Centers of Excellence in Geriatric Medicine

Specialized Care for the Unique Needs of Older Adults

At RWJBarnabas Health, we understand that seniors have unique medical needs. Often, their conditions are more complex and require a multidisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive care.

We offer several centers of excellence throughout New Jersey dedicated to older adults with full-time geriatricians, geriatric nurse practitioners and social workers who have special training in working with the senior population. We offer inpatient and outpatient care, including physical and occupational rehabilitation. Learn more about our centers of excellence in geriatric medicine in Lakewood, Livingston, Hamilton, Long Branch, Somerville, Jersey City and Newark, below.

James and Sharon Maida Geriatric Institute at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus – Lakewood, NJ

Inpatient and Outpatient Care

A leader in geriatric medicine, the James and Sharon Maida Geriatric Institute at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus this center of excellence provides integrated inpatient and outpatient geriatric services for patients 65 and older in one convenient location. Geriatricians, geriatric nurse practitioners and their staff at the Institute have a full understanding of the wide range of physical, mental, medical, social, and spiritual issues that older adults face. Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, is designated as a NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Health system Elders) hospital. Complementing the Geriatric Institute are the following services:

• Geriatric Emergency Medicine (GEM) Unit, created to meet the more complex needs of seniors in emergency care
• Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Unit, an inpatient unit that uses an interdisciplinary approach to collaboratively develop a patient-centered care plan
• Better Health program, which offers educational programs for men and women 55 and older who want to improve their health and well-being
• Geriatric social work services
• Rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and audiology

For more information on the James and Sharon Maida Geriatric Institute at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, call 732-886-4700.

James and Sharon Maida Geriatric Institute at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center – Livingston, NJ

Inpatient and Outpatient Care

The James and Sharon Maida Geriatric Institute at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, located at the RWJBarnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center, provides comprehensive, specialized senior care services to patients and families. From simple check-ups, primary care and screenings to innovative solutions to improve quality of life, our team of dedicated and compassionate professionals is ready to assist you and your loved ones. The center focuses on comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care and education and provides the following services:

• Primary care for older adults provided by geriatricians and geriatric nurse practitioners
• Assessment and management of memory disorders
• Outpatient consultative services for memory impairment or other complex geriatric syndromes
• Inpatient care at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
• Inpatient geriatric medical teaching program for physicians and other health care practitioners in training
• Inpatient/hospital-based consultative services for the management of complex frail elders, especially those with cognitive impairment and/or delirium and co-management with other hospital-based physicians such as surgeons and hospitalists
• House calls for homebound seniors who reside in our service area

For more information on the James and Sharon Maida Geriatric Institute at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, call 973-322-7636.

Better Health Program and Education Center at the James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton – Hamilton, NJ

Outpatient Care

The James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Hamilton provides a cohesive approach to healthy aging and living your best life and the program focuses on the whole person to creative a personalized approach to wellness that is right for you.

Sara Ali, MD, Geriatric Medicine and Internal Medicine
Director of Palliative Care, Chairperson Ethics Committee, Member of Cancer Center Palliative Care Committee, Medical Director at Serenity Hospice, Inpatient Care at RWJUH Hamilton
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ali, call 609-245-7430.

The Better Health Program is a complimentary program offered to individuals 65+ years of age with over 100+ classes offered annually focused on “Rediscovering Your Body, Mind, and Spirit in Retirement.” The program is medically directed by Dr. Sara Ali, Geriatrician, and integrates science with a holistic approach realized through educational programs and activities.

• Physician-led educational programs with a geriatrician on topics including aging, vaccines, memory disorders, healthy heart, and atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) and more
• Health education events, including lunch-and-learn opportunities with RWJUH physicians, on important health topics to help keep you vibrant and well
• Fun activities including exploring Tai Chi, yoga, meditation, music from the past, outings, and hands-on classes
• Topics for an informed life, prescription review, common scams on seniors, estate planning, grieving a loved one who is still living, and more
• Health screenings for hearing loss, cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure levels as well as medical conditions such as osteoporosis and cancer

For more information, visit the Better Health Program at the James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute at RWJUH Hamilton.

Anyone 65 or older can become a Better Health Member completely free of charge. Visit our registration page or call 609-584-5900.

Anna Greenwall Geriatric Health Center at Monmouth Medical Center – Long Branch, NJ

Outpatient Care

Established in 1984, Monmouth Medical Center's Anna Greenwall Geriatric Health Center is a leader in elder care in central New Jersey. The program is widely recognized for its emphasis on coordination of health and social services for the elderly and their families, with a focus on comprehensive care and education. The cornerstone of the program is the Geriatric Health Center offering comprehensive evaluations for adults 65 and older with a dedicated team of trained geriatricians, social workers, and nurses. Services offered include:

• Primary and consultative services for older adults
• Geriatric social work services
• Caregiver support group
• The Geriatric Emergency Medicine (GEM) Unit, created to meet the more complex needs of seniors in emergency care

For more information on the Anna Greenwall Geriatric Program at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, call 732-923-7550.

Geriatric Services at RWJ University Hospital Somerset – Somerville, NJ

Inpatient Care

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset has a dedicated inpatient geriatric unit focused on meeting the unique needs of the mature adult. Our focus is on helping older adults function at an optimal level and facilitate returning to their home environment. Our unit features:

• A family conference room with senior-specific health information
• A pet therapy program in which volunteers and trained pets visit patients
• A wrist-band security system for patients with Alzheimer’s disease

For more information about geriatric programs and services at RWJ University Hospital Somerset call 908-685-2200.

Geriatric Services at Jersey City Medical Center – Jersey City, NJ

Inpatient and Outpatient Care

Jersey City Medical Center is proud to be a “Senior-Friendly” hospital recognized by the NICHE program – Nurses Improving Care for Health system Elders (NICHE). Our interdisciplinary team understands the unique health care challenges faced by older adults and offer services to help them maintain their independence to live longer, healthier lives. Our geriatric services feature a dedicated interdisciplinary team trained in the unique needs of older adult patients including:

• Specialists in geriatric medicine
• Geriatric nurse practitioners
• Geriatric resource nurses
• Geriatric patient care associates

For more information about geriatric programs and services at Jersey City Medical Center, call 201-915-2147. To schedule an outpatient visit with a geriatrician, please call 551-214-3500.

Geriatric Services at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center – Newark, NJ

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center provides community-based outpatient medical care for the elderly at several locations around Newark including at the James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and the James C. White Manor, a senior housing development. The medical center also provides a robust program for the inpatient care of older adults. Features include:

• 24-hour emergency coverage
• State-of-the-art Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) Unit
• Geriatric assessment, primary care, and specialty services
• Geriatric Emergency Room, a dedicated area for patient assessment and care
• A geriatrician available to handle all aspects of medical care, including the evaluation and treatment of falls, dementia, loss of mobility, incontinence, constipation, depression, weight loss and medication problems.
• A Senior Health Membership Program for people ages 50 and older
• Community outreach programs

For more information about geriatric programs and services at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, call 973-926-8491.