Baycrest

W hen the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic crashed into Canada, Baycrest staff quickly mobilized to safeguard everyone on campus and adapt to the rapidly evolving situation. Similarly, Baycrest, as part of the North Toronto Ontario Health Team COVID-19 Community Response Team, provided clinical support to approximately 2,100 residents of Toronto Community Housing's Senior Housing Unit, which houses close to 16,000 low- and moderate- income seniors across the city. To prevent the spread of the virus on its campus, and in community housing buildings off-site being serviced by Baycrest staff in North Toronto, stringent IPAC measures were implemented, including restricted access to the Baycrest campus and screening at its entrances. While the first wave passed, the pandemic has not. BrainMatters spoke to staff members from various disciplines, whose efforts continue to keep Baycrest safe during these unprecedented times. GRACE CHUNG, Innovation Partner Grace helps bring innovation to Baycrest to improve the well-being of clients. Among other projects, at the start of the pandemic she and her team ensured the virtual platforms used to facilitate clinical visits between physicians and clients were secure. "There were many moving parts and this experience was essentially a crash course in how health care really works, and where it could do better…it was a truly collaborative effort," says Grace. "I am proud to work with dedicated colleagues who collaborated with poise under pressure." DR. AIDLEE CRAFT, Clinician Dr. Craft works at the bedside as well as supporting and educating both staff and families. "I had the first identified COVID-19 patient at Baycrest and it was definitely a learning experience," says Dr. Craft. Besides tending to any patient with COVID-19, she also continued to treat the usual illnesses and health issues that are seen in chronic care. Her most rewarding moment of the pandemic has been "the joy of seeing families reappear on the units when the visitation policy expanded as the first wave of the pandemic passed." JANET EDWARDS, Registered Nurse Janet knew from a young age that she wanted to be a nurse and make a difference in people's lives. "The biggest challenge during the pandemic has been to juggle the responsibility of focusing on patient care, my coworkers' health and my family. I think I speak for many front-line workers when I say that it is a very anxious time," says Janet. Besides client care, her day- to-day responsibilities are always changing with the implementation of new government directives as the pandemic evolves. BAYCREST HEROES KEEPING OUR SENIORS SAFE BrainMatters FALL|WINTER 2020 3

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