March 2025 E-Newsletter

#OurConnectionsMatter

AUCTION OPENS MARCH 19, 2025:

ASHPE's Black & White Gala Public Online Auction goes LIVE at 9 AM on Wednesday, March 19 and runs until 9 PM on Wednesday, March 26 for all!

Anyone can bid online from anywhere! OR join us in person at our Gala (limited tickets available, $125 per person) on March 26 at The Grand, where all items will be on display!

Every bid supports your local Alzheimer Society and helps us continue providing vital programs and services.

Take a sneak peek at just SOME of the items that will be available: https://app.bidbeacon.com/#/auction/ALZHPE/

Tickets must be purchased in advance! Call 613-962-0892 or visit our office between 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Learn more about Brain Health recommendations here: https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/how-can-i-reduce-risk-dementia/brain-healthy-tips-reduce-your-risk-dementia

SUPPORT/EDUCATION PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

MEMORY CAFÉ:

Memory Cafe is a social event for those living with dementia and care partners to come together in a fun and engaging environment, and connect with the Alzheimer Society and each other. Memory café events feature activities, discussion, brain games and more. Memory Café events are currently hosted in Belleville, Quinte West, Brighton, Madoc, Tyendinaga, Picton, Madoc and Bancroft. To register or find out more please call 613-962-0892.

SUPPORT GROUPS:

Community support groups provide the opportunity for care partners to come together and share and provide peer support. Each event is led by an Alzheimer Society Education and Support Coordinator. Support groups are currently available in communities such as Belleville, Quinte West, Wellington, Madoc, Stirling, Bancroft, Tweed, Picton, Frankford and more. We also have specialized groups, virtual support group options and more! Please contact our office to find out more today.

FIRST LINK LEARNING SERIES:

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. Call the office or contact your Education & Support Coordinator to find our more about eligibility and registering for any of these free upcoming sessions.



First Steps

This course of the First Link Learning Series provides an introduction to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. 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 2025! 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 of the illness.

• April 16, 23, 30 and May 7. Call 613-962-0892

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.

• Join our interest list for May! Call 613-962-0892

Care in the Later Stages

This course helps family caregivers and care partners understand what to expect in the later stages of dementia. This module will also explore how participants can provide comfort to the person as well as review the experiences of grief and loss.

• Join our interest list for June! Call 613-962-0892

Join us for Taking Control of our Lives

A self-management program for people living with dementia



This 8-week program is for people living with dementia. Taking Control of Our Lives is intended to help you, a person with dementia, to develop skills, increase your confidence and feel empowered to take control of your life by talking with and learning from others that may be experiencing some of the same things that you are. Care partners are invited to learn strategies to best support someone living with dementia and their ability to self-manage. 

Contact us today for upcoming sessions dates and registration information! This series is offered FREE of charge, but spaces are limited.

 Join our interest list! E-mail victoria.woods@alzheimerhpe.ca

What is ALZeducate?

The Alzheimer Society understands that there are many challenges faced by people living with dementia, their care partners, health care providers and others who provide support on a daily basis. Having the right knowledge and skills to live well with dementia or to support those living with dementia will lead to improved quality of life. Even those who just want to know more about what dementia is and what they can do, will help to create more dementia-friendly communities.

ALZeducate is dedicated to providing high-quality, best practice-based online education for all using adult learning principles that support real learning and change. Join us in making a difference in the lives of people living with dementia! There are new webinars available each and every month! Learn more at alzeducate.ca

Stop by and see our booth at the Caregiver Expo from 9 am - 2 pm on March 29, 2025 at the Ramada Belleville Free event - no registration required Learn more: https://www.intelligencer.ca/news/annual-eastern-ontario-caregiver-expo-set-to-open

The project to introduce Cognitive Care Kits to the Belleville and Quinte West communities started in late 2021, a partnership between Belleville Public Library, Quinte West Public Library, and the Alzheimer Society of Hastings-Prince Edward. By partnering together, we hoped to offer a new, unique and high quality service to our shared communities. With support from the United Way Hastings & Prince Edward through an Innovation Grant, this project is intended to reach a population that is currently underserved by our libraries: caregivers and people living with dementia.

Our Cognitive Care Kits are based on The Dementiability Method which focuses on learning an individual’s unique abilities and interests, and creating enriching and meaningful opportunities for each person to live their best life. Cognitive Care Kits are intended to assist caregivers in engaging people living with dementia.

Key Components:

• Conversation starters
• Large print books
• Adult jigsaw puzzles
• Colouring pages
• Activities

Who can borrow a kit?

• A caregiver to a person with dementia
• An activity director of a Nursing/Retirement Residence
• Alzheimer Society of Hastings-Prince Edward
• Community Health Centre

Borrowing Requirements:

• Valid library card in good standing
• Introduction to the kits by a librarian

AVAILABLE AT: Belleville Public library (613) 968-6731

Quinte West Public Library

613-394-3381

The Lived Experience Network is an open community of people living with dementia or similar diagnoses and their family/friend care partners (past and present) living across South Eastern Ontario, to engage in advisory conversations, sharing their lived experiences, advice and input with the health care community and each other in hopes of improving the system of care. Locally, this group is administered by Sharon Osvald, Lived Experience Network Coordinator (working out of the Kingston Alzheimer Society Office).

To learn more about the Network or to get more involved please contact Sharon Osvald, Lived Experience Facilitator, the Alzheimer Societies of SE Ontario in collaboration with Providence Care Community Seniors Mental Health Behavioural Support Services.

Phone: 343-645-6240

Email: sosvald@alzking.com

www.livedexperiencenetworkseo.ca



Please consider inviting a friend who might be interested in joining us. Together, we are exchanging knowledge and partnering for change in southeastern Ontario! TO LEARN MORE CLICK HERE AND VIEW THE PROGRAM FLYER!

Angela Meraw

Executive Director

Angela.Meraw@alzheimerhpe.ca

Alyssa Farley

First Link Care Navigator

alyssa.farley@alzheimerhpe.ca

Sogna Di Genova

Education & Support Coordinator

sogna.digenova@alzheimerhpe.ca

Jessica Gagnon

Education & Support Coordinator

jessica.gagnon@alzheimerhpe.ca

Alyssa Thorn

Activation Coordinator

alyssa.thorn@alzheimerhpe.ca

Rachel Lewis

Operations & Program Manager

rachel.lewis@azheimerhpe.ca

Ruth Molina

First Link Care Navigator

ruth.molina@alzheimerhpe.ca

Carolyn Bergamo

Education & Support Coordinator

carolyn.bergamo@alzheimerhpe.ca

Candice Leuschner

Education & Support Coordinator

candice.leuschner@alzheimerhpe.ca

Melissa Whalen

Public Education Coordinator

melissa.whalen@alzheimerhpe.ca

Tania Kerik

Intake & Administrative Assistant 

tania.kerik@alzheimerhpe.ca

Karen Partridge

Education & Support Coordinator

karen.partridge@alzheimerhpe.ca

Victoria Woods

Education & Support Coordinator

victoria.woods@alzheimerhpe.ca

Alex Fobert

Minds in Motion Coordinator

alex.fobert@alzheimerhpe.ca

Trisha Clancy

Fund Development Coordinator

Trisha.clancy@alzheimerhpe.ca

Amelia Huffman

Communications, Grants & IT

Amelia.Huffman@alzheimerhpe.ca

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