In recent years, the Fédération des aînées et aînés francophones du Canada (FAAFC) has received numerous heartfelt testimonials from Francophones across Canada. These testimonials consistently highlight a common concern: elderly individuals who had been able to live their entire lives in French within their communities suddenly encountered a language barrier when they entered long-term care residences that lacked French-language services.
This issue has spurred the organization into action. With the support of a Sectoral Impact Grant from the Centre’s Sector Transformation Fund, the FAAFC is undertaking a project to assess the needs of Francophone seniors in predominantly Anglophone communities in British Columbia, the Yukon, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Nova Scotia.
Their initiative includes a feasibility study to evaluate the housing requirements of this population and propose new community housing options and models that better cater to their specific needs. Subsequently, a development plan will be formulated, selecting 3 to 4 communities where there is sufficient community mobilization and leadership to support a pilot project for the establishment of community housing for Francophone seniors.
The organization draws inspiration from Abbeyfield Australia, where residents live together in a large house rather than an institutional setting. This model allows them to benefit from supportive services and foster a sense of community among themselves while remaining connected to the wider community. The FAAFC aims to develop replicable models that can be implemented on a national scale.