Caregiving can be stressful, isolating and overwhelming. It can have a negative impact on the caregiver’s physical and mental health. That’s why our award-winning COMPASS for the Caregiver program helps caregivers balance their own well-being with the challenges of caregiving.

COMPASS is a supportive multi-session workshop facilitated by someone who understands how difficult caregiving can be. We discuss dealing with guilt and grief, managing stress, improving communication, navigating the system and planning for the journey ahead.

Caregivers Alberta is the proud recipient of the 2019 Gold Laurel Award for our COMPASS for the Caregiver program.

COMPASS for Caregivers program

COMPASS Testimonials

Here’s what some past participants of the COMPASS for Caregivers program have said about it:

…I am feeling like I am understood. I am handling my guilty feelings of not doing enough with a new understanding of my role as caregiver. This program is proving to be much more than I expected.
I feel so much more capable of handling the unexpected.
Being able to share my problems and frustrations with other caregivers was the most meaningful part of the COMPASS program, especially because now I know that there are others having the same problem.
I felt safe to discuss my issues without being judged or fixed.
This course is the best thing that has happened to me in years.
It has helped me shift providing care from the category of who I am to one of the things I do.

Virtual Facilitated

Join other caregivers in a virtual group setting hosted by trained facilitators. Meetings are held using Zoom video chat, and all participants receive the COMPASS for the Caregiver manual by mail. The course modules are explored once a week for 2.5 hours for four weeks. Access to the internet and the Zoom app is recommended, though it is possible to join by phone.

Register for an upcoming session

Online Self-Paced

Explore the content of the COMPASS program on your own time and schedule. View slides, videos of real caregivers sharing their stories, and a downloadable journal to record your own thoughts. You also have an opportunity to engage with other caregivers in forums moderated by Caregiver Alberta’s coaching team. This version of COMPASS is broken up into 6 modules which take between 30 to 40 minutes each to complete. Revisit sections when they resonate with you or if you just need to go through the material again. Upon registering you will have 3 months to access and complete the material.

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