Baycrest

EMPOWERING DEMENTIA CARE THROUGH INNOVATION: THE SAGE PROGRAM AT BAYCREST The Simulation Activities in Gerontological Education (SAGE) program at Baycrest stands as one of the few programs globally that engages older adult, volunteer simulated participants (SPs) in healthcare education. These SPs play vital roles — patients, clients, family members, and healthcare providers — in realistic learning environments that prepare professionals to deliver exceptional, compassionate care for older adults. Through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge simulations, SAGE supports a wide range of educational initiatives designed to enhance dementia care and gerontological practice, including: • The Quick Response Caregiver Tool Video Series – Developed with Baycrest physicians, this series equips formal and informal caregivers with practical strategies to manage responsive behaviours in dementia care. • Virtual Behavioural Medicine Training – SPs help simulate neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia in the Introduction to Virtual Behavioural Medicine eLearning course, created in collaboration with the Pamela & Paul Austin Centre for Neurology & Behavioural Support. • Possibilities by Baycrest™ Learning Experience – Featuring realistic scenarios and SP-led videos, this initiative empowers staff to implement relationship- centred care, a cornerstone of Baycrest's innovative model of dementia care. Baycrest's Simulation & Virtual Learning team has presented the pioneering SAGE methodology at national and international simulation conferences. In 2024, they published the landmark textbook Comprehensive Healthcare Simulation: Geriatric Simulation — A Focus on Older Adults as Simulated Participants, now considered a foundational resource in the field. The SAGE program exemplifies how immersive simulation, older adult engagement, and interprofessional collaboration can transform education and elevate the standard of care for older adults worldwide. Baycrest has the only SP program made up primarily of older adults. At present, Baycrest partners with 13 older adult SPs. CIHR CAFÉ SCIENTIFIQUE In 2023, BARE's Dr. Rosanna Olsen and her collaborators were awarded a Café Scientifique grant by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to host a public education event to "enable knowledge-sharing and open, respectful dialogues between the general public and health researchers to build public awareness around aging and the modifiable risk factors for dementia." In 2024, in partnership with the Toronto Public Library and Oakwood Community Organization, the team was pleased to host the Boost Your Brain Health: From Dementia Risk Reduction to Family Caregiving event: an in-person and live streamed panel presentation on brain health and healthy aging. Bringing together different perspectives, interactive demos, partner assets and more, it was an opportunity to engage and support the community directly, incorporating the perspectives of older adults and caregivers. The event shared research to increase public understanding and awareness of dementia prevention, detection, treatment, and care. Demonstrations included the frail aging suit, an online brain health assessment, as well as representation from the Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health & Wellness and CABHI. Visitors were able to have their hearing and brain health assessed onsite and receive immediate feedback. "The reason I'm in SAGE is to help the next generation of healthcare providers take care of people living with dementia." Noreen Wiseman, SAGE volunteer SP 2023–2025 IMPACT REPORT 17 Dr. Rosanna Olsen (far left) and Expert Panel

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