Alegre Home Care

Pros

• Charles E. Symes, II is described as a caring and amazing man.
• He has a carefully chosen staff that are all wonderful, caring people.
• Alegre staff came to their rescue.
• All caregivers are amazing and provide wonderful care for the mother.
• Alegre staff members are always kind, professional and attentive.
• Alegre Home Care is presented as a reliable choice for loved ones' care.
• The caregivers have brought the family happiness, peace and security during a difficult time.

Cons

• Alegre Home Care canceled the 3-day reservation 20 hours before care was needed and did not provide a replacement.
• Elizabeth appeared uncomfortable handling a six-month-old infant.
• Elizabeth asked to take the baby so she could make phone calls.
• Elizabeth frequently interrupted the clients while they were working.
• Elizabeth left after 45 minutes, citing a family emergency.
• Elizabeth was described as the most irresponsible babysitter and clearly not interested in taking care of kids.

Review

The experience recounted begins with a plan that was set up weeks in advance for a three-day care arrangement with Alegre Home Care. The family trusted the scheduling to ensure their baby would be looked after while they were at work, only to face a frustrating and costly setback when the service canceled the reservation just 20 hours before care was needed. There was no replacement offered, which left the parents scrambling and bearing financial consequences from cancelation fees tied to other events. The tone is unmistakably frustrated, highlighting not only the immediate disruption but also the additional stress and pressure of reorganizing their day around an abrupt lapse in dependable childcare.

To make matters worse, a backup sitter - "Elizabeth" - was sent to cover the day. She claimed she had worked with a 5-month-old infant before and seemed to imply she could handle even the target age without issue. However, when she arrived, it was clear she was uncomfortable with the 6-month-old in their care. This discomfort translated into uncertain and unsettled care from the start. The situation deteriorated quickly as Elizabeth began to ask to leave early, indicating she wanted to make phone calls and suggesting that she preferred not to stay for the full duration required. Her behavior showed a lack of engagement with the infant and a priority on her own time rather than the family's needs.

The parents found themselves in a precarious position. They were in the middle of a workday with a baby who needed constant attention, and the sitter's interruptions made it increasingly difficult to maintain the routine they were trying to establish. Elizabeth explained that her mother was in the hospital, which she used as a rationale to depart. Ultimately, she left after only 45 minutes - from 8:00 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. - leaving the family to manage the rest of the day without the indispensable support they had hoped to rely on. The combination of a short first visit and the sitter's abrupt departure placed the working parents in a highly stressful situation, underscoring how critical reliable, confident care is for families juggling professional responsibilities with infant needs.

In describing Elizabeth, the couple did not hold back their assessment: she was "the most irresponsible babysitter I have ever seen," and she clearly "should not be a nanny at all." The impression was that she had no genuine interest in caring for children and was not prepared to handle the responsibilities that come with looking after an infant. This negative firsthand experience stood in stark contrast to what they had hoped would be a dependable backup option and underscored the serious impact that unsuitable caregiving can have on a family trying to manage work and child care on a single day.

Amid the disappointment and the challenging day, the family did offer a strong counterpoint in praise for Charles E. Symes, II, the Founder/CEO of Alegre Home Care. They described him as "such a caring and amazing man," and he was credited with assembling a team that is "carefully chosen" and composed of "wonderful, caring people." The narrative shifts from the setback with Elizabeth to a note of gratitude for the company's leadership and their ability to step in when needed. The family emphasized that the Alegre team "came to our rescue," expressing deep appreciation for the support during a difficult time. They affirmed that "All caregivers are amazing and take such wonderful care of our mother," and they encouraged others by saying, "You can't go wrong calling Alegre Home Care for your loved ones care."

The closing sentiments tie the experience together with a sense of relief and trust regained due to the company's overall approach. The family credits Alegre staff with bringing happiness, peace, and a sense of security to their household at a moment when those qualities were most needed. They thanked the team for their care and resilience, acknowledging that the entire interaction - from leadership to front-line caregivers - made a meaningful difference during a period that could easily have intensified the stress and worry already facing working parents.

This area of San Mateo, California offers a variety of amenities and services that could be appealing to seniors looking for a convenient and active lifestyle. With multiple cafes, pharmacies, restaurants, parks, transportation options, theaters, physicians offices, and hospitals within close proximity, residents have easy access to all their daily needs. The presence of well-known chain establishments like Starbucks and CVS Pharmacy provides familiarity and convenience for those seeking reliability in their daily routines. The abundance of parks and medical facilities in the area also ensures that residents have opportunities for both recreation and healthcare support. Overall, this part of San Mateo offers a well-rounded community with a range of resources that could cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and accessible living environment.

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.3 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)
• Philz Coffee (6.1 miles)
• Coffeebar (6.1 miles)
• San Francisco Giants Clubhouse (6.9 miles)
• Starbucks (8 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.8 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (3.7 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (5.5 miles)
• New England Lobster Market & Eatery (5.6 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (5.9 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (5.9 miles)
• Lark Creek Grill (6.5 miles)

Parks

• Leo J Ryan Memorial Park (0.8 miles)
• Central Park (2 miles)
• Coyote Point County Park (2.9 miles)
• Marlin Park (3 miles)
• Laurelwood Park (3.3 miles)
• Washington Park (3.4 miles)
• Burton Park (4.7 miles)

Transportation

• Hillsdale Station (1.8 miles)
• San Carlos Airport (SQL) (3.8 miles)
• San Carlos Airport Control Tower (4.1 miles)
• Redwood City Caltrain Station (6.1 miles)
• Millbrae Caltrain Station (6.1 miles)
• Boarding Area C (6.4 miles)
• Delta Sky Club (6.5 miles)

Theaters

• Cinepolis San Mateo (1.9 miles)

Physicians

• Bundy Opticians (2.1 miles)
• California Skin Institute (2.4 miles)
• Urology: San Carlos Center: Palo Alto Medical Foundation (3.6 miles)
• California Skin Institute (5.8 miles)
• Redwood City Women's Health Center (6 miles)
• Kaiser RWC Birch Building (6.2 miles)
• CCRM Fertility of San Francisco (8 miles)

Hospitals

• Mills-Peninsula Radiology (2.2 miles)
• San Mateo Medical Center (2.3 miles)
• Mills-Peninsula Health Services (5.7 miles)
• Sequoia Hospital (5.9 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center (6 miles)
• A & C Convalescent Hospital (6.6 miles)
• VA Medical Center-Menlo Park (9.6 miles)