Home Instead Senior Care Reviews

They are all fly by night to say the least. And that seems to be their best quality! Alas... When I last spoke with the "team leader", he commented that things "were not getting done". Exactly. That is why we hired you! Well, go figure... huh? Do not allow these strange strangers into your home. There is nothing in it but a huge amount of hassle and regret on the part of the client. By the way, all these agencies are extremely confused, and they are topsy turvy to the point they are (somehow) convinced that you work for them, not the actually of the situation! I attempted to give the appropriate feedback to this company, but they had zero interest in hearing anything I said, doing the tasks required or in any way, shape, or form being professional, productive or useful. Do not hire this company! Stay away! What an upsetting, awful experience for us, the clients!

When my family finally made a decision and I called the office she seemed genuinely happy to hear from me. They sent a woman named Brenda to care for my Dad. Brenda has been with my Dad for over a year now, just a few times a week. She is kind, caring, funny, and most importantly - seems to really enjoy spending time with my Dad. He looks forward to his Brenda time each week. My Mom gets to visit with her friends, shop, or whatever and feels confident that Dad's having a good time with Brenda. We couldn't be happier.

Fast forward, (4) four years later... to September 2017... Imagine my surprise when I received a phone call from Home Instead Senior Care "Fran" SEVEN YEARS after we used them for my (now) deceased father and FOUR YEARS later for myself. My initial thought was maybe they were looking for me to use them as a reference; because I could think of no other reason they would call! Imagine my astonishment and increasing anger I felt when Fran falsely stated "we've been sending you invoices and haven't heard from you". I was in shock trying to process what this woman was claiming since I had NOT received any bill or communication from HISC since 2013!!

And I know I personally pay all bills immediately upon receipt and keep very good records, so I became frustrated and angered as Fran was falsely claiming to have been "unsuccessfully trying to reach me" (even though I verified they had my correct address, phone #, email, etc). The $ dollar amount Fran claimed on the phone for myself was $54.00 from 2013. I told her I owe them nothing and paid all my bills when they were received and it is not my problem if they have very bad bookkeeping!

Now, four years later, my husband and I just moved in late April 2017 to another state to "down-size" into a small home in a retirement community. The post office has been successfully forwarding all our mail correctly to our new address. My frustration grew as my mind wandered how now I am burdened by trying to "prove" this was paid four years ago!! I offered my new address and asked her to send me an "invoice" of this bill. Since moving and down-sizing we got rid of 50% of our possessions and the old designated binder I kept for HISC records were not something I kept from 2009 & 2013! Important things like taxes and other relevant important documents moved with us, but holding onto HISC binder from 2009 & 2013 did NOT make the cut when deciding what was absolutely necessary to take into our new small home.

So I became increasingly mad to be accused of owing something I knew I didn't owe and spent HOURS trying to find my old checkbook registers to find proof of paying this to them in 2013. Thankfully I found one old bank electronic bank statement showing proof of payment from my checking account. Unfortunately I closed my other checking account I had often used to pay medical bills and cannot access old statements which is a huge hassle. I'm thinking how ridiculous that this company is obviously in financial trouble and probably was audited for their illegal billing practices and poor book-keeping... and are bogusly calling very old clients to try and collect money they do not owe.

On September 7, 2017 I received an envelope in the mail from Fran from HISC with the "promised invoice". INSTEAD it is a poor ledger, no invoices and the amount Fran said on the phone was not anywhere to be found in this vague on this four-lined ledger. I am disgusted and frustrated and will write to them stating I owe them nothing and all bills were paid with a copy of my payment. I want no further correspondence and consider this to be harassment and illegal. Keeping in mind Fran's initial claim they have been sending me invoices when I NEVER got any bill since 2013 which was paid. THIS makes me mad and would NOT RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY TO ANYONE AFTER THIS FRAUDULENT CLAIM.

That left us worried that they would do it again. Then, HISC texted us to tell us that the aids regular shift on Monday would be overtime due to the labor day holiday. There was nothing in the paperwork about overtime and we were never told about overtime at either time the nurse came to review the service and to meet my mother and inspect the home. We found Home Instead to be unreliable and a little shady. Watch out. They sell snake oil.

The male owner does not seem to be in touch with his workers. We have had missed appointments, last min cancellations and just not showing up. On top of that it seems the caregivers get to pick and choose who they want to work for, when they want to work. We have as well had items... go missing. I think it is fair to say that upper management can be to blame here for most of these issues. Lack of training perhaps. Poor judgement as to who they hire maybe. In the end we fired them/stopped service not too long ago.

My wife walked in to use the commode. The caretaker left her while she was getting on the commode and my wife walker flipped on its side and she took one heck of a fall. Since the fall 14 days ago she is wheelchair bound. This company is nothing but a big ripoff and if you care about your loved one I would stay away from them. I just found out that the same company had a lady working from 7 to 3 pm and the caretaker was sleeping on the couch when her patient got out of bed and fell in the bathtub. Her daughter come by to give him his medicine and found her father in the tub. She went to find the caregiver sound asleep on the couch. These people charge a lot of money and their service is horrible. All you do is babysit them.

We had one guy assigned who arrived late, and didn’t have the courtesy to introduce himself to my parents or know the protocol to transfer my dad from bed to his wheelchair. Another where the caregiver did her knitting while my wife did took it upon herself to do the urine-soaked laundry. Another caregiver who couldn’t distinguish ordinary orange juice from thickened orange juice, and had no experience with swallowing precautions but said that was OK because she “can read directions.” Can you say: Safety hazard?

What's worse, the management team was absolutely atrocious. They didn't take responsibility, they tried to duck responsibility. But they were VERY quick to remind me that they were going to charge a TWO WEEK termination fee, after providing ONE WEEK of care. I wouldn't use these folks if they were the last agency on earth.

This was my first experience in hiring an agency. They were recommended by Hands of Compassion which is the agency that provides skilled nursing services for my husband. At the time I had no experience with any agencies and was new to the challenges of caring for my husband so I went with this agency. The experience can be compared to a nightmare. I would not recommend this agency in Midland, TX at all.

