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Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

North Simcoe Muskoka Hospice Palliative Care Network

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Orillia, ON
North Simcoe Muskoka Hospice Palliative Care Network

The NSMHPCN provides support and education to health care providers and organizations in the deliver

03/23/2026

✨Meet the Team Monday: Rachel Lapensee✨

Today, we’re celebrating Rachel Lapensee, our Clinical Nurse Manager at NSMHPCN. Rachel’s compassion and leadership help guide our staff and committees, ensuring our work always reflects our mission and values. She believes that while we may not be able to change the outcome, we can always change the experience for individuals and families facing advanced illness, death, and bereavement.

Thank you, Rachel, for your heartfelt dedication and for making a difference in our community every single day. 💙

03/22/2026

🌷 Sunday Morning Spring Reset 🌞

Spring is the season of renewal — a time to bloom, breathe, and bring gentle balance back into your days. This Sunday, let the fresh air and longer light inspire you to reset your mind, body, and spirit. 🌼

Here’s your Spring Sunday Reset Ritual for the first Sunday of Spring:

🪷 Mindful Moment: Open the windows, let the sunlight in, and spend a few quiet minutes journaling or meditating. Reflect on what’s growing in your life — and what you’re ready to release. 🌤️

🌿 Move Your Body: Step outside for a walk, stretch in the sunshine, or flow through a few yoga poses. Feel your body wake up and soak in that spring energy.

🌸 Plan with Intention: Look ahead at your week with a sense of calm and possibility. Jot down your priorities, sprinkle in moments of joy, and make space for self-care.

💛 This Sunday, focus less on productivity and more on presence.
Let this fresh season remind you — growth doesn’t happen in a rush. It happens when you slow down, breathe, and let yourself bloom. 🌷

03/21/2026

Thinking Ahead Matters — Join One of Our Advance Care Planning Information Sessions

NSMHPCN invites you to learn more about planning for future health care decisions at our upcoming Advance Care Planning (ACP) Information Sessions!

📅 In-Person Session: Tuesday, April 14th
📍 NSMHPCN Office, 169 Front Street South, Orillia

📅 Virtual Session: Thursday, April 16th
📍Zoom

These free sessions will guide you through the essentials of making informed and meaningful decisions about your future care, including:
- Understanding the laws around health care consent in Ontario
- Learning who your Substitute Decision Makers (SDMs) are
- When and why to consider a Power of Attorney
- How to start ACP conversations with your SDM
- Ways to discuss your goals of care with loved ones and health providers

🗓️ Register today to save your spot!

👉 Tuesday, April 14th: https://bit.ly/APR14ACP
👉Thursday, April 16th: https://bit.ly/APR16ACP

03/20/2026

Myth vs Fact Friday: Epilepsy Edition 💜

Myth: SUDEP only happens to people who miss their epilepsy medication doses.

Fact: Did you know? Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) can affect anyone living with epilepsy—even those who never miss a dose and have well-controlled seizures. Canadian paediatric registries show 67% of child SUDEP cases occur under age 10, often despite management. It strikes about 1 in 1,000 adults yearly, with higher rates in young kids (0.26-0.43 per 100,000 live births/children).

By busting this myth, we reduce blame and stigma—knowledge saves hearts and prepares families. Your local hospice organization may provide support for such loss, if not they will be able to connect you with the most appropriate organization to assist.

For those in Orillia area, our Hospice Orillia program offers bereavement support for any sudden loss (no prior service needed), including epilepsy-related grief, perinatal/infant groups, and peer connections. Visit https://hospiceorillia.ca for more information.

For more information on Epilepsy, please visit https://www.epilepsy.ca/

03/19/2026

⏰ Upcoming Registration Deadlines ⏰

Don’t miss out! Registration deadlines for our upcoming palliative care courses are fast approaching. Whether you’re looking to deepen your knowledge or support your team, now is the time to secure your spot:

🔹 March 25th: Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care (FHPC) Winter 2026 Course
🔹 March 29th: Essential Pain Management (EPM) Spring 2026A Course
🔹 April 1st: Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care (FHPC) Spring 2026A Course

Visit https://nsmhpcn.ca/education or scan the QR code to register today!

Have questions? Reach out to Lori Gill, RPN, Education Specialist, at lori@nsmhpcn.ca or 705-325-0505 ext 221.

Empower yourself and your team to provide compassionate care—register now!

03/18/2026

Wednesday Wisdom 💙

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month—a powerful reminder that taking action today can protect your tomorrow.

Colorectal cancer is common, but early detection makes it highly preventable. Don’t wait for symptoms: start the conversation now. If you’re 45 or older, or have a family history, ask your doctor about screening options. A simple test could make all the difference.

Let’s look out for ourselves and each other. Encourage your loved ones to make their health a priority—sometimes the most caring thing you can do is help someone schedule that appointment.

Together, we can turn awareness into action and save lives.

