Baycrest

📢 Paratonia is a common but often underrecognized condition affecting people living with advanced dementia. It causes involuntary muscle resistance during movement and care, which can interfere with mobility, bathing, dressing, feeding and comfort. It may also be mistaken for purposeful resistance to care or behavioural symptoms.

New research published in JAMDA the Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine by Baycrest researchers and clinicians advances understanding of paratonia and explores barriers that may contribute to it being overlooked in clinical practice.

"Paratonia has significant implications for people living with dementia, families and front-line care teams, yet awareness of the condition remains limited," said Dr. Galit Kleiner, neurologist and researcher at Baycrest and senior author of the publications.

🌎 Read more at https://www.baycrest.org/news/baycrest-research-highlights-overlooked-condition-affecting-people-with-advanced-dementia/

It's National Kinesiology Week and we want to thank those at Baycrest for using evidence-based research to help prevent injury and improve movement and performance for our patients, residents and community members.

Falling puts you at a greater risk for serious injuries that can weaken your physical abilities. By preventing falls, you help maintain your independence and quality of life.

🌎 We run Falls Prevention Programming at Baycrest and in other buildings in the wider community. The program is open to those 65 or older who have either fallen in the past 12 months or have concerns about balance or mobility and a fear of falling. Learn more by visiting https://www.baycrest.org/all-care-and-services/falls-prevention/

Dr. Morris Freedman was officially invested into the Order of Ontario, the province's highest civilian honour, during a ceremony in Toronto on June 1.

Dr. Freedman is Head of the Division of Neurology and a Senior Scientist at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute, and Medical Director of the Pamela and Paul Austin Centre for Neurology and Behavioural Support. His pioneering work in cognitive assessment and dementia research has helped shape the diagnosis and care of Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia in Ontario and around the world.

Dr. Freedman was among 30 exceptional Ontarians formally recognized by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario for their outstanding contributions to the province and country.

Congratulations to Dr. Freedman on this well-deserved honour.

June is Pride Month, and today the Baycrest community came together to raise the Pride flag on our campus, marking the start of a month dedicated to celebrating diversity and fostering inclusion.

Pride Month reflects our values and our ongoing commitment to creating a workplace and care environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected and valued.

We are proud to celebrate the diversity of our community and recognize the contributions of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals across Baycrest – our colleagues, residents, patients, clients, families, volunteers and community partners.

This month is an opportunity to celebrate diversity, stand in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQI+ community and reaffirm our commitment to belonging and inclusion across Baycrest.

May is National Physiotherapy Month, but every day our physiotherapists make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and families through their skills, compassion and teamwork.

What drives Jocelyn De Torres, a Registered Physiotherapist at Baycrest? “I deliver the utmost dedication to my patients’ well-being. We are fortunate to support the best possible measurable outcomes for those we care for.” She also aims to “make patients’ lives better by making a meaningful impact on their health.”

🌎 Want to learn more about our services? Visit https://www.baycrest.org/all-clinics-services/day-treatment-centre/

Could personality changes in a loved one be more than a midlife change? In this episode, we explore frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a less commonly known form of dementia that often begins between ages 45 and 65 and can be mistaken for a “mid-life crisis.” Symptoms may include disinhibition, overspending and other uncharacteristic behaviours.

Ashley Sharma shares her lived experience as a young caregiver supporting her grandmother after an FTD diagnosis, while Dr. Robert Laforce, behavioural neurologist and neuropsychologist (CHU de Québec, Université Laval), explains what FTD is, how it progresses and what families need to watch for.

Together, they unpack early signs, practical steps to caring for someone living with FTD and how brain-healthy behaviours may help support quality of life.

🎧 Tune in at defydementia.org, or wherever you get your podcasts.

🌎 https://www.baycrest.org/podcast/episode-36-personality-unraveled-frontotemporal-dementia/

May is Speech and Hearing Month, and today we’re featuring Jen Raman, Speech-Language Pathologist in the Transitional Care Unit at Baycrest.

Speech and Hearing Month is a reminder of how important communication is to overall well-being. In her role, Jen helps older adults navigate communication and swallowing challenges during a vulnerable and difficult time in their lives. “My role allows me to support patients through challenges that impact some of the most basic and meaningful parts of daily life: communication and eating. I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of my work. Each patient presents unique challenges that keep the day engaging and rewarding.”

Thank you, Jen, for helping patients work toward their goals with practical strategies and guidance.

🌎 This Speech and Hearing Month, learn more about our speech-language pathologists, audiologists and the whole care team at Baycrest by visiting https://www.baycrest.org/our-care-team

The Tanenbaum Open Science Institute (TOSI) welcomed the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education (BARE) as its ninth Open Science partner, reinforcing a shared vision of transparent, collaborative science that accelerates discovery and impact for society.

As part of the Open Science launch event at Baycrest, we welcomed speakers from TOSI as well as other Open Science partner organizations including; Shawn Whitehead, Director, Western Institute for Neuroscience ; Nicole Schoer, Brainhealth DataBank Manager, CAMH; Kelly Shen, Director of Operations, SFU Science - Institute for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology; and Gabriel Pelletier, PhD, Open Science Alliance Officer, The Neuro. Baycrest team members also shared their spotlights, principles and remarks including; Allison Sekuler, President & Chief Scientist, BARE; Donna Rose Addis, Senior Scientist & Chair of OS Committee, BARE; Nicole Anderson, Associate Scientific Director, Kimel Family Centre & Senior Scientist, BARE; Howard Chertkow, Senior Scientist & Chair in Cognitive Neurology and Innovation, BARE; Hannah Del Gatto and Sabrina Valenzano, PhD students, BARE.

🌎 Learn more about the partnership and shared commitment to Open Science by visiting https://www.mcgill.ca/neuro/article/open-science/shared-commitment-open-science

Chag Shavuot Sameach! Shavuot, marks the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, when it was given to Moses and the Jewish people received the laws and guiding principles that continue to shape Jewish life, values and tradition.

Across Baycrest, we have been preparing for the holiday through opportunities for learning, music and connection. The Heritage and Spiritual Care team prepared a pre-Shavuot concert and our Therapeutic Recreation team has been organizing baking and ice cream gatherings. These moments help bring the spirit of Shavuot to life across our campus. As the holiday begins, we look forward to Shavuot services and special dairy meals, continuing a cherished tradition of gathering, celebration and reflection.

Wishing our community a Shavuot filled with joy and meaning.