American River Home Care I

Pros

• Annette's patience, gentleness, and kindness comforted the patient and helped her feel safe during bathing and care.
• The American River Hospice and Home Care teams were consistently compassionate, professional, and dedicated, with excellent care and communication.
• Nurses Marisa and Brian, home health aide Albertina, and Chaplain Derrick were described as extra special for their compassion and attentiveness.
• Community Liaison Ryan was amazing - consistently available, knowledgeable, and kind, often going above and beyond.
• The teams collaborated to ensure the patient had everything she needed, including medications, equipment, and supplies.
• Annette provided valuable guidance on home care products and care planning, continuing support beyond scheduled visits.
• The caregiver teams offered ongoing, heartfelt support during transitions and after the patient's passing, including sympathy and memory sharing.
• A retired physician praised the team's competence, knowledge, compassion, and listening skills, noting they met high standards.
• The owner of American River Health Care was praised for providing extra services free of charge, setting a high standard of care.
• An LVN described as an angel helped the family during the final journey, easing the process and offering presence and reassurance.
• The family repeatedly stated that the care was exceptional and that the team was the best.

Cons

• The facility where the mother was housed did not provide emergency care, and Sutter Home Health did not either; only American Hospice stepped in to uncover the problem.
• The family experienced a traumatic, unimaginable situation due to improper medication administration, a medical error that necessitated intervention by American Hospice.

Review

In December 2024, our family began a journey with American River Hospice in Sacramento that would leave a lasting impression long after the immediate tasks of care were completed. What stood out most from those early days was not just the skillful hands of the caregivers but the extraordinary compassion that infused every interaction. Among the team, Annette, the home aide assigned to my wife, became more than a caregiver - she became a source of steadiness and kindness in a moment of fear and confusion for a person with advanced dementia. Twice a week, Annette arrived to help with bathing, hair washing, teeth brushing, and dressing, and her presence transformed routine tasks into moments of safety, dignity, and trust. My wife, who often felt unsettled and frightened during personal care, found solace in Annette's calm, patient, and gentle manner. The effect of Annette's care extended beyond the bathroom: the peace and reassurance she offered after each visit lingered for hours and sometimes the rest of the day, a testament to how deeply she connected with my wife and valued her dignity.

Annette's impact went far beyond technical proficiency. She spoke to my wife with warmth and encouragement, treating her with respect and always mindful of her humanity. The patience Annette demonstrated - quietly steadying nerves during moments of confusion, offering reassurance, and maintaining a respectful, dignified approach - made a profound difference during a difficult time. It wasn't just about getting tasks done; it was about creating an environment where my wife felt seen, cared for, and valued. This kind of presence - the calm, reassuring energy that can quiet fear and soothe agitation - was a cornerstone of the care we received from Annette and, by extension, from the American River Hospice team.

What made Annette's care even more meaningful was the way she extended her support beyond the scheduled visits. She offered thoughtful guidance on home care products, helped us review our supply needs, and patiently answered our many questions. Her assistance as an advisor and partner in care was practical and generous, underscoring a broader commitment from the hospice team to support families at every step. The sense that we were not navigating this journey alone - thanks to Annette's ongoing, heartfelt outreach - made a difficult transition more manageable and less isolating.

In April 2025, when we made the difficult decision to transport my wife back to Wisconsin to be with our family, Annette remained a touchstone of continuity and encouragement. She stayed in touch during the emotional transition, sending messages of reassurance and reminding my wife that she was special and loved. Those gestures carried more weight than words can fully express, especially at a time when physical distance threatened the closeness of family support. After my wife's passing on May 13, 2025, Annette continued to reach out with sympathy and memories, underscoring the enduring care and connection that characterized her relationship with us. Her thoughtfulness and empathy have left an enduring impression on me and my family, and we remain grateful for the way she honored my wife's life and memory.

The stories of Annette are part of a broader tapestry of praise for American River Hospice and Home Care. Several reviews describe experiences that reflect the same values - professionalism, compassion, and a patient-centered approach - across multiple teams and settings. One family, for example, described their experience with the entire American River Home Care team as "the BEST," noting the dedication of staff who worked with their husband for more than two months. They highlighted the contributions of caregivers across disciplines - an RN, OT, PT, and social worker - who together delivered not only medical and therapeutic care but genuine kindness, open communication, and a willingness to go the extra mile. The appreciation extended to a community liaison who was exceptional in availability, knowledge, and empathy, reinforcing the sense that these teams were all aligned toward a common goal: to support both patient and family with grace and competence.

Several reviews highlighted the strength of teamwork and the breadth of expertise within American River Hospice Services. Nurses Marisa and Brian, home health aide Albertina, Chaplain Derrick, and Community Liaison Ryan were singled out for their roles in ensuring comfort, clear communication, and compassionate care. Ryan, in particular, was noted for going above and beyond, demonstrating availability, knowledge, and kindness that made a meaningful difference to the family's experience. The consistency of care across multiple professionals - RN, OT, PT, social work, and spiritual support - illustrates an integrated model where the patient's comfort and dignity are the unifying priorities.

