Frail elderly whose first language is French can continue to get residential care in the language they know following the opening of the new Foyer Maillard facility this week.
Foyer Maillard has a long history in the Maillardville community of Coquitlam, dating back nearly 50 years when the Bouchards donated land for affordable housing for seniors.
And on Monday, during the official opening for the $29.1 million facility much of that history was revealed as speakers spoke about the importance of having a French-language care home to serve francophone speakers.
Commenting in both French and English, Jean Riou said the new facility brings Foyer Maillard into the 21st century. 'We are going to be able to serve the community much better than before. This is a very big step forward," said the president of the Sociéte du Foyer Maillard, the group that developed the original Foyer Maillard and took out a mortgage to build the new facility, located at located at 1010 Alderson Ave.
In its current form, Foyer Maillard has 125 beds, 45 more than the original structure. Each room has its own washroom, and the new Foyer Maillard also has a dining room, a bathing room, a beauty salon, a garden and a non-denominational spiritual space.'
It was paid for with $25 million in mortgage financing arranged by BC Housing. As well Société du Foyer Maillard provided over $4.1 million in equity, and Fraser Health will provide over $8.2 million in annual operating funds.
Among the speakers was Maryann Moyer of the Sisters of the Child Jesus who said Foyer Maillard has always been welcoming to aging members of her religious order whose work in B.C. dates back more than 100 years."There's a spirit here, a good one," said Moyer, whose job is to look after sisters in care.