03/17/2026

🌍 Celebrating World Social Work Day

Today we join social workers around the world in honouring the dedication, compassion, and courage that define this profession. This year’s theme inspires us to co-build hope and harmony—a reminder that positive change begins when we come together with empathy and shared purpose.

As IFSW President Joachim Mumba beautifully shared:

“Social workers are present in every corner of society, standing alongside communities as they navigate adversity. We walk with people as they rebuild bonds, restore trust and strengthen resilience. The call to co-build hope and harmony reminds us that no challenge is too great when we move forward together. This is the spirit of the People’s Charter for an Eco-Social World: an invitation to connect humanity through shared values, shared responsibility and shared hope. It urges us to work collectively for a world where dignity, participation, sustainability and peace form the foundation of our common future.”

On this day, we celebrate those who walk beside individuals and families through life’s most difficult moments—championing dignity, inclusion, and a better world for all. This includes our very own Stefanie and Sidney, both whom walk with the clients our Hospice Orillia program as they navigate some of life's difficult journeys. Thank you Stefanie and Sidney for all that you do!

A very special thank you goes to Martha Rothblum, whose creativity and commitment have beautifully shaped the visual identity of this year’s theme. Learn more: https://www.ifsw.org/social-work-action/world-social-work-day/world-social-work-day-2026/

💙

03/16/2026

Meet the Team Monday – Julie Leighton

We’re proud to introduce Julie, one of our dedicated Palliative Pain and Symptom Management Consultants (PPSMC) at NSMHPCN.

Julie’s journey through various fields of nursing led her to discover her true calling in hospice palliative care. She finds deep fulfillment in educating fellow health care professionals and supporting clients and families through their palliative journey. Julie’s compassion and commitment help improve quality of life for those facing serious illness.

Thank you, Julie, for your unwavering dedication and the positive impact you make across our region!

03/15/2026

As we Reset, Refocus, and Restart, try choosing one gentle practice to support your mind, body, and spirit:

✨ Reflect & Release: Notice what you’re carrying and allow yourself to gently set one thing down.
✨ Self-Care Rituals: Create a small daily practice that nourishes you, even if it’s just five quiet minutes.
✨ Connect with Nature: Step outside, feel the air on your skin, and let the season remind you to slow down.
✨ Set Seasonal Intentions: Choose a simple intention that fits this time of year and your current capacity.
✨ Gratitude Practice: Name one person, moment, or comfort you’re grateful for today.
✨ Gentle Goal-Setting: Instead of a long to‑do list, pick one kind, realistic goal for yourself this week.

You don’t have to do them all. Even one small, compassionate step is enough. 💜

Which gentle practice will you try today? Share in the comments and inspire others in our community.

03/14/2026

Ready to boost your palliative care skills and make a real impact? The NSMHPN Professional Palliative Education Portal is packed with practical lessons on dementia, cancer, symptom management, and more. Whether you’re new to the palliative care field or looking to refresh your knowledge, this portal is your go-to resource for supporting your team and patients.

Scan the QR code or head to https://nsmhpcn.ca/ppep-login/—let’s learn, grow, and care together!

03/13/2026

🌟 Myth vs. Fact Friday: Delirium Edition for Healthcare Providers 🌟

MYTH: Delirium = Dementia

FACT: Delirium is a common, acute, and serious condition in older adults, often presenting as a sudden disturbance in cognition and attention. Unlike dementia, which is chronic and progressive memory loss, delirium is reversible and requires prompt recognition. Patients with dementia are at higher risk for delirium, making early identification and intervention essential for improved outcomes.

Healthcare professionals play a critical role in differentiating delirium from dementia and ensuring timely care. Access screening tools and educational resources below:

🔗 Delirium in Adults with Cancer: https://nsmhpcn.ca/resources/virtual-resource-package/ #:~:text=Delirium%20in%20Adults%20with%20Cancer
🔗 Delirium Screening Tool (CAM): https://nsmhpcn.ca/resources/virtual-resource-package/ #:~:text=Delirium%20Screening%20Tool%3A%20Confusion%20Assessment%20Method%20(CAM)
🔗 Delirium Education Video: https://youtu.be/Gt91nOJqZRc

Let’s work together to support our patients with clarity and compassion. 💙

03/12/2026

Are you a healthcare provider looking to better support yourself and others through grief and loss? Join our free, interactive Grief & Bereavement: An Introductory Course, offered virtually by North Simcoe Muskoka Hospice Palliative Care Network.

Explore contemporary grief theory, learn practical skills, and discover how to hold space for those who are grieving. Whether you’re a friend, family member, peer, or healthcare provider, this course is designed to empower you with knowledge and compassion.

Upcoming sessions:
🗓️ June 18, 2026 (Register by June 3)
🗓️ September 15, 2026 (Register by August 31)
⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
💻 Free & virtual

Scan the QR code or visit https://nsmhpcn.ca/education/grief-bereavement to learn more and register!

Together, we can make a difference in our community.

Address

169 Front Street S
Orillia, ON
L3V4S8

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Website

http://www.nsmhpcn.ca/

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