Lois Sloan, left and her friend, patient Ruth Conrad, visit in the activity room on the ACE Unit at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital - Warren Campus. Encouraging patients to be out of bed as much as possible and socialize helps prevent declines in physical and mental health that can sometimes happen to hospitalized older adults.
Lois Sloan grew up near where Henry Ford Macomb Hospital - Warren Campus now stands. Years later she would bring her family to the hospital for care. Recently, she was there visiting a dear friend in the new Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) Unit.
"This wing is beautiful," said Lois, who now lives in Roseville. "We took a walk in the hallway and the pictures and everything are great."
Her friend has her own history with the Warren Campus. Although Ruth Conrad, 87, recently relocated to Clinton Township, she lived in Eastpointe for many years. She was one of the community members who urged Warren city leaders to consider allowing construction of the Warren Campus.
"We needed a hospital in this area," she said.
Now Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals has again anticipated a need in the community. The ACE Unit provides specialized care for elderly patients with complex health issues and is a logical fit in the Warren area, which is fifth in the nation in its percentage of residents age 65 and older. The hospital also has achieved NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) designation. NICHE is a national initiative to assist healthcare organizations around the country meet the needs of acutely ill older adults.
With the May opening of the ACE Unit, Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals has embraced an innovative, team-based approach to help older adults maintain their independence and prevent physical and mental decline while receiving treatment for serious illnesses. There is a specific set of criteria that patients must meet to be admitted to the unit by their physician, including:
Age 65 or above
Resided in an independent living situation prior to admissionAnd one or more of the following:
On four or more medications or on medications that pose a higher risk for elderly patients
Experience changes in hearing, sight, or sensation
Experience an unplanned weight loss of five pounds or more within a month.
The goal for treating ill older adults is to help them retain their independence, maintain or improve functionality and prevent a re-admission to the hospital. The ACE Unit is designed with the needs of elderly patients in mind, incorporating features like:
Softer flooring and lower beds to protect against falls
Larger rooms that can accommodate wheelchairs
Soft lighting that reduces glare but maintains visibility at night to reduce confusion
An activity room to keep patients out of bed during the day, improving sleep and reducing the need for medication
Walkers in all rooms
Specially designed tubs and showers
Sleeper chairs to enable family members to stay with the patient
An interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and others working together to recognize and address risk factors for each senior patient.
Geriatric nurse practitioner Corrine Kruse, CNP, noted that physicians and families alike appreciate the patient- and family-centered approach to care. "The physicians tell us this is different," Corrine said. "They like to see the patients out of bed. The nostalgic artwork in the hallways and the activity room are good incentives for patients to walk."
Ruth was impressed with the unit.
"It's nice to have a private room," she said. "There is more one on one attention. Everyone is so nice."
Since the ACE Unit opened, internal medicine specialist and geriatrician Ronald Barnett, DO, has sent a steady stream of patients who need hospital care to the unit. "Patients are more actively engaged and they are kept occupied," Dr. Barnett said. "They are discharged home without difficulty and that is a major positive outcome."
ACE Unit rooms are large and aesthetically pleasing. Among the safety features are beds that lower to within 18 inches of the floor, which makes it easier for patients to get in and out of bed.
Small touches make a big difference in recovery
As evening draws near, things on the ACE Unit are winding down. Patients have had dinner and are drifting back from the activity room to settle in for the night. But as is often the case with elderly people, sleep - especially when they are not feeling 100 percent - may be elusive.
That is when ACE Unit volunteers step in. They are there to offer chamomile tea and/or a warm towel to calm and relax patients. These "homey" touches not only work to relax patients, they don't have the potential side effects that can come with sleep medications. Those side effects could include increased fall risk and more.
The nighttime routine is just one way the ACE Unit is using more than medicine to heal. Reiki has been introduced on the unit and nostalgic artwork was recently added.
The photos of Olympia Stadium, Vernor's memorabilia and others softens the atmosphere of the unit. It also offers a sense of familiarity for patients and can be a great conversation starter. Maintaining mental capabilities and mobility are two keys for elderly patients to retain the maximum degree of independence. Sharing stories about the past encourages socialization and looking at the artwork requires walking around the unit.
In the activity room, patients can dine with family members, read, play board games or just relax near the large aquarium.
For more information about Older Adult Services, call (800) 532-2411.
