A Clear Family Introduction: A Referral Guide for Case Workers

For case workers, social workers, and case managers · Lira TL Care Agency · October 26, 2026

A helpful referral gives a family a clear next step without making promises on another provider’s behalf. This guide offers a practical structure for introducing a nonmedical caregiver referral resource.

At a glance

  • Confirm location, tasks, preferred hours, and authorized contact.

  • Explain that an inquiry does not confirm a caregiver or start date.

  • Use approved channels for any sensitive information.

  • Agree who will make the next call.

Check what the family is asking for

Ask which everyday tasks need support and where the help would take place. Distinguish requested nonmedical assistance from needs the healthcare team must evaluate. If the request includes nursing, therapy, medication decisions, or other clinical services, route those questions to the appropriate professionals.

Offer choice and explain the service model

Describe a referral resource accurately. Lira introduces independent caregivers for families to consider; Lira does not employ or supervise those caregivers. The family decides whether to proceed and discusses the proposed arrangement with the caregiver. Avoid describing the introduction as an assigned employee, guaranteed coverage, or a completed care plan.

Use four introductory details

With appropriate permission, begin with the city or setting, the requested nonmedical tasks, preferred days and hours, and the correct contact. Ask the receiving office what it needs next. Sensitive records should follow your organization’s approved disclosure process and an appropriate channel, rather than being attached to an ordinary introductory message.

Confirm the handoff rather than assuming it

Agree who will make the next call and when the family should follow up if they have not connected. Record the resource offered and the family’s chosen next step according to your own workflow. A family receiving a phone number does not mean a caregiver has been selected, a price agreed, or a start date confirmed.

Give the family questions they can use

Encourage questions about screening, relevant experience, availability, rates, referral fees, other charges, and changes or cancellations. Families can ask to meet a prospective caregiver and discuss routines and communication before deciding. Where an institution is involved, confirm its separate approval requirements.

Questions to bring to the conversation

  • What has been confirmed, and what is still a request?

  • Who makes the next decision, and what information do they need?

  • Who should be contacted if the proposed arrangement changes?

A useful next step

A strong introduction ends with a named next action: who calls whom, what will be discussed, and what remains unconfirmed.

Talk with your local Lira office

For nonmedical caregiver referral questions, call South Bay: (310) 406-7679 or Glendale: (818) 242-9147. Explore our professional referral guide, South Bay dementia support, or main-office dementia support.

General planning information, not individualized medical or legal advice. Follow applicable organizational procedures and seek qualified professional guidance for specific decisions. Lira TL Care Agency is a referral agency for nonmedical assistance. Availability, suitability, fees, and terms must be discussed before an arrangement begins.

Erik Lozano