Meeting prospects/clients in their home

[Anonymous]

Hi,

For all of you who meet with clients or prospects in person, do you meet with them at their home? If working with seniors, I would presume most seniors would prefer you come to them. I would feel uncomfortable going to someone’s home that I did not know well. Would anyone relay the process of your first meeting (whether by phone, web conference or in-person) and then what you do going forward?

Thank you,
Heather Budgick

[Karen Ethridge]

Hello Heather,

Great question and thank you for posting! My background is in clinical social work, so I’ve met with many clients in their homes for many years and that is something I’m used to doing. One of the first things I learned was how to take personal safety precautions before any home visit with someone new. People usually speak with me via phone initially, and I do some homework regarding where they are located and who else is in the home. I may contact their family member to have them present during my first meeting (that is preferable). Most of my clients are word-of-mouth so I find out some basic information from the referral source (CPA, Banker, Estate Attorney, Social Worker) including their living situation. I ALWAYS keep my cell phone charged and available, and let my family know where I am going and approximately how long I plan to be there so that if there is any problem, someone knows where I am. As a DMM, I have had only one situation where it was a bit dicey, and that was because the client had a problem with hoarding, and shared that his home was infested with bed bugs (after I had entered it and sat down). I followed up with his health care provider and was VERY prepared the next time I met with him….yes, I did go back 🙂 For clients that can come to my office for the initial visit, I do offer that, but with my elder clients, I do prefer to see them in their home environment as that is worth so much more than what I could learn from a phone or office visit. Would be glad to share more and feel free to call me.

Barbara Boustead
608-515-4083

[Anonymous]

Barbara,
Thank you for your response. It was very helpful! I will keep all of that in mind.

[Author]

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