westhealth.org Supportive Services

Supportive Services

Advancing Supportive Services for Seniors

West Health is conducting innovative research focused on advancing comprehensive malnutrition care by strengthening the provision of whole-person support for seniors that considers and addresses their full spectrum of needs.

The Opportunity

Among the many challenges facing seniors is their ability to access the services and supports they need and want to remain healthy, safe and socially connected in their homes and communities. Supportive Services, such as nutrition, housing, transportation, care management, in-home personal care, and homemaker services enable seniors to maintain their health, independence, and quality of life. Key to reducing the cost of healthcare and enabling successful aging is the provision of whole-person, coordinated health, and supportive services through community-based approaches that better integrate care across healthcare settings and the senior’s home and community.

Our Goal

West Health is conducting research to develop and implement innovative ways to advance comprehensive malnutrition care and support by screening for malnutrition risk and addressing the modifiable social risk factors associated with senior malnutrition.

Our Focus Areas

West Health’s unique approach combines applied medical research conducted by the West Health Institute, policy and advocacy provided by the West Health Policy Center and outcomes-based funding provided by the Gary and Mary West Foundation, to lower the cost of healthcare and help make successful aging a reality for all seniors in San Diego, and throughout the nation.

Malnutrition Care and Support

Advancing Whole-Person Support

360° Patient Caregiving Solution: UC Irvine SeniorHealth Center, SeniorServ and West Health Institute

As part of a multi-year collaborative research project, the West Health Institute; University of California, Irvine SeniorHealth Center; and SeniorServ, a community-based organization; instituted a technology-enabled care coordination model of care, focused on social determinants of health, that identifies and addresses modifiable social risk factors and bridges healthcare and community settings to deliver whole-person support for seniors.

Now Available: A Practical Guide to Addressing the Social Needs of Older Adults – Download Here

Research Collaborators

Home Centered Care Institute

HCCI'S mission is to improve the accessibility and quality of care available to medically complex patients and their caregivers, and to reduce overall health care costs by advancing the practice of Home Centered Care.

Meals on Wheels America

Meals on Wheels America is the oldest and largest national organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger.

Brown University School of Public Health

Through research, education, and public service, the Brown University School of Public Health strives to improve the health of individuals as well as populations.

UC Irvine Health

UCI Health: A devoted team of nationally regarded physicians and nurses, researchers and clinicians, educators and students united by a single calling — to improve the lives of the people in our community and beyond.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dedicated to improving the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve by providing leadership and excellence in patient care, education and research.