What does it mean to age with dignity in today’s healthcare system? What will it take to truly transform how we care for older adults in America? In this episode, the first of a six-part series, we explored the documentary Aging in America: Survive or Thrive, created by The John A. Hartford Foundation. We spoke with Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, president of The John A. Hartford Foundation, to explore the legacy of Dr. Robert Butler and how hospitals are utilizing the “4 Ms” framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, Mobility) to enhance care for older adults. We dive into the stark disparities based on income, race, and geography, and highlight programs working to close those gaps. From dementia care models to creative workforce solutions and caregiver support, this conversation offers a hopeful, practical look at reimagining aging in America.

Visit johnahartford.org/agefriendly for information about the 4Ms of age-friendly care. Helpful articles and videos can also be found here. 

Additional resources: 
Harvard Business Review article on how employers can support family caregivers of older adults 

The RUSH University Medical Center Caring for Caregivers program

My Health Checklist

The Reframing Aging Initiative

The UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Care program

What does it mean to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/default.htm" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/default.htm&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750774358282000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1t4xmh7lgBCNpcFSY5hOfL">age</a> with dignity in today&rsquo;s healthcare system? What will it take to truly transform how we care for older adults in America? In this episode, the first of a six-part series, we explored the documentary <a href="https://aginginamericasurviveorthrive.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://aginginamericasurviveorthrive.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750774358282000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1uJFn1YUK_MUp8m0z5Eqyk">Aging in America: Survive or Thrive</a>, created by <a href="https://www.johnahartford.org/">The John A. Hartford Foundation</a>. We spoke with <a href="https://www.johnahartford.org/about/staff/terry-fulmer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.johnahartford.org/about/staff/terry-fulmer&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750774358282000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2xvV3dg5SKcZ0kHVCDoYjw">Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN</a>, president of The John A. Hartford Foundation, to explore the legacy of Dr. Robert Butler and how hospitals are utilizing the &ldquo;4 Ms&rdquo; framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, Mobility) to enhance care for older adults. We dive into the stark disparities based on income, race, and geography, and highlight programs working to close those gaps. From dementia care models to creative workforce solutions and caregiver support, this conversation offers a hopeful, practical look at reimagining aging in America.
Visit <a href="http://johnahartford.org/agefriendly" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://johnahartford.org/agefriendly&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750774358282000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3BbD1Zz1WI2td3L5HbbS01">johnahartford.org/agefriendly</a> for information about the 4Ms of age-friendly care. Helpful articles and videos can also be found <a href="https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/toc-aging-well">here</a>.&nbsp;
Additional resources:&nbsp; <a href="https://hbr.org/2025/07/your-company-needs-an-eldercare-policy" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://hbr.org/2025/07/your-company-needs-an-eldercare-policy&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750774358282000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Cj5gsud3kGGQwUGMYyiHE">Harvard Business Review article on how employers can support family caregivers of older adults</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://aging.rush.edu/caringforcaregivers/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://aging.rush.edu/caringforcaregivers/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750774358282000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Dquceuw-HhXf86Hs-dOmk">The RUSH University Medical Center Caring for Caregivers program</a>
<a href="https://www.ihi.org/my-health-checklist" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ihi.org/my-health-checklist&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750774358282000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2x1-GRZrhri7XoiYr9hBdD">My Health Checklist</a>
<a href="https://www.reframingaging.org/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.reframingaging.org/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750774358282000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Is73-jMBtQ67TiGLRuhsO">The Reframing Aging Initiative</a>
<a href="https://www.adcprogram.org/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.adcprogram.org/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750774358282000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1E-obHBFNRzwIUr15dt1wV">The UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Care program</a>

WebMD Chief Physician Editor Neha Pathak, MD, and Chief Medical Officer, John Whyte, MD, MPH, explore fascinating stories to find the unexpected things that help us understand our health.