What to Expect When Starting Home Care
Welcoming a new caregiver into your home is a big step, so you should know what to expect before you call. Here is what happens, step by step, from the first conversation with a care manager to the adjustments we make as needs change.
Call or Message Us
It starts with a phone call or a message through our contact page. We'll ask a few questions about the situation, answer whatever you're wondering about, and figure out together whether a free in-home consultation makes sense as a next step. There's no pressure and no commitment at this stage.
A Free In-Home Consultation
Shawna or another of our skilled care managers comes to you. Meeting in the home where care will happen lets us see the actual environment, not just hear about it, and it's usually a more comfortable setting for that first real conversation than an office would be.
We Get to Know the Person Receiving Care, Their Family, and Their Routines
During the consultation, and often over more than one conversation, we take the time to actually get to know the person: their daily routines, preferences, personality, medical needs, and what matters most to them. We also want to understand your family's situation, who's involved, what support already exists, and what you're hoping care will make possible.
We Build a Care Plan Around Each Person
Based on what we've learned, we draft a care plan specific to the person receiving care, covering the services they need, how often, and what a visit should actually look like. It's not a generic package. See our home care services for the kinds of support a plan can include, or learn how you can pay for care with us.
We Review and Approve the Care Plan
Before a plan goes into effect, Silver Linings co-owner Melissa Bicknell (FNP-C) reviews and approves it. She's a Family Nurse Practitioner with 15+ years in healthcare, much of it in long-term care, so every plan benefits from her nursing experience before care begins.
We Match the Right Caregiver
We select a caregiver based on more than availability, taking into account personality fit, relevant experience, and what we've learned about the person during the consultation.
Care Begins at Home
Care begins on the schedule laid out in the plan. Early visits are as much about the caregiver and the person receiving care getting comfortable with each other as they are about completing tasks. As the visits add up, the caregiver learns how the person likes things done and what helps on a harder day.
We Adjust the Plan as Needs Change
Care needs naturally adapt over time. As the situation changes, whether that means more support, less, or something different altogether, we revisit and adjust the plan with you. Our care management team stays involved, so any changes go through the same review as the original plan. This is an ongoing relationship, not a one-time setup.
Have Questions About Getting Started?
We can answer anything this page didn't cover.