Memphremagog Seniors Roundtable looking for feedback from local caregivers

The Memphremagog Seniors Roundtable (TCAM) has decided to give the community more time to complete a survey on the challenges facing local caregivers. Originally scheduled to close at the beginning of November, the survey has been extended to the beginning of December in the name of getting as many responses as possible.

“We decided to give it a little bit more time,” said Christine Cormier, Community organizer with the CIUSSS de l’estrie – CHUS and coordinator of the survey project for the TCAM.

Cormier explained that the main objective of the survey is to develop a clear image of who the caregivers are in the Memphremagog MRC and identify what their needs are. The tool also seeks to identify how familiar local caregivers are with the resources that are available to help them, and how challenges may be different in for different groups, such as the English and French communities.

“Many caregivers don’t know they are caregivers,” the organizer said, adding that, “sometimes we have resources to help them, but they just don’t know them.”

The results from the survey will eventually be used to generate future resources and programming to support caregivers.

“We want to start something,” Cormier said, noting that it is difficult to say just exactly what is worth starting until the group has a better idea of what is needed.

The survey is being circulated on the internet, but paper copies have also been made available.

“We know that many seniors will want to answer it on paper and that is perfectly okay,” the coordinator said. “We know there are many surveys out there on paper that we have not received yet.”

At this point about 100 surveys have been filled out online, but Cormier said that the hope is to be able to take in at least 300 altogether so that the community partners can get as much feedback as possible.

“We can also help people to respond,” she said, noting that sometimes caregivers don’t like to think about the time and sacrifices that go into looking after someone they love.

The Link for the online survey in English is https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/py55jb5, and Cormier can be reached for a paper copy at 819 843-2572, extension 2395 or by email at christine.cormier.ciusssechus@ssss.gouv.qc.ca