FirstLight Home Care - Libertyville, IL

Pros

• Caleb is beyond awesome.
• Tara is the absolute best.
• Caleb and his team have been wonderful at coordinating the best care and keeping families updated.
• The office staff are super understanding and helpful.
• Meyssen is kind and always ready to help.
• FirstLight Home Care provides outstanding care for loved ones.
• The staff are nice and friendly.
• Kendra was great to work with.
• Cal Johnson came on short notice to help develop a plan of care.
• FirstLight Home Care is amazing and highly professional.
• FirstLight is a very caring company to work with.
• They are responsive, helpful, and flexible.

Cons

• The reviewers had to request that a different company be sent because the staff failed to show up.
• The initial caregiver repeatedly called off, arrived late, or left early.
• They were sent two additional caregivers, one who never showed and another who stayed only five minutes.
• The family did not receive the needed help to transport their grandfather to appointments.
• The overall experience was disappointing due to unreliability for the veteran grandfather.

Review

FirstLight Home Care has clearly made a meaningful and lasting difference for families in need of compassionate in-home support. In one family's experience, Caleb met with them to discuss their father's needs, listened intently, and exceeded those expectations. They appreciated having Jeannette for a long stretch of time - 12 hours - until a full-time caregiver could be arranged, and they found Jeannette to be outstanding. Later, Alvan joined the team to care for dad alongside hospice, and the family described Alvan as a near-perfect match: respectful, attentive, and tremendously supportive. The gratitude expressed was heartfelt, with a warm acknowledgment of the entire staff and the possibilities FirstLight provides for families during challenging times.

There are strong endorsements from caregivers who were referred by trusted sources. Tara's praise stands out: she calls Caleb "the absolute best" and notes a nurse's referral that encouraged reaching out from the very first contact. The nurse advised that receiving help early makes all the difference, and Tara emphasizes that Caleb and his staff are not only friendly and kind but genuinely care about their patients. She highlighted the top-notch staff and stated she would only use their services for her mom's care, even offering to give ten stars if possible. This kind of endorsement ties the company's professional success to the trust of medical professionals and the families they serve.

Another family shares a detailed account of how Caleb and his team helped their grandma recover after a fall. They describe the team as working hard to identify the best fit for their grandma, ensuring she was comfortable and well cared for, and maintaining open lines of communication with the whole family. The family also notes that FirstLight assisted with arranging physical therapy to help her regain strength, and they express a deep sense of appreciation for the care and dedication shown. They emphasize that they would not trust anyone else with their grandma and speak to the thoughtful, proactive approach the team takes in coordinating care.

Several reviewers capture the warmth and professionalism of the staff in shorter, equally meaningful lines. Phrases like "What can I say but what a wonderful experience I had with the staff, nice and friendly," and "The office staff is super understanding and helpful; they made the visit easy," convey a consistent experience of kindness, approachability, and practical support. The overall sentiment is one of genuine satisfaction with the level of service, reliability, and the positive demeanor of the caregivers.

The consistency of care across multiple families is reinforced by specific names and repeat successes. Meyssen is highlighted as "so nice and helpful," with reviewers noting that the team is great and consistently responsive. Families thank FirstLight for their professionalism and the high-quality care provided to their loved ones, including respectful treatment of grandmothers and elderly relatives. The office staff are praised for their accommodations and for making the process feel smooth and manageable. Other sentiments echo a sense of pride in the company - recognizing Caleb as kind and helpful, and acknowledging that the team goes above and beyond to ensure comfort and safety.

Several reviewers emphasize the practical impact of FirstLight's services on daily life. They describe being able to quickly mobilize caregivers, finding the right fit for individual needs, and maintaining frequent updates to families so they feel informed and involved in the care plan. Kendra is singled out for her excellence in assessing needs and coordinating care, and Cal Johnson is noted for stepping in on short notice to help develop a care plan. The overarching theme is that FirstLight provides reliable, attentive support that reduces stress for families during trying times, with the staff treated almost as extended family by those they serve.

A minority voice adds a cautionary note about experiences outside the territory. One reviewer shared a negative experience involving the VA, where a caregiver did not show up consistently and required a change in providers. They described it as disappointing and shocking, especially given the advancing age and needs of a veteran family member. This review stands in contrast to the prevailing positive experiences but is important for highlighting that not every interaction was seamless, and that reliability gaps can occur in any system when coordination breaks down.

Taken together, the volume and tenor of these experiences paint a picture of FirstLight Home Care as a deeply people-focused organization. Families consistently describe empathetic, patient, and proactive care, delivered by a team that communicates openly and works diligently to match caregivers to individual needs. The stories reflect a shared sense of gratitude for the care their loved ones receive and a belief that the company's leadership - especially Caleb - and the staff embody a genuine commitment to improving the lives of those they serve. While one review notes a significant service shortfall in a VA-related situation, the near-universal sentiment remains that FirstLight stands out for its caring staff, responsive service, and dedication to helping families navigate the complexities of aging and home-based care.

This part of Libertyville, Illinois offers a variety of amenities that would make it a convenient and comfortable place for senior living. With several cafes, restaurants, and pharmacies within close proximity, residents can easily access daily necessities. Additionally, there are multiple places of worship nearby for spiritual fulfillment. The presence of reputable physicians and hospitals ensures quality healthcare services are readily available. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the nearby parks for leisure activities. For entertainment, there are theaters in the vicinity as well. Overall, this area provides a balanced mix of conveniences and recreational options for seniors looking to reside in a vibrant community in Libertyville.

Cafes

• Hansa Coffee Roasters (0.6 miles)
• Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters (0.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)
• Starbucks (5.3 miles)

Transportation

• Metra (0.6 miles)
• Metra (6 miles)
• Metra (6.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• United Methodist Church of Libertyville (0.8 miles)
• Santa Maria Del Popolo Church (3.6 miles)
• St Gilbert Parish (5.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• Walgreens (4.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Wild Berry Pancakes & Cafe (1.1 miles)
• Austin's Saloon & Eatery (1.5 miles)
• City Works (3.5 miles)
• Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar (3.7 miles)
• Portillo's Hot Dogs (3.8 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.8 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (3.9 miles)

Parks

• Butler Lake Park (1.2 miles)
• Century Park (3.5 miles)
• Waukegan Park District (6.5 miles)

Physicians

• The American Center for Spine and Neurosurgury (1.3 miles)
• Advanced Diabetes & Endocrine (1.4 miles)
• Illinois Bone & Joint Institute (2.4 miles)
• Lake Shore Dermatology (3.5 miles)
• Ritacca Laser Center (3.5 miles)
• North Suburban Medical Associates (3.8 miles)
• NorthShore University HealthSystem - GI & General Surgery (4.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Advocate Condell Medical Center Heart Scan (1.5 miles)
• Northwestern Grayslake Hospital (4.6 miles)
• Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (4.6 miles)
• Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital (4.8 miles)
• Lake Forest Hospital (5 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Hawthorn 12 (3.4 miles)
• Gurnee Mills Cinema Gurnee, Il (6.8 miles)
• Regal Lincolnshire & Imax (7.9 miles)