The Opportunity
We’re researching how senior-specific care within the emergency department as well as patient-centered home and community-based care options for seniors can result in not only better health outcomes but help seniors age successfully in place.
Our Goal
We’re leading research and advocacy efforts to help disseminate evidence-based knowledge, and reduce legislative and regulatory barriers aimed at increasing reimbursement opportunities to provide senior-specific care within acute care settings throughout the country.
Our Focus Areas
Through a combination of applied medical research conducted by the West Health Institute, policy, and advocacy through the West Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C. and outcomes-based funding provided by the Gary and Mary West Foundation, our goal is to lower the cost of healthcare and help make successful aging a reality for all seniors.
Gary and Mary West Senior Emergency Care Unit at UC San Diego Health
Launched in 2016 with a capital grant from the Gary and Mary West Foundation, our flagship model in acute geriatric emergency care serves as the site of a multi-year research initiative where we are studying health outcomes and cost-effectiveness of providing enhanced care for seniors within the Emergency Room.
Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has launched its new Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) program. The program is part of an effort to improve and standardize emergency care for the nation’s older patients and builds on the financial support and foundational work of the Gary and Mary West Health Institute and The John A. Hartford Foundation.
Research Collaborators
American College of Emergency Physicians
The American College of Emergency Physicians promotes the highest quality of emergency care and is the leading advocate for emergency physicians, their patients, and the public.
Geisinger Health System
The institute is collaborating with Geisinger Health System to study treatment at home options that would provide healthcare in a patient’s home as an alternative to hospitalization.
Institute for Healthcare Improvement
We’re collaborating with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and leveraging successful care models in the home and community to meet the unplanned acute care needs of seniors.
The John A. Hartford Foundation
The John A. Hartford Foundation invests in aging experts and practice innovations that transform how the care of older adults is delivered. Since 1982, The John A. Hartford Foundation has awarded more than $565 million in grants to enhance the health and well-being of older people.
Mount Sinai Health System
The Mount Sinai Health System is an integrated health care system providing exceptional medical care to our local and global communities.
UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health is committed to creating a healthier world – one life at a time – through new science, new medicine and new cures.
West Health Acute Care News
November 20, 2023
Geriatric Emergency Department Peer Learning Session: Delirium Screening & Medication Reconciliation Protocol
November 20, 2023
Geriatric Emergency Department Peer Learning Session: How the Geriatric Emergency Nurse and Care Team address the 4Ms
Publications and Resources
West Health provides a variety of published reports, findings and data, as well as resources that are free and available for use.
West Health does not accept unsolicited business plans or proposals.