Timothy Farrell, MD, AGSF, hosts this episode of MedPodwith guest Andrea Harris, RN, clinical nurse lead for Age-Friendly Care at University of Utah Health. They discuss how nursing operationalizes the Age-Friendly Health System 4Ms -what matters, medication, mentation, and mobility across inpatient, outpatient, and transitional care settings.

Harris describes her path from an interest in public health toadvanced clinical expertise in geriatric care. Her experiences revealed gaps in system-wide care for older adults and led her to pursue quality improvement work. She has collaborated with the HRSA-funded Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to advance Age-Friendly Care across health systems.

Harris explains that nursing’s observation-based, advocacy-focused role—and the significant time nurses spend with patients—positions them to identify 4M needs early. Her advocacy efforts include integrating caregivers and support systems early in the care process and coordinating interdisciplinary teamwork with physicians, pharmacists, therapists, and social workers. The episode highlights the importance of meeting clinicians where they are, embedding an “aging lens” into workflows, and reframing perspectives onaging to counter ageism.

This episode is especially valuable for physicians and advanced practice providers in primary care, internal medicine, hospital medicine, and emergency medicine. It’s also highly relevant for nurses and the broader interdisciplinary care team, includingnurse practitioners, care managers, social workers, and physical and occupational therapists. Health system leaders and clinicians interested in age-friendly care design and quality improvement will find practical insights as well.

Learn more and access provider, family, and patient resources in the links below:

·       Geriatrics specialty care and consultation

·       University of Utah education and training opportunities in geriatrics

·       University of Utah Gerontology Programs

·       College of Nursing Hartford Center for Gerontological Nursing Excellence (HCGNE)

·       Age-Friendly Health Systems

Visit uofuhealth.org/medpod for CME submission instructions and information