Creating a better world
for older adults
Creating a better world for older adults
Since its inception in 1918, Baycrest has challenged the traditional methods of delivering care and has remained dedicated to our society’s most vulnerable populations. With a passionate commitment to a world where every older adult enjoys a life of purpose, inspiration and fulfilment, we have risen as a leader in geriatric residential living, health, education and innovation.
Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic
The first confirmed case of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Canada was reported on January 25, 2020. Baycrest had already begun closely monitoring the situation, bringing senior leaders together to proactively coordinate organization-wide preparedness activities. From the very beginning, we worked closely with our system partners locally, provincially and nationally to strengthen joint efforts at controlling the spread of this virus.
In the weeks that followed, the World Health Organization heightened the alert for COVID-19, declaring a pandemic on March 11. As we entered uncharted waters, it was crucial for Baycrest to act quickly to adapt our operations and keep everyone safe.
While our strategy and planning for COVID-19 began at the start of January 2020, the timeline below looks back at Baycrest’s response to the changing circumstances of COVID-19 beginning in March:
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March 1
Baycrest begins working closely with a formalized network led by Ontario Health on an enhanced system response structure. The group aligns clinical expertise, experience and capacity across the health sector to strengthen and implement provincial plans.
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March 12
Active screening of all individuals who enter the campus for symptoms and travel history begins. Baycrest begins implementing IPAC measures on the use of PPE and hand sanitizer.
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March 13
Physical distancing measures are implemented.
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March 17
Per a directive from the Ministry of Health, all outpatient services close or are delivered virtually; non-essential visitors are restricted from entering Baycrest. Dining rooms at the Terraces of Baycrest close and food is delivered to resident suites.
The Telemedicine Rapid Implementation (TRIM) team launches to support increased virtual offerings on campus and beyond.
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March 18
All in-person, non-essential research, evaluation and innovation implementation projects are suspended.
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March 20
Baycrest Foundation launches an ambitious Safeguarding Our Seniors (SOS) fundraising campaign, with a target of $5 million. Funds raised support protective measures across campus, help patients and residents stay connected with their families and expand Baycrest's telemedicine offerings.
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March 23
A new eVisit and Wellness Check program is created to keep residents and patients connected to their loved ones.
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March 31
An advanced ultraviolet disinfection system is introduced to enhance cleaning needs as part of Bacyrest’s rigourous infection prevention and control measures.
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April 10
Modified Passover programming offered to residents and patients, including virtual seders.
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April 17
Enhanced COVID-19 testing for all staff and clients begins.
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April 21
Baycrest offers virtual spiritual care programming and marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust.
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May 4
The Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation (CLRI) at Baycrest’s Centre for Education, in partnership with the Ontario COVID Education TaskForce, develops an online learning system to support healthcare workers being redeployed into long-term care homes.
eVisit program surpasses 3,000 visits.
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May 11
COVID-19 testing is completed for all residents of the Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged.
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May 19
Enhanced screening measures are added to protocols, including the addition of newly identified COVID-19 symptoms.
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May 22
Virtual social recreational programs are developed for Apotex residents and hospital patients using a combination of iPads, Smart TVs and Apotex Broadcast Channel for those with individual TVs.
Apotex dining rooms are outfitted with Echo Dot smart speakers that allow staff to play and stop music through voice commands while residents dine in their suites due to COVID-19 precautions.
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June 10
The Terraces of Baycrest launches balcony visits for residents to connect with friends and family.
Care at Baycrest
We deliver a highly personalized and comprehensive approach to wellness promotion and healthcare because of the dedication and talent of our staff, and our passionate commitment to education, research, innovation and quality improvement.
TAKING ON THE CHALLENGE OF COVID-19
This past spring, the world was confronted with a tragic global pandemic. COVID-19 has drastically altered the way we interact with our patients and clients. In this exceptionally challenging time, the breadth and depth of our expertise has been recognized by the long-term care sector. While maintaining the strictest infection and control standards on our campus, Baycrest has leveraged technologies to support older adults and ensured that those with responsive behaviours continue to be cared for with the highest standards. Read More
Edwin Goldstein Neighbourhood
In 2019, renovations to the Edwin Goldstein neighbourhood on the second floor of the Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged, transformed the shared space into a home-like, open concept living and dining room. For residents living adjacent to the neighbourhood, this space has significantly improved their care experience.
