Spring 2023: Baluchon Alzheimer becomes Baluchon Répit long terme
On May 25, 2023, Baluchon Répit long terme (Baluchon Long-term Respite Care) became the new name of our organization to better reflect the scope and nature of our services. With more than a third of our care recipients not suffering from neurocognitive disorders, the word “Alzheimer” had become too narrow to describe what we do. The expression “Long-term respite” was chosen to set ourselves apart from the many respite services available in the province that offer respite over a period of a few hours at most. Baluchon remains the only organization in Quebec to offer overnight respite on a consistent basis for up to 14 days with the same caregiver.
Our Foundation also followed suit and became the Fondation Baluchon Répit long terme (Foundation Baluchon Long-term Respite Care). The legal changes have also been made with the Quebec and Canadian authorities.
More Respite for All as of Fall 2021
In the fall of 2021, Baluchon Alzheimer expanded its services to include care for people who were bedridden or suffering from Parkinson’s, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and other degenerative diseases. As of December 2021, we began showing up at the bedside of people at the end of life, supporting their caregivers.
Baluchon Alzheimer was proud to receive this $700,000 government grant, and thanks the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux and Minister Blais for their confidence. This amount helped to finance an additional 1,200 days of respite per year for 700 caregivers across Quebec.
Arrival of Sophie Morin
In December 2020, Ms. Sophie Morin was appointed Executive Director of Baluchon Alzheimer. In this role, Ms. Morin was responsible for directing the activities of the organization and its Foundation.
Sophie Morin first came into contact with Alzheimer’s disease early in her career, when she was in charge of communications at the Institut de gériatrie de Montréal (then Hôpital Côte-des-Neiges). She went on to work in dynamic, change-oriented environments in large private companies in Quebec and Ontario, as well as at the municipal and federal levels. As Director of Communications and Business Development for the Space for Life Foundation, she led a major fundraising campaign worth several million dollars, in addition to managing various events and fundraising campaigns. In her last position at the federal level, Sophie Morin was responsible for communications, citizen and government relations, as well as the corporate image of the Science Centre and the Old Port of Montreal, which welcome over six million visitors a year.
Drawing on her wide-ranging experience, the Board entrusted Ms. Morin with the task of promoting Baluchon Alzheimer and its Foundation. They had no doubt that she would meet upcoming challenges head on, supported by a strong, dedicated and professional team.
From 2009 to 2020
In January 2009, Guylaine Martin was hired to take over the reins following the founder’s retirement.
From the outset, Ms. Martin, with her positive leadership and unfailing energy, put all her energy into consolidating the foundation that Ms. Gendron had been building since 1999. Without ever letting up, the Executive Director was determined to make Baluchon Alzheimer’s services accessible to all regions of Quebec. More generally, given the aging of the Quebec population Quebec and the Western world in general, our respite solution was all the more necessary.
Increasingly in demand, the organization enjoyed significant international outreach. Starting in 2018, steps were taken to implement in-home respite care in other Canadian provinces, including: Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba. In Western Europe, Baluchon Alzheimer Belgium had been in existence since 2004. For its part, France adopted and implemented our respite model starting in January 2019, and Switzerland began showing strong interest in our respite solution.
After twelve years at the helm of the organization, Guylaine Martin decided to step down. We thanked her unconditionally for all she contributed to the organization. More than ever, Baluchon Alzheimer played an indisputable role in providing families with such caring and comforting support.
From 1999 to 2008
April 8, 1999: Baluchon Alzheimer’s official date of creation.
Through the initiative of Marie Gendron, a nurse at the Institut de gériatrie de Montréal, an innovative home respite and support service was born. It was specifically designed for families with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Until 2002, she remained the only caregiver.
The respite care provided by Baluchon Alzheimer was accepted and appreciated promptly. It became a must in terms of respecting the choice of the care recipient and his or her loved one to remain at home.
After eight years of private financial support, Baluchon Alzheimer was recognized in November 2007 by the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux as a partner in the provision of services to people experiencing loss of autonomy.
HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION’s NAME
The name “Baluchon Alzheimer” carries with it a singular history and a symbolic image. The organization’s logo deliberately depicts a “bundle” (baluchon), which was a sort of sack used back in the day when a person was away from home for several days. It is defined as “a small bundle wrapped in a piece of cloth tied at the four corners and usually containing personal effects.” This calls to mind other such objects like suitcases or travel bags, reflecting the idea that, thanks to the organization, the family caregiver can leave home for several days at a time to rest. The caregiver can leave their residence with their bundle, in which they place all the personal belongings they need during the period of respite. Like the caregiver, the respite worker brings her own bundle with her, as she leaves her home for several days at a time, to take care of the elderly person in need.