Led by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA), this year’s theme, “Palliative Care is for You,” underscores that palliative care can begin at any stage of a life-limiting illness and be delivered in a wide range of settings — including at home, in hospital, in long-term care, or in the community. It is whole-person care that helps manage symptoms, ease suffering, and provide emotional and spiritual support.

At Chilliwack Hospice Society, palliative patient visitation plays a vital role in delivering this compassionate care. Specially trained volunteers and professional staff provide one-on-one companionship to individuals receiving palliative care — offering a comforting presence at Cascade Hospice Residence, Chilliwack General Hospital, Bradley Centre, in care facilities, at the Hospice Society, and in private homes.

“Palliative care improves the quality of life by addressing the person as a whole — not just the illness,” says Candice Quesnel, Palliative Services Manager at Chilliwack Hospice Society. “We are here to walk alongside people wherever they are in their journey. It’s never too early to consider palliative care. Our team provides comfort, support, and human connection every step of the way.”

Another essential program offered by Chilliwack Hospice Society is the Caregiver Connection Support Circle — a monthly peer support group designed specifically for those caring for a dying loved one. Caregivers are invited to share experiences, explore anticipatory grief, learn from one another, and access resources in a compassionate, understanding space.

“Caregiving can be both beautiful and challenging,” Quesnel notes. “This group provides emotional support and helps caregivers feel less isolated. It’s about creating a community where people feel heard, seen, and supported.”

Chilliwack Hospice Society provides these and many other palliative care support services at no cost and without the need for a referral. The organization is committed to ensuring individuals and families in Chilliwack and surrounding areas receive the care and support they need, when they need it most.

To learn more about palliative care support, visit www.chilliwackhospice.org.

Chilliwack Hospice Society is a community-based organization that helps individuals and families dealing with dying and death through support, education, and programs that promote wellness and healthy grieving.

In addition to recognizing the growing needs in our community, the PieceMakers acknowledged the financial challenges that often accompany those needs. Their donation was made with the intention that it would support and strengthen our ongoing commitment to compassionate, community-based care.

Beyond financial support, the PieceMakers Quilting Guild also contributes in a deeply personal way—by donating handmade quilts throughout the year. These beautiful quilts are placed on the beds at Cascade Hospice Residence, offering warmth and comfort to those who are dying. After the death, the quilt is gifted to the surviving family as a keepsake — a lasting reminder of care, dignity, and compassion.

At Cascade Hospice, Chilliwack Hospice Society provides comfort care and skilled volunteer support to patients and their families. Our team offers presence, companionship, and practical help to those navigating the final days of life. The quilts from PieceMakers play a quiet but powerful role in that work.

“These quilts wrap our patients and families in comfort,” says Candice Quesnel, BSW, RSW, Palliative Services Manager at Chilliwack Hospice Society. “They represent the spirit of community care that makes Chilliwack such a special place.”

We are deeply thankful to the Chilliwack PieceMakers Quilting Guild for their kindness, generosity, and continued support. You make a difference.

Candice Quesnel

In her important role, Candice will oversee the training, support, and scheduling of our dedicated, skilled palliative care support volunteers at Cascade Hospice Residence, as well as providing essential support to palliative patients both in hospital and within the community. A key part of her position will also be to facilitate groupwork, with an emphasis on anticipatory grief and caregiver support, enhancing the services already offered by the Hospice Society‘s grief support programs.

Additionally, Candice is set to reintroduce vigil services, further enriching the care and support provided to individuals and families during the very last stages of life. Her new position marks a significant step in our commitment to delivering compassionate, empathetic, and comprehensive palliative care support services.

First Step Grief Support Group begins January 30 and meets weekly for eight weeks. The group is best suited for those who have experienced the death of a loved one in the past six months or year; offering mutual support and socialization for bereaved people wanting the share the journey into change and renewal. It is well-established that grief has no timeline. As such, some First Step group members may choose to begin participating in the weeks following the death of their loved one. In turn, others may find themselves open to the benefits of participating in a grief support group years later and are welcome to do so.

A Traumatic Loss Support Group will continue to meet once monthly on a drop-in basis. The content of this group’s meetings is specifically developed for those who have experienced the death of a loved one due to homicide, suicide, drug poisoning, workplace accident, or sudden illness. The next drop-in session for traumatic loss support will be held February 1.

Chilliwack Hospice Society recognizes that significant loss isn’t limited to human connections. Beginning February 14, a supportive space will be created for those grieving the death of a beloved pet. The group will meet once weekly for four weeks and include topics such as normalizing grief, making room to grieve, self-care, the importance of rituals, and memorializing your pet.

In addition to grief support groups, staff and volunteers offer many opportunities for one-to-one support and complementary therapies to assist members of the community through the grieving process. Informal connections with other bereaved individuals and mutual support can be found in Relaxation Program, Supportive Walking Group, and Gentle Chair Yoga sessions.

As part of the organization’s community outreach and education programs, a matinée series of ‘Movies That Move You’ will be shown once monthly, starting with Manchester By The Sea on January 30. Each movie has been selected for its themes of grief and loss and are suitable for adults’ viewing and discussion. Advance Care Planning workshops will continue in 2024 with the next two-part session starting March 21. The writing prompts, worksheets, and group discussion help individuals or their parents develop an Advance Care Plan, including indicating one’s beliefs, values, and wishes, Temporary Substitute Decision Maker, Representation Agreement, and Advance Directive.

