What Happens When Home Care Starts: What to Look For

Understanding your care plan | What workers will ask | Common concerns | Switching providers

Posted 11th February 2026   |  8 minute read

Written by Jesse Gramenz

Starting home care is a relief for many but it's also a big change. After all the forms, referrals, and phone calls, you might finally be matched with a provider. But then what?

Good care starts with those first few weeks, the questions they ask, and the quiet observations they make that help shape care into something helpful (and personal). Let's walk through what to expect once support begins.

Why providers need to ask questions

Even after the paperwork is signed, your provider still needs to get to know you. Not just your needs on paper — your habits, your routines, and the things that make you feel at home. The first few weeks are like laying a foundation. The stronger and clearer it is, the better your care will feel.

They’ll want to understand:

• How you like things done, from laundry to morning routines
• Any changes in health or mobility
• Whether you feel safe, heard, and respected

This is how they turn a standard service into something that actually fits your life.

Understanding your care plan

A care plan is the official guide to what services you’ll receive, when, and how. It includes goals, support needs, tasks to be done, and safety measures. It’s developed in collaboration with you and, if you like, your family or support person.

Before services begin, your provider will have used your referral and assessment information to establish a starting point. It’s a basic outline of what support you’re eligible for and what you might need. But that’s only the beginning.

A care plan is a living document. It evolves over time as your needs, preferences, and routines become clearer. The more your carers get to know you, the more detail they can add: how you like your meals, your preferred schedule, or how to support your wellbeing beyond the basics.

Providers use your care plan to:

• Allocate the right staff and time for each visit
• Make sure your services match your needs and funding
• Track changes in your health or preferences
• Ensure legal and safety obligations are met

But a care plan isn’t a full picture of who you are. That’s why the best providers use it as a foundation and then build real connection on top.

What staff should notice (and how they should behave)

First impressions matter for both sides. A respectful carer will always wait to be invited in, introduce themselves clearly, and check that it’s still a good time for their visit.

On those first few visits, staff aren’t just there to “do the list.” They’re getting to know your rhythms, your space, and how you like to live. Their role is part practical, part observational.

A good support worker will:

• Wait for your invitation inside — not step in unannounced
• Introduce themselves clearly and explain why they’re there
• Observe how you move and interact without rushing or judging
• Check in about your comfort, mood, and pace

Their demeanour should be calm, respectful, and unhurried. Warmth goes a long way. They might be your new cleaner, assistant, or shower support, but first and foremost, they’re a guest in your home.

Read on:

• Does Medicare Cover Support at Home?
• How Many Hours Can You Get from Level 1 to Level 8 Support at Home Funding?
• How Much Will I Have to Pay for Support at Home?
• What Happens When You Need More Funding?

What they’ll ask in the first few visits

Even if you’ve shared some of this before, the first few visits are where your carer gets to know you. Not just your needs, but your preferences, quirks, comforts, and boundaries.

Think of it like showing someone around your kitchen for the first time. Where things go, what’s off-limits, these small things add up to care that feels right.

You might hear questions like:

• “How do you take your tea or coffee?”
   (One sugar, strong, with milk in last? Let them know — it matters.)
• “Is it okay if I move these cushions while I vacuum?”
   (Some people don’t mind; others have things just how they like them.)
• “Would you like help choosing your clothes today, or do you prefer to do that yourself?”
   (Dignity and independence are front and centre. Remember, they’ll follow your lead.)
• “Do you want to stay in the room while I tidy up, or take a break somewhere quieter?”
   (Not everyone wants to chat while tasks are done, and that’s okay.)
• “Is this the usual spot for your medications and appointments list?”
   (Carers want to keep your systems intact, not disrupt them.)
• “What would make this easier or more comfortable for you?”
   (This can open up conversations about noise levels, lighting, or pacing.)

They’ll also observe and adjust based on how you respond:

• If you wince while standing up, they might gently ask about mobility aids.
• If you seem unsure about a task, they may offer to step in or show you another way.
• If you visibly relax after a certain part of the visit, like having a cuppa together, they’ll take note and try to replicate that calm next time.

These aren’t just “preferences”, they’re clues to what makes you feel safe, respected, and at ease in your own home.

It’s okay to say:

• “Please don’t touch the things on this table — they’re set up a certain way.”
• “I’d rather you didn’t go into the bedroom — let’s keep to the kitchen and bathroom for now.”
• “I like things folded a certain way. I can show you if you’d like.”

