BRAVO (Baycrest Research About Volunteering among Older Adults) is an exciting research project linking volunteering and healthy aging. The project is entering its final year and is studying if and how volunteer work improves brain health and psychological and physical functioning of people over the age of 55.

Dr. Nicole Anderson & Syrelle Bernstein in Singapore

BRAVO represents a novel opportunity to participate in a valuable research study and to give back and help others at the same time. This partnership between research and volunteer services, involves more than 100 retirees doing volunteer work at Baycrest.

"The long-term objective of the BRAVO study is to see if volunteering is an intervention that has a protective effect against dementia" says Baycrest senior scientist and clinical neuropsychologist, Dr. Nicole Anderson, who is leading the study.

Participants in BRAVO are retirees who meet the following criteria:

• 55 years or older
• Not working or and not in another formal volunteer position (informal volunteer roles, such as family caregiving, are allowable)
• Willing to contribute 3 volunteer hours per week over a 12 month period (flexibility for vacations)

Recruitment into the BRAVO study is now closed. If you are interested in volunteering at Baycrest, please contact the Volunteer Services Department at 416-785-2500 ext. 2572 or click here.

Please share this site with friends and family who you think might be interested in the BRAVO study.