ACE

Admission to the Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) Unit

At the ACE Unit at The Hospitals of Providence, our staff is specially trained to meet the needs of elderly or critically ill patients. We admit patients based on the following criteria:

  • 65 years of age or older
  • Individuals from nursing homes, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facility units and foster homes*
  • Individuals with special needs arising from chronic medical conditions such as:
    • Alzheimer’s disease
    • Mental retardation
    • Down syndrome
    • Cerebral palsy
    • Stroke
    • High risk for falls
    • Need to place or difficult placement and/or multiple wounds

*Patients who live at home with 24-hour caregivers qualify for this unit, regardless of age.

Coordination of Care

Our ACE Unit clinical staff maintains contact with each patient’s caregiver and their nursing facility throughout the patient’s stay, informing them of progress and changes in treatment or conditions. Our interdisciplinary team meets daily to discuss:

  • Case management
  • Dietary concerns
  • Physician feedback
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Physical therapy
  • Respiratory therapy
  • Wound care
  • Inpatient hospice

Daily Monitoring

The ACE Unit at The Hospitals of Providence is a secured unit that allows confused patients or those who have dementia to move about in a controlled and compassionate environment.

We measure both cognition and memory skills upon admission and on a daily basis. Patients who have severe dementia with delirium receive continuous monitoring under nurse supervision. In addition, we provide specialized arrangements for patients who require cardiac monitoring.

Interested in learning more about our acute care for the elderly? Call (866) 934-3627 (THOP) to connect with a physician who can discuss your individual needs.