Synergy Homecare

Pros

• Caregivers are outstanding, highly skilled, compassionate, and attentive.
• The team forms trusting bonds with families and helps loved ones remain in their own homes.
• Tamara's listening and problem-solving help families feel cared for and understood.
• The agency is compassionate, caring, and treats clients like family.
• The Barkers, as owners, are devoted professionals with a genuine, giving approach to care.
• The offices and staff are warm, welcoming, and highly professional.
• Attention to detail and going the extra mile make clients feel safe, comfortable, and valued.
• Synergy is described as a lifeline and a valuable part of clients' lives.
• The service covers a wide range of needs, including post-surgery, senior care, new and expecting mothers, and home assistance, delivered with top-notch care.

Cons

• The agency is terrible.
• This place is deceitful and totally unethical.
• This is plain and clear fraud, and even more terrifying with children involved.
• They're unprofessional and do not respond to emails.

Review

Across a wide range of testimonials, Synergy HomeCare of Northwest Chicago and its Northeast Chicago affiliate are painted as a caregiver-centric agency that aims to keep loved ones at home with dignity, warmth, and professional support. Families repeatedly describe the team as not just competent, but truly engaged with both the client and the family they serve. The overarching impression is that the office and field staff work as a cohesive unit, forming bonds that families rely on during some of their most challenging times.

Many reviewers highlight the caregivers themselves as the heart of the service. They are described as highly skilled, experienced, and deeply compassionate - people who treat clients with respect, attentiveness, and genuine kindness. One caregiver in particular, Larissa, is singled out for making a meaningful impact during the client's recovery after surgery, helping the person return home and regain independence. Across accounts, the consistency and quality of care are emphasized, with families noting that the caregivers "go the extra mile" to ensure comfort, safety, and well-being.

The leadership and ownership of Synergy come up repeatedly as well. Reviewers frequently mention Jarrod and Tamara Barker, the owners, and their approach to care. Tamara is praised for her listening skills and ability to tailor care solutions to a family's unique needs, a quality many say made them feel truly heard and supported. The Barker leadership is described as hands-on and compassionate, with a philosophy summed up by a belief that there is "always time to give." The office staff - people like Maddy - are praised for being clear, helpful, and genuinely invested in helping families navigate care options. The environment at their offices is repeatedly described as welcoming, professional, and reassuring.

Community involvement and a broader mission also surface in the reviews. One account highlights a meeting with the Barkers at a local senior apartment complex, where they introduced residents to home care services and explained how such support could help maintain independence. The same account notes additional community activities organized by the company, including a Valentine's Day arts-and-crafts event that engaged residents and demonstrated the team's commitment to social engagement and quality of life beyond standard in-home care. This emphasis on community ties and proactive outreach helps to convey a sense that Synergy is more than a care provider; it seeks to be a trusted partner in whole-person well-being.

A number of reviewers laud the breadth of services offered, including post-surgery support, senior care, and even services for new and expecting mothers. The team's versatility - from daily assistance with household tasks to specialized fall- and injury-recovery support - helps families in a wide range of scenarios. Descriptions of the care plan creation are positive as well, with clients and families feeling that the plan is thoughtful, well-structured, and tailored to individual goals. Several testimonials express confidence in the team's ability to adapt as needs change, reinforcing the sense that Synergy is a reliable partner through different life stages and health events.

Not all feedback is uniformly positive, and one review presents a starkly different experience. This account describes alleged deceit and unethical conduct, including claims of fraud involving a provider's qualifications and a supervisor intent on manipulating the process. The reviewer states they plan to report the incident to authorities and emphasizes the potential risk to children involved in the situation. While this single account stands in contrast to the overwhelmingly favorable feedback, it serves as a reminder that experiences with home care can vary and that trust, verification, and open communication remain crucial in selecting a provider.

Taken together, the prevailing thread across the majority of reviews is clear: Synergy HomeCare of Northwest Chicago and its Northeast Chicago affiliate are frequently described as compassionate, capable, and family-focused organizations. Clients highlight engaged management, skilled caregivers, and a culture that treats families with respect and care. The Barkers' leadership, the presence of dedicated staff like Maddy and Larissa, and the company's willingness to participate in community life all contribute to a portrait of an agency dedicated to both clinical quality and human connection. For families evaluating home care, the collected experiences suggest that Synergy can be a reliable partner, while also underscoring the importance of meeting the team, asking detailed questions about backgrounds and care plans, and staying engaged to ensure expectations align with delivered care.

Hospitals

• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (0.1 miles)
• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (0.2 miles)
• Rush University Medical Center (2.8 miles)
• University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (3 miles)
• John H Stroger Jr Hospital (3.1 miles)
• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (3.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.2 miles)
• Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe (0.6 miles)
• Tiny Tapp & Cafe (0.7 miles)
• Intelligentsia Coffee (0.7 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (0.9 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Giordano's (0.3 miles)
• Eataly (0.3 miles)
• The Purple Pig (0.3 miles)
• Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop (0.4 miles)
• Tao Chicago Restaurant (0.4 miles)
• Rossi's Liquors (0.5 miles)
• Portillo's Hot Dogs (0.5 miles)

Parks

• Maggie Daley Park (0.7 miles)
• Grant Park - Butler Field (0.9 miles)
• Grant Park (1.3 miles)
• Mary Bartelme Park (1.8 miles)
• Chicago Lakefront (2 miles)
• Coliseum Park (2.2 miles)
• Skinner Dog Park (2.3 miles)

Transportation

• CTA - Clark/Lake (0.8 miles)
• Van Buren Street Metra & South Shore Trains (1.2 miles)
• Cta (1.2 miles)
• Ogilvie Transportation Center (1.3 miles)
• Jamba Union Station / Chicago (1.4 miles)
• Metra - LaSalle Street (1.5 miles)
• CTA - Clinton (1.6 miles)

Physicians

• Lincoln Park Dental Specialists (1.8 miles)
• University of Illinois Mile Square Health Center: Near West Side (3 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Webster Place (3 miles)