and residents in nursing homes and long-term care. Long-term services and supports are inadequately funded, disconnected from the health care system and extremely vulnerable to pandemics and other disasters.

You've been working hard to expand the growth of age-friendly health systems. How has the pandemic affected this and what do you think the future holds for age-friendly health systems?

The Age-Friendly Health Systems movement is a powerful solution that is flourishing. Age-friendly care uses the 4Ms Framework — a set of care practices focused on what Matters to older adults (goals and preferences), Medication, Mentation (memory and mood) and Mobility (being able to move around safely). An Age-Friendly Health System ensures age-friendly care for every older person in every setting.

What impacts from COVID-19 do you foresee for philanthropic institutions committed to supporting healthy aging in the years ahead?

I predict there will be a reprioritization and even deeper commitment to critical areas: namely nursing homes, home-based medical care and age-friendly public health systems. Diversity, equity and inclusion must be made a top priority.  Philanthropic investments in these areas can help prevent needless deaths and accelerate best care practices.

Read the full article about COVID-19 and ageism by Terry Fulmer at Next Avenue.