Dee's Host Home

Pros

• The reviewer feels blessed to be part of Lowe's Guardian Angel family.
• Essence Reed is happy every day at the program.
• They have taught Essence Reed to love herself and to love others.
• They have done a lot of great work in Essence Reed's life in the short time she has been there.
• The reviewer recommends Lowe's Guardian Angels as a day program for loved ones.
• The organization is described as outstanding.
• They have brought so much joy to Essence Reed.

Cons

• The facility has gone downhill since COVID.
• The resident has suffered multiple staph infections requiring hospitalization.
• Personal items such as clothes, a television, and shoes are missing from the resident's belongings.
• The place is described as a mess and poorly managed.
• The new person in charge is unkind and has a negative attitude.
• Staffing levels are insufficient, making care overwhelming for a single caregiver.
• The reviewer believes the company should have its license revoked in every state.
• The host home provider is accused of abuse and neglect, and of financial swindling; the owners are not trained to handle people with disabilities.
• The staff do not genuinely care for their clients.

Review

Lowe's Guardian Angels, as described by several people who have interacted with the organization, is a place that inspires strong, often conflicting feelings. For some families, it represents a beacon of help and possibility for loved ones with developmental disabilities, offering day programming, schooling-like activities, and a supportive community. For others, it raises serious concerns about safety, accountability, and quality of care. The voices surrounding this organization paint a picture of a program that can feel life-changing in the best cases and deeply troubling in others.

One review comes from a family member who placed his brother there in 2019 after the passing of their parents. He describes a facility that once operated with two aides, providing direct assistance to residents who require round-the-clock care. The brother enjoys the on-site schooling and the sense of community, and the reviewer trusted the program to help as he worked ten-hour days. However, the tone shifts as he describes a severe decline after the COVID era. He reports that his brother has been in and out of the hospital with recurrent staphylococcus infections, suggesting ongoing health risks. He also laments the loss or misplacement of personal items - clothes, a television, shoes - that he had provided, which adds a feeling of disorganization and neglect. The reviewer notes that after a hospital visit for a serious infection, he's been discouraged from bringing his brother home, and he faults the current manager as unkind and unsympathetic. The overarching plea here is for state oversight or a license revocation, driven by concerns that the program is failing the vulnerable residents it is meant to protect.

Another perspective comes from a parent of a developmentally disabled adult who was left with a Host Home Provider and later went missing. This reviewer describes abuse and neglect, accusing the host home provider of swindling money and failing to provide receipts or transparent financial records. The owners were described as untrained to handle people with disabilities, and the reviewer explicitly warns others not to entrust their loved ones to this company. The gravity of the accusations - abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and lack of proper training - creates a portrait of a situation where the most vulnerable individuals may be left dangerously exposed.

A different voice reflects the lived experience of a former employee who characterizes the job as "easily the worst" she has had. In less than six months, she says she could not find genuine care from the staff for the clients, and she felt compelled to report the business to authorities on at least two occasions. Her assessment is stark: the staff do not genuinely care for the clients, and she expresses a level of disillusionment so strong that she wouldn't trust the organization with even a pet. This account points to internal morale and organizational culture issues, suggesting that, for some roles within the operation, day-to-day care may be overshadowed by systemic problems that affect residents' well-being.

Counterbalancing these critical voices is a glowing testimonial from Teresa Echols, who speaks with evident pride about her daughter, Essence Reed, and the impact of Lowe's Guardian Angels on her life. She describes the organization as an "outstanding" team and refers to the staff as part of the "Guardian Angel family." According to her account, Essence attends a day program at the facility and has thrived there, gaining confidence, developing self-love, and forming positive relationships. Echols portrays the staff as compassionate and supportive, crediting them with joy and meaningful personal growth for Essence. For this family, the organization embodies care, encouragement, and a bright outlook for their loved one's daily life.

Taken together, these stories present a complex and uneven picture. The organization appears to be a place of hope and community for some individuals who benefit from structured day programs, social interaction, and educational activities. For others, however, there are serious concerns about health safety, personal belongings going missing, staffing stability, and management practices. The contrast between glowing praise and grave accusations underscores the need for careful, individualized evaluation when considering placement or continued enrollment with any provider of services for people with developmental disabilities.

If you are evaluating a similar program for a loved one, the compiled experiences suggest a few practical considerations. Seek current, independent reviews and verify licensure status with the state regulatory agency. Ask detailed questions about staffing levels, training, and the specific care plans for residents. Inquire about policies for personal belongings, visiting arrangements, and the process for escalating concerns or complaints. Request documentation of receipts and financial transparency if money is involved, and insist on clear channels for reporting abuse or neglect. Most importantly, arrange honest conversations with staff, residents, and families to gauge whether the environment feels safe, supportive, and aligned with your loved one's needs and values. Each family's experience will be different, but thorough due diligence can help illuminate where a program stands and what steps may be necessary to protect those who rely on it most.

This part of Riverdale, Georgia, is located within close proximity to various healthcare providers such as physicians' offices and pharmacies, making it convenient for seniors to access medical care. In addition, there are a variety of dining options available ranging from fast food to more upscale restaurants like Blue Moon Brewhouse and Chicken + Beer. The area also offers parks for outdoor recreation and places of worship for spiritual fulfillment. For those who enjoy travel, the Atlanta airport is nearby along with transportation services like Korean Air and Delta Sky Club. Overall, this neighborhood provides a balance of essential amenities and leisure activities that may appeal to seniors looking for a vibrant community in which to reside.

Physicians

• Malloy, Tyrone Dr - Malloy Tyrone C MD Jd (1.4 miles)
• Burnett Jettie M MD (1.4 miles)
• Omni Eye Services (2 miles)
• Kids Avenue Pediatrics (2 miles)
• Peachtree Orthopaedic Clinic (2.1 miles)
• Atlanta Heart Associates (2.4 miles)
• Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine Associates (2.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Heart Pharmacy (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5 miles)

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (1.9 miles)
• McDonald's (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)
• Blue Moon Brewhouse (3.8 miles)
• Chicken + Beer (3.8 miles)
• Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen (3.9 miles)
• Brake Pad (5.4 miles)

Parks

• Creel Park (2.5 miles)
• Forest Park Recreation & Parks (5.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Labor & Delivery (3.1 miles)
• Southern Regional Health System (3.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• New Macedonia Baptist Church (3.2 miles)

Transportation

• Korean Air (3.2 miles)
• Runway 9R/27L (3.4 miles)
• Runway 9L/27R (3.6 miles)
• ATL Airport Gate T3 (3.7 miles)
• Delta Sky Club (3.9 miles)
• South Baggage Claim (3.9 miles)
• South Terminal (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.9 miles)