Geriatric Medicine services offered by Saint Louis University Hospital and SLUCare physicians were ranked ninth in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Hospitals,” 2004.

A hospital stay can create anxiety for anyone. For older adults, this anxiety can be multiplied by confusion, fear of treatment or concern about a lose of independence. Research shows that older adults who are hospitalized may show a decrease in their ability to function. This condition may be caused by a lack of mobility, nutritional deficiencies, side effects or other factors.

The Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) Unit, a service of Saint Louis University Hospital and SLUCare, offers specialized inpatient care for older adults. The ACE Unit strives to help older patients maintain their independence while helping to prevent physical and mental decline during their hospitalization.

The ACE Unit's multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals focuses on various aspects of the older patient. The result may be calmer, more relaxed care for patients - and perhaps a reduction of the length of hospital stay for older adults.

Saint Louis University Hospital also offers inpatient geriatric psychiatric care.

If you know of an acutely ill adult age 70 or older who requires hospitalization and could benefit from our special approach to care offered at the ACE Unit, contact that person's doctor or a SLUCare geriatric medicine specialist.