Run from this company, do not walk...Run! If you care for your loved one at all and want the best care for them then I advise you search elsewhere for knowledgeable, friendly and helpful staff. The presentation of services to be rendered was completely misleading... overstated and vastly underdelivered. I was told the nurses were skilled and would understand the needs of my mother and right out of the gate the woman they sent was clueless.
My 83 y/o mother had just received a hip replacement and we were looking for someone to help monitor her during a difficult phase of her recovery... basic stand and pivot to bedside commode... Turning in bed... monitoring blood pressures as she was, at the time, constantly fluxing with orthostatic hypotension. We were told the nursing staff was competent and would be able to do this and more, even light cleaning, meal preparation, full caring and respectful bed bath and some laundry service too! It sounded like a dream and too good to be true. It was exactly what I was looking for in terms of service and care for my mother. It was all a lie!
First off, they were unable to find anyone for several days to come out and help. We even had someone sheduled and they didn't show up. When finally someone came, AN HOUR LATE, the woman literally huffed and rolled her eyes at me when I opened the door to let her in. She did not introduce herself in any way nor did she say two words as I led her downstairs to my mother's care area. She was very defiant, contentious and acted like she definitely did not want to be here! I was so uneasy and uncomfortable at the encounter I wanted her to leave then and there. I asked her if she knew of my mother's posterior hip precautions... no response! I asked if she was aware of how to do a stand and pivot and help mother out of the bed so as to avoid another hip dislocation, she looked at me like a deer in headlights. I then asked her if they had updated her on my mother's condition and the care needed... her only response was "yeah, they said she was real hands on." I proceeded to explain and instruct her as best I could. She then proceeded to sit in the chair across the room and watch the football game that my mother was watching at the time. I thought to myself "you've got to be kidding me! This is what you call a qualified caregiver and supportive palliative care!" She did not engage with my mother, speak to her nor even introduce her and give her name or offer to do anything other than, "you need me to fix her some food?", to which I responded, obviously no, I had already fixed her lunch in the hour I was waiting, which she was eating at the time of this woman's arrival.
The whole experience was incredibly uncomfortable, but I had to go out and replenish supplies and groceries and other errands. I was so hesitant to leave but mother was having a really good day and was in bed watching the game, so I thought I could run out real quick and then just get back ASAP. I got as far as the parking lot of the store a few minutes away and immediately turned around and came back to dismiss the woman and figure out another solution.
I called the oncall staff at Brightstar and explained the situation. They told me the woman had wanted to call out and not work that day so that was the excuse for the unprofessional behavior... I was thinking... why would you send that in the first place if that is the best you have... They tried to assure me that they did have really good qualified individuals and for me to give them another try the next day. They said this woman was no longer work with the company... Which I thought was strange to inform me of their employment decisions. They tried to convince me again to have them send another woman. I told them no... I would make other arrangements as they were obviously unable to deliver adequate staff to begin with. The woman was there all of 30 minutes. I dismissed her immediately upon my return home.
Some time later I noticed I noticed an automatic debit from them to my bank account for $98. I disputed it. They were incredibly rude on the phone and very short with me stating it would be under review. I guess it's still under review because the charges were not reversed. Very unprofessional, very shady and very inappropriate business practices I advise anyone and everyone to look elsewhere! read more
