Dedicated Geriatric Unit Tailored to Meet Needs of Older Adult Patients

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, has opened a new geriatric unit. The unit consists of 24 private rooms, spanning two floors of the hospital and is outfitted to meet the needs of older adult patients. The unit is part of the $150-million “The Newark Strong” project — the largest expansion of the hospital in more than 50 years.

The unit features rooms large enough to accommodate physical therapy activities, beds designed to reduce pressure injuries and reduce fall hazards, cushioned slip-resistant flooring and sliding doors to private bathrooms with bathroom guardrails for ease of access.

The hallways are brightly colored with color-blocking patterns that help guide and orient patients. Hallways are also fitted with guardrails, pullout seating, a centralized nursing station and dimmable lighting. In addition, the unit features wheelchair-accessible family visitor lounges. The project team included The Leegis Group, SLAM (The S/L/A/M Collaborative) and AKF Group.