The Drive to Seattle
December 2025. I was on my way to visit a client I'll call J.—my first Community Engagement client in Seattle. (Names changed for privacy.)
Forty-five minutes into the drive, a thought hit me: Does his family even know I'm coming?
I had the appointment on my schedule. I knew where to go. But J.'s family—the people who entrusted their loved one to my care—had no idea I was en route.
What if they weren't ready? What if J. had a rough morning and wasn't up for an outing? What if I drove 90 minutes round trip for nothing?
The Gap in Home Care
This wasn't a unique situation. It's how home care works everywhere:
- Caregiver gets scheduled
- Caregiver shows up (or doesn't)
- Family finds out when the doorbell rings (or doesn't)
For families, every scheduled visit comes with uncertainty. Will they come today? When should I expect them? Should I wait by the door?
For caregivers, every drive carries risk. What if they're not home? What if the client isn't ready? Am I wasting my time?
Nobody designed it this way. It just... happened. Because that's how it's always been done.
What Could Have Gone Wrong
As I drove to Seattle, I imagined the scenarios:
The no-show: Family takes the client to an unexpected appointment. I arrive to an empty house. 45 minutes wasted.
The bad timing: Client had a difficult morning. Family wishes they could postpone. But I'm already at the door.
The missed connection: Family wanted to share important information about the client's mood or needs. But I arrived before they could catch me.
The anxiety: Family member at work, checking their phone constantly, wondering if care is happening.
Every one of these scenarios happens in home care every day. We just accept it as normal.
The Question That Sparked a Feature
I asked myself: What would I want if J. were my son?
I'd want to know the caregiver was on the way. I'd want a chance to prepare—or to communicate if something changed. I'd want peace of mind during that waiting period.
That question became a feature.
How "On My Way" Works
Now, when a CareCade caregiver heads to an appointment, here's what happens:
Caregiver's Experience:
- Opens the app and sees their scheduled appointment
- When ready to leave, taps "On My Way"
- App calculates estimated arrival time
- Caregiver drives with peace of mind
Family's Experience:
- Receives notification: "[Caregiver name] is heading to you. ETA: 2:30 PM"
- Sees the caregiver's photo and planned activities
- Can confirm they're ready or request cancellation
- Knows exactly when to expect the arrival
If something changes:
- Family requests cancellation → Caregiver notified immediately, doesn't waste the trip
- Caregiver needs to cancel → Family knows right away, can adjust their day
The Details Matter
We thought through the edge cases:
What if the caregiver is already close by?
If they're within a mile of the client's address, they skip "On My Way" and go straight to "Start Appointment." The notification isn't about tracking—it's about giving heads up when travel is involved.
What if cell service is spotty?
The app works offline. When connection resumes, everything syncs. Rural Washington families deserve the same peace of mind as urban ones.
What if the caregiver has an emergency en route?
There's a "Cancel Trip" option for genuine emergencies—car trouble, accident, sudden illness. The family is notified immediately with an explanation.
What about the estimated arrival time?
We calculate it using actual distance, not Google Maps. No API costs, works offline, and is accurate enough to be useful without being creepy-precise.
Being There Starts Before You Arrive
This feature taught me something important about "being there."
Presence isn't just about the moment you walk through the door. It starts earlier—in the anticipation, the preparation, the peace of mind that comes from knowing.
When a family knows the caregiver is on the way, they can:
- Prepare the client for the transition
- Finish what they're doing without anxiety
- Communicate any last-minute information
- Relax because they know care is coming
When a caregiver knows the family is expecting them, they can:
- Travel with confidence
- Arrive ready to engage
- Start the visit without awkwardness
- Build trust through reliability
A notification might seem like a small thing. But small things, done consistently, build something bigger: trust.
From the Field to the Feature
This feature wasn't designed in a conference room. It was born on a 45-minute drive to Seattle, when I asked myself what families really need.
Every feature in CareCade has a story like this. Not theoretical problems—real moments that revealed gaps in how care works today.
When you're out in the field, serving families, you see things differently. You stop building for yourself and start building for them.
That's what "Be There" really means.