I would get up in the morning to make coffee. She was still in her bedroom and would come out well after the coffee was made. That was too much of a chore for her to do. The only thing she ever cleaned was dishes after her feeding time. After several days I called her boss in an effort to have her removed because she had an attitude and manner that was unbearable, even for my family and friends that visited. She borrowed money from my friend that drove her to a drug store and never paid her back the loan.

When she finally left (thank God) she was carrying two heavy bags that she put into my car that she had not come with. I was curious until I arrived home afterwards. My curiosity was solved. All the packages of frozen chicken and meat purchased from the supermarket the previous day were missing. She took it with her. While I was home ill for the few weeks, I did not wear my jewelry. Instead I left it in my desk top drawer that was right outside the bedroom she used. My bedroom is on the other side of the house and I slept with the door closed. My cousin Tom brought the jewelry to me from the hospital where they had taken it off when I arrived at the emergency room. He gave it to me when I was sitting at my desk. She was standing next to my desk when he handed it to me and I put it into the top drawer because I did not want to put it on just then.

A week after she had been gone I decided to put the jewelry back on so I went to my desk to get the small container that I put the jewelry into that was located in the top drawer. When I opened the drawer there was the container (she saw me put the jewelry into the container). I opened it and there was nothing inside. My girlfriend and I turned the house upside down looking for the jewelry as anybody would when something of that value was missing. I contacted Home Instead and they said that people usually call right away when something like this happens. I asked them "how often does it happen?" They said nothing. There was over $1200.00 due on the balance I owed them. Greg, an owner, told me not to bother paying them and apologized for the incident. My loss exceeded $4,000.00. That jewelry is not replaceable. I guess when she left she took a lot more than food.

The worst problem was the most necessary need - these women did not know how to diaper our mother, without causing her pain and discomfort. We are so saddened and disappointed by this entire relationship - and this was so very expensive! When we said we would not pay for women who came to sleep - the threatening phone calls and letters began coming - threatening to send us to collections, if we would not pay! And this was coming from the franchise owner, claiming to be a Christian business woman! Look around - don't get involved with this franchise.

The caregivers somehow managed to get his morning routine done in only 15 minutes! (It takes me nearly an hour.) I told them (and the Home Instead manager) that I didn't want him rushed through it...they had plenty of time, and there is no way that they were doing it all in that short of time. There were four girls that I said they were not to send again...one overnight who didn't attend to him when his bed alarm rang. The alarm rang so long that I had to get up out of bed and go to check on him...three times. Why am I paying someone if I have keep getting up??

One didn't do anything (I did the morning routine and got his breakfast) because she didn't know what to do. She sat and played on her phone instead of doing any housework. I showed her how to work the washer/dryer and she didn't bother to turn it own, so I had to do dad's laundry. One lady used liquid SOAP on him instead of lotion, and when I happened to see her putting it on his leg she actually argued with me and said it is lotion!!! She had to wash him again. I told her that I had oatmeal set out for him, she immediately turned to him and said "what can I make you for breakfast? Would you like bacon and eggs? I'll make it for you." I was so mad I walked out.

She emptied the dishwasher and stuck the dishes everywhere and anywhere...not where they belonged. I had to hunt for what I needed to cook and serve on. She also took out the trash and stuck it in a brush bin in the yard instead of the garbage can just outside the door. It was a good thing I found it, the weather was extremely hot so would have rotted mess to deal with.

One lady opened the door for someone and left it open so the dog ran out. Instead of calling me (I came home early and was upstairs) she walked down to the end of the driveway, and was just standing there (leaving my dad alone!). I came down and saw that the door was open. I went out and told her she'd have to go back into the house with my dad and I set off looking for my dog. (I found him a couple of blocks away). A couple days later the same women was here and spent over a hour playing games on her cell phone. After she left I went into dad's room to get his watch and noticed that the bed wasn't made, but the blanket was was thrown over it. I pulled it off to make the bed and there on the sheets in two separate large spots, there was feces!!! I went ballistic!! I called and the manager came over and took pictures...and I ended up stripping and remaking the bed!

I kept giving them chances to make things right, but no matter what instructions they had (they were written in their duty book). I complained to one of the owners and to a woman that came here to reassess his care plan and both of them actually got nasty with me and made excuses for the girls not doing the work that I was paying the agency for.

The last straw was one of the girls that came here multiple shifts and knew what was going on. She stripped the bed but did not remake it...and did not bother to tell me it was not done, and she ran dad through the morning routine (15 minutes!) and she sat on her butt and played with her phone!!! Did not do any housework. I'm pretty mellow, but even after my complaints, they slacked off and only did the bare minimum...no housework...AND the all continued sitting and playing on the phones that they were told NOT to bring the house.

So, with lazy caregivers and management that was nasty and gave me excuses for the caregivers' lack of following the rules (instead of listening to and dealing with my complaints), poor communication with me and not doing the work that I had to pay for...I fired them! One last thing...businesses that get too many complaints and poor reviews from their clients won't be in business very long!!

BUT my biggest complaint is the office staff!! They never seem to know what they are doing. Several times I've gotten a call the evening before that they need to send out a new person in the morning. I don't know anyone who would want a stranger come into their home to stay with a loved one without introduction or knowledge of this person. Twice I have had to leave mom alone because I have not been able to change my plans. I'm very dissatisfied with this company and am in the process of researching another company.

The aide that failed to care for my Mother actually admitted to investigators that she never changed or cleaned my mother for the entire day. After this incident occurred, I sent emails to the owner and asked to discuss the matter. Of course, she completely ignored me. After never receiving a response, I went online and found her home phone number (publicly listed). I called to discuss my concerns and the fact I was paying thousands of dollars every month and the aides didn't do their job. The owners husband cursed me out, alleged I was harassing him and then hung up on me. Their actions and their "We could care less" made it abundantly clear just what they think of their clients. Their website indicates they take pride in the alleged service they provide yet, we're extremely angry when they were "found out" and investigated by the Virginia Dept. Of Health.

