News and Events

2025

December: The Impact Project Video - How to improve care for people living with dementia.

  • We are proud to share that Dr. Savundranayagam, the Director of the Sam Katz Community Health & Aging Research Unit, was featured by 成人大片's Impact Story Project for her work on Be EPIC-VR!
  • The story highlights the real-word impact of this virtual reality training on communication in dementia care by offering a safe space for caregivers to practice skills, and grow their confidence.
  • Curious to learn more? Watch the featured video .

 

November: Revolutionizing Dementia Care - A Be EPIC-VR Podcast with Dr. Savundranayam

  • Hear from our Director of the Sam Katz Community Health & Aging Research Unit, Dr. Marie Savundranayagam, in the November 4 podcast, "17. Revolutionizing Dementia Care Through VR Training.", part of the series of Capturing Essence for Care - Storytelling that Promotes Personhood in Healthcare, hosted by Lisa Joworski.
  • In this 1-hour episode, she shares how her personal experience and compassion as a researcher inspired Be EPIC-VR, a virtual reality program where frontline staff practice person-centered communication with avatars representing persons living with dementia from diverse backgrounds. Grounded in cultural humilty, the program encourages openness, curiousity, and respect, providing a safe, non-judgemental space where staff can learn, makes mistakes, reflect, and grow their confidence in supporting persons living with dementia.
  • Follow us on our and to explore highlights and key-moments from the podcast. 
  • Access the full episode directly .

 

August: Work Study Position available: September 2025 - April 2026!

  • We are looking for an enrolled undergraduate student to join our team as a Research Assistant, supporting Dr. Savundranayagam with her ongoing research projects in communication caregiving and dementia. The work study position starts September 2025 and runs until April 2026, with the possibilty of continuing into next semester if the student is a good fit. 

    Application Deadline: September 15 2025. 

  • See the full job description here (Work Study Position Fall 2025). Please review 'Join our team' for application intstructions.  

 

July: Newsletter Release & AAIC 2025 Announcement

  • Be EPIC-VR is transforming dementia care by enhancing emotion-based, person-centered communication skills among frontline staff—and we are proud to share our progress with you.

    📢 We are excited to release our latest newsletter, featuring training outcomes from over 80 healthcare professionals, including insights from managers on the impact of Be EPIC-VR.

    📍 We are also heading to AAIC 2025, from July 27 - 31 in Toronto! Visit us at our booth #522 and explore how Be EPIC-VR is shaping the future of dementia care. 

    👉Download the Newsletter

Spring/Summer Featured: The Caregiver's Journey

  • We are excited to share that  is featured in 成人大片 Alumni Magazine's Spring/Summer 2025 issue 'The issue of aging'.

    The article highlights research from our CARE Lab on supporting family caregivers of persons living with dementia. It follows the heartfelt journey of a family caregiver's experience and explores how innovative approaches - like the virutal reality training Be EPIC-VR  and personalized in-home support through the  - are empowering caregivers through education and self-care. 

    Read the full story: 

April/May

  • Want to experience Be EPIC-VR in action?

    Visit us at the during the AdvantAge Ontario – Advancing Senior Care Convention in Toronto!

    📍 Sheraton Centre Toronto (123 Queen Street West, Toronto)
    🗓️ April 30 | 5–7 PM
    🗓️ May 1 | 10 AM–2 PM

    Stop by our table 2 (VIDE Foyer) to explore how immersive VR can support dementia care training.

2024

November

  • Our Director, Dr. Marie Savundranayagam and Dr. Anna Garnett (Nursing) are the research leads on the McCormick Mobile Study.

July: Newsletter      /fhs/care/SamKatz---Newsletter-July-202458.jpgMarch: Toronto Star Article 

  • Our Director, Dr. Marie Savundranayagam teaches health-care workers to look at the environment surrounding a person with dementia for clues about what they like and don’t like. Click the link to read the full Toronto Star article

January

2022

  • Featured on the "" series by Tamil Women Rising, a nonprofit organization that empowers Tamil women and their allies to seek success and advance their careers. (March 3, 2022)
  • Interviewed by Madelaine Currelly on her radio show, Aging – A New Reality, on Northumberland 89.7 FM
    • Topic: Health Care for Older Adults. Included discussions on Be EPIC training, communication, hearing, and aging
    • Topic: Importance of Social Well-being

2020

2019

2018

  • What sparked a career in gerontology? Read a of Dr. Savundranayagam, published by 成人大片 Undergraduate Research Journal.

2017

2013