Baycrest

INNOVATION and healthy aging T he Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), headquartered at Baycrest, helps to move projects geared toward healthy aging through the innovation pipeline. Altogether, 130 projects have received a boost from the solution accelerator, which was established in 2015 with funding from provincial and federal governments, industry partners and the Baycrest Foundation to speed development and testing of products and services that allow older adults to remain independent longer, and to age more easily in the setting of their choice. These are just a few of the innovative projects that have received assistance from CABHI. To learn more, visit cabhi.com. HEARING SOLUTIONS FOR PEOPLE AT RISK Hearing loss is prevalent among older adults and is associated with a decline in cognitive, physical and mental health. Despite this, it often goes untreated due to its associated stigma and the challenges of accessing current models of hearing health care. A new community-based hearing program aims to overcome these barriers. Project leader Marilyn Reed, Audiology Practice Advisor at Baycrest, is delivering and testing the feasibility of a tailored education and counselling program, combined with a low-cost hearing device. The project is based on Access HEARS, which was developed by a team at Johns Hopkins University to address the concern of untreated hearing loss in adults. CABHI's role: This is the first trial of its kind in Canada. The program, supported by CABHI, is being delivered to approximately 100 clients through community centres in low-income areas of Toronto. The program is expected to improve communication, social engagement and health- related quality of life for participants. AUTOMATION OF MEDICATION AceAge's CEO Spencer Waugh watched a family member end up in the hospital repeatedly because he wasn't taking his medication properly. He learned that more than 20 per cent of nursing home admissions are linked to medication noncompliance. When he tried the multi-dose packaging used by pharmacists it didn't help, so he decided to automate the process. Waugh's device, called Karie, plugs into a wall and uses visual and auditory cues to alert people when it is time to take their medication. If the user misses a dose, a family member or caregiver is automatically notified so they can call with a reminder. CABHI's role: Waugh's start-up, based in Guelph, Ontario, applied to CABHI's Industry Innovation Partnership program, which helps accelerate the testing and evaluation of products and services. CABHI helped Waugh establish trial sites in two provinces. Testers include rehab patients and early-onset dementia patients with an in-home caregiver. The trials will help Waugh attain feedback and refine the product. CABHI's expertise also makes it possible to measure cost-effectiveness to the healthcare system. 24 BrainMatters SPRING/SUMMER 2018

• Cover