North Simcoe Muskoka Hospice Palliative Care Network

08/30/2026

🕊️ Today is National Grief Awareness Day 🕊️

Grief is a natural and deeply personal response to loss. It isn’t a straight line — it’s a journey filled with ups and downs, twists and turns. There is no “right” way to grieve, and everyone’s experience looks different.

On this National Grief Awareness Day, we encourage you to take a moment to reflect, remember, and honour your own grief journey or the journey of someone you love. 💜

📞 To learn more about grief support programs available in your area, visit: https://211ontario.ca/search/

#211

08/28/2026

Myth vs. Fact Friday: Overdose Awareness

🚫 Myth: “Overdose only happens to people who use drugs regularly.”

✅ Fact: Overdose can happen to anyone—on a first use, after a break, or when substances are mixed. It affects people using illicit drugs, prescription medications, over-the-counter products, or alcohol. Mixing opioids with other depressants (like benzodiazepines, sleep aids, or alcohol) greatly increases the risk of slowed or stopped breathing—even medications taken as prescribed can become dangerous when combined or taken in higher doses. Tolerance changes, unpredictable drug supply (including fentanyl contamination), and drug interactions mean overdose is not limited to “regular” or “street” drug use.

🕯️ International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31. Join us in remembering those lost, supporting families, and breaking the stigma. Everyone can help: carry naloxone, learn the signs of overdose, and reach out for support without fear or judgment. Remember, accidental overdose can happen to anyone!

Together, we can save lives and bring hope to our community. 💜

08/27/2026

Get ready—Hot Rods for Hospice is almost here! 🚗💨

Join us for an action-packed day of classic cars, tasty BBQ, and a chance to win big in our 50/50 raffle (up to $5,000!). All proceeds support Hospice Orillia’s compassionate care in our community.

Event Details:
🗓️ Saturday, September 12
📍 ODAS Park, Severn (Directions: https://ow.ly/xC7V50ZG3tj)
🚙 Car check-in: 7:30–9 a.m.
🏁 Car show: 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
🎟️ 50/50 draw: 2:30 p.m.

Don’t miss our charity BBQ—thanks to Friends Diner, Orillia Bakery & Deli, Jason’s No Frills and Complete Rent-Alls (Orillia)!

Pre-register now for your exclusive swag bag: https://hospiceorillia.ca/carshow or call (705) 325-0505 ext. 207.

Bring your family, invite your friends, and let’s make a difference together!

08/26/2026

Wednesday Wisdom – Parasocial Grief Edition

Have you ever felt a deep sadness after hearing about the passing of a celebrity or public figure you admired? That’s called parasocial grief—a real and valid emotional response to losing someone you only knew through a screen, song, or story.

You’re not alone. The recent loss of Dolly Parton may have left you feeling shocked, heartbroken, or even struggling to sleep. These feelings are normal and deserve to be acknowledged.

Here are some gentle ways to cope with parasocial grief:
🌱 Allow yourself to feel—your emotions are valid.
🤝 Connect with others—share memories and talk with fellow fans or friends.
🎶 Celebrate their legacy—listen to their music, watch their films, or revisit your favourite moments.

Remember: Grief is a reflection of love and connection, even if that connection was one-sided. Be kind to yourself as you navigate these feelings.

08/25/2026

🚀 Advance Your Palliative Care Skills This Fall!

Ready to make a difference in your practice or volunteer role? Don’t miss your chance to join our Fall 2026 cohorts for two transformative programs:

🧭 CAPCE: Comprehensive Advanced Palliative Care Education
Deepen your expertise with a robust, interprofessional curriculum designed for those committed to excellence in palliative care.

🗓️ Fall 2026 Cohort
- Registration Deadline: August 31, 2026
- Program Dates: Sept. 15, 2026 – Jan. 12, 2027
- Required Sessions: See schedule at https://nsmhpcn.ca/capce

💊 EPM: Essential Pain Management
Empower yourself to confidently assess and manage pain in diverse care settings. Perfect for frontline providers, volunteers, and anyone supporting individuals with serious illness.

🗓️ Fall 2026 Cohort
- Registration Deadline: August 30, 2026 ⏰ Hurry—spots are filling fast!
- Course Dates: Sept. 14 – Nov. 9, 2026
- Live Coaching Sessions: See schedule at https://nsmhpcn.ca/epm

✨ Why Register?
- Boost your palliative and pain management skills
- Earn valuable continuing education credits
- Connect with a supportive, interprofessional community
- Apply your learning immediately to your work

🔗 Secure Your Spot Today!
Spaces are limited—register now at https://nsmhpcn.ca/epm or https://nsmhpcn.ca/capce.

