APRIL 2026

E-NEWSLETTER

PROGRAMS & NOTICES

Friday April 24th, CAREGIVER EXPO
Save the date! ASHPE will be on-site at the Eastern Ontario Caregiver Expo hosted on Friday, April 24th, 2026 at the Maranatha Church in Belleville, 10 am - 2 pm.

Tuesday, April 28th, PLATE MATES EVENT
Join us on Tuesday, April 28th at the Brighton Gate Restaurant for a Plate Mates social event! Please call the office to pre-register so we can anticipate numbers.

Support for all

No matter where you are or where you're at - we're here for you. Support groups are hosted each and every month in communities and formats to fit your needs. Connect with your local First Link Care Navigator and/or Education and Support Coordinator to find the group options that are best for you! Registration required for all support groups.

New Evening Support Option
We want your feedback! Would you be interested in joining us in Belleville for an evening support group for care partners?

FREE DEMENTIA EDUCATION 
The First Link Learning Series offers a comprehensive overview of dementia, coping strategies, resources and support systems. Throughout the series participants are offered the opportunity to share and connect with others embarking on the dementia journey. The various courses include First Steps, Care Essentials, Options for Care, and Care in the Later Stages.

First Steps For Care Partners and/or People Living with Dementia

This course of the First Link Learning Series provides an introduction to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This program is for care partners and/or persons living with dementia with various group formats available. Topics covered include: types of dementia, changes in the brain, coping strategies, planning for the future, managing risks and community resources.

Join our Interest List for upcoming sessions! Call 613-962-0892

Care Essentials

This course for family caregivers and care partners offers problem solving strategies related to communication, responsive behaviours, caregiver burnout and expected changes in mid-stage progression..

 Next sessions:  April 8, 15, 22 and 29, 10 am - noon in Belleville. All attendees must register!

Contact: sogna.digenova@alzheimerhpe.ca or call 6139620892

Options for Care

This course for family caregivers and care partners assists the participants to evaluate their current caregiving needs and explore other available care options, including in-home care, adult day programs and long-term care. All attendees must register!

Next session: May 5, 12 &19, 2026 from 1- 3 pm in Belleville.

contact: carolyn.bergamo@alzheimerhpe.ca or call 6139620892

Care in the Later Stages

This series is to help family members and friends of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias understand what to expect in the later stages of the disease. Topics include: understanding the experiences of grief and loss, learning about the later stages, recognizing pain and distress, and providing care that promotes dignity, comfort and quality of life. All attendees must register!
Next session: June 3, 10, 17, 2026 from 9:30 am -11:30 am in Belleville. 
contact: niki.dodd@alzheimerhpe.ca or call 6139620892

Memory Cafe

By attending a Memory Café, people living with memory loss and those who care about them can come together and socialize in a safe and engaging environment.This is an opportunity to make new friends and connect with others who may be having similar experiences.

The monthly sessions are loosely structured, with a positive focus and offering options of refreshments, information gathering, creativity and more! Contact us today to find out more about your local Memory Cafe events. Registration required to ensure you are contacted regarding any changes to time/date/location!

Minds in Motion

Minds in Motion® is a community-based social program that incorporates physical and mental stimulation for people with early to mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia and their care partners. Through the Minds in Motion® program, both the person living with dementia and the care partner can benefit from the following:

• increasing physical activity through moderate intensity group exercise
• establishing new friendships with others who are living with similar experiences
• engaging in fun, social activities

SESSIONS HAPPENING IN A COMMUNITY NEAR YOU!

*subject to change - register for full details and more locations available!

Interested? Reach out to alex.fobert@alzheimerhpe.ca or call 613-962-0892 to be contacted when Minds in Motion is happening to your region next! All attendees must register to receive schedule updates and full details. 

$30 per couple for all 8 weeks of programming (includes materials and refreshments).

To learn more about Minds in Motion:
Visit this Information Page from the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, including a great video!
https://alzheimer.ca/on/en/help-support/programs-services/minds-in-motion 
Contact our office for the next upcoming session date near you by calling 613-962-0892

Upcoming AlzEducate Events

ALZeducate is an online resource for best practice dementia education. Build your knowledge and skills to live well or support people living with dementia. There are dozens of free webinars, education courses and live events.

This also includes a special "Dementia Friendly Communities" Zoom presentation with ASHPE's own Public Education Coordinator Melissa Whalen on April 21st, 12 pm.

You can register for your account at alzeducate.ca or e-mail melissa.whalen@alzheimerhpe.ca for more information.


March AlzEducate

April AlzEducate

ADVANCE CARE PLANNING

It is never too early to start planning and sharing your wishes and preferences for your health and personal care

If you couldn’t communicate for yourself, even temporarily, who would make your health and personal care decisions? Would they truly understand what matters most to you?

Advance care planning is something you can do now, before a crisis or sudden change forces decisions to be made under pressure. It gives you time to think about your values, wishes, and priorities, and to talk them through with the people you trust.

Starting these conversations early can ease stress for loved ones and help healthcare teams provide care that reflects what matters to you. By documenting your preferences now, you ensure your voice is heard and your care aligns with your choices, whatever the future brings. Advance care planning is for everyone, whether young or old, healthy or living with health challenges, and the best time to start is today.



https://www.advancecareplanning.ca/programs/acp-day/

FUNDRAISING:

A huge thank-you to everyone who joined us on Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 at The Grand in Belleville for our Parisian Nights Gala! 

Check out the great photos from Pics & Tweaks here:

Contact Fund Development Coordinator Trisha Clancy to host your own 3rd Party Fundraising event! Funds raised stay LOCAL!

trisha.clancy@alzheimerhpe.ca 
613-962-0892

Stop by and pick up your pledge form at the Caregiver Expo on April 24th, or visit our office

Print your own and fundraise online at www.walkforalzheimers.ca

LIVED EXPERIENCE ADVISORY:

The Lived Experience Network South East Ontario is an open community of people living

with dementia and/or similar diagnoses and their family/ care partners, sharing their lived experiences, advice and input with health care and community supports partners and with each other in hopes of enhancing the system of care. You are invited to take part!

Lived Experience Network South East Ontario

Next Advisory Zoom Meeting Date

Date: TODAY, Monday, April 20, 2026

Time: 1:00pm -2:30pm (EST)

April 2026 Advisory Conversation Topic: Skills and Abilities:

April's Lived Experience Network question comes from Providence Care Seniors Mental Health Behavioural Support Services. Providence Care is undergoing accreditation in November 2026; this is an opportunity to assess the quality of our programs and services against standards of excellence.

One of the standards involves engaging clients and families to determine the required mix of skill levels and experience within our clinical teams. Health care professionals have formal training in many skills, but often it is other skills, sometimes learned outside of formal training, that lead to successful and supportive interactions.

This prompted us to ask this month's LEN chat question: What do you feel are the key skills and abilities of health care professionals supporting a person living with dementia and their family care partners?  Come prepared to share your insights into the skills and abilities health care professionals require to provide sensitive, knowledgeable, person-centred care.

Join Zoom Meeting Information

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9467547418?omn=87094436359

Meeting ID # 946 754 7418

No password is required.

If you are unable to attend but still wish to contribute, please send your thoughts and suggestions on the topic by email to sosvald@alzking.com by April 27, 2026, and they will be included in the summary. Visit www.livedexperiencenetworkseo.ca for more information.

Self referrals encouraged - no diagnosis required

Check out our online referral form here

CONSENT & CONTACT NOTICE:

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