Preparing for Home Care: Complete Checklist & Planning Guide

Welcome! Making the decision to bring home care into your family is a big one. This guide helps you prepare, ensuring a smooth transition and the best possible care experience for your loved one.

Work through this checklist at your own pace. You don't need to complete everything before care begins—but having these pieces in place makes a huge difference.

Before Care Begins

Medical & Healthcare Preparation

Medical Summary: Compile list of current medications, dosages, and times. Include any allergies.

Doctor Contact: Get GP surgery name, phone, and main contact. Inform GP that home care will be starting.

Hospital/Specialist Details: List any ongoing hospital treatments, appointments, or specialist care.

Mobility/Health Concerns: Document any mobility issues, pain points, or health conditions caregiver should know about.

Advance Care Plan: If one exists, share with caregiver (and Select Home Care team).

Home Environment Preparation

Safety Check: Remove tripping hazards, secure rugs, ensure stairs are clear.

Bathroom Safety: Install grab bars if needed. Clear bathroom clutter. Ensure adequate lighting.

Caregiver Access: Ensure caregiver has access to all necessary areas (kitchen, laundry, bathroom, bedroom).

Emergency Supplies: Stock tissues, basic first aid supplies, cleaning materials for caregiver use.

Kitchen Setup: Ensure caregiver can easily access dishes, cooking utensils, foods (if helping with meals).

Personal & Administrative

Power of Attorney: If needed, ensure legal arrangements are in place and caregiver knows the decision-maker.

Insurance Details: Provide any relevant insurance information (buildings, contents, care insurance).

Preferences Document: Write down care preferences (time to wake up, meal preferences, daily routine).

Emergency Contacts: Provide caregiver with family members' phone numbers and best times to call.

Photo ID/Documentation: Ensure caregiver can identify themselves (for medical appointments, pharmacy visits).

First Week of Care

Day 1 (First Visit)

Caregiver arrives. Introduce them to your loved one. Walk through the home. Discuss any immediate needs or concerns. Don't expect perfection—it's a getting-to-know-you day.

Days 2-3

Caregiver begins providing care. You may notice small adjustments needed (routine tweaks, prefer a different approach). This is normal. Communication is key.

Day 4-5

Routine settling in. Caregiver learning preferences. Check in: Is your loved one comfortable? Any concerns? Share feedback with your caregiver or the office.

Day 6-7

By week's end, most households have found their rhythm. There may still be adjustments—that's fine. Home care works best with open communication.

Communication with Your Caregiver

What to Communicate Clearly:

Daily routine: What time to wake? Breakfast preference? Medication timing?
Personal preferences: How they like to be spoken to, privacy needs, daily activities they enjoy
Medical concerns: What symptoms to watch for, when to call doctor, medication side effects
Household preferences: How to organize kitchen, laundry standards, cleaning products preferred
Family dynamics: Who else might visit, cultural traditions to respect, topics to avoid

Questions to Ask Your Caregiver

In the First Week:

"Is there anything we haven't covered that you need from us?"
"What's working well so far? What could be improved?"
"Do you have all the supplies/access you need?"
"How are you finding [loved one's name]? Any particular observations?"
"What's the best way to communicate changes or concerns?"

Setting Expectations

What Home Care Includes:

Personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming — as needed)
Meal preparation and help with eating
Medication reminders (not administration — that requires a nurse)
Light housekeeping and laundry
Companionship and social engagement
Helping with appointments and errands
Supporting daily activities and maintaining independence

What Home Care Doesn't Include:

Medical procedures or injections (requires a nurse)
Major home repairs
Childcare (in addition to elder care)
Pet care beyond basic assistance
Financial management (without legal authorization)

Maximizing the Care Experience

Continuity Matters

The same caregiver visiting regularly creates familiarity, trust, and better understanding of your loved one's needs. Consistency is one of home care's greatest strengths.

Regular Check-Ins

Schedule monthly calls with your care coordinator to discuss how care is going, any changes needed, and any concerns that have come up.

Feedback is a Gift

Your feedback—positive or constructive—helps caregivers improve. Don't wait for problems to escalate. Communicate early and often.

Adjust as Needed

Your loved one's needs change. Health circumstances shift. Care preferences evolve. Let your care provider know when adjustments are needed.

💡 TIP: Keep a simple daily log of how care is going (mood, appetite, any concerns). Share this with your caregiver and care coordinator. It helps everyone provide better support.

Emergency Situations

Have These Numbers Ready:

Emergency (999)
GP Surgery
Out-of-hours doctor service
Local hospital (accident & emergency)
Your mobile/home phone
Select Home Care office: [PHONE NUMBER]

When to Call for Help:

Sudden chest pain or difficulty breathing
Severe confusion or personality change
Fall with suspected injury
Medication adverse reaction
Any situation where caregiver is unsure

Final Thoughts

Bringing home care into your life is an adjustment for everyone—your loved one, your family, and the caregiver. Be patient with the process. The best care relationships are built on trust, communication, and time.

Your caregiver is there to support independence and dignity, not to take over. Working as a team—with open communication—creates the best outcomes.

You're making the right choice by being proactive and informed. Your loved one is in good hands.

This guide is designed to be printed and kept as a reference. You may want to revisit it monthly as care progresses.

Questions? Contact Select Home Care Services at [PHONE] — we're here to help.