Baycrest

By combining community wellness programming, specialized clinics and integrated research to prevent and treat cognitive decline, the Centre will integrate brain health, physical fitness, nutrition and social engagement for the aging population. In addition to offering programming to the community, the Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health and Wellness will combine clinical care with research. COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE Social isolation not only increases a person's risk of developing dementia, but other studies have shown that it contributes to an increased chance of high blood pressure, heart conditions and depression. Through the Kimel Centre's social programming and educational courses, such as community discussion groups, lecture series and computer training, older adults in the community will have a new place to meet friends and develop new relationships. Visitors will have access to a new arts studio, a performance/lecture space and activity rooms, as well as a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a therapeutic pool and a yoga studio. Working up a sweat through group exercises helps adults take a two-pronged approach to reducing their risk of dementia. Studies have shown that sedentary older adults who started a fitness program saw improvements to their memory and problem-solving skills, and working out in a group boosts an individual's physical, mental and emotional health, as compared to exercising alone. PERSONALIZED, EVIDENCE-BASED BRAIN HEALTH AND WELLNESS TREATMENT Health care is moving towards a model of personalized medicine, incorporating the best research evidence into care - a change that will benefit patients, because not all treatments are effective for everyone. Care offered at the Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health and Wellness will embrace these approaches with older adults having access to tailored, evidence- based programs to help delay cognitive decline. This new centre will offer Goal Management Training™, an interactive and structured program designed to help individuals with impairments to their planning, focus and organization abilities, and satellite clinics of the Koschitzky Neuropsychology Treatment Programs: Memory and Aging Program®: An intervention to help older adults with normal age-related memory changes maximize their brain health and memory function. Learning the Ropes for Living with MCI™: An intervention for clients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) which assists them and their families in managing memory changes. Memory-Link Program: An intervention for adults aged 20 and older with moderate to severe memory impairment and a support service for their families. ADVANCING DEMENTIA RESEARCH The challenge in finding a way to prevent, diagnose and treat dementia is that researchers don't fully understand the problem in front of them and the best ways to address it. As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of the aging brain, the Centre's clients will have an opportunity to participate in clinical trials for unique interventions to prevent cognitive decline and treat dementia. The Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health and Wellness will be the founding site for a new model of best practices to improve brain health and aging that could be replicated around the world. Join Baycrest in celebrating a rich 100-year history and a bright future of building the next century of confronting the brain health and aging challenges that lie ahead at the Centennial gala on Sunday, October 14. To find out more, visit baycrestfoundation.org. BrainMatters SPRING/SUMMER 2018 21

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