TORONTO, June 25,
2024 /CNW/ - Baycrest has received a tremendous
gift from The Slaight Family Foundation to further the
organization's work to defeat dementia.
This gift comes at a critical time. Governments around the world
are struggling to meet the demand for healthcare services now, and
things are about to get worse. Nearly one million Canadians will be
living with dementia by the year 2030, a staggering 65 per cent
increase from 20201, and their caregivers are
potentially six times more likely to develop dementia
themselves2.
We know that changes in the brain that cause dementia can start
decades before symptoms appear3. We also know that
modifiable risk factors are creating 40% of dementia cases
worldwide4. This is why many of the Baycrest initiatives
funded by The Slaight Family Foundation will focus on addressing
the modifiable risk factors for dementia before symptoms
appear.
Baycrest is uniquely positioned in Canada to lead these initiatives with more
than 105 years of experience in providing world-class research and
care for older adults. With the support of The Slaight Family
Foundation, we will expand and enhance the following projects over
the next three years:
- The Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health & Wellness,
the first and only research-driven brain health community centre
that will create personalized dementia prevention programs for
healthy and at-risk individuals aged 50+, including those from
diverse communities outside the Baycrest campus;
- Streamline and improve access to medical and non-medical
dementia specialists;
- A new Baycrest App dedicated to caregivers of people with
dementia to help them see where they are doing well and where they
need support, and then provide links to evidence-based local,
provincial and national resources;
- Free online cognition and hearing assessments;
- In-person and virtual brain health seminars and discussion
clubs; podcasts and interactive events in Ontario and across Canada;
- A new leading-edge portal that will become the "front door" to
all the programs and services above.
"Baycrest is extremely grateful to The Slaight Family Foundation
for recognizing the urgent need for innovation and transformation
in the care and treatment of people living with dementia and their
families. The Slaight Family Foundation's vision is truly
inspirational and our teams at Baycrest look forward to making a
profound impact," said Josh Cooper,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Baycrest Foundation.
"The Slaight Family Foundation has always believed in the
importance of supporting healthcare initiatives with lasting
impact," said Gary Slaight,
President and Chief Executive Officer, The Slaight Family
Foundation. "By investing in Baycrest's pioneering dementia care
and prevention programs, we aim to help improve the lives of
countless families affected by dementia. We are proud to support
Baycrest's mission to enhance brain health and provide innovative
solutions to the challenges of an ageing society."
Sources:
-
https://alzheimer.ca/sites/default/files/documents/Landmark-Study-1-Path-Forward-Alzheimer-Society-of-Canada-2022-wb.pdf
-
https://agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.02806.x
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7392084/;
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8783169/#:~:text=A%20meta%2Danalysis%20study%20revealed,%25%E2%80%9383%25%5B20%5D;
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31441938/
- Ibid.
About Baycrest
Baycrest is an internationally recognized leader providing
exceptional seniors health and residential care with a strategic
focus on brain health and aging. Baycrest programs are devoted to
holistic aging health, active dementia prevention, early detection
of cognitive decline, and treatment and care for physical and
cognitive frailty, dementia and other brain disorders. Baycrest
leads Canada's largest federally
funded dementia research program (CCNA), co-chaired the inaugural
Government of Canada's Dementia
Advisory Board tasked with developing the nation's dementia
strategy, and provides training in "next generation" older adult
care across the world. We strive to defeat dementia and create a
world where every older adult enjoys a life of purpose, inspiration
and fulfilment. For more information, visit baycrest.org.
About The Slaight Family Foundation
The Slaight Family Foundation was established in 2008 by
John Allan Slaight and his son
Gary Slaight. Allan Slaight (1931-2021), known as Canada's broadcast pioneer, was a leader in
the music industry and a prominent Canadian philanthropist. Through
the Slaight family's generosity, the foundation proactively
supports charitable initiatives in healthcare, at-risk youth,
international development, social services and culture.
Gary Slaight oversees the Foundation
as President & CEO.
SOURCE Baycrest