The time has come!

April 30 and May 1

2 – 5 PM

Visit us for our Open House.

Seminars are scheduled all through May.

Come down to the Expected Outcome Venue, meet Alison and see what is happening in May.

Join me to explore the book “Being with Dying” written by Roshi Joan Halifax.

Each bi-weekly session will be a guided meditation/discussion experience on each chapter of the book.

Each session reflects on one chapter, so you can sign up for as many as you like and don’t need to attend each week if that is your preference.

There are nineteen chapters in this book. If you haven’t read the weekly chapter you are still welcome to attend as it will unfold as we share our thoughts and breaths together.

No meditation experience is necessary.

Please join me for 2 hours that will help you explore new and old ideas and also serve as a true form of self care for you.

The book “Being With Dying” is available for purchase at Expected Outcome supporting our local bookstore Shelf Life Books.

This will be a creative class for expression and exploration. There will be a simple project or craft. It is for respite, relief and release. There will be a framework provided but discussion, sharing and questions are encouraged. Bring your heavy hearts and exhausted self.   

Join me for this 90 minute gently guided time where you can freely express your thoughts and your grief and hopes with others who have experienced the death of a loved one in a safe and non-judgemental environment.

Refreshments provided.

Everyone has their own ideas, often negative, about what Palliative care entails. It is confusing. Is it just drugs and death? Why wouldn’t I do EVERYTHING?

Did you know that some studies have demonstrated that not only does a palliative approach increase quality of life but sometimes length of life.  In this 2 hour presentation we will explore and discuss many issues that you may face on this journey, such as feeding, palliative treatments, extraordinary measures; the pros and cons of each will be discussed.

Please bring your questions and your fears

Mother’s Day can be a difficult time if you are grieving the loss of your mother, a child, a mother figure in your life. Join me for this 2 hour gently guided time where you can freely express your thoughts and your grief and hopes with others who are sharing a similar journey. Please feel free to bring a photo of your loved one to share with our group.

This is a free drop in event.

Refreshments provided.

This 2-hour seminar is directed to those working in the health care field. The seminar provides an in-depth focus on the process of MAID, with an opportunity to share your experiences in a safe environment.

Join me for this 90 minute gently guided time where you can freely express your thoughts and your grief and hopes with others who have experienced the death of a loved one in a safe and non-judgemental environment.

Refreshments provided.

Join me to explore the book “Being with Dying” written by Roshi Joan Halifax.

Each bi-weekly session will be a guided meditation/discussion experience on each chapter of the book.

Each session reflects on one chapter, so you can sign up for as many as you like and don’t need to attend each week if that is your preference.

There are nineteen chapters in this book. If you haven’t read the weekly chapter you are still welcome to attend as it will unfold as we share our thoughts and breaths together.

No meditation experience is necessary.

Please join me for 2 hours that will help you explore new and old ideas and also serve as a true form of self care for you.

The book “Being With Dying” is available for purchase at Expected Outcome supporting our local bookstore Shelf Life Books.

This 2 hour seminar is a resource based seminar rich with anecdotal stories. You will learn what resources are available in Calgary for those diagnosed with a palliative illness, those who are journeying with them and resources for support after the death of a loved one. This knowledge can be used for yourself or for a loved one or friend; now or in the future.

You will receive an emailed resource list with resources available in Calgary, Alberta and an updated list will be sent to you twice a year.

Stories from the bedside will be interspersed with “Top Ten” lists related to communication for friends and family during and after the illness and death of a loved one. Resources for managing the death of a family pet, understanding funerals, the value of a “death binder” will be some of the topics covered from a resource based perspective.

And ultimately, finding the joy in living our best life.

This will be a creative class for expression and exploration. There will be a simple project or craft. It is for respite, relief and release. There will be a framework provided but discussion, sharing and questions are encouraged. Bring your heavy hearts and exhausted self.   

Join me for this 90 minute gently guided time where you can freely express your thoughts and your grief and hopes with others who have experienced the death of a loved one in a safe and non-judgemental environment.

Refreshments provided.

This two-hour seminar is provided by Laurel Wilson, Palliative Health Care Aide and Alison Potter, R.N.

During these two hours learn the practicalities of caring for your loved one as their condition changes. Get hands-on experience with managing mouth care, emptying catheter bags, turning a patient in bed, advice on keeping track of appointments, medications, managing support from family and friends.

As western society re-examines its death-denying attitudes towards death and the subsequent care of the dying, a new role has started to emerge.  This emergence of “Death Gurus”, “Death Doulas”, or “Death Midwives”, presents both obstacles and opportunities in the support given to the dying as well as to the health care system.  The focus of this seminar will be on the role and personalities of the traditional care-givers such as Physicians, Nurses, Health Care Aides, Chaplains, and Grief Counsellors as well as the emerging roles of the Death Whisperers and how these two approaches work together.  We will explore the changing definitions and relationships between Religion and Spirituality in our society and explore together whether the ancient “Shaman” is still present with us today and if so, then how is the Shaman present as we care for and help the dying through their transition.

