Today and Every Day The journey of aging BaycresT and BaycresT foundaTion 2008/09 annual reporT To provide care for today, hope for tomorrow and the ability to live well every day on the journey of life. For all of these reasons, Baycrest is here. BaycresT BaycresT foundaTion 02 Executive Message 12 Research Studies 23 Financial Summary 04 Memory Programs 14 Highlights of the Year 24 Executive Message Baycrest is an academic centre affiliated with the University of toronto 06 Wellness Programs 18 Board of Directors, Governors, 25 Board of Directors 08 Community Outreach Executive Team and Medical Staff 26 Highlights of the Year 10 Hospital Programs 21 Financial Summary 30 Baycrest Donors On the Cover: Baycrest volunteer Zel Bocknek helps six-year-old granddaughter Sydney get the hang of her new roller blades. Photo by Malcolm Taylor. Message from the Baycrest Board of Directors Chair and the President and CEO message from The BaycresT Board of DIRECTORS chair Also critical to Baycrest’s future success and The presidenT and cEO is the exceptional commitment of our remarkable team, whose work was formally recognized this year with the our mission status of full accreditation from Accredi- tation Canada. Our staff continuously Baycrest is dedicated to achieving excellence in Enhancing the Journey of Aging evaluates operations, makes adjustments, providing the best possible experience and care for sets new expectations, refocuses and the physical and mental well-being of people during strives for greater heights. their journey of aging. Like many other organizations this year, Throughout its 90-year history, Baycrest has always kept one eye on the future, constantly exploring Baycrest was hit by the significant We draw inspiration from the ethical and cultural ways to expand and improve on what it does, while remaining true to its roots. downturn in the economy. We did what values of our Judaic heritage which support our we had to do to meet the immediate commitment to the art and science of healing and This year our board approved an the fields of geriatrics and gerontology Our outreach programs identify challenge, and we will continue to make the preservation of human dignity throughout an exciting new strategic plan that will and to define the future for healthy and intervene to assist those at risk needed budgetary decisions without individual’s lifespan. serve as a roadmap for Baycrest’s aging worldwide, particularly in the in our community. Our memory train- ever losing sight of our commitment next five years. Our vision is bold: to area of brain fitness. Baycrest will ing programs help people maintain to maintaining the highest standard of lead the world in exemplary geriatric spearhead the design of a system or improve cognitive function so care for those we serve. care, science and education. To that focused on prevention, independence that their minds stay in shape as our Vision end, the plan focuses not just on and support that meets the needs long as possible. Baycrest’s strength comes from the growing our expertise in elder care, and expectations of an informed dedication of staff, volunteers, donors, We will be the global leader in providing innovative and but on how Baycrest will integrate and health-conscious aging popula- Our ambition to be a world leader clients and families. On behalf of the effective solutions to the challenges inherent in the clinical care, research and education tion, and supports the policies of in healthy aging is greatly supported Board and Executive Team, we thank to help those in mid-life and younger government. by the current and emerging neuro- all of you for getting us off to such a process of aging through the integration of exemplary preserve their cognitive, mental science discoveries by our Rotman strong start to our next 90 years. clinical care, education and scientific discovery. and physical health so that they The stories in this Annual Report Research Institute as well as the experience the best possible well- demonstrate that we have the build- experience and knowledge emanat- Dr. Anthony Melman being in old age. ing blocks in place. Our programs ing from its Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied Chair, Baycrest Board of Directors teach people lifestyle practices that Research Unit. Some of these dis- our StraTegic goals As an academic health sciences prevent untoward complications of coveries are being made in partner- Dr. William Reichman centre solely focused on aging, we disease and support others in self- ship with others and all will be applied President and CEO • Integrate care, research and education into the fabric are well positioned to lead change in directing their own care. across the globe. Baycrest of the organization. • Develop and provide highly specialized services in cognition and mental health. • Develop and provide innovative and exceptional interprofessional care for the aging population within the evolving health-care system. • Empower and support an individual to self-direct their journey throughout the process of aging. • Develop and implement a sustainable business model. • Be a workplace of choice where our people can excel and achieve their personal best. Dr. Anthony Melman, Board Chair Dr. William Reichman, President and CEO For more information about the strategic plan and our programs and services, please see the online Annual Report at www.baycrest.org. 2 Baycrest 2008/09 Annual Report Baycrest 2008/09 Annual Report 3 Memory Programs Memory Programs Where did I park the car? Did I leave my phone in the basement again? What is that woman’s name? These are common examples of the memory lapses that draw older adults to the Memory and Aging Program at Baycrest. Some need reassurance that their experience is normal; others want to know how to cope with everyday forgetfulness. Participants in the five-week program learn the difference between normal and abnormal memory changes. They are taught simple compensating techniques for normal lapses, such as jotting down a reminder of where they parked the car, choosing one specific place to keep the telephone, and associating a name with a narrative that will help them recall it later – for instance, “this person’s name is Rose and roses are my favourite flower.” The program also educates participants about lifestyle changes that have been shown to improve memory – practices such as eating healthy food, exercising regularly, managing stress, staying intellectually stimu- lated, and being socially active. % risk of + brain easily 50 Alzheimer’s 60 distracted People with mild cognitive impairment, which puts them at Scientists at the Rotman Research Institute have found Baycrest research has shown that adults whose memory function is at the a 50 per cent risk for dementia within five years of diagnosis, a mechanism in the brain they believe explains why older low end of normal use the same brain regions as young adults when retriev- are referred to the research-based Memory Intervention adults are more easily distracted than younger people. ing information, but they perform poorly on the task. By contrast, older Program to help them maintain their independence for as For example, older adults may find it more difficult to adults whose memory is as good as that of younger adults use additional long as possible. They learn to organize their activities by concentrate on a newspaper article. One solution is to brain regions for retrieval, suggesting that the brain may be malleable to writing down reminders about such things as appointments, concentrate on one task at a time, advises lead study help offset age-related memory decline. A new Baycrest study is using brain tasks they need to complete, and when they should take author Dr. Cheryl Grady. “It may be as easy as turning imaging technology to see if memory training of those at the low end of their medications. Lifestyle changes that may improve down the radio when reading, or staying off the cellphone normal induces a compensatory pattern of brain activity similar to that shown memory are also taught. when driving a car.” by older adults with high-level memory function. 4 Baycrest 2008/09 Annual Report Baycrest 2008/09 Annual Report 5 Wellness Programs Wellness Programs Ida Kestenberg believes The 87-year-old has Been working ouT at the gym in And for social interaction – also Baycrest’s Joseph E. and Minnie Wagman Centre good for the brain – the Terraces what’s good for the heart for 30 years now and the result is a trim figure offers, among other things, movies and a sharp mind. and concerts, a sing-along group is good for the brain – and a billiards club. All-around fitness is the aim of the many programs and research increasingly offered by this multilingual centre for older adults “I can’t say enough about this place,” who live at the Terraces of Baycrest retirement says Ida. “It has helped keep me supports that belief. residence or in the local community. For cardio- healthy over the years and I’ve made vascular health, members can choose aerobics, many friends here too.” weight training, aqua fitness, dance, yoga or tai chi. For maintaining a healthy brain there are computer classes, a creative arts program, a poetry group, and a book club. There’s even a program where seniors visit local schools to help teach children to read. million 2.4 Canadians High in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon, mackerel, sardines Being told you have a chronic disease such as Type 2 diabetes and bluefin tuna protect against inflammation and are (which affects more than 2.4 million Canadians) can be over- good for the brain. That’s just one example of the health whelming, as can coping with the after affects of a stroke.