I was advised the aides were told by management/owner to "make sure they do their job for now while being investigated". How does a company who's in business to care for the elderly, not only ignore their job duties but get angry when they get caught and when the aide actually admits to her wrongdoing, the owner doesn't even step up to the plate and handle the matter in an ethical manner. To top it off, her husband curses me out as if I did something wrong. I will mention that during the Dept. Of Health's investigation, it was found that the aides were improperly caring for other patients as well so this certainly isn't an isolated incident.

I'm uncertain how Home Instead Virginia Beach got away with their unethical behavior for this long however, their treatment of seniors is literally criminal and they should be held accountable. Get out of the business if you have no idea what you're doing or simply don't care about ethics and proper treatment of seniors. They're defenseless and Home Instead takes advantage of circumstances. As a side note, Home Instead Virginia Beach never even provided a response to the previous post... "If we ignore it, it'll go away". As for their job performance and the owners handling of the business, they couldn't find water if they fell out of a boat!

Then on November 10, yet another call and email from another employee of Home Instead Senior Care, "Please be advised that effective immediately Home Instead Senior Care will no longer be providing services to Mr. **. All future correspondence regarding services should be directed to the Veterans Administration.” An employee of Home Instead had been in our home for 11 months with few issues. But this young lady took it upon herself to tamper with my cell phone and my email account. Two days prior to the cancellation of the services, she left feces in the bedside commode in husband's bedroom. When asked why she claimed she forgot. We know for fact she went into the bedroom at least 3 times after she dressed the patient. She even had to take him back to use the bathroom. With two family members in the very next room she claims she could not stand him up. But never called out for help.

When she came back to work the following day she claimed she forgot, after 11 months of never doing the job and never leaving such. Then she walked out. No one called that day from Home Instead. The following day after sending an email showing what was left in the commode, we received a call. Ms. ** stated they did not have anyone to send out on Veterans Day. She never once mentioned Veterans Day, or thanking them for their services. The day after, a voice mail was left from Ms. ** and the email above was sent. This is sad that the taxpayers money is going toward such substandard care and so little respect and compassion for veterans. I will continue to complain until something is done to protect veterans, seniors and taxpayers from companies such as Home Instead Senior Care.

However, last week my husband required an invasive cancer treatment and there was no way to tell how long the procedure would take. I called to schedule an 8-hr plus shift, telling the scheduler I needed someone who was able to stay an indefinite time beyond 8 hrs. I repeated that twice, and twice I was told that would not be a problem. I said I would call the caretaker as soon as I had a definitive return time.

When I called home with a time, no caretaker was with my father - he had been LEFT ALONE, behind an unlocked door. I was an hour from home; it took many frantic calls to the Home Instead office to make them understand they had to get someone to the house immediately. They finally responded, but he was alone for at least an hour, unable to use the cordless phone if he needed help and completely confused.

No one with sense leaves small children or the physically and mentally unstable elderly alone! If the scheduler didn't tell the caretaker she had to stay, the caretaker, when no one arrived to relieve her, should have called the numbers on the list I left to have someone come take over for her. Obviously, Home Instead personnel (from office staff to caretakers) are not well trained, competent or responsible. Home Instead (Bowling Green, KY) is guilty of negligence and has committed a serious breach of trust. I can no longer recommend them to anyone.

We asked for a friendly, enthusiastic person, male or female. The first day they sent an old, grouchy, angry man. He looked as if he should be the one being cared for. He was not at all friendly, rude, and non-communicative - with us and with my husband. He left late with my husband and returned early, then sat in my daughter's front yard for an hour. We asked for a different companion for our next appointment. The franchise owner, Herb, came the next three times. He was fine. When the bill arrived, a $48.50 charge was on it for an administrative fee. I mistakenly thought this was a new charge, and questioned it. However, the charge was for mileage and a parking fee. Rather than contact me, the paying client, they contacted my daughter and explained the charges to her.

Then Herb asked her to either - pay it herself, or for her to speak with me about it. He referred to me as being like a buzz saw and having an unfounded attitude about the first companion. He was defensive and told her of the awards and compliments he had received. Well, my daughter let Herb know that she didn't care what awards he had received; he was not a proper companion for her Dad, and that Home Instead should have contacted me, the paying client, instead of her. Condescending and dismissive. I intend to pay the parking and mileage charges, but will never use Home Instead when I go to Milwaukee again. This franchise was not a good representative of Home Instead. Not friendly, nor courteous, accommodating, or caring. None of the qualities needed for proper caregivers.

On July 17, 2015 I was called by Tracy ** stating my shift with Mrs. ** had been cancelled for the 18th - I had previously taken Ms. ** to the hospital and after the call - I thought this "is odd," I have been going there for 4 months - I called Home Instead and requested Betsy ** to call me in regards to my shift being cancelled - she NEVER called me back!! The son-in-law gave me his cell phone number - if I had ever brought Ms. ** to the hospital I was to let the doctors speak to him due to his knowledge of her medical condition and he had a list of all her medications. I was "very concerned" about Mrs. ** thinking she had been hospitalized - so I decided to call the son-in-law - I explained what I was calling for and he said "I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT CANCELING YOUR SHIFT."

Only 2 weeks prior he requested Betsy ** meet with him to discuss - he was unhappy with the caregivers they were sending when I was not on duty - they did not know how to take her oxygen level - nor her blood pressure - they were not giving her a bath every day - etc. He was concerned and asked "Who were they sending?" I said, "I don't know"." At 7:30/8:00pm I received a call from Betsy **, she was IRATE!! She said "YOU ARE FIRED - YOU WILL NEVER WORK FOR ANOTHER HOME INSTEAD - YOU KNOW IT IS AGAINST POLICY TO CALL A CLIENT AT HOME - YOU ARE FIRED!!" I stated, "I was very concerned about Ms. **, I thought she may have been hospitalized."

She then stated "NO, there are issues I have to discuss with you!" I said "Issues - what issues?" She said, "You are buying food for Mrs. ** and bringing it to her home - You talk about other caregivers and you discuss other clients with other caregivers - these ARE against policy rules!!" I said, "Oh here we go again with your habitual lies." First of all I brought macaroni and cheese for MYSELF from MY HOME and another time I brought Fettuccine Alfredo - Ms. ** said it looked good - so I asked her if she wanted some and I gave her half of MY LUNCH!! What did you want me to say "NO Ms. **, you can't have any??" And I have NEVER talked about one caregiver to another - I go - do my job - and I go home - And I have NEVER talked about a client to another caregiver.

