By Ruby Pratka
Local Journalism Initiative
A Brome-Missisquoi group which supports caregivers has received a $50,000 grant from the MRC Brome-Missisquoi (MRCBM) to extend its “social geriatrics” program around the region.
The grant to the Regroupement Soutien aux aidants de Brome-Missisquoi (RSABM) came from the MRC’s Pacte fund, a $100,000 fund dedicated to addressing food security, homelessness, transportation issues, access to community services, mental health and inclusive access to services for English speakers and immigrants.
“This [grant] marks the return of the Pacte after a hiatus of more than a year, but in a new form with new objectives focused on the fight against poverty, social inclusion and the factors of vulnerability of citizens,” said MRCBM communications advisor Isabelle Paquette. “The MRC is delighted to support such a mobilizing and impactful project for local communities. Brome-Missisquoi is part of a movement to transform care and services for seniors, focused on kindness, proximity, and prevention.”
According to an announcement from the MRC, social geriatrics is “an innovative approach that aims to promote healthy aging among older adults by considering not only their physical and medical condition, but also their social, environmental, and psychological realities. It is based on a community-based and preventive approach focused on comprehensive support for older adults in their living environment.”
Frédérique Dorais is a patient navigator at the RSABM. She said the goal of the social geriatrics program, established in January, is to help vulnerable seniors stay at home for as long as possible. She and her colleagues do this by training caregivers to recognize the signs of accelerated aging. “People can recognize the signs and call the navigator and explain what the person is experiencing” so the senior can receive support adapted to their needs and wants, to help them stay in their homes. “For example, if someone loves to cook but is having trouble cutting vegetables, we can send someone over to help them cook. We can help people prepare for their doctors’ appointments, refer them for home care, help them fill out insurance applications, sign them up for the [family doctor access portal] if they don’t have a family doctor. We build connections with them [and their caregivers] so their status staying at home is not precarious.”
Dorais said the Pacte funding would allow the program to keep assisting seniors and caregivers around the region for the next three years. “There are social geriatrics programs in 25 MRCs, and most are funded by the government, but we missed that opportunity, so we had to find other sources, and that is what the Pacte came to do.”
She said one significant goal of the program is to reduce the burden on the health care system. “There are a lot of community organizations that can offer support outside of the health system. There are some issues you don’t need the health system to fix.”
RSABM services are offered in English and French across the MRC. If you are a senior in need or a caregiver, or if you know someone who could benefit from these services, call 450-263-4236 and press 3.