Preparing the home for a caregiver's first visit

A caregiver’s first visit goes more smoothly when the practical details have already been settled. Preparation is not about making the house perfect; it is about access, safety, supplies and enough written context that a newcomer can follow the household’s normal routine.

Access, keys and arrival

Decide how the caregiver will enter: who provides the key or fob, whether a lockbox is used, and which door is expected. Explain door codes, alarm instructions, elevator rules and where the person will be waiting. Add a backup contact in case the door does not open or the arrival time changes.

If the person receiving care may not hear the doorbell, agree on a protocol that does not startle them. Tell the caregiver which entrance is safest in poor weather and where wet boots and coats should go.

Lighting and walkways

Before the visit, walk the route from bedroom to bathroom to kitchen at night. Turn on every light normally used and look for shadows, cords, loose mats and furniture corners. Keep the walking aid, glasses, slippers and phone within easy reach of the bed.

Decluttering does not need to become a major project. Move newspapers off stairs, secure cords along walls, return laundry baskets to a solid surface and leave a clear path wide enough for the person and any mobility equipment. Our falls prevention checklist offers a room-by-room approach.

Supplies and the bathroom

Put supplies where a substitute could find them without searching: pads, wipes, gloves, towels, spare clothing, bed protection, trash bags and cleaning products. Keep food allergies and pantry items obvious, and separate personal items that should not be moved.

In the bathroom, decide where the shower chair, transfer bench, handheld shower and non-slip mat belong. Check that soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toilet paper are reachable before water is turned on. If transfers need special instructions, the written care plan should describe them plainly.

Pets, smoking and building rules

Tell the agency about pets, feeding times, behaviour, leashes and litter routines. A friendly dog still needs a plan if the person is transferring. Note allergies, bites or a pet that must remain in another room during care.

State the household smoking and vaping rules, including outdoor areas and disposal. In apartments or condominiums, explain parking, visitor sign-in, loading zones, service elevators and any documents the building requires. Those details prevent avoidable friction on a first day.

What to write down

• Wake, meal, medication-reminder and bedtime routines
• Food preferences, textures, dislikes, allergies and storage instructions
• Words that reassure the person and approaches that increase agitation
• Equipment use, mobility limits and approved standby assistance
• Emergency contacts, pharmacy, family physician and decision-makers
• Pet care, alarm codes, trash location and appliance quirks

Keep the record in one place and date changes. Privacy still matters: share only the information the caregiver needs to provide support safely.

Briefing a substitute caregiver

A substitute needs the same basics, not every family story. Include the current routine, safety directions, communication preferences, supplies, contacts and anything unusual about that week. Confirm whether the person has met the substitute before and offer a short introduction when possible.

Keep one page titled “first visit essentials” so urgent details are not buried. For more support, explore companion care, learn how our care process works, or read about support after hospital discharge. The guide to medication reminders versus administration can also clarify documentation.

The first-day conversation

When the caregiver arrives, introduce them by name and explain their role in one sentence. Walk through the house together, point out the supplies and demonstrate any lock, alarm or appliance that could cause confusion. Let the person receiving care say what they would like help with and what they prefer to do independently.

End the first visit by agreeing how notes will be kept and whom the caregiver should contact with questions. Do not treat small irritations as too minor to mention; a polite correction on the first day is easier than a habit that becomes difficult later.

Emergency and outage details

Post the municipal emergency number, the address in large print, the nearest cross street and any gate or suite number beside the telephone. If the home uses a monitored alarm, note the account process. Keep flashlights charged and identify where the breaker panel, water shut-off and spare fuses are located. During a power interruption, a caregiver also needs to know which medical equipment or communication device requires family or professional guidance.

Privacy and possessions

Talk openly about privacy before care starts. Identify rooms or cupboards that are not part of the visit, mail that should remain untouched and valuables that can be secured. Explain how the person prefers the bathroom door, curtains and telephone calls to be handled.

This is also the moment to respect cultural, religious or personal practices around food, modesty, prayer and household items. A note about preferences helps a caregiver provide support without awkward questions at an inconvenient moment.

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