Baycrest

8 • BrainMatters • Fall/Winter 2023 Kiara Fine, a tenant leader and member of the NT OHT Senior Tenants Advisory Committee As part of its mission to create a world where everyone can age without fear, Baycrest is partnering with leading organizations in healthcare and aging brain health to increase older adults' access to care. HELPING LOW-INCOME SENIORS AGE AT HOME To enhance the lives of low-income seniors, the North Toronto Ontario Health Team (NT OHT), Baycrest and the Toronto Senior Housing Corporation (TSHC) have created a new initiative that aims to support older adults aging at home. Clinical rooms in TSHC buildings have been established to provide healthcare, home care and social supports, meaning tenants can now receive care without having to leave their building. Care is being provided by NT OHT partners, including Baycrest, with the goal of bridging the gap between housing and healthcare for seniors living in TSHC buildings. The program has already been implemented in four buildings, with plans underway for four additional spaces. As this partnership develops, it holds the promise of transforming how we approach older adult care, fostering a more accessible, holistic and inclusive model. Together, NT OHT members are forging a path towards an innovative future, where older adults can age with necessary supports in their own homes. INCREASING ACCESS TO SPECIALIZED DEMENTIA CARE Baycrest and Toronto Rehab - University Health Network (UHN) have partnered to expand dementia care offerings through Baycrest's Virtual Behavioural Medicine (VBM) program. Through this new collaboration, the VBM program will be offered through Toronto Rehab, which operates an integrated inpatient specialized dementia unit and outreach services. VBM helps reduce the pressure on acute care hospital beds by helping to stabilize behavioural symptoms of dementia, allowing patients to be transferred back to the community or to long-term care homes. The program also supports individuals who are in long- term care or in the community, without having to transfer them to emergency departments. Patients are seen virtually, eliminating the need to travel to appointments and reducing wait times. Baycrest was recently granted a $2.6 million investment from the Ministry of Long-Term Care to expand the VBM program. This infusion of funds will allow the program to serve up to 500 patients annually. This new partnership between Baycrest and Toronto Rehab - UHN represents a significant stride toward redefining dementia care, leveraging the strengths of two healthcare leaders to illuminate a brighter future for those living with dementia. PARTNERING TO ENHANCE BRAIN HEALTHCARE FOR OLDER ADULTS

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