Baycrest

14 14 BrainMATTERS SPRING|SUMMER 2021 Leveraging smart devices, such as Amazon's Alexa, the CABHI-supported company MEMOTEXT provides at-home health checks using automated phone calls. In the event of an emergency, MEMOTEXT devices are equipped to dispatch a nurse practitioner to the user's place of residence. By providing healthcare on-demand during a pandemic, this innovation has been deployed to 18,000 homes to date. EMPOWERING OLDER ADULTS TO OVERCOME THE DIGITAL DIVIDE Recognizing that technology is at the heart of many innovations that help older adults age in their setting of choice, Baycrest is supporting programs to help older adults bridge the digital divide through its Baycrest Innovation Office (BIO). BIO was created in 2019 to identify best practices and technologies at Baycrest and around the globe and support their development, implementation and potential commercialization. One example is Technology Enablement for older Adults (TEA), an eight-week program that empowers older adults to take charge of their digital literacy journey. When the pilot program wrapped up in March 2021, participants said they were thrilled with the new, digital world that had opened up for them. One participant said: "You can virtually explore a museum, see the doctor and get groceries. You can do anything! It's very exciting." INVOLVING OLDER ADULTS IN THE SOLUTIONS "Aging at home isn't what it used to be even 10 years ago," says Dr. Allison Sekuler, Baycrest's Vice-President of Research and Managing Director of CABHI. "Advances in technology have transformed aging, and innovators are working closely with older adults, listening to their hopes and desires to create solutions that enable people to live their lives to the fullest. The mission is to empower older adults and not only to feel safe and be healthy, but to get excited about – and take a real role in developing – the future of age-friendly communities." Through innovation, collaboration and compassion, Baycrest is committed to finding solutions to support older adults throughout the aging journey so they can enjoy a life of purpose, inspiration and fulfilment. * Azaliya – name changed for privacy reasons

• Cover