Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care

12/19/2025

12/18/2025

Cultivating Gratitude in Hospice Care

Gratitude is more than a feeling. For hospice workers and volunteers, practicing gratitude helps reduce burnout, build resilience, strengthen connections, and stay present with patients and families.

12/16/2025

Thank you Madawaska Valley District School Staff and Students for learning with Jenna and Ian today!

12/15/2025

When someone we care about is going through a hard time, we all want to say the right thing. But in the moment, it’s easy to fall back on phrases that can feel dismissive or unhelpful without meaning to!

If you know better, you do better!

12/13/2025

Christmas/Holiday invites can feel wonderful. You might truly look forward to it and appreciate being included. But grief can be unpredictable and sometimes the day arrives and you feel overwhelmed or just not up for it. That’s normal.
It’s okay to say yes today and need something different when the time comes.
If you’re grieving, you can let your host know that you may need flexibility. A simple, honest message like, “I really want to come, but depending on how I’m doing that day I might need to adjust,” can take the pressure off.
And if you’re in a caregiving role, managing the household, supporting kids, or being the one holding things together, your emotional and physical energy can shift too. Plans may need to change because the people you care for are having a harder day or because you are.
You’re not being difficult. You’re honouring your limits and the needs of your family. Grief has a way of affecting everyone under the same roof and it’s okay to build in flexibility and understanding for that.

12/11/2025

It was a privilege to care for Bear and his family. ❤️ Thank you Diane and Bear for this gift!

Thank you to Diane Cybulskie for arranging a thoughtful donation from her late brother, Cliff “Bear” Cybulskie, to Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care.

Cliff spent 60 days in hospice and deeply appreciated the compassionate care provided by all staff and volunteers. During his stay, he nominated several Guardian Angels but wished to find a way to recognize everyone who works or volunteers at the hospice.

In honour of the care given to Bear, Diane also generously hosted all hospice staff and volunteers for a holiday lunch at the Wilno Tavern.

Pictured (left to right): MV Hospice Administrative Assistant Stephanie Yaskolskie; St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation Communications & Fundraising Officer Christine Hudder; Diane Cybulskie; and MV Hospice Executive Director Lisa Hubers.

12/10/2025

When you are choosing the people who will advocate for you when you can’t speak for yourself, ask yourself … will they know what to say?
Someone might legally be your next of kin or substitute decision maker, but will they truly respect your wishes? Do they even know what your wishes are?
I challenge you today to call them up and update them on your life and what matters most to you. These conversations need to happen often, and they need to evolve as your life changes. What you want at 40 may be very different from what you want at 60, and that’s okay.
Having these conversations now is one of the most loving things you can do for yourself and for the people who will speak on your behalf someday.

12/08/2025

How Introverts Mourn Differently
“The Quiet Grievers”

When someone we love dies, each of us responds in our own way. Some people find comfort in talking, crying with others, or staying busy with community. Others, especially introverts, move through grief more quietly. They often need space, solitude, and reflection to understand what death means in their lives. Recognizing and respecting these differences helps introverted grievers feel supported without being pushed to grieve in ways that do not fit them.

Introverts tend to process emotion internally. After a death, they may turn inward to reflect, journal, take walks alone, or simply sit with their thoughts. Their quietness does not mean they are avoiding grief or coping better than others. Often, they are doing the hard work of grieving privately. For introverts, solitude is essential space to feel and understand their grief.

They may express emotion in contained or creative ways. Large groups or public memorials can feel overwhelming. Writing letters to the person who died, creating art, or lighting a candle at home can be more meaningful than verbal expression. Many introverts prefer one-on-one conversations where they can speak freely without the pressure of a crowd. This quiet approach is just as valid as more outward expressions of grief.

The social demands that follow death, such as funerals, visits, and condolences, can be draining. Introverts often need time alone afterward to restore their energy. Declining invitations or keeping visits brief does not mean they do not want support. Simple gestures, like a short message or card, can offer comfort without demanding conversation. Compassion does not need to be loud to be meaningful.

Healing for introverts often begins in reflection. Reading, writing, spending time outdoors, or engaging in personal remembrance rituals allows them to explore their feelings and make sense of what has happened. They tend to seek depth rather than distraction. They want to understand the meaning of the death and carry the memory of the person forward in their lives.
Because they grieve privately, introverts are sometimes assumed to be coping well or moving on quickly. Their silence can be misread as strength or indifference. In truth, they may be deeply affected but less inclined to share publicly. This misunderstanding can leave them feeling unseen or pressured to express emotion in ways that do not feel natural. Recognizing that quiet grieving is still grieving helps avoid these assumptions.

Supporting an introverted person after a death means meeting them where they are. Offer practical help, such as a meal, a ride, or assistance with errands, without expecting
conversation. Let them know you are thinking of them but do not demand a response. Allow for silence and trust that they will reach out when ready. Small, thoughtful gestures can be powerful when they respect the griever’s pace and boundaries.

Grief takes many forms. After someone dies, every person finds their own path. For introverts, healing often happens in quiet spaces through thought, reflection, and gentle connection. Honouring this way of grieving creates room for authenticity, where silence is not absence but another way of expressing love and remembrance.

Sometimes, the deepest healing happens in the stillness where words fall away.

12/05/2025

Miley was busy today preparing more of our Memory Ornament Take Home Kits!
We also put up our Holiday Grief Display in the Medical Building. Take a look and a resource or two!

12/04/2025

The world of palliative and hospice care has its own language, full of words that carry meaning, comfort, and understanding.

Learning these terms helps volunteers, families, and caregivers feel more confident and connected when supporting someone at the end of life.

Here is a glossary of commonly used palliative care terms explained in plain language

12/01/2025

Why We Offer Education on the Dying Process at MV Hospice.

When someone is approaching the end of life, changes in the body can feel confusing or frightening for both the patient and their loved ones. At hospice, we provide education about what to expect during the dying process. This is not about taking away hope or being disrespectful, it’s about helping people understand what’s happening to their own body.

Knowing what to expect can:
Reduce fear and anxiety
Help families feel more prepared and confident in providing care
Allow patients to make choices about comfort and priorities
Foster moments of connection and meaningful conversation

Every patient is different. Some want to know every detail, while others prefer less information. We always follow the patient’s lead and step back if they don’t want to know. Our goal is to provide support in the way that feels safe and respectful for each person.

Education about the dying process is an act of care. It empowers patients and families to navigate this time with understanding, calm, and compassion, rather than confusion or fear.