Join us on October 22nd at Stoco Lake Lodge in Tweed, Ontario for the fourth annual Rural Hospice Day. Co-hosted by Heart of Hastings Hospice in Madoc, this year’s event explores how personal stories can shape grief support, enhance caregiving, and strengthen community resilience in small and rural communities.

Through engaging keynotes, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops, attendees will gain practical tools, fresh perspectives, and renewed energy to support those facing serious illness, loss, and caregiving challenges. Whether you're a healthcare provider, volunteer, caregiver, or community advocate, you'll leave with insights and inspiration to bring back to your work and your community.

2025 Theme: “The Stories We Carry: Grief, Caregiving & Connection”
This year’s theme reflects the many ways stories shape our understanding of caregiving, communication, loss, and healing. Whether spoken, lived, or measured through words, experiences, or tools like the PPS score, our stories are central to how we care and connect.

Together, we’ll explore:

• How men uniquely experience and express grief and caregiving

• What empathetic strain can teach us about compassion fatigue and boundaries

• The narrative behind the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) and what it tells us about patient needs

• Strategies for sharing your nonprofit’s story in ways that resonate and inspire

• The deep wisdom of Indigenous traditional healing practices

• Community-based approaches to palliative coaching

• Reflections on grief from keynote speaker Dr. Bill Webster, a renowned grief educator and author

Who Should Attend

Hospice and palliative care staff and volunteers
Family and professional caregivers
Healthcare and community support professionals
Students and educators
Anyone passionate about rural end-of-life care

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