I DID TALK to a caregiver that is going to school to be an RN and we were discussing the epidemic of C.diff and Mercer in hospitals and nursing homes. I DID SAY I had a private client 3 YEARS AGO that wanted me to take her to see her friend that was in "ISOLATION WITH C. diff." I refused and I left her employment!! I asked, "Who are you getting this information from- they are IRREFUTABLE LIES just like that last episode!!? I would think a person in your position would BE MORE INTERESTED IN KEEPING YOUR CLIENTS and their FAMILIES HAPPY AND SENDING CAREGIVERS THAT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING - instead of this nonsense!" She said, "YOU ARE FIRED - I HAVE TO BE SOMEWHERE" - and hung up. I have "NEVER" done all that Betsy ** is "falsely accusing me of AGAIN!!"

Her Home Instead location is a "revolving door" of caregivers - we are underpaid and I have NEVER heard anything good about this Home Instead. You can be assured I am being accused of these "blatant lies" - I HAVE TO WONDER what does she do to the other caregivers?? Betsy ** has NO PEOPLE SKILLS and she DESPERATELY NEEDS TO GO TO SCHOOLING FOR MANAGERIAL SKILLS - She does NOT GET IT!!! If your employees are successful then you as a supervisor or manager ARE SUCCESSFUL!! I would NEVER RECOMMEND employment with this agency - Betsy ** is a COMPULSIVE LIAR!! She has NO IDEA of how to handle employees or MANAGE A BUSINESS!!

She, a few minutes later, calls me back in to tell me I failed for **. What the hell! I couldn't wrap my head around that. I showed her a prescription for ** and she told me it was her discretion and she would not take this any further and thank you for my time. So I called my Dr. and found out there is no way I could have came up dirty for **. Now this lady has all my private information including my ins. information. I am going to seek legal advice tomorrow.

During my 6 months with the company, a lot of the case manager, the carers, contacted the "boss", directly regarding the clients, shifts etc therefore, when the case manager called, I don't know anything about the case. He expected me to be like a business development manager.. with only $24.50/hour. He should probably hire a "Business Development Manager" rather than a "Administration Assistant". Basically that was his reason for letting me go.

The following day I was contacted by the franchise owner who questioned me about why I'd applied and what kind of hours I wanted. He indicated that hires would likely never get more than twenty hours a week and that some weeks might involve only a few hours of work. He then made it clear that EVERY hire must be willing to do everything mentioned on the questionnaire including bathing, diaper changing and transferring clients with physical disabilities. I told him honestly that for $9.25 an hour I was not willing to do those things. Finally, he told me they were just looking for people (read "women") with some spare time who wanted to be helpful. Of course I was not offered a job, but after talking with the owner, I no longer wanted to work for this company.

Plain and simple, they are taking advantage of their workers. They are offering bottom dollar pay for what will, at times, involve disgusting tasks, with minimal hours so they don't have to pay benefits. It's a corporate mindset that is determined to keep every cent it possibly can in the upper levels of the company. I think the very least they could do is be honest in their advertising about what they expect of their hires. I hope no one is desperate enough to have to work for a company that is so contemptuous of its employees. I'm thankful I'm not.

Anytime you send a caregiver to someone's house who have not met before there should be an introduction with someone from the office. They don't match caregivers and clients well anymore. Their catch phrase is "To us it's personal". Maybe when they first started out this was true, but it's been my experience that it is not anymore. Clients that I work with have noticed this as well. It's to the point that I'm embarrassed to tell anyone for whom I work.

The moron immediately began cursing me out, told me I was harassing him and hung up on me. As you can see, he has no concern for the clients that are incapable of caring for themselves. He's in it for the money. Nothing else. I reported the matter to the Virginia Dept of Health and the aide actually admitted to leaving my Mom the entire day without taking her the the bathroom. I don't think she fed her either. This highly unethical group was found deficient in their duties of caring for my Mom and you can bet this wasn't an isolated in incident. Don't hire them and let them neglect your loved one. What they did is a criminal act and they should be locked up!

How do you find a "fit" with second hand assessments? In most cases, you don't and she didn't! And, if you do by sheet accident, the scheduler will take that caregiver away from your home if they do overnights and are needed for one. The complaints about this woman were endless and yet, the office manager turned her back over and over. The level of tension in that office when no perspective clients were around or many caregivers were there, was something you could feel. The previous owner, Clay Talley had somewhat of a short fuse. I felt sorry for the inside staff. If you don't believe what I am saying, first check the classifieds. Their ad for caregivers is a constant. Next, do your homework about the broadness of their DMV and background checks.

One woman told me that the people sent to care for her husband didn't have any idea of how to transfer him, bathe him or change his diapers. She said the last three people she had all were new to the field and not yet trained. She was glad to have me. Home Instead is a very large company with experts in PR and the knowledge of how to network and get their name out there. Judge for yourself and good luck. By the way, ask what states background checks are made in.

Also, after I reported the neglect, I was treated horribly and badgered with phone calls at all hours of the day, even if I was working. And if I couldn't answer my phone they would leave a nasty voicemail stating that I needed to answer my phone when they call. The only person that was professional was the head nurse at the office. She was pleasant and would deal with issues, but impossible to contact because she was overwhelmed.

This company in particular in Duncansville, PA is terrible. They treat the caregivers like dirt on the bottom of their shoes and will try to run them around. As for the clients, all they want is the money, they cost the clients thousands and give minimal care as result of neglectful and proper training. Their turnover rate is ridiculous because of such conditions and I would never recommend anyone put their elderly family member under their care.

