The private residence for seniors (RPA) Place Primevère in Waterloo, which has more than forty autonomous and semi-autonomous residents, will close its doors by this summer.
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The announcement was made Tuesday followingnoon to residents and staff, in the presence of members of the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS team.
Sadness, anger, incomprehension: residents and employees of Place Primevère have gone through a whole range of emotions over the past few days. About fifteen employees and forty residents are affected by this closure, which will be final as of June 28.
The financial pressure of the last few months has got the better of RPA, explained the manager, Mathieu Bélanger, reached by telephone. The residence would lose approximately $15,000 per month, in particular due to the explosion of operating and insurance costs. The building is currently for sale.
In addition to thinking regarding their own future, the staff members, met by TVA Nouvelles on Friday, are particularly worried regarding the future. Some residents have limited means, so it might be difficult for them to find a new place to live, especially since the residence is the only one in the area.
“It’s so hard for [les résidents]. It was their house. They wanted [terminer] their life here. We are their family, ”said Sylvie Boisvert, who works in the administration, with emotion. “The government has said since COVID that they are there for the elderly. But where are they today?” she wondered.
The CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, which is involved in this transition, wrote: “The announcement of the closure was made in concert between the residence and our establishment. During and following the announcement, our workers were present to offer psychosocial support to families who felt the need. […] We take care of the relocation of residents who require it to ensure that their new environment meets their needs. An assessment of the needs of the clientele is also underway by the staff of our establishment assigned to RPA.”
The closure of Place Primevère is in addition to those of several other RPAs. In 2022, nine private residences ceased their activities in Estrie, according to data from the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS.
