Life and Death Matters

Life and Death Matters Healthcare education and resources for educators, caregivers and nurses. Supporting excellence in en

Developers of engaging, interactive, creative hospice, palliative and end-of-life care educational resources for practical nurses and personal support workers/nursing assistants. We have a particular interest in assisting practical nurses, health care workers and family caregivers and have assembled a family of educational resources for these students:

"Essentials in Hospice and Palliative Care:

A Practical Resource for Every Nurse" is tailored specifically to practical nurses learning to provide care for the dying. In Canada, we have a text "Integrating a Palliative Approach: Essentials for Personal Support Workers"
For nursing assistants and their counterparts in the USA, we have "Integrating a Palliative Approach: Essentials for Nursing Assistants"

We strive to make learning interesting and teaching easier. Which is why we developed companion workbooks, free podcasts and free videos for students, and a free Instructor's Guide to help integrate this content into core curriculum. And of course, we will come to you with face to face presentations and workshops... let's talk.

A message from Maria Panzera Rugg Honouring National Indigenous History MonthAs a member of the LDM community of practic...
06/18/2026

A message from Maria Panzera Rugg Honouring National Indigenous History Month

As a member of the LDM community of practice, I am holding deep gratitude for the honour of sharing knowledge whilst speaking at a palliative symposium, "AANJI-AAKING GIKENDAASOWIN - Changing of World Knowledge", an honour that carries teachings, beauty, and responsibility.

As a first‑generation settler, I am reflecting on the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg, including the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, whose lands and waters continue to sustain me in the community where I have the honour of growing my family. National Indigenous History Month is a time to name truths, honour resilience, and recommit ourselves to learning, reciprocity, and culturally safer care.

In palliative care, we know that healing begins with relationships, truth‑telling, and showing up with humility. The teachings shared by Indigenous Nations about circle, kinship, ceremony, and collective care continue to guide my heart and my work.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn, to listen, and to keep doing my part.

🧡

06/17/2026

HPCO 2026 — Conference Highlights

What an inspiring week at the 2026 Hospice Palliative Care Ontario Conference.

It opened with Jared Rubenstein, who reminded us to take our message directly to the community, embrace , and proudly claim our identity as palliative care. The opening ceremony continued with a powerful teaching from Miskwaa Animkii Bnesii, Knowledge Keeper from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, grounding us in our responsibility as “carers.”

Day two brought deep reflection with Dr. Phillip Larkin, who spoke about compassionate communities and the need for self‑compassion: “Listen for the voice of fragile silence.”

A major highlight was celebrating Shelly Guy, winner of the LDM Frances Montgomery PSW Award, whose intuition, kindness, and whole‑person approach to care touched everyone. Shelly and her husband joined us at the Masquerade Gala, where we captured joyful moments including Shelly dancing with Naomi, and Tiara with HPCO President & CEO Rick Firth.

On the last day Michelle Stillar a nursing student from West Parry Sound Hospice was the winner of our Advanced Care Planning Cookies in HPCO's conference prize giveaways, and we wrapped up with a team photo.

💛 What a week. What a community.

🌿 Honouring Indigenous Knowledges in Palliative CareWe are grateful to share a new blog by our webinar guest speaker, Dr...
06/17/2026

🌿 Honouring Indigenous Knowledges in Palliative Care
We are grateful to share a new blog by our webinar guest speaker, Dr. Holly Prince, Anishinaabekwe scholar and long‑time leader in Indigenous palliative care.

In 'Creating Spaces and Places to Honour Indigenous Knowledges in Palliative Care', Holly reflects on how caregiving, dying, and death are understood within Indigenous communities, and why cultural safety and cultural humility are essential in every care setting.

She reminds us that dying is a spiritual journey, supported by family, community, land, and ceremony. For PSWs, nurses, educators, and carers, her message is clear: honour Indigenous ways of knowing, listen with humility, and create spaces where people feel safe, respected, and empowered.

🧡 Miigwetch (thank you), Holly, for guiding us toward care rooted in dignity, community, and respect.

Link in comments.

06/16/2026

Tiara Sisson in Conversation with Award‑Winner Shelly Guy

After receiving the Life and Death Matters Frances Montgomery Personal Support Worker Hospice Palliative Care Scholarship Award at the HPCO Annual Conference, Shelly Guy had a heartfelt conversation with our President Tiara Sisson about the award and her work as a PSW.

One week to go until our free webinar, There Is Medicine in Diversity, featuring Dr Holly Prince, Anishinaabekwe educato...
06/16/2026

One week to go until our free webinar, There Is Medicine in Diversity, featuring Dr Holly Prince, Anishinaabekwe educator and leader in Indigenous palliative care.