Communication was extremely poor. They cancelled one of my clients and lied about leaving me a voice mail notifying me about it, so I went to the client's home and had to be told by her and wasted my time and gas and was not paid for that. The supervisor LACRESA ** never apologized, she just made up excuse after excuse to justify that how they handled the situation was fine. I told the case manager Angie that I did not like to travel far and she assigned me a client that was 30 minutes away INCLUDING TOLL for a 2 hour shift. Who in the world would take such a short shift traveling 2 hours back and forth twice a week for a 2 hour shift ($8/hr) for $32??? THAT'S STUPID! Plus I never got the email for the shift and found out 5 minutes before my shift began, so after how they treated me before, I refused to go. These people have no care for their Caregivers. I can't imagine how they treat the clients.

I found out that my client was paying them $17/hour while I was only getting 8. That is absolutely ridiculous. They underpay you and they treat you like dirt. YOU CANNOT SURVIVE ON AN HISC paycheck, you will go broke and homeless. I had enough and put in a 2 week notice. I've never quit a job before, I could usually still work under certain poor conditions, but I just couldn't deal with this place. STAY AWAY! I will advise my client to cancel their services before I leave. Client or Caregiver, STAY AWAY!

Since I can't think of one thing that would warrant this type of treatment towards me, I have to conclude another employee set this up. Oh, you can ask why you were taken off a good paying assignment, but they don't tell you and just lie about it. You don't get a chance to defend yourself whether you did something or not. I can just imagine many workers wondering what the heck they did wrong as well. I, after calling twice to ask about assignments, I was put on hold both times without anyone ever coming back on the line. Ignore me and I'll eventually hang up? You may get a raise also, but then your hours will be shortened and given to someone else so there's no overtime paid to you. Do clients ever wonder why they have horrible caregivers?

It's because most are treated terribly in the office and it's the clients that suffer. If you treat the employees with zero respect and continuously lie over and over again with a smile plastered on your face while doing it, then the clients can expect to have unhappy caregivers that don't really care. This business and especially the Hemet/SanJacinto branch were perhaps the WORST place I've ever worked at in my entire life. Skip this office. Interested in maybe being a caregiver? Go to a competitor. Potential client? Go to a different senior care business and pass this one up. No one likes being lied to and treated badly. When employees are treated well, it extends forward to the clients being treated well also. You have to start with the ones doing all the work to make it a successful business. That would be the caregivers.

When I used them as a reference for another job, the manager gave me a 'Bad' Reference, so I lost the job. I talked with two of the other women at their company, who I knew, and both of them said that they would have given me a good reference, and didn't know why this women, (the manager) did this. When I tried to talk with her, to find out what was going on, she avoided me. I not only lost money, but my reputation was tarnished because of them.

Well, apparently, they felt I should've done just that. They did not care whether or not it would've put the client in danger. They then started harassing me for a doctor's note. Even though I only called out sick for ONE day.. Lo and behold, my hours have been cut drastically now. Even though the main client I work with, and their son, has been requesting me and only me. When I went in for my paycheck, I was told that they took it upon themselves to call my doctor to see whether or not I had been there. They basically called me a liar and stated that the policy is now (it wasn't before) that if someone calls out on a weekend, they have to provide a note or at least a co-pay receipt... Can anyone say ILLEGAL and UNETHICAL?!

I am a health care professional that is certified and licensed to work in many different medical settings. Apparently, the so called owner of this particular branch is not. And neither is their office staff. If they were, they would know that they violated a very basic HIPPA law by calling my private physician without my consent. And they would also know that I can and will be reporting them through the proper channels... There were so many other negative things that happened and that I saw that I am amazed they are still in business... and Now, I am resigning from this company and feel the need to warn potential employees about them as well as potential clients. Please, do yourself a favor and go with a REAL agency. One that is certified and requires training before subjecting these poor clients to this nonsense and treatment.

Nevertheless you could come completely qualified, but beware if you have a disability. They won't accommodate you (that's against the law). Other employees have told me this too, but no one know their rights. If you don't speak perfect English, you're not hired at all. Even if you work in a hospital. They force you to do things that are not in your job description. Who has ever heard of a quarterly review? I have only heard of annuals, wow. You can't get time and a half at all for over time. How come someone interviews you then has to call the boss in and the one that interviews is suppose to hire you? Wait, they had me lifting an old man. Two days later, I left. They held my check and never gave it to me either (Also against the law). Sorry, they lied to me. It gets better. They won't allow you to unionize. I believe that Home Instead Main office really needs to investigate new employees and past employees to see what is really going on in Rockland County.

Next day I was told it was not on my schedule. On Tuesday I emailed back my copy of the schedule which showed I was right. This supervisor sends me cryptic messages and so I called her and wanted to clear up the matter, so she threatened to cancel my entire schedule for the rest of the weeks. I did not think she had the authority and contacted the Manager through another supervisor and he called me and apologized etc. and said he would look into the matter and that she was stressed etc. etc. trying to cover up for her, even though he agreed this should not have happened.

So following day no work and then I get a call from the other supervisor in the office saying o.k. my schedule will be reinstated but unfortunately both the clients I have will be finished by then, as one was going out of town and the other was terminating the short-term service she required. Since then it has been 4 weeks and I have not had a single job offer from either of the 2 franchises! I have over 20 years experience and my work is appreciated by my clients always and they treat me like this. I have no more respect for this company anymore! I would warn others too to keep away.

B) They have no appreciation of the hard working field staff and only protect their office staff who are given powers beyond their capacity to make judgements!

One woman died because the other girl I worked with gave the 92 yr old woman to any **, which I think the other girl was taking them too, her eyes were glazed and she acted and talked like she was high on drugs. This happened too many times and I finally quit because of the indifference to so many of the various problems. Home Instead Senior care just takes your money and don't seem to care about anything else. If you don't pay them that's when the office gets busy dealing with the problem. Save yourself troubles get somebody else to care for your loved ones.

As I was then out of work going on 2 weeks due to the injury, the company then cancelled my company health insurance. They said they had not heard from me and had no wages with which to deduct and pay my premiums. To top it off the cancellation of my policy was made effective 1 month back which made me liable for the large Dr Bills from the injury and a previous illness. I begged them to reinstate my health insurance and to help me. I reminded them that I had sent in the Dr notes every week as required and that I had called the office manager every 2-3 days to discuss new assignments but they ignored me. Then they finally telling me they had no insurance to cover me for the injury after all.

