Education
Education: Sharing What We Know About Aging and the Brain
Canada needs more people trained to care for older adults, and more families who understand brain health. Through the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, we train tomorrow's health-care professionals and share practical knowledge with caregivers and communities across the country. Donors help make that possible.
- 50+universities and colleges send students to train at Baycrest
- 180+Baycrest staff hold academic appointments
- 89%of learners would recommend their Baycrest supervisor for future placements
- 47countries reached by Defy Dementia
Baycrest is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. Sources: Baycrest Academic Education and Training; Baycrest Academy 2023 to 2025 Impact Report.
Training the next generation of care
Student placements
Students in nursing, medicine, social work, therapy, psychology and many other disciplines learn alongside experts in aging and brain health. Interprofessional placements teach them to work as one team around each patient.
Learning through simulation
Baycrest's SAGE program is one of the few in the world where older adult volunteers play patients, family members and care providers in realistic training scenarios. The team also wrote a foundational textbook on geriatric simulation, published in 2024.
Continuing education
Workshops and courses help practising health-care professionals build skills in aging, brain health, memory strategies and dementia care.
Strengthening care across Ontario
Supporting long-term care homes
Through the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI), Baycrest provides training, resources and research to long-term care homes across the province. With $5 million from the Ministry of Long-Term Care, the Dementia Care Preparedness Initiative is helping homes assess and improve how they deliver dementia care.
Backing family doctors
Project ECHO Care of the Elderly connects primary care providers in Ontario with a team of geriatric specialists, so older patients get expert-informed care close to home.
Brain health education for everyone
- Defy Dementia. Co-hosted by Dr. Allison Sekuler and science broadcaster Jay Ingram, this Webby-nominated podcast shares practical ways to lower dementia risk. As of March 2025, it had nearly 400,000 listens in 47 countries.
- Better Living Education Series. Free, interactive workshops for older adults, families and caregivers, including courses taught by older adult peer instructors.
- Health Talks. Monthly workshops that help people understand health information and spot false or misleading claims.
- C-CART. A free tool that connects caregivers with local supports in about 15 minutes.
Help build a workforce ready for an aging Canada
Your gift supports student training, scholarships and free public education, helping more people care for older adults with skill and compassion.
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