Charlotte and Lewis Steinberg Family Rehabilitation Wing
A very generous donation from the Charlotte and Lewis Steinberg family enabled the hospital to combine two rehabilitation units onto one floor. In 2019, the renovation was completed, and we were thrilled to welcome patients into a beautiful, comfortable, state-of-the-art unit. Patients, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and staff together are benefitting immensely from this gift.
Terraces of Baycrest
Renovations at the Terraces of Baycrest continued, including the completion of the main kitchen. Point Click Care (PCC), the long-term care sector’s leading electronic health record software, was implemented. Work continues for two assisted living floors to support those with physical challenges and a memory care floor for individuals with cognitive impairments.
Baycrest joins two Ontario Health Teams
In December 2019, Baycrest joined two Ontario Health Teams (OHT) - the North York Toronto OHT and North Toronto OHT - as part of the first wave of health teams to build a connected health care system in Ontario. Both teams are focusing on patient groups with complex needs in their surrounding communities, including frail seniors, those with mental health and addiction issues, and those nearing end of life.
Research
The Rotman Research Institute (RRI) at Baycrest is a leader in cognitive neuroscience and memory research. From leading revolutionary studies uncovering the brain’s many mysteries to improving evidence-based care practices at the bedside, our world-renowned scientists are working to transform the journey of aging.
Baycrest ranked top 10 research-intensive hospital in Canada
Baycrest is proud to be recognized as one of the country’s top research-intensive hospitals in Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospitals rankings, ranking eighth for researcher intensity (the amount of research income per researcher) with an average of $515,200 per scientist.
Baycrest becomes scientific head for largest collaborative dementia research project in Canada
Baycrest’s impact in the field of aging and brain health grew exponentially this year when we became the scientific headquarters for the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA), Canada’s largest dementia research initiative. We now have the largest network of dementia research being conducted across the country. At the helm is the CCNA’s Scientific Director, Dr. Howard Chertkow, who is also a Senior Scientist and Chair in Cognitive Neurology and Innovation at Baycrest’s RRI.
Leading social gerontology
researcher comes to Baycrest
researcher comes to Baycrest
This year, Baycrest welcomed Dr. Amanda Grenier as the Norman and Honey Schipper Chair in Gerontological Social Work and a Senior Scientist with RRI. Her research aims to improve our understanding of aging in vulnerable populations, which is crucial for ensuring optimal brain health in all older adults.
The Kimel Family Centre: Combining research and care
At the state-of-the-art Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health and Wellness, Baycrest’s knowledge and expertise will focus on integrating research with wellness programs and lifestyle interventions, with the ultimate goal of diagnosing brain illness earlier and testing interventions to slow or halt cognitive decline. While construction has begun, the launch of the facility has been delayed because of COVID-19.
Education
Baycrest continues to lead the way as a distributor of knowledge in senior care and aging solutions. In the last year, we strived to provide an exceptional learning experience, and expanded our reach and knowledge through integrative and innovative education methods.
Innovation Milestones
A look at key highlights of this past year’s road towards the development and adoption of better approaches to optimize healthy aging.
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June 2019
Cogniciti expands its testing capabilities, encouraging younger participants to learn about their brain health.
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August 2019
Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) and Alberta Innovates announce a $250,000 investment for innovative dementia care in Alberta.
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September 2019
The new Baycrest Innovation Office (BIO), working to prioritize and support innovation on campus, launches its inaugural Innovation Rounds featuring leaders from across Baycrest.
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October 2019
CABHI and community partners launch “What’s On Your Mind?,” a discussion group about aging and brain health in order to learn more about the lived experience of older adults and their caregivers.
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November 2019
- Baycrest hosts Innovation Showcase/Community Discussion featuring innovations and initiatives by CABHI, BIO, Baycrest@Home, RRI, Kunin-Lunenfeld Centre for Applied Research and Innovation (KL-CARE), BGS, Cogniciti, Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation (CLRI) and Baycrest Centre for Education and Knowledge Exchange in Aging.
- CABHI's Spark Program invests more than $3 million in funding to support the development and validation testing of 63 new innovations aimed at improving the quality of life for seniors, people living with dementia, and their caregivers.
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January 2020
CABHI partners with the Health and Technology District, based in Surrey, BC, to develop a pan-Canadian network of innovators and test sites to strengthen the national aging, brain health, and neuroscience ecosystem.
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March 2020
CABHI hosts the “What’s Next Canada” virtual conference for thought leaders, innovators, venture capitalists and healthcare providers.
