“It takes away from the precious moments that are left if you’re busy worrying about finances.”

Both Hall and Peterson relied on the adult respite day program offered through Pilgrim’s Hospice three days a week at a cost of $8 per day, including a meal and snacks.

Bonnie Ross, who is in charge of the program, is familiar with the challenges families can face when a loved one is dying.

“We’re all hoping for a peaceful death with loved ones at our bedside and this law would allow family to be with us when we’re in our final days,” Ross said.

Worrying about finances can add a significant burden to someone already dealing with the impending death of their wife or husband or child, she added.

“It takes away from the precious moments that are left if you’re busy worrying about finances,” she said. “It can change the experience.”

Throughout 2013, Heather Peterson’s health continued to deteriorate. Her speech became more difficult to understand, she required a walker to get around and her breathing was increasingly laboured. She was eating less and less, and by August received the additional diagnosis of ALS. That was enough for a doctor to sign a note saying Heather was likely to die within six months, and her husband began accessing benefits. If Alberta’s new compassionate care leave law had been in force last year, Peterson would also have a job to return to if he wanted to.

Instead, he lost his job and his wife within seven months. Heather Peterson died at the General Hospital on Oct. 28, 2013. She was 53.

For now, Peterson isn’t looking for a new job. Instead, he’s focused on healing, on grappling with the intense grief that has punctuated his life the past three months.

“It’s been really tough because we had 40 years. I have to learn how to live again, at 53.”