Adopting the 5M’s Mindset
Walt Disney once said, “Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.” In the United States the average time spent on this Earth is just under 79 years. Advances in technology, aging in place, and advances in medicine are all factors that contribute to adults living longer healthier lives. The catch is that once we hit a certain age, small changes in condition can have larger effects on our overall wellbeing. Many adults by the time they reach their 70’s may have multiple diagnoses, conditions, or disabilities. Every year we grow older, our health can become more complex. Healthcare professionals serving the geriatric community have created “The 5M’s of Geriatrics.”
So what are the 5M’s?
Mind: Maintaining mental activity, having conversations, playing games that keep the mind active like crossword puzzles and sudoku. Helping manage dementia, and identifying and treating delirium, and working to evaluate and treat Depression.
Mobility: Working on things like short walks, exercising, and maintaining balance.
Medications: Staying up to date with all your medical providers to ensure that all your current medications are up to date. When dealing with multiple providers, medications aren’t always on the forefront of our mind, and sometimes adding in a new medication can have adverse effects on the body when mixed with medications you are currently on. So always having an up-to-date list can allow providers to stop unnecessary medications and also educate on the side effects of those that you are already prescribed.
Multi-Complexity: Navigating multiple conditions and diagnoses and ensuring that our providers have the whole picture of your medical journey. It is also assessing things like living conditions and observing safety factors inside the home that increase the risk of hospital visits (i.e. stairs, grab bars, lighting, etc.).
Matters Most: Having open lines of dialogue with our medical providers to allow for advanced care planning and goals for care. When planning the goals for care, making them attainable and not out of reach. It is very similar to our previous article of how much starting your day with a win can impact your overall journey. It is about communicating clearly with all parties involved and having the confidence to know these are the best options for you!
I have always been a huge fan of the old adage “It takes a village,” and even though it is typically used when talking about raising children, the same rings true when talking about all of our journeys through aging.
Source: https://www.va.gov/covidtraining/docs/HIA_TipSheet_Geriatric_5Ms_19.pdf