Home Instead - Lafayette, LA

Pros

• Maddie was incredibly helpful, nice, and clearly cared deeply.
• Crystal and Melissa were always helpful and informative.
• Bree did a good job as the caregiver for the parents.
• Madeleine Dronet went above and beyond, providing invaluable information and resources, and genuinely cares.
• Home Instead helped the family through a difficult and stressful time.
• The company is very helpful and friendly; it is the best home care in Lafayette, LA.

Cons

• They claim the company is among the lowest paid employers of caregivers in the country.
• They state that caregivers are paid only $8.50 per hour, which is described as disgusting.
• They criticize the company for spending nearly $10,000 a month on a lease in a fancy building while underpaying staff.
• They assert that services are not up to par and providers are inadequately trained.
• They accuse the company of defending its poor services by lying to cover up instead of trying to improve.
• They say the company cared less about giving good service to a US veteran.

Review

A recent collection of caregiver service reviews paints a picture of a company that inspires strong, sometimes conflicting, reactions from families who rely on it. On one hand, clients describe a highly polished facility presence in a River Ranch building, accompanied by legitimate frustration about wages and compensation. The lease for the building is noted as nearly $10,000 a month, and some reviewers argue that the company's caregivers are paid at the bottom end of the scale. One reader bluntly calls this combination "sickening," insisting that $8.50 an hour for the work these caregivers perform is "disgusting." Those tensions between a luxurious setting and modest pay are a recurring thread in the feedback, shaping a sentiment that the business's outward image may not align with the compensation experienced by frontline workers.

Amid the tension about pay and management decisions, several reviews highlight deeply positive personal experiences with individual caregivers. After the reviewers' parents contracted Covid, they arranged for a sitter through the company and found Maddie to be unbelievably helpful and kind. The sentiment is clear: "You can tell that she cares deeply!" In addition to Maddie, the families describe daily communication with Crystal and Melissa, who were consistently helpful and informative. Bree, who cared for the reviewers' parents, is also singled out, even though the reviewer never had the chance to meet her personally; they nonetheless felt confident in the care Bree provided. Taken together, these notes illustrate how a single caregiver's demeanor and ongoing communication can leave a lasting, positive impression during a stressful period.

At the center of the most emphatic praise is Madeleine Dronet. In a dedicated tribute, the reviewer states that "throughout this entire process, she has gone above and beyond to provide my family with invaluable information and resources." The message is personal and powerful: Madeleine "genuinely cares," a quality the reviewer believes is hard to come by. The gratitude is not merely for the practical help but for the demonstrable care and dedication that Madeleine shows. This level of commitment is described as something that stands out in the caregiving field, and it's presented as a defining strength of the company when a particular staff member leads with empathy and proactive support.

Yet the reviews don't shy away from sharp criticism. One reviewer insists that improvements are needed, arguing that "Until their services are up to par and service providers are adequately trained this company has much to learn." The accusation goes beyond individual complaints, suggesting a systemic issue with training and quality control. The reviewer also asserts a troubling pattern: some representatives defend subpar services through what they describe as "lying to cover up instead of trying to improve." That critique reflects a lack of faith in the company's responsiveness to problems and a demand for more transparent, accountable service. In addition, the reviewer identifies themselves as a US Veteran and conveys a sense of disappointment in the level of service received, highlighting a belief that the needs of veterans may not be prioritized.

Despite the criticisms, there are affirmations of usefulness and friendliness that buoy the overall impression for some readers. One reviewer calls the company "very helpful and friendly" and even goes so far as to call it "the best home care in Lafayette LA." This positive frame emphasizes a contrast within the same community: while some experiences evoke serious concerns about wages and training, others celebrate the warmth, accessibility, and practical support provided by the staff. It's a reminder that in-home care is highly individualized - what works beautifully for one family may fall short for another, depending on the specific caregivers, coordinators, and circumstances involved.

Taken together, the collection of notes presents a complex portrait of Home Instead in this community. On the positive side, families recount compassionate caregivers who show genuine concern, consistent communication, and a clear willingness to go the extra mile in difficult times. Madeleine Dronet is highlighted as a remarkable example of the kind of person who can transform a challenging caregiving process into a manageable, supported experience. On the other hand, there are strong calls for improved training and oversight, paired with concerns about compensation and the broader corporate choices that shape the environment in which caregivers operate. These perspectives converge to suggest that the company's reputation at the local level is built on both its standout staff members and the ongoing debates about how care should be structured and valued.

For anyone considering Home Instead in Lafayette or similar markets, these reviews encourage a careful, multi-faceted assessment. They highlight the importance of interviewing caregivers personally, requesting specific references, and understanding the scheduling, training, and oversight processes that will directly impact daily life for clients and peace of mind for families. They also underscore the potential for extraordinary connection with caregivers who demonstrate genuine care, as illustrated by Maddie, Crystal, Melissa, Bree, and in particular Madeleine Dronet. At the same time, they serve as a reminder to scrutinize wage structures, training standards, and how management responds to concerns, so that the caregiving experience can be as reliable and compassionate as the best moments described by grateful families.

Pharmacies

• Sav-On Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Professional Arts Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Drug Emporium (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)

Physicians

• Southwest Neuroscience Center (0.2 miles)
• Ochsner Lafayette General Orthopaedic Center (0.3 miles)
• Vermilion Hospital Drug Rehabilitation - Susan E Uhrich MD (1 miles)
• Breast Center of Acadiana (2.2 miles)
• Maison Optique Vision Center (2.2 miles)
• Hall, Frederick Uhc Eye Clinic (2.7 miles)
• Azar Eye Clinic (2.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Church's Chicken (0.3 miles)
• Golden Corral (0.8 miles)
• McDonald's (0.9 miles)
• Taco Sisters (0.9 miles)
• El Pollo Loco (1 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (1 miles)
• Whataburger (1.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint Edmond Catholic Church (0.3 miles)
• Our Savior's Church Midtown Campus (1.1 miles)
• Family Life Church (1.7 miles)
• Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church (2.5 miles)
• The Bayou Church (3 miles)
• St Pius X (3.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Hamilton Medical Group (0.3 miles)
• Lafayette Behavioral Health Unit (1.6 miles)
• University Medical Center H R (2.2 miles)
• LCMC Health Children’s Hospital New Orleans Specialty Care - Lafayette (3.1 miles)
• Children's Hospital Burdin Riehl Clinic (3.3 miles)
• Lafayette Physical Rehabilitation Hospital (3.4 miles)
• Acadiana Management Group (3.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1 miles)
• Johnston Street Java (1.6 miles)
• Kung Fu Tea (2 miles)
• CC's Coffee House (2 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.1 miles)
• The Coffee Depot (2.7 miles)
• Benny's Sportshack (2.8 miles)

Parks

• Moncus Park (1.9 miles)
• Oakland Park (2.8 miles)
• Girard Park (3.1 miles)
• Scott Park (3.2 miles)

Theaters

• The Grand 14 - Ambassador Theatre (3.3 miles)