What Caregiver Supplies Does Your Home Care Agency NOT Provide? A Family's Guide to Preparing for In-Home Care
Before your loved one's first day of home care, make sure their home is prepared with the everyday essentials they'll need.
You've finally made the decision to hire professional help for your aging parent, spouse, or loved one.
You've researched home care agencies, discussed services, reviewed the cost of care, and selected a caregiver. Perhaps you've even completed the admission paperwork and scheduled the first visit.
But have you considered what supplies the caregiver will need when they arrive?
Many families assume that when they hire a home care agency or home health care provider, everything needed to care for their loved one will be included.
That's not always the case.
While professional caregivers may arrive with certain work-related supplies and equipment, many of the everyday items used during personal care are typically provided by the client or family.
Understanding the difference can help prevent unnecessary expenses, confusion, and interruptions in care.
1. Personal Hygiene and Bathing Supplies
If your loved one needs assistance with bathing, grooming, dressing, or personal hygiene, the caregiver will need access to the appropriate products.
Items to have available:
Body wash or mild soap
Shampoo and conditioner
Washcloths and bath towels
Toothbrush, toothpaste, and oral care supplies
Moisturizer and skin care products
Deodorant
Hairbrushes, combs, and grooming products
Disposable bathing wipes, when appropriate
Clean clothing and undergarments
For individuals with sensitive skin, allergies, or specific medical conditions, ask their healthcare provider about appropriate products.
Family tip: Keep commonly used personal care supplies together in an accessible location so caregivers don't have to search for them during each visit.
2. Incontinence and Toileting Supplies
For families caring for someone experiencing bladder or bowel incontinence, maintaining adequate supplies is especially important.
Depending on your loved one's needs, these may include:
Adult briefs or protective underwear
Disposable bed pads or underpads
Personal cleansing wipes
Skin barrier creams, when recommended
Waterproof mattress protectors
Extra bed linens
Bedside commode liners, if applicable
Toilet paper and personal hygiene products
These supplies can become a significant recurring expense, particularly when someone requires assistance throughout the day or overnight.
Family tip: Ask the home care agency how frequently supplies are used and whether they can notify you when inventory is running low.
Some Medicaid programs, insurance plans, or other benefits may cover certain medically necessary incontinence products. Coverage varies, so check before purchasing large quantities.
3. Bedding, Laundry, and Household Essentials
Professional caregivers may assist with changing linens, laundering clothing, and maintaining a clean environment as part of the agreed-upon care plan.
However, the household generally provides the products needed for these tasks.
Consider keeping the following available:
Extra sheets and pillowcases
Blankets appropriate for the season
Laundry detergent
Household cleaning supplies
Trash bags
Paper towels
Dish soap
Clean towels and washcloths
Disinfecting products appropriate for household surfaces
Family tip: Ask your agency which household tasks are included in the service agreement. Light housekeeping is not necessarily the same as full housekeeping services.
4. Mobility and Safety Equipment
Depending on your loved one's physical condition, certain equipment may be needed to help them move safely throughout the home.
Examples include:
Walkers or canes
Wheelchairs
Shower chairs or transfer benches
Raised toilet seats
Bedside commodes
Grab bars
Hospital beds
Transfer equipment, when clinically appropriate
Unlike everyday household supplies, these items may require a professional assessment, proper fitting, or caregiver training.
Do not purchase transfer equipment or expect a caregiver to use it without first discussing your loved one's needs with the appropriate healthcare professional and agency.
Some durable medical equipment may qualify for Medicare coverage when specific requirements are met. Families should verify eligibility and supplier requirements before purchasing.
5. Medications and Health-Related Supplies
Your loved one's medications and prescribed medical supplies should be available according to their healthcare provider's instructions.
Depending on the care plan, this might include:
Prescribed medications
Medication organizers, when appropriate
A current medication list
Blood pressure monitors
Thermometers
Blood glucose monitoring supplies
Prescribed wound care supplies
Other physician-recommended items
It's important to understand that not every caregiver is permitted to administer medications, perform wound care, or provide skilled nursing services.
A home care aide, certified nursing assistant, licensed practical nurse, and registered nurse may have different responsibilities depending on state regulations, credentials, and the services authorized.
Family tip: Before care begins, ask exactly what medication assistance or medical services your caregiver is authorized to provide.
6. What About Gloves, Masks, and Other Protective Supplies?
This is one area where families should ask questions rather than make assumptions.
Caregivers may need disposable gloves, masks, or other personal protective equipment when providing certain services.
However, when an agency employs the caregiver, federal workplace safety requirements generally place responsibility for required employee protective equipment on the employer.
Families should not assume they must purchase occupational protective equipment for agency employees.
The arrangement may differ when hiring an independent caregiver directly, depending on the employment relationship and applicable requirements.
Ask your agency:
Does your agency provide disposable gloves and other required protective equipment?
Are any supplies included in the cost of care?
Which personal care products must our family purchase?
Are there additional charges for supplies or equipment?
Getting these answers in writing can help avoid misunderstandings.
7. Don't Forget Emergency Preparedness Supplies
With winter approaching, families should also consider what happens if severe weather, a power outage, or another emergency interrupts normal caregiving routines.
A basic emergency supply plan may include:
Drinking water and nonperishable food
Flashlights and extra batteries
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
A first aid kit
An updated medication list
Emergency contact information
Extra blankets
Backup medical supplies
A plan for medical equipment that requires electricity
If your loved one relies on oxygen, electrically powered medical equipment, or other essential devices, discuss an appropriate emergency plan with their healthcare team.
Remember that your home care agency may not be able to guarantee uninterrupted visits during severe weather or other emergencies.
Before the Caregiver's First Visit: Ask These Five Questions
Before signing your service agreement or scheduling the first visit, ask your home care provider:
What supplies does your agency provide? Request a list of included items.
What supplies are we expected to keep in the home? Ask whether the agency has a client admission checklist.
Will someone assess our loved one's equipment and supply needs? Find out whether this is part of the initial assessment.
How will we know when supplies need to be replenished? Establish a communication process.
What happens if a necessary item isn't available? Understand how the agency handles missing supplies or equipment that affect safe care.
These conversations can make the transition to professional home care much smoother.
A Little Preparation Can Make a Big Difference
Hiring a professional caregiver is an important step toward helping your loved one remain safe, comfortable, and supported at home.
But professional caregiving works best when families and care providers understand their responsibilities.
You don't need to purchase every item on this list. Your loved one's needs should determine what belongs in their home.
Start with the care assessment, ask questions, and work with your home care agency to develop a realistic supply plan.
Remember: The goal isn't simply to hire a caregiver. It's to create an environment where your loved one can receive safe, consistent, and compassionate care.
Written by Laseandia "Sean" Pounds, The Original Home Care Mentor™, founder of Savvy Business Chick™. With more than 19 years of experience in the home care industry, Sean helps aspiring and established home care business owners build and grow their agencies.
Educational information only. Supply responsibilities vary by provider, care agreement, payer, and applicable law. Consult your healthcare team about medical supplies and equipment.
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