Dying to Know Education Series
Our Monthly Education Series.
About The Session
When something “takes your breath away,” it’s usually a good thing. But the scary feeling of dyspnea (shortness of breath) is the kind of breathtaking no one wants to experience. This session will offer strategies, tips, and tricks to help manage shortness of breath and anxiety in the setting of an advanced illness.
Presenter: Margot Sondermann
Margot Sondermann has been a cardiopulmonary physiotherapist for the past 35 years. She has spent the last 22 years as the Palliative Consultant for End Stage Lung Disease with the Calgary Zone Palliative Consult Service. She focuses on providing education, support and consultation to patients, families and healthcare staff across the care continuum. Breathing is her thing!
About The Session
An examination of patient autonomy and nutritional care at the end of life, with particular attention to the complexities of feeding individuals who are at heightened risk for aspiration. This includes a discussion of the ethical dimensions of food, eating, and caregiving in end-of-life contexts.
Presenter: Noelle Nairn
Noelle Nairn has been an RN for 12.5 years, and has been hospice nursing for 6 years. She has encountered many ethical dilemmas in her practice, including navigating food and feeding at end of life. She has completed her Master of Nursing in 2019, with a focus on end-of-life care in rural hospital settings. She is currently in her 2nd year of completing her Nurse Practitioner studies at the U of S, with a focus in primary care. She currently works both at Foothills Country Hospice Society and in the ER department at the High River Hospital.
About The Session
Medical cannabis is increasingly being recognized as a supportive tool in palliative care. When used thoughtfully, it may ease pain, reduce anxiety, stimulate appetite, and improve sleep—providing relief where traditional treatments sometimes fall short. Learn how cannabis might offer compassionate support in your care approach and how it can be ethically and effectively integrated into palliative care.
Presenter: Kim Sarsons
Kim Sarsons is a certified cannabis coach and end-of-life doula in training, with a deep commitment to supporting others through compassionate, informed care. Her understanding of cannabis led her to explore its potential therapeutic role in alleviating suffering and promoting comfort during life’s final chapter.