We’re excited to share our first official update from the CompanionCare Connect Vancouver Pilot Program. Launched earlier this year, the pilot aims to test our regulated-exempt marketplace model in a real community setting and gather valuable insights before expanding further across Canada.
After several months of operation, we’re encouraged by the early feedback from both families and our community partners.
Positive Early Results
The initial response has been heartening. Many families have shared that having consistent, vetted non-medical companionship has made a noticeable difference in their loved one’s daily mood and sense of connection.
Key highlights so far include:
- Reduced feelings of loneliness — Seniors who receive regular visits report feeling less isolated and more engaged in daily life.
- High satisfaction with companions — Over 85% of families rated their companion match as “good” or “excellent” in early surveys.
- Strong demand for light social support — The most requested services are conversation, technology tutoring, appointment accompaniment, and board games.
- Appreciation for the non-medical focus — Families particularly value the clear boundaries, noting it gives them peace of mind.
What Our Community Partners Are Saying
We’ve been working closely with several senior centres and multicultural community organizations in Vancouver. Their feedback has been incredibly valuable:
- Community program coordinators have noted that our companions are reliable, respectful, and well-trained on professional boundaries.
- Several partners highlighted the ease of collaboration — many seniors who were hesitant to join traditional programs felt more comfortable with one-on-one companionship.
- Multicultural groups appreciated our effort to match companions who are culturally sensitive and speak the same language when possible.
One community partner shared:
“Many of our seniors just want someone to talk to and spend time with. CompanionCare Connect is filling that gap in a safe, simple, and affordable way.”
Important Lessons We’re Learning
The pilot has also taught us several key lessons:
- Personality matching is crucial — Shared interests and communication style matter more than we initially expected.
- Clear communication with families before the first visit significantly improves the experience.
- Technology tutoring is in much higher demand than anticipated, especially video calling tools to connect with distant family members.
- Flexibility in scheduling is highly valued by both families and companions.
We’re continuously refining our matching process and companion training based on this real-world feedback.
Looking Ahead
The Vancouver pilot has confirmed that there is strong demand for high-quality, non-medical companionship in the Lower Mainland. We’re now using these insights to improve our platform and prepare for broader expansion across British Columbia and eventually nationwide.
We want to extend our sincere thanks to all the families, seniors, and community partners who have participated in this pilot. Your honest feedback is helping us build a better service for Canadian seniors and adults with disabilities.
If you’re in the Vancouver area and interested in joining the pilot as a family, senior, or potential companion, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we’re creating meaningful connections that combat loneliness and support independent living.
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