Prepare with your parent, not around them
The home belongs to the older adult. Ask what they want a caregiver to know, which rooms or belongings are private, how they like ordinary routines handled, and what would make the first visit feel less awkward.
Do not reorganize the house, remove meaningful objects, or post instructions everywhere without consent. Safety matters, but so do control and familiarity.
Walk through the home for immediate hazards
The National Institute on Aging recommends a room-by-room safety review. Address obvious hazards such as poor lighting, loose railings, unstable rugs, and obstructed walkways. Use qualified professionals for modifications, mobility recommendations, electrical work, or other specialized needs.
- Make entrances, walkways, and commonly used rooms easy to navigate.
- Check lighting at doors, hallways, stairs, bathrooms, and the route used at night.
- Secure or remove unstable rugs and clear cords from walking paths.
- Confirm smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms are installed and maintained.
- Ask a clinician or occupational therapist about mobility and accessibility concerns.
Write a one-page routine guide
A short guide should help the caregiver follow the household, not turn the older adult into a checklist. Include preferred names, normal timing, food preferences, activities, pets, household rules, communication style, contacts, and the approved scope of the visit.
Keep medical records and detailed health information out of an ordinary household note unless a qualified provider says it is necessary and the information is handled securely.
Set practical household boundaries
Discuss keys, alarm codes, parking, visitors, food, breaks, phone use, photographs, social media, pets, smoking, fragrance, purchases, cash, gifts, and which rooms are private. The provider should explain its policies, and the agreement should make responsibilities clear.
Protect financial information and valuables without treating every caregiver as a suspect. Use consistent controls that protect everyone, such as avoiding cash errands when a documented alternative is available and keeping receipts for approved purchases.
Plan the first day and the first review
If your parent agrees, have an appropriate family member available for the beginning of the first visit without dominating the interaction. Make introductions, review the routine and emergency plan, then allow space for the caregiver and older adult to establish their own rhythm.
Choose a review date. Ask the older adult what felt comfortable, what felt intrusive, and what should change. Ask the caregiver whether the written plan matched reality and whether any task fell outside the agreed scope.
Prepare for emergencies without creating alarm
Post or securely store the correct home address, emergency contacts, evacuation information, and instructions for calling 911. Ask the provider how emergencies, non-urgent changes, and family notifications are handled.
A non-medical caregiver should not be expected to invent a medical response plan. Keep clinical instructions with the appropriate medical team and ensure everyone knows which provider to contact for which concern.