BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) has announced the recipients of the 2020 Ed Helfrich Long Service Excellence Award, a category of the BC Care Awards that recognizes longstanding leadership in the seniors’ care sector.
Karen Froelich, Otto Froelich and Judy Reefschlager, operators of Northcrest Care Centre in North Delta, are the joint recipients of the award. BC Care Awards winners are nominated by their peers and selected by members of BCCPA’s Events & Recognition Committee.
The Froelichs and Reefschlager have been pioneers in seniors’ care. They founded the Peace Portal Lodge in White Rock in 1987 followed by the construction of Northcrest Care Centre in Delta in 1994.
“Throughout their long service in seniors care, Judy, Karen and Otto have served BCCPA through personal involvement as members and by supporting and encouraging their executive staff to become actively involved in the Association's province-wide advocacy for seniors’ care,” says BCCPA board president Aly Devji. “They have provided quality care, services and support to well over 1,000 residents from the Lower Mainland.”
Northcrest Care Centre was one of the first care homes in the Fraser Valley built to multi-level care standards. In 2002, Northcrest also became one of the first care homes in B.C. to be granted full accreditation status with Accreditation Canada, which demonstrates an intentional commitment to quality care standards. In 2011, Northcrest Care Centre was accredited with “Exemplary Standing” and continues to retain that status today.
The care home also pioneered a multi-cultural approach to seniors’ care by introducing culturally sensitive menu items and celebrating special occasions focused on the cultural background of residents.
Otto Froelich passed away earlier this year. As a result of restrictions in place due to COVID-19, Karen Froelich and Judy Reefschlager will be formally presented with their awards at the 2021 BC Care Awards ceremony.
The 2020 BC Care Awards have been made possible through the generous support of McKesson Canada.
