“Cannot begin to tell how much I appreciated and learned from the facilitators’ practical insights. I feel I have a foundation to work from. Discussions about end of life were insightful and handled with a class and dignity rarely seen.”
COMPASS for the ALS Caregivers
The ALS Society of Alberta is proud to offer the COMPASS for the ALS Caregiver Program, tailored specifically for ALS Caregivers in Alberta, in partnership with Caregivers Alberta.
This award-winning program consists of structured 4-week sessions, with 2.5-hour virtual workshops led by experienced facilitators. Each 4-week session can accommodate up to 8 participants, and all fees will be covered by the ALS Society of Alberta.
Caring for a loved one living with ALS is a profound act of love but comes with unique challenges. It can feel stressful, isolating, and overwhelming, often impacting the caregiver’s mental and physical health.
Why COMPASS for the ALS Caregiver?
The COMPASS for the ALS Caregiver program provides a safe and supportive space to:
- Learn to manage stress and prevent burnout.
- Cope with guilt, grief, and uncertainty.
- Improve communication and balance relationships.
- Navigate healthcare systems with confidence.
- Plan while prioritizing your well-being.
Our goal is to help Alberta’s ALS Caregivers build resilience, find balance, and feel supported every step of the way.
Outcomes
The 2024 pilot filled quickly and generated a waitlist, showing a major need for ALS-specific caregiver education. We expanded programming throughout 2025 to offer six sessions across three intakes (March/April, May/June, and October/November). The first intake filled within hours of registration, prompting the addition of morning and afternoon workshops that doubled participant capacity.
Each intake hosted two concurrent sessions: 12 participants per session in spring and 8 per session in fall, supporting a total of approximately 64 caregivers across Alberta. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants citing increased confidence, emotional resilience, and peer connection as key outcomes.
February/March Intake
Thursdays, February 19 & 26, March 5 & 12 from 1:30 – 3:30 PM MT
Program Outline
Session 1: Being a Caregiver
Explore your role as an ALS caregiver and how it impacts your life. Identify your strengths, challenges, and overall sense of self.
Session 2: Managing Your Stress
Discover how to prevent and recover from burnout by managing stress and shifting your mindset. Learn strategies to achieve balance in ALS caregiving.
Session 3: Balancing Relationships
Strengthen communication skills to identify your needs, ask for help, and share caregiving responsibilities. Reclaim your identity and prioritize self-care.
Session 4: Navigating the System
Gain confidence in accessing resources and services while reflecting on your caregiving journey. Learn how to plan ahead to reduce uncertainty and stress.
Karen’s story
Don’t project into the future. You will be who you need to be when you get there.
Along with our support system, the ALS Society of Alberta has been invaluable, from their quick response to any equipment needs or queries we may have, to the caregiver support groups, which, like a community, alleviate the feeling of being alone in navigating ALS.
Help us make an impact.
Even the smallest donation can make a large impact on somebody affected by ALS.