Caregiving can bring many kinds of grief—grief for the person we love, for the life we once knew, and sometimes for parts of ourselves that have changed along the way. Session 3 – When Caring Changes: Grieving the Person We Were Before offers a compassionate space to explore the emotional complexities of caregiving, including love, loss, exhaustion, guilt, anger, relief, loneliness, and the uncertainty of what comes next.

Through gentle conversation and art-based reflection, we’ll explore the losses that can be difficult to name when caregiving becomes such a significant part of life. We’ll make space for the complicated feelings that can coexist and consider what it means to care for someone while also caring for ourselves.

Presentation Topic: Changes in Behavior

Changes in Behavior is a session designed to help caregivers make sense of how dementia can shape a person’s behavior, often in ways that may feel unfamiliar or challenging. We’ll look at how dementia affects the brain and behavior, offering strategies to interpret and respond to these changes thoughtfully. You’ll come away with practical tools to support your loved one in ways that honor their unique experience and foster meaningful connections.

Register: call 403.762.1253 or email dani.roussy@banff.ca.

Date: Friday, October 23rd, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Catharine Robb Whyte Building, 101 Bear Street, Banff

Join us at Canmore Nordic Centre for a gentle group walks in the natural beauty of Bow Valley Provincial Park to support people as they process grief and loss.
Over six weeks, participants will have time for rest and reflection, conversation or solitude, while observing changes in the landscape and within themselves.

Observe, breathe, connect and be present in the moment. Our hope is that these walks support you in your own healing journey.
The program has been developed in partnership with Alberta Parks and Mount Royal University. The program fee is $20 and will be donated to Bow Valley Palliative.

Join us at Canmore Nordic Centre for a gentle group walks in the natural beauty of Bow Valley Provincial Park to support people as they process grief and loss.
Over six weeks, participants will have time for rest and reflection, conversation or solitude, while observing changes in the landscape and within themselves.

Observe, breathe, connect and be present in the moment. Our hope is that these walks support you in your own healing journey.
The program has been developed in partnership with Alberta Parks and Mount Royal University. The program fee is $20 and will be donated to Bow Valley Palliative.

In session 4 – Anticipatory Grief, we will explore how anticipatory grief is experienced, types of losses, and coping tools. Participants will have an opportunity to gently explore their own grief through small group discussion followed by whole group conversation. This session closes by looking at meditation and healing practices to nurture ourselves as we sorrow.

There is no cost to attend the sessions however, pre-registration is recommended. Participants may enroll in all six sessions or select those topics of most interest.

Join us at Canmore Nordic Centre for a gentle group walks in the natural beauty of Bow Valley Provincial Park to support people as they process grief and loss.
Over six weeks, participants will have time for rest and reflection, conversation or solitude, while observing changes in the landscape and within themselves.

Observe, breathe, connect and be present in the moment. Our hope is that these walks support you in your own healing journey.
The program has been developed in partnership with Alberta Parks and Mount Royal University. The program fee is $20 and will be donated to Bow Valley Palliative.

This is a workshop exploring loss, grief and sorrow as fundamental human experiences that can open pathways to transformation, deepening & growth.

Drawing on the work of Alan Wolfelt & Francis Weller, we will consider the many ways grief is expressed, cultural myths and expectations about how we “should” grieve, & ways of navigating loss with greater compassion, presence, awareness & connection.

This workshop will be offered regularly at different time slots, alternating between morning & evening sessions.

Please note: this workshop is educational in nature & is not a grief support group.

Session 5 – Time Warp: Feeling Sorrow When the World Moves On offers a compassionate space to explore what it feels like to grieve while the world continues moving forward. Through art-based reflection and gentle conversation, we will explore the isolation of grief, insensitive or awkward comments, and the pressure to appear “okay” or to feel as though we should be grieving differently or moving through grief faster.

Together, we’ll consider how grief has no set timeline and can look different for everyone. We’ll make space for the difficult-to-name needs that arise after loss—including when we need connection, when we need space, and when we simply need permission to grieve as we are.

Facilitator: Kristin Slagorsky

When a child experiences the loss, adults often wonder how best to help.

This webinar will explore:

-What grief is and how it affects children
-How children grieve differently at various ages and stages of development
-What grieving children need from the adults who care for and support them
-The impact of loss and grief on children’s emotions, behavior, learning, and relationships
-A few do’s and don’ts in supporting grieving children

Whether you are a parent, educator, caregiver, healthcare professional, or anyone who interacts with children, this session will provide practical insights and guidance for supporting children through times of loss.

Presentation Topic: Preparing for the Holidays

Holidays can be a meaningful yet complex time for dementia caregivers. In this session, we’ll talk about adapting holiday traditions, managing expectations, and keeping your loved one engaged and comfortable. Get practical insights on preparing for a holiday season filled with connection and care.

Register: call 403.609.3743 or email lu.douce@canmore.ca.

Date: Thursday, November 27th, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Origin, Spring Creek, 808 Spring Creek Drive, Canmore