16 ROTMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Through a 12-week clinical trial,
researchers are comparing the
benefits of three different volunteer-
led programs among residents with
dementia living in Baycrest's Apotex
Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged.
This research could help long-term
care homes incorporate a cost-
effective program to improve care
for residents with dementia, and
create new roles for volunteers
working with older adults.
According to Intellihealth Ontario,
more than half of long-term care
residents in Ontario have dementia.
Impairments to residents' thinking
abilities impact their overall health
and quality of life.
"We hope that these programs will
help residents experience a higher
sense of social engagement and
improved communication, two
critical aspects of quality of life for
long-term care residents," says
Dr. Nicole Anderson, study lead, RRI
Senior Scientist and Director of the
Ben & Hilda Katz Inter-Professional
Research Program in Geriatric and
Dementia Care. "As a result, we may
see reduced rates of responsive
behaviours, such as verbal and
physical aggression, and improved
mood in residents participating in
this study."
As for youth volunteers, this
approach could encourage them to
pursue a career in the healthcare
sector and gain an appreciation of
the aging process, adds Dr. Anderson.
This research is supported by The
Retired Teachers of Ontario/Les
enseignantes et enseignants retraités
de l'Ontario (RTO/EFO) Foundation
and the Alternative Funding Plan
Innovation Fund.
The research team includes Drs.
Sid Feldman, Gary Naglie, and
Jurgis Karuza, Anna Berall, Sylvia
Davidson, and Janis Sternhill.
Unique volunteer
visit programs could
improve care models in
long-term care homes
Baycrest scientists
and clinicians are
teaming up to explore
how volunteers could
help older adults with
dementia engage in
more activities, and
preserve or improve
their thinking abilities.
Visit us online to learn more about
Dr. Nicole Anderson and other
RRI scientists here.
Visit us online to learn more
about Dr. Gary Naglie and other
RRI affiliated scientists here.
