Ebenezer Home, a private Christian care home for seniors, is closing in September due to financial difficulties after almost 40 years in the community.

John Glazema, president of the Ebenezer Senior Home Society, said fewer and fewer people are opting to pay for private care.

“Over the years, more and more people are going to beds funded through the health ministry.”

A private bed can cost up to $4,400 per month, while a bed with the health authority is closer to $1,000.

“It’s a considerable difference,” said Glazema.

Fraser Health Authority had been paying for 26 beds at the 91-bed Marshall Road private care home on a temporary basis for the last couple of years while it built and opened new capacity within the region.

The health authority, which is opening 323 complex care beds and 36 assisted living units in Surrey, Maple Ridge and Langley in the next couple of months, informed Ebenezer Home in March that funding for temporary beds will end in September.

“It’s put us in some financial straits. The bank gave us notice they weren’t willing to renew the mortgage under the circumstances.” said Glazema.

“We’ve attempted to get permanent funding from Fraser Health over the years, but that never transpired,” he said.

“It’s really disappointing we can’t honour the elderly by providing these facilities locally.”

He suspects Fraser Health chose not to fund beds at Ebenezer Home due to a funding crunch.

Of 91 beds at the home, just under 50 are currently occupied. Twenty-six residents occupy the beds funded by FHA, and the 23 remaining are private-pay beds.

Heather Cook, FHA executive director of residential and assisted living services, said the health authority is helping Ebenezer Home patients and staff with the transition.

“We’ll plan for the 26 individuals [in beds] funded by Fraser Health. They will have their choice of facility, including new beds that are opening,” said Cook.

The health authority will also assist the private-pay care patients, she said.

“We will provide information to those individuals about what options exist. They may choose other private-pay beds and others may fit the criteria for a publicly funded bed.”

Nobody is going to be left not knowing where they are going to live, she said.

Many residents are choosing options outside Abbotsford to be closer to family, but residents who don’t want to leave the city will likely be placed locally.

“At this point we don’t expect that anyone who wants to stay in the community would not have that opportunity,” said Cook.

Staff at the care home will also get information about possible job opportunities available with the health authority, she said.

“Health care staff are very valuable and if there is any opportunity of someone working with Fraser Health we’re looking to smooth the way for that.”

Ebenezer Home was also receiving public funding for day programs, which will now be shut down.

Fraser Health is meeting with clients to help them find alternative services, said Cook.

Cook said she feels residents at the home have mixed feelings about the closure.

“At this point I think people are pleased with [Fraser Health’s] support, but I think they are saddened about having to leave Ebenezer Home, which is to be expected.”

Glazema said the care facility located at 33433 Marshall Rd. is up for sale.

The bank will be paid from the proceeds, and following that, the society will determine what to do with any remaining funds, he said.

He said it wasn’t too late for Ebenezer Home to recover if it got funding for public beds from Fraser Health.

“If we received some permanent funding, we could make a significant recovery,” said Glazema, who added the home played an important role in Abbotsford.

“[The home] has really been a community asset over the years.”