LivHome in Encino, CA

Pros

• The agency provides close, personal attention that families value.
• Staff are available around the clock, offering dependable support to patients and their families.
• The organization treats employees with respect and genuine care.
• They provide thorough training so nurses feel prepared and confident.
• They deliver high-quality care to patients and families.
• The work environment feels like a caring family with supportive leadership.
• They offer good pay, flexible hours, and opportunities for growth.

Cons

• The owner allegedly blamed the family or the patient’s environment for nurses leaving, which the reviewer found unacceptable.
• There was over a year of promises to fill staffing, but never more than 50% coverage in any week.
• Nurses were frequently absent, late, or didn’t show up, with some not informing the agency.
• A nurse who fell asleep on the first night was praised by the owner, signaling a troubling double standard.
• Some nurses administered treatments without doctors’ orders, and the owner defended this behavior.
• Due to staffing shortages, the reviewer claimed the agency signs up any nurse just to bill and make money.
• Only two nurses were provided over almost a year, with ongoing complaints about lack of calls, missing MARs, and poor monthly follow-ups.
• The owner was described as talking over the reviewer and making sarcastic remarks, downplaying safety concerns about care.

Review

LivHome Encino is best suited for families seeking a hospital-style home care setup with extensive equipment, a strong emphasis on hands-on caregiver training, and highly responsive office support. This option works best when there is a willing advocate in the family who will monitor staffing, demand a clear care plan, and insist on tight communication with a supervisor. For loved ones who require near-daily nursing oversight, rapid planning, and a consistently staffed schedule, this community can deliver the right environment, provided the staffing delivery is reliable and transparent.

However, families should explicitly consider alternatives if dependable nurse coverage is non-negotiable. The most telling red flag in the reviews is inconsistent staffing: repeated promises of full coverage that never materialize, late arrivals, calls not returned, and even occasions where nurses operate outside the physician’s orders. When a care plan hinges on steady, accountable staffing, these gaps quickly erode trust and compromise safety. Assisted living or other home health providers with a proven track record of stable rosters and clear escalation protocols become worthy contenders in such cases.

On balance, the strongest positives center on the physical and operational setup: a full hospital-like environment with all supplies and equipment, a caregiver trained to assist with repositioning, and a cadence of training and supervision described as attentive. Families repeatedly note the depth of onboarding and the availability of office staff and RN supervisors. These elements can meaningfully improve day-to-day care when staffing is consistent, because the framework supports proactive care, timely revisions to plans of care, and real-time access to a knowable team.

Yet the cons are consequential and not easily dismissed. When staffing falls short, the benefits of the setup cannot fully compensate. The most troubling pattern, nurses arriving late, missing shifts, or not communicating absences; instances of care delivered without proper doctor oversight; and a perception that promises are used more as sales leverage than as operational commitments, greatly undermine stability and safety. The owner’s responses in some cases amplify concerns rather than reassure families that gaps will be closed promptly. In practical terms, this means potential for missed wound care, inconsistent medication administration, and fragmented monthly follow-ups.

For decision-making, it is essential to verify several practical details before committing. Demand a guaranteed staffing roster with backup coverage options, a formal Plan of Care updated monthly, and a documented communication protocol with a dedicated supervisor. Ask for recent client references and a transparent escalation path if calls or MARs are not returned. Confirm that the chosen agency actually assigns a stable team to the loved one’s case, and require month-to-month performance data to track adherence to care standards. These safeguards can convert a promising environment into a consistently reliable one.

In the end, LivHome Encino offers a compelling core proposition for families who value a hospital-grade care environment and robust staff training, paired with a responsive support structure. The decisive factors are staffing reliability, transparent communication, and a demonstrated commitment to following physician orders and care plans. If those elements can be locked in through clear agreements, this community can be a strong fit. If not, alternative providers, especially those with verifiable, stable rosters and explicit guarantees, should be pursued to avoid the churn and risk reflected in the more troubling reviews.

Located in Encino, California, this neighborhood offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With several pharmacies in close proximity, easy access to healthcare services is readily available. The area also boasts a variety of dining options, including Uncle Bernie's Deli, Chili's Grill & Bar, and In-N-Out Burger, providing residents with plenty of choices for dining out. For recreational activities, parks such as Lake Balboa Park and Serrania Park offer opportunities for outdoor relaxation and exercise. Additionally, the neighborhood is home to the Regal Sherman Oaks Galleria theater for those interested in entertainment options. With nearby transportation options like Van Nuys Airport and the FlyAway Bus Terminal to LAX, traveling is made convenient. Overall, this part of Encino provides a well-rounded community for seniors looking for a comfortable and accessible living environment.

Restaurants

• Uncle Bernie's Deli (0.1 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (0.4 miles)
• The Stand American Classics Redefined (0.7 miles)
• McDonald's (2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.4 miles)
• McDonald's (2.4 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (2.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Valley Drug & Compounding (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)

Parks

• Encino Bike Path (1.3 miles)
• Lake Balboa Park (1.9 miles)
• Serrania Park (4.1 miles)
• Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park (4.2 miles)
• Top of Topanga Overlook (5.1 miles)
• Topanga State Park (6.3 miles)
• Shadow Ranch Park (6.3 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Sherman Oaks Galleria (2.8 miles)

Transportation

• Van Nuys Airport (VNY) (3 miles)
• Van Nuys FlyAway Bus Terminal to LAX (3.8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Winnetka Bowl (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)
• Porto's Bakery & Cafe (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.2 miles)
• Starbucks (6.4 miles)

Physicians

• Southern California Orthopedic Institute (3.8 miles)
• Mid-Valley Comprehensive Health Center (4.9 miles)
• UCLA Health Woodland Hills (5.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Veterans Administration (6 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Emergency (6.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Michael & All Angels (6.2 miles)
• Immanuel Bible Church (6.3 miles)