Kaiser Permanente Redwood City recognized for care of older patients

Kaiser Permanente Redwood City is being nationally recognized for providing high-quality care to older patients. The hospital is one of only 252 hospitals in the United States designated as a level 2 Age-Friendly Health System by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).

“San Mateo County has a large population of older adults with complex health issues and Kaiser Permanente Redwood City is committed to putting our patients’ needs at the center of all we do,” said Charles Lim, MD, physician in chief of Kaiser Permanente Redwood City. “Our hospital is nationally accredited for treating neurological conditions, in addition to providing high-quality, specialty care and we are ready to help our older patients lead healthy, active, long lives.”

According to the 2020 United States Census, about 18 percent of the population — 1 in 6 people — is age 65 and older. By 2054, approximately 23 percent of the population (85 million people) will be age 65 and older.

Kaiser Permanente is committed to providing high-quality care to our older adult patients in a safe and healing environment using evidence-based standards that are focused on meeting the needs and desires of the patient and their families.

The “4Ms” make up the framework of an Age-Friendly Health System:

• What Matters: Honoring health goals and preferences
• Medication: Ensuring proper medication management
• Mentation: Screening for and addressing issues that affect cognitive health like delirium, dementia, and depression
• Mobility: Maintaining mobility and preventing falls

The level 2 designation — the highest possible — means that a health care system not only understands these principles but has also effectively implemented them to improve patient outcomes.

“At Kaiser Permanente, we have always focused on improving the health of our members and the communities we serve through all stages of life,” said Shasta Addessi, senior vice president and area manager of Kaiser Permanente Redwood City. “We want to provide exceptional care to everyone, from our youngest patients to our oldest ones, and this recognition affirms we are on the right path toward delivering on that promise.”