In Centre-du-Québec, the multifunctional house L’Ami-Temps des Bois-Francs de Victoriaville is one of three organizations, along with La Passerelle and the Association des personnes proches aidantes Bécancour-Nicolet-Yamaska, to receive financial support from the Foundation of the Federation of Medical Specialists of Quebec (FMSQ).
A sum of nearly $63,000 was granted to them. L’Ami-Temps des Bois-Francs obtains an amount of $30,000 to cover part of the salaries of its specialized speakers.
Psychiatrist, Dr. Karine Igartua sits on the board of directors of the FMSQ Foundation and chairs the philanthropy committee. “The Foundation was set up in 2012 with the aim of helping caregivers. Its funding comes from the Federation, therefore from the approximately 10,000 specialist doctors themselves,” she explains in a telephone interview with www.lanouvelle.net.
In its early days, the Foundation was among the only organizations in its field of action. Thus, during the first 10 years of its existence, the FMSQ Foundation dedicated itself to financing respite projects, respite hours or summer camps, for example. “So that caregivers can rest and have free time for themselves,” emphasizes Dr. Igartua.
Over the years, other organizations have emerged to support caregivers, such as L’Appui. “Which led us, two years ago, to undertake a strategic reflection to find out what the added value of our foundation would be, considering our proximity to the communities since there are specialist doctors everywhere in Quebec,” she explains.
And these doctors, she notes, know full well that caregivers are a “useful and essential” resource. “Everything would collapse if we couldn’t count on caregivers. Without them, we would need 1.2 million full-time professionals. Caregivers play an essential role,” says Dr. Igartua.
“Through our shift to the Foundation, we wanted to set up projects and innovative structures to make the lives of caregivers easier,” she adds.
There are many caregivers. It is estimated that one in three adults is a caregiver. And the intensity of their involvement has a direct impact on their quality of life, hence the importance of respite. “But the heaviness is not the same for everyone,” observes the psychiatrist. Some may act as a caregiver for a few hours a week or month, and others several hours a day. »
Fortunately, says Dr. Igartua, fewer taboos surround the issue of health and mental illness and people are more likely to seek help.
L’Ami-Temps des Bois-Francs
The multifunctional house l’Ami-Temps des Bois-Francs welcomes children and adults aged 0 to 77 who have physical or intellectual limitations, a multiple disability or an autism spectrum disorder.
Its goal, by offering respite services, is to prevent exhaustion and psychological distress among families.
Located at 101, rue d’Aston, this multifunctional house offers a specialized and adapted environment: hydraulic counters, adapted bathroom, rail lift and integrated tools for carrying out daily tasks.
L’Ami-Temps des Bois-Francs offers respite periods of 24 hours or more, a school daycare service before and after school and a summer camp specifically dedicated to adolescents (TSA) and which combines leisure and development. ‘autonomy.