I reported them to Workmans Comp and continued to see the Dr for as long as I could afford. I ran out of cash. No rent or food money so no more Dr either. No more Dr meant no more DR notes. No DR notes meant no approved leave from work. I finally stopped calling in to the office as they were ignoring me at this point. I was still hurt and just gave up and stayed at home unable to work for a very long time. I finally find out the office manager filed the report with the wrong insurance carrier. When that carrier denied my claim and sent the letter to Workers Comp the letter listed a second carrier and policy number identified by the owner as the correct policy covering Home Instead for the date of injury.

I contacted that carrier and they told my that was not accurate that they had never heard of Home Instead and the policy number and info I was given was not theirs and that no report had ever been filed with them.I tried hiring attorneys but with no insurance information I did not get far. Today,finally after hours of asking questions and guessing at what name the insurance policy was hidden under I uncover the truth.The had an active policy to cover me with yet another Insurance Company and never bothered to file it.... It would have covered my wages and medical...... I did not try to go back to work for Home Instead. I was able to do any any heavy lifting any more making it hard to find work.

To top it off, I used them as a work reference and almost did not get my current job due to the bad reference they gave for me. Luckily my new boss asked me what happened. I called Home Instead and they denied any knowledge of giving me a bad reference. They then gave my new boss a positive reference and I got hired on the spot. I was looking for work for so long. God knows how many times they might have given out that bad reference and cost me work......... All over an injured employee trying to get paid for lost wages and medical costs. Talk about kicking someone when they are down... And yes, The owner of Home Instead Austin, TX knew............ and did nothing.

I called the office to ask what was going on and they had no idea the aide wasn't at my house. There were days when nobody even showed up!!! Then when I call the office, one rep tells me she's looking at the call-in sheet and the aide called at 8:15. I get transferred to the office manager and she tells me she's looking at the call-in sheet and the aide called in at 8:07. I called the house at 8:40 and there was no aide!!!! Bunch of thief liars!!! The worst was today when I arrived home from work and my Mom was wearing the same clothes from the day before, wearing the same Depends as the day before and she was soaking wet with urine and covered in feces!!!

This type of behavior, complete lack of standards and work ethic is absolutely pathetic and criminal. I have every intention of going to the Virginia Department of Health, The Attorney General's Office, Better Business Bureau, the media and every website where I can post a review. I get charged almost $5000/a month for incompetent, lazy morons to neglect and abuse my Mother!!! I'll be contacting an attorney as well.

I also found those who did talk down to me were quite ignorant and not well schooled. They do NOT care about the clients in any form, except for the money. I would not let this company take care of someone I DID NOT like, much less someone I loved. I would say to hire them if you wish the client to have a decline in their health, not if you wish them cared for well. I could give specifics but will not. I will say BEWARE OF HOME INSTEAD. NOT a good company, not at all.

I understand Karon, from Pensacola, Fl situation. But, that person was not your maid. Living in filth was YOUR CHOICE. Forcing your husband to live like that is a MORAL CRIME. By no means am I taking up for Home Instead, but protocol was on their part to check the surrounding areas where they are sending the Staffer. Suggest to the Client's family along with the Case Worker, what should be done BEFOREHAND services were render, thereby no misunderstanding about the care services would be question.

By the way, helping you, not the client with baking Christmas cookies for other family members is not part of her job. I can only probably assume it may have been on your part the assumption she should have. And I think it was unfair of you to try to bring a animal into a home you were just stating "live in filth", and possible claim a staffer had to take care of it too.

When I was not there, another girl would fill in and it became obvious that she could not spell, only cleaned where client slept, and refused to go the distance for the family. Because I pride myself on my work, I cannot expect everyone else to do so. I quit after 3 months due to changes in my client's schedule. He was going to an adult day care and I was only needed two days a week. I gave my two-week's notice but HISC never called the client's daughter to let her know. I later found out that HISC told the client's family that I just left without notice. Unbelievable!!!

Also, the forms that all HISC employees fill out have to be delivered to the office twice a month. I asked if they could send envelopes and they did; the stamps were my responsibility. I had a second client on weekends. His HISC caregiver during the week (whom I never met) told the company lies about me as if we knew each other. The client fired her and at that point, I was told I could no longer work with him. He eventually got rid of HISC altogether. They care nothing about feelings nor do they worry about prior experience.

I have several degrees including a board certified Medical Technologist. When the CNAs arrived, I just got pushed aside as if I were nothing more than a babysitter. Basically, my motto with any HH agency is "If you have a car and a pulse, you can work for them." So true. Gone are the days of really caring about clients. It is all about dollars in the pockets of rude, arrogant bosses who could care less about clients or employees. I cried when I left my clients. HISC pays minimum wage and the time to get to a client was horrible on my bank account when it came to gas. Making $32 a day on average was pathetic. It hurt my resume and I broke my back. I worried about my clients' well-being and not just whether they were fed. Not important!!! Just get out there and clean.

I do not recommend this company at all. They sound really nice and happy on the phone, but the truth is that the client is paying a LOT of money and the caregiver receives very little. I saw a bill addressed to the client from HISC. This was shown in private. I was then asked how much I received. The client was floored. I know times are hard and having a job is a big deal now. I do not belittle the ones working. It is hard work. I am sick to death of the ones who are working and treat the clients like sub-human creatures. We are all human and deserve the very best from a company that promises the very best. Be aware of the prices and remember that you get what you pay for. I was the exception to the rule as are many caregivers. My heart still hurts from client stories. HISC is just like all the other HH companies. If they do not care about their employees, why should employees care about their jobs. It is a political game and frankly, I think and know that my clients were sick of the game.

First, Home Instead doesn't have any nurses on staff just a million managers and supervisors who I have NEVER met who are constantly calling and emailing me. It's run very business-like not AT ALL personal. They are very micro managerial which is why I've wanted to leave and why I already have another job. They are over, over, overstaffed by people to over yet under manage the caregivers. When there is a problem, there is NO ONE to help- the "on call supervisor" is a joke- has never ever met the clients and is paid to basically answer the phone (I'm sure she calls in her hours on time which is probably why she's still there) but if you make a mistake 5 people you've never met to pound on you and tell you what you should have done...very corporate, over managed and under effective. Never met the owner.

