A clear account of an ordinary day helps explain support needs without relying on broad phrases such as needing a little help.
You know the small details of an ordinary day. Those details can help explain where support would make a difference.
Understand the question
Use concrete examples and avoid guessing a level of care. A professional assessment should consider the information alongside relevant records and the person’s own account.
Make it practical
Describe a routine in stages: what the person does independently, where help is welcomed and what varies from day to day. “Needs help in the morning” is less useful than a clear account of the particular task and the person’s preferred way of receiving support.
Your checklist
- Describe mornings, meals, personal care and evenings
- Note tasks the person does independently
- Explain where prompting or hands-on help is needed
- Include routines the person wants to keep
What to do next
Keep your notes current and private. Ask the home how to provide them securely and whether it needs information from existing carers or professionals as well.
Make a short note of the answer you need, who will help and anything to confirm before you make plans. You can bring that question to a conversation with the team.