Holistic Support for the Caregiver

Frontline nurses at Canmore General Hospital face escalating levels of burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral stress that threaten both their wellbeing and the sustainability of healthcare delivery. This program offers an innovative, holistic model of caregiver support—one that acknowledges the human cost of caregiving and equips nurses with practical tools for resilience.

Over four months, participants will engage in eight sessions (four online and four in-person) blending dialogue, peer support, and experiential practices. Online sessions will address core issues such as values conflict, grief, and communication, while in-person workshops provide hands-on training in mindfulness, breathwork, trauma release, sound healing, and self-care rituals. Facilitated by Certified Wholistic Practitioner Rose Reeder, the program is rooted in evidence-based somatic approaches and trauma-informed care.

The purpose of this initiative is to restore balance, strengthen resilience, and create sustainable self-care strategies for nurses who give so much to their community. By fostering both individual recovery and collective support, the program offers a pathway toward reducing burnout, improving retention, and enhancing the overall quality of patient care.

The impact extends beyond immediate participants. This pilot serves as a replicable model for healthcare institutions seeking to support frontline workers in meaningful, cost-effective ways. By investing in the wellbeing of nurses, we invest in the strength of the healthcare system itself—ensuring caregivers remain whole, resilient, and able to provide the compassionate care that sustains our communities.

The Holistic Support for the Caregiver Program is designed to benefit the frontline healthcare professionals who form the backbone of patient care at Hospitals within the Bow Valley— including Nurses, EMS and Physicians. These individuals are often the first point of contact for patients and the last to receive support themselves.

Primary Beneficiaries – Nurses, EMS, and Physicians
These caregivers experience chronic stress, compassion fatigue, moral conflict, and the emotional toll of continuous caregiving. The program offers them structured opportunities for rest, reflection, and renewal through both dialogue and experiential practice. Participants will gain practical tools for nervous system regulation, communication, boundary-setting, and emotional recovery, helping them sustain their professional and personal wellbeing.

Secondary Beneficiaries – Patients and Families
When nurses and doctors are calm, grounded, and connected, the quality of patient care improves. Supported caregivers can listen more deeply, respond with empathy, and maintain presence under pressure. This creates a safer, more compassionate healing environment for patients and families.

Tertiary Beneficiaries – Healthcare Teams and the Broader Community
Resourced staff positively influence their colleagues, modeling healthier ways of working and relating. As RNs, LPNs, and physicians share learned techniques—such as mindful communication or grounding exercises—the benefits ripple outward through the entire care team. A cohesive, resilient workforce reduces burnout and turnover, contributing to greater stability in the Bow Valley’s healthcare system.

Community Impact
Ultimately, this program benefits the entire Bow Valley community by ensuring the sustainability of healthcare services. When caregivers thrive, patients thrive, and the community as a whole experiences the positive effects of a more balanced, compassionate, and effective healthcare system.