Holly brings years of experience supporting Indigenous communities and helping care teams understand how history, identity, and connection to land shape care experiences.

We will explore:
✨ How Indigenous knowledges can guide meaningful palliative care
✨ How to create spaces that honour identity and community
✨ How history influences trust and comfort today
✨ Practical ways PSWs and care teams can strengthen cultural safety

We hope you will join us for this important learning opportunity.

🧡 Register: https://f.mtr.cool/jkirdjcilu

Celebrating Excellence in Hospice Palliative Care: Congratulations to Shelly GuyYesterday, at the HPCO Annual Conference...
06/16/2026

Celebrating Excellence in Hospice Palliative Care: Congratulations to Shelly Guy

Yesterday, at the HPCO Annual Conference, a gathering dedicated to honouring compassion, skill and leadership in hospice palliative care, the Life and Death Matters Frances Montgomery Personal Support Worker Hospice Palliative Care Scholarship Award was presented by our President, Tiara Sisson, to an extraordinary PSW: Shelly Guy.

Shelly’s nomination speaks to a caregiver whose intuition, presence and judgement elevate every moment of care. She anticipates everything before it happens, gently guiding other caregivers and ensuring her client’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are met with deep respect and understanding.

She knows when a wheelchair transfer will bring comfort and when it will cause distress. She communicates clearly, kindly and confidently.

Her nominator shared:
“For Shelly, providing palliative care is far more than a job, it’s a vocation. I can't thank Shelly enough for how she has enriched my mother's last years and final months.

Shelly embodies the very heart of hospice palliative care: dignity, compassion, advocacy and unwavering presence. This award recognises not only her exceptional skill, but the profound impact she has on the lives of the people and families she supports.

Please join us in celebrating Shelly, a shining example of what person‑centred PSW care truly looks like. 💛

The Life and Death Matters team is heading to the HPCO Annual Conference, and we cannot wait to see you there.If you are...
06/12/2026

The Life and Death Matters team is heading to the HPCO Annual Conference, and we cannot wait to see you there.

If you are attending, come visit us at Booth 35. We will be sharing our resources for PSWs, nurses, educators, and care teams, and we would love to connect, answer questions, and hear what supports you in your work.

And, we are bringing FREE Care Planning Cookies. These thoughtful cookies are a gentle way to spark meaningful conversations about advance care planning, and they always bring a smile.

🧡 Come say hello, meet the team, and take home your cookie.

🌼 Missed Our Recent Webinar? The Recording Is Now AvailableIf you were not able to join us for Palliative Care Everywher...
06/10/2026

🌼 Missed Our Recent Webinar? The Recording Is Now Available
If you were not able to join us for Palliative Care Everywhere: Caring for the Grief of Those Who Care, the full recording is now available to watch.

This session brought together grief scholars Dr. Mary Ellen Macdonald and Dr. Susan Cadell to explore the often unseen grief carried by nurses, PSWs, and palliative care professionals. The conversation looked at cumulative loss, relational grief, and why grief literacy is essential for healthy, compassionate workplaces.

Participants also learned practical, team‑based approaches to supporting one another and building more grief‑literate care environments.

🧡 Watch the recording anytime: Link in comments

🌈 Honouring Pride Month in Palliative CareJune marks Pride Month, a time to celebrate the strength, joy, and contributio...
06/10/2026

🌈 Honouring Pride Month in Palliative Care

June marks Pride Month, a time to celebrate the strength, joy, and contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Across Canada, Pride continues throughout the summer, creating space for visibility, connection, and community care.

For those of us working in palliative and end of life care, Pride is also a reminder of the importance of creating care environments where every person feels safe, affirmed, and fully seen. Many older 2SLGBTQIA+ adults have lived through discrimination and exclusion. These experiences can shape how they access care, how they trust care providers, and what safety means to them.

Pride Month also honours the PSWs, nurses, educators, and carers who are themselves part of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Your presence, your leadership, and your lived experience enrich the circle of care. You help create spaces where dignity, identity, and belonging are upheld for everyone.

Palliative care is relational work. It is heart work. It is identity‑affirming work.

And during Pride Month and throughout the summer, we honour the people and communities who remind us that care must always include safety, respect, and belonging.

06/09/2026

What an exciting time at the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing biennial conference - One Voice For Nursing Education.

A chance for Life and Death Matters to connect with colleagues Janet Montague, President of the Registered Nurses Foundation of Ontario (RNFOO) and hear about new exciting opportunities for learning and growth from faculty and students alike.

We are heartened by the strength of this voice for nursing education in Canada and LDM applauds the ongoing efforts for palliative care education and its values and mission across the country of anti-racism, inclusivity and equitable care and education.

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