Baycrest

Evaluating a mobility robot for North American healthcare settings FUJI Innovation Labs from Japan has designed the FUJI Hug, a mobility support robot that assists individuals with transferring to sitting or standing positions (for example, from a bed or during toileting). While the FUJI Hug has already been deployed in Japan, FUJI Innovation Labs contracted the Kunin- Lunenfeld Centre for Applied Research & Evaluation (KL-CARE) to help their company better understand North American healthcare settings for older adults, the characteristics of North American clients who may benefit from the FUJI Hug, and the perspectives of North American clinicians who might use the FUJI Hug in their clinical practice. KL-CARE successfully designed and conducted a product demonstration and focus group-based research study with Baycrest clinicians to identify potential use cases, facilitators and barriers to implementation and adoption of the Fuji HUG robot, as well as recommendations for potential refinement of the product for the North American healthcare system and market. KL-CARE offers end-to-end applied research and evaluation services to companies like Fuji Innovation Labs, which are seeking to conduct end-user validation of their products, particularly with a focus on clinicians and implementation in healthcare settings. Evaluating the impact of a dance program for older adults Canada's National Ballet School (NBS) and Baycrest's Department of Culture & Arts have jointly developed, researched, evaluated, and disseminated Baycrest NBS Sharing Dance Older Adults, a dance program for older adults, including persons living with dementia and their caregivers. Among others, offerings have included in-person dance classes in Toronto and video-streamed dance classes that have engaged over 5,000 older adults in 150 communities across Canada. Through funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada, NBS produced a short documentary film about dance and dementia, and partnered with Baycrest and KITE Research Institute – Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network (UHN), to spread knowledge of Sharing Dance Older Adults across Canada, and evaluate the film. KL-CARE collaborated with NBS and UHN-KITE on a program evaluation of knowledge translation events related to Baycrest NBS Sharing Dance Older Adults, examining the reach of the events and potential impact on attendees' understanding of dance for older adults. KL-CARE is also investigating the impact of the documentary film on viewers' beliefs and perceptions about individuals living with dementia, and evaluating the impact of dance teacher training opportunities on teachers' beliefs and perceptions about those living with dementia. Click here to learn more about KL-CARE. Kunin-Lunenfeld Centre for Applied Research & Evaluation 20 BAYCREST ACADEMY FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

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