Maeford Place Assisted Living for Seniors just celebrated its 10th anniversary in Quesnel.
Developer and co-owner Allen McDonald was on hand for the festivities along with local dignitaries, staff, Northern Health representatives, residents and visitors.
“My brother, Paul, and myself owned a couple of properties in North Quesnel,” Allen says.
“We responded to a Northern Health call for proposals to design, build and operate an assisted-living facility in Quesnel.”
With a background in property management, the McDonald brothers took on the project, which was the first privately owned assisted-living facility in Northern British Columbia at the time.
With their own parents aging, Allen and Paul could see the value of such a facility.
“Our goal was to construct a well-built, comfortable facility,” Allen says.
“The relief on the faces of family members when we opened 10 years ago was gratifying.”
Maeford Place is designed to be a stepping stone between seniors remaining in their own home and those requiring complex care, such as the kind Dunrovin offers, McDonald adds.
“Providing the community with an assisted-living facility is our way of giving back. Quesnel is my home and this facility gives me a sense of accomplishment and a significant contribution.”
The day-to-day operation was contracted to Vantage Living, which provides all the necessities, including food service, staffing, activities and housekeeping to the residents.
Joanne Phillips has been Vantage Living’s manager for the past four years.
“This is the most rewarding job I’ve every had.
“There’s a definite need for this facility in Quesnel. The demand for this type of facility in the community is high.”
There are 36 single rooms and several couples rooms, she noted.
“We hire all the staff and every one of them is a caring person. I would be proud to have parents live here. It’s not just shelter for the residents; this is their home.”
Also sharing the occasion were Northern Health Community Services, which is a vital partner in the operation of Maeford Place.
“I cannot believe it has been 10 years since the opening of Maeford Place,” Community Services manager Wendy Corbett says.
“Our community is so fortunate to have a Northern Health- and B.C. Housing-subsidized assisted-living facility.”
Assisted living allows seniors to maintain privacy, independence and dignity at a time when they need extra support and assistance in their day-to-day lives, which is invaluable to the health and well-being of seniors in their community, Corbett adds.
She says there is criteria to live in assisted-living facilities.
Seniors or family members wanting more information on the assessment process for Maeford Place can contact Community Services at 250-983-6850, Corbett notes.
“You will speak to a primary care nurse about your situation and then a home visit is scheduled to do a formal assessment as mandated by the B.C. Ministry of Health. If an individual meets the criteria their name is placed on a waiting list.
“The waitlist for Maeford Place is currently 18 to 24 months.”