What should a homecare aide do if they are tardy or absent?

• A. Call the agency and the participant immediately
• B. Ignore notifying anyone
• C. Notify only the participant's family after a week
• D. Call only the participant's family

Answer: (A)

Timely communication with the supervisor and the person you care for is essential when you’re late or cannot come. The best practice is to call the agency and the participant immediately, reporting that you’re tardy or absent, providing your expected arrival time or confirming cancellation, and following the agency’s procedures for messages and coverage. At the same time, reach out to the participant to explain the situation and how their care will be covered, so they’re not left in the lurch. This approach supports safety, allows for quick rescheduling or a backup plan, and creates a clear record of communication. Notifying only the family after a delay leaves the client without coverage and may violate agency policy, and ignoring the situation or contacting only the family can bypass proper supervision and accountability.