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

Background: The 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 preferences during hospitalization helps care teams individualize care approaches and align patients’ healthcare needs and priorities. Having a better understanding of patients’ values and preferences during hospitalization is important for improving care, outcomes, and patient satisfaction. Objective: Identify and describe core themes related to “What Matters Most” to hospitalized older adults. Methods: We implemented a qualitative descriptive study guided by five questions relating to patients’ preferences for their current hospitalization among 70 older adults. Reflexive thematic analysis was performed to identify commonly occurring themes. Results: Four themes were identified: mobility and independence, communication, respect, and shared decision-making, quality of life and treatment preferences and, family relationships and support.