Blair’s experience in theatre, religious and shamanic traditions has reinforced his belief in the importance and necessity of having rituals in our lives.  They often play a major role in larger life moments, but they can also assist us in navigating the complicated and often stressful waters surrounding all of us today. 

In this presentation, Blair will present a variety of ways that anyone can create their own personal, family or group rituals for self-care, celebration, significant moments/dates, grief and loss.

Join me for this 90 minute gently guided time where you can freely express your thoughts and your grief and hopes with others who have experienced the death of a loved one in a safe and non-judgemental environment.

Refreshments provided.

This two-hour seminar is presented by Chelsey Mah (a certified death doula) and Alison Potter RN.

Chelsey will share ways in which you can be present for your loved ones as their condition changes. Chelsey will discuss ways in which you can enrich the experience of dying for your loved one and yourself. Alison will speak to challenges that may impede a rich patient environment for this work to unfold (such as physical discomfort, symptom management needs)

People who are close to death sometimes report visions of deceased relatives, friends, places, or religious figures. Others report “deathbed coincidences” or unique and meaningful dreams. We call these deathbed phenomena (DBP), and they are more common than we think. 

Are these hallucinations? Did the experience really happen or is it due to random nerves firing in a dying brain? Has anyone done any serious studies? 

Dying people can have these experiences while awake or asleep, alone or with others, and the experience can be visual or auditory. Deathbed phenomena have been reported around the world and are now being studied in the medical literature. What is interesting is that these experiences almost always have a positive effect, bringing peace, comfort, calmness and joy to the dying person as well as their family. 

How can we support dying patients and their families who experience deathbed phenomena? How do you discuss this experience with a dying person and their family? I’ll answer these questions and look at these phenomena in more detail. I’ll also share some stories from local Calgary palliative care clinicians. Most importantly, we’ll explore the meaning of deathbed phenomena to those who experience them.

• How does this make you feel?
• Too early after the death?
• You’ve waited too long?
• You’re scared?
• You wonder if people will judge you?
• How will your family feel?
• How will you feel?
• How will your loved one’s family feel?
• Where do you begin?
• How do you manage your own safety?
• How do you spot a scammer on an online dating app?
• What are you actually looking for?

These questions and more will be explored in this two hour seminar.
No judgement, no questions unanswered.

This 2 hour seminar is a resource based seminar rich with anecdotal stories. You will learn what resources are available in Calgary for those diagnosed with a palliative illness, those who are journeying with them and resources for support after the death of a loved one. This knowledge can be used for yourself or for a loved one or friend; now or in the future.

You will receive an emailed resource list with resources available in Calgary, Alberta and an updated list will be sent to you twice a year.

Stories from the bedside will be interspersed with “Top Ten” lists related to communication for friends and family during and after the illness and death of a loved one. Resources for managing the death of a family pet, understanding funerals, the value of a “death binder” will be some of the topics covered from a resource based perspective.

And ultimately, finding the joy in living our best life.

We are good at this. Not perfect but pretty darn good. Could not have worked 20 years in this field if we weren’t.

What does it look like? What are our options? What can the family do?

We will cover:

1. Pain management
2. Nausea
3. Shortness of breath 
4. Indignity and embarrassment
5. Spiritual suffering

Please bring your questions and your fears.

Join with like minded people who enjoy watching movies that explore death and dying.

After the movie there will be time to discuss the movie with the group.

Light refreshments included.

Join me to explore the book “Being with Dying” written by Roshi Joan Halifax.

Each bi-weekly session will be a guided meditation/discussion experience on each chapter of the book.

Each session reflects on one chapter, so you can sign up for as many as you like and don’t need to attend each week if that is your preference.

There are nineteen chapters in this book. If you haven’t read the weekly chapter you are still welcome to attend as it will unfold as we share our thoughts and breaths together.

No meditation experience is necessary.

Please join me for 2 hours that will help you explore new and old ideas and also serve as a true form of self care for you.

The book “Being With Dying” is available for purchase at Expected Outcome supporting our local bookstore Shelf Life Books.

This will be a creative class for expression and exploration. There will be a simple project or craft. It is for respite, relief and release. There will be a framework provided but discussion, sharing and questions are encouraged. Bring your heavy hearts and exhausted self.   

This 2 hour seminar is a resource based seminar rich with anecdotal stories. You will learn what resources are available in Calgary for those diagnosed with a palliative illness, those who are journeying with them and resources for support after the death of a loved one. This knowledge can be used for yourself or for a loved one or friend; now or in the future.

You will receive an emailed resource list with resources available in Calgary, Alberta and an updated list will be sent to you twice a year.

Stories from the bedside will be interspersed with “Top Ten” lists related to communication for friends and family during and after the illness and death of a loved one. Resources for managing the death of a family pet, understanding funerals, the value of a “death binder” will be some of the topics covered from a resource based perspective.

And ultimately, finding the joy in living our best life.