Kompass Blog

Updated December 2025

Caring effectively and compassionately for seniors is an issue that touches every single one of us. Either we have a loved one who needs care, or we ourselves are facing the facts of growing old.

With populations of seniors skyrocketing across the globe, elder care is one of the most important health care and policy issues of our time. Demand is high for gerontology professionals, particularly front-line people who give direct support to aging community members.

But working in this field comes with a very special set of challenges. Older patients have unique needs—needs that often go unnoticed by health care providers and unfulfilled by local resources.

Working closely with the elderly can be incredibly rewarding, but you will need to develop a special skillset to succeed in this career. Take a look at some of the top challenges facing today's senior caregivers, and how gerontology training can help.

Updated December 2025

In recent years, there's been a major shift away from traditional litigation toward alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques such as mediation.

Mediation is generally less costly, stressful, and time-consuming than litigation—and offers a much higher degree of flexibility and personalization for clients.

However, in order to be effective, mediation must be a carefully structured, expertly led exercise. Lose control of the process, and negotiations will quickly devolve into chaos.

Formal mediation training teaches aspiring mediators a wide range of techniques they can use to resolve disputes. But even the most successful students and professional mediators occasionally fall into traps.

From losing neutrality to failing to contain and redirect destructive behaviours—these are five of the most common pitfalls you'll face as a mediator.

Updated December 2025

What's the biggest barrier to understanding, compassion, and progress on any issue? Lack of awareness, misinformation, and a closed mind.

Nowhere is this more true (and more damaging) than in the domain of mental illness.

Mental illness is one of the most misunderstood issues on the planet. And despite recent, major pushes to generate awareness and reduce stigma, mental health issues remain shrouded in secrecy, shame, and confusion.

Ironically, mental illness touches every one of us. In any given year, 20 per cent of Canadians will experience a mental health problem. And by age 40, half of the population will have—or have had—a mental illness (Canadian Mental Health Association).

So why is it so hard for many people to grasp the realities of mental illness? False beliefs and lack of community mental health training are the major culprits. 

Let's take a look at five of the most persistent and toxic mental health myths still going strong today.

Updated December 2025

When people want to keep legal disputes out of court and behind closed doors, they often turn to mediation.

There are many reasons mediation has grown in popularity as a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Most notably, it generally costs less than litigation and is far more flexible. Mediation is voluntary, the outcome is not legally binding, and unlike adversarial courtroom battles, mediation focuses on solutions that satisfy everyone involved.

But bringing opposing parties together and helping mistrustful people find common ground is far more challenging than it sounds. Mediators need a complex skillset to ensure the process proves worthwhile and participants leave satisfied with the outcome.

Considering pursuing mediation training and wondering if you have a natural aptitude for conflict resolution?

Start by assessing your skills in these six key areas. If you're strong across each of these competencies, you have a good chance of becoming a highly effective mediator.

Updated December 2022

The stakes are high in arbitration. Arbitrators make binding judgments that are rarely appealed and difficult to overturn.

So what makes this form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) so popular?

Updated December 2025

Mood disorders are the most common kind of mental illness. They impact people of all ages, from children to seniors—and in many cases, go undiagnosed and untreated.

If you're in a community-serving career, it is very likely that you've encountered people suffering from mood disorders.

In 2022, 11.4 per cent of Canadians were diagnosed with mood disorders, up from 9.6 per cent the previous year. And some estimates suggest at least 21% of the U.S. population is dealing with this category of mental illness.

Early diagnosis and intervention are absolutely crucial—and that begins with mental health training and awareness.

What are the most common kinds of mood disorders, and what symptoms should you be aware of? Let's get started.

Updated December 2025

There's no doubt about it. We are in the midst of an aging phenomenon. Statistics Canada says seniors 65+ made up 19 per cent of the population in 2023. And that number is expected to jump to 23 per cent by 2030.

People across occupations are feeling these challenges. From health care to social services to law enforcement—we need better strategies to respond to the unique needs of our aging community members.

For many, this means seeking out gerontology training and certification to develop a deeper understanding of the impacts of aging—psychologically, physically, financially, and socially.

If your work puts you in close contact with seniors, you may be considering a gerontology certificate to strengthen your skills and do your job more effectively.

What will you gain from a quality introduction to gerontology? These are four practical takeaways you can expect a solid program to deliver.

Arbitration can be used to resolve everything from personal injury cases and commercial disputes, to conflicts between countries. But how does it differ from mediation and litigation? Why would clients opt for arbitration over other forms of dispute resolution?

In this post, we're breaking down some of the most common advantages and challenges of arbitration, with the goal of helping newcomers to the field get a better sense of how this process works.

Thinking about becoming an arbitrator? Take a look at the key features of arbitration, and some of the issues you'll face helping clients settle dispute within this framework.

Updated December 2025

Gerontology is the study of aging and the challenges of the elderly. It spans legal and ethical concerns, common health care issues, access to community resources, and the stigma around aging that is so prevalent in our society.

And it may surprise you to know that gerontology is considered one of the biggest growth areas of the 21st century.

Businesses and organizations across industries are "gerontologizing" their products and services, positioning themselves to tap into this enormous pool of consumers.

But just how big will Canada's population of seniors get? And are we truly ready to meet their complex needs?

Take a look at three reasons gerontology training is becoming crucial for those of us who work with seniors, and why now is an excellent time to enhance your skills and knowledge through certification.

Updated December 2025

It doesn't matter what your professional background is. Whether you're a lawyer, litigator, or work outside the legal field, there is a checklist of steps to walk through before you even consider starting your own mediation practice.

Some of these steps are purely practical, while others require a bit of self-reflection.

Do you have the right training to be taken seriously as a mediator? Are you prepared for the effort needed to strike out on your own as a practice owner? Are you familiar with mediator designations recognized throughout Canada?

Take a few minutes to read through these six key steps so you can get a better understanding of what's involved in starting your own mediation practice.