A care consultation — your first real conversation with a residential care home — is an opportunity to ask questions, share your loved one's story, and get a sense of whether the home might be the right fit.
Coming prepared makes the conversation more productive for everyone. Here is what we suggest gathering and thinking through before you call or visit.
Information That Helps Us Help You
You do not need to have everything on this list before reaching out. A first conversation can be informal. But having this information available will help any care home give you a more accurate picture of whether they can meet your loved one's needs.
A general health summary
Primary diagnoses, significant health history, recent hospitalizations or surgeries, and any conditions that affect daily functioning.
Current medications
A list of current medications, dosages, and prescribing physicians. This helps us understand the complexity of medication management involved.
Functional abilities
What can your loved one do independently? Where do they need assistance? This includes bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, continence, and communication.
Cognitive status
Has your loved one been diagnosed with dementia or another cognitive condition? Are there behavioral symptoms — wandering, agitation, confusion — that affect daily care?
What matters most to your loved one
Their preferences, routines, interests, and values. What does a good day look like for them? What are they most worried about?
What to Expect From the Conversation
- ✓We will ask questions about your loved one's needs and history — not to screen them out, but to understand whether our home is genuinely the right fit.
- ✓We will explain our care model honestly, including what we do well and where our limitations are.
- ✓We will answer your questions as completely as we can. If we do not know the answer, we will say so.
- ✓There is no pressure to make a decision. A first conversation is just a conversation.
Ready to Talk?
Call us at 757-279-7091 or email [email protected]. We are happy to have an initial conversation at whatever pace feels right for your family.