An In-Home Evaluation: What to Expect

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When an individual or their family contacts a home care agency, the first visit typically includes an in-home evaluation. The purpose of this assessment is to determine the needs of the person receiving professional care and therefore what type of care, the number of hours and duration of care to suggest.

One of the first concerns that many people have when considering senior care is the cost. During the evaluation, a representative from the home care agency can also review insurance papers and ask questions to ascertain payment options. While in-home care is typically private pay—that is, services are not covered by traditional medical insurance or Medicaid—there are other ways to pay for the services. For example, long-term care insurance or veterans’ benefits can offset out-of-pocket expenses.

Getting to Know You

One aim of this meeting is to get to know the individual in need of care and their family. To know that someone has multiple sclerosis or dementia or some other condition that requires additional help is only the beginning. In order to develop person-centered care that will ideally eliminate loneliness, helplessness and boredom, the caregiver needs to know who this individual is, what brings them joy and fulfillment.

Along with the social history, there will be questions about abilities so that the proper training can be factored in for the caregiver or even the family. In being told of the current status of symptoms and concerns, a caregiver can be on the lookout for improvements or changing signs of illness.

This is also the time to review Client Rights, the frequency of Quality Assurance visits, and set expectations with the client and their family about what home care is and does. It’s important for clients to know that their privacy is protected and this is discussed too.

Careful There

A most important part of the evaluation is the safety check—the home, whether it is a privately-owned detached home with a yard or a room in an assisted-living facility—should be safe for the person who lives there, their caregiver and others who routinely visit or spend time there. Remember that the safer the home, the longer someone can remain there living independently.

A quality safety evaluation includes a falls risk assessment. While this is done during the initial visit, it can and should be reviewed after a fall, when there is a change in medication, before and after a surgery, and if there are any changes in the well-being of the person receiving care in the home.

Ultimately, everyone has the same goal: to support the individual who, due to age or illness, needs support to live as independently as they still desire and are able. An in-home evaluation by a licensed home care agency can be the first step in improving the quality of life for someone.