The first month with VA support sets the tone for everything that follows—schedules, benefits, equipment, and communication. A thoughtful kickoff conversation with your VA social worker or case manager can prevent misunderstandings and speed up approvals. Use these ten questions to focus the discussion, uncover resources you might not know about, and build a plan that actually fits your life.
1) What are the top three priorities for the next 30–60 days?
Start simple: ask which actions will reduce risk or improve stability fastest. Priorities could include medication adherence, fall prevention, caregiver respite, or specialty appointments. Getting alignment on the “critical few” prevents scattered efforts and gives everyone a clear scoreboard.
2) Which programs am I eligible for right now—and which might open up later?
Eligibility often changes with diagnoses, functional needs, or service connection updates. Ask for a plain-language map of what’s available today (homemaker/home health aide, therapy, telehealth, respite) and what might be accessible in six months with documentation or reassessment. Knowing the “now” and the “next” helps you plan budgets and expectations.
3) How do we request and track in-home services, and what are typical timelines?
Clarify the process for authorizations, visit frequency, and vendor assignments. Request realistic timeframes for each step, plus a point of contact if scheduling stalls. Confirm how you’ll receive visit confirmations (calls, texts, portal) and what to do if a provider cancels last minute.
4) Can we schedule a home safety assessment with OT/PT—and what equipment may be covered?
Occupational and physical therapists can evaluate the home, demonstrate safe transfers, and recommend adaptive tools. Ask about coverage for grab bars, shower chairs, commodes, walkers, and pressure-relief cushions. Also discuss installation logistics and training so equipment gets used correctly from day one.
5) What supports are available for medication management?
Polypharmacy and complex regimens are common. Inquire about blister packs, pill dispensers, dosing-time aide visits, and pharmacist reviews. Ask who updates the med list and how changes are communicated across providers to avoid dangerous overlaps or gaps.
6) How do respite hours work, and what’s a realistic starting cadence?
Caregiver relief is a clinical necessity, not a luxury. Clarify how many hours you can start with, rules for scheduling (minimum blocks, weekend availability), and whether hours can be “banked” for longer stretches. Set a predictable routine—e.g., Tuesdays and Thursdays 1–5 pm—before crises make consistency harder.
7) What mental health and caregiver support options can we tap quickly?
Depression, anxiety, PTSD triggers, sleep disruption, and caregiver burnout can derail care plans. Ask about counseling (virtual or in-home), support groups, and short-term interventions to stabilize mood and stress. Addressing mental health early improves adherence and day-to-day functioning.
8) How can we leverage transportation, adult day programs, or community partners?
Transportation barriers and isolation create avoidable health swings. Request details on ride options, eligibility for adult day health, and connections to community organizations for meals, social activities, or home-delivered library services. Even two structured outings per week can reduce caregiver load and improve mood.
9) What data do you want from us between visits—and how should we share it?
Agree on a simple, repeatable reporting method: a weekly text, portal note, or shared notebook covering vitals (if tracked), appetite, sleep, mood, falls/near-falls, and med adherence. Establish thresholds that should trigger same-day outreach (e.g., repeated dizziness, new confusion, missed insulin).
10) What does a good 90-day outcome look like, and how will we adjust if we’re off track?
Set a clear destination: fewer ER visits, steady weight, safer transfers, better sleep, or caregiver stress moving from “9” to “5.” Ask how progress will be measured and when you’ll recalibrate. A brief check-in at 30 and 60 days keeps momentum and ensures services match reality—not last month’s snapshot.
Pro tips for a strong start
- Bring a two-week log. Note hands-on help provided, meds taken on time, stumbles, sleep quality, appetite, and caregiver hours. Data earns you the right services faster.
- Bundle tasks around pinch points. Morning and evening are high risk; concentrate aide visits there first.
- Start small, iterate often. Begin with the minimum effective dose of services and scale up as needed.
- Post a one-page “Care at a Glance.” Include diagnoses, meds, emergency contacts, preferred routines, mobility instructions, and communication preferences. Tape it inside a cabinet for any visiting provider.
Your social worker or case manager is your navigator, educator, and advocate. The more specific you are about daily pain points, the easier it is for them to match the right mix of supports. Frame the first month as a pilot: test schedules, equipment, and communication flows; then refine. With the right questions—and a clear picture of what “better” looks like—you’ll get more from the full spectrum of veteran care services and reduce the stress that often shadows day-to-day care.
