Home Care Advantage Inc in Jacksonville, FL

Pros

• The reviewer has no problems with running a small family business.
• The reviewer advocates supporting black-owned businesses.

Cons

• The agency’s services were unacceptable.
• An inexperienced worker with no training was sent to assist an 87-year-old man confined to a wheelchair.
• The worker admitted she had never bathed anyone and was afraid to do so, yet expected the client to be okay with it.
• After requesting a replacement, the supervisor threatened to terminate services and said she would report the decision to the caseworker.
• The caseworker was out of the office for 10 days, meaning no services would have been performed for another two weeks unless the reviewer called.
• The agency did not make genuine efforts to arrange replacements; no replacements were available.
• The reviewer argues staff should be trained before placement in clients’ homes and notes clients have a right to complain when services are inadequate.
• Over two weeks of service, neither week provided full hours, and the aide’s duties were not clearly explained.
• The reviewer believes black-owned businesses should be held to the same accountability; knowledge, skills, and abilities are essential.
• The reviewer would not recommend the agency at all.
• The care received was disturbing, with days left without care and missed time not made up.
• There was no on-call coverage or weekend staffing, exacerbating the situation.

Review

This community is best suited for families seeking a budget-friendly, at-home care option that can be personally tailored in a small, family-owned setting, with the expectation that a supervising presence may be limited and oversight by the family will be necessary. In practice, the strongest value proposition appears to be affordability and a hands-on, caregiver-by-caregiver approach that appeals to households willing to step in with scheduling, training clarity, and gaps in coverage. It is not a fit for families needing guaranteed reliability, consistent weekend coverage, or highly trained personal care for someone who is wheelchair-bound and requires hands-on assistance.

Those who should seriously consider alternatives are families requiring dependable, round-the-clock or weekend staffing and a formal, scalable training program. For someone with mobility challenges or who relies on predictable, uninterrupted care, the current pattern of missed visits, late replacements, and limited on-call capacity creates unacceptable risk. If time-sensitive needs or medical tasks are involved, a larger agency with established back-up teams, documented care plans, and a structured escalation process will normally deliver greater accountability and peace of mind.

The apparent pros, affordability and the potential for personalized attention from a small operator, do not meaningfully offset the principal drawbacks in practice. When caregivers arrive undertrained or inexperienced, safety and quality of care suffer, especially for an 87-year-old in a wheelchair who may require assistance with bathing and daily activities. The attempt to replace underperforming staff or the lack of a clear replacement path can leave clients waiting days or weeks, with minimal communication about who will come next or what duties will be performed. In other words, cost savings evaporate quickly when reliability and basic competency are in question.

Another core issue is scheduling reliability and weekend staffing. Reports of no on-call coverage, empty weekends, and missed hours create real consequences for daily living and health management. For families already navigating the logistics of long-term care, these gaps translate into heightened stress and the perception that care is inconsistent rather than supportive. The small-business dynamic can be a strength when it translates into responsive, customized care, but the reviews indicate that accountability and continuity are not consistently delivered, undermining trust over time.

To mitigate risk if choosing this provider, insist on a concrete, binding service agreement that specifies caregiver qualifications, required training, and a guaranteed minimum number of hours per week, with explicit penalties for missed visits. Demand a documented plan for weekend and after-hours coverage, plus a reliable on-call backup with defined response times. Establish a clear escalation ladder to a supervisor or owner, and require regular, scheduled updates on each shift’s activities and the client’s status. Require pre-service caregiver orientation and ongoing supervision, including hands-on training for essential tasks like bathing and safe wheelchair transfers. Finally, secure a formal care plan with signed consent for all tasks, along with a system for timely feedback and corrective action.

In the end, the decision hinges on risk tolerance and stewardship capacity. If a family can commit to aggressive oversight, insist on strict service-level guarantees, and tolerate the administrative burden of coordinating smaller-scale care, there is potential value in this agency. However, for anyone whose priority is predictable, high-quality personal care with dependable scheduling and strong staff competency, exploring alternatives, whether a larger regional agency or a provider with proven weekend and on-call coverage, will likely yield a steadier, safer long-term solution. The current mix of potential cost benefits and significant reliability concerns makes this a choice that should be approached with caution and clear, enforceable expectations.

This area of Jacksonville, Florida offers a variety of amenities that cater to the needs of seniors looking to settle down in a peaceful yet vibrant community. With numerous restaurants and cafes within close proximity, residents can enjoy a diverse range of dining options. Additionally, there are several reputable physicians and hospitals nearby, ensuring access to quality healthcare services. The presence of parks provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Places of worship offer spiritual fulfillment and a sense of community, while pharmacies are easily accessible for medication needs. Overall, this neighborhood presents a well-rounded environment for seniors seeking a comfortable and convenient living experience in Jacksonville.

Restaurants

• The Bearded Pig (0.2 miles)
• Bb's Restaurant And Bar (0.4 miles)
• Taverna (0.6 miles)
• The Southern Grill (0.6 miles)
• St Johns Provision (0.7 miles)
• Bellwether (1.2 miles)
• BurgerFi (1.5 miles)

Cafes

• Southern Grounds (0.3 miles)
• European Street Cafe (0.6 miles)
• The Local - San J (2.6 miles)
• European Street Cafe (2.6 miles)
• Casbah Cafe (3.4 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)

Physicians

• Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute (0.6 miles)
• Nemours Children's Clinic (0.7 miles)
• Jax Vision Care (1.3 miles)
• Carithers Pediatric Group (2 miles)
• Hortencia Espino, MD (2.2 miles)
• Southeast Orthopedic Specialists (2.4 miles)
• Jacksonville Pediatrics (2.4 miles)

Parks

• Riverfront Park (0.7 miles)
• Adams Park (3.2 miles)
• Cortez Park (4.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Childrens Medical Services (1.9 miles)
• Ascension St Vincent's Riverside (2.3 miles)
• UF Health Jacksonville Towers (2.5 miles)
• UF Health of Jacksonville (2.6 miles)
• Baptist Primary Care (3.2 miles)
• Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital (3.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Allen Chapel Ame Church (1.9 miles)
• Riverside United Church of Christ (2.9 miles)
• West Jacksonville Baptist Church (5.6 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (6.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (3.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.3 miles)