Local Alzheimer society marks 40 years of serving the community
TBCN Staff
he Alzheimer Society of Bromemissisquoi and Haute-yamaska celebrates 40 years of existence in the community in 2024.
For the occasion, the organization has introduced two new spokespersons, Louise Penny and Dr. Mélissa Généreux.
Louise Penny is a Canadian bestselling mystery novelist who resides in the region, namely in the village of Knowlton. Her novels have been published in 31 languages. She is involved with the Alzheimer Society of Brome-missisquoi and Hauteyamaska, as her husband developed a neurocognitive disorder and passed away peacefully at home in September 2016. The organization is fortunate to have her on a working committee for the development of English-language services for the Brome Lake region.
The Alzheimer Society of Bromemissisquoi and Haute-yamaska also welcomes Dr. Mélissa Généreux as the 40th anniversary spokesperson.
She is a public health physician and full professor at the Université de Sherbrooke. After six years as public health director in the Eastern Townships, then as coordinator of the Santé à Ouranos program, she now acts as medical advisor to the Eastern Townships Public Health Department. Her expertise in crisis management and mental health was developed through her involvement in the 2013 Lac-mégantic rail tragedy, the 2016 Fort Mcmurray fires, the 2017/2019 spring floods in Quebec and the COVID-19 pandemic. She regularly conducts surveys on the well-being of the population in crisis situations.
In addition to announcing two new spokespersons, the organization is pleased to inaugurate its new headquarters in Granby.
According to Sophie Foisy, General Manager of Alzheimer Society of Brome-missisquoi and Hauteyamaska, this change is part of the organization’s strategic planning to meet the growing needs of the people it supports, while allowing for the expansion of the team.
The new facilities are located at 328, Principale St. in Granby, and include space for respite stimulation groups, consultations, and training services.
2024 IG Wealth Management Walk
for Alzheimer’s
The spokesperson of the Federation of Quebec Alzheimer Societies, Anneelisabeth Bossé, will be among the walkers at the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, happening on Sunday, May 26, 2024 at 10 a.m.
The event is open to all types of walkers. The financial goal for this edition is to raise $40,000. The funds raised will be used to offer consultations, support, respite, training and workshops to people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other neurocognitive disorders, whether they are caregivers or people living with the disease.
The fundraising event, presented by IG Wealth Management and Kubota Max Gagné et fils, will offer participants two different itineraries, as well as animation and face painting to keep the kids entertained. Registration is $25 per walker, and the organization suggests setting a minimum fundraising goal of $100.
The event will be held at the Public Square in Bromont, located at 705 Shefford St. Those interested in taking part in the Walk can register for the event and collect donations via the www.alzheimergranby.ca/marche website, or directly at the head office located at 328, Principale St., office 240 in Granby. Walkers can also call 450 777-3363.
Key facts
More than 600,000 Canadians are currently living with a neurocognitive disorder, and by 2050, nearly 2 million people in Canada will be affected.
The Alzheimer Society of Bromemissisquoi & Haute-yamaska’s mission is to reduce the impact of the disease on the daily lives of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. To achieve this, the organization offers a variety of services, including respite-stimulation and psychosocial support. Services are also adapted to meet other needs.
The organization has been supporting people living with neurocognitive disorders and their caregivers for almost 40 years, and the needs are growing. In 2022-2023, the organization offered 11,809 hours of respite care to 86 caregivers in Bromemissisquoi and Haute-yamaska. In terms of psychosocial and information services, the team supported 846 caregivers over the past year, totalling 3,932 hours of service.
Upcoming event-balancing
Caregiving and Work
To raise awareness among business leaders in the Brome-missisquoi region, the Alzheimer Society will be organizing an event entitled ‘The importance of balancing caregiving and work.’ The event, presented by Kubota Max Gagné et fils, will feature a screening of the documentary Au-delà des Mots! about the reality of caregivers who have cared for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease while pursuing their professional careers. During the event, attendees will be able to chat with the documentary’s authors, Édith Fournier and Michel Carbonneau. In collaboration with the Brome-missisquoi Chamber of Commerce, the presentation will take place on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 1 p.m. at the Centre culturel St-john’s in Bromont.
Register for $40 by April 8, 2024 at https://www.alzheimergranby.ca/ conciliation.