Sandcastle Homecare - Maitland, FL in Maitland, FL

Pros

• The Sandcastle team is highly professional and kind.
• Marinela is sensitive, empathetic, and dedicated to her work.
• Cheri Norman and the Human Resources team are wonderful people.
• Sandcastle treats clients and staff like family.
• The staff are warm, welcoming, and provide compassionate care.
• Sandcastle is an industry leader in senior home care with great service.
• They offer amazing personalized service and are professional and reliable.
• The pricing structure makes the assistance accessible for families.

Cons

• The reviewer states they would never use this agency again, describing the experience as bizarre and confusing.
• They report that after nearly six weeks the agency could not fully staff their dad's care, with caregivers repeatedly missing.
• There were multiple occasions when no caregiver showed up, leaving the dad without care.
• The reviewer notes caregivers were missing on two occasions and could not be reached.
• They were told to contact a private caregiver because the agency couldn’t reach the caregiver.
• After more than a month, the agency sent only a generic email terminating care due to liability and level of care, with no phone call.
• The owner’s response was described as dismissive and unresponsive.
• Scheduling issues are cited: about 50% of caregivers show up, many don’t return after several visits, and scheduling staff don’t answer the phone.

Review

Sandcastle Homecare in Maitland is best suited for families that prize a personally engaged, warmly administered homecare experience and are comfortable with a flexible, relationship-focused model. The community shines when the priority is humane, patient-centered interaction, with caregivers who feel like part of the family and who can adapt to shifting needs in dementia or end-of-life scenarios. It is especially appealing to families seeking private-duty support with no contracts and a willingness to tailor staffing around individual routines. Those prioritizing predictability above all, strictly fixed schedules, guaranteed caregiver continuity, and rigid staffing guarantees, should consider alternatives. This is not a one-size-fits-all option; it is a strong match for households that can absorb some variability in staffing in exchange for deep compassion and personalized attention.

On the positive side, Sandcastle is consistently praised for its compassionate, attentive staff and a sense of family throughout the organization. Families highlight caregivers who are empathetic, patient, and deeply invested in the well-being of loved ones, with coordinators who communicate and coordinate care in thoughtful ways. The roster includes frontline workers who maintain cleanliness, monitor health needs, and keep the home environment calm and dignified. The organization’s family-owned character and the willingness of leadership to engage with families surface repeatedly as meaningful advantages, translating into reliable, if not flawless, continuity of care. For families navigating hospice or dementia care, the ability to supplement other services and to adjust care plans as needs evolve often proves uniquely valuable.

Yet the experience is undeniably bifurcated. The most persistent fault lines lie in scheduling reliability and staffing consistency. Several families report that caregivers arrive irregularly or not at all, with last-minute notices that can leave a loved one without coverage for long stretches. The revolving door of providers and the uneven quality of some shifts create real stress for families already managing complex routines. Communication gaps, whether about who is coming, where shifts stand, or why a particular plan cannot be met, show up in multiple reviews. A segment of feedback also hints at management friction or accountability gaps, from delayed responses to escalations about liability or care level, which underscores that the system can feel reactive rather than proactively structured.

These positives and negatives do not cancel one another out; they must be weighed in light of individual risk tolerance and timelines. The strongest offset comes from genuine, person-to-person care: when a caregiver is consistently available and well-matched to a family’s expectations, the emotional comfort, the continuity in daily routines, and the respect shown to the elder can neutralize many scheduling headaches. The agency’s no-contract stance and flexible scheduling policies lower barriers for trial and adjustment, allowing families to test fit without long-term commitments. Additionally, the capacity to coordinate with hospice and to respond with targeted staff for specialized needs adds a practical edge for cases requiring complex, goal-oriented care plans.

That practical edge, however, hinges on actively managing the risk of gaps in service. Prospective families should demand a named care coordinator, a written coverage plan, and a clear back-up staffing arrangement before committing. Insist on a predictable schedule with documented contingencies for no-shows or illnesses, and request a defined escalation path if care disruptions occur. Wherever possible, seek continuity by asking for a primary caregiver with a documented backup, and confirm the agency’s process for onboarding new staff without sacrificing existing routines. Given the mixed reviews, it is wise to set concrete performance metrics and to schedule a short trial period to observe whether the promised level of attentiveness and reliability translates into day-to-day care.

Alternatives should be considered for households where reliability cannot be compromised. Larger, more established agencies often offer more rigorous scheduling control, broader caregiver pools, and steadier turnover management, albeit sometimes at higher cost or with longer onboarding times. For families needing around-the-clock, fixed-structure care with minimal interruption, or for those whose loved ones require unwavering caregiver consistency, a facility-based option such as an assisted living environment with integrated care might provide a more predictable rhythm and fewer gaps. Sandcastle’s strengths as a compassionate, adaptable partner are undeniable, but the decision will hinge on whether flexibility and warmth outweigh the potential for scheduling variability.

In the final assessment, Sandcastle Homecare represents a compelling choice for families who want a deeply personal, family-like care experience and are willing to engage in careful planning to mitigate scheduling risks. It is less suited for those who cannot tolerate irregular visits or who require unwavering caregiver continuity as a non-negotiable standard. The prudent path is to engage in a structured intake with a designated coordinator, secure a written schedule and backup plan, and set a short-term trial to measure real-world reliability against expectations. If those conditions can be met, Sandcastle delivers a rare blend of empathy, adaptability, and practical homecare that can ease the caregiving burden and improve quality of life for both elders and their families.

This part of Maitland, Florida offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. With multiple pharmacies, restaurants, physicians' offices, and hospitals within close proximity, residents have easy access to health care services and dining options. Additionally, there are several cafes for socializing and enjoying a cup of coffee. The location also provides easy transportation options with nearby SunRail and Lynx stations for those who may not drive. Parks like Cranes Roost Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this area offers a mix of healthcare facilities, dining options, recreational spaces, and convenient transportation options that can cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable living environment in Maitland.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Kappy's (0.3 miles)
• The Cheesecake Factory (1.7 miles)
• An Tobar (1.8 miles)
• Briarpatch Restaurant (2 miles)
• Hillstone Restaurant (2.1 miles)
• Sixty Vines (2.1 miles)
• Prato (2.1 miles)

Physicians

• Central Florida Endocrine (0.5 miles)
• Altamonte Family Practice (2.3 miles)
• RDV Sportsplex Pediatrics (2.4 miles)
• Florida Eye Clinic (2.5 miles)
• Ear Nose Throat Surgical Associates (2.6 miles)
• Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute - Winter Park (3 miles)
• Central Florida Breast Center, PA (3 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Winter Park Village & RPX (1.7 miles)
• AMC Altamonte Mall 18 (3 miles)

Cafes

• The Glass Knife (2.1 miles)
• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Lineage Coffee Roasting (5.1 miles)
• Starbucks (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.6 miles)

Transportation

• Altamonte Springs SunRail Station (2.6 miles)
• Lynx Central Station (5.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Florida Hospital Altamonte (2.7 miles)
• Winter Park Memorial Hospital (2.9 miles)
• Adventist Health System (3.3 miles)
• FH Engineering Services (3.5 miles)
• Florida Hospital (3.5 miles)
• Florida Hospital- South Campus (3.6 miles)
• Florida Hospital Womens Center (3.6 miles)

Parks

• Cranes Roost Park (3 miles)
• Blue Jacket Park (3.8 miles)
• Lake Eola Park (5.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Orlando Filipino Seventh-Day Adventist Church (5.3 miles)
• ISCF Masjid Al Rahman (6.7 miles)