Good research news from Baycrest in Toronto! Baycrest and the Canadian Mental Health Association of Ontario (CMHA) are introducing a new partnership and program, headed by Dr. Nasreen Khatri, clinician scientist with the Rotman Research Institute and a longstanding CREST.BD member. She is the principal investigator on a study assessing Canada’s first multilingual group program centered on evidence-based talk therapy principles for older adult caregivers, who are at increased risk of developing anxiety and depression, which, if untreated, can greatly increase the risk of dementia.

The program, which is delivered in four languages (English, French, Mandarin and Cantonese) across 36 sites across Toronto, aims to improve the mental well-being of caregivers.  Since the program began in 2015, more than 275 caregivers looking after loved ones experiencing health changes due to aging, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, depression and physical impairments have participated in one of 27 courses delivered across Toronto.

Lukas Budimaier