Baycrest
3560 Bathurst Street M6A 2E1 Toronto, ON, Canada

MindfulGarden began as an exploration on how to use digital technology to ‘interrupt’ hyperactive delirium behaviours in the highly vulnerable population of frail elderly patients in hospital, Mindful Garden’s Founder and CEO, Catherine Winckler, explains. MindfulGarden is a digital solution responds to stress cues from the patient by displaying soothing images, such as iridescent butterflies and blooming flowers. Calming the patient and giving caregivers time to investigate and change what may be causing the agitation in the first place. Discover more about this Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation supported intervention as part of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month here: https://bit.ly/39Kdda5

It’s like having a virtual Behavioural Neurology in-patient unit in each location, says Dr. Freedman. And just like on an in-patient unit, we have weekly rounds to talk about each patient as a team. In partnership with the Toronto Central Behavioural Support for Seniors Program, Baycrest has been piloting the Virtual Behavioural Medicine (VBM) Program. The program assesses and treats people with challenging behaviours caused by dementia and related cognitive disorders u...sing telemedicine and collaboration between teams. Learn more about how this program is helping acute care hospitals, long-term care homes and family caregivers better care for people living with dementia and improve their quality of life: https://bit.ly/3bQ1GZn

New webinar! How To Find Support During These Difficult Times Through Virtual Support Groups Learn from members of a Baycrest-led virtual support group that regularly meets throughout the current COVID-19 pandemic, and how it helped them navigate and cope with the new normal. ... Register today! January 27, 2021 at 12:00 noon EST Register at https://bit.ly/3iaadaR

The pandemic has affected many aspects of how someone living with Alzheimer’s interacts with others, spends their time, and receives care. And for caregivers, the pandemic has made what can be an already strenuous job even harder. Dr. Morris Freedman, Behavioural Neurologist at Baycrest, has provided some tips for those living with Alzheimer’s disease, and those who care for them, on how to navigate the pandemic. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3sgn8wu... Part of our #alzheimersawarenessmonth stories. Stay tuned for more.

Join Baycrest’s Memory and Aging Program to learn about memory, how it changes with age, and what you can do to optimize your brain health and memory function. This five-week virtual workshop begins January 14 and is open to interested persons in Ontario. Learn more and register at Baycrest.org/memory. Registration closes January 7!

If you’ve asked yourself Is my memory normal or should I see my doctor? consider completing Cogniciti’s online assessment. The free test takes 20-30 minutes, and will give you a personalized brain health report including letting you know if you should consult your doctor. Complete your assessment here: https://bit.ly/35vFikg... This is part of our Alzheimer’s Awareness Month posts. Enjoy it? Stay tuned for more.

"Now more than ever, it is important that we stay physically active in a safe way, and there are several options to do so," - Sylvia Davidson, Hospital Manager Professional Practice Chief - Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Therapeutic Recreation at Baycrest speaks with BrainMatters about how older adults can stay active using technology, cozy clothing, and a bit of patience. Read here: https://bit.ly/3h8UWX7

Let’s all do our part. Get the vaccine, so everyone can get back to enjoying their lives to the fullest! Rachel Gavendo, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Certified, explaining why she received her COVID-19 Vaccine. We’re #BaycrestStrong, ensuring as many staff as possible receive their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, to protect our residents and patients. Vaccines will eventually be available for all our staff, essential caregivers, and residents if they want to receive one.

Today, on behalf of our patients, health care workers and staff, we are supporting the Ontario Hospital Association's call for stronger lockdown measures from the Ontario Government http://bit.ly/3nFRo19

Today, we remember the sacrifices that our Veterans made so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today #LestWeForget

New webinar Hearing Loss and Dementia: Connections, Impact and What You Can Do About It is our latest webinar for family caregivers and will explore the link between hearing loss and dementia, and the importance of assessing and managing hearing loss in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. This webinar will also highlight management options and strategies that may facilitate communication with older adults with hearing loss and help to alleviate caregiver burden. Register t...oday! November 4, 2020 at 12:00 noon EST Register at baycrest.org/webinars

We are thrilled to share that several staff at Baycrest received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine earlier this week, as part of the initial roll out to long term care staff. Vaccines will eventually be available for all our staff, essential caregivers, and residents. Thank you to everyone who has made this moment possible, we are proud to be a part of it. Pictured here, Dr. Sid Feldman, Chief of the Department of Family and Community Medicine gets his first dose.

"What's hard for your brain, is good for your brain." - Ellen Bialystok, associate scientist at the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest explains to CNN why bilingualism is good for brains, and can even slow the impact of Alzheimer's disease. https://www.cnn.com//staying-well-bilingualism-/index.html

Knowing that I don’t have to leave my apartment, and having nurses come to us with their gowns, masks and face shields, I was so happy I could get my flu shot and stay safe too, Anastasia, resident of the Senior Housing units located at 4455 Bathurst Street. Baycrest and the North Toronto Ontario Health Team have given over 700 flu shots them to seniors in their homes over the past few months. This pilot project was motivated by the communities needs around COVID-19 and t...he rapidly growing seniors population in the north of the city. Read more about this project here: https://bit.ly/34ibLcZ Pictured here: Tracy Zhang, Pharmacist at Baycrest, with some of the high dose vaccine recommended for seniors.

