Why asking questions matters

Many families leave a CLSC assessment without fully understanding what will happen next. The assessment process can feel one-sided — the assessor asks most of the questions. But you have the right to ask questions too, and doing so leads to a much clearer outcome.

Use this list as a starting point. You do not need to ask all of these; choose the ones most relevant to your situation.

About the assessment itself

• What tool or framework are you using to assess [name]'s situation?
• Are there any areas you are uncertain about or would like to observe more closely?
• Will there be a written report of today's assessment? Can I have a copy?
• Is there anything I can provide in writing — a journal, a falls record, a medical letter — that would help your evaluation?

About the care plan

• How long will it take before we receive a care plan?
• What services will be recommended based on what you've seen today?
• What is the maximum number of hours that could be approved for this situation?
• Are there services we might qualify for that have waiting lists? When should we expect those?
• Will this care plan be reviewed again? When?

About your care coordinator

• Who will be our main contact at the CLSC going forward?
• How do we reach them if something changes before the next scheduled review?
• What happens if there is a gap in service or a worker doesn't show up?

About your rights

• What if we disagree with the care plan?
• Is there a formal review process?
• Who do I speak with if we want to request a reassessment in the future?

After the visit

Ask the assessor to summarize what they will recommend and when you can expect to hear back. If the outcome is unclear, it is appropriate to ask for clarity before they leave.

You may also follow up in writing to your care coordinator — a brief email or voicemail summarizing what you understood from the assessment creates a useful record.