Setting Up Companion Care in BC: A Step-by-Step Guide for Families

Interactive Caregiving  |  August 18, 2025

What do you need to know about in-home companion care in BC? That moment when you realize a parent needs more support can be overwhelming. You’re suddenly navigating a world of options, costs, and emotional conversations, all while managing your own life and responsibilities. It’s a journey millions of families undertake, and here in British Columbia, the need is growing. With nearly 6,500 seniors on waitlists for long-term care and projections showing 1 in 4 British Columbians will be a senior by 2036, finding the right in-home support is more critical than ever.

You’re not just looking for a service; you’re searching for peace of mind. You need a clear, reliable path forward. This guide is designed to be that path. We’ll walk you through the entire process, step by step, from the first conversation with your loved one to managing ongoing care, so you can make a confident, informed decision for your family.

Step 1: Having the Conversation & Assessing Needs

Before you research any services, the journey begins with a conversation. Approaching a parent about needing help requires sensitivity and respect for their independence. This is often the most challenging step, but a crucial one. Framing it as a way to preserve their independence at home, rather than take it away, can make all the difference. 

Once the conversation is open, work together to assess their real needs. Consider these areas:

• Household Help: Are they keeping up with meals, laundry, and light housekeeping?
• Social & Emotional: Are they feeling isolated or lonely? Do they have regular social interaction?
• Appointments & Errands: Can they reliably get to doctor’s appointments, the pharmacy, or the grocery store?
• Personal Reminders: Do they need help remembering medications or appointments?

This initial assessment isn’t about creating a rigid list; it’s about understanding the gaps where a companion could make a meaningful difference.

Step 2: Understanding Your Options in BC – Agency vs. Private Hire

This is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make, with significant legal and financial implications here in British Columbia. You can either hire a caregiver privately or partner with a professional home care agency. On the surface, hiring privately might seem cheaper, but it’s vital to understand the full picture.

When you hire privately, you become a legal employer in the eyes of the province and the CRA. This path comes with responsibilities that a professional agency handles for you.

Here’s a breakdown of what that means for families in BC:

• Your Role: As a private employer, you are responsible for everything: recruiting, interviewing, screening, training, scheduling, finding backup care, and managing performance. With an agency, your role is simply the client; the agency handles all HR and logistical heavy lifting.
• Legal & Tax Responsibility: This is a major differentiator. Hiring privately means you must register as an employer with the CRA, handle payroll, and make source deductions for CPP and EI. You are also legally required to register for and pay for WorkSafeBC coverage. Failure to comply with the BC Employment Standards Act can lead to significant penalties. An agency manages all of this as the legal employer.
• Liability & Safety: If a privately hired caregiver is injured in the home, you could be held liable. Professional agencies are insured and bonded, protecting your family from liability. Furthermore, agencies conduct rigorous background checks, reference checks, and screen for essential qualifications, providing a layer of security that is difficult to replicate on your own.
• Backup Care & Supervision: What happens if your private caregiver gets sick, goes on vacation, or simply doesn’t show up? The burden falls on you to find a replacement. A professional agency has a team of caregivers and can arrange for qualified backup support, ensuring your loved one is never left without care.

The choice is between taking on the risks and responsibilities of being an employer versus the simplicity and security of partnering with a professional service.

Step 3: Creating a Budget and Exploring Funding in BC

Understanding the costs of care is essential for sustainable, long-term support. While companion care is a private expense for most families in BC, there are avenues that may help offset the cost.

Professional agencies typically price services by the hour, with costs varying based on the level of care required and the number of hours per week. While we can’t speak for others, a reputable provider will always offer a free, no-obligation consultation to provide a detailed and transparent quote based on your specific needs.

Potential funding sources to investigate include:

• Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC): Qualifying veterans may be eligible for benefits that can be used for home care services.
• Private Health Insurance: Some extended health plans may cover certain home support services.
• Home Owner Grant for People with Disabilities: While not a direct subsidy for care, this can help reduce household expenses, freeing up funds.

Always consult directly with these organizations to confirm eligibility for your loved one.

Step 4: The Vetting Process – 15 Essential Questions to Ask Any Provider in BC

Once you start contacting agencies, you need to be prepared with the right questions. This isn’t just about price; it’s about trust, quality, and fit. A transparent provider will welcome these questions and answer them confidently.

Here are key areas to cover:

Trained Caregivers:

1. What is your screening process for new caregivers? Does it include a criminal record check?
2. Are your caregivers employees of the agency or independent contractors?
3. Are they bonded and insured? Do you have WorkSafeBC coverage?
4. What kind of initial and ongoing training do you provide?
5. How do you match a caregiver’s personality and skills with my parent’s needs?

The Process & Operations:

1. How do you develop a personalized care plan?
2. How do you supervise caregivers and ensure quality of care?
3. What is the communication protocol for families? How often will we get updates?
4. How do you handle scheduling, and what is your policy for providing backup care?
5. What technology do you use to monitor care (e.g., caregiver check-in/out)?