If you or someone you know is grieving the loss of a loved one right now, call Chilliwack Hospice Society at (604) 795-4660 or visit www.chilliwackhospice.org to learn more about the one-to-one support, groups and workshops that are currently being offered. Donations are always gratefully accepted at the Thrifty Boutique and online at www.chilliwackhospice.org/donate

For more information, news, and events, join our email newsletter list or follow @ChilliwackHospice on Facebook and Instagram.

Recognizing this significant day gives us an opportunity to share and normalize talking about grief, and to highlight resources that are available to those coping with loss. Grief is the natural and normal response to loss, however grief is often misunderstood. It has no timeline, and it shows up differently for each person. Grief isn’t limited to the loss of a person; we can all experience grief following the loss of a pet, a relationship, or our health and mobility.

Although an individual experience, grieving does not need to be done alone. In their Grief and Bereavement Day campaign, the Canadian Hospice and Palliative Care Association offers several suggestions for ways in which we can support someone who is navigating grief and loss. These include letting them know you’re thinking of them; not assuming what they want or need; acknowledging their loss; and offering practical assistance such as picking up groceries or helping with chores around the house if permitted.

“When connecting with a grieving person, remember you cannot fix their grief,” says Jennifer Dacre, Palliative and Bereavement Services Manager at Chilliwack Hospice Society. “You can, however, walk alongside them on their grief journey with empathy and compassion. Sometimes words aren’t required, but a listening ear is most appreciated.”

Chilliwack Hospice Society offers one-to-one grief support, free of charge, to adults, youth, and children in Chilliwack and the surrounding communities. Additionally, we facilitate many grief support groups throughout the year, including our First Step Grief Support Group and others dedicated to pet loss, sibling loss, traumatic loss, and grieving families.

Tomorrow night, Wednesday, November 22, starting at 6:00pm, Chilliwack Hospice Society will host our Annual Memorial Celebration at Vineyard Community Centre, located at 45892 Wellington Avenue. A time of reflection and support in the company of others whose loved one has died, the Annual Memorial Celebration is for everyone who is grieving. This year’s program will focus on creative expressions of grief. Guests are asked to please bring a framed photo of their loved one with them. Light refreshments will be served.

Beginning December 8, look for Celebrate a Life trees at Minter Country Garden and Thrifty Boutique. Celebrate A Life is an opportunity to write a message that’s on your heart onto a personalized butterfly in memory of a loved one on our trees of celebration. Hanging a butterfly on the tree has become a cherished ritual during the holiday season for many bereaved people in our community.

To learn more about the grief support programs and services available at Chilliwack Hospice Society, or to donate in honour of National Grief and Bereavement Day, please call (604) 795-4660 or visit www.chilliwackhospice.org

• 24/7 Fraser Health Crisis Line (1-877-820-7444)
• Seniors’ Distress Line (604-872-1234)
• Mental Health Support (310-7689) *no area code needed

Entryway to Cascade Hospice Residence where Chilliwack Hospice Society provide free bereavement and palliative care support services to patients and their families.

Facilitated by Jennifer Dacre, Manager of Bereavement and Palliative Services, group participants met two to three times weekly through the month of September for a total of 35 hours required. Through lectures, videos, group activities, panel discussions, and guest speakers, participants learned about the history of hospice palliative care, types of grief and grieving styles, compassionate communication, and boundaries, working within family dynamics, psychosocial and spiritual care, perspectives on medical assistance in dying and pain management, supporting bereaved children and youth, complementary bereavement therapies, and prioritizing self-care.

The kitchen at Cascade Hospice Residence where patients, their families, and volunteers can get a cup of coffee or a freshly baked item.

Upon completion of Basic Hospice Training and a post-interview, 12 new individuals have begun job-shadowing existing volunteers at Cascade with the hope they will become regular client and patient volunteers themselves. Hospice volunteers are specially selected and trained individuals who have the maturity and experience to be a caring listener to a terminally ill or bereaved person or family member. Hospice volunteers are compassionate observers who bring a caring heart and an understanding approach to a stressful situation. Often our volunteers can be found sitting by the bedside of someone who is dying or bringing a cup of tea to one of their family members.

One of ten guest rooms at Cascade Hospice Residence. A beautiful quilt, handmade and donated by a member of one of several quilting guilds in Chilliwack, features prominently on the bed. We are appreciative of these incredible donations which become cherished keepsakes of family members after their loved one has died.

Chilliwack Hospice Society does not own or operate the Cascade Hospice Residence. Instead, hospice volunteers complement and work alongside the palliative health care team. Outside of the family support system, our volunteers are often the only other consistent presence in a patient’s final days. Hospice palliative care aims to relieve suffering and improve a patient’s quality of living until death.

Garden fountain and covered courtyard for Cascade Hospice Residence patients and families to relax in a quiet, outdoor space.

To learn more about Basic Hospice Training and to join the waitlist for the next course, go to www.chilliwackhospice.org/education