Rule 6: Know where you’re going and how to get there.

This is part of a series of posts about The Rules of Early Intervention Home Visiting. Read them from the beginning here.

Navigating Rural Home Visits: Tips to Avoid Confusion

Once, I received directions to a home visit that included, “My driveway is right before the cornfield.” I didn’t think anything of it since I serve a rural area. When I arrived in the general area where there was supposed to be a corn field for me to use to find her driveway, there was a tractor and an almost completely empty field of no corn anymore. I did find the driveway, but I couldn’t help but think, “What if I had been here an hour later? There would be no more cornfield.”

Ah, the joys of rural home visits! While the scenery might be beautiful, getting there can sometimes feel like a treasure hunt. One minute, you’re driving down a familiar road; the next, you’re in the middle of nowhere. Here’s the thing: traditional street addresses and directions don’t always translate perfectly to the rural landscape.

Getting directions to a home in a rural area can be tricky. I always ask for a description like “How will I know it’s your house,” and they’ll usually describe a car in the driveway or a fence or the color of the house or bushes or something. I may also ask, “Will my iPhone map take me to it?” and they can usually answer.

Story Time

Let me share another story. Once, I was on my way to see a child in the home for the first time. Let’s call the child Baby Smith. The family lived in a small rural town on a road that was the same as their last name. Let’s just say they lived on Smith Road.

On the day of our appointment, I entered their address in my Blackberry (because this was a long time ago.) When I arrived to the address, I knocked on the door and introduced myself. They let me in and acted like they were expecting me. The woman who answered the door was super friendly and offered me a seat on the couch. Nearby was an elderly woman who started describing her hip pain. I smiled politely and listened with a sympathetic ear. After a few minutes, I asked, where is Baby Smith? They stared at me, “She’s right here,” pointing to the elderly lady talking about her hips.

As it turns out. I was sitting in the home of Random Lady Smith, who also lives on Smith Road but in a completely different zip code.

Random Lady Smith recently had hip surgery and was expecting her first home health physical therapy visit at the same time that I showed up.

Navigating Southern Rural Home Visits

This experience serves as a valuable lesson for anyone navigating rural addresses. Here are some strategies to ensure you arrive on time and avoid any “cornfield confusion”:

• Double Directions: Don’t rely solely on the address. Always confirm with the family beforehand.
• Double Map Apps: use BOTH iPhone Maps and Google Maps because I cannot tell you how many times a classic “in the middle of nowhere situation” address didn’t appear on one, but it did appear on the other.
• Landmarks: Landmarks can be helpful, but ask for ones that are more permanent in nature than cornfields.
• Physical vs. Mailing: Be aware that physical and mailing addresses may differ.
• Can I see it? Confirm if you can see the house from the road. the entrance you should use, especially if the driveway is long or the house sits far back from the road.
• Gated Communities: If visiting a gated community, inquire about access codes or procedures beforehand.
• Lost in Translation: Rural directions often include phrases like “down the holler” or “a little ways.” If unsure, politely ask for clarification in terms of miles or landmarks.

“No. 1 We prefer to use landmarks over road numbers and street names any day.

Landmarks may include natural features, businesses, road characteristics, and acquaintance’s homes.  So instead of telling you to turn left at Church Street and drive 5 miles, a Southerner giving directions will tell you to take a turn pass the Little Savannah Baptist Church right by the giant oak tree lightning struck down last year.  But Mr. Winslow still hasn’t moved all the wood yet, bless his heart.  Now keep goin’ on that road a little ways looking for the highway, if you reach the Hamilton’s farm on the left where the barn is falling down around their ears you’ve gone too far.”

Taken from “When Southerners Give Directions,” by Katherine at Penderaandpeony.com October 26, 2016.

Viral Video: Little Boy Gives Directions

The Moral of the Story?

A little preparation goes a long way in rural areas. By combining these strategies and maintaining clear communication with families, you can ensure your home visits run smoothly and, hopefully, avoid any more “cornfield confusion”!