Fraser Health recently announced the successful candidates for the construction of new care facilities for the Tri-Cities and Surrey areas in B.C.
These communities were identified as needing increased capacity due to the rapid population growth, especially of seniors in the region. The projects will increase Fraser Health's capacity by 427 beds, comprised of 403 residential complex care beds and 24 mental health and substance use beds.

"We expect the population of the region to grow by 20 per cent by the year 2020, most of which will be seniors aged 75 and older," said Keith McBain, Executive Director for Residential Care and Assisted Living at Fraser Health. "This initiative is intended to increase capacity and play an important role in reducing congestion within Fraser Health's acute care sites."

The projects are:

• Foyer Maillar, Coquitlam
• Evergreen Bapist, White Rock
• Elim Housing Society, Surrey
• Baltic Properties, Port Coquitlam

These facilities will allow residents to move through the system faster and more efficiently, removing pressure from the region's acute care hospitals. They will also add additional services to treat adults that have serious and persistent mental health issues.