ACE Unit
The Acute Care for Elders (ACE) model of care is an evidence-based model that helps older adult patients maintain function, quality of life and independence during hospitalization.
Our goal is to help patients return to the level of independence and activity they had before their illness. The ACE model of care is built around four core principles:
- Care is patient-centered.
- The care team is interdisciplinary.
- Planning for discharge is part of care.
- The hospital environment is elder-friendly.
Our interdisciplinary care delivery team includes:
- Geriatricians
- Geriatric certified advanced practice nurses (APNs)
- Geriatric certified pharmacists
- Dietitians
- Social Workers/ Transitional Care Coordinators
- Therapists
The ACE Unit also is designated as an Age-Friendly unit through the Institute for Health Improvement (IHI). Age-Friendly care is a framework to guide the care of older adults that includes the 4 M’s of Care:
- What Matters: Know and align care with each older adult’s specific health outcome goals and care preferences.
- Medication: Using Age-Friendly medication that does not interfere with what matters to the older adult, mentation, or mobility.
- Mentation: Prevent, identify, treat, and manage dementia, depression, and delirium.
- Mobility: Ensure safe movement in one’s environment in order to maintain function and preserve independence
The Summa Health ACE Unit is located on our Akron Campus. To learn more, call 330.375.4100.
Geriatric Consult Services
Inpatient geriatric consultation services are available whenever an older adult is hospitalized.
Our geriatricians collaborate with geriatric nurse practitioners to deliver inpatient geriatric medicine consultation services on all units. The consult service supports Summa Health’s goal of helping all seniors admitted to Summa Health hospitals maintain function and independence.
If the managing hospital care team spots a potential problem that warrants further investigation, a geriatric medicine inpatient consultation service team member visits the patient while still in the hospital. The team evaluates the patient’s situation and makes appropriate recommendations for follow-up care or services. Concerns around delirium and cognition, falls and mobility, medication side effects, amongst others may prompt a consultation. If the patient or family member has concerns, they may also request a consultation by speaking with the managing hospital care team.
The Geriatric Consult team works closely with our trauma services. As a Level 1 Trauma Center, we evaluate every older adult who is admitted to the trauma service including patients with falls or motor vehicle accidents.
Typically, a follow-up visit at the Summa Health Senior Health Center occurs after the patient’s discharge from the hospital to evaluate how well the care plan is working.
Geriatric Psychiatric Services
Recognizing the growing need for psychiatric services for the aging population, Summa Health offers a 16 private room unit at our Akron Campus in the Juve Family Behavioral Health Pavilion devoted to meeting the unique needs of older patients who may be experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, dementia or other health conditions.
Our staff is experienced in assessing and meeting the unique needs of seniors. A comprehensive treatment program focuses on cognitive and mood symptoms, the effects of medication and monitoring of other illnesses for which the patient may be receiving treatment. Admissions are arranged through the patient’s physician or the emergency department.
