Victorian Home Care Monterey

Pros

• Amy is simply the best staffing manager ever.
• The company is regarded as the very best in home healthcare.
• Clients are very happy with Victorian Home Care, which is friendly and genuinely cares about their needs.
• Amy Garner is trusted with family care and is highly regarded for integrity and reliability.
• Caregivers are kind and the staff is great.
• Victorian Care comes to the rescue in times of need.
• Scheduling is expert and reliable.
• The service earns five enthusiastic stars.

Cons

• Caregivers are chronically late and frequent no-shows with no warning.
• There is no back-up policy for caregivers that call in sick, leaving shifts uncovered.
• There have been problems with theft by caregivers.
• The overall experience is really terrible due to chronic lateness and unpredictability.
• The service is very stressful to deal with.
• It is very expensive, especially considering no attempt to fill shifts when caregivers drop out last second.
• Many caregivers are chronically late, sometimes 10 minutes to a half hour.
• Caregivers frequently don't show up for their shift at all with no notification ahead of time.
• Explanations about miscommunication or forgetfulness do not resolve the ongoing issues.
• When caregivers are chronically late, more than half an hour, nothing happens; there seem to be no consequences.
• There have been problems with theft from a family member's bank account by a caregiver.
• The place is described as the worst place ever.
• Caregivers cancel their shifts at the last minute.

Review

Victorian Home Care Monterey can be a fit for families that can ride the scheduling roller coaster and still expect compassionate, on-the-ground help. It suits households where a flexible, caring caregiver lineup is valued, and where family members are able to stay plugged into day-to-day logistics to keep care moving when shifts roll in late or don't show up. In short, this community can deliver warmth and practical assistance when the stars align, but it presumes a high level of family involvement to counter ongoing scheduling gaps. Those with high urgency for absolute reliability should look elsewhere, especially if consistency is non-negotiable or if security concerns around caregiver conduct demand tougher safeguards.

On the plus side, several reviewers highlight genuine kindness and attentiveness from caregivers, with office staff sometimes stepping in to keep things moving. When the scheduling gears engage smoothly, families report reliable meal assistance, light housekeeping, companionship, and driving support, along with a sense that the person in charge of care is reachable and responsive. The service model's flexibility is frequently praised, and there are mentions of standout individuals who bring real quality to the table. The absence of formal contracts can be attractive for families wary of long-term commitments, allowing a trial-and-adjust period to see whether the team can stabilize a routine.

Yet the most persistent takeaway is the incongruity between the upside and the recurring, disruptive downsides. Chronic lateness and, at times, complete no-shows without warning undermine trust and safety, especially when a shift goes uncovered because there is no backup staffing plan. Reports of last-minute cancellations emphasize a systemic vulnerability: staffing gaps aren't consistently filled, and there is little consequence or accountability when shifts collapse. Theft concerns - an uneasy but explicit theme in several accounts - underscore the real risk families face when caregivers are tempted to stray from proper boundaries. Costs are described as steep relative to the reliability delivered, making the financial picture untenable for households that must budget around unpredictable coverage.

The pros do offer meaningful counterweights, but they rarely erase the core drawbacks. When a well-regarded scheduler or a standout caregiver shows up, care quality feels more predictable, the home feels safer, and the person receiving help can maintain routines that matter. However, isolated positives can be framed as fortunate exceptions rather than consistent outcomes. The best experiences hinge on strong, proactive leadership - people who push for backup coverage, hold staff accountable, and keep families informed - but those conditions do not consistently populate the daily operation. In other words, warmth and competency exist, but reliability remains episodic rather than guaranteed.

Families who should definitely explore alternatives are those needing steadfast coverage, unchanged weekly schedules, or strict safeguards against unauthorized access or financial risk. If a caregiver must be present at precise times, or if a lapse could create medical or safety hazards, this agency may introduce more stress than relief. For households with complex medical needs, or for those relying on predictable daily routines to manage chronic conditions, the risk of last-minute gaps makes other providers with robust backup staffing policies and clearer consequences for no-shows a prudent comparison. Financial transparency and better accountability are non-negotiables in any decision here.

To approach a decision with confidence, demand clarity on several fronts. Ask for a documented backup plan for sick callouts and last-minute absences, including guaranteed replacement coverage and estimated response times. Seek examples of how scheduling conflicts have been resolved and request direct contact information for a manager responsible for ongoing quality assurance. Insist on a transparent fee structure with explicit charges for missed visits and late arrivals, and request references from families with similar care needs. Consider a short, controlled trial period that includes a formal review of caregiver reliability, communication cadence, and security safeguards. When redundancy, accountability, and steady communication are embedded, this community can be a workable option; if not, alternatives with stronger reliability credentials will likely be the wiser path.

This part of Monterey, California is conveniently located with a variety of amenities nearby. There are several cafes and restaurants within walking distance, offering plenty of dining options. Additionally, there are pharmacies and physicians' offices in the area for easy access to medical care. The parks close by provide opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. For entertainment, there is a movie theater within a short drive. While there are hospitals in the vicinity for medical emergencies, it is important to note that they are not within immediate walking distance. Overall, this neighborhood offers a blend of convenience and leisure options suitable for seniors looking for a lively community feel.

Cafes

• Captain + Stoker (0 miles)
• Plumes Coffee House (0.1 miles)
• ALTA Bakery & Cafe (0.2 miles)
• Tidal Coffee (0.9 miles)
• The Market (1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Turn 12 (0.1 miles)
• Alfredo's Cantina (0.1 miles)
• Alvarado Street Brewery (0.1 miles)
• Rosine's Restaurant (0.1 miles)
• Crepes of Brittany (0.2 miles)
• Fieldwork Brewing Company (0.2 miles)
• McDonald's (0.2 miles)

Physicians

• Monterey Bay Urgent Care (0.1 miles)
• Joseph B Greene (0.1 miles)
• Ganeles Arina MD (0.3 miles)
• Deiparine Erwin Md Apmc (0.3 miles)
• Friedman Eye Center (0.4 miles)
• Raymond M. Shaheen, MD, FACS, RPVI, RPhS (0.4 miles)
• John R. Donaldson III, DO (0.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Ordway Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Ordway Drug Store (0.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.9 miles)

Parks

• Dennis the Menace Park (0.3 miles)
• Via Pariso Park (0.8 miles)
• Veteran's Memorial Park (1 miles)
• Veteran's Memorial Park (1.1 miles)
• Shoreline Park (1.9 miles)
• Lovers Point Park (2.3 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark Monterey 13 (1.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Radiation Oncology (1.8 miles)
• Radiology Services at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (1.8 miles)
• Adolescent Inpatient Treatment Community Hospital of the Montere (1.9 miles)