Serving Oakland · Macomb · Wayne counties
Family guide
What to expect in the first week of home care
VA has authorized care and a caregiver is about to start. Here is how the first week goes, and small things that make it easier for the veteran.
Before the first visit
Once VA sends a referral for Homemaker / Home Health Aide care or respite, things move quickly. Here's what happens with VETTED, and what helps.
- We call you. We introduce ourselves and set a day for the first visit.
- We learn the routine. Mealtimes, how the veteran likes to bathe, stairs, pets, hearing or vision needs, favorite topics, and who to call if something changes.
- We set the schedule together. Visit days and times that fit the hours VA authorized. You get a clear list of when the caregiver will come.
Your first-week checklist
Make a one-page "about me"
Name they like to be called, branch and years of service if they like to talk about it, daily routine, food likes and dislikes, what calms them down, and what upsets them.
Put key numbers on the fridge
Family contacts, the VA social worker, the VA primary care team, the pharmacy, and our care line.
Show the caregiver the house
Where supplies are, how the shower and the thermostat work, any tricky locks, and where the veteran usually sits.
Set up medication reminders
Our caregivers remind; they don't give medications. A labeled pill organizer filled by family or the pharmacy makes reminders simple and safe.
Be there for the first visit if you can
A familiar face helps the veteran relax. After that, step back so the veteran and caregiver can build their own rhythm.
Tell us what worked and what didn't
We check in after the first week. Small changes, like a different time of day, often make a big difference.
If the veteran pushes back
It's normal for a veteran to say "I don't need help," especially at first. A few things that often help:
- Frame it as help for the family. "This gives Mom a break" lands better than "you need a caregiver."
- Start with tasks, not personal care. Meals, errands and conversation first; bathing once trust is built.
- Keep the same caregiver. We aim to send the same person each visit and give notice if that has to change.
- Let them share their service. Many veterans open up with someone who respects what they did.
When something needs to change
Call us if the fit isn't right, a visit time isn't working, or the veteran's needs change. Changing caregivers is not a complaint. It's part of getting care right.
If the veteran seems to need more help than VA authorized, tell the VA social worker. We'll also let you and the social worker know if our caregiver notices a change, such as new confusion, trouble walking or a poor appetite.
Care line: 248-794-9292. If it's a medical emergency, call 911.
Common questions
How soon does care start after the VA referral?
It depends on when VA sends the referral and on caregiver availability near the veteran. We respond promptly, call the family to set up the first visit, and give an honest start date.
Do we need to be home for the first visit?
It helps but isn't required. A familiar face makes the first visit easier for most veterans. If you can't be there, tell us the routine by phone and we'll pass it on.
Will it be the same caregiver every time?
That is our goal. Consistency matters, especially for veterans with memory loss. If a change is needed, we give notice.
Can the caregiver give medications?
No. Our caregivers give medication reminders only. They don't give medications or injections, change wound dressings or do medical assessments.
Independent and veteran-owned. VETTED is not part of, and does not speak for, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA alone decides eligibility and authorized hours. Information on this site is general and is not a benefit determination. Page last updated September 24, 2026.