AHPCA Office During the Pandemic
The AHPCA office is currently CLOSED to the public. The AHPCA team is working from home and regularly monitoring emails and voicemails.
What is Your Caregiver Story?
Did you take time off from work to care for a terminally-ill friend or family member?
On Friday November 6, 2020 Private Member’s Bill C-220 had its second reading in Ottawa, bringing it one step closer to becoming law. The bill would extend Compassionate Care Leave under the Canada Labour Code for up to three weeks beyond the death of a loved one. Currently, employees taking compassionate care leave to care for a terminally ill family member must return to work within a few days of their person’s death. This is not enough time to adequately grieve and settle affairs.
In support of Bill C-220, AHPCA is seeking stories of financial, physical and mental hardship you may have experienced after your Compassionate Care Leave benefits ended upon the death of your loved one. If you did not receive any benefits, we are still interested in hearing what hardships you may have experienced from returning to work soon after your loved one’s death. AHPCA is advocating to extend Compassionate Care Leave benefits under the Canada Labour Code for a few weeks past the death of a loved one. This will allow caregivers time to grieve and take care of the practical necessities following a death, without experiencing economic hardship. Under current legislation, Compassionate Care Leave benefits end within a few days after the death.
Your stories will help us make an argument to expand this benefit.
Thank you in advance for your willingness to share your stories with us. We will treat them with care and dignity. If we think we could use your story to help with our advocacy work, we will contact you for a further discussion.
If you have a story to share, please send it to communications@ahpca.ca.
Research Opportunity on Grief Triggers
A University of Alberta researcher is doing a study on grief triggers. Triggered grief is common after the death of a loved one.
The researcher would like to talk to anyone who is willing to talk about their grief triggers. Candidates should be 45 years of age or older and grieving the loss of someone dear who died three to 24 months ago.
Interviews can be conducted via Zoom or by phone. If you are interested, please email donna.wilson@ualberta.ca or call 780 492 5574.
Alberta's Vaccine Rollout and Public Health Restrictions
Health Canada has approved use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the Moderna vaccine to control COVID-19.
Many AHPCA stakeholders work in a healthcare setting. When are you eligible to receive the vaccine?
In January 2021 during Phase 1A, the following groups will receive the vaccine:
- Respiratory therapists
- Healthcare workers in intensive care units
- Staff in LTC and DSL facilities
- Home care workers
- Healthcare workers in emergency departments
- All residents of LTC and DSL facilities, regardless of age
- Healthcare workers in COVID-19 units, medical and surgical units and operating rooms
- Paramedics and emergency medical technicians
In February 2021, Phase 1B (timeline subject to change depending on vaccine supply):
- Seniors 75 years of age and over, no matter where they live
- First Nations, Métis and persons 65 years of age and over living in a First Nations community or Metis Settlement
From April to September 2021, Phase 2, decisions on who will receive the vaccine are pending.
Fall 2021, Phase 3, is the anticipated start of roll-out to the general public.
Source and answers to other vaccine access questions: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page17295.aspx
Alberta currently has stronger public health measures to protect the health system and slow the spread of COVID-19, until at least January 12, 2021. Confused about what you are able to do under the mandatory, provincewide restrictions? Find your answers here.
Alberta Commits $1 million to AHPCA
The AHPCA team is delighted to announce that it has received a $1 million grant to launch two new programs and expand a third program to support Albertans who are impacted by grief or life-limiting illness. Thank you to the Alberta government for the funding and the impact it will have on so many Albertans in every corner of our province who are living with a life-limiting disease, as well as their families and caregivers.
FREE Online PPE Training for Caregivers
Attention caregivers! Protect yourself and your loved one by learning how to properly use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and increase your understanding of Infection Prevention and Control protocols (IP&C). An optional course on communication strategies while wearing a mask is also being offered. Space is limited. Register now.
Dementia Network Calgary is launching the Designated Care Partner training
program in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross, the Government of Canada
(Employment and Social Development Canada) and the Alzheimer Society of Calgary and
supported by the United Way of Calgary and Area, Gordie Howe C.A.R.E.S, Caregivers
Alberta and the Health Coalition of Alberta.
This opportunity is extended to continuing care/hospice organizations (one person per organization) in order to provide operators with an understanding of the training that is being provided to families. Please provide the contact information of the person who would like to participate to kim@dementianetworkcalgary.ca
AHPCA Virtual Roadshow Spring 2020
COVID-19 Resources
The pandemic has affected everyone. We are all grieving.
I know some Albertans are grieving the loss of loved ones, and this is the hardest grief of all. Other Albertans are grieving the loss of jobs, income or health. Some are grieving the loss of control and the close physical connection to others that we all crave.
We are all mourning the normalcy we once knew. During these times it is a natural reaction to experience different expressions of this grief, including anger, bargaining and even depression. These are all normal reactions and responses.
We all must process the losses caused by this new situation and the changes to our everyday lives we all face.
– Dr. Deena Hinshaw, April 15, 2020 press briefing
AHPCA has put together a list of COVID-19 resources to help Albertans, especially caregivers, through this challenging time.
AHPCA Self-Care Video Series
LIFE: Learning Insights for Everyday
These short videos are a resource for people who need answers but do not have easy access to help. AHPCA invites you to share these videos with your clients, friends, colleagues, family or anybody else who might benefit.
Relaxation Moments
We are living in difficult times. Many of us are experiencing strong emotions like worry, anxiety, sadness, fear, uneasiness, nervousness, and apprehension.
Distract yourself from distress by choosing one of AHPCA’s Relaxation Moment videos. Watch the images. Listen to the sounds. Give yourself a hand massage while you watch. Breath deeply. Relax.
Online Resource Directory
Services vary across the province and we have found that many Albertans feel isolated and uninformed during this very vulnerable time of their lives. Albertans have told us that they want an accessible user friendly online Resource Directory specializing in palliative and end of life care services throughout Alberta.
AHPCA has received a grant from the Eldon and Anne Foote Fund at Edmonton Community Foundation to research, develop and host this online palliative directory data base. It incorporates a province wide data base with an easy to use interactive map.
Membership
The Alberta Hospice Palliative Care Association (AHPCA) endeavours to represent the voice of the palliative care consumers, professionals and volunteers in Alberta. We believe that all Albertans have the right to equitable access to end of life care, and we promote participation through the building of partnerships, collaboration and innovation.
Your membership in the AHPCA automatically entitles you to membership with the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA).
As a joint member you will receive: palliative care news, AHPCA updates, CHPCA newsletters, reduced conference and workshop rates, and an opportunity to add your voice to our advocacy efforts on behalf of all Albertans.
