What happens at the first meeting with a home care provider
What to expect when a home care provider visits for the first time, and how to get the most from it.
People are often nervous before the first meeting. They worry it will feel like an inspection, or a sales pitch, or that they will be asked to decide something on the spot. It should be none of those things. Here is what a good first meeting looks like, what we do at ours, and how to make the hour work for you.
The purpose of the meeting
It works both ways. The provider needs to understand what a normal day looks like, what has got harder, and what would actually help. You need to decide whether you trust these people in your home. If either half is missing, it has not done its job.
Ours is free, takes about an hour, and there is nothing to sign. You can have anyone you like in the room. Many families find it helps to have the person the care is for and one relative, so that the person’s own voice is heard and someone else can remember what was said.
What we will ask about
The day. What time do you like to get up? What do you have for breakfast? What do you enjoy doing? Where do things get difficult? We are trying to understand a life, not fill in a form.
What has changed. The things that used to be easy and are not any more. Stairs, the bath, remembering tablets, getting to the shops, cooking a proper meal.
Health, briefly. Conditions, medication, any recent hospital stays, anything that carers need to know to keep you safe. We do not need your full medical history, only what affects the care.
The house. We will ask to see the rooms where care would happen, usually the bedroom and bathroom, to check for anything that would make care unsafe or awkward. This is about equipment and space, not tidiness.
Who else is involved. Family, neighbours, the GP, a district nurse, anyone already helping. Good care fits around what is already there.
What you want. This is the one people forget to think about in advance. The same carer every time? A carer who will chat, or one who gets on with it quietly? Someone who can drive you to the hairdresser? Say so.
What you should ask us
Everything. Whether our carers are employed by us or agency staff (ours are employed). Whether you will see the same faces. What happens if a carer is off sick. What training carers have. How you raise a concern and what happens when you do. What it costs, in detail. We send a short list of questions worth asking any provider, including us, with the booking confirmation, and we would much rather you asked them than sat there wondering.
What happens afterwards
We go away and write up what we heard. If you decide to go ahead, we turn that into a care plan, which you see and agree before any care starts, and we match carers to you based on what you told us. Care can usually begin within a week or two, faster if there is urgency such as a hospital discharge. If you decide not to go ahead, that is fine, and we will not chase you.
How to get the most from the hour
Jot down the things that have got harder before we arrive, because it is easy to forget in the moment. Have the medication to hand. Be honest about the bad days as well as the good ones, because we plan for the bad ones. And if the person the care is for is present, let them speak first. It is their life and their home.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to decide on the day?
No. Take as long as you need. We will not ring you unless you ask us to.
Will you tell me if you cannot help?
Yes. If someone’s needs are beyond what home care can safely provide, or if we do not have the right carers available in your area at the times you need, we will say so and point you towards other options.
Can the meeting happen in hospital instead of at home?
Yes. If someone is waiting to be discharged we can meet on the ward, then visit the house separately to check it is ready.
Who will come to the meeting?
A senior member of our team who does assessments regularly, not a salesperson. The person who meets you is usually the person who plans your care.
Ready for that first conversation? Ring us on 0118 391 3542 or pick a time online. We will come to you.
Questions about care?
Our team can talk you through costs, funding and what might be available for your family. Call 0118 391 3542, it's free, and there's no pressure.
