Inside the ACE unit: A new model of hospital care for older adults

The number of Americans age 65 and older is projected to increase 47% by 2050, according to the Population Reference Bureau. That demographic shift is a signal that our healthcare system needs to evolve, and fast.

At Intermountain Health's Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette, CO, that evolution is already happening with the launch of a new Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) unit.

"This unit is really about recognizing the vulnerability of this population and designing care that supports their recovery in the best possible way," said ACE project manager Mary Cisneros, RN.

Designed specifically for geriatric patients age 70 and older, the ACE unit reimagines how hospitals care for older adults. It’s built around their unique needs, emphasizing mobility, function, and personalized support – not just diagnosis and treatment. The goal is simple but profound: help older patients leave the hospital healthier, stronger, and more independent.

Creating care around the person, not just the illness

Every day at 10:30 a.m., a full team comes together to talk about each patient. The group includes a physical therapist, pharmacist, dietitian, nurse, charge nurse, and case manager. They sit down together to go over how the patient is doing, what's worrying them, and what needs to happen next.

The ACE model looks at the whole person instead of just treating one problem at a time. During these meetings, the team talks through what's going well, what's not working, and how they can step in if something seems off.

These daily check-ins focus on three key things:

• Eating: Is the patient getting enough food and staying hydrated?
• Walking: How well can they move around, and are they getting stronger?
• Mentating: Are they thinking clearly and staying mentally sharp?

This team approach works especially well for older adults, who often deal with several health issues at once that can affect each other.

Moving more means healing faster

One of the standout features of the ACE unit is its daily focus on movement. Every patient is supported by a dedicated mobility tech who helps them walk and stay active safely. That might sound simple, but the effects are lasting.

"When we increase a patient's mobility, we see a ripple effect of positive outcomes," Cisneros shared:

• It reduces falls. Staying active helps patients maintain strength and balance, which lowers their risk of falling.
• It reduces pressure injuries. These are skin and tissue injuries (sometimes called bedsores) caused by staying in one position too long.
• It reduces delirium. Delirium is a sudden change in mental state – often confusion or agitation – that's common in hospitalized older adults.
• It increases functional capacity. This means patients are more able to do everyday tasks like walking, bathing, or getting dressed on their own.

For many seniors, just a few days in bed can lead to steep declines in strength and independence. The ACE unit works against that decline by encouraging and enabling safe, consistent movement from day one.

Patients who stay mobile are more likely to return home sooner and less likely to need rehab or long-term care afterward.

Compassion that runs deep

Beyond the protocols and planning, the ACE unit is powered by something more personal: compassion.

"We have caregivers that are really invested...They have a calling to treat these geriatric patients…It’s really what fills their cup," said McManus. “It’s a perfect match between the team and the patients.”

That kind of emotional investment translates into better care. Team members feel connected to their work and to their patients. They listen more, notice more, and advocate more. And for families, that creates peace of mind during what can be a stressful hospital stay. 

A model for community-centered elder care 

The ACE unit also brings in social connection as part of the healing process. Through Good Samaritan’s volunteer program, the unit hosts activities twice each day. 

You’ll see patients walking about, attending arts and crafts activities, playing the piano, or doing puzzles. The idea behind all these activities is to help them be active and engaged, rather than sitting quietly, alone, in their patient rooms.

Right now, the ACE unit can care for up to 30 patients at a time. But the team sees this as just the beginning. They hope to grow the program’s visibility and impact across the region.

"We're hoping, once we get the name out and we can prove our metrics and our outcomes, that we become the beacon in the community for the ACE unit," said McManus.

That goal speaks to a broader truth: elder care is no longer a niche need. As our population ages, hospitals must be ready with care models that honor this stage of life with all its challenges and potential.

The future of hospital care is age-smart

The ACE unit at Good Samaritan is a new program that’s part of a broader shift in how Intermountain Health thinks about aging, independence, and recovery.

Older adults deserve care that sees their full picture – their history, their hopes, their ability to thrive. That means designing hospital environments and care plans that prevent decline instead of just reacting to it. It means creating a culture where staying strong and going home is the norm, not the exception.

And most of all, it means recognizing that elder-focused care isn’t about doing more for a vulnerable group. It’s about doing better.

The acute care for the elderly unit at Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital focuses on meeting the unique needs of the elderly population, to help them live their healthiest lives possible.

With care that’s proactive, personal, and purpose-driven, Intermountain Health is leading the way for a healthier future at every age.