The 12 person home is part of the Abbeyfield society, a series of homes that offer seniors a place to not just call home, but to find a second family.

Abbeyfield homes are specifically designed so that the residents of the home live with each other, in spaces that are connected enough to feel like a home, while maintaining personal space and privacy.

Meals are cooked and eaten together, common rooms allow for socializing, and the accessories make for an atmosphere of comfort.

“Did you know the floors are heated?” said Abbeyfield Society of Caledon board member Gail Grant. “I mean, these homes are just really special. This is quite an opportunity for those retiring in Caledon, and, well, I can’t get the smile off my face.”

The excitement was palpable as Town councillors, board members and interested community members took a walk through the building this past Monday.

“Every window that we planned is actually a hole, and next week the windows will be there, and weeks after that, the doors,” said Grant. “Just seeing these next steps happen is amazing.”

“This is an exciting time for our board,” said Jim Galloway, president of the Abbeyfield Society of Caledon. “We began this project because we knew too many local seniors who were forced to leave our community because of the lack of appropriate housing. This project addresses that issue by providing 12 fortunate local seniors with an affordable, secure, congenial and comfortable place to live.”

For Grant, and many of the Abbeyfield Caledon board members, this home has been nearly a decade of work.

Now, it’s time to find the people who will call it home.

Barb Stein has been handling the recruiting for the Caledon East Abbeyfield home, and said there is no shortage of interest, but there may be a few misconceptions, and a few worries that can be assuaged with a little research.

“A lot of people feel they’re ready and able to move in, but the worry is downsizing, or cooking their own meals,” she said. “We’re hearing a number of things. I think we need a lot of out front advertisement, because once it is finished and there’s a chance to get in there and people see what a lovely place it actually is, we will have a long waiting list.”

Stein said that when the house was first announced, the interest was high, and she received contact information from 22 prospective clients. Since then, she said, conversations with many of them have focused around concerns she says are just misconceptions. And so far, approximately five people have filled out applications.

With 12 available spots, the local society is hoping to see more local applicants soon.

“Some didn’t want to give up their cooking rights, and thought that when they saw there is a housekeeper who cooks all the meals, they wouldn’t have the opportunity if there was a special meal they wanted to make, or a certain recipe they wanted to bake.

“One lady asked me, what if a family member visits and I want to make a birthday cake?”

Stein believes that it is the unique qualities of the Abbeyfield home that are what is causing some of the misunderstandings. “Independence is very important and people see the family atmosphere and might think of communal living, but that isn’t what the Abbeyfield atmosphere is about. And she is confident that residents will feel comfortable once they see the finished product.

“A good example is that most of the people I talk to, they dread eating alone,” said Stein. “And this is one of the big things Abbeyfield is all about. It isn’t sacrificing personal space, because you have your own suite, it’s about being a family, living under one roof and caring for each other in a beautiful place to live. People are going to love it.”

The Caledon East Abbeyfield home will open this June.

Applications are now being accepted for future residents. Interested people can contact Barb Stein at (905) 500-3065 to obtain an application form, or, visit the website at: www.abbeyfieldcaledon.org.