Hackensack University Medical Center Recognized as 2021 Age-Friendly Health System - Committed to Care Excellence

Designation Recognizes Evidenced-Based Elements of High-Quality Care

Hackensack University Medical Center has been recognized as a 2021 participant by Age-Friendly Health Systems, an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Health Care Improvement (IHI), in partnership with the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA).

Becoming an Age-Friendly Health System entails reliably providing a set of four evidence-based elements of high-quality care, known as the “4Ms,” to all older adults in our system: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility.

Hackensack University Medical Center’s Division of Geriatric Medicine provides comprehensive care to help older adults manage the aging process — treating acute and chronic medical conditions while helping patients maximize their independence and quality of life.

Our team of geriatric medicine specialists provides care in a variety of settings, including outpatient, inpatient, and in a long-term care or rehabilitation facility. Led by Manisha Parulekar, M.D., FACP, CMD — who is board-certified in internal medicine, geriatric medicine, and palliative and hospice medicine — our geriatric medicine specialists provide an exceptional patient experience, high-quality patient-centered care, patient education and outreach.

With a focus on conditions commonly associated with aging, including falls, Hackensack University Medical Center Emergency Department is one of only 11 hospitals in the country designated as a Level 1 Geriatrics Emergency Department by the American College of Emergency Physicians. Our Level 1 Trauma Center provides total care for every aspect of a potential injury from prevention through rehabilitation, including a geriatric consultation for all geriatric trauma admissions.

In 2020, Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center opened the Center for Memory Loss & Brain Health as part of the Neuroscience Institute. The center provides comprehensive, patient-centered, coordinated care for dementia and memory disorders.

“It is so exciting that Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center received the Age-Friendly recognition,” said Dr. Parulekar. “With our Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), NICHE, and Delirium DSC, Hackensack University Medical Center leads the way in providing age-friendly health care. This recognition confirms our commitment to provide the highest quality care to older adults.”