Help Unlimited

Pros

• Help Unlimited provides compassionate and professional care.
• They consistently covered shifts, even when last-minute dropouts occurred, with wonderful, kind, and professional workers.
• The staff at Help Unlimited are professional, kind, and helpful, and they listen to client suggestions.
• Help Unlimited caregivers are amazing, offering top-notch flexibility and excellent communication.
• Katherine Gotis and Help Unlimited provided excellent care to a client with very specific needs.
• The team at Help Unlimited is great to work with, delivering prompt responses and kindness to patients.
• Help Unlimited is a trusted go-to for home care referrals in Santa Barbara, with local ownership that stands out from larger corporations.
• Leeana and the Help Unlimited team responded in a timely and professional manner to meet urgent family needs, helping a patient transition from hospital to home.

Cons

• The pay for caregivers is super low.
• Their pay rate is based on whether you can transfer heavier patients.
• They don't appreciate if you're certified (CNA), or if you have many years of experience, you'll get pay nothing for being certified.
• For the company, you're only a worker who will provide the same services as someone who is not certified.

Review

Help Unlimited consistently emerges in these accounts as a compassionate and highly professional home care partner. Across multiple experiences, their team is described as reliable and responsive, consistently stepping in to cover shifts - even at the last minute - without compromising the quality of care. Families and professionals alike note that the caregivers are wonderful, kind, caring, and professional, creating an environment of trust and comfort for patients. In many of the stories, there are no accidents or mishaps to speak of while Help Unlimited was involved, a testament to the careful attention and dependable supervision that clients receive. The overarching impression is that the staff not only meets basic needs but also brings a level of warmth and respect that makes a tangible difference in daily life.

In the context of terminal illness, Help Unlimited is portrayed as a beacon of support. The caregivers are described as amazing, offering not just practical assistance but also emotional presence that can be hard to find. The reviews emphasize their flexibility and clear, proactive communication, highlighting that no request seems too difficult to fulfill. This combination of adaptability and open lines of communication helps families navigate challenging times with a steadier hand, reinforcing the sense that Help Unlimited can be relied upon during deeply personal and stressful periods.

Individual care scenarios also illustrate a tailored approach. One review specifically mentions Katherine Gotis and Help Unlimited delivering excellent care to a client with very specific needs, underscoring the capacity of the team to adapt to unique medical and personal requirements. This kind of individualized attention appears to be a common thread, suggesting that the company prioritizes customizing care plans to align with each patient's health status, preferences, and routines.

Beyond patient care, the experience of working with Help Unlimited as a professional partner is consistently positive. The team is described as great to work with, offering prompt responses to questions and approaching patients with kindness. From the perspective of fiduciaries and health care professionals who coordinate care, the company earns strong endorsements for customer service and professionalism. Caregivers are characterized as incredibly kind and capable, and the resulting outcomes for clients reinforce the value of maintaining ongoing collaborations with Help Unlimited. The level of communication and the willingness to listen to suggestions from care managers contribute to a sense of collaborative partnership.

A common theme across several reviews is the local leadership and the value of choosing a locally owned company over a large corporation. Help Unlimited is presented as a go-to resource for referrals in Santa Barbara, with a former director of a facility noting that they were always the first choice for extra help. The preference for a locally owned operation is tied to perceived flexibility - an attribute that some large organizations struggle to offer - and to the belief that the local leadership truly understands community needs and expectations.

Like any organization, the reviews do not overlook opportunities for improvement. A recurring concern centers on caregiver compensation. Several comments describe the pay for caregivers as being very low, with rates tied to factors such as transferring heavier patients. One critique notes that certification (for CNAs) or extensive experience does not seem to translate into higher pay, implying a perception that certified professionals and seasoned workers are not adequately rewarded. This is presented as a structural issue that could affect the willingness and ability of skilled caregivers to remain with the company, even as the quality of care remains high according to clients. Acknowledging this tension is important, as it points to a challenge that, if addressed, could further strengthen the already strong service reputation.

One closing note highlights a specific instance of timely and effective response. Leeana and the team at Help Unlimited are praised for promptly meeting an immediate need within a family, enabling a patient to transition home from the hospital and continue recovery with competent, compassionate support. The testimonial emphasizes how such in-the-moment care can alleviate stress and improve recovery trajectories, reinforcing the impression that Help Unlimited is capable of mobilizing quickly to support families during delicate transitions.

Taken together, these reviews paint a portrait of Help Unlimited as a dependable, compassionate, and professional home care provider. Clients and professionals alike recognize the value of their responsive staffing, the warmth and respect shown by caregivers, and the ability to tailor care to individual needs - whether in acute settings, during terminal illness, or through the process of returning home from hospital care. The advantages of working with a locally owned company are also highlighted, contributing to a sense of community trust and personalized attention. While there is a noted concern about caregiver pay, the overall sentiment is one of strong endorsement and appreciation for the care, support, and service delivered by Help Unlimited.

This part of Santa Barbara, California, offers a convenient and vibrant community for seniors looking to settle down. With several physicians' offices, hospitals, and pharmacies within close proximity, residents have easy access to healthcare services. Additionally, there are various restaurants and cafes nearby where one can enjoy delicious meals and socialize with friends. The area also features beautiful parks like Kid's World and Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens for leisurely strolls or picnics. For entertainment, theaters such as Arlington Theatre Ticket Agency are just a short distance away. Transportation options like the Santa Barbara Amtrak station provide convenience for seniors who may not drive. Lastly, places of worship such as the Santa Barbara Mission Church offer spiritual support and a sense of community for those seeking religious activities. Overall, this part of Santa Barbara provides a well-rounded environment for seniors to live comfortably and enjoy their retirement years.

Physicians

• Carrillo Surgery Cente (0 miles)
• Dr Nelson & Dr Whitman, DC (0.1 miles)
• Gies Marjorie S MD PhD (0.5 miles)
• California Retina Consultants (0.5 miles)
• Ma'an Nasir (0.5 miles)
• Eastside Neighborhood Clinic (0.5 miles)
• Santa Barbara Hearing Care (0.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Zaytoon (0.2 miles)
• Yoichi's (0.3 miles)
• The Good Lion (0.4 miles)
• McConnell's Fine Ice Creams (0.4 miles)
• Dargan's Irish Pub & Restaurant (0.5 miles)
• Cajun Kitchen1 (0.5 miles)
• Wildcat Lounge (0.5 miles)

Cafes

• Handlebar Coffee Roasters (0.2 miles)
• Dune Coffee Roasters - State Street (0.4 miles)
• Savoy Cafe & Deli (0.4 miles)
• Arnoldi's Cafe (0.4 miles)
• Cajé Coffee - Arlington St (0.4 miles)
• Low Pigeon (0.5 miles)
• Dune Coffee Roasters (0.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services (0.3 miles)
• Summit Surgery Center (1.4 miles)
• Cottage Health System (1.4 miles)
• Cottage Children's Hospital (1.5 miles)
• Rehabilitation Institute At Santa Barbara (1.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Better Body Santa Barbara (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Scolari's Food Co. (0.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.2 miles)
• Sansum Pharmacy (1.4 miles)

Parks

• Kid's World (0.4 miles)
• Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens (0.5 miles)
• Alameda Park (0.5 miles)
• Palm Park (1.1 miles)
• Mission Historical Park & Rose Gardens (1.2 miles)

Theaters

• Arlington Theatre Ticket Agency (0.5 miles)

Transportation

• Santa Barbara Amtrak (SBA) (0.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Santa Barbara Mission Church (1.2 miles)
• Old Mission (1.2 miles)