What to expect from a home care assessment
Who visits, what we'll ask, how carers are matched and how the care plan and quotation come together. A clear guide to Hedgerow's free assessment.
A home care assessment is how a care provider gets to know someone before care begins. It's not a test, and nobody is being judged. It's a conversation about daily life: what's going well, what's become harder, and what help would make a difference. At Hedgerow, the assessment is free and there's no obligation to go ahead.
What happens after you contact us
When you call or send an enquiry, we'll start with a short conversation about what's happening and what you're looking for. We'll then arrange a time for the assessment that suits you. If care is needed urgently, for example after a hospital stay, we'll move as quickly as we safely can. We regularly arrange care at short notice, sometimes within 24 hours, subject to an assessment and suitable carers being available.
Who attends?
A member of our care management team carries out the assessment, usually at home. The person who'll be receiving care should be there if they can, as it's their care plan. Family members are welcome, with the person's agreement. Sometimes an assessment takes place in hospital before discharge.
What we'll ask about
We'll want to understand the person as well as their needs. Typical topics include:
- What a normal day looks like, from getting up to going to bed
- What they can do independently, and where they'd like help
- Personal care preferences, such as bath or shower, and times of day
- Meals, favourite foods, and any dietary requirements
- Medication, and any help needed taking it
- Mobility, getting around the home, and getting out and about
- Health conditions and the professionals involved, such as their GP or district nurse
- Interests, hobbies, and the people who matter to them
- How they'd like family to be involved and kept informed
Routines and personal preferences
The small details matter most: how someone takes their tea, which chair they prefer, whether they like the radio on in the morning. These go into the care plan so every carer follows them. For someone living with dementia, keeping routines consistent can make a real difference. Our guide to dementia care at home explains why.
Medication, mobility and risk
Part of the assessment is about keeping everyone safe. We'll look at:
- Medication: what's prescribed, how it's stored, and the level of support needed, from reminders to help taking it as set out in the care plan.
- Mobility and moving and handling: how the person moves around, any equipment such as a walking frame or hoist, and whether two carers might be needed for some tasks.
- The home environment: trip hazards, lighting, access to the property and anything that might affect safe care.
- Other risks: such as falls, skin health, or the risk of someone becoming unwell when alone.
We'll talk through anything we notice and agree together how to manage it, always respecting the person's right to make their own choices.
How carers are matched
Once we understand someone's needs and personality, we look for carers whose skills, experience and nature suit them. Where possible, we introduce carers before care begins so the person can say who they feel comfortable with. For live-in care, we prefer to allow a few days for introductions and meet-and-greets.
How the care plan is created
After the visit, we write a personal care plan setting out what help will be provided, when, and how the person likes things done. We'll share it with you and make changes if anything isn't right. With consent, authorised relatives can view the care plan and daily care notes online.
How the quotation is prepared
Alongside the care plan, we'll give you a clear written quotation based on the care recommended. Our private packages start from seven hours a week, with visits of at least an hour. We invoice monthly, and our standard notice period for ending care is two weeks. There's no pressure to decide on the spot. Read more about what affects the cost of home care.
Before the first visit
- 1Agree start dateWe confirm when care will begin and who will be visiting.
- 2Access arrangementsWe agree how carers will get in, such as a key safe, and who to contact in an emergency.
- 3IntroductionsWhere possible, you meet the carers beforehand.
- 4PaperworkYou receive the care plan and service agreement to read and sign.
Reviews and changes
Care plans aren't fixed. We'll check in during the first few weeks, then review the plan regularly and whenever something changes, such as a hospital stay, a new diagnosis or simply a change in what the person wants. Support can be increased, reduced or reshaped at any time.
If you're arranging care for a parent, you may also find our guide to arranging home care for an elderly parent helpful.
This guide is general information about care in England and isn't medical, legal or financial advice. Last reviewed 14 October 2026.