Abstract
The goal was to enhance nurses’ knowledge and confidence in delivering person-centered, age-friendly care by introducing the 4Ms framework and interdisciplinary approaches to geriatric health through a dynamic conference with expert speakers and entertaining skits designed to engage and educate.
The aging population in the U.S. is growing rapidly, accounts for 40% of hospilized patients.(1) With aging, individuals often experience a combination of physiologic and pathophysiologic changes, which can lead to chronic illnesses.(2) Nearly 64% of those aged 65 and older have at least two chronic conditions.(3) However, nurses often lack geriatric expertise. Equipping nurses with education and resources fosters professional growth, autonomy in delivering safer care, and supports organizational adoption of the CMS age-friendly quality measures.
CNLs partnered with pharmacists, dietitians, and rehabilitation specialists to design a full-day nursing conference exemplifying structural empowerment and transformational leadership. Sessions included lectures on safe medication practices, normal versus pathological aging, nutritional interventions, and rehabilitation strategies. Intermingled case-based skits reinforced practical applications of concepts. A pre/posttest design with an 11-question survey and open-ended reflection measured knowledge gains and application. Outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests, demonstrating measurable impact on professional growth and patient care.
Ninety-nine attendees completed the post-conference survey, which demonstrated a 95% satisfaction rate among participants. Survey results indicated a substantial self-reported improvement in both knowledge and confidence regarding geriatric care. For the knowledge assessment, the mean pre- survey score was 2.4 out of 4, while the post-conference score increased to 3.4 across all 11 questions (P = 0.00). This marked improvement highlighted the effectiveness of the conference in enhancing attendees’ understanding of geriatric care. Participants expressed the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and praised the practical tools provided for bedside implementation.
CNLs pioneered an innovative educational platform that equips nurses to deliver safe, impactful, evidence-based care for older adults. This replicable model promotes age-friendly practices across health systems, improving outcomes for one of healthcare’s most vulnerable populations.
Notes
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References:
Promoting health for older adults. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. September 8, 2022. Access date May 1, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/promoting-health-for-older-adults.htm 10.1377/forefront.20161103.057335
Fulmer T, Reuben DB, Auerbach J, Fick DM, Galambos C, Johnson KS. Actualizing better health and health care for older adults. Health Affairs. 2021 Feb;40(2):219-225. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2020.01470
Emery-Tiburcio EE, Mack L, Zonsius MC, Carbonell E, Newman M. The 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System. Am J Nurs. 2021;121(11):44-49. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ.0000799016.07144.0d
Sigma Membership
Gamma Iota
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Acute Care, Continuing Education, Professional Development, Patient-Center Care, Elder Care
Recommended Citation
Byrnes, Tru P.; Gregory, Amanda; Lehman, Carolyn; Love, Karrie; Mescall, Kathleen; Simon, Gretchen; and Whitlow, Shelby, "Championing Change: Igniting Innovation in Age-Friendly Care" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 220.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/220
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-08-26
Championing Change: Igniting Innovation in Age-Friendly Care
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The goal was to enhance nurses’ knowledge and confidence in delivering person-centered, age-friendly care by introducing the 4Ms framework and interdisciplinary approaches to geriatric health through a dynamic conference with expert speakers and entertaining skits designed to engage and educate.
The aging population in the U.S. is growing rapidly, accounts for 40% of hospilized patients.(1) With aging, individuals often experience a combination of physiologic and pathophysiologic changes, which can lead to chronic illnesses.(2) Nearly 64% of those aged 65 and older have at least two chronic conditions.(3) However, nurses often lack geriatric expertise. Equipping nurses with education and resources fosters professional growth, autonomy in delivering safer care, and supports organizational adoption of the CMS age-friendly quality measures.
CNLs partnered with pharmacists, dietitians, and rehabilitation specialists to design a full-day nursing conference exemplifying structural empowerment and transformational leadership. Sessions included lectures on safe medication practices, normal versus pathological aging, nutritional interventions, and rehabilitation strategies. Intermingled case-based skits reinforced practical applications of concepts. A pre/posttest design with an 11-question survey and open-ended reflection measured knowledge gains and application. Outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests, demonstrating measurable impact on professional growth and patient care.
Ninety-nine attendees completed the post-conference survey, which demonstrated a 95% satisfaction rate among participants. Survey results indicated a substantial self-reported improvement in both knowledge and confidence regarding geriatric care. For the knowledge assessment, the mean pre- survey score was 2.4 out of 4, while the post-conference score increased to 3.4 across all 11 questions (P = 0.00). This marked improvement highlighted the effectiveness of the conference in enhancing attendees’ understanding of geriatric care. Participants expressed the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and praised the practical tools provided for bedside implementation.
CNLs pioneered an innovative educational platform that equips nurses to deliver safe, impactful, evidence-based care for older adults. This replicable model promotes age-friendly practices across health systems, improving outcomes for one of healthcare’s most vulnerable populations.
Description
This dynamic, interdisciplinary conference empowered nurses to deliver person-centered, age-friendly care using the 4Ms framework. Expert-led sessions and interactive case-based skits enhanced knowledge and confidence in geriatric principles, promoting evidence-based practices and CMS quality measures to improve outcomes for older adults across health systems.