Our Impact
As leaders in client-centred care, education, innovation and research, our knowledge and expertise is widely sought locally, nationally and internationally. Here are some examples of our impact.
Baycrest Foundation
The Baycrest Foundation, the fundraising arm of Baycrest, continues to enrich the lives of older adults by providing crucial funding in support of programs and services that promote excellence in care, research, education and innovation in aging.
Women Friends of Baycrest
The dedicated Women Friends of Baycrest group hosted a series of unique cultural events, raising close to $1.5 million since its inception seven years ago. Highlights from this past year included The Torah Stitch by Stitch Project Exhibit at the Textile Museum of Canada and An Evening of Innovation at the Baycrest-led Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI).
Lou and Wendy Myles Garden
Baycrest welcomed the opening of the Lou and Wendy Myles Garden in the summer of 2019. The beautiful green space and dedicated plaque symbolize and commemorate Lou Mylesz”l and Wendy’s longstanding commitment to Baycrest and the community.
VIP Access Series
The Baycrest Foundation’s new cultural series, VIP Access, launched in the fall of 2019 featuring Caravans of Gold, an exhibit at the Aga Khan Museum. Additional events, including an exhibition at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection featuring select pieces from the Group of 7, were postponed due to COVID-19.
Launch of Baycrest Young Philanthropists
Baycrest formed a new group of supporters, the Baycrest Young Philanthropists (BYP). This new collective held two events in 2019, including the Baycrest Wellness Break, a lunchtime event that featured an inspiring talk by iQ Food’s CEO, Alan Bekerman, and FRESH, an interactive evening of culture and arts in Baycrest’s Kalifer Culture Hub. The group continues its work to cultivate new leadership and raise vital funds to support Baycrest.
Safeguarding our Seniors
In the wake of COVID-19, Baycrest took extraordinary steps to safeguard and protect the well-being of our most vulnerable population. A critical fundraising campaign, Safeguarding Our Seniors (SOS), was launched to fund protective measures for our staff and clients, help older adults stay connected with their families as well as expand our telemedicine offerings. Read more
Pro-Am 2019
The 2019 Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer’s™ in Support of Baycrest raised almost $2 million dollars for research into Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. More than 420 individual players were part of 32 teams at the annual tournament.
SEALFIT Goes North of the Border
The first Baycrest SEALFIT event held in Canada raised more than $300,000. These funds allowed Baycrest, a global leader in aging and brain health care, to conduct research, programming and support, and educate the next generation of healthcare providers.
The Brain Project
The Yogen Früz Brain Project, a city-wide Toronto art exhibit, returned for the fourth year. The campaign partners with local and international artists and celebrities to transform 50 blank brains into thought-provoking pieces of art, raising brain health awareness and crucial funding for Baycrest.
Barrie 2 Baycrest
Bicycles took over the highways, country roads and trails between Barrie and Baycrest on Sunday, September 8, to raise funds for programs at Stan’s Gym in Baycrest’s new Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health and Wellness. The 24th annual Barrie 2 Baycrest (B2B) ride drew almost 100 cyclists who raised $500,000 in support.
By the Numbers
1,031
volunteers
1,100
people call Baycrest their home
176
research staff
1285
research study participants
17288746
research grants & agency funding
1,470
patients served at the Hospital
9,902
clients served in Ambulatory clinics
2604
patients saw a Baycrest clinician through a virtual patient care service
Financials
2019-20 Baycrest Centre Financial Summary
Hover over graphs to see detailed numbers.
Revenue by Organization ($ Thousands)
Sources of Revenue ($ Thousands)
Expenses by Organization ($ Thousands)
Expenses by Type ($ Thousands)
2019-20 Baycrest Foundation Financial Summary
Hover over graphs to see detailed numbers.
Source of Fundraising Revenue (Fiscal 2019-2020)
Areas Funded (Fiscal 2019-2020)
Total Assets 2016-2020 ($ Thousands)
Investment Income 2016-2020 ($ Thousands – Gross)
Fundraising Revenue 2016 – 2020 ($ Thousands)
Grants 2016 – 2020 ($ Thousands)
2019-20 Baycrest Research Financial Summary
Hover over graphs to see detailed numbers.
Research Division Revenues
Peer-Reviewed Grants 2019/20 ($ Thousands)
Donor List
Thank you for your support!
We express our sincere appreciation to all those who donated. We are extremely grateful for your commitment and generosity.