“What we have also observed is that private residences for seniors (RPA) are abandoning small communities, because they consider this market not to be lucrative enough,” indicates Béatrice Alain, the general director of Chantier de the social economy.
Faced with the void left by the private sector, collective initiatives, stemming from the social economy movement, are emerging and consolidating to offer quality living environments to seniors throughout Quebec. In Gaspésie, the social economy home help company Entre-Tiens purchased an RPA in 2012 in order to offer a continuum of services to residents of the region. “A non-profit company does not seek to maximize profits at all costs, I do not have shareholders but a board of directors which ensures the good management of our company,” explains Hélène St-Laurent , the general director.
A resident and her family in a retirement home in Saint-Anne-des-Monts.
Lynda Bélanger, general director of the Solidarity Home Services Cooperative of the Kingdom of Saguenay, agrees. In 2013, his home help business acquired an RPA. “Money is not at the heart of our decisions, it is people who come first. We also allow disadvantaged customers to have access to quality services,” she adds.
The impact of these collective initiatives on Quebec’s social fabric is significant. “Over the coming months, we will continue to identify promising solutions that can be brought to fruition during the social economy summit on May 14 and 15,” specifies Béatrice Alain.
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