The home visit matters

The home visit is the primary opportunity for the CLSC to understand the real situation. What happens in that 60–90 minutes shapes the care plan. It is worth preparing.

This article covers what to do before the assessor arrives. See "Questions to expect" and "How to describe daily challenges" for what to do during the visit itself.

Arrange for the right people to be present

The assessor needs to speak with:

• The person receiving care — their perspective is essential. The assessor will direct questions to them, observe them moving around the home, and assess their cognitive function.
• The primary family caregiver — you can provide context, describe what you observe daily, and describe your own situation.

If the person receiving care has communication difficulties, cognitive impairment, or speaks a language the assessor may not, plan accordingly. An interpreter or family member who can bridge the conversation may be needed.

Gather your documents beforehand

Have these ready:

• Medication list — current medications, dosages, and who manages them
• Recent medical documents — discharge summaries, physician notes, specialist reports
• Falls record — dates and details of any falls in the past 6–12 months
• Previous care plan — so you can reference what has changed since the last assessment

You do not need to present these as a formal package. Simply having them available means you can refer to them when asked.

Do not tidy up the challenges

This is a common and understandable mistake: before a home visit, families clean the house, organize the medications, and generally present the home at its best.

If the bathroom is unsafe without modifications, leave it as it normally is. If medications are scattered across multiple locations because the person struggles to manage them, do not organize them for the visit. The assessor needs to see the real environment.

Think through a typical day in detail

Before the visit, mentally walk through what a day at home actually looks like:

• What does the morning routine involve, and how long does it take?
• What tasks does the person need help with?
• What tasks do they attempt alone that worry you?
• How does a bad day look different from a good day?

This mental preparation helps you speak specifically during the visit rather than relying on generalizations.

Note the home environment

The assessor will also evaluate the physical space. Things that are relevant:

• Stairs — how many, do they have rails, can the person manage them?
• Bathroom — is there a walk-in shower, grab bars, a bath chair?
• Bedroom — can the person transfer in and out of bed safely?
• Kitchen — can the person safely use the stove? Is the layout manageable?

If there are hazards you haven't addressed, it is fine to note them — the assessor may recommend modifications or refer to an OT for a home safety assessment.

Be ready to talk about yourself

Assessors ask about the informal support network as well. Be honest about:

• How many hours per week you currently provide care
• Whether this has increased recently
• How this is affecting your own life and health
• Whether you have any support of your own (other family, respite, community)