Baycrest

BrainMatters •Fall/Winter 2023 • 5 New, comfortable reclining chairs are making visits easier for families with loved ones in palliative care at Baycrest, after a major fundraiser spearheaded by philanthropist Peter Gilgan and the Baycrest Foundation alerted the community to the need for medical equipment, furniture and technology. "It makes me feel better that I can stay the night if needed or as long as I want," says one visitor who is grateful for a place to stretch out. "It's important to be able to stay by her side." The chair is one of 10 that were bought recently for the geriatric hospital. The millions raised are also helping with the purchase of a wide range of medical equipment and the onboarding of new technologies that will have a profound impact on the daily lives of clients, care staff and families. Dr. Ginah Kim, an attending physician, says the replacement of hospital beds, air mattresses, pain pumps and reclining chairs, and the addition of a portable ultrasound, have directly improved care and quality of life for end-of-life patients and their loved ones. The generosity of donors has made an "immeasurable difference to the care we provide on our unit," she says. The Charlotte and Lewis Steinberg Family Rehabilitation Wing is being equipped with bariatric equipment, new walkers, beds, portable O2 monitors and other equipment. In addition, funds are going toward the building of a new sterile pharmacy suite, an electronic medical records system and a state-of- the-art real-time location system to replace outdated nurse call and WanderGuard functions in the Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged. Tibor Haynal and his wife Judith are long-time friends of Baycrest who understood the need and generously answered the call for help. NEW EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGIES MAKE A PROFOUND IMPACT "My wife and I donate to Baycrest because of its excellent programs and tremendous care for older people with health issues or dementia. Its eminent research to improve brain health and function is ahead of the curve," Tibor says. "We believe our support is for a good cause! We will continue to make donations, and Baycrest is in our wills." Baycrest is grateful for the incredible generosity of its donor community, without whom these upgrades would not be possible. The work to upgrade technology is ongoing. The electronic medical records system project, for example, will take a decade to complete and will require support at every stage. If you would like to support this work by making a donation, please visit baycrestfoundation.org Dr. Ginah Kim, with a portable ultrasound

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