Living with Dignity Discussion Group
Discussion group for individuals living with an advanced illness.
Whether you have an advanced illness with a clear timeline, a new diagnosis you are waiting to hear more about or are in active treatment to be cured of your illness, it is only natural to think about our own mortality. Therefore, we invite you to participate in a discussion group online for individuals living with advanced illness to discuss topics specific to death, dying, and mortality, and to connect with others.
About the Program
Building on the legacy of Hospice Calgary’s highly respected Living with Cancer program, the Living with Dignity program offers a welcoming online space for individuals living with advanced illness. It provides an opportunity to connect with others who share similar experiences and to engage in open, honest conversations about end-of-life issues in a supportive environment.
Sessions are held over zoom weekly on Monday afternoons at 1:30 PM
Interested in Joining?
If you are a client, please talk to your counsellor or social worker.
If you are not a current client or you are a professional looking to refer someone, please reach out to our centre here.
Upcoming Topics
| Date | Week # | Theme |
| Jan 19, 2026 | 1:30PM – 2:30PM | Week 1 | Support Network |
| Jan 26, 2026 | 1:30PM – 2:30PM | Week 2 | Self-Care |
| Feb 2, 2026 | 1:30PM – 2:30PM | Week 3 | Legacy Work |
| Feb 9, 2026 | 1:30PM – 2:30PM | Week 4 | Holidays, Traditions, & Memories |
| February 16, 2026 | No Group | Stat Holiday: Family Day |
| February 23, 2026 | 1:30PM – 2:30PM | Week 5 | Emotions |
| March 2, 2026 | 1:30PM – 2:30PM | Week 6 | Tender Conversations |
Meet Liz
Liz was diagnosed with a terminal illness and became a client of the Living with Advanced Illness Centre. Years ago, she accompanied her mother to our Living with Cancer program. Her journey inspired her to work with her counsellor to set up the Living with Dignity program.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect the perspectives of Hospice Calgary. We respect diverse viewpoints, and you are not expected to share the same opinion.
FAQ’s
Who is the program for?
Anyone living with an advanced illness, at any point in their illness journey, who is open to talking about issues pertaining to end of life, death, and dying.
What is the structure of the meetings?
Each online meeting is held over zoom
Welcome: gentle music, and an invitation to chat about light topics.
Opening: land acknowledgment
Ritual of Remembrance: (once per rotation) we read names of group members who have passed, name those group members would like to honour, and ring a bell for a moment of silence.
Theme & Topic Introduction: the facilitator shares information via an article, video, poem, etc. and then invites participants to share their thoughts. If needed, the facilitator has a list of questions prepared that relate to the topic and promote conversation.
Closing: Invitation to next week’s meeting
Do I need to have my camera on during the discussions?
No, we understand that everyone has different levels of comfort – we welcome you in whatever way you feel most at ease! Grab your favourite drink and settle in somewhere comfortable.
How can I join the group?
All group members are either existing LAIC clients or have met with one of our counsellors/social workers prior to joining the group. Once you have met with someone, you will complete the intake process. Once that is complete the client may join the group for any meeting they are available for. After six months of non-attendance group members will be removed from the group and need to meet with a counsellor again before joining.
Can I join online from anywhere in the world?
To participate in this discussion group, you must live in Alberta. This is due to licensing regulations for our counsellors, facilitating the discussion.