New Jimmy Erasmus Seniors Home to open in Behchoko today

People in Behchoko, N.W.T., are celebrating the opening of a new seniors' long-term care home today, now that the Jimmy Erasmus Seniors Home has been rebuilt.

Staff and elders moved in three weeks ago.

There are now eight people living in the new building.The plan is to raise that number to 18 residents in 2015.

The home, which replaces the smaller eight-bed facility, will allow more elders from surrounding Tlicho communities to be cared for closer to home.

We get to keep our own elders in the community, says Julia Naedzo, the long-term care facility coordinator.

Whether they're from Gameti or Whati, it doesn't matter.Everybody knows everybody here," Naedzosays.

"Elders are not always comfortable with a seniors home because they know it's a place they're gonna go and you know it's like the end of their life. But when you come in here it's different. It's so homey.

Naedzo says the home is unique because they have an open door policy with the community.

She says school children come by every day and people often donate traditional foods.

Today there will be a public tour of the home, followed by speechesand afeast and drum dance.

The celebration starts at 4:30 this afternoon.