MHH ACE Unit

Acute Care of Elders (ACE) Unit

Memorial Hermann’s Acute Care of Elders (ACE) Unit is a closed unit designed to manage acute medical issues in the elderly, prevent the decline that comes with the hospitalization of older people, and arrange for a successful discharge that meets the needs of the family and patient.

What is the difference between an ACE unit and the usual hospital floor?

  • Patients are managed by an interdisciplinary team, including nutritionists, therapists, and social workers
  • Nurses are trained in geriatric care
  • All staff are assigned to the unit ensuring consistent care and good communication
  • Pharmacists review medication regimens of all patients to prevent side effects, interactions, and polypharmacy
  • The unit provides spacious rooms and a comfortable environment that encourages socialization, independences, and quick, successful recovery!

What are the advantages to being in an ACE Unit?

  • Better physical functioning discharge.
  • Quicker diagnosis and treatment of depression.
  • Improved pain control.
  • Increased patient and family satisfaction.
  • Decreased risk of pressure ulcers.
  • Closer follow-up in the outpatient setting.

How is the ACE unit different from other hospital units?

ACE means Acute Care for Elders. An ACE unit is a unit of a hospital that is specially designed for the comfort and safety of older adults. A hospitalization can be a little easier for an older adult if the hospital has considered the physical, visual, cognitive, and memory impairments that many older adults experience. For example, on the ACE unit at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, floors in the rooms are laminated hardwood to reduce the glare of tile, windows have glare-resistant shades, bathrooms have well-positioned grab bars, the shower accommodates a shower chair, and the toilet seat is black (providing a contrast to the white toilet). All these are safety features that reduce the risk of falls.

This service is staffed by Dr. Renee Flores, Dr. Dana Giza, Dr. Rachel Jantea, Dr. Min Ji Kwak, Dr. Nahid Rianon, Dr. Holly Holmes, and Dr. Jessica Lee.