72-Hour Caregiver Matching in San Antonio

Our 72-hour matching process is a three-day sequence that moves a family from the first care request to a confirmed caregiver introduction and a scheduled first shift. The same steps apply regardless of city, including for families starting from our San Antonio care hub.

This page explains what happens in each window of those 72 hours, what you need to provide, and what a confirmed match does and does not include. It does not diagnose any condition or recommend medical treatment.

What the 72-Hour Matching Process Covers

The 72-hour matching process covers intake, caregiver matching, a family introduction, and scheduling of the first visit within three days of a complete request. It is built for households that need in-home help quickly, whether the need is planned or sudden.

Families often reach out after a change at home, a new diagnosis, or a hospital stay. The process focuses only on matching a caregiver to the daily support you describe. It does not replace a physician, clinic, or public agency, and no clinic or government program is claimed as an endorser of this service.

Hours 0 to 12: Share Your Care Request

In the first 12 hours, you share who needs care, where care will take place, which hours you need, and what kinds of help would be useful. A complete request is what starts the 72-hour clock.

Typical details include preferred language, pets, household rules, mobility needs, and whether you want companion care for conversation, meals, and supervision, or more hands-on help with bathing, dressing, and other daily tasks.

If care is needed right after a hospital stay, tell us the expected discharge window so matching can run at the same time as discharge planning. Families in that situation can also review our hospital discharge care page for how home support can begin after a return from the hospital.

Hours 12 to 36: Build a Match Profile

Between hour 12 and hour 36, we turn your request into a match profile so we can compare it with caregivers who are available for your schedule and location. The profile is a practical snapshot of the household, not a medical chart.

We look at shift length, days of the week, start date, and the mix of support you asked for. If memory-related support is part of the request, we note routines, safety awareness, and communication preferences so the match can support memory care at home.

Alzheimer's disease is a common reason families seek this kind of in-home structure. For general public-health information on Alzheimer's disease, see the CDC overview of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Hours 36 to 60: Review Caregiver Options and Meet

From hour 36 to hour 60, we present one or more caregiver options that fit your profile and arrange an introduction so you can confirm the match. You are not asked to accept a caregiver you have not had a chance to review.

The introduction can be by phone, video, or in person, based on what the household can do in that window. This is the time to ask about experience with similar routines, comfort with the schedule, and how the first shift should run.

If the first option is not the right fit, we continue matching within the remaining time rather than locking the household into a poor match. A second introduction still counts as part of the same 72-hour process when the original request was complete.

Hours 60 to 72: Confirm the Match and Set the First Shift

In the final 12 hours of the 72-hour window, we confirm the caregiver, lock in the first shift, and recap what will happen when care starts. Confirmation includes the start time, the tasks you want done first, and who will be at the home for the opening visit.

If you requested a later start date, matching can still finish inside 72 hours even when the first shift is a few days after that. The 72-hour goal is a confirmed match, not necessarily a caregiver standing in the home at hour 72 in every case.

Write down any last-minute household notes before the first shift, such as where supplies are kept, how the person likes to be greeted, and who to call if plans change. Clear notes help the first visit stay on the tasks you already approved.

What Happens After the First 72 Hours

After the first 72 hours, the matched caregiver follows the agreed schedule, and you can request adjustments if needs or hours change. Matching does not end your ability to update the care plan.

Common follow-up changes include adding hours, switching from daytime visits to overnight support, or bringing in extra help so a family caregiver can rest. Tell us as soon as a change is likely so we can plan the next match instead of waiting for a gap in coverage.

Texas families who are also exploring public long-term care coverage can learn more about the state's Medicaid managed long-term care structure through this STAR+PLUS program overview. Program rules are set by the state, not by our matching process.

How Families Can Prepare Before They Call

Families can prepare for faster matching by writing down the weekly schedule, a short list of daily tasks, and any non-negotiable household rules before the first conversation. Preparation is the most reliable way to keep the 72-hour timeline on track.

It also helps to name one decision-maker who can approve a caregiver introduction. When several relatives must agree, delays usually come from waiting on a callback, not from a lack of caregivers.

If you are looking for Alzheimer's research centers or clinical-study information in addition to in-home help, the National Institute on Aging directory of Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers is a separate starting point. Those centers do not operate our matching process and are not presented as endorsing this service.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the 72-hour matching process take?

The process is built to reach a confirmed caregiver match within 72 hours after we have a complete care request. A complete request includes location, schedule, start date, and the type of help you want.

What information do you need on the first call?

We need who needs care, the area where care will take place, the hours and days you want covered, and the tasks that matter most. Sharing household preferences such as language or pet information in that first call keeps matching from stalling later.

What if the first caregiver is not a good fit?

If the first caregiver is not a good fit, we continue matching and present another option rather than forcing the original introduction. Fit includes schedule, communication style, and comfort with the tasks you listed.

Can you match a caregiver for Alzheimer's-related needs at home?

Yes, families can request memory-focused in-home support as part of the same 72-hour process. We match based on the routines and safety needs you describe. We do not diagnose Alzheimer's disease or recommend medical treatment.

Can matching start before a hospital discharge?

Yes, matching can start before discharge if you share the expected discharge timing and the help you will need at home. Starting early is often the difference between a caregiver ready on day one and a gap after the ride home.

Do you serve families in San Antonio?

Yes, families in San Antonio can use the same 72-hour matching steps as households in other cities. You can begin from our San Antonio page and then complete intake with your local schedule and care tasks.

Does a match mean care starts at hour 72 no matter what?

No, a match means the caregiver is confirmed and the first shift is scheduled, which may fall at hour 72 or on a later date you chose. If you need care as soon as possible, say that during intake so we prioritize the earliest available start.