How Can You Join the Conversation?
Lived Experience Network - South East Ontario Advisory Zoom Chats
You're invited to join us for an Advisory Lived Experience Zoom Chat! These chats offer a meaningful way for health care system leaders—those who plan, assess, and provide services to people living with dementia or similar diagnoses in South East Ontario—to hear directly from people with lived experience (past or present). The goal is to improve the system of care. Our Lived Experience Facilitator, Sharon Osvald, will guide these conversations via Zoom. If you haven’t already signed up for our e-newsletter, you can do so by clicking
here.
Thank You!
A big thank you to all the participants who shared their insights in our advisory Lived Experience Network conversations - both in our Zoom meetings and through your emails and phone calls.
Be sure to read our Winter Lived Experience Perspectives e-newsletter for the most recent info. It is also available on our “
Lived Experience Perspectives” page.
February 2026 Advisory Conversation Topic: Barriers to Participation
February’s Lived Experience conversation topic is brought to us by Gary Buffett, Active Living Program Coordinator with The Prince Edward County Community Care Association for Seniors. Gary and other community partners have shared that despite their members expressing interest in different programs, activities, education and events, they often find themselves unable to participate. Come prepared to share some of the barriers you face/have faced that have kept you from participating – both from the perspective of the person living with dementia (or similar diagnosis) and family/friend care partner.
Choose the Meeting Date that Works for You:
Advisory Zoom Meeting Dates
Date: Monday, February 9, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
OR
Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Zoom Link and Info:
*Attention: This is a brand-new Zoom link for 2026. Be sure to use this link and delete all former links.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9467547418?omn=87094436359
Meeting ID: Meeting ID: 946 754 7418
Prefer to call in? Dial:
If you experience any technical issues, email Kim at schrybuk@providencecare.ca or call 613-285-4802.
If you wish to contribute, but cannot attend the Zoom meetings, email your responses and observations to Lived Experience Facilitator, Sharon Osvald at sosvald@alzking.com
Looking Ahead
The Lived Experience Network will host six Zoom conversations a year—in February, April, May, September, October, and November. Each topic will be discussed in both an afternoon and an evening session.
Feedback from these conversations will be compiled into a quarterly report called “Lived Experience Perspectives and shared confidentially with LEN participants and health care/community support professionals to support planning, service delivery, and system evaluation."
Please let us know if you’re planning to attend and which date works best for you. While registration isn’t required, it helps us provide better support and prepare a meeting agenda.
Zoom Chat Guidelines
Please read before joining:
We understand that not all stories are easy—but this space is not just for complaints. The Lived Experience Network is not an ombudsman. It’s a safe, respectful place to share your story through the lens of hope—with the goal of helping others by improving the system.
Please do NOT share:
- Full names of individuals you support
- Real names of medical or support staff, volunteers, hospitals, long-term care homes, or organizations
- Any personal health information (yours or others)
Swearing, name-calling, aggressive language, or assigning blame are not permitted. Participants will be warned and may be removed from the call if these guidelines are not followed.
We encourage you to use this space to share your insights, ideas for change, and moments when you witnessed good care in action. Our hope is that you feel supported, heard, and inspired.
Want to Share Your Lived Experience?
Come to our next Zoom Chat or contact Sharon Osvald:
📧
sosvald@alzking.com
📞 (343) 645-6240
You can also email Sharon to register and receive the Zoom link and agenda.