A visitor preference calendar records whom an older person wants to see, when a visit is welcome and how a proposed change should be checked with them. Begin with the person's choices; a relative's invitation is not automatic permission to enter their home. The calendar is for ordinary social visits and quiet time. It is not a test of memory, an access-control order or a substitute for a professional safety plan.
Ask what a good visit feels like
Some people prefer a short morning call, others an unhurried afternoon, and some want a day with no visitors. Ask the person what works for them today without assuming a cultural or family expectation. They may welcome one visitor but not a group, want advance notice or prefer a phone call. Offer a paper calendar, a large-print list or a verbal check-in if that is easier. Record the format they choose and whom they agree may see it.
Keep the scope narrow. A home-support worker can know whether a scheduled visitor is expected, but need not receive the family's entire social history. If there are building entry rules, record the practical route separately and confirm who has authority to admit someone. The guide to choosing an elder-care companion helps with paid company; this calendar deals with invitations the recipient controls.
Copy the invitation calendar
| Day or proposed date | Visitor and relationship | Person's answer | Preferred window and length | Entry/contact arrangement | Recheck by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [date] | [name] | [yes, no, ask later] | [time or quiet-period note] | [who calls, who opens] | [name and date] |
| [date] | [name] | [yes, no, ask later] | [time or quiet-period note] | [who calls, who opens] | [name and date] |
Use “ask later” rather than “yes” when the person wants more time. Never fill a whole month with permanent consent just because someone agreed once. Put an agreed recheck point beside recurring visits. Avoid writing private medical reasons for a declined invitation; “not available” may be sufficient to tell a visitor.
Handle changes in both directions
If a visitor is running late, ask whether the new time still works; do not simply extend the visit into a quiet period. If the person changes their mind, the named contact tells the visitor politely. If a relative tries to add a guest, check again with the host. Where the person requests help to make or decline a call, clarify exactly which message they want sent. Do not pressure them to explain a “no.”
A fictional Behala resident enjoys a daughter's Tuesday tea visit but wants Fridays free for reading. The daughter proposes bringing two cousins on a Friday. The resident says she would rather see one cousin the following Tuesday for half an hour. The calendar records the new invitation and the person who will confirm it. The daughter does not tell the home helper to let the cousins in before receiving that answer. This example models a choice process, not a claim that every older person prefers quiet Fridays.
Make the handover unambiguous
At the end of each week, ask whether the next entries still reflect the person's wishes. The approved contact gives only the relevant arrival information to anyone helping at home. If the older person asks for privacy, remove unnecessary copies from shared devices or group chats. For a family event, use the adult day care versus home companionship guide to discuss types of company if relevant; do not turn the calendar into a compulsory activity programme.
If a visit cannot proceed because no one can meet a visitor or the building route is unclear, say so and arrange a new time. The person receiving support remains the first person to ask about a social visit. For a separate enquiry about agreed home companionship in Kolkata, call +91 98041 26771 or WhatsApp Anjali with the location, proposed hours and role. Availability and scope must be confirmed for the actual request.
