Story 22: Opening of the Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) Unit

Leading the Way in Senior-Focused Care

The First Acute Care of the Elderly Unit Opens in Ottawa – Queensway Carleton Hospital 

Watch as Karen Carruthers, Continuous Performance Improvement Specialist and former Clinical Manager of ACE, takes us behind the scenes of the Myers Automotive Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) Unit, the first in Ottawa and only the second in Ontario. She shares insights on the unit’s planning, design, and opening, highlighting its role in helping seniors recover more effectively and setting a new standard for geriatric care at QCH. 

The Need for the Unit  

Since opening on November 22, 2016, the ACE Unit has transformed senior care at QCH. With 65% of inpatients over the age of 65, the hospital recognized the need for a dedicated space designed to support older adults. The unit was created through collaboration between clinical teams and architects, incorporating features that prioritize safety, comfort, and patient-centered recovery. 

Karen Carruthers reflects on the careful planning that went into designing a senior-friendly environment, from lighting and handrails to private rooms and cognitive support programs. 

Karen Carruthers, CPI Specialist, highlights the importance of a specialized unit to meet the needs of QCH’s growing senior patient population. 

Innovative Senior Friendly Design 

The ACE Unit was designed in collaboration with architects using senior-friendly best practices to ensure safety and comfort. Features such as no-glare lighting, simple flooring without patterns, and high-contrast handrails help reduce confusion and fall risks. Additional elements like natural light, automatic lighting, and a functional layout support accessibility and promote patient independence. 

Funding Support and Opening Celebration 

The unit’s development was supported by donors, clinical teams, and community partners, whose collaboration helped bring the vision for a senior-friendly space to life. 

Donors and community supporters gather at the opening of the Myers Automotive ACE Unit, recognizing the contributions that made the project possible.

Clinical teams and stakeholders review design plans for the ACE Unit, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the space.

The Myers Automotive Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) Unit at QCH.