Baycrest

As we look ahead to Shemini Atzeret, beginning tonight, and Simchat Torah, beginning the following evening, we are reflecting on the meaningful ways Jewish tradition comes to life at Baycrest.

Following Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret offers a time to gather and pause together before turning to the joyous celebration of Simchat Torah, which marks the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle and the beginning of a new one.

Across Baycrest, patients, residents and family members will take part in the tradition through Torah honours, learning, music and dancing, with opportunities to engage with the Torah and explore special Judaica and museum items.

At Baycrest Terraces, the celebration included a particularly meaningful tradition. Rabbi Rena Arshinoff affectionately calls its Torah the “baby Torah” – a scroll standing just 11.5 inches tall. Its small size allows it to be passed from hand to hand, making it possible for people who may not be able to lift a larger Torah to hold it and participate directly in the celebration.

Its cover bears a menorah and words from Psalm 92 that feel especially fitting at Baycrest: “Even in old age they shall flourish.”

A beautiful expression of community, inclusion and Jewish tradition as the Torah cycle begins anew. Chag sameach to all those celebrating.

On National Seniors Day, October 1, we’re celebrating a new milestone for Defy Dementia and its work to make trusted information about dementia and brain health easier to access.

Defy Dementia is now featured on the World Health Organization’s Global Dementia Observatory Knowledge Exchange Platform.

Following a review by dementia experts and people with lived experience, the podcast was accepted as a resource offering accessible, up-to-date information on dementia prevention, treatment, diagnosis, research and lived experiences.

Reviewers highlighted its accessible format, practical takeaways, transcripts and additional resources that help people learn more about dementia and brain health.

🌎 Explore Defy Dementia on the WHO Global Dementia Observatory Knowledge Exchange Platform: https://globaldementia.org/en/resource/defy-dementia

Today, on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, Baycrest honoured the resilience of Indigenous Peoples, acknowledged the painful legacy of residential schools and reaffirmed that Every Child Matters.

Across Baycrest, residents, patients, families, volunteers and staff came together for reflection and remembrance. Participants wore orange shirts, created bracelets, learned about Indigenous trailblazers and contributed to a ribbon display in the Sharp Atrium.

These shared experiences created opportunities to learn, reflect and deepen understanding of Indigenous histories and experiences.

Reconciliation is an ongoing journey. Baycrest remains committed to creating opportunities for reflection, education and meaningful action.

Sukkot, the Festival of Booths, is a joyful festival that follows the Jewish High Holy Days. It commemorates the harvest season and the Israelites’ journey through the desert, when the Sukkah served as a place of shelter and gathering.

At Baycrest, decorating the Sukkahs created a meaningful opportunity for patients, residents, families, volunteers and staff to connect with PJ Library Toronto through a shared, intergenerational experience.

Baycrest extends warm wishes for a meaningful Sukkot to all who are celebrating. May this festival bring happiness, connection and blessings to you and your loved ones. Chag Sukkot Sameach.

Caring for older adults often requires navigating complex health and medication needs. Pharmacists are key members of the care team, helping ensure treatment decisions are informed by evidence, expertise and a deep understanding of each patient's unique circumstances.

Today, on World Pharmacists Day, we're spotlighting Carol Wahba, Pharmacist, Virtual Behavioural Medicine (VBM) Program, The Pamela & Paul Austin Centre for Neurology & Behavioural Support, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education.

"A highlight of my career at Baycrest has been the opportunity to contribute to different areas of the organization, from inpatient pharmacy and ambulatory services, to now supporting the VBM Program. It is a privilege to be trusted in providing the highest quality care for our clients and families while continuing to challenge myself and grow in my practice. It is rewarding to know that the work we do can make a meaningful difference in the quality of life of our patients, their caregivers and the teams supporting them."

🌎 Learn more about The VBM Program at Baycrest by visiting https://www.baycrest.org/all-clinics-services/the-virtual-behavioural-medicine-vbm-program/

Behind every trusted health resource is a person committed to making information meaningful.

At Baycrest, access to evidence-based resources helps drive excellence in patient care, research and education. Through our online tools and services, staff, trainees and clinicians are supported with the information they need to make informed, confident decisions.

Driven by a commitment to knowledge sharing and collaboration, Tonya Mahar, Manager of Library Services at Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, plays a key role in connecting people to the right evidence when they need it most. From enabling access to trusted resources to leading seminars on searching medical literature, her work helps save time and strengthen evidence-based care.

Looking for a place to start? Explore our Centre for Health Information portal for expert-curated consumer health resources you can trust, and for the return of our Better Living Education Series and Health Talks.

📢 Registration now open for Planning Your Best Life and Digital Literacy Club. Learn more by visiting https://www.baycrest.org/centre-for-health-information/

Dance is more than movement. It brings together physical activity, social connection and cognitive engagement.

In this episode, we explore how dance can benefit people of all ages and abilities. We join a dance class at Canada’s National Ballet School with Michael Farewell, a community-dwelling older adult dancer. Then Dr. Rachel Bar, Director of Research and Health at Canada’s National Ballet School, shares insights into the growing evidence behind dance and healthy aging.

Whether in a studio, community centre or living room, there’s no right or wrong way to dance. Making dance a regular part of your life can benefit your overall wellness and remember… dance like no one is watching.

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

G’mar Chatimah Tovah – may you and your loved ones be sealed for a good year.

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar – a time for reflection, repentance and renewal. Many who observe will fast, pray and gather in synagogues for a day of prayer, reflection and atonement, looking to the year ahead with hope and renewed purpose.

Baycrest extends wishes for a meaningful Yom Kippur and an easy fast to all who are observing.

Art, recognition and connection were at the heart of LTC Community Engagement Day at Baycrest’s Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged.

Residents and families welcomed Michelle Cooper, MPP for Eglinton–Lawrence and Ontario’s Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, along with representatives from AdvantAge Ontario.

The day included a recognition ceremony honouring residents and members of the Family Advisory Council for their contributions to making the Apotex Centre an even better place to live.

Guests also joined residents for seasonal art making inspired by Sukkot and the fall season, creating artwork reflecting harvest themes and the spirit of togetherness.

It was a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the people who help shape life at the Apotex Centre and show how resident and family voices help make it a place of connection, belonging and meaningful engagement.

🌿 The Gardening Club at Baycrest is helping our courtyard bloom.

During the summer, volunteers, patients and residents come together to trim, water and care for our beautiful courtyard plants. Along the way, they share stories, knowledge and experiences, creating meaningful connections across generations and backgrounds.

These moments of connection help foster community, purpose and well-being, while keeping our outdoor spaces vibrant and welcoming for everyone to enjoy.

🌎 Interested in making a difference through volunteering? Learn more about volunteer opportunities at Baycrest by visiting https://www.baycrest.org/volunteers