Baycrest is dedicated to developing compassionate, equitable and evidence-based dementia care supporting individuals and families at every stage of their journey.
We are proud to be a key partner in the Slaight Family Foundation Dementia Initiative, advancing innovative approaches to dementia prevention, care and research.
Through this initiative, Baycrest is leading and contributing to pioneering projects that:
Support brain health and reduce dementia risk
Equip and empower caregivers
Advance models of care and support
We invite you to explore the projects below and learn how they are helping to improve the lives of Canadians affected by dementia.
Explore the Initiatives
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Online Hearing Screening Test
Hearing is an important part of maintaining brain health. Research shows that untreated hearing loss is a risk factor for dementia. However, there is evidence that using hearing aids can help to reduce cognitive symptoms and slow the progression of dementia. Baycrest offers a free online screening test that can help you or a loved one detect hearing loss. The test will take 10 minutes, and you receive your results at the end of the test. You can also connect with an audiologist for a free 15-minute chat after the test.
The health-care system can be difficult to navigate. By introducing Central Navigation services, Baycrest has made finding the right care easier for older adults, people living with dementia and their caregivers. This no-wrong-door approach consolidates and standardizes triage, streamlines referrals and gets people seen sooner. Central Navigation clinicians also improve the overall flow of older adults with complex needs through the system through screening, prioritization, coordinating assessments and offering clinical recommendations.
The first research-based community centre dedicated to brain health
Baycrest's Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health & Wellness helps older adults reduce their dementia risk with personalized programs that support brain health. Members receive a detailed dementia risk assessment and an individually tailored wellness plan that considers physical, cognitive and social well-being. As a research-based community centre, our evidence-based programming is coupled with ongoing scientific evaluation. We think of this as a “living lab” where its members help contribute to advancing research on dementia prevention.
A tool to help caregivers find personalized resources and support
Caregivers for people living with dementia can feel alone, overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn for help. So Baycrest’s Koschitzky Centre for Innovations in Caregiving created the Canadian Caregiver Assessment & Resources Tool (C-CART), an online and mobile tool for finding the support they need. After completing a short survey, caregivers receive a tailored list of resources to meet their individual needs. These resources include health information services, financial supports, community programs and navigation help. C-CART can help reduce caregivers' stress and make it easier to find support and guidance wherever they live.
Older adults can learn more about how to keep their brains healthy as they age with free in-person or virtual workshops. Cogniciti’s Brain Health Workshops are one-hour sessions led by trained facilitators. They discuss strategies and tips for preventing dementia, guide participants through an online assessment and offer personalized insights based on current research.
Baycrest's Defy Dementia podcast helps people understand their dementia risk and how to protect brain health. Each episode is co-hosted by science communicator Jay Ingram and Baycrest neuroscientist Allison Sekuler. They share expert interviews, personal stories and research-based strategies for healthy aging.
The Butterfly Project at Belmont House created a dementia care space filled with connection, dignity and meaningful daily activities. Using an evidence-informed and emotion-focused model of dementia care, the project aimed to create a home-like environment where residents, staff, families and volunteers feel deeply connected. This space is filled with personalized décor, memory boxes, interactive objects, animatronic pets, themed rooms and familiar objects that allow residents to become participants in their environment. Belmont is planning to extend this model and create a more meaningful home for residents.
New technology helps long-term care teams better understand and respond to dementia-related behaviours. This technology-enhanced integrated care pathway (Tech-ICP) uses digital tools like clinician dashboards, wearable devices and virtual reality-based therapies to help care teams improve how they care for residents, decreasing their reliance on psychotropic medications.
Dementia Explained is a resource developed by Egale to help 2SLGBTQI+ people and their families understand dementia and find care that respects who they are. It explains how dementia affects thinking and behaviour and why 2SLGBTQI+ people face unique challenges. The resource gives people tools to navigate dementia care with dignity and promotes safer, more affirming care.
Small Steps, Big Difference is a national dementia awareness campaign led by the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) that empowers Canadians with practical knowledge and actions to support brain health. Grounded in leading research, the campaign highlights that up to 45% of dementia cases may be prevented or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors, while also encouraging people to pay attention to changes in memory, thinking, or mood. Through clear, hopeful and practical guidance, the campaign encourages Canadians to take action, whether that means adopting healthy habits, starting a conversation with a loved one, or speaking with a healthcare provider.
Sunnybrook is expanding a range of community-based programs that support older adults living with dementia and other complex mental health needs. Through enhancements to its Community Psychiatric Services for the Elderly (CPSE), Home-based Seniors Program, and partnership with the North Toronto Ontario Health Team's Neighbourhood Care Team, seniors can access integrated psychiatric, primary care, and community support services closer to home. The initiative focuses on reaching vulnerable older adults who may face barriers to accessing traditional health care, helping them remain independent and safely supported in their communities. It also strengthens coordination between health-care providers and community organizations, creating a more seamless experience for people living with dementia and their caregivers. By bringing together specialized clinical expertise and community-based care, these programs help older adults age in place while improving access to timely, coordinated support.
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