Questions? Contact Lori Gill, RPN, Education Specialist:
📞 705-325-0505 ext 221
✉️ [email protected]

Let’s grow together and make a lasting impact in our community!

08/24/2026

Important Reminder: 𝙒𝙚’𝙧𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙀𝙣𝙫𝙤𝙠𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨

We’re pleased to share that we’re making an important update to the way we deliver our newsletters. Beginning in September, our email communications will be sent through Envoke, a Canadian-owned and operated email communications platform.

This change reflects our ongoing commitment to protecting your privacy and ensuring our communications are managed through a trusted platform that meets Canadian privacy standards. With servers located in Canada, Envoke helps ensure your information remains secure and is handled responsibly.

Envoke is trusted by a wide range of Canadian organizations, including municipalities, universities, healthcare organizations, associations, and public sector organizations. Organizations using Envoke include McGill University, Cape Breton University, University of Winnipeg, District of West Vancouver, Federation for Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Speech and Hearing Health of BC, United Way Winnipeg, and many more.

In addition to enhanced privacy and security, our new newsletter platform introduces several new features designed to improve your experience:

Updated communication preferences: You’ll be able to choose which newsletters and updates you’d like to receive, ensuring your inbox contains the information that matters most to you.

Newsletter Anchor Points: Our newsletters will include anchor links, allowing you to quickly jump to the sections that interest you most for faster, easier navigation.

You may notice some small changes to the appearance and delivery of our newsletters as we transition to this new system, but our commitment to keeping you informed about our programs, events, and community remains the same.

To ensure you continue receiving our newsletters, please add our email address ([email protected]) to your safe senders list or approved contacts to help prevent messages from being directed to your junk or spam folder.

Thank you for staying connected with us. We appreciate the opportunity to share our work and updates with you.

If you are not yet registered, please visit https://nsmhpcn.ca/newsletter to sign up today!

08/22/2026

🚗💙 Meet the Title Sponsors Making Hot Rods for Hospice Possible! 💙🚗

Hospice Orillia is thrilled to announce the Title Sponsors for our inaugural Hot Rods for Hospice classic car show:
• Ideal Supply Inc.
• Parry Automotive
• NAPA Auto Parts

Thanks to their generous support, we’re ready to bring our community together for a day of incredible classic cars, family fun, and heartfelt purpose — all in support of compassionate hospice care and grief support for individuals and families in Orillia and area.

Because of partners like you, Hospice Orillia can continue to provide essential services at no cost to those who need them most. Thank you, Ideal Supply, Parry Automotive, and NAPA Auto Parts, for revving up for a great cause! 🛠️❤️

For more information, and to register your ride, please visit https://hospiceorillia.ca/carshow

08/21/2026

Our friends at Hospice Muskoka are seeking their next Executive Director.
This is a meaningful opportunity for a compassionate, collaborative leader who is passionate about hospice palliative care and supporting individuals and families throughout their care journey.

If you are committed to hospice palliative care, strong relationships, and making a lasting difference in the lives of others, we encourage you to learn more and apply.

Please see the posting below for full details.

Hospice Muskoka is seeking an Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter.

This is an exciting opportunity to build on a strong organizational foundation, lead a dedicated and passionate team, strengthen strategic partnerships, and help advance innovative, high-quality hospice and palliative care services for the communities of South and West Muskoka.

Interested in making a meaningful difference? View the full job description and organization brief at https://www.hospicemuskoka.com/careers

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to our recruitment partner, Catharine Vickery - Sutherland HR, at [email protected].

08/20/2026

Professional Palliative Education Portal

Build knowledge. Strengthen confidence. Support better palliative care.

The North Simcoe Muskoka Hospice Palliative Care Network’s Professional Palliative Education Portal (PPEP) offers free, accessible learning for healthcare professionals and care teams.

Explore practical, evidence-informed modules on topics including:
• A palliative approach to care.
• Advance care planning.
• Pain assessment.
• Palliative care emergencies.
• COPD and managing dyspnea.
• Congestive heart failure.
• Chronic renal failure.
• Breast cancer.
• Grief and bereavement.
• And more.

Whether you are expanding your knowledge or looking for practical guidance to support patients and families, PPEP provides tools you can apply in everyday care.

Scan the QR code or visit nsmhpcn.ca/ppep-login/ to get started.

08/18/2026

Ready to serve up some fun for a great cause? 🏓💛

Join us for Hospice Orillia’s Pickleball Tournament on October 18th at 11 Sports & Social Club!

Whether you’re a novice or an intermediate player, this is your chance to rally with friends, meet new faces, and make a real difference in our community. Every swing supports compassionate care for those facing life-limiting illness.

Spots are limited—don’t miss out! Register now at hospiceorillia.ca/pickleball and help us bring hope and support to local families.