Elim Village A unique Christian retirement community

by Elvin Klassen

Elim Village is 20 acres of beautiful homes, landscaped gardens and amenities. “We are defi nitely in the right place,” commented Jerry and Mary Appleyard about their new retirement home. “Everyone treats each other with respect. There are activities here to suit everyone’s needs.”

Elim Village, a unique Christian retirement community in Surrey, British Columbia, is located on a tract of former greenhouse land in the heart of Surrey’s Fleetwood area. It is a place of care where residents can “age in place” with several housing choices and care services given with respect for dignity, compassion, hope, meaning and motivation of life. It is a community where residents can move into one form of housing and, as their needs change, adjust accordingly without leaving the community they live in.

In 1992, during a Bible study, a group of Christians was impacted by the principle: “evidence of faith is demonstrated by good works,” and shared a vision of creating a comprehensive Christian retirement community, professionally managed, enriched with amenities, that celebrated community, independence and the joy of life. It would be a village built on love where spouses and friends would never again worry about being separated if they required different levels of care. Today that village is well on its way to fulfi lling the original study group’s dreams.

The village’s name, Elim, springs from a Bible verse describing a retreat in the desert. This is the oasis where Moses led his people after they passed through the parted Red Sea.

Begun as the Elim Foundation, a registered charity, it then developed into the Elim Housing Society. In 1996, the organization was incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia.

The facility’s objective is to develop and administer independent, assisted/supported and complex care housing, and provide physical, mental, social and spiritual comfort to its residents, all without personal gain by the membership. Any profi t is used in promoting the Society’s purposes. A twelve member Board of Directors, elected from its membership, professionally governs Elim and serves without remuneration.

CEO Marten Van Huizen notes, “The community is based on Christian principles but open to people of all faiths and beliefs.”

Their vision states, they will:

The village itself, ringed by 36 spacious rancher-style duplexes designed for full independent living, features dramatic vaulted ceilings, lofts and porches.

The Atlin, Bowron, Carmanah and Diamond condominiums, 161 suites in total, are also designed for full independent living in a more intimate setting. All residents in these and the rancher duplexes participate in a 29-year life-lease program.

Here, Elim takes great care in developing a community where people can interact and live in a relaxed setting. Condominium suites feature large lounges and common areas, both inside and out, for group fellowship.

The grounds are spacious with large green lawns, flowers, shrubs and carefully planned patio areas. A beautiful water garden, with falls, will be added in Elim’s next phase.

In early 2008, Elim Village’s Oasis Amenity Centre will be ready for occupancy. This ‘Club House’ will be the hub of Village social life. Upon completion, it will include a coffee shop, spa and wellness centre, a 400-seat theatre or gathering hall and several activity rooms. Left: David Herman talking to residents at a duplex Above: The Emerald, an “Independent Plus Living” building

The Emerald, an “Independent Plus Living” building provides 109 suites for citizens to live independently but with additional care services available for a monthly fee. These include:

Residents can also receive personal dressing and grooming, mobility assistance, tray food service, nighttime monitoring and medication assistance for additional fees. Each suite in the Emerald has a full appliance package, plush carpeting and faux hardwood floors.

Prior to signing a residency agreement, residents moving into the Emerald must meet admission criteria. The prospective resident must meet with the Care Advisor for an assessment to ensure eligibility for Independent Plus Living, including information from the family doctor and specialists, contacts for friends or family, food allergies, medication and details of any financial management and support assistance.

Through BC Health regulations, 53 of the Emerald suites are filled through Fraser Healthy Authority placements. Funding for these units is provided through the government. The other 56 suites are reserved for residents moving from their life lease units to Independent Plus Living.

The Emerald has special features such as lounges with fireplaces, a theatre and billiards rooms as well as a hair salon, chapel, library, numerous activity rooms, mini convenience store, woodworking shop and well-equipped exercise rooms.

All suites are equipped with, switches and plugs mounted at senior-friendly height and a 24-hour emergency call response system that is also available in the hallways.

When care can’t be provided in this setting, and residents meet discharge criteria set out by BC Health, they are moved to the new complex care building or to their choice of facilities.

Van Huizen notes that, “The ability to move forward with the complex care building, which will be ready for occupancy in the fall of 2008, was in part made feasible as Elim was awarded 80 funded complex care beds by the Fraser Health Authority.” He notes further that, “These funded beds will form part of the facility’s 118 beds dedicated to complex care.”

The ground breaking ceremony for the new $25 million complex care facility was held on April 14, 2007, and features several unique designs. Each area, consisting of 14 - 16 suites, is its own neighbourhood with internal and external walking loops and dedicated outdoor spaces.

Cheerful and warm colours, exposed wood and furnishing will create a home-like environment. Neighbourhoods set aside for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia, will feature design and décor addresses and compliments residents’ and families’ needs. The new facility will also feature respite care, carefully-planned, modern care suites and treatment rooms for patient comfort while supporting the latest medical technology.

Van Huizen continues, “As funded beds are awarded by the Health Authority, it cannot be guaranteed by Elim that residents of Elim needing complex care will in fact be able to receive their care at Elim.”

Wait lists for funded beds are managed by the Health Authority and are allocated based on their priority list. In order that residents at Elim have the option of remaining at Elim should they require complex care, Elim will retain licensed beds on a private pay basis to ensure residents have access to care even though a funded bed is not available at Elim.”

Elim’s vision of a “community of care” incorporates the strategy of remaining in the village throughout the aging process. Van Huizen said, “Our ability to now include complex care housing as part of the housing and care options available to our residents and broader community is the culmination of Elim’s vision for a ‘Village of Care.’”

All residents contribute monthly to a legacy fund that helps meet needs not covered by government programs.

Upon completion of the final phase, Elim Village will be home to over 1,000 residents, with a total investment of over a $100 million.

David Herman, Director of Marketing says that, “Future plans include four more large buildings slated for independent living. This configuration may be revised as demand dictates.” He added that since high-rise buildings are now being encouraged by the City of Surrey planners this could change the configuration and permit a greater population density on the remaining portion of Elim’s 20-acre site.

Located close to Guildford Town Centre and the bustling Fraser Highway shopping district, Elim Village is also near the beautiful Tynehead Regional Park, Bothwell Park, the Fleetwood Community Recreation Centre and Library as well as the Surrey Sports and Leisure Centre. The theatres and gallery of the Surrey Art Gallery and Bell Centre for Performing Arts are within a short driving distance. To help residents access the wider community, Elim provides underground parking and contracts with Handi-Transit to provide transportation.

An elected Council, consisting of ten Elim residents, meets regularly to discuss concerns and relate with management. Residents also publish the monthly “Elim Village Voice,” a professionally printed eight-page newsletter for residents and staff, providing community information and articles depicting life at Elim. It even provides a section for classified ads.

A social and recreational director and a pastoral care advisor work to meet residents’ needs. Gordon Fryer, the pastor, says, “We seek to provide spiritual, emotional and personal support for the elderly and their families while respecting the rights of all persons to their beliefs and religious practices. I am grateful everyday for such an opportunity.”

Elim also provides opportunities for the public to make financial investments through cash gifts, endowments and trust funds. Investment opportunities such as bonds, RRSPs and RIF investments are also available at prime plus 1%.

Elim residents since 2001, Dick and Rita Byl, enjoy their life at the village. “It is hard to put into a few words what we like best,” note the Byls. “We enjoy being part of a Christian community that embraces people of many denominations. We enjoy sitting on our balcony and watching the vision of ‘aging in place’ becoming a reality; we know good friends are never far away.”