About the Contract & Costs:

1. Can you provide a detailed breakdown of all costs? Are there any hidden fees?
2. What is your policy for changing or canceling services?
3. Is there a minimum number of hours required per visit or per week?
4. How are billing and payments handled?
5. Can you provide references from other families in the North and West Vancouver area?

Step 5: How It Works: The Comfort Keepers Onboarding Process

After navigating the complexities of your options, you deserve a process that is simple, clear, and reassuring. A professional agency should make getting started feel effortless. Now that you know what to ask, here’s a look at how a client-focused process works in practice.

Our approach is built around personalization and open communication from day one:

#1. The Free In-Home Consultation & Care Plan:

It all starts with a conversation, not a sales pitch. A care coordinator meets with you and your loved one in the environment where care will be provided. This allows us to understand their needs, personality, and home environment firsthand. We answer all your questions and collaboratively build a customized care plan. This plan is a living document, detailing exactly how care plans ensure personalized and effective senior support and can be adjusted as needs evolve. 

#2. Caregiver Matching:

We believe the right caregiver is more than just a helper; they are a true companion. We go beyond matching for skills and availability. Our Interactive Caregiving™ philosophy means we look for alignment in personality, hobbies, and interests to foster a genuine, uplifting relationship.

#3. Starting Care & Ongoing Communication:

Before the first visit, we introduce the selected caregiver to your family to ensure everyone feels comfortable. From there, we manage all scheduling and provide regular updates to the family. Our team is always just a phone call away to address any questions or make adjustments to the care plan.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Companion Care

It’s natural to have more questions as you get closer to a decision. Here are answers to some of the most common concerns we hear from families.

1. How much does companion care cost in BC?

The cost is based on an hourly rate that depends on the specific services in your personalized care plan. The best way to get an accurate figure is through a free, no-obligation consultation where a care coordinator can assess your needs and provide a detailed, transparent quote.

2. What happens if we don’t connect with the assigned caregiver?

This is a vital question. A reputable agency’s top priority is the comfort and happiness of your loved one. If the match isn’t right for any reason, the agency should be able to quickly introduce a new caregiver who is a better fit, based on your feedback.

3. Are we locked into a long-term contract?

You shouldn’t be. Professional home care services should be flexible. At Comfort Keepers, our service agreements can be changed or canceled with reasonable notice. Care should adapt to your needs, not the other way around.

4. How does the agency supervise caregivers to ensure quality?

Supervision is a key function of a professional agency. This is typically done through a combination of client feedback, regular check-in calls, and periodic in-home visits by a care coordinator or nurse to ensure the care plan is being followed and your loved one is thriving.

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Your Partner in Care – Start the Process Today

Choosing companion care is a decision about enhancing your loved one’s quality of life and providing your family with well-deserved peace of mind. By following these steps, you can move forward with confidence, knowing you’ve considered the critical factors and asked the right questions. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

Comfort Keepers North and West Vancouver Can Help

Feeling more prepared? The next step is a simple, no-obligation conversation.

Book your free, confidential in-home consultation with a Comfort Keepers care expert today. Let’s create a plan that brings comfort and joy back into your loved one’s home.

The Best Senior Home Care in North and West Vancouver is Comfort Keepers®

Our senior home care agency offers in-home care focusing on aging in place. Our services include dementia care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, and palliative care. Comfort Keepers can assist seniors with living transition services, personal care, companionship care, and more! 

Quality and Accredited Elderly Care: Happier, Healthier, and at Home with 24/7 Senior Care Opportunities!

Do you need a home care solution for yourself or a loved one? Have you been thinking about retirement homes and their alternatives as a solution? Comfort Keepers® enables seniors to maintain happy, healthy lives in the comfort of their own homes. In-home care services are available in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and the surrounding areas.

Comfort Keepers® is a Senior Care Agency That Can Make a Difference with Interactive Caregiving™

Our in-home caregivers ensure our senior clients have the best quality of life. The Interactive Caregiving™ program ensures that a senior’s safety, nutrition, mental well-being, and everyday needs are met. This program brings joy and good health to each client’s home.

Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver Can Help with In-Home Elderly Care Services!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of a loved one we can help! Comfort Keepers offers 24-hour care and delivers top-quality and compassionate care for seniors.  We are dedicated to safety technology solutions that foster independence and enhance well-being.

Locally Owned and Operated Home Health Care Agency

Our care centers around companionship for seniors. Empathetic care originates from the soul and allows us to meet our client’s requirements. The seasoned in-home caregivers employed by Comfort Keepers are carefully chosen based on their empathetic qualities.  

Contact the Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver office at (604) 998-8806 to learn more about our unique in-home care solutions for seniors.

Comfort Keepers is an Accredited Senior Care Agency in North and West Vancouver, BC

Accreditation is a rigorous process that involves industry experts evaluating an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures. Comfort Keepers® North and West Vancouver has been awarded Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada. This achievement recognizes that Comfort Keepers® meets or exceeds the stringent quality standards for Home Care companies established by Accreditation Canada.

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