Baycrest

With generous support from the Menkes Family, Baycrest has created the Acute Care and Emergency Review (ACER). The ACER team meets regularly to review every transfer to emergency to determine if it could have been averted and to develop strategies to quickly spot and address changes in condition on site if appropriate. Dr. Sid Feldman, Executive Medical Director, Residential Program, Baycrest & Medical Director, Apotex, says the health of an older adult can destabilize quickly. "What we're trying to do is see if we can anticipate earlier in the trajectory when people are starting to deteriorate so we can intervene sooner," he said. New protocols are being established. For example, staff have received training so they are skilled in treating someone having chest pains or a seizure. Residents also have individualized falls prevention programs, and Personal Support Workers (PSWs) are utilizing a "Stop & Watch" tool and "Purposeful Rounding" to identify and precisely communicate subtle changes in a resident's condition to the nurse by using a clear and structured format. THE POWER OF MUSIC Music plays an important role in holistic care at Baycrest because it sparks memories and adds to a sense of well- being for residents and patients who have multiple health concerns and/or dementia. Concerts attract not only clients of Baycrest, but also visitors and family members who come for the opportunity to socialize and visit with loved ones in an entertaining, non-clinical setting. For many years, these concerts have filled the Winter Garden at the Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged, with the sound of music. Residents, hospital patients and their family members often say the concerts are engaging, brighten their spirits and are the highlight of their day or week. The Hugh Furneaux- sponsored concert takes place every Sunday at 2 p.m., and the Tauba and Sol Spiro-sponsored concert takes place Thursdays at 3 p.m. Concerts at Baycrest wouldn't exist without support from these generous donors. Thanks to their example, many other families have been inspired to sponsor individual dates to honour their loved ones. Funding pays for the guest entertainers; maintaining the sound system; IT support; security; and therapeutic recreation staff to organize the concerts, take care of logistics and patient safety. Donor support for these and other important initiatives is vital to Baycrest's efforts to continue improving the care and well-being of older adults. To find out how you can impact the lives of older adults, visit baycrestfoundation.org. BrainMatters FALL/WINTER 2018 15 Hugh Furneaux Performers at a recent Baycrest concert

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