GEDA Home

Seniors make contact with the health care system at many points – perhaps none as frequently or as importantly as the emergency department.

Populations around the world are living longer now than ever before, and in the US it is estimated that 10,000 Baby Boomers are turning 65 every day. This demographic shift brings challenges to healthcare systems as older adults visit emergency departments (EDs) at comparatively higher rates than non-seniors, often present with multiple chronic conditions, are at increased risk of polypharmacy, and suffer from complex social and physical challenges. Seniors make contact with the health care system at many points – perhaps none as frequently or as importantly as the emergency department.

The concept of a geriatric emergency department has developed in the past decade as hospitals recognize that one size ED care does not fit all. Older people in the ED have presentations, needs, dispositions, and outcomes that are quite specific to them. A geriatric ED may be either a separate space designated for older adults, or more likely, the integration of best practices for older adults into an existing ED.

Geriatric EDs embrace a variety of best practices including:

  • Ensuring geriatric-focused education and interdisciplinary staffing
  • Providing standardized approaches to care that address common geriatric issues
  • Ensuring optimal transitions of care from the ED to other settings (inpatient, home, community-based care, rehabilitation, long-term care)
  • Promoting geriatric-focused quality improvement and enhancements of the physical environment and supplies

Becoming a geriatric ED will improve the care provided to older people in your ED and ensure the resources to provide that care are available. It also signals to the public that your institution is focused on the highest standards of care for your community’s older citizens.

Apply TodayGED Accreditation List (xlsx) Getting Started & Review Process Guide

Find every GEDA Accredited Emergency Department

Use our interactive map to search for accredited sites, or scroll down to read more about ACEP’s accreditation programs.

See all Accredited Sites

News & Events

September 13, 2024

AFHM Press Release

This programmatic measure assesses hospital commitment to improving care for patients ≥ 65 years of age receiving services in the hospital, operating room (OR), or emergency department (ED).

July 16, 2024

Excellence in GED Care Award

The Excellence in GED Care Award is the first national designation to recognize Geriatric Emergency Departments (GEDs) that offer superior care. This prestigious acknowledgment is awarded to a GED tha...

July 16, 2024

Need free educational resources for accreditation?

GEDC can help your health system or individual EDs achieve high-quality geriatric care by providing the resources you need to achieve your goals.

Learn more about geriatric ED best practices

Four national geriatric and emergency medicine organizations collaboratively developed and endorsed geriatric ED guidelines that outline recommendations for optimal geriatric emergency care.

GEDA Guildelines (PDF) GEDA Criteria (PDF)

Download the GEDA Brochure

Improve the care provided to older patients by becoming an accredited geriatric emergency department.

Download PDF

Geriatric Stories

Read the Stories...

Learn More

Geriatric Emergency Medicine Section

gems-logo.png

Our section is dedicated to improving the care provided to the elderly patient in the ED. Every day, you treat people in this fast-growing population. This population has specific needs that you must address in a caring and creative manner.

Learn More

Register for ACEP24

The ACEP24 GEMS Pre-Conference, to be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., will explore the theme of transforming the emergency department into a dementia-friendly environment. Join leaders in a discussion of strategies to optimize the care of dementia patients in the ED setting and to render your ED dementia friendly.

Learn about ACEP24 Geriatric-Specific Courses (PDF)

Learn about GEDA Accreditation Levels

To learn more about the criteria for geriatric ED accreditation, see the accreditation criteria available below.

Developed with support from

westhealth-logo.png Hartford-Foundation-Logo.png

Important Application Information

All three Levels of GEDA are operating under the revised criteria that went into effect on June 30, 2023.

Please note Level 1 and Level 2 will undertake boarding care metric requirements on January 1, 2024.


Application due dates (cut-off) cycles:

  • February 5, 2024
  • April 8, 2024
  • June 3, 2024
  • August 5, 2024
  • December 2, 2024
  • October 7, 2024
[ Feedback → ]