Golden Heart Senior Care - Des Moines

Pros

• The caregivers provided by Golden Heart are professional, caring, and flexible in their approach to care.
• Families have expressed gratitude for the empathetic and determined support offered by the staff during challenging times.
• Clients appreciate the punctuality and reliability of their caregivers, noting that they consistently show up on time.
• The agency is commended for creating a positive match between caregivers and clients, fostering effective and supportive relationships.
• Golden Heart has been described as easy to work with, providing helpful guidance and ensuring clients' needs are met efficiently.
• Overall experiences with Golden Heart have been positive, with many families reporting satisfaction with the quality of care provided.

Cons

• The service is frequently interrupted, causing disruptions multiple times a year.
• Staff members lack professionalism and proper training, as evidenced by inappropriate dress and attendance issues.
• There are consistent failures in tracking goals by the staff.
• Many staff members show up late or not at all, leading to communication issues when trying to confirm absences.
• Unreliable vehicles among the staff have resulted in missed work and transportation challenges for clients.

Review

The experiences shared by families utilizing home care services reveal a diverse range of satisfaction levels with the quality of care provided. Some families have encountered significant challenges, particularly regarding staff professionalism and training. One parent expressed frustration after three years of service interruptions, leading to a need for regular retraining of staff members who frequently changed. A consistent theme in these criticisms is the lack of professionalism observed among caregivers, including inappropriate attire such as excessively short shorts that resemble bathing suit bottoms. This issue was compounded by logistical complications during appointments; staff often filled their time with personal errands rather than fully engaging in their caregiving roles, leaving families feeling undermined and unsupported.

Moreover, accountability appeared to be a frequent concern. The same parent noted that staff routinely failed to track goal progress, diminishing confidence in the service's effectiveness. Punctuality issues were also raised, with caregivers sometimes absent without notice due to unreliable transportation or sickness. This lack of communication created uncertainty for families who relied on timely support for their loved ones.

Contrastingly, other reviews highlighted positive experiences with companies like Golden Heart. Families spoke highly of Golden Heart’s commitment to providing compassionate and tailored care for their severely autistic sons and daughters. One parent described how this agency responded empathetically when they needed 24-hour care for their child instead of being placed in a group home—a pressing concern for many parents facing similar dilemmas. Golden Heart's willingness to accommodate individual needs while maintaining an attitude of flexibility and positivity has left an indelible mark on those they serve.

Further praise came from another family that emphasized the importance of matching caregivers to clients effectively. They reported satisfaction not only with the qualifications of the caregiver assigned but also noted that she fostered a strong connection with their loved one through attentive care that included light housekeeping duties and essential outings like grocery shopping. Such personalized attention demonstrated how vital it is for effective communication between families and agencies concerning caretaking preferences.

Similarly, another couple echoed similar sentiments about their caregiver’s contribution to improving their wife's quality of life by ensuring her basic needs were met while allowing them peace of mind regarding household conditions after each shift ended as if no transitions took place at all. Their appreciation extended beyond just functional caregiving; it also encompassed how seamless interactions made daily living easier during challenging times.

Overall, while some reviews presented grave concerns regarding staffing reliability and professionalism within certain agencies, others celebrated the transformative impact thoughtful caregiving can have on individuals requiring extensive support systems—illustrating that a solid partnership built upon empathy and open-mindedness can lead not only to personal satisfaction but also significantly enhance overall well-being for those receiving care.

In conclusion, these contrasting experiences highlight key areas where home care services must improve—such as staff training and professional standards—to ensure consistency in quality across different providers while recognizing the profound difference capable caregivers can make in individual lives when matched correctly with client needs.

Located in Urbandale, Iowa, this area offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities suitable for senior living. With a variety of restaurants such as Jimmy John's, Skip's, and Old West Mexican within close proximity, residents can enjoy a wide selection of dining options. Nearby parks like Water Works Park and Gray's Lake Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Additionally, there are several cafes including Starbucks and Panera Bread for those looking to socialize or unwind with a hot beverage. For medical needs, there are several pharmacies and physicians offices in the vicinity, ensuring easy access to healthcare services. Transportation is also readily available with the Des Moines International Airport nearby. Overall, this part of Urbandale offers a vibrant community with convenient amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area.

Restaurants

• Jimmy John's (1.3 miles)
• Skip's (1.4 miles)
• Francies (1.4 miles)
• Old West Mexican (1.4 miles)
• Subway (1.4 miles)
• McDonald's (1.4 miles)
• Burger King (1.5 miles)

Parks

• Water Works Park (1.4 miles)
• Gray's Lake Park (1.7 miles)
• Sayers Park (2 miles)
• Stone Park (3.4 miles)
• Kawanis Park (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.5 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (2.5 miles)
• St Kilda Collective (2.5 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)
• Starbucks (4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• Dahl's Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• MercyOne Des Moines Behavioral Health (3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)

Transportation

• Concourse C (1.6 miles)
• TSA Checkpoint (1.7 miles)
• Des Moines International Airport (DSM) (1.7 miles)

Physicians

• WDF Plastic Surgery (2.5 miles)
• Oral Surgeons PC (2.7 miles)
• Unity Point Family Physicians (2.7 miles)
• Ingersoll Family Physicians (2.8 miles)
• Unity point clinic urgent care and family care (2.8 miles)
• Prenatal Vision Ultrasound (3 miles)
• Mercy Clinics (3 miles)

Hospitals

• Spay Clinics (3.1 miles)
• Blank Children's Hospital NICU (3.3 miles)
• Methodist Outpatient Surgery (3.3 miles)
• Methodist Hospital North 6 (3.3 miles)
• UnityPoint Health - Iowa Methodist Medical Center - Emergency Department (3.3 miles)
• North 3 - IMMC (3.3 miles)
• Mercy River Hills Surgery Center (4 miles)