Families often need in-home help on a short timeline, not weeks from now. This page explains how our 72-hour caregiver matching process works, step by step, so you know what happens after you reach out, what we ask, and how a caregiver is confirmed before care starts.
The same matching steps apply regardless of city. If you are looking for local context in Wisconsin, you can also visit our Milwaukee in-home care guide.
What the 72-Hour Matching Process Covers
The 72-hour matching process is a three-day sequence that moves a family from first contact to a confirmed in-home caregiver match. It is designed for people who need practical help at home and want a clear plan, not an open-ended waitlist.
Matching focuses on daily support, schedule, and fit. It is not a medical exam, a diagnosis, or a treatment plan. We do not diagnose conditions or tell you which clinical path to take. We help you describe the help you want at home and then match a caregiver who can support those tasks.
Hours 0 to 12: Intake and Care Needs
The first 12 hours focus on a structured intake so we understand who needs help, which daily tasks matter most, and when care should start. You can reach out for yourself or on behalf of a parent, spouse, or other relative.
During intake we typically ask about:
- Who needs support, where they live, and who else is in the home
- Which tasks are hardest right now, such as meals, bathing, dressing, companionship, or overnight presence
- Preferred hours, including weekday, weekend, overnight, or live-in coverage
- Any language, cultural, or personality preferences that would make the match easier
- Whether the need is ongoing, short-term, or tied to a recent hospital stay
You do not need a formal diagnosis to start intake. If memory changes are part of the picture, say so in plain language. That helps us look at memory care at home options without turning the conversation into a clinical assessment.
Hours 12 to 36: Screening and Shortlist
Hours 12 to 36 are used to compare your stated needs with caregiver qualifications, availability, and relevant experience so we can build a shortlist. This is the matching engine of the 72-hour window: we are looking for people who can actually cover the hours you need, not just a name on a roster.
A shortlist is based on practical fit, including:
- Schedule match, including evenings, weekends, or overnight hours when those are required
- Task match, such as companion care for social support or personal care for bathing, dressing, and mobility help
- Experience with similar home settings, including multi-person households or apartment living
- Comfort with memory-related routines when you have described forgetfulness, repetition, or safety concerns
- Backup coverage so a first-day gap is less likely if someone is unexpectedly unavailable
We do not claim that any clinic, hospital, or physician group endorses a particular caregiver. Screening is an internal matching step based on the information you provide and the caregivers available in the window.
Hours 36 to 60: Introduction and Fit Check
Hours 36 to 60 are reserved for an introduction so you can ask questions and decide whether the proposed caregiver feels like a good fit. A match is not complete until you have had a chance to hear how the caregiver would handle a typical day in your home.
The introduction may be by phone, video, or in person when timing allows. Families often use this conversation to cover:
- How the first shift would start, including arrival time and who will be at the door
- How personal care, meals, or medication reminders would be handled if those tasks are in scope
- How the caregiver communicates with family members who are not in the home all day
- What to do if plans change, including weather, traffic, or a sudden change in energy or mood
If the first introduction does not feel right, say so before the 72-hour window closes. A second option can often be offered while there is still time to confirm a start. Fit matters as much as availability, especially for respite care when a family caregiver needs a reliable break.
Hours 60 to 72: Confirmation and Start Plan
The last 12 hours lock in the schedule, the start time, and the first-day plan so care can begin with as little confusion as possible. Confirmation means you know who is coming, when they arrive, and what the first shift is supposed to cover.
A typical confirmation includes:
- Caregiver name and the agreed shift times
- The tasks that are in scope for the first visits, and the tasks that are not
- How to reach the care team if the plan needs a same-day change
- Whether coverage is a few hours a day, overnight, or 24-hour live-in care
If you need support right after a hospital stay, tell us during intake so the start plan can follow discharge timing. Families in that situation often pair matching with hospital discharge care so the first days at home are covered.