Part of the enduring reverberation of these experiences comes from the organization's advocacy and responsiveness in the face of medical challenges. One family recounted how Araceli's team and Hospice spiritual leader Mariah were pivotal during a difficult medical moment, helping to navigate a troubling hospital experience and ensuring that pain management and transitions between care settings were addressed with sensitivity. They emphasized the importance of a compassionate, coordinated response when medical errors endangered a patient's well-being, and they thanked the entire team for standing with them through crisis and grief. The caregiver who dressed and prepared a loved one for her final journey - an LVN who remained calm in the presence of death - was described as an "angel," highlighting the profound emotional and spiritual impact of the caregiving role.

Other stories spoke to a broad spectrum of care experiences - from the relief of a smooth post-surgical recovery to the comfort of a patient nearing end of life, and the ongoing gratitude toward a team that treated each person as an individual with unique needs and preferences. A testimonial from a retired physician praised the team's competence, communication, and empathy, noting that their home care approach differed from hospital or outpatient settings in ways that felt more attentive and family-centered. The physician also recognized the partnership with UC Davis and the ways in which the team's expertise aligned with high standards of care, while also acknowledging the logistical realities of home-based services, such as travel time and the need to respect a patient's readiness for each visit.

Across these testimonies, a consistent theme emerges: American River Hospice and Home Care staff bring a rare blend of technical excellence and authentic humanity to their work. Whether supporting a person with dementia through intimate personal care, guiding families through transitions between care settings, or offering comfort and companionship in moments of grief, the teams demonstrate a steadfast commitment to dignity, respect, and compassionate presence. The poignant gratitude aired by families - across California and Wisconsin, across hospice and home health settings - speaks to the enduring trust they place in these caregivers. And at the heart of it all stands Annette the home aide, whose extraordinary kindness and steadfast professionalism became a beacon of hope and relief in one of life's most challenging chapters.

In the end, these experiences form a portrait of hospice care that goes beyond administering medications or performing tasks. They reflect a culture of care where patients are treated as whole people, families are valued partners, and the everyday acts of listening, gentleness, and encouragement create an environment in which fear gives way to comfort, and grief finds a measure of solace in the certainty that love and respect are being tended to by dedicated professionals. For all who shared these journeys, the deepest takeaway is that there are caregivers - like Annette and the entire American River team - whose work is guided by genuine love and unwavering respect for those they serve. We remain profoundly grateful for their presence, their expertise, and the difference they made in our lives.

This part of Folsom, California, offers a convenient and diverse array of amenities that cater to the needs and interests of seniors. With multiple pharmacies including Rite Aid, CVS Pharmacy, and Walgreens in close proximity, accessing medication and health supplies is easily manageable. The dining options are plentiful with a mix of fast-food establishments like McDonald's and upscale restaurants like Plank Craft Kitchen & Bar. Additionally, there are various cafes for seniors to socialize or enjoy a cup of coffee such as Starbucks and Sociology Coffee Bar. For medical care, hospitals like Mercy Hospital of Folsom and Kaiser Permanente are nearby along with several physician offices specializing in orthopedics and surgery. Parks like Granite Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation, while places of worship such as Lakeside Church offer spiritual enrichment. Overall, this area offers a well-rounded living experience for seniors with a variety of amenities within a short distance from each other.

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.8 miles)
• Biosrx (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.9 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.9 miles)
• Chang's Mongolian Grill (0.9 miles)
• Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream (1.1 miles)
• Plank Craft Kitchen & Bar (1.2 miles)
• Scott's Seafood Roundhouse (1.3 miles)
• Red Bus Brewing Company (1.4 miles)
• Posh Bagel (1.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (1.1 miles)
• Sociology Coffee Bar (1.4 miles)
• T4 Tea For U (2.4 miles)
• Temple Coffee Roasters (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)
• Selland's Market Cafe (5.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Mercy Hospital of Folsom (1 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente (2.9 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente ASU (3.1 miles)

Physicians

• El Dorado Orthopaedics (1.1 miles)
• Donald Jonathan Clutter (1.1 miles)
• Daniel J Cooper (1.1 miles)
• Folsom Orthopaedic Surgery (1.1 miles)
• Folsom Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine (1.2 miles)
• Kaufman Plastic Surgery (1.2 miles)
• Sambajon, Voltaire - Sambajon Voltaire, DDS MD (1.2 miles)

Parks

• Granite Park (1.5 miles)
• Castle Park (1.8 miles)
• Econome Family Park (1.9 miles)
• Negro Bar State Park (1.9 miles)
• Handy Family Park (3 miles)
• Kalithea Park (3.7 miles)
• Nimbus Flat (4.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Lakeside Church (1.6 miles)
• The Block At Lakeside Church (1.7 miles)

Theaters

• Palladio 16 Cinemas (3.1 miles)
• Folsom Century Theaters (3.5 miles)
• Regal El Dorado Hills & Imax (5.5 miles)