New Hospital Enabling Transformational Care
Geriatric Day Hospital One of Many Innovative Programs Opening at UHN-West Park
Canada is in the midst of a massive demographic shift.
The post-WWII, baby-boom generation is aging, and each year the 65 years and older age group is becoming a greater share of the population.
This is causing a strain on our health system. As seniors age, and their healthcare needs become more complex, they become greater consumers of health care. Right now, people over 65 years of age represent 17% of our population but 58% of all hospital stays. Over the next 20 years, the 65+ age group is expected to grow by 68%. 
It was this coming demographic surge that was the driving force to build West Park’s new hospital building, more than 15 years ago when planning first began.
Now that our new facility is open, with 316 beds and double the outpatient capacity, we are better able to meet the increased need for rehabilitation and complex continuing care services and open new programs to meet the needs of our aging population.
“We need to do more than increase capacity in the system. We need to transform how we deliver care to help keep our seniors healthy, active and independent as they age,” says Dr. Jamal Depradine, Physician Lead for the Geriatric Medicine Program.
UHN-West Park’s newest addition to specialized outpatient geriatric care is a Geriatric Day Hospital, which opened in August. This 10-week program is for older individuals living in the community who have experienced a loss of function and have identifiable rehabilitation goals. Services include a cognitive, physical or psychosocial assessment, health education, connections to community services and programs, and hands-on exercise.
It is the only geriatric day hospital in the western GTA, and part of a suite of seniors programs at West Park that include the inpatient Geriatric Rehabilitation Services (high and low intensity), an outpatient Geriatric Interprofessional Assessment Clinic, and a Seniors Mental Health Outreach Service.
West Park is also home to a new, ground-breaking Rapid Rehab initiative that helps older adults transition from the emergency department directly to inpatient rehabilitation,
and avoid an acute hospital stay.
“It is vital we transition seniors out of acute care and back home, and provide them with the health services they need to remain active in their communities and living with the highest quality of life for as long as possible,” says Dr. Depradine. “It relieves pressure in crowded acute care hospitals, and, even more importantly, genuinely improves the lives of our patients.”
More information about geriatric services on the West Park campus can be found at westpark.org.
