SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., November 25, 2024 – Dementia Care Aware (DCA), a statewide program led by the University of California, San Francisco, to improve dementia detection and care in primary health systems, announced the formation of a strategic partnership with West Health that will advance dementia education, screenings and care and fuel the next phase of the program in the state.
The collaboration will equip primary care teams with tools to effectively detect dementia using the Cognitive Health Assessment (CHA), diagnostic evaluation, care planning and support for patients and their health partners at every stage of life.
Since July 2022, DCA has trained more than 5,000 healthcare professionals on CHA, a brief, 5-10-minute screening tool designed to evaluate cognitive function in older adults and identify early signs of dementia.
With dementia specialist wait times in California projected to exceed more than three years by 2050, DCA empowers primary care teams to provide patients with early detection, comprehensive care and extensive education and resources, recognizing that the most effective care occurs when dementia is diagnosed and managed as early as possible.
"West Health's commitment and experience in developing impactful programs for older adults aligns seamlessly with our mission at Dementia Care Aware and UCSF,” said Dr. Anna Chodos, executive director at DCA. “Their deep expertise and success in improving healthcare for older adults will help us accelerate the reach of education and practice transformation in primary care to better address patient needs and make early detection a reality.”
West Health, a family of nonprofit organizations, including the Gary and Mary West Foundation, West Health Institute in San Diego and the West Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C., shares DCA’s commitment to advancing dementia care. The new partnership harnesses West Health’s research capabilities, policy expertise and proven success in enhancing healthcare for older adults to drive transformative change in dementia care at scale.
"Our partnership strengthens our shared commitment to ensuring older adults receive timely, high-quality screenings and comprehensive care statewide," said Shelley Lyford, CEO and chair at West Health. "We are taking a vital step towards equipping primary care teams with the education and resources necessary to improve brain health and build a healthier future for all older adults."
By promoting evidence-based practices, DCA and West Health seek to help health systems recognize the value and importance of early dementia detection, ensuring cognitive impairments are identified sooner, outcomes are improved and families and patients can plan and have support throughout their journey. For more information about the partnership and initiatives, visit westhealth.org and dementiacareaware.org.
About Dementia Care Aware
Dementia Care Aware, developed with the University of California, San Francisco, and created and supported by the California Department of Health Care Services after the passage of Senate Bill SB 48 in 2022, is dedicated to improving dementia care in primary care settings statewide through screening. It provides the education, tools and support necessary to offer high-quality dementia screenings, assessments and care, especially for underserved and low-income Californians. Learn more at dementiacareaware.org.
About West Health
Solely funded by philanthropists Gary and Mary West, West Health is a family of nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations including the Gary and Mary West Foundation and Gary and Mary West Health Institute in San Diego, and the Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C. West Health is dedicated to lowering healthcare costs and enabling seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality, affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life and independence. Learn more at https://westhealth.org/.
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