For many years now, severe responsive behaviours, aggression, confusion, hallucination and depression, found in individuals with dementia, have been a growing public health concern in Canada. Dr. Morris Freedman, Behavioural Neurologist at Baycrest, is tackling this crisis through the newly launched Virtual Behavioural Medicine Program. The program’s novel approach has reduced the need for those clearly requiring admission to specialized behavioural units by about 80 per cent. Physicians can see a major improvement in patients' behaviours as care is available as soon as behaviours are triggered. To learn more about Baycrest’s Virtual Behavioural Medicine program and the impact it is making across Ontario, visit: https://bit.ly/35elS28

Need a little magic? Join us on Thursday, Oct 22 at 4 p.m. as Fish The Magish performs a virtual comedy magic show! From little ones to grandparents, bring your family together online for a show that’s fun for everyone. Register here to receive the zoom link: https://bit.ly/35hnvwf

New webinar for family caregivers Combating Isolation Through Self-Care in the Age of COVID-19 is our latest webinar for family caregivers and will focus on building a self-care plan to support well-being during the second wave. This is a particularly insightful talk for caregivers as COVID-19 continues to disproportionately affect older adults with dementia. The presentation will also be followed by a Q&A session. Register today! October 14, 2020 at 12:00 noon EST... Register at baycrest.org/webinars See more

This week is #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek. If you are struggling during this time of uncertainty, you are not alone. Many of us are anxious about our health and the health and safety of our families, friends and loved ones. Dr. Rob Madan, Baycrest's Psychiatrist in Chief, shares advice for psychological wellness #MIAW20 https://bit.ly/3en344D

Earlier this year, our sacrifices helped #FlattenTheCurve. But the growing case count is a warning sign that our hard-won progress is slipping away. We’d like to encourage Ontarians to not only re-commit to following strict public health measures including wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, washing hand often and keeping their social circles small but also ask them to be more COVID-conscious by understanding the cost of unnecessary or unsafe social gathering and making appropriate decisions for their safety and the safety of others.

Back to school means grandparents are navigating how to see their grandchildren and stay safe with the return to classes. Dr. David Conn, a geriatric psychiatrist at Baycrest and co-chair of the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health, spoke to CBC News on the return to school and how rising COVID-19 numbers are worrying many older adults.

The way older adults carry out their daily routines, interact with one another, and receive support has been drastically altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this, Baycrest launched a Virtual Day Treatment Centre program, which adapted the in-person offerings of the Day Treatment Centre to be delivered virtually. Now, throughout the community, social workers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists are supporting the physical, mental and emotional health of older adults through virtual group exercise classes and one-on-one therapy sessions. To learn more about Baycrest’s Virtual Day Treatment Centre program, and how Baycrest has changed the way programs and services are offered, visit https://bit.ly/2HiQAyS

Happy Rosh Hashanah! Wishing our community a happy and healthy new year. Shanah Tovah!

Studies conducted prior to the pandemic have shown chronic loneliness and social isolation are serious health hazards, especially for older adults. Baycrest's Dr. Linda Mah continues to focus on the effects that the pandemic and physical distancing have on the mental health of older adults. She spoke to The Globe and Mail on her latest study and some potential connections between dementia symptoms and isolation. Read the full article here https://tgam.ca/2H6ko1C

The City of Toronto - Your Local Government has proclaimed September 15 #RehabilitationDay in recognition of the life-changing impact of rehabilitation services. One of the essential elements of success in providing rehabilitation is the strength and dedication of the health care team and here at Baycrest we are proud to have a family of staff whose commitment is beyond measure. We want to thank our rehabilitation professionals for the excellence they demonstrate daily in su...pport of our patients and families, especially during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is thanks to the teamwork between our dedicated rehabilitation team members and other healthcare professionals that we are a centre of excellence in care for our older adult population. September 15 offers a chance to celebrate the positive impact that rehab has in so many lives and to say thank you to the staff in our organizations who make it happen https://bit.ly/2Rw1149

How does COVID-19 impact the brain? As healthcare professionals discover more about how COVID-19 affects the respiratory system, scientists suggest the virus could have potential neurological consequences in some patients. Baycrest researchers have joined NEUROCOVID19, a national study led by Dr. Simon Graham, Interim Director of Physical Sciences at Sunnybrook Research Institute, to investigate how COVID-19 impacts the brain. Learn more, here https://bit.ly/31H4v9F

As millions of children across Canada are getting ready to go back to school, many parents are making the decision to isolate their kids from their grandparents. The decision will have many undesirable consequences, including the emotional toll it will take on grandparents and grandchildren. Baycrest's Dr. Robert Madan speaks to The Globe and Mail on how difficult isolation can be for older adults and says it is essential that families stay in touch however they can.

