LAFAYETTE, Colo. — A new pilot program at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette is helping older adults stay active, engaged and socially connected during their hospital stays — and early results have staff and patients optimistic.
The “ACE Unit,” short for Acute Care for the Elderly, is the first of its kind at any Intermountain Health hospital. Launched in April 2025, it’s designed to deliver specialized care to a growing population of older patients, focusing on mobility, nutrition and mental stimulation during recovery.
“There was a need for specialization of our unit for geriatrics, so we see that there’s this growing population of elderly patients near us and in our hospital, and we needed to identify that population and really meet the needs of that specific demographic,” said Clinical Nurse Manager Mary Cisneros. “The ultimate goal is to give best in class care to these patients.”
The care team conducts daily interdisciplinary rounds to address medical concerns quickly and keep patients and families informed. “It gives a chance for the patient and families to ask questions or learn what the plan of care is from each team member,” Cisneros said…