Starting Your In-Home Care Journey: What to Expect from Comfort Keepers

Deciding to bring in care for ourselves or the people we love is a big transition for all involved. At Comfort Keepers®, we make it easier. We take a step-by-step process to help you and your loved one communicate expectations, plan for the future, and feel confident in your care decisions.

Our home care services are tailored to unique needs and situations to care for the whole person. We take a holistic approach that nurtures the mind, spirit, and wellbeing of those in our care. Instead of doing for, your Comfort Keeper™ will do activities and tasks with your loved one, keeping them engaged and interested. Every Comfort Keeper approaches their day with the same mission: to find ways to Elevate the Human Spirit^SM and help our clients find joy in their everyday moments.

Here's everything you can expect, from your first call with Comfort Keepers to your Comfort Keeper's first visit.

What happens during our first call together?

During this call, your Care Coordinator will open the conversation by asking questions about what you and/or your loved one is looking for as far as what kind of care is needed and the home environment. They will help you navigate these first steps, even if you are unsure of what to do next or what type of help you need.

This is an excellent time to ask questions about what to expect because we want everyone to feel comfortable. Once we've answered all of your initial questions and you're ready, we set up a Care Consultation, which can be an in-person, phone, or video meeting.

What happens during the Care Consultation?

At Comfort Keepers, we believe that in-home care can improve lives and helps seniors continue to do the activities they love. This can look different for everyone, so our Care Coordinators take the time to really get to know your loved one and their needs. 

During this meeting, the friendly, informal conversation will cover how they manage their daily lives and any areas where they may need help, like nutrition, personal care, and companionship. Your Care Coordinator will ask questions about likes, dislikes, hobbies, and care needs to help match seniors with caregivers. We work hard to ensure that our compassionate Comfort Keepers are compatible with our clients and give them the confidence and security to continue living at home.

At this point, your Care Coordinator will also evaluate the home and may suggest changes to enhance safety. 

What is the Plan of Care and how will we create one?

Our approach to in-home care is customized to meet our clients' emotional, physical, and social needs. We use the information we've gathered about likes, dislikes, interests, personality, abilities, and limitations to create a plan of care tailored to our client's needs and match them with our caregivers.

The Plan of Care can include assistance with activities that elevate the human spirit, bring joy, or ehnance seniors’ lives, such as:

• Meal preparation and nutrition
• Laundry and light housekeeping
• Medication reminders 
• Reminders and, if needed, assistance with personal care and grooming
• Companionship for mental health and wellbeing
• Using technology such as computers or smartphones
• Transportation to appointments, running errands, grocery shopping, and dining
• Mobility assistance to help seniors get up and around the house
• Alzheimers and dementia care

Our services revolve around physical needs and total wellbeing so that anyone who needs care can experience the best of life – regardless of age or level of care required. And we know the kind of care needed will likely change over time, so we're always ready to adjust the Plan of Care accordingly.

When will you meet your Comfort Keeper?

Your Care Coordinator will give you a call to tell you a little bit about your Comfort Keeper and let you know what to expect during the first visit. Family members are of course welcome to meet and get to know their loved one's Comfort Keeper during the first visit.

Once everyone has been introduced to each other and reviewed the plan of care, it's time to relax and get to know each other. This is a crucial step to building a rapport between your loved one and their Comfort Keeper. 

What should you expect from the first Comfort Keeper visit?

Many people wonder what the caregiver will do each day or what to expect of them on their first visit. Some seniors are hesitant to ask for help and don't know what to expect. The Plan of Care puts everyone at ease because they will know exactly what to expect and feel more comfortable as they get to know their Comfort Keeper.

Our Comfort Keepers provide what we call Interactive Caregiving, which means that they do activities with your loved one, not for them. Each day brings the opportunity to explore new interests and foster genuine friendships, keeping seniors engaged and providing purpose. Your Comfort Keeper may also upload photos and notes to the online family portal so that family members can stay connected to what's going on in their senior loved one's life, and have peace of mind.

What follow-up happens after the first visit?

After your Comfort Keeper's first visit, your Care Coordinator will check in with you. They will ask how it went, how your family and the Comfort Keeper got along, and if any immediate changes need to be made to improve future visits.

This is a critical step. It gives everyone a chance to honestly evaluate the Plan of Care and bring up any questions now that they have experienced a visit with their Comfort Keeper. 

We focus on open communication with family members and clients. We're available at any time to chat about any concerns or questions.

What happens during care review?

The kind of in-home care our clients need evolves with time. Your Care Coordinator will review the care plan every 3 to 6 months, or sooner as circumstances change. Your Comfort Keeper will also be an integral part of this process. They keep an eye on any changes in acuity that might indicate a change in care is needed. Together, we ensure that you or your senior loved one gets the quality care they need, maintains the independence they desire, and perhaps most importantly, continues to discover the joy in life -- all of which inspire greater wellbeing and elevate the human spirit.

Download our What to Expect: Comfort Keepers® In-Home Care Journey infographic, or contact the Comfort Keepers location near you to schedule your Care Consultation. 

Need help broaching the conversation with a loved one about care? We can help. Watch the video.