Homewatch Caregivers

Pros

• The caregivers from Kokua Care provided compassionate care and companionship to the client's mother, allowing the family much-needed breaks.
• The assigned caregiver was punctual, kind, and an engaging conversationalist, greatly benefiting the client's well-traveled and intelligent mother.
• Families felt refreshed and more energetic for the week ahead due to the weekend assistance provided by Kokua Care.
• Clients appreciated that Kokua Care was prompt in finding caregivers who could start immediately when needed.
• Some clients found their caregivers to be caring and considerate of their loved ones' needs, helping with activities like exercise and light cleaning.
• Referral to Kilohana Senior Enrichment Center led to a positive turnaround in mood for one client’s wife, highlighting effective support from Kokua Care.

Cons

• The office personnel and home health aides at Kokua Care should be reprimanded for abandoning their loved one due to staffing issues, leading to a lack of care.
• The HR manager and office staff demonstrate rudeness and unprofessionalism when addressing concerns about care for clients.
• Caregivers often neglect light housekeeping tasks while patients are resting, which indicates a lack of initiative.
• Caregivers are observed sitting idly on their phones instead of providing necessary assistance to patients.
• There are reports of caregivers failing to assist patients properly during toileting, watching them struggle instead of offering help.
• Communication from the office is poor, with calls not being returned promptly and difficulties in finding staff for weekend shifts.
• Overall service is described as terrible due to unresponsive office staff and inadequate caregiver performance.

Review

Kokua Care has garnered a range of reviews from families seeking assistance for their elderly loved ones, reflecting both positive experiences and significant grievances. On one hand, many families have expressed gratitude for the compassionate care provided by staff members who dedicated their time to offer companionship and support during critical life moments. One reviewer highlighted how a designated caregiver was instrumental in comforting their mother during her final months, displaying qualities of punctuality, kindness, thoroughness, and the ability to engage in meaningful conversation. For this family, Kokua Care became an invaluable resource that allowed them temporary relief from the demanding responsibilities of caregiving, thereby enabling them to refresh and spend quality time with their beloved family member.

However, these favorable accounts are juxtaposed against a series of troubling reports regarding Kokua Care’s office personnel and caregivers. Several reviewers voiced strong dissatisfaction with the service quality offered by office staff and health aides alike. They pointed out alarming instances where caregivers neglected essential duties around the home during their shifts. In one case, it was noted that caregivers would sit idly on their phones instead of actively engaging in necessary household tasks while the patient rested. This led some family members to feel they needed to repeatedly remind aides to perform basic chores or provide adequate assistance when it came to personal care—something which is expected from professional caregivers.

Furthermore, complaints about staffing issues were prevalent among reviews. Some reviewers described distressing scenarios where caregivers failed to show up for scheduled shifts and the agency struggled to find replacements promptly—especially on weekends. The infrequency of reliable coverage left families feeling abandoned at crucial times when they required support most desperately. Instances such as these created significant tension and frustration for families already grappling with difficult emotions surrounding their loved ones' health.

Communication problems within Kokua Care also surfaced in several reviews. Multiple individuals remarked on rude interactions with HR personnel and office staff when addressing concerns about care or staffing issues. Some described long wait times for phone calls to be returned; this lack of responsiveness only exacerbated feelings of helplessness among families trying to navigate complex caregiving situations involving elderly relatives in need of constant support.

In stark contrast to these unsettling experiences were a few positive encounters shared by others who felt that they had found suitable caregivers through Kokua Care despite initial challenges. One reviewer recounted how the agency successfully matched them with someone who could assist his wife suffering from Alzheimer's disease, praising the referral process that eventually led them to a senior enrichment center that greatly improved his wife's mood and overall well-being.

Overall, while some clients praised Kokua Care's ability to connect them with caring individuals who genuinely assisted their loved ones’ needs—whether through providing companionship or light housekeeping—the overarching sentiment reflects a need for improvements in reliability, communication protocols, staffing consistency, and caregiver training standards within the agency itself. These contrasts make it clear that potential clients should approach Kokua Care with caution while weighing testimonials against personal priorities regarding elderly care requirements.

This part of Honolulu, Hawaii, offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for convenience and comfort. With numerous restaurants, cafes, pharmacies, parks, places of worship, physicians, and hospitals within close proximity, residents can easily access essential services and recreational activities. The presence of popular dining options like Kona Brewing Company and Leonard's Bakery provides opportunities for socializing with friends or family. Additionally, the nearby Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Park and Koko Head Regional Park offer beautiful outdoor spaces for leisurely walks or picnics. For medical needs, there are several reputable physicians and hospitals in the area, ensuring quality healthcare access. Overall, this neighborhood is a vibrant and well-equipped community that would be ideal for seniors looking to enjoy their retirement years in a peaceful yet enriching environment.

Restaurants

• Kona Brewing Company (0.1 miles)
• Aina Haina Shopping Center (3.2 miles)
• McDonald's (6.6 miles)
• Diamond Head Market & Grill (7 miles)
• Leonard's Bakery (7.1 miles)
• Ono Seafood (7.1 miles)
• Rainbow Drive- In (7.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.1 miles)
• Longs Drugs (0.5 miles)
• Longs Drugs (3.3 miles)
• Longs (3.3 miles)
• Longs Drugs (5.3 miles)
• Times Supermarkets (5.5 miles)
• Times Supermarkets (6.7 miles)

Parks

• Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Park (0.4 miles)
• Koko Head Regional Park (0.6 miles)
• Waimanalo Beach Park (3.6 miles)
• Waialae Iki Park (4.2 miles)
• Fort Ruger Park (6.1 miles)
• Manoa Valley District Park (7.2 miles)
• Kapiolani Park (7.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Holy Trinity Catholic Church - Cottage Thrift Shop (1.6 miles)
• Sacred Heart Church (8.3 miles)
• Kailua Hongwanji Temple (8.5 miles)

Physicians

• Carlson Ronald S DDS (5.3 miles)
• Dr. Kathy Iida (5.4 miles)
• The Queen's Health Care Centers (5.4 miles)
• Cloward Instrument Corporation (6.3 miles)
• Blane Kalani Chong (6.7 miles)
• Kaimuki Center For Dentistry (6.7 miles)
• Aloha Vision Consultants (7 miles)

Cafes

• The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (6.9 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)
• Knots Coffee Roasters (7.6 miles)
• Barefoot Beach Cafe (7.7 miles)
• Kai Coffee (7.7 miles)
• Kona Coffee Purveyors | b.patisserie (7.8 miles)
• Hawaiian Aroma Caffe (8 miles)

Hospitals

• Dr. John Garvie MD (7.9 miles)
• Birth Center At Castle Med Center (7.9 miles)
• Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children (8.5 miles)
• Kamisugi Malia Hi Smile Orthodontics (8.5 miles)