The other company however, I have met the owner, nurses and the few staff. They are effective and staff manage themselves and know who to contact and know things will be handled promptly and effectively. The nurses actually are familiar with the clients, their meds, home, etc and are a phone call away. The small staff actually work TOGETHER cooperatively as an actual CARE TEAM (medical model) instead of destructively at each other (corporate model). I'd recommend a small independently run non-chain agency over an indifferent corporate business. As a CNA, almost-nurse and caregiver I feel for better care for your family go with a small, independent medically minded agency. It's better for both the client and caregiver. I also think that clients' family want a caregiver that is treated well.

As she had a badge and uniform, the medical staff handed her my clipboard with all my private info not realizing I had never seen her before this day.. And the issues ensuing before our arrival via the local community transportation van I use for my power chair. Had not the van been late I would not have been able to attend my mri for an adrenal tumor scheduled for that day.. Escorts are for assisting such clients as myself off and onto van lift and I kept phoning office when she had not arrived within the hour preceding so she could help me finish dressing and to help me get my chair outdoors and close my door behind me. Home Instead kept telling me that she was lost and couldn't promise me she would arrive in time but they would be happy to phone my doc to explain why I couldn't get to this long booked appointment dismissing me as though this was just a brief irritation.

I told them not to call my doctor and to this day don't know if they did or not.. but the night before when one of the staff phoned to reassure me that this person would be at my house at such and such a time and I reiterated about how important as if she wasn't there. I would not be allowed to board the van alone and this was the rules of the company. If one is signed up for an escort it cannot be changed for various trips and this was cancelled after this incident requesting an escort. I also asked if she had had a background check as other issues had developed which I mention in opening paragraph.. Oh yes I was assured. "We do so with all our employees."

So here we are and as my rude was late I heard a commotion and someone had driven off the driveway making a loud noise so the neighbors came out.. I kept this twisted driveway sign until another worker threw it out. So throughout the following year the ones they would send me would turn a 15-30 minute shopping list into 3 or hours still leaving me without any help and returning with trunk full of groceries picking out only 2 that belonged to me.. It was always an excuse such as traffic, long lines any which were possible but each time one pulled out a receipt of her own looking for the name of an item she had purchased in an effort to show me the name of a juice she was sipping.. I still had no help putting up groceries nor the supplies which came I needed from medicaid waiver nor the frozen meals on wheels. The food I would leave out for assistance with food processor and help transferring from iron cooker into a tray I still have to go as they just wouldn't come back..

The last episode occurred when the helper left. When I asked her to stay so we could get started on the pastries I was baking for Xmas gifts having all out ready and when she failed to show after an absence of 4-5 hrs and post office would be closed and this had happened weeks before trying to get a b-day gift off. As I type on this Xmas day I was not able to prepare this nor send it to my fam and friends nor to have it to serve to company as I often do on holidays.. When R didn't answer her phone the several times I tried to phone her I called her office to inquire if she was okay.. Apparently they had phoned her and she had answered them so when she drives up I phone office to report she must have been alright for here she is...

She comes bursting in angry and sets down the 3 small bags and heads for the kitchen porch instead of helping me put them out which is typical but not the porch. She is sweeping angrily and toward a stray kitten someone dropped off and trying to gain its trust so I can bring it in from the cold.. I shout at her to please don't frighten the kitty as she is slinging the door open and the handle falls off and the broom handle breaks. "Don't you curse me out" she yells and says she is leaving.. I say "leave, I have had enough" and she slams to her car and leaves. It is less than five minutes later when one of the managers calls me and chews me, a client out, saying that 'R' was crying.. I am sorry she is crying as they tell me they are not going to send anyone else out to help me. When I heard from my case worker she tells me that she cannot find me anyone to come as no one will come to my house and this is a result of me calling to complain of the workers who had been involved in such poor care according to their own instructions and not one had been written up as record only me as a problem client..

The way I see it is that if a client says nothing and agrees to continue to live in filth and be left alone then all will be just fine and dandy. But if you have a family member you love and are counting on through background checks and a concerned staff, then go elsewhere but where that elsewhere I haven't found them yet.. A former case worker who I informed of my former hubby's poor treatment and the worker's demanding money from him and making him sign paperwork for house they didn't work, told me I couldn't expect anything else from minimum wage earners.. So that was his sage advice..

Somewhere on these reports the complaints exist including my being asked to buy tires for one companion's car so she could come to house. But these reports were not even dictated accurately and had they been considered by BBB there would not be a zero complaint blurb regarding this company neither for the tlc which is also another poor treatment offender.. The former clients all have bad things to say but the BBB still displays the a+ rating.. I live in fear and stress that this will happen again and not be able to say anything for they hobble those who do. I wish more were done and more publicity so others won't grieve for negligence...

Another time I was cancelled within fifteen minutes of my scheduled time to depart with no explanation. I had to cancel on one occasion because of a broken tooth, but I did so three days ahead. They were very angry at me. As a consequence, I was later asked to work an evening night shift of which I was not hired for. I declined and have not heard from them since. There was no continuing education offered and no introduction to other care givers. Also the patient's wife had asked me to work for them in their vacation home in another county and say I was at their residential home. Totally unethical. I was treated as a servant, not enough money to stay!

Months later a friend went into an interview with them and when she asked if I still worked there - the receptionist said horrible untrue things about me! This company is so unprofessional and they are lucky I didn't sue for slander and breech of confidentiality. Worst employers ever!

Finally, I broke down and emailed the person I was in contact with even when I lived in my home state and asked if I really did receive the position or if I didn't. She responded a day or so later and said oh yes, I did get the job and to please come in the following day for orientation and training, if that's even what you want to call it. Right at that moment, I had a strange feeling about the impending job, but I ignored it and went with the flow. Orientation and training consisted of a thirty-minute video about how great the franchise owners are and why Home Instead Senior Care is a great place to work. The next session was the training which all in all took me about four hours to do and is nothing but large packets of questions that you must answer after reading many books and you do this all by yourself isolated in a room!

