François Bourbonnière said he almost had to miss the demonstration against cuts to home-care services in Quebec outside the CLSC Rosemont.

After fighting for and finally securing a second shower each week, his additional bathing appointment was scheduled for afternoons. Forced to choose between personal hygiene and other engagements, he then had to launch a whole new battle for a more convenient time-slot.

“I want my shower in the morning so I can be involved and live my life,” Bourbonnière said Wednesday, as a crowd of about three dozen demonstrators held a funeral procession of wheelchairs, motorized scooters and walkers from a nearby park to protest the “death of autonomy” — and in many cases their dignity.

This was just one of countless frustrations described by some of the most vulnerable Quebecers, who are bearing the brunt of budget cuts in the health and social services sector. Late last year, Santé Québec was given a mandate to find $1.5 billion in savings. Although this year’s budget increased health funding, it doesn’t keep up with rising costs in the system, which means programs and services are being squeezed further.

The impact is ricocheting throughout the system, but reductions to home care are taking an outsized toll on those who wouldn’t be able to live independently without assistance with meals, dressing and cleaning.

Besides frail seniors, adults with disabilities and parents of children with special needs are also being left in the lurch.

“Not a week goes by that we don’t hear from somebody whose........

© Montreal Gazette