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 and Brain Health Innovation, 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. For more information, please visit: www.baycrest.org.

The Centre for Aging & Brain Health innovation is a solution accelerator focused on driving innovation in the aging and brain health sector. Established in 2015 through funding of $124 million (CAD), it is the result of the largest investment in brain health and aging in Canadian history, and one of the largest investments of its kind in the world. CABHI is a unique collaboration of health care, science, industry, not-for-profit and government partners whose aim is to help improve quality of life for the world’s aging population, allowing older adults to age safely in the setting of their choice while maintaining their cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being. CABHI facilitates collaborations among innovators, healthcare providers, private sector partners, government and consumers. Through its funding programs, CABHI helps global innovators gain access to key user groups in order to test, develop, validate and accelerate their solutions in the field of aging and brain health. CABHI is spearheaded by Baycrest Health Sciences, a global leader in aging and brain health and home to one of the world’s top research institutes in cognitive neuroscience, with more than 100 years of experience in improving the well-being of the aging population. CABHI builds on Baycrest’s much sought-after expertise and exemplary care experience.

CABHI has received funding from the Government of Canada through the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science, and the Baycrest Foundation.

The Rotman Research Institute (RRI) is a premier international centre for the study of human brain function. The Rotman Research Institute opened in 1989 introducing formal research programs in fundamental science, focusing on memory and brain function, both in normal aging and in the presence of diseases and conditions that affect the brain, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. World renowned scientists at the RRI promote effective care and improved quality of life of the elderly through research into behavioural changes associated with the aging process.

This project is a catalyst for aging and brain health awareness and discussion. Our goal is to shine a light on the importance of the issue, promote the need for greater research into brain health and advance groundbreaking research on dementia and aging.

The Brain Project serves as a vehicle for fundraising in support of care and research into brain health and aging at Baycrest.

Funds raised by The Brain Project will support brain research, patient care, education and innovation at Baycrest, a leader in the field of aging and brain health.

To learn about volunteering opportunities, fundraising groups, hosting your own events and more ways to become involved, visit our website. Check out other upcoming events here.

Art is a universal language – it can foster shared experience, prompt collective memory and serve as a means to highlight important issues.  Research shows the many ways in which art-based therapies can positively impact issues related to aging and brain health.

Art holds an important role in the healing process, and so Baycrest adorns every surface with works of art – along our main corridors, hospital wings, resident rooms, staff offices, cafeteria, meeting areas, ceremonial spaces, adult day centres and gardens – art is everywhere! The visual variety of the art at Baycrest is remarkable, and has been generously gifted by many donors over the years.

Cultural and arts-based activities can serve as vehicles for self-expression, for maintaining a strong sense of identity, personhood, culture and connection to community. Baycrest offers professional and therapeutic arts opportunities for seniors to rediscover creativity, improve physical and emotional health, increase feelings of confidence and self-esteem, enrich relationships and strengthen morale in order to promote overall brain health and physical well-being.

Contact us at info@brainproject.ca to purchase a brain sculpture for your art collection.