Addus HealthCare in Chicago, IL

Pros

• The agency is good and solid, providing professional help in solving problems.
• The service has been working out well so far, with caregivers delivering tremendous help to families.
• The scheduling system allows clients to set their own appointments, helping families coordinate daily routines.
• Weekend caregiver support has been a tremendous help for families.
• There have been only minor issues, and overall the service is functioning well.

Cons

• The home care service is the worst.
• They didn't come when needed on weekends and only called on holidays.
• They make things seem unnecessarily complicated.
• The aides shouldn't be in home care.
• They call too late and never call until after everything has happened.
• They shouldn't even be in business.
• The supervisor is unreachable and voicemails go unanswered.
• The GPS misled them, causing them to walk in below-freezing temperatures.
• Most staff are fillers; only a few actual employees can do the job.
• The agency is unprofessional from top management down to the front desk.
• They cut hours before surgery, causing financial hardship.
• An elderly client was exploited; thousands were siphoned; it's under police investigation; the agency seems to care little.
• They have constant issues with service; long gaps; late workers; no updates.
• Payroll problems: people have gone months without pay; checks are delayed; turnover is high.
• Caregivers leave the loved one unsupervised and do not provide the promised care.
• The reviewer would not consider them again.

Review

Addus HealthCare in Chicago is best suited for families that need occasional, flexible in-home help and are willing to tolerate significant variability in care delivery. The program shows occasional bright spots - weekend coverage, opportunities to customize scheduling, and staff who can be responsive when things align - but these positives are inconsistent and do not reliably offset ongoing governance and communication gaps. This agency tends to work best for households that can absorb the risk of missed visits, shifting caregiver assignments, and uneven responsiveness, all while negotiating a care plan that is frequently revisited rather than locked in.

The reality from multiple families is a pattern of reliability problems that press hard on daily life and finances. No-shows and long wait times are recurrent, and there are persistent complaints about unreturned calls or unreachable supervisors. In several reviews, scheduling and payroll issues surface repeatedly - hours reduced without clear justification, pay late or missing entirely, and high turnover at the supervisory level. These issues compound the stress of caregiving, forcing clients and families to chase answers rather than rely on a steady, prepared team. The most troubling accounts describe serious mismanagement and, in at least one case, exploitation by a caregiver under investigation, underscoring questions about safeguards and accountability.

Yet not all experiences are bleak. A subset of clients finds the agency capable of problem-solving when care needs arise, suggesting that competent, accountable staff can, at times, deliver solid assistance. There are mentions of helpful problem-solving from the agency, and, for some families, the ability to arrange weekend support or to move toward a caregiver who is more engaged creates meaningful relief. The notion that scheduling can be customized - sometimes even by the client's own preferences - appears as a real advantage for families juggling irregular hours, medical appointments, and rehab schedules. In that context, Addus can function as a practical stopgap that gives households temporary breathing room if there is a reliable caregiver on hand.

The key pros - flexible scheduling, weekend coverage, and moments of professional problem-solving - do not fully offset the dominant cons. Reliability and trust are the core needs in home care, and those needs are not consistently met here. The repeated reports of no-shows, delayed or absent communications, and payroll difficulties create not just inconvenience but real financial and caregiving jeopardy. When a caregiver becomes a financial risk or a scheduling black hole, even a helpful few staff members cannot compensate for the systemic churn and the perceived indifference of upper management. Families must weigh whether sporadic positives are worth the ongoing exposure to risk and stress.

For families considering Addus, a disciplined due-diligence process is essential. Request a dedicated supervisor and written service levels, insist on a stable caregiver assignment before any extended commitment, and confirm exact hours, pay cycles, substitution policies, and escalation paths. Probe for turnover rates, caregiver training standards, and background check rigor, and require transparent, timely updates in writing. Build a contingency plan: identify a backup provider or alternate care arrangement, and establish clear emergency contacts. If reliability, consistent communication, and strong oversight are non-negotiable, explore alternatives with a track record of steadier staffing, stronger supervisor responsiveness, and clearer accountability.

In the end, Addus presents a pragmatic option for families who can tolerate inconsistency in exchange for occasional flexibility and weekend support. For those who prize predictability, continuous supervision, and unambiguous scheduling, this agency may fall short. The practical choice hinges on whether a client's immediate need is answered by intermittent help and the possibility of improvement over time, or if it requires a proven, consistently reliable partner with transparent operations and safeguarded finances.

This part of Chicago, Illinois, offers a vibrant and convenient urban lifestyle for seniors. With a variety of restaurants within walking distance, such as Miller's Pub and Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, residents can enjoy delicious meals without traveling far. The area also provides easy access to multiple pharmacies like CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens, making it convenient for seniors to manage their medications. Transportation options are plentiful with Van Buren Street Metra & South Shore Trains nearby, allowing for seamless travel around the city. For leisurely activities, several cafes like Intelligentsia Coffee and Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe provide relaxing spots to socialize or enjoy a cup of coffee. Additionally, parks like Grant Park and Maggie Daley Park offer scenic outdoor spaces for recreational activities and relaxation. Healthcare facilities such as Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago ensure that seniors have access to quality medical care in the neighborhood. Overall, this part of Chicago provides a dynamic and convenient living environment for seniors looking to enjoy all that the city has to offer.

Restaurants

• Miller's Pub (0.1 miles)
• The Dearborn (0.4 miles)
• Lou Malnati's Pizzeria (0.5 miles)
• Emerald Loop Bar and Grill (0.6 miles)
• RPM Seafood (0.7 miles)
• Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop (0.8 miles)
• Rossi's Liquors (0.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)

Transportation

• Van Buren Street Metra & South Shore Trains (0.2 miles)
• Cta (0.4 miles)
• Metra - LaSalle Street (0.4 miles)
• CTA - Clark/Lake (0.6 miles)
• Jamba Union Station / Chicago (0.6 miles)
• Ogilvie Transportation Center (0.7 miles)
• CTA - Clinton (0.7 miles)

Cafes

• Intelligentsia Coffee (0.4 miles)
• Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe (0.5 miles)
• Tiny Tapp & Cafe (0.6 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (1.1 miles)

Parks

• Grant Park (0.5 miles)
• Grant Park - Butler Field (0.5 miles)
• Maggie Daley Park (0.6 miles)
• Coliseum Park (1.1 miles)
• Mary Bartelme Park (1.2 miles)
• Chicago Lakefront (1.3 miles)
• Burnham Park (1.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (1.2 miles)
• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (1.3 miles)
• Rush University Medical Center (2.2 miles)
• University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (2.3 miles)
• John H Stroger Jr Hospital (2.5 miles)

Physicians

• University of Illinois Mile Square Health Center: Near West Side (2.7 miles)
• Lincoln Park Dental Specialists (2.8 miles)
• Illinois Eye Institute (3 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Webster Place (3.6 miles)