Nursing School Received $2.57 Million Grant

The funding supports expanding age-friendly primary care practices across the United States.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Nursing Jobs

Isometric editorial illustration of medical beakers and a wooden tool on a table, symbolizing geriatric care research. — The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University received a $2.57 million grant to standardize geriatric primary care protocols. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

In your community, are healthcare services effectively meeting the needs of older adults?

The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University has secured a $2.57 million grant from The John A. Hartford Foundation. The three-year initiative aims to implement age-friendly healthcare practices, specifically targeting primary care settings to improve outcomes for older adults.

Why it matters

This program addresses the national shortage of geriatric specialists by embedding standardized screening and care protocols into primary care. It seeks to lower preventable hospitalizations while identifying cognitive and medication-related risks for the aging population.

The school received $2.57 million in new funding, bringing the total foundation investment to $8.41 million since 2018. This three-year grant focuses on the 4Ms Framework, which includes What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility.

The players

Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing

This is a graduate nursing school located at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland that focuses on clinical research and education.

The John A. Hartford Foundation

This private national philanthropy focuses on improving the care of older adults in the United States healthcare system.

The details

The project will launch a National Primary Care Learning Network to integrate the 4Ms Framework into electronic health records and train interdisciplinary teams. This builds upon the institution’s previous work of implementing care improvements at CVS MinuteClinic locations.

The John A. Hartford Foundation began funding the school in 2018.
The new grant was announced on September 29, 2026.
The project is scheduled to run for three years from 2026 to 2029.

Market Landscape

The expansion of the 4Ms Framework marks a significant move to standardize geriatric care within broader primary care market segments. By integrating these practices into electronic health records, the school is positioning itself to influence how healthcare systems across the country manage aging patient demographics.

Patients may notice more standardized screening prompts related to their mobility and medication management during routine primary care visits. These changes are intended to catch cognitive or health risks earlier, potentially reducing the need for emergency hospital stays.

The takeaway

Adopting age-friendly screening tools can significantly improve long-term health outcomes for older adults in traditional primary care settings. Patients should prepare to discuss specific cognitive and mobility goals with their primary providers to ensure their care plans remain effective.