Maxim Healthcare in Pasadena, CA

Pros

• Maxim Healthcare Services provides thorough information and ensures all client care needs are met.
• The care teams are very professional and responsible; caretakers are punctual, caring, respectful, and great communicators.
• Jason is a phenomenal caregiver for Alex - thoughtful, considerate, and intelligent; his presence kept Alex smiling.
• Josh is praised as an excellent healthcare worker at Maxim Healthcare Services.
• Erica Morales is a helpful contact for staff at Maxim, keeping them informed about shifts and operations.
• Esme and the Maxim team are described as polite, professional, and sympathetic.
• Cindy Lam delivers efficient service, responding promptly and resolving questions.
• Ida is an amazing sitter - reliable, great communication, trustworthy, and caring.

Cons

• They describe Maxim's service as extremely bad and slow, with case processing taking months and no one taking the lead to move things forward.
• They would not work with Maxim again and would not recommend them due to the time wasted and the need to chase multiple people.
• They report not being paid for three months and describe payroll staff as unresponsive and disrespectful.
• They say the staff often display attitude and fake good customer service.
• They criticize management as horrible and cite a general lack of communication.
• They describe office staff as rude, incompetent, condescending, and slow to respond.
• They recount significant delays filling a caregiver position and a disorganized orientation, leading to a caregiver quitting.
• They cite ongoing payment issues and a mobile app with many glitches that take a long time to resolve.
• They note a negative experience with vaccination-related questions, calling the handling terrible.

Review

Maxim Healthcare in Pasadena is best suited for families who need flexible, in-home care with highly capable, hands-on caregivers for children or adults with disabilities, and who can work closely with a responsive coordinator to tailor a plan day by day. The strongest value comes when a caregiver complex - whether for autism, Down syndrome, or behavioral challenges - is matched with a caregiver who is punctual, gentle, and effectively communicates with family members. For families who want respite, steady on-site presence, and a caregiver who can adapt to evolving routines, Maxim can deliver standout individuals who make a real difference in daily life.

That said, several families should consider alternatives or proceed with caution. The model hinges on administrative reliability as much as on caregiving skill, and the experiences cited by clients reveal a pattern of payroll delays, slow case processing, and inconsistent office communication. If a family cannot tolerate repeated follow-ups, delays in getting paid, or a lack of clear ownership for a case, the friction can quickly overwhelm the caregiving strength. Prospective clients with high administrative expectations or those who require rapid intake and rock-solid continuity should scrutinize other options.

On the caregiving front, the strongest positives consistently center on the people delivering the care. Caregivers praised for their professionalism, reliability, and genuine care - spotted in names like Jason, Carmen V., Ida, Esme, and Veronica - show how a well-matched aide can transform a client's day. Coordinators and back-end staff who communicate clearly, solve problems quickly, and keep families informed - examples include Andrea, Layna, and Cindy - can make the care feel seamless when everything lines up. These pros, taken together, offset many daily irritants when the relationship with Maxim is well-structured and the client's needs are clear and consistent.

Yet the main cons create real friction even when caregiving quality shines. Payroll delays spanning months, inconsistent or rude office interactions, and a lack of proactive case management undermine trust and stability. A two-month hiring timeline is a red flag for families needing dependable coverage, and repeated gaps in response or ownership can force families to chase answers instead of focusing on care. Some reviews describe app glitches and slow resolution of billing or scheduling issues, which compounds stress for families already juggling medical or behavioral needs. In short, administrative reliability is the gatekeeper of the overall experience.

The degree to which the pros offset the cons depends on family bandwidth and client risk. For households that can invest time in supervising the onboarding, establishing a single point of contact, and insisting on written care plans, Maxim's strongest caregivers can deliver meaningful consistency and emotional support for clients with complex needs. When a caregiver like Carmen V. demonstrates patience and effectiveness with challenging behaviors, or Ida proves dependable and communicative, families gain precious anchor points in daily life. In these scenarios, the administrative shortcomings fade into the background as the caregiving outcome remains solid and reassuring.

To maximize the odds of a successful engagement, ask for a dedicated care team with a clear point person and a realistic timetable for onboarding. Request a written care plan, uptime guarantees for coverage, and a back-up caregiver option in case of illness or turnover. Clarify payroll expectations upfront, identify who handles tax receipts, and confirm a reliable escalation path if problems arise. Ensure the intake window is documented, and press for a transparent schedule and caregiver rotation policy so the same caregiver isn't swapping constantly. Finally, benchmark expectations for communication - how quickly updates arrive, who signs off on changes, and how issues are resolved - so practical, not cosmetic, metrics guide the arrangement.

In the end, Maxim Healthcare offers meaningful value for families who can partner with a capable, caring caregiver and tolerate a variable administrative environment. The caregiving core - committed, empathetic aides who can engage and stabilizing daily routines - can be enough to justify the arrangement when supported by proactive coordinators. However, for families that prize frictionless administration, predictable payroll, and consistent case ownership, exploring alternatives or preparing for a rigorous management process will be essential before committing. The right fit hinges on the family's ability to navigate the upfront setup and ongoing coordination as much as on the caliber of the individual caregivers.

This particular area of Pasadena, California offers a convenient and well-connected location with a variety of amenities nearby. With several pharmacies such as Rite Aid, Walgreens, and multiple CVS locations within close proximity, access to medication and healthcare services is easily accessible. There are also several dining options ranging from fast food chains like McDonald's and Taco Bell to sit-down cafes like Urth Caffé. For medical needs, there are hospitals such as Huntington Memorial Hospital Nicu and Methodist Hospital of Southern California within a short distance. Additionally, parks like Lacy Park and Brookside Park provide opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Places of worship and healthcare facilities are also located within the vicinity for spiritual fulfillment and medical care. Overall, this area of Pasadena offers a blend of convenience, entertainment options, and essential services that may appeal to seniors looking for a well-rounded community to live in.

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.1 miles)
• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Urth Caffé-Pasadena (0.6 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.8 miles)
• McDonald's (1.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.2 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (2.7 miles)
• Taco Bell (3.1 miles)
• El Pollo Loco (3.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Huntington Memorial Hospital Nicu (1.5 miles)
• Methodist Hospital of Southern California (5 miles)
• Glendale Adventist Medical Center (5.8 miles)
• Medical 2 unit (5.8 miles)
• Usc-Norris Cancer Hospital (7.2 miles)
• Prado Center (7.4 miles)

Parks

• Lacy Park (1.7 miles)
• Brookside Park (2.1 miles)
• Garfield Park (2.3 miles)
• Arroyo Seco Park (3 miles)
• Alhambra Park (3.5 miles)
• Almansor Park (4 miles)
• Hahamongna Watershed Park (4.3 miles)

Cafes

• Lavender & Honey Espresso Bar (1.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.9 miles)
• Bopomofo Cafe (3.1 miles)
• Charlie's Coffee House (3.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• San Marino Community Church Nursery School (2.1 miles)
• Saint Rita's Catholic Church (4.6 miles)
• Arcadia Chinese Baptist Church (5.4 miles)
• First Evangelical Church Arcadia (6.7 miles)

Physicians

• Doheny Eye Center (4.6 miles)
• Santa Anita Medical Plaza (4.9 miles)
• Healthcare Partners Medical Group (6.2 miles)

Theaters

• 0206 Amc Bar Santa Ani (4.6 miles)
• AMC The Americana at Brand 18 (7.4 miles)

Transportation

• Metro - Monrovia Station (7.2 miles)