Caring for a parent at home often starts small, with rides to appointments and a pill organizer, and grows into a daily job. At some point you may find that getting your parent to the doctor is the hardest part of the week. Medical help can come to the house, and knowing the types makes it easier to ask for the right one.

Know what your parent needs

Start by listing what has changed. Some families find three categories useful:

  • Medical: chronic conditions, new symptoms, medications, wounds, foot problems.
  • Skilled recovery: nursing or therapy after a hospital stay or surgery.
  • Daily living: bathing, dressing, meals, mobility, safety.

You will not need all three at once. Sorting them tells you whom to call.

Medical help that comes to the house

House calls. A clinician visits your parent to examine them, review medications, follow conditions like diabetes or heart disease and update the plan. Visits may be made by a physician, a podiatrist (DPM), a nurse practitioner or a nurse. Learn more about house calls for seniors in St. Louis.

Wound care at home. A partner clinician examines the wound and writes orders, and Gateway coordinates scheduling, supplies and updates. Start with mobile wound care.

Home health. Skilled nursing or therapy from an agency, for a limited time, under a plan of care. Gateway is not a home health agency, but our page on home health in St. Louis explains how to find one.

Daily help that is not medical

Home care aides can assist with bathing, meals and company. They do not provide medical care, and families generally pay privately. Combined with medical visits, this often takes pressure off a family caregiver. Our comparison of home health, home care and house calls shows how they differ.

Setting up care step by step

  1. Talk with your parent. Ask what matters to them and who they want involved.
  2. Check the legal paperwork. If you need to speak with doctors on your parent’s behalf, ask the physician’s office what permission forms they require.
  3. Gather information. Medication list, insurance cards, diagnoses, and the names and phone numbers of every clinician.
  4. Call the physician’s office. Ask whether your parent qualifies for services such as home health, and what the office recommends.
  5. Call Gateway if you want a house call. We will ask about your parent’s location, care setting and needs, and explain what we can arrange. Availability is confirmed by location.

Keeping track of it all

One person should hold the master list, but everyone helping should be able to see it. A shared notebook or a family care log works well. Record visit dates, who came, what changed and what was said about next steps.

Bring the list to every visit. If more than one clinician is involved, ask that they send updates to the physician who oversees your parent’s care.

What to report and when to call 911

Tell the treating clinician promptly about new or worsening symptoms, a wound that looks different, a fall, or changes in eating, sleeping or alertness. Call 911 for chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden confusion, signs of a stroke, a serious fall or bleeding that will not stop. House calls and home health are not emergency services.

Looking after yourself

Caregivers often put themselves last. If you are tired, short of patience or sleeping poorly, that is a sign to add help, not to try harder. Read our guide on caregiver burnout and asking for help, and consider sharing tasks with siblings or friends.

When you are ready, request care or call 314-325-0126.

Common questions

How do I know if my parent needs a house call?

If getting to an office is hard, painful or risky, or if appointments keep getting missed, a house call may fit. A clinician can then decide what care is appropriate.

Can I be in the room during a visit?

Usually yes, if your parent agrees. Many families find it helpful, because you can share what you have noticed since the last visit, ask questions and write down instructions. If your parent prefers privacy for part of the visit, respect that.

Will my parent’s regular physician be informed?

Ask for that at the start. Gateway coordinates records and communication among the care team, and you can name your parent’s physician so updates are shared appropriately. Your parent’s consent may be needed to share information, so be ready to confirm it.

Does Medicare pay for these visits?

It depends on the treating provider, the plan and the care needed. Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and commercial plans each work differently, so ask the plan and the provider before the first visit. Our insurance page lists useful questions to bring.

What if my parent refuses help?

Start with what bothers them most, and offer small steps. Ask their physician for suggestions. Respect their choices where they can make them, and involve the care team if safety is at risk.

Related pages

General information to help you talk with your own clinician. It is not medical advice, and the treating clinician makes every clinical decision. For a medical emergency, call 911.

Updated October 2026