Important Update on the Louis Brier Home and Hospital and the Weinberg Residence Companion Program
BACKGROUND:
The Companion Program was created in 2002 by families of residents who wanted their loved ones to have additional care and companionship beyond what is provided and funded through the Ministry of Health.
It is a unique family-led and supported program, with administration assistance of Louis Brier. The Companion Advisory Committee (CAC), is co-Chaired by Myla Carpio-Pelayo, the Companion Program Coordinator, and members of Family Council. It is a committee that was formed to ensure the successful continuity and growth of the Companion Program at LBHH & WR.
The Companions who work with residents at LBHH &WR are instrumental to maintaining and enhancing the quality of life of the residents. The limited resources in long term care homes (the current government model funds less than 4 hours of care per resident per day), makes it very challenging to focus on person-centered care. This is why we are so fortunate to have this extra tier of optional care through the Companion Program at LBHH & WR.
READ MORE: https://louisbrier.com/programs-and-services#companion-program
CURRENT STATUS AND UPDATES:
Funding of the Program
The Companion Program funds itself via the monthly administration fee paid by families which is based on hours contracted. The two factors of funding to cover the administration of the program are the number of residents who receive companion care and the rate at which the administration fee is set. The Companion Advisory Committee monitors the financial viability of the program with the support of LBHH Finance Office resources.
In our most recent financial review we determined that, with rising costs,it is necessary to raise the administration fee paid by each family unitas we are currently operating in an unsustainable deficit position that cannot be funded by Louis Brier Home and Hospital.
Hourly Pay of Companions
While we can write about our deep appreciation for this program, the actual reality is that we are not currently measuring up to the market rate of pay for this valued level of care. Families/Residents are paying our companions at a minimum rate of $20 to $22 per hour through the contracts that they have with families. Their rate of pay hasn’t increased in two years. This is not reflective of market value level of pay and we are in immediate jeopardy of losing these valuable human resources.
In reviewing compensation recommendations published by Work BC, we note that the median rate for jobs characterized as “nurses aids, orderlies and patient service associates” is approximately $25 per hour. Based on this, we believe there is a need to achieve a closer level of parity with the market rate.
A PATH FORWARD: We need to ensure financial viability of the Companion Program by eliminating the current deficit and we also need to ensure we compensate companions appropriately and competitively.
Effective January 1, 2026, the minimum hourly rate for companions will be $23 per hour. Families and residents are welcome to, and encouraged to, pay their companions more than this minimum, and many already do.
Additionally, please see the attached Appendix for the changes to the monthly administrative fees effective January 1, 2026.
We encourage Companion Program Families to send their feedback and/or questions to Family Council volunteer, Keren Gertsman, at the e-mail address kgertsman@shaw.ca before December 15, 2025. All questions or comments will receive a response within a week of receipt of the e-Mail.
Sincerely,
The Companion Advisory Committee
Important Update on the Louis Brier Home and Hospital and the Weinberg Residence Companion Program (PDF)