Big changes are happening at the Alzheimer Society of PEI. Recently, the organization welcomed their new Chief Executive Officer, Jaime Constable. Constable has extensive experience in the non-profit sector, including in the delivery of programs and services to support persons affected by dementia, the development of strategic partnerships, and inter-sectoral initiatives to improve the system of care.
Enhancing services and support in the rural areas of PEI has been Constable’s top priority since coming on board. Thanks to funding from the Department of Health and Wellness, three new positions are being filled across the Island to improve access to information, resources, education, and support services for persons and families affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia.
“I am happy to announce we have two new Support Services Coordinators based in O’Leary and Summerside who will be helping families across West and East Prince,” says Constable. The Kings County Support Services Coordinator will be based in Montague. “We also have a Dementia Care Educator who will travel across PEI to provide specialized training to front-line care providers in settings like long-term care and community care.”
With over 2700 Islanders living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, there is a need for these support services Island-wide. The new roles will ensure people affected by dementia have timely access to information, support services, learning opportunities, and special programs to help them throughout the continuum of the disease, closer to home. Families will have better access to in-person services without being required to travel to Charlottetown.
“We are pleased to be supporting the expansion of Alzheimer Society services, in particular to the rural areas. We want to ensure all Islanders affected by dementia get the help they need.” said Hon. Minister Ernie Hudson, Department of Health and Wellness. “We are looking forward to working with Jaime, the new CEO, through this expansion of services and education for health care providers across the province.”
Constable’s other priorities for PEI include working with health and community care providers to increase early referral to services, which can lead to better outcomes for families. “One of the most common things people have said to me when they have connected with the Alzheimer Society is ‘I wish I knew about you sooner“, says Constable, “We want Islanders to know we are a safe place for their questions if they are concerned about memory loss, or have received a diagnosis.”
“We’re thrilled to be working alongside Jaime and are excited for the future of the Alzheimer Society and the community members it serves,” says ASPEI Board President Nelson Hagerman.
SPEI Staff at the Alzheimer Society in Charlottetown. In the photo from left to right: Laura Mac William, Programs and Services Manager; Jaclyn Gallant, Support Services Coordinator, O’Leary; Shelley King, Dementia Care Educator, Summerside; Kristen Sherman, Fund Development and Communications Coordinator; Jaime Constable, CEO