On June 20th, the New York State Department of Health, in collaboration with the John A. Hartford Foundation, hosted a webinar on Age-Friendly Health Systems. Governor Cuomo’s 2018 State of the State initiatives include a goal to have 50% of New York health systems designated as age-friendly in the next five years, including the establishment of age-friendly emergency rooms that will be better equipped to provide care to aging New Yorkers with cognitive and physical disabilities.
This webinar announced the launch of this this initiative and discussed various topics, including:
- The definition and importance of Age-Friendly Health Systems;
- Collaboration efforts with the John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement age-friendly initiatives;
- Support resources and steps that organizations can take to become age-friendly; and
- The State’s five-year plan and timeline to reach the goal of having 50% of health systems designated as age-friendly.
Interested organizations can reach out to ALTCteam@health.ny.gov with questions and to join the Age-Friendly listerv. Organizations may also join the Age-Friendly Action Community by emailing AFHS@IHI.org before August 1st. Additional information on the Age-Friendly Action Community and the presentation slides are attached.