The Question Every Family Asks
Simplify Your Home Care Operations
CareCade helps DDA and HCBS providers manage scheduling, EVV, and billing in one platform.
When someone else cares for your loved one with developmental disabilities, one question is always on your mind:
"Did the caregiver actually show up?"
Followed quickly by:
- What did they do during the visit?
- How is my family member progressing?
- Who's coming to the next appointment?
- How do I reach someone if I have concerns?
A family portal answers all of these questions—in real time.
What Is a Family Portal?
A family portal is a secure website or app where you can:
- See scheduled and completed visits
- View caregiver information and photos
- Track progress on care goals
- Read visit notes and updates
- Message caregivers and the agency
- Rate visits and provide feedback
Think of it as a window into your loved one's care—available anytime from your phone or computer.
What You Can See in a Family Portal
Scheduled Appointments
See what's coming up:
- Date and time of each visit
- Which caregiver is assigned
- Service type (Community Engagement, Personal Care, etc.)
- Location if it's a community outing
Completed Visits
Verify what happened:
- Actual start and end times
- GPS verification that caregiver was there
- Activities completed
- Notes from the visit
Caregiver Information
Know who's providing care:
- Caregiver name and photo
- Their role and experience
- Contact information (if allowed)
- History with your family member
Goal Progress
Track development over time:
- Active goals in the care plan
- Progress on each goal
- Tasks completed toward goals
- Notes on skill development
"On My Way" Notifications
One of the most appreciated features: knowing when the caregiver is on their way.
When the caregiver indicates they're heading to the appointment, you receive a notification. This tells you:
- Care is about to happen
- Approximately when they'll arrive
- Who's coming
No more wondering if someone forgot.
Messaging Through the Portal
Need to communicate? The portal lets you:
- Message the agency with questions
- Send notes to specific caregivers
- Share updates about your family member
- Report concerns or requests
Everything is logged and tracked—no more lost emails or unreturned phone calls.
How Family Portals Improve Care
For You
- Peace of mind knowing care is verified
- Quick access to information without calling
- Ability to stay involved from anywhere
- Better communication with the care team
For Your Loved One
- More engaged families mean better oversight
- Concerns are caught and addressed quickly
- Care is consistent because families are watching
- Progress is celebrated and reinforced
For Caregivers
- Know that families are informed and involved
- Clear channel for important updates
- Recognition when they do good work
- Trust is built through transparency
For Case Managers
- Less time answering "did care happen?" questions
- Can see family engagement levels
- Issues surface earlier
- Documentation is already available
Common Family Portal Features
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Visit calendar | Shows upcoming and past appointments |
| Real-time verification | Confirms caregiver arrived and left |
| Session notes | Summary of each visit |
| Goal tracking | Progress toward care plan objectives |
| Caregiver profiles | Photos and information about care team |
| Messaging | Direct communication channel |
| Notifications | Alerts for arrivals, updates, concerns |
| Rating system | Provide feedback after visits |
Privacy and Security
Your family portal should be:
Secure
- HIPAA-compliant encryption
- Secure login (ideally with passkeys or 2FA)
- Activity logging
Private
- Only you see your loved one's information
- No sharing with other families
- Controlled access permissions
Protected
- Your identity is verified
- Agency controls who has access
- You can revoke access if needed
What If Your Provider Doesn't Have a Portal?
Not all home care agencies offer family portals. If yours doesn't, consider:
Asking About Plans
Many agencies are adding portals. Ask if it's on their roadmap.
Requesting Regular Updates
Without a portal, establish a communication schedule. Weekly emails? Daily texts?
Documenting Concerns
Keep your own records if you can't see theirs. Note issues to discuss.
Evaluating Other Providers
Transparency is increasingly expected. Providers with portals may offer better oversight.
How to Access the Family Portal
You don't register yourself. Your home care provider adds you as a family contact for your loved one. Here's how it works:
Step 1: Your Provider Adds You
Ask your provider to add your email address as a family contact in CareCade. They'll link you to your loved one's profile.
Step 2: Go to Login
Once added, visit carecade.org/login and enter your email address.
Step 3: Access Your Dashboard
If your email is associated with a provider using CareCade, you'll receive a secure login link—no password needed. Click it and you're in.
What You'll See
You'll land on your family dashboard showing:
- Your loved one's upcoming appointments
- Recent visit history with verification
- Caregiver information
- Any updates or notes from recent visits
That's it. No registration forms, no passwords to remember. Just enter your email and access your loved one's care information.
Don't Have Access Yet?
Contact your home care provider and ask them to:
- Add your email as a family contact in CareCade
- Link you to your loved one's profile
Once they do, you can log in immediately.
Questions to Ask About Family Portals
When evaluating providers, ask:
- Do you offer a family portal?
- What information can I see?
- Is there a mobile app?
- Can I message caregivers directly?
- How quickly are visits updated?
- Is there a cost for portal access?
The best providers offer free family access—because transparency shouldn't cost extra.
You Deserve to Know
Your loved one deserves great care. You deserve to know they're getting it.
A family portal doesn't replace trust—it builds it. When you can verify that care is happening, you can relax. When you see progress, you can celebrate. When you spot concerns, you can act.
That's what transparency looks like.