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February 4, 2005
The best friends of the elderly
Louis Brier companion program solves home's accreditation concerns.
KYLE BERGER
When an elderly person finds that they need to move into a care
facility like the Louis Brier Home and Hospital or the Harry and
Jeanette Weinberg Residence, continuity becomes a key to making
a smooth lifestyle transition. That continuity could come from their
friends and family, or it could come from a hired companion who
takes care of the day-to-day needs of the elder.
Three years ago, the ability to provide this type of continuity
for residents of the Louis Brier was in question. Today, the two
facilities, which make up the Dr. Irving and Phyliss Snider Campus
for Jewish Seniors, have a successful answer.
When the Louis Brier Home and Hospital was entering the important
accreditation process, which is required to be considered a top
quality service provider, some concern was expressed with the number
of companions who worked for residents but were not under the employ
of the home. Liability issues, as well as a lack of background information
on these workers, were among the concerns presented.
This forced the home to reconsider allowing non-registered companions
to work within the home, frustrating many residents' families who
had grown to trust their own hired staff. However, thanks to the
volunteer efforts of many of those families, and to the commitment
of the staff of the Louis Brier, a new program was developed two
and a half years ago that allows residents to employ their own companions
and satisfy the accreditation process.
"This program came to be because of the actions of families
who care for their loved ones," said Sally Karlinsky, the co-ordinator
of the companion program. "Whatever hoops they had to jump
through have been worth it because the program is working to the
benefit of all the residents in this building, Jewish and non-Jewish."
Karlinsky explained how the home has been facilitating companions
who are actually employed by the residents' families.
"The family of the resident signs a release agreement for services
provided by the private companion," she said. "They pay
an ongoing monthly fee ($75) for the facilitation and administration
of the program. Then they pay, directly to the companion, an agreed-upon
amount set between the family and the companion. A third payment
goes to the Worker's Compensation Board, as the family is obligated
to register their employee."
While companions are not required to have any specific certification
– many of them have care aid or elderly bedside experience
– Karlinsky said that she completes a criminal background check,
tuberculosis tests and collects a résumé and references
for each one before they are accepted to work within the facility.
"Many residents had companions working with them at home before
they came to the Louis Brier Home or the Weinberg Residence,"
she explained of the program's benefits. "Now they are able
to bring those same companions, rather than having to hire somebody
new or unknown when they arrive.
"And the families really appreciate this," she continued.
"I have received all sorts of e-mails and phone calls from
families who are so happy with the program and how it has enhanced
the resident's life."
A companion's role might be comprised of anything from daily visits,
helping the resident get washed and dressed in the morning, taking
them for a walk or helping them put on their make-up. But Karlinsky
was very clear that the companions do not participate in any activity
in the medical or rehabilitation field that would be the responsibility
of one of the facility's hired staff.
If a new resident does not wish to bring in their own companion,
there are two other options. They can hire someone from a list of
more than 80 companions who have worked with residents of the Louis
Brier Home in the past, or they can hire someone from an outside
agency.
If they request someone from the Louis Brier's list, they will benefit
from somewhat of a match-making service in which Karlinsky will
set up a resident with a companion who has experience with the specific
needs of the resident. In most cases, if a family hires a companion
through an agency, they are taking a chance that it will be a good
match.
There are more than 200 residents living on the Snider campus. Around
half of them use companions, 90 per cent of whom are facilitated
through the companion program. The others are hired through agencies.
Kyle Berger is a freelance journalist and graphic designer
living in Richmond.
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