California Elder Home Care, Inc - Encino

Pros

• The team is highly responsive, caring, and responsible.
• They truly care about their clients.
• They show up on time and provide good companionship.
• They provide quality, full-service care.
• The caregivers are professional, warm, and courteous.
• The manager is awesome and communicates what a caregiver can help with.
• The service is reliable and provides support for personal care, meals, and transportation to appointments.
• The service is highly recommended by families.

Cons

• The caregivers frequently fail to show up, and the client is often not informed until after they were due.
• The communication between the director and the financial officer is very poor, requiring multiple calls to fix invoices.
• The agency is short-staffed, leading to caregivers leaving or being moved, which confuses the loved one's routine.
• Some caregivers are inexperienced (green) and lack basic cooking skills, such as making oatmeal or JELL-O.
• There was at least one scheduling mix-up, indicating coordination issues within the agency.
• The arrangement of four hours twice weekly may not be worth the effort to come.

Review

California Elder Home Care in Encino is best suited for families who want to keep a loved one at home and value reliable daily assistance, genuine companionship, and practical support like transportation, meals, and light housekeeping. The agency earns its solid reputation from caregivers who are typically friendly, presentable, and on task, with a manager who is described as knowledgeable and responsive. For seniors who need a steady routine, caregiver assistance that blends personal care with errands, and a trusted contact to coordinate doctor visits, this provider offers a practical, home-centered solution that can stabilize daily life.

Those who should consider alternatives are families seeking unwavering zero-tolerance reliability or 24/7 skilled medical supervision. The reviews reveal occasional misses in a given week and some gaps in communication between the director and financial contacts, plus instances of staff turnover or "short of staff" periods. Some caregivers come with less training in cooking or specific activities, and a few schedule mix-ups point to variability in staffing. For a loved one who requires constant, uninterruptible coverage or intensive clinical care, a facility-based option or a different agency with deeper nursing capabilities may be a wiser fit.

The strongest benefits - consistency of care, warm companionship, and practical daily help - often offset these drawbacks for families with moderate needs. On-time visits and dependable primary caregivers emerge as core strengths, along with personal care, meal assistance, and help with doctor appointments. The agency's manager repeatedly earns praise for setting clear expectations and facilitating smooth scheduling, which matters when a routine matters most. Clients note reliable transportation, light housekeeping, laundry, and errand-running as part of the service, delivering meaningful relief to overwhelmed households. These positives create a solid value proposition for many families, especially when paired with flexible visit patterns and straightforward pricing.

To mitigate the downsides, prospective clients should insist on concrete scheduling safeguards and transparent back-up plans. Ask how the agency handles caregiver substitutions, what the guaranteed coverage looks like on days with staff illness, and who becomes the primary point of contact for invoicing or care plan changes. Clarify the training level of caregivers - especially in meal preparation or medication reminders - and request a trial period to observe how the team adapts to a loved one's routines. Confirm whether a dedicated care manager will oversee the assignment and how quickly the agency can mobilize a backup if a regular caregiver is unavailable. These steps translate the agency's strengths into a predictable, controllable caregiving experience.

For families weighing options in Encino, this provider offers a clear path forward for those prioritizing home-based care with a humane, person-centered approach. It works well for seniors who can rely on regular companionship, assistance with daily activities, and dependable logistics like transportation to appointments. It is less ideal for someone needing round-the-clock medical nursing or for households that cannot tolerate occasional scheduling instability. With a strong emphasis on responsive management and caregiver continuity where possible, California Elder Home Care remains a practical, experienced choice for a broad swath of mid-range care needs. A careful intro meeting, a concrete expectations document, and a well-structured back-up plan will maximize the likelihood of a smooth, successful arrangement. Pricing sits in a reasonable range at about $22 per hour, with a four-hour minimum and flexible visit frequency, which families should confirm in writing before committing.

This part of Encino, California offers a range of amenities and services that would be beneficial for seniors looking to reside in the area. With multiple pharmacies nearby, accessing medication and healthcare needs is convenient. There are also various dining options available, including American classics, Mexican cuisine, and well-known fast-food chains. For outdoor activities, several parks are within a short driving distance, providing opportunities for leisurely walks or picnics. Additionally, there are medical facilities such as orthopedic institutes and health centers nearby for any healthcare needs. For transportation purposes, airports and bus terminals are easily accessible. Places of worship are also scattered throughout the area for spiritual fulfillment. Overall, this part of Encino provides a comfortable and convenient environment for seniors looking to settle down in a vibrant community.

Pharmacies

• Valley Drug & Compounding (0.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)

Restaurants

• The Stand American Classics Redefined (0.2 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (0.5 miles)
• Uncle Bernie's Deli (0.9 miles)
• McDonald's (1.5 miles)
• McDonald's (2.4 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)
• La Corona Mexican Grill (2.9 miles)

Parks

• Encino Bike Path (1.7 miles)
• Lake Balboa Park (1.8 miles)
• Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park (3.4 miles)
• Serrania Park (5 miles)
• Coldwater Canyon Park (5.8 miles)
• Franklin Canyon Park (5.8 miles)
• Top of Topanga Overlook (5.9 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Sherman Oaks Galleria (2 miles)

Transportation

• Van Nuys Airport (VNY) (2.9 miles)
• Van Nuys FlyAway Bus Terminal to LAX (3.5 miles)
• North Hollywood Metro Station (7.1 miles)

Physicians

• Southern California Orthopedic Institute (3.2 miles)
• Mid-Valley Comprehensive Health Center (4.4 miles)
• UCLA Health Woodland Hills (6.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.3 miles)
• Winnetka Bowl (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (6 miles)
• Porto's Bakery & Cafe (6.1 miles)
• Starbucks (6.2 miles)
• Starbucks (6.3 miles)
• Starbucks (7.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Michael & All Angels (5.3 miles)
• Immanuel Bible Church (6.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Kaiser Permanente Emergency (5.7 miles)
• Veterans Administration (5.9 miles)