Coastal Home Care Inc

Pros

• The staff at Coastal Home Care are compassionate, friendly, and knowledgeable.
• The family is very thankful for Coastal's home care.
• The home health professional who treated the grandfather did an amazing job.

Cons

• Donna was extremely rude and spoke with attitude during the visit.
• She demanded that he turn down the TV, and did so impolitely.
• She wrote STOP in large letters on his pill container, overstepping her authority as she is not his physician.
• She ordered him to receive physical therapy for a pressure sore, despite his mobility being generally fine.
• She called his doctor to get an order for PT, which the reviewer viewed as inappropriate.
• The reviewer would not recommend this facility.

Review

Coastal Home Care has been part of this family's routine in St. Petersburg for more than a year, and the overall experience has been marked by compassion, friendliness, and knowledge from the team. Across many visits, the caregivers have shown genuine care and a steady, considerate approach that this family greatly appreciates. The gratitude extended to Coastal's staff reflects a broad sense of relief and comfort in having trusted hands looking after their loved one at home.

Last week, that positive pattern was interrupted by a visit from Donna, who came to assess a potential new client and meet the grandfather in his own home. From the moment she stepped inside, the encounter took a sharp turn. Donna reportedly demanded that the television be turned down, and she did so in a way that was not polite or gentle. The request felt intrusive to a man who, at 84, already contends with occasional hearing challenges. While his hearing isn't perfect, the reviewer notes that Donna's motive appeared unrelated to the grandfather's current needs or the purpose of her visit, which was to interview or evaluate a new client. Instead of a respectful, professional tone, her manner came across as harsh and dismissive, leaving the family with a strong impression of attitude rather than empathy.

The visit soon took another troubling turn centered on medication. The family describes gathering their grandfather's medications for a full week when Donna allegedly wrote STOP in large letters directly on one of his pill bottles. The reviewer emphasizes that Donna is not a doctor or physician and questions her authority to instruct a patient to halt any medications. This action sparked alarm and a sense that medication management was being handled inappropriately, raising concerns about patient safety and the proper roles of home health professionals.

Adding to the concerns, Donna allegedly ordered physical therapy for a pressure sore on the patient's lower body - attributed to a seated position and compression from sitting for extended periods. The grandfather's mobility, according to the reviewer, is not seriously compromised: there is only a bit of imbalance when standing up quickly. The claim is that this PT directive came after Donna contacted the grandfather's doctor to obtain orders for therapy, which felt unnecessary or misguided given his actual mobility status. The juxtaposition of a routine home visit turning into a medication and therapy directive left the family unsettled about the appropriateness of the visit and the boundaries of the caregiver's responsibilities.

The impression of Donna within this account is clear: she was described as extremely rude, with an attitude that did not align with the compassionate image the family had come to rely on from Coastal Home Care. The negative interaction during this particular visit contrasted sharply with the rest of the experience, leading the caregiver to question whether they would still recommend the service based on this encounter. The family's overall sentiment is that, while many Coastal Home Care staff have performed admirably, one caregiver's approach can significantly color the overall perception of the agency.

Despite the troubling experience with Donna, the review ends on a more balanced note by giving credit where it's due. The family highlights the positive impact of the other home health professional who cared for the grandfather the day before Donna's visit, describing that caregiver as doing an amazing job. This contrast underscores the reality that the agency's service quality is not uniformly affected by a single interaction; it instead depends on the individual caregiver's conduct and judgment on any given day. The family's gratitude for the competent, kind care from other team members remains intact, even as they express caution about Donna's visit.

In sum, the family praises Coastal Home Care for the consistent compassion and competence shown by many caregivers over the course of a year, especially in St. Petersburg. Yet they recount a highly negative single experience with Donna, marked by an abrupt demeanor, unsolicited TV volume interference, controversial medication marking, and an unrequested PT suggestion that alarmed them. While they are grateful for the efforts of the other caregiver who treated the grandfather recently, this duality leaves them wary and undecided about recommending the service based on one problematic encounter. The story closes with a call for improved caregiver conduct and clearer boundaries, alongside appreciation for the excellent care some staff have provided.

This area of Pinellas Park, Florida offers a convenient and vibrant setting for senior living. With several parks nearby, such as Freedom Lake Park and Crescent Lake Park, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Additionally, the neighborhood boasts a variety of dining options ranging from fast food chains like Burger King to upscale eateries like Noble Crust. For those seeking spiritual fulfillment, there are several places of worship in the vicinity, including Christ The Cornerstone and Allendale United Methodist Church. Access to healthcare services is plentiful with pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy just a short drive away, along with various physician offices offering specialized care. In terms of transportation, St Pete-Clearwater International Airport is conveniently located for any travel needs. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded environment that caters to the needs and interests of seniors looking to enjoy their golden years in a welcoming community.

Parks

• Freedom Lake Park (0.4 miles)
• Fossil Park (3.7 miles)
• Northwest Park (4.5 miles)
• Largo Central Park (5.5 miles)
• Crescent Lake Park (5.6 miles)
• Azalea Park (5.6 miles)
• Dog Run (6.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Mercel's Bake Shop (0.6 miles)
• Burger King (1 miles)
• Pollo Tropical (1.3 miles)
• McDonald's (1.3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.7 miles)
• Courtside Grille (3.3 miles)
• Noble Crust (3.5 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (1.4 miles)
• Kristina's Cafe (3.7 miles)
• Mazzaro's Italian Market (4.7 miles)
• Bula Kafe (5.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.8 miles)
• Bandit Coffee Co. (6.1 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Park Place & RPX (1.5 miles)
• SMG Seminole (6 miles)
• Regal Largo Mall (6.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Christ The Cornerstone (2.1 miles)
• Allendale United Methodist Church (4.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)

Physicians

• Carillon Sports & Family Medicine (2.3 miles)
• Skin Wellness Center (2.5 miles)
• Wellspring Cancer Center (2.7 miles)
• Village Family Practice (3.1 miles)
• Ear, Nose and Throat Associates (3.8 miles)
• Bay Area Medical (3.9 miles)
• Premier Miller (4.2 miles)

Transportation

• St Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) (3.5 miles)

Hospitals

• All Children's Obgyn Specialists (6 miles)
• St Anthony's Hospital (6.1 miles)