Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care

08/10/2026

It Takes a Team!

When someone is receiving palliative or hospice care, there can be many people working quietly behind the scenes and at the bedside.
Doctors.
Nurses.
PSWs.
Hospice staff.
Hospice volunteers.
Ontario Health atHome.
Grief and bereavement support.
Caregiver support.
Social workers.
Pharmacists.
Spiritual care.
Community services.
And, of course, family and chosen family.
Each person has a different role, but the goal is shared: to support the person and the people who love them.
Good hospice palliative care is about working together.
It is noticing where there may be a gap and figuring out who can help fill it. It is sharing information, communicating with one another and making sure the person's wishes, needs and goals of care remain at the centre.
Sometimes the need is medical.
Sometimes it is help with personal care.
Sometimes a caregiver desperately needs a break.
Sometimes someone needs a volunteer to sit beside them so they are not alone.
Sometimes a family needs help understanding what is happening.
Sometimes another service or community partner needs to be brought in.
And sometimes the support that is needed comes after the death, when the people left behind are learning how to live with their grief.
No one person or organization can do all of that.
That is why the team matters.
Different people. Different roles. Different organizations. One shared purpose: making sure you and your family feel supported, your goals of care are respected, and as few gaps as possible are left unfilled.

That is hospice palliative care.

08/08/2026

You might not need this retreat. But someone you know might. ❤️

This October, Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care is offering two grief retreats for people who have experienced the death of a spouse or partner.
Our Men’s Day Grief Retreat will take place October 15, and our Widowed Women Grief Retreat will take place October 16 to 18, both at Stevenson’s Lodge in Combermere.
These retreats are about grief, but they are also about connection.
There is something powerful about sitting with people who understand what it means when so much of life has changed. Sharing stories. Saying your person's name. Talking about the things you miss, the things that are hard, and even the things that make you laugh.
Last year, we saw just how powerful those connections can be. People arrived not knowing one another and left having shared something incredibly meaningful.
As a small, non profit rural hospice, we depend on our community to help us spread the word about programs like these.
So we're asking you to share this post.
Share it with a friend. Send it privately to someone who has lost their spouse. Share it with a colleague, family member, health care provider, funeral home, church or community organization.
You never know whose screen it might land on at exactly the right time.
Our retreats are open to anyone in Ontario who has experienced the death of a spouse or partner. You do not need to have received services from our hospice before.
Please help us reach the people who might need to know this exists. ❤️
Retreat details and registration information are on the posters below.

08/07/2026

Grief can be one of life's most overwhelming experiences. While everyone expects the sadness that comes with the death of someone important, many are surprised by the countless other losses that follow.

Join Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care for an honest and compassionate presentation exploring why grief can feel so heavy. Together, we'll look at the many "secondary losses" that often accompany the death of a loved one, why there is no right or wrong way to grieve, and practical strategies that can help you cope day to day.

Whether you are grieving the death of someone you love, supporting a grieving person, or simply wanting to better understand grief, this presentation offers education, reflection, and hope. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of grief and simple, realistic tools that can help make tomorrow feel just a little more manageable.

PRESENTATION DATE: Monday, September 14, 2026
TIME: 1:30 - 3:30 pm
LOCATION: Killaloe and District Public Library, 1 John St., Killaloe

To register, email [email protected] or call us at 613-757-3108 .

08/06/2026

Top 5 Reasons to Give a Grief Support Group a Try

Grief is deeply personal, but you don't have to navigate it alone. If you've been wondering whether a support group is right for you, here are five reasons to consider taking that first step.

1. You'll realize you're not alone.
One of the most healing moments is discovering that others understand the thoughts, feelings, and challenges you've been carrying. There is comfort in being with people who simply "get it."

2. Your grief is welcome here.
There is no right way to grieve. Whether you cry, laugh, sit quietly, or simply listen, you are welcome exactly as you are. There is never any pressure to share before you're ready.

3. You'll learn practical ways to cope.
Grief can affect every part of life. Together, we'll explore common grief experiences, helpful coping strategies, and ways to move through difficult days while continuing to honour your person.

4. You'll have a safe place to tell your story.
The people we love deserve to be remembered. Our group offers a confidential, compassionate space where you can speak their name, share memories, and know your story will be heard without judgement.

5. Taking the first step is often the hardest part.
Many participants tell us they were nervous before attending their first session. They also tell us they are so glad they came. Sometimes healing begins simply by walking through the door.

Our next six-week Grief Support Group begins September 8 in Eganville. If you're wondering whether it's the right fit for you, give us a call. We'd be happy to answer your questions and help you decide if the group feels like the right next step.