I then learned that I would only be paid for TWO hours of training because that was the "company policy". I thought any mandatory (and this was!!!) training or work related event was required to be paid in full at my rate of pay, which by the way STILL has never been formally told to me. After noticing that I had signed my name to something that stated I understood their policies and then realizing the time frame given to complete the training was inconceivable left me feeling trapped. I felt like I had no grounds for a complaint, so I let this incident go as well. This is where it starts to get nasty! I had a client that was transferred to the hospital and basically was being taken care of by the staff. There was nothing for me to really do except be her companion and keep her company. I did not have a problem with that because I had become really close with her and the family.

Home Instead talked the client's spouse into hiring twenty-four hour care! That was very costly and really unnecessary considering my client was bed bound, on a CPAP machine and tube-fed. None of which is ANYTHING that I am authorized to assist with. The office divided up 24 hours between two people for two weeks while she was in ICU. I worked almost eighty hours each week with one day off and no breaks (including lunch, I had to excuse myself for sanity breaks every now and then). I never stated in my availability that I was willing to work that much in ONE WEEK! When I asked for my hours to be reduced, I was given a very rude and unprofessional response! Scheduling is something they say is flexible, which is completely false and unreliable.

HERE IS THE BEST PART! About two weeks ago was my first payday with Home Instead! They do not offer direct deposit, so I picked my paycheck up after my shift and deposited it into my bank. Two days later, I received a notice that my bank account was overdrawn and my PAYCHECK had bounced! I was in a panic mode trying to figure out who to call first and what to do! I spoke to the office and they DID NOT BELIEVE ME when I told them that my paycheck had bounced and I needed to prove it to them. So I did! After my shift, I went to my bank to obtain copies of my statements and drove to the office to show this person who did not believe me! She then began to explain that if I had met the owner of the franchise earlier like I was told to do, they would have given me cash??

I was never told to meet with anyone! I was instructed to bring the appropriate paperwork to the office to show my overdrawn account. After proving their error, I was given another check to cash with the returned check fee included with my paycheck amount and had to pay for the check cashing fee in fear of this check not clearing! Never once did I receive an explanation as to why this happened or an 'I'm sorry'!!!!!!! UNREAL! I decided to give them one last chance. Last week was my second payday and after my shift, I picked up my check and deposited it into my bank. I debated over cashing the check, but because I have a perfectly good bank, I feel that I shouldn't have to spend money on cashing my paycheck because maybe the first bounce was a fluke right? YEAH RIGHT! Same scenario. I learned that my paycheck had bounced, my account was overdrawn yet again and now my RENT CHECK HAS BOUNCED! This was the final straw!

I called the office to let them know it had happened again and I was told that they were busy and someone would call me back soon. About 10 minutes later, I get a call back from another caregiver, not anyone from the finance department or HR, telling me that I can meet them at the office to pick up cash! No one wanted to hear the trouble that the rent check is causing me, my credit, and my future rental history! Again, I got no explanation or apology. I was then told to go back to work and they would meet me at the client's house with cash! The owner of the company FINALLY contacted me about five hours after the incident happened and told me that from now on, they are paying me in cash. No one at this company seems to care that they are causing me such severe stress and is no way wanting to resolve the issue on their end. I contacted the home office and filed a formal complaint so that hopefully someone can get to the bottom of this. As for me, I have many future job opportunities and soon this will all be behind something of the past. Working for Home Instead Senior Care is such a mistake!

I prefer to interview them and ask questions about their experience and chat with them a few minutes to get an overall feel for them while at the same time give them an opportunity to meet my Mother-in-Law and get an idea of what type of care she will be needing etc. NOW I am being told by the owner of the company that if I want to interview a potential Caregiver for my Mother-in-Law I will have to pay $50 for EACH interview!!! I am interviewing other Caregiving Companies and none of them have this same ridiculous policy! You blew it Home Instead.

When I was hired I was told that I would be making $9 hour regardless of the type of shift it was (CareGiver or HomeHelper). That also wasn't true. Not once did I see a $9 hour rate on my pay stubs. Also, the company paid me a flat rate of $78.50 for an overnight 12-15 hour shift. Even if I was awake every hour during my shift, they still paid me the flat rate instead of hourly (rules in the Handbook say they pay hourly if you're up 4 or more times during the night). From July 2nd-July 31st, I worked every night for 12-15 hours without having a day off. If you do the math that is roughly 80 hours a week. I never received overtime or a small bonus for working overtime. The company doesn't even give its full-time workers benefits of any kind. I spoke to CareGivers who had been there for years and they were still making $8 hour with no overtime or benefits.

In August 2013, I received a huge surprise by discovering that I was 7 months pregnant. I had no knowledge of the pregnancy what-so-ever. I made this very clear to my boss, and also told them that they needed to place me with "reasonable" clients. This meant no patients that required lifting, had infections or contagious diseases, or required me to be climbing on stools or on my hands and knees. My boss assured me that they would work with me, schedule me during my desired hours, and would give me "great" clients. The exact opposite happened. The day after telling them I was pregnant, I was scheduled to work with a 6'4", 224 lb. man who required lifting. Due to a stroke he had no movement in his legs or left side, so he would be a dead lift.

I was infuriated and called the office. They didn't understand what the issue was, but said they'd have a replacement come in ASAP. Turns out ASAP to them means 2 hours after my shift ends. For 10 hours I was on my feet, lifting this man, and putting myself and my son at risk. A week later, I was scheduled to work with a woman who had a severe staph infection. Even though Home Instead claims to be a non-medical home healthcare group, they asked me to change her bandages, clean the wounds, and redress them. I immediately called my office and told them a replacement needed to come in ASAP. There was no way I was going to put myself at risk for infection while pregnant, especially since I didn't have any prenatal care. They said no one was available to come in so I would have to stay and "put up with it". Um, excuse me?! Absolutely not! I explained to the client about my circumstances, and she was very understanding. She called her da