Home visits

When leaving home involves considerable effort, complex support or mobility difficulties, it may be appropriate to ask about a geriatric home visit. Meeting in familiar surroundings can help in understanding everyday function and discussing needs with the patient and those supporting them.

Home visits from Medical Experts are arranged in advance with the team. Before confirming a visit, we clarify the reason for the request, the patient’s address and the type of assessment required. The option of a home visit does not mean the service is available in every locality or for every medical need.

A home visit may suit someone with restricted mobility, weakness after a hospital stay, substantial assistance needs or another difficulty reaching the clinic. Suitability depends on the situation and whether the required assessment can be carried out at home.

The visit may consider health, medication, memory and the help needed for everyday activities. Observing the home environment and support available can add information that may be less apparent in a clinic visit.

A planned home visit is not an emergency service and cannot replace every medical investigation. Blood tests, imaging or further assessment elsewhere may be needed. A sudden change, such as new confusion or significant breathlessness, requires urgent medical attention rather than waiting for a visit.

By Dr. Maher Hijazi