I love to think of grief as a normal, healthy, whole person response by which we adapt to life without the person/loved one, physically present. Years ago, Freud taught that grief should have an end, and that end included, a severed connection with the deceased. I’m grateful we have moved from this perspective!  And then, […] The post Continuing Bonds: Journey Through Grief appeared first on Life and Death Matters ..read more

When I was asked to write this blog post, I didn’t know much about the term ‘grief literacy’! I was given a few research article, but other than that, I hadn’t really come across it that often. After I did a bunch of reading, I have a much better grasp on the subject. I will […] The post Grief Literacy – What is it? appeared first on Life and Death Matters ..read more

Written by Courtney Murrell This June marks 16 years since I finished the PSW College certificate program, and I can still picture the night that the RN instructor shared with us, what has been the most important career advice I have ever received. It was nearing 21:00, we were a classroom of exhausted women that […] The post The best career advice she had ever received, and then she gave it to us appeared first on Life and Death Matters ..read more

Last week was Nurses Week and Hospice Palliative Care Week. It was the week that the Canadian Palliative Care Nursing Association presented their award at the annual guest lecture open to everyone.  And this was the week that I was asked to present the CPCNA Leadership Award to Terry Downing. Together with colleagues several nurses, physicians, health […] The post Congratulations Terry Downing on receiving the 2024 CPCNA Leadership Award! appeared first on Life and Death Matters ..read more

This is the week that Ontario celebrates PSWs! Anyone who knows me knows that I value, respect, and stand in awe of Personal Support Workers and their role as essential members of the health care team.  There is no where that this is more obvious than in hospice and palliative care!  I love the stories […] The post Congratulations to Michelle McInnes on receiving the Frances Montgomery HPC PSW Award!! appeared first on Life and Death Matters ..read more

Written by Mahoganie Hines Have you ever had a challenging patient, or perhaps even a family member who you could not seem to see eye to eye with? Have you ever had to implement a policy you did not agree with or felt that it wasn’t true to what you felt you should be doing? […] The post Navigating the Grey Liminal Spaces appeared first on Life and Death Matters ..read more

About Me My Idea An idea has been percolating in my head for a year or so now – to host an Advance Care Planning (ACP) Day, where I invite my family, friends, and local community to work on creating their own Advance Care Plan. “Why?” I hear you ask. “You’re so young!” That is […] The post My Journey to Making an ACP Day Event appeared first on Life and Death Matters ..read more

In the quiet moments between life and death, I’ve witnessed the raw essence of humanity. It’s not just about symptom management and care planning; it’s about holding space for souls who have lived experience with trauma, substance use disorders, and homelessness—the marginalized, the racialized, the invisible. It is meeting them where they are at and […] The post Dying on the Street – Reflections of a Street Nurse, written by Shelley Tysick appeared first on Life and Death Matters ..read more

Written in collaboration with Misha Butot It seems that all of us, young and old, will at times feel confused, upset, and filled with uncertainty when faced with a life-limiting illness or facing death. At those times it can be especially helpful to have someone with us who is able to listen to us and […] The post Learning ways to calm distress can change your life! appeared first on Life and Death Matters ..read more

Written by Kath Murray and Misha Butot. As part of Valentine’s Day this year, we are considering the role of love in your professional practice. We invite you to reflect on what might be considered a “loving” way, a “compassionate” way, of engaging in providing holistic health and psychosocial care through the life trajectory and […] The post Incorporating Love In Professional Practice appeared first on Life and Death Matters ..read more