Dementia, brain research, residential care: Seniors issues poll strongly during COVID-19 pandemic
September 08 2020 - 9:30AM
The well-being of Canadian seniors is in hyperfocus amid the
COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new national survey by The
Baycrest Foundation. The Canadian Brain Health Index, an Angus Reid
poll of 1,510 Canadians, reveals the fundamental importance of
improving healthcare for older adults and addressing social issues
affecting Canada’s most vulnerable population.
The study provides a benchmark of attitudes towards seniors,
healthcare research and brain health, and is intended to support
the launch of the fifth annual Yogen Früz Brain Project on behalf
of Baycrest. The project is a public purpose initiative to raise
awareness about brain health and critical funding for research at
Baycrest for Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
Issues facing Canadian seniorsRespondents
ranked residential care (92%) and dementia (90%) as the two leading
areas that need addressing in order to improve healthcare for
Canada’s aging population. Breakthrough research in brain health
(85%), social isolation/loneliness (85%), and well-being and
lifestyle supports (84%) are also fundamental areas requiring
focus.
In Canada, more than 564,000 people currently live with
Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia and despite popular belief,
it is not a natural or inevitable consequence of aging. Younger
Canadians agree dementia is an important health concern to address
– an almost equal number of 18-34-year-olds (87%) and
35-54-year-olds (88%), concur. That number rises to 93 per cent for
those aged 55+. Meanwhile, women are more likely to consider brain
health research more important than men (88% and 80%
respectively).
The COVID-19 pandemic and senior healthcareThe
pandemic has exposed the fissures in society, revealing a
deep-rooted need for change. Virtually all respondents agree that
COVID-19 has uncovered a greater need to focus on senior healthcare
(96%) and to support the most vulnerable among us more generally
(93%).
The survey also found eight-in-10 Canadians (82%) report a
greater need for community connection (through social programs,
activities, arts, etc.); a similar number (79%) said more critical
healthcare research is needed for diseases such as dementia.
“Canadians overwhelmingly feel that more can be done for the
well-being of older adults in this country,” said Josh Cooper,
President and CEO of The Baycrest Foundation. “Now is the time to
turn these beliefs into action and safeguard aging Canadians. Funds
raised through The Yogen Früz Brain Project allow us to change the
future of brain health and continue to protect the lives of seniors
here in Toronto and worldwide.”
Bringing brain health to lightWhen asked which
of the “following activities can improve brain health and reduce
the risk of cognitive decline,” staying in good health and
exercising (98%) lead the way. Engaging in one’s community (90%),
art (89%) and playing/learning an instrument (87%) were close
behind. Rounding out the list was learning a new language
(82%).
Younger Canadians (18-34-year-olds) are more aware than those
aged 55+ that learning new activities is important for promoting
brain health. While 87 per cent of younger Canadians understand
that learning a new language will have a positive impact on brain
health, only 74 per cent of those aged 55+ agree. Meanwhile,
nine-in-10 of the younger cohort believe learning a new instrument
is important, a number that drops slightly for the older cohort
(84%). “There is so much people can do at any age to reduce the
risk of cognitive decline,” said Cooper. “Being educated, staying
in good health and exercising can reduce your dementia risk by 28
per cent. Additionally, speaking two languages can delay the onset
of dementia by four years.”Yogen
Früz Brain Project returns for
its fifth yearWith the generous support of its title
sponsor, Yogen Früz, The Baycrest Foundation is once again teaming
up with local and global artists and celebrities to launch year
five of the Yogen Früz Brain Project. The exhibit of 50 brain
sculptures includes a curated look back at some of the
inspirational works from the first four years that tie into the
themes of brain resilience, memory, neuroplasticity, stigma and
protection.
Sculptures are available for purchase with proceeds going to
support brain research, patient care, education and innovation at
Baycrest, a leader in the field of aging and brain health.
The brainstallationsArtwork
designed by celebrities and artists including Anthony Ricciardi,
Ashley Campbell and Neil Dankoff will be on display at various
locations across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area until the end
of the year. The public can vote for their favourite brain
sculpture from now until November 1, 2020 through the People’s
Choice Award, sponsored by Roche. Click here for a full list of
this year’s artists.
Websites
- The Yogen Früz Brain Project: http://www.brainproject.ca/
- Baycrest Foundation: https://www.baycrestfoundation.org/
- Instagram: @thebrainproject_
- Facebook: @baycrestfoundation
The full results of the Canadian Brain Health Index are
available from the contacts below.
About the Canadian
Brain Health Index From June 24 to June 26,
2020 an online survey was conducted among a representative
sample of 1,510 Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid
Forum. For comparison purposes only, the sample plan would carry a
margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.
About the Baycrest Foundation The Baycrest
Foundation supports programs and services that promote excellence
in care, research, innovation and education in aging and brain
health. As the charitable arm of Baycrest, the Foundation provides
crucial funding for areas such as: ongoing programs and a continuum
of care services for the community; innovative research into
cognition, dementia and brain health; and local, national and
international education that supports the vision of creating a
world where every older adult enjoys a life of purpose, inspiration
and fulfilment. For more information, visit
www.baycrestfoundation.org
About Baycrest Baycrest is a global leader in
geriatric residential living, healthcare, research, innovation and
education, with a special focus on brain health and aging. Fully
affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest provides
excellent care for older adults combined with an extensive clinical
training program for the next generation of healthcare
professionals and one of the world’s top research institutes in
cognitive neuroscience, the Rotman Research Institute. Baycrest is
home to the federally and provincially-funded Centre for Aging +
Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), a solution accelerator focused on
driving innovation in the aging and brain health sector, and is the
developer of Cogniciti – a free online memory assessment for
Canadians 40+ who are concerned about their memory. Founded in 1918
as the Toronto Jewish Old Folks Home, Baycrest continues to embrace
the long-standing tradition of all great Jewish healthcare
institutions to improve the well-being of people in their local
communities and around the globe. Baycrest is helping create a
world where every older adult enjoys a life of purpose, inspiration
and fulfilment. For more information please visit:
www.baycrest.org
Media contacts: Holly Brennan, MAVERICK
647-926-4333 hollyb@wearemaverick.com
Emma Ninham, MAVERICK 437-986-5746 emman@wearemaverick.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c7532b02-c914-4cd1-af0f-5aac371d5d5e