Visiting Angels - Anniston, AL in Birmingham, AL

Pros

• Visiting Angels and its team are kind and courteous, consistently meeting clients' needs.
• They make days easier with wonderful caregivers, and clients feel loved and supported.
• Russell Renfroe is recognized for making the experience smooth and for genuinely caring about clients.
• The management team is praised for flexibility and willingness to accommodate last-minute requests.
• Visiting Angels is considered one of the best providers in the area, with Russell and his team described as true angels.
• The caregivers are described as capable, caring, and dedicated to the well-being of loved ones.
• The staff is professional, honest, and highly recommended by families they serve.
• Visiting Angels has been a lifesaver for families, delivering reliable care during difficult times.

Cons

• The place is the trenches.
• There is only one friendly person in the office.
• The level of care providers is laughable at best.
• The sitters were not qualified.
• They are a bunch of smart mouths and funky attitudes.
• The front office staff are rude.

Review

Visiting Angels in the Birmingham area (Anniston included in its service footprint) is best suited for families that prize a genuinely caring, relationship-driven in-home care experience and want hands-on, responsive leadership guiding the care plan. When a loved one benefits from flexible scheduling, quick adjustments, and a team that can blend light housekeeping with hands-on caregiving, this agency often delivers more wins than losses. The core value here is personal connection: families frequently report caregivers who feel like trusted members of the household, not disposable temps, supported by leaders who will roll up their sleeves to solve problems.

Those who should consider alternatives are those for whom consistency and uniform training across every caregiver are non-negotiable. If the top priority is a uniform, highly trained team with every aide arriving with the exact same approach and background, or if a completely friction-free front desk experience is essential, this provider can fall short. Several reviews flag variability in caregiver quality and office communication, suggesting there may be better fits for families seeking a tightly controlled staffing model, rigid scheduling, and a consistently predictable bedside presence.

The strongest pro here is the people. Caregivers are repeatedly described as compassionate, patient, and genuinely invested in their clients' well-being. When management prioritizes relationships, families notice: leadership figures like Russell and Tosha are praised for accessibility, reliability, and a willingness to address concerns promptly. The ability to accommodate last-minute schedule changes and special requests is a recurring theme, turning stressful moments into manageable ones. For many families, this relational backbone translates into meaningful peace of mind and a sense that a trusted team is watching over a loved one.

That said, the flip side is not trivial. Reports of rude front-office interactions, inconsistent caregiver performance, and occasional gaps in coverage cannot be dismissed. Some reviewers describe encounters with caregivers who seemed unqualified or who did not return for the same shift, which undermines continuity. The sense that the office staff, at times, does not convey the same level of warmth or efficiency as the caregivers can also create friction. Taken together, these experiences underscore a real risk: outcomes can hinge on which specific caregivers show up and how well the office can coordinate a schedule.

Still, the pros can meaningfully offset the cons for families willing to engage actively in the process. When leadership demonstrates accountability, emphasizes caregiver matching, and remains responsive to changes, the overall trajectory tends to stay positive. The presence of a committed, problem-solving management team - often described as dependable and trustworthy - helps families weather rough patches more effectively than with agencies that lack such hands-on oversight. In practice, that means strong chances of excellent care when the assignment aligns with the right caregivers and clear lines of communication are established.

For families weighing a decision, a practical path forward applies. Request a named care manager and a defined caregiver roster to minimize turnover surprises. Insist on a trial period with specific tasks and measurable expectations, and confirm a reliable backup plan for days when the usual caregiver cannot attend. Seek direct references from families with similar needs, and verify how scheduling, billing, and on-call communication are handled. If the focus remains on deeply compassionate, relationship-centered care and active, personal management can be relied upon to resolve issues quickly, this Visiting Angels operation offers a compelling option. If not, consider agencies that emphasize uniform staff training and consistently streamlined front-desk service to avoid the variability that occasionally colors experiences here.

This part of Birmingham, Alabama offers a variety of amenities that cater to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. With several places of worship nearby, including Cornerstone Church and Harmony Christen Fellowship, seniors can continue their spiritual practices within close proximity. Access to healthcare is also readily available with options such as Cancer Care Center of Anniston and Anniston Hma just a short drive away. Additionally, there are plenty of dining options in the area, ranging from fast food chains like Burger King and McDonald's to more casual options like Chicken Salad Chick and Waffle House. For leisure activities, Choccolocco Park provides a beautiful outdoor space for relaxation and recreation. Overall, this neighborhood offers a well-rounded community with essential services tailored to the needs of seniors.

Places of Worship

• Cornerstone Church (2.6 miles)
• Cornerstone Worship Center (2.6 miles)
• Harmony Christen Fellowship (5.4 miles)
• Mountain View Church (6.5 miles)
• Fairview Heights Northside Baptist Church (6.6 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (6.6 miles)
• New Hope International (6.6 miles)

Physicians

• Cancer Care Center of Anniston (4.9 miles)
• Urquhart Plastic Surgery (5 miles)
• Advanced Imaging of Alabama (5.9 miles)
• Alabama Family Optometry - One-Hour Optical (6.1 miles)
• Carla Thomas Md (6.4 miles)
• Carla N Thomas MD (6.4 miles)
• Anniston Pulmonary (6.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Martin's Pharmacy - Golden Springs (5 miles)
• Walgreens (5.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.7 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (5.7 miles)
• Calhoun Compounding Pharmacy (6.5 miles)
• Quick Med Express Phar (7.2 miles)
• Wright Drug Co (7.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Sneaky Pete's Hot Dogs (5.2 miles)
• Burger King (5.6 miles)
• McDonald's (5.6 miles)
• Chicken Salad Chick (6.4 miles)
• D Q (6.4 miles)
• Waffle House (6.4 miles)
• Zaxby's (6.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Anniston Hma (6.6 miles)
• Stringfellow Wound Care (6.6 miles)
• RMC Women's Children's Pavilion (6.7 miles)
• Jacksonville Medical Center (7.8 miles)
• RMC Jacksonville (7.8 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (6.7 miles)

Parks

• Choccolocco Park (7.2 miles)

Theaters

• AmStar 12 - Oxford Theatre (8 miles)