EMPACARE HOMECARE - Highland

Pros

• The staff were very helpful and professional.
• The family chose this community for their dad, and the experience went fine after he moved in.
• The caregiver was reliable and arrived on time.
• The agency offered flexible scheduling.
• The menu is outstanding and provides healthy meals.
• The community is clean and well maintained, with activities that help residents make friends.

Cons

• The first visit was completely unproductive, with no bath, no clothes changes, and no housekeeping services provided.
• They were not providing the needed range of motion, not just babysitting services.
• Their communication within their own system could be improved; they did not talk or follow up with one another.
• They were not what the reviewers were looking for.

Review

Empacare Homecare - Highland is best suited for families that want in-home, non-medical support to help an aging loved one stay at home. The service centers on personal care, companionship, meal preparation, and light housekeeping delivered by caregivers who show up reliably and with a flexible schedule. It works well for seniors who do not require intensive medical oversight but benefit from a steady in-home presence and help with daily routines. This is not a full-service facility or a rigid rehab program; the value lies in practical, day-to-day support rather than hospital-level oversight. Families prioritizing medical complexity or highly structured care plans should consider alternatives.

Consider alternatives for those with higher needs. If rehabilitative therapy, robust clinical oversight, or strong, ongoing case management across multiple providers are essential, licensed home health agencies or even transitioning to an assisted living setting with on-site medical oversight may be a better fit. The Highland service has shown that initial visits can fall short of expectations, with tasks left incomplete and a clear gap between plans and execution, sometimes prompting refunds. For families that require consistently coordinated care among several caregivers, the internal communication should be a focal point, and a dedicated point of contact becomes a practical necessity.

The positives are hard to overlook when they show up. Caregivers are described as warm, nice, and genuinely committed to the assigned tasks, arriving on time and providing reliable personal care. The strongest testimonials highlight compassionate, courteous professionals who adapt to flexible scheduling and act as dependable companions, even handling meal prep. In the Bridgecreek context, families praise the community environment, noting well-kept spaces, healthy meals, and meaningful activities that help residents make friends. Taken together, these strengths translate into meaningful improvements in daily quality of life when expectations align with what the service is designed to deliver.

Still, the drawbacks temper the overall appeal. A recurring theme is an unproductive first visit, where essential services like baths or housekeeping were not performed, triggering refunds but undermining initial confidence. Within the agency, communication gaps can surface - caregivers and staff may not consistently follow up or coordinate information, complicating care continuity. Some clients felt the offering amounted to babysitting rather than more comprehensive support, including mobility or routine programming that some families expect. The variability among caregivers means outcomes hinge on who is assigned and how clearly the care plan defines responsibilities.

The dynamic between strengths and weaknesses creates a nuanced decision point. When the care team consistently demonstrates reliability, warmth, and flexibility, those attributes can offset routine coordination hiccups and yield a practical, in-home support experience that enhances daily living. The refund episode indicates accountability and a willingness to adjust course, which matters to families weighing ongoing partnerships. Overall, Empacare can deliver valuable day-to-day assistance and a supportive home environment, but that value is maximized only with clear expectations, proactive communication, and a careful match between requested care and what the caregiver can deliver.

Bottom line: Empacare Homecare - Highland serves as a practical option for seniors who want to remain at home with dependable personal care, prepared meals, and flexible scheduling, particularly where companionship and routine matter more than clinical depth. It fits families able to tolerate some variability in caregiver assignment and who value responsive adjustments when needs shift. For those needing substantive rehab services, continuous multi-care coordination, or highly structured activity programs, exploring licensed home health options or nearby assisted living with medical oversight is advisable. Before committing, establish explicit service boundaries, request a dedicated point of contact, consider a trial period if possible, and confirm in advance what the initial visit will include to prevent repeat disappointments.

This part of Highland, California, offers convenient access to essential amenities and services for senior living. With multiple pharmacies within a short distance, obtaining necessary medications is easily manageable. Additionally, there are reputable physicians located nearby for medical care, including specialists in various fields such as plastic surgery and retinal health. A variety of dining options are available, ranging from fast food chains like McDonald's to more upscale restaurants like Orchid Thai Restaurant. Places of worship provide spiritual support and community connections, while theaters offer entertainment options for leisure activities. Several cafes like Starbucks and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf cater to those seeking a cozy spot to relax or socialize. In terms of healthcare facilities, hospitals such as Mountain View Surgery Center and Vantage Oncology ensure quality medical treatment when needed. Parks like Brookside Park offer green spaces for outdoor recreation, while reliable transportation services through the San Bernardino Transit Center make getting around the area convenient for seniors without personal vehicles. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment with accessibility to essential services suitable for senior living.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.1 miles)
• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.2 miles)
• Caremark Rx (4.5 miles)
• Ascend Pharmaceuticals (4.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.7 miles)

Physicians

• Inland Heath Care Group (0.1 miles)
• Merkel, Clifford Dr - Merkel Clifford MD FAAOS (4 miles)
• Farhad Ardeshirpour, MD - Facial Plastic Surgeon (4.1 miles)
• Benjamin Bradford MD (4.1 miles)
• Retinal Consultants Of Southern California (4.1 miles)
• California Orbital Consultants (4.2 miles)
• Aesthetic Skin & Laser Medical Center: Steven E. Hodgkin, MD (4.5 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.3 miles)
• Panda Express (0.4 miles)
• Orchid Thai Restaurant (0.9 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (1.1 miles)
• Serrano Vista Cafe (2.8 miles)
• Rock & Brews (2.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Packinghouse Church (3.4 miles)
• The Labyrinth At Memorial Chapel. University Of Redlands (4.3 miles)
• Crosswalk Church (4.8 miles)
• The River Christian Reformed Church (5.6 miles)
• Trinity Church (6.3 miles)
• National Association of Seventh Day Adventist Dentists (6.4 miles)

Theaters

• Mountain Grove 16 (3.5 miles)
• Studio Movie Grill (4.5 miles)
• Regal San Bernardino & RPX (5.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (4.4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.2 miles)
• Stell Coffee & Tea Company (5.3 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Mountain View Surgery Center (4.7 miles)
• Vantage Oncology (4.8 miles)
• San Bernardino Medical Group (4.9 miles)
• Loma Linda Ambulatory Care Center (4.9 miles)
• Jerry L Pettis Memorial (6 miles)

Parks

• Brookside Park (5.5 miles)
• Leonard Bailey Park (5.9 miles)

Transportation

• San Bernardino Transit Center (6.1 miles)