Marguerite Blais, Minister responsible for Seniors in the Province of Quebec, announced today that the government will be joining forces with philanthropist André Chagnon to create a $200 million fund to provide support to exhausted caregivers who take care of seniors with degenerative cognitive conditions.  The money will be given to non-profit groups so that they can develop programmes to provide respite and other support to caregivers.

There are about 300,000 people in Quebec who take care of a cognitively disabled loved one at home.  Education programmes on Alzheimer’s will also be offered.

The money will be spent over the next 10 years. 

(from K. Wilton, Montreal Gazette, November 24/09)

An interesting undertaking has just wrapped up in Albert Lea, Minnesota.  The residents of Albert Lea took part in an AARP/Blue Zones project.  The Vitality Project offered the town’s residents the chance to make simple changes in their lifestyles with the possibility of extending their years of life.  Examples of such changes include exercise, diet, adding moments of peace and quiet, having the right outlook, and so on.   The website, which includes daily updates and videos, is at www.bluezones.com/vitality-project.