You don't have to carry it alone.

08/05/2026

There are some days that remind you just how much love exists in a community.

Our Annual Butterfly Release Memorial was one of those days.

To everyone who joined us, whether you released a butterfly, spoke the name of someone you love, shared a hug, shed a few tears, or simply stood quietly alongside others, thank you.

Grief can feel incredibly lonely, but for one afternoon we were reminded that none of us carries it alone.

As these photos show, this day wasn't just about butterflies. It was about remembering. Honouring. Connecting. Sharing stories. Saying names out loud. And carrying love forward together.

Thank you to our incredible volunteers, sponsors, musicians, and everyone who helped make this beautiful afternoon possible. Most of all, thank you to the families who trusted us to hold space for your loved ones' memories.

We hope these photos help you relive a special afternoon and remind you that your person is, and always will be, remembered.

08/05/2026

There are some days that remind you just how much love exists in a community.

Our Annual Butterfly Release Memorial was one of those days.

To everyone who joined us, whether you released a butterfly, spoke the name of someone you love, shared a hug, shed a few tears, or simply stood quietly alongside others, thank you.

Grief can feel incredibly lonely, but for one afternoon we were reminded that none of us carries it alone.

As these photos show, this day wasn't just about butterflies. It was about remembering. Honouring. Connecting. Sharing stories. Saying names out loud. And carrying love forward together.

Thank you to our incredible volunteers, sponsors, musicians, and everyone who helped make this beautiful afternoon possible. Most of all, thank you to the families who trusted us to hold space for your loved ones' memories.

We hope these photos help you relive a special afternoon and remind you that your person is, and always will be, remembered.

Special thank you to Melissa Will for volunteering your time to capture these beautiful photos.

08/04/2026

📅 Save the date and please share this post!

If you're caring for a loved one, we invite you to take a well-deserved pause and join us for our next Hearts & Mugs Caregiver Support Gathering.
Whether you're caring for a spouse, parent, child, family member, or friend, if you're an unpaid caregiver, this group is for you.
Come enjoy a cup of coffee, connect with others who understand the caregiving journey, and take a little time to refill your own cup. You don't have to do this alone.
A heartfelt thank you to The Valley Manor for once again opening their doors and providing such a welcoming space for our caregivers to gather.
We hope you'll join us. ❤️
Please RSVP by calling 613-756-3045 ext. 350.

08/04/2026

Did You Know?

Research shows that people who receive palliative care earlier often experience better symptom management, improved quality of life, and greater satisfaction with their care.
You don't have to wait until "things get worse" to ask about palliative care.

07/31/2026

A huge thank you to our incredible volunteers Lorie, John, Annie, and Nancy, along with our summer student Miley, for spending the morning tackling our Community Medical Equipment Loan Cupboard.
Together they rolled up their sleeves to organize equipment, complete inventory, perform additional safety checks, and make sure everything is clean, accessible, and ready for the next person who needs it.
Behind every walker, wheelchair, commode, and bath seat is someone navigating a difficult season of life. Taking the time to keep our loan cupboard organized means families can access equipment quickly, safely, and with confidence when they need it most.
We are so grateful for your hard work, teamwork, and willingness to jump in wherever you're needed. It's another great example of volunteers making a meaningful difference in our community.
Thank you, Lorie, John, Annie, Nancy, and Miley!You helped ensure this valuable community resource is ready to support the next family who walks through our doors. 💙

07/31/2026

When a friend dies, grief can feel invisible.
When someone dies, our attention naturally turns to their spouse, children, parents, and family. They deserve every bit of that support.
But friends grieve too.
The loss cuts deep.
A friend is often someone who has walked beside you through life's biggest moments. They know your history, your humour, your struggles, and your dreams. They are part of your everyday life, and when they're gone, the space they leave behind can be enormous.
Yet the grief of a friend is often overlooked. There are no formal roles to fill and sometimes little acknowledgement of just how significant that relationship was. The world moves on, while you're left trying to make sense of a loss that mattered deeply.
If you've lost a friend, please know that your grief is real, and it deserves to be acknowledged.
The Canadian Virtual Hospice has a thoughtful, free online resource called "When Your Friend Has Died." If you or someone you know is grieving the death of a friend, it's well worth exploring.
Because grief isn't measured by a family title. It's measured by love, connection, and the place someone held in your life.

It's International . The death of a friend is often painful and difficult to live with. We all feel and express our in different ways. This free module from MyGrief.ca can help https://buff.ly/3YnNjnu