Ancestral Home Health Care in Sherman Oaks, CA

Cons

• The agency is terrible.
• It hires anyone without proper background checks.
• Many employees don't speak English.
• They are tardy to work and leave the oven on at 400 degrees all day, causing damage.
• A nurse named Cristal Miles allegedly was abusive and filed a false complaint as retaliation for canceling an appointment.
• The review warns not to trust this company.

Review

This provider is not suited for seniors who require dependable, professional, and safely supervised in-home care. In practice, the arrangement described by the review is best avoided by almost any family seeking reliable support. If a decision-maker truly has no other options and the budget is extremely constrained, it may be considered as a last-resort, but only with the understanding that serious safety, communication, and reliability gaps will be the norm rather than the exception. In Sherman Oaks, there are more capable licensed options that can deliver consistent oversight and safer day-to-day care.

Those who should consider alternatives include families needing clear English-speaking communication, timely attendance, courteous staff, and professional handling of medications and living environments. If the senior requires regular nursing oversight, skilled interventions, or any form of complex care - such as medication management, wound care, or cognitive support - the risks in this setting become even more unacceptable. Prospective clients should demand verified credentials, stable staffing, and a culture of accountability; without those, the likelihood of harm or avoidable incidents rises sharply.

The review makes it hard to identify any meaningful pros that could offset the grave concerns. The most visible red flags - hiring practices that skip thorough background checks, staff who do not communicate in English, chronic tardiness, and dangerous household risks such as an oven left on at 400 degrees - suggest a systemic weakness in supervision and operational controls. The allegation of abusive behavior by an RN and retaliation through a false complaint compounds the risk, signaling a pattern of conduct that undermines trust and safety. In practical terms, the absence of reliable staffing discipline, language barriers, and misconduct far outweigh any potential cost advantage.

For families evaluating options, a disciplined vetting process is essential. Priorities should include licensure verification and clear state inspection histories, transparent caregiver background checks, and evidence of ongoing training in elder care, safety protocols, and medication handling. Ask concrete questions about scheduling reliability, supervisor oversight, and how emergencies are managed after hours. Look for agencies with robust care plans, written escalation pathways, and documented accountability mechanisms. Read provider reviews widely, request references from current clients, and demand to meet the actual caregivers assigned to the senior before any commitments.

If this agency remains under consideration due to constrained choices, implement strict safeguards to mitigate risk. Require a formal, written care plan with specific duties, times, and expected outcomes; implement a short, supervised trial period with daily notes and supervisor check-ins; insist on real-time communication with a designated supervisor and clear channels for lodging complaints. Prohibit high-risk tasks - such as medication administration by non-nursing staff or actions that could start a kitchen fire - without an RN or licensed clinician present. Establish consequences for lateness, absenteeism, or neglect, including immediate caregiver replacement and a documented performance improvement plan. These measures can blunt some risk, but they do not compensate for fundamental concerns about staff quality and accountability.

Bottom line: the red flags are decisive. The combination of lax hiring practices, language barriers, reliability failures, and serious interpersonal misconduct creates an environment where safety and trust cannot be guaranteed. The prudent course is to pursue other licensed, well-reviewed home health providers that demonstrate rigorous staffing controls, clear communication, and strong oversight. For families weighing options, this provider warrants crossing off the short list in favor of agencies with demonstrable accountability, dependable scheduling, and a proven commitment to preserving safety and dignity in daily care.

Theaters

• Regal Sherman Oaks Galleria (0.4 miles)
• Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood (6.8 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.6 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (1.3 miles)
• McDonald's (2 miles)
• The Stand American Classics Redefined (2 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (2.3 miles)
• Uncle Bernie's Deli (2.8 miles)
• McDonald's (3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Valley Drug & Compounding (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)

Parks

• Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park (1.5 miles)
• Lake Balboa Park (2.6 miles)
• Encino Bike Path (3.1 miles)
• Coldwater Canyon Park (4.1 miles)
• Franklin Canyon Park (4.3 miles)
• Fryman Canyon Park (4.7 miles)
• Playground (4.9 miles)

Physicians

• Southern California Orthopedic Institute (2.3 miles)
• Mid-Valley Comprehensive Health Center (3.3 miles)
• UCLA Stein Eye Institute Westwood (6.8 miles)

Transportation

• Van Nuys Airport (VNY) (3.1 miles)
• Van Nuys FlyAway Bus Terminal to LAX (3.4 miles)
• North Hollywood Metro Station (5.2 miles)
• Universal City Metro Station (6.2 miles)
• Burbank Airport Ride Share Pick Up (6.9 miles)
• Baggage Claim (7 miles)
• Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) (7 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Michael & All Angels (3.6 miles)
• Immanuel Bible Church (5.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• Winnetka Bowl (6.3 miles)
• Starbucks (6.5 miles)
• The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker (6.9 miles)
• Starbucks (6.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Kaiser Permanente Emergency (4.5 miles)
• Veterans Administration (5.8 miles)