Discover the joy of dance with Baycrest and Canada's National Ballet School! Baycrest and Canada’s National Ballet School have co-developed Baycrest NBS Sharing Dance Seniors, a dance program suitable for older adults that is accessible online from your home. Join us for the opportunity to dance alongside instructor, Angie Seto, and learn more about the program’s development and the power of dance from Baycrest’s Melissa Tafler.... : Thursday, August 27 : 12:00 1:00 PM : Zoom from your own home Dance experience is not required. This program is suitable for all ages and abilities, from kids through great-grandparents, and everyone in between. Sign up here: baycrest.org/webinars

At Baycrest and other Long Term Care Homes, before the COVID-19 pandemic, mealtime assistance to support residents unable to eat independently was supported by staff, loved ones and volunteers. With restrictions in place on visitors and volunteers due to the pandemic, a new program has been put in place to help support our residents and assist care teams during mealtimes. Baycrest has hired feeding assistants and has also found support from staff members across the organization who have volunteered to help out. Learn more about their positive experiences with the program, here https://bit.ly/34hZ5E1

Aging shouldn’t just be about adding more years to your life. It should be about adding more life to your years. It should be about thriving in your setting of choice and having access to resources that support your cognitive and physical health. Here are 5 innovations helping seniors thrive in place, via the Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation https://bit.ly/348UuUw

New webinar! The Sandwich Generation: Caring for the Caregiver During COVID-19 is our latest webinar for caregivers and will cover tensions associated with multigenerational caregiving and how these have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar will examine the symptoms of stress and how to manage the constant pressures experienced by caregivers. Register today! August 12, 2020 at 12:00 noon EST... Register at baycrest.org/webinars See more

Why do people chooseand succeed inSTEM-related occupations? Why do women remain under-represented in this area? Although science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs are linked to higher earnings, job vacancies in these fields continue to abound, and women continue to be under-represented in these positions. Dr. Moriah Sokolowski, a Baycrest postdoctoral researcher, has been awarded a prestigious Banting fellowship to examine this problem from a cognitive neuroscience perspective.Only 70 Banting fellowships are awarded per year across all disciplines in the sciences and humanities across Canada. Learn more about Dr. Moriah Sokolowski's project here https://bit.ly/2Xs4NyQ

Up to 40 per cent of the world’s dementia cases are linked to a handful of risk factors and tackling these could prevent or delay the onset of this debilitating condition. Baycrest's Dr. Howard Chertkow speaks to Global News about the second Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care report findings. This article is pointing out that there’s a huge potential to make an impact on the numbers, the costs and the occurrence in society, said Dr. Howard Ch...ertkow For the full story, visit https://bit.ly/2Dtoijn

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely altered the ability for people living in care facilities to connect with family and friends. Video calls can be intimidating for older adults but can also be a great way to stay connected while practicing physical distancing. Here are 10 tips to help get comfortable with video calls

Dance your way through the summer at home! Baycrest and Canada's National Ballet School are offering a FREE six-week dance course for seniors as a pilot this summer. The course can be accessed from your home or wherever you are. New classes are available every week and you can login at your convenience. Register today and discover the joy of dance! Sign up here https://bit.ly/3jyocaO

Caregiving 101: What you need to know if you are a family caregiver, a new webinar for caregivers on ways to decrease burnout, identify rewards and available clinical interventions. July 22nd, 2020 at 12:00 noon EST Register at baycrest.org/webinars

Thank you to the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO) for connecting with so many of our residents and clients and playing beautiful pieces for them! This was such a special experience for everyone. The unique TSO program TSOUND CONNECTIONS creates powerful and joyful moments of connection with seniors in long-term care, reducing social isolation.

COVID-19: How to deal with pandemic-induced insomnia With uncertainty looming everywhere, we are caught in a vicious cycle we cannot fall asleep, and if we are able to, it is hard to stay asleep. The lack of sleep itself amplifies anxiety and mood problems the next day, affecting our ability to cope. According to Baycrest experts, using these simple techniques, you can get the rest you need to tackle the challenges of physical distancing in the days ahead https://bit.ly/2O0aC1p

Happy Canada Day to our patients, residents, families and staff We are so grateful to be part of such an amazing community. Today, let's celebrate the fact that we live in the greatest city, in the greatest country in the world. #CanadaDay2020

Since its inception in 1918, Baycrest has challenged the traditional methods of delivering care and has remained dedicated to our society’s most vulnerable populations. With a passionate commitment to a world where every older adult enjoys a life of purpose, inspiration and fulfilment, we have risen as a leader in geriatric residential living, health, education and innovation. We are pleased to share our latest annual report, where you will find notable accomplishments, investments in innovations for older adults and measures undertaken to safeguard our community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic annualreport.baycrest.org/

Happy Father's Day! This year, Baycrest knows that Father's Day will look and feel a little different. Many dads in our community will be physically distanced from their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Youth in our community have virtually come together to send special messages of love and thanks to all the dads at Baycrest. Take a look!