A visit happens at another time than the one planned, or the carer who comes is not the one your parent expected. What follows is about hearing of changes like these, with your parent's say kept at the centre. It is information, not medical advice.
Why the carer can change
England's NHS says that someone who uses a home care agency may not always be visited by the same carer, though the agency will try to match them with someone suitable.
Hearing about a change, with your parent's say
In England, the Care Quality Commission describes a good home-care agency as one that lets the person know when the carer coming to them has to change at short notice, so they know who to expect.
A change can just as well reach the family by your parent mentioning it, or by the provider explaining it on the phone.
The arrangement is your parent's, so how the family hears about any change to it is something to settle with them first.
These two bodies write for England. What providers tell families about a changed visit, and on what agreement, depends on where your parent lives.
We think what a care provider tells a family should be for the person receiving care to agree to, wherever they can.
For families
How WeHomeCare is set up differs from one care provider to another, so it is worth asking a provider which parts it uses.
WeHomeCare can be set up so care providers share visit updates with families.
Visit updates and Asking a care provider how it keeps families informed have questions you and your parent can raise with a provider together.
What it is not
Visit updates and messages from a care provider are not a way to reach urgent help.
Visit updates and messages are not health advice, and questions about a parent's health are worth bringing to their doctor or care team.