Gaylene Adamczyk
410-601-8678

The GEM unit serves patients age 75 and older, one of the fastest growing age groups in the United States. The 20-bed dedicated unit provides care solely for the elderly, who often require more in-depth treatment of their health problems than younger patients. Common conditions affecting the older population that will be treated in the GEM unit include complications resulting from a variety of health problems such as diabetes, respiratory problems, heart disease, congestive heart failure and stroke. Additionally, patients with postoperative issues, mental health changes resulting from health conditions, and other age-related medical conditions are treated within the unit.

The goal of the new unit is to improve the quality of life for its patients. All of the patient rooms within the GEM unit are private, and all furnishings, equipment, meals, medication and supplies are designed with the patient in mind.

Northwest Hospital Center�s staff-to-patient ratio is higher in the GEM unit than in other inpatient areas of the hospital. All treatment team staff and physicians are specialists in elder care and are trained to effectively care for those with ailments that occur among those ages 75 and older.

"It's important that we take care of our senior citizens, including those more advanced in age," says F. Michael Gloth, III, M.D., a renowned geriatrician, who is the medical director of Northwest Hospital�s GEM unit. "This is a different population than younger adults. The care of older seniors benefits from oversight by geriatricians, who are specifically trained to care for them, and the special care in the hospital that GEM units can provide."

Northwest Hospital Center is a member of LifeBridge Health, a regional health organization, which includes Sinai Hospital, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, Jewish Convalescent & Nursing Home, and related subsidiaries and affiliates.