MONTREAL - The Quebec Federation of Medical Specialists has launched a new foundation that aims to ease the load on a group of people who work tirelessly.
Among the first to benefit are caregivers with the Maison Gilles-Carle in St. Paul d'Abbotsford, which is receiving part of a $100,000 donation the Foundation FMSQ is making to the Brome-Mississquoi Caregivers Association (RSABM).
Veerle Beljaars, who runs the respite home, was overwhelmed by the news.
"I feel amazing," said Beljaars. "It's I would say hope seeing that other people are starting to believe in it."
There are currently more than one million caregivers in the province of Quebec, and that number is expected to increase as the population ages.
While there is government assistance for those who care for the infirm at home, Dr. Gaetan Barrette of the FMSQ says it is not enough.
"They give enough money to start up but they do not give enough to sustain," said Dr. Barrette.
That's why doctors created the foundation to help those who are providing long-term care.
"It's a big load on their shoulders and sometimes those people need a break, and we will try to provide that," said Dr. Barrette.
Chloe Sainte-Marie knows firsthand the ordeal that caregivers go through.
For 17 years she cared for noted Quebec filmmaker Gilles Carle before he passed away in 2009.
"I didn't have the money to hire help so I had always to ask, to beg for money. Beg to the government, beg to friends," said Sainte-Marie.
Now she is the public face of the the RSABM, and acting to make sure other caregivers can easily get help.
With the Foundation FMSQ pledging to donate $1,000,000 annually, Sainte-Marie is sure that help will be easier to find.
"For all the caregivers from Quebec it's going to help."