Good carers won’t take offence, they’ll be grateful you told them.

The difference between a care plan and real understanding

A care plan is a starting point, not the whole picture.

It might say:

• “Assist with meal preparation twice weekly”
• “Provide help with showering and dressing”
• “Support with domestic tasks such as laundry”

But here’s what it won’t say:

• You like your tea made strong, milk in last, served in the blue floral cup
• You get anxious if the front door is left open too long
• You prefer to shower in the evening, not the morning, because that’s when you feel stiffest
• You have a favourite radio station you like playing softly while someone cleans

These are the details that make care feel human not just functional.

Great providers notice what isn’t written down

They pay attention to how you move, speak, react. They remember which towels you like best, or that you need the TV remote nearby before they leave. They check in about your mood, not just your mobility.

They don’t just follow a list, they follow you.

Supporting someone else who's starting care

If you're a family member or close friend of someone beginning home care, your support makes all the difference. Even small things like being there for the first visit or helping explain preferences can ease the transition.

Here’s how you can help:

• Be present for early visits, if the person is comfortable with it
• Help document daily preferences, such as food likes/dislikes or medication routines
• Speak up kindly if something feels off, and encourage the client to do the same
• Check in after the carer leaves — ask how it felt, what worked, and what didn’t

As one forum user shared on AgingCare, “I made a folder with ‘all things Mom’ — things she liked to do, her favourite meals, and it helped her open up to someone else.” (AgingCare Forum)

Common concerns in the first weeks

It’s totally normal to feel unsure or even disappointed at first. Building trust takes time. Here are a few common concerns people raise:

• “What if I don’t like my first carer?”
   You can absolutely request a change. Providers expect this and won’t be offended.
• “They don’t do things the way I do.”
   That’s where communication helps. It’s okay to say, “I prefer this folded differently” or “I’d like it done this way instead.”
• “I’m not sure how to fill the time.”
   Many carers are happy to play cards or just sit and chat. Suggest something light to get started.
• “I feel awkward having someone in my space.”

That’s natural — especially if you’re used to doing things solo. Start small. Keep to one or two rooms, or ask them to help in ways that feel less intrusive at first.

•  “I don’t want to seem bossy.”

You’re not being bossy. You’re setting up your home, your way. Clear, kind direction actually helps carers do their job better.

•  “What if they speak too fast or use medical words I don’t understand?”

Ask them to slow down or explain in plain language. Good carers want to be clear and respectful.

“Some days they just chat, but other times they read to her, do crosswords, and even brought a scrapbook to look through. That kind of variety helped break the ice.” (AgingCare Forum)

Tips for when you have multiple carers

Ideally, you'll have one or two regular carers you get to know well. But in reality, most home care providers work with teams which means you'll likely see more than one person over time.

That can be a good thing (especially if someone is away or unwell), but it can also be tiring if you're constantly re-explaining things.

Here’s how to make it easier:

• Ask for a small, consistent team if possible, most providers will try to accommodate this
• Create a simple “About Me” folder with notes on routines, likes/dislikes, and any do's and don'ts
• Keep a copy of your care plan handy, and update it when your needs or preferences change
• Use a notebook or shared communication log so all carers can stay in the loop

Changing providers if it’s not the right fit

There are no exit fees under the new Support at Home rules. You can switch providers without losing access to funding or facing penalties. It’s your right to choose care that feels right.

Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, a provider just doesn’t feel right. Maybe the communication’s not clicking. Maybe your needs have changed. Maybe you just want a fresh start.

The good news? You can change providers and you won’t be penalised for it.

• Your Support at Home funding moves with you.
• There’s no “waiting period” once your new provider is ready to start.
• You can continue services from one week to the next with minimal disruption.

You’ll need to let your current provider that you intend to change, and you can start meeting with others even before then. Importantly, under the Support at Home reforms, this transition is protected, every approved provider is required to allow clients to leave without charging exit fees. Your unspent funds move with you, and your access to care continues seamlessly. It's your right to choose a provider that feels right for you.

As always, trust your gut. If something feels off, or you’re just not getting what you hoped, it’s okay to look elsewhere.

Parting thoughts

Getting started with a home care provider can feel like stepping into the unknown. But when questions are asked with care, and when small routines are respected, that unknown becomes familiar.

You don’t need to have all the answers, just a willingness to share what matters to you.