Reviewed by Rachael Ptaszek, RN, BSN, Agency Supervisor at All Family Health Care in Chicago, IL.

What to Expect During Your First Home Health Visit in Chicago

Starting home health care for the first time can feel uncertain. You may not know who will come to your door, what they will ask, how long they will stay, or what happens next. That uncertainty is completely normal — and it is exactly why we want to walk you through the process before it begins.

At All Family Health Care, a Medicare-certified, Joint Commission accredited home health agency serving Chicago and the surrounding communities, our goal is to make your first visit feel welcoming, thorough, and reassuring. Here is exactly what you can expect — from before the nurse or therapist arrives to the moment your individualized care plan is in place.

Before the Visit — What to Prepare

Before your first visit, your care coordinator will have already been in contact with your physician’s office to receive the home health order and review any relevant medical history. You do not need to track down records or handle paperwork yourself — we take care of that coordination on your behalf.

To help the first visit go smoothly, it is helpful to have the following items available when your clinician arrives:

A complete and current list of all medications, including dosages and how often you take them (prescription and over-the-counter)
Your Medicare card and any supplemental insurance cards
Your primary care physician’s name and contact information
Contact information for any specialists currently involved in your care
Any recent hospital discharge paperwork, lab results, or imaging reports
A list of questions or concerns you would like to discuss during the visit

Do not worry if you cannot locate everything on this list. Your clinician is experienced at gathering the information they need and will guide you through any gaps. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and ready to have an open conversation about your health.

The Initial Assessment

The first visit is centered on a comprehensive assessment conducted by a registered nurse or licensed therapist. This evaluation is thorough, but it is also unhurried and compassionate. Your clinician is not there to inspect or judge — they are there to understand your current health situation as completely as possible so that your care plan truly fits your needs.

During the initial assessment, your clinician will evaluate:

Your current health status — vital signs, recent diagnoses, primary health concerns, and how you have been feeling since leaving the hospital or since the onset of your condition
Your medications — a full review of everything you are taking, including checking for potential interactions or gaps in your current regimen
Home safety — a walkthrough of your living environment to identify fall hazards, mobility barriers, or safety risks that can be addressed as part of your care plan
Fall risk — an assessment of your balance, gait, strength, and history of falls to establish an appropriate prevention strategy
Functional abilities — how well you are able to perform activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, preparing meals, and moving around your home
Your care goals — what you most want to achieve through home health care, whether that is regaining strength, managing a wound, reducing pain, or returning to independent living

This assessment forms the clinical foundation of everything that follows. Learn more about the role of skilled nursing in home health care at All Family Health Care.

Developing Your Care Plan

Based on the initial assessment and your physician’s orders, our clinical team develops an individualized care plan tailored specifically to you. No two care plans at All Family Health Care are the same — because no two patients are the same.

Your care plan will outline which services you will receive, how often clinicians will visit, what goals you are working toward, and how progress will be measured. The plan is developed in close coordination with your physician, who reviews and approves it before services begin in full.

Depending on your needs, your care plan may include:

Skilled nursing visits for wound care, medication management, chronic disease monitoring, or post-surgical follow-up
Physical or occupational therapy sessions focused on restoring function, strength, and independence
Speech therapy if communication or swallowing difficulties are part of your diagnosis
Home health aide support for personal care activities, when included as part of a skilled care plan
Medical social worker visits to assist with community resources, care transitions, and emotional support

Your care plan is a living document — it is reviewed and updated regularly as your condition changes and your goals evolve. Visit our services page to see the full range of care available through All Family Health Care.

Meeting Your Care Team

Home health care at All Family Health Care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of professionals, each with a distinct and important role. Depending on your care plan, you may receive visits from one or more of the following team members:

Registered Nurse (RN) — Your RN manages your overall clinical care, including wound care, medication management, disease monitoring, patient education, and care coordination with your physician. The RN is often your primary point of contact for clinical questions throughout your care.
Physical Therapist (PT) — Your PT works to restore your strength, mobility, balance, and endurance. Physical therapy is especially valuable after surgery, injury, stroke, or any event that has affected your ability to move safely and independently.
Occupational Therapist (OT) — Your OT helps you regain the ability to perform everyday activities — bathing, dressing, cooking, managing medications — safely and with as much independence as possible.
Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) — Your SLP addresses speech, language, cognitive communication, and swallowing difficulties. This specialist is often involved in care for patients recovering from stroke, brain injury, or neurological conditions.
Home Health Aide — Your home health aide provides assistance with personal care activities such as bathing, grooming, and dressing. Home health aide visits are scheduled as part of a larger care plan that includes skilled nursing or therapy.
Medical Social Worker (MSW) — Your MSW helps you and your family navigate the emotional, social, and practical challenges that often accompany serious illness or recovery. This may include connecting you with community resources, helping with care transitions, or providing counseling and support.

Not every patient will work with every member of this team. Your care plan determines which professionals are involved based on your specific medical needs and goals.

Questions to Ask During Your First Visit

The first visit is your opportunity to learn, ask, and advocate for yourself or your loved one. Your clinician will welcome every question. Here are six questions worth asking:

How often will you be visiting, and for how long? Understanding your visit schedule helps you and your family plan around appointments and feel confident about how much clinical support you will have each week.
Who do I call in a medical emergency or after hours? All Family Health Care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ask your clinician for the direct line and confirm how to reach the on-call nurse at any hour.
What should I do between visits? Ask about any exercises, wound care steps, medication schedules, or warning signs you should monitor at home between clinical visits.
What are my care goals, and how will we measure progress? Understanding the measurable objectives in your care plan helps you stay motivated and track meaningful improvement over time.
How will you communicate with my doctor? Your clinician will coordinate directly with your physician throughout your care. Ask how often updates are shared and what happens if your condition changes.
Can family members be involved in my care? Family participation is encouraged at All Family Health Care. Ask how your care team will keep family members informed and how loved ones can best support your recovery at home.

For more commonly asked questions about home health care, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

After the First Visit — Next Steps

After your initial assessment, your clinician will submit their findings to our clinical team, and your care plan will be finalized in coordination with your physician. You will receive a copy of your care plan and a visit schedule so you know exactly when to expect each clinician.

Regular visits will then begin according to your care plan. As your condition changes — whether you are progressing well or experiencing new challenges — your care plan will be adjusted accordingly. Our clinical team is in ongoing communication with your physician to ensure your home health services remain aligned with your overall medical treatment.

Family members and caregivers are kept informed throughout the process. If a family member would like to be present during visits or receive updates directly, your care team will make those arrangements. Open communication between patients, families, and clinicians is central to the way All Family Health Care operates across Chicago.

Between visits, you are never on your own. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including evenings, weekends, and holidays. If you have a concern, a question about your medications, or a symptom that worries you, call us. That is what we are here for.

Reach us anytime at (773) 775-2588 or by email at [email protected].

Ready to Get Started?

If you or a loved one is ready to begin home health care in Chicago, All Family Health Care is here to guide you through every step. Call us at (773) 775-2588, email [email protected], or submit a request online. We are available around the clock and ready to help.

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