HarvardCare at Home 
HarvardCare at Home 
Wound Care
Preparing for Professional Care at Home
Starting home health services can feel unfamiliar, especially if you have never received medical care in your home before. Understanding what happens during the first visit reduces anxiety and helps you prepare to get the most from your home health experience.
The initial home health visit is more comprehensive than subsequent visits, as clinicians need to gather detailed information about your health status, home environment, and care needs. This thorough assessment forms the foundation for your personalized care plan.
This guide walks you through what to expect before, during, and after your first home health visit so you can approach this important appointment with confidence.
Before the First Visit
Some preparation before your first home health visit helps ensure a productive session.
Scheduling and Confirmation
After your physician orders home health services, the agency will contact you to schedule the initial visit. This first appointment is often called the start of care visit or admission visit.
The agency should provide a general timeframe for the visit, though exact appointment times vary by agency. Some provide specific times while others give broader windows. If you have scheduling constraints, communicate these when the visit is scheduled.
Gather Important Information
Having key information ready saves time and ensures accuracy. Prepare the following before your visit:
- Insurance cards including Medicare and any supplemental coverage
- Photo identification
- Complete list of current medications including doses and frequency
- Names and contact information for your physicians
- Recent hospital discharge paperwork if applicable
- List of allergies
- Medical history summary including surgeries and chronic conditions
- Emergency contact information
Prepare Your Home
The clinician needs to assess your home environment as part of the visit. While you do not need to deep clean, ensure safe access to your home. Clear a path for the clinician to reach you and have a comfortable place to sit during the assessment. Keep pets secured if they might interfere with the visit.
Arrange for Support
Having a family member or caregiver present during the first visit is often helpful. They can provide additional information, hear instructions firsthand, and ask questions. If your primary caregiver cannot attend, ask the clinician about the best way to share important information with them.
Who Will Visit
The professional conducting your first visit depends on the services you need.
Registered Nurse
Most commonly, a registered nurse conducts the initial assessment. Nurses evaluate your overall health status, manage skilled nursing needs like wound care and medication management, and coordinate your care plan.
Physical Therapist
If physical therapy is your primary service, a physical therapist may perform the initial evaluation. They assess mobility, strength, balance, and functional limitations.
Occupational Therapist
For patients primarily needing occupational therapy, an occupational therapist conducts the initial visit, evaluating ability to perform daily activities and home safety.
Other Clinicians
Speech therapists or medical social workers may perform initial evaluations when these are the primary services ordered.
What Happens During the Visit
The first visit is comprehensive, typically lasting 45 minutes to over an hour. Understanding the components helps you know what to expect.
Introduction and Paperwork
The clinician will introduce themselves and verify your identity. They will review and have you sign various forms including consent for treatment, privacy notices, patient rights information, and other required documentation.
This paperwork is necessary but should not consume the entire visit. If you have questions about any documents, ask before signing.
Health History Review
The clinician will ask detailed questions about your health including current medical conditions and why you need home health, past medical history and surgeries, current medications and any recent changes, allergies and adverse reactions, pain levels and symptoms, and recent hospitalizations or procedures.
Answer questions honestly and completely. Information you might think is unimportant could be relevant to your care.
Physical Assessment
Depending on your needs, the clinician will perform various assessments. A nursing assessment might include vital signs including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and oxygen level, heart and lung sounds, wound assessment if applicable, skin condition, edema or swelling, and neurological status.
A therapy assessment focuses on strength, range of motion, balance, mobility, and functional abilities relevant to your treatment needs.
Medication Review
The clinician will review all your medications, comparing what you have at home to what was prescribed. They check for potential interactions, ensure you understand how to take each medication, and identify any concerns requiring physician communication.
Show the clinician your actual medication bottles rather than relying solely on a written list. This allows verification of doses and helps identify expired medications or discrepancies.
Home Safety Assessment
Your home environment affects your safety and recovery. The clinician will observe potential hazards like fall risks, adequate lighting, bathroom safety, and equipment needs. They may recommend modifications to improve safety.
Care Plan Discussion
Based on the assessment, the clinician will discuss your care plan including what services you will receive, how often visits will occur, goals for your care, and what to expect going forward.
This is your opportunity to ask questions about your care. Make sure you understand the plan before the visit ends.
Education
The clinician will provide education relevant to your condition. This might include disease management information, medication instructions, wound care techniques, exercises to perform between visits, warning signs to watch for, and when and how to contact the agency.
Scheduling Future Visits
Before leaving, the clinician will discuss the schedule for upcoming visits. You should know when to expect the next visit and how frequently visits will occur.
Questions to Ask
The first visit is an important opportunity to get information. Consider asking:
- What are the goals of my home health care?
- How often will I receive visits and from whom?
- How long do you expect I will need home health services?
- What should I do between visits to support my recovery?
- What symptoms or changes should prompt me to call?
- How do I reach someone if I have questions or concerns?
- What happens in an emergency?
- How will you communicate with my doctor?
- What is expected of me and my family?
After the First Visit
After the clinician leaves, a few follow-up steps help ensure smooth ongoing care.
Review Materials
Look over any written materials the clinician provided. Make sure you understand instructions and know where to find information when needed.
Share Information
If family members or caregivers were not present, share important information with them. They need to understand the care plan and their role in supporting your recovery.
Follow Instructions
Begin following any instructions provided, whether exercises, dietary changes, or medication adjustments. Your participation between visits significantly affects outcomes.
Note Questions
As questions arise before the next visit, write them down so you remember to ask. No question is too small if it affects your understanding or care.
What Makes a Good First Visit
A successful first visit establishes a positive foundation for your home health experience.
Open Communication
Share concerns, ask questions, and provide complete information. The clinician can only help if they understand your situation fully.
Realistic Expectations
Understand that the first visit focuses on assessment and planning. Actual treatment may begin during this visit but develops more fully in subsequent visits.
Active Participation
Engage actively in your care from the start. Your involvement determines much of your outcome.
If Something Does Not Feel Right
Trust your instincts about the care you receive. If you have concerns after the first visit, address them promptly.
Contact the Agency
Call the agency to discuss concerns about your clinician, care plan, or any aspect of services. Most issues can be resolved through communication.
Request Changes
You have the right to request a different clinician if the assigned provider is not a good fit. Compatibility matters for effective care.
Know Your Rights
Home health patients have specific rights including the right to be informed about care, participate in planning, and voice concerns without fear of retaliation.
Starting Your Home Health Journey
The first home health visit begins an important partnership focused on your recovery and wellbeing. Approaching this visit prepared and engaged sets a positive tone for your entire home health experience.
Remember that home health clinicians are there to help you. They bring expertise and support directly to your home, making professional care accessible and convenient. Take advantage of this resource by participating fully and communicating openly.
Your first visit is just the beginning. With ongoing care and your active participation, home health services can help you achieve your recovery goals and maintain your independence at home.
