Synergy HomeCare - Chicago

Pros

• Synergy HomeCare forms trusting bonds with families and helps clients remain in their own homes.
• The caregivers are outstanding - highly skilled, compassionate, attentive, and respectful.
• Tamara Barker is praised for listening well and finding solutions that fit families' needs.
• The agency is described as compassionate, caring, and like family, with a strong community focus.
• The Barkers (Frank and Julie) are noted as devoted, professional, and responsive leaders who genuinely care for clients.
• The team is warm and welcoming, with staff who go the extra mile to support clients.
• Caregivers are reliable and on time, delivering high-quality, personalized care.
• Synergy is considered a lifeline for families, offering unwavering support and peace of mind.
• The office environment and staff are described as professional, calming, and easy to work with.
• The matchmaking process is praised for pairing caregivers well with clients' needs, enhancing independence and well-being.
• Clients frequently express that they would highly recommend Synergy HomeCare for home care needs.

Cons

• The review labels the agency as terrible.
• It claims the agency is deceitful and totally unethical, alleging fraud by a supervisor who instructed a caregiver to lie.
• It states the agency is unprofessional and unresponsive, with emails not being answered.
• It warns that the agency hires young, inexperienced caregivers who cannot adequately care for a loved one and fail to identify health problems, including mishandling medications.
• It alleges caregivers messed up medications and that prepaid cash was not returned after the agency was fired.
• It describes hospice care in Chicago as horrific/poor during the pandemic.
• It reports no-shows and rough treatment by some caregivers.
• It notes a desire for more consistency with caregivers, implying inconsistent care.

Review

Synergy HomeCare of Chicago is best suited for families that want a home-first, highly personalized care experience for an older relative who needs help with daily tasks, recovery from surgery, or memory challenges, and who values caregivers who feel like part of the family. The Chicago team is led by a doctor and a nurse, a combination that translates into thoughtful care planning, quick mobilization, and hands-on involvement from the ownership level. For seniors who prize independence and staying at home, Synergy offers a robust matchmaking approach - caregivers are paired with clear knowledge of medical needs, routines, and personality fit, creating a sense of security that extends well beyond routine tasks.

Those weighing alternatives should consider how much emphasis is placed on caregiver consistency, ongoing supervision, and formal memory-care expertise. While the vast majority praise the quality of individual caregivers and the responsiveness of the office, a minority of reviews raise red flags about ethics, transparency, and occasional communication gaps. Families with low tolerance for risk around medication management, or who require a single, long-tenured caregiver for an extended period, may want to compare other agencies with more rigid QA processes, longer continuity guarantees, or stronger dementia-specific programs. In short, Synergy delivers exceptional personal touch, but prospective clients should probe for assurances on reliability, billing clarity, and caregiver stability.

The core strengths - rapid deployment, compassionate staff, rigorous caregiver matching, and open access to owners - offset most of the common hesitations that families encounter when coordinating in-home care. Caregivers are repeatedly described as skilled, patient, and highly attentive to dignity and safety. Families note meaningful improvements in recovery and daily living, with providers who assist not only with medical tasks but also with companionship, light housekeeping, errands, and sustained engagement. The owners' hands-on oversight, willingness to jump in during urgent situations, and emphasis on personalized care plans create a layer of reassurance that can reduce the emotional burden on relatives who cannot be present every day.

Evidence from the field highlights several standout positives. Caregivers named in positive reviews - individuals celebrated for reliability, warmth, and specialized attention - are often described as forming strong relationships with clients and their families. The office culture comes across as welcoming and professional, with coordinators who listen, tailor services, and adjust schedules as needs evolve. When post-surgery or acute recovery is involved, Synergy's team is praised for coordinating tasks, ensuring timely transportation, and staying connected with family members about progress. Across multiple neighborhoods of Chicago, the sense conveyed is that Synergy is not simply a vendor but a supportive extension of the family.

On the cautionary side, a handful of reviews describe troubling experiences that warrant careful vetting. Some clients allege unethical behavior or significant communication shortcomings, including unresponsiveness to inquiries and disputes over billing or prepaid arrangements. Other critiques point to caregivers who may lack specialized experience with advanced dementia or complex medical needs, underscoring the importance of rigorous onboarding and ongoing supervision. These concerns are not universal, but they are real signals to perform due diligence: request detailed caregiver profiles, insist on references from families with similar care needs, and confirm the agency's procedures for med management, escalation, and quality checks.

The practical takeaway is clear. Synergy HomeCare of Chicago can be a transformative choice for families who want a compassionate, highly responsive partner to keep a loved one safely at home, with the reassurance of healthcare-savvy leadership and careful caregiver matching. Prospects should enter conversations with precise questions: who will oversee daily operations and med management, what is the exact process for caregiver rotation and back-up coverage, how is billing transparency handled, and what measurable standards exist for caregiver performance? If the aim is to secure a trusted, deeply engaged home-care team with a human touch, Synergy stands out as a compelling option. If instead the priority is unwavering single-caregiver continuity, or needs that require institutional-level memory-care programs, it is prudent to compare additional providers to ensure the best alignment of care model, guarantees, and cost.

This part of Chicago, Illinois is a bustling urban neighborhood with convenient access to amenities such as cafes, pharmacies, transportation options, restaurants, parks, hospitals, theaters, and medical facilities. The presence of multiple Starbucks locations provides easy access to coffee and social gatherings. There are also several pharmacies nearby for any medical needs. The proximity to public transportation makes it easy to explore the city or attend medical appointments. Additionally, there are a variety of dining options available for every palate. Parks offer opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Access to hospitals ensures quality healthcare services within a reasonable distance. The presence of theaters and dental specialists in the area adds to the overall convenience and quality of life for seniors considering living in this vibrant community.

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.3 miles)
• Starbucks (1 miles)
• Starbucks (1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.5 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Mariano's Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)

Transportation

• Cta (1 miles)
• Cta (1.3 miles)
• CTA - Belmont (1.7 miles)
• CTA - Fullerton (2.5 miles)
• CTA Jarvis (4 miles)
• Cta (4.2 miles)
• Cta (4.5 miles)

Restaurants

• SoFo Tap (1 miles)
• Murphy's Bleachers (1.2 miles)
• Cell Block (1.4 miles)
• Las Mananitas Mexican Restaurant (1.5 miles)
• Hydrate (1.6 miles)
• Roscoe's (1.7 miles)
• Will's Northwoods Inn (1.7 miles)

Parks

• Horner Park (1.2 miles)
• Hamlin Park (1.5 miles)
• Wrightwood Park (2.1 miles)
• Independence Park (2.6 miles)
• Unity Playlot Park (2.8 miles)
• Logan Boulevard (2.8 miles)
• Palmer Square Park (2.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Swedish Covenant Hospital Cancer Care (1.7 miles)
• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (1.9 miles)
• Saint Francis Hospital (4.6 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Webster Place (2.6 miles)

Physicians

• Lincoln Park Dental Specialists (3.4 miles)