What Matters Most: A Qualitative Study Exploring Common Values Identified by Hospitalized Older Adults

Nikhil Satchidanand, Zachary B. Wikerd, Anna Hobler, Brittany LaDue, Jihae Lee, State University of New York Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, University at Buffalo, Department of Palliative Care, Erie County Medical Center

Journal of Applied Gerontology

Published online on July 28, 2026

Abstract

Journal of Applied Gerontology, Ahead of Print.
BackgroundThe Age-Friendly Health System (AFHS) promotes better care by providing evidence-based guidance known as the “4 Ms”—Matters Most, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. Using the “Matters Most” framework to assess older patients’ values and ...