A guide for caregivers of Haut-Saint-Laurent

Les aidants naturels du Haut-Saint-Laurent will soon have a new tool at their disposal. «S’organiser pour mieux soutenir» is a guide intended for all caregivers.

Comprised of three parts, the guide includes information about the person being cared for, coordinates for medical specialists and a section on end of life wishes. “End-of-life is one of the most difficult subjects to deal with. The guide explains how to begin this kind of conversation.” explains the director general of the resource Aidants naturels du Haut-Saint-Laurent (ANHSL), Julie Paquette.

The guide will be in great demand in the area served by the organisation. Even though 191 family caregivers were identified in the Haut-Saint-Laurent last year, 500 copies of the guide have been printed. “There is a lack of resources for caregivers, so it’s obvious that people will want to have this tool. It’s very reassuring to be able to find information quickly about the person being cared for. It avoids all kinds of problems.”

Christine McAleer, a natural caregiver from Ormstown, procured the guide which is free of charge. According to the woman who comes to care for her mother, this should be shared. “Before, I used to have to memorize everything and when a situation arose, I could forget some of the information. Now, I just have to consult the guide for important information and it takes no time,” she says.

To obtain a copy of the guide «S’organisez pour mieux soutenir», anyone interested should contact les Aidants naturels du Haut-Saint-Laurent at (450) 826-1243. 

Translated by Cathleen Johnston