A First Name Basis - Northshore in Mandeville, LA

Pros

• The company is described as a wonderful place to work, with respectful, nice, and understanding people.
• The staff are described as delightful, and check-ins and check-outs are smooth even when traveling.
• The service and customer care are praised as great.
• The company is regarded as the best caregiving company, caring for both clients and caregivers and providing needed hours and support.
• The staff are described as great.
• The overall experience is described as excellent, with strong recommendations.
• The care provided is exceptional, with well-matched caregivers who truly connect with clients.
• The company is seen as reliable, with a pleasant and well-run environment.

Cons

• The company has had workers steal money and items from clients' homes, and management doesn't seem to care.
• There is a lack of reliable 24-hour care, with staff not showing up and replacements not being arranged.
• Office staff are described as unprofessional and unresponsive to concerns.
• Some caregivers spend too much time on their phones and neglect the client, not following instructions.
• Caregivers sometimes arrive late or call in sick, leaving clients without proper coverage.
• An abrasive administrator allegedly blames clients for problems with caregivers.

Review

A First Name Basis - Northshore is best suited for families seeking a hands-on in-home caregiving partner that values personalized caregiver matching, strong support for the care team, and flexibility when schedules shift. The model appears to work well for clients who travel or have variable needs, because the agency has shown capacity to coordinate check-ins and check-outs across locations with enough smoothness to ease family planning. This is a practical choice for those who want warmth and a caregiving culture that emphasizes relationship-building between the caregiver and the recipient, rather than a purely transactional arrangement.

Those who should consider alternatives include families needing unwavering, reliably staffed 24/7 coverage and a governance framework that consistently holds teams accountable. Several reviews raise red flags about theft, missed shifts, and inconsistent office responsiveness, suggesting gaps in coverage and incident handling. For clients with high vulnerability, complex medical requirements, or a history of placing trust in the agency's ability to replace staff promptly, these issues could outweigh any positives and make an alternative provider or a facility with on-site supervision a safer bet.

The strongest pro for Northshore is the emphasis on care teams that feel personally connected to clients. The company's own messaging and positive testimonials point to genuine concern for both clients and caregivers, with an explicit goal of ensuring adequate hours and support. When a client finds a caregiver who truly "gets it," the impact can be profound - reducing frustration for families and lowering caregiver burnout. That human-centered approach can translate into meaningful daily quality of life improvements for loved ones who benefit from consistent, compassionate attention.

Another clear positive is the service mindset reflected in customer interactions. Families report responsive, courteous communication and a sincere effort to accommodate needs and preferences, which matters a great deal when coordinating care around travel plans or special occasions. For families that value a practical, service-oriented culture in caregiving, these elements can offset some scheduling friction and create a foundation of trust that is hard to find in less relational operations.

Yet the cons are not incidental and warrant hard consideration. Allegations of theft and inconsistent staffing, combined with reports that management does not always escalate or replace missing caregivers promptly, undermine the safety net families rely on. Disruptions - such as a sitter not showing up, or staff who appear distracted or preoccupied - can place an elderly or disabled loved one at risk. Additionally, a few accounts describe a heavy dependence on "warm bodies" rather than vetted, stable teams, and even references to staff overusing personal phones during shifts. These issues demand rigorous safeguards and explicit, enforceable expectations.

The bottom-line decision is practical and clear. A First Name Basis Northshore can be a strong match for families prioritizing caregiver compatibility, flexible logistics, and a service-oriented culture, provided clear safeguards are in place to mitigate risk. For households where consistent staffing, rigorous incident resolution, and proactive office guidance are non-negotiable, exploring alternatives or an assisted living option with on-site supervision may be prudent. Prospective families should demand concrete backup plans, detailed coverage protocols, and written service-level agreements; arrange a trial period if possible; and speak with multiple clients and caregivers to verify that the current strengths align with the specific care needs and risk tolerance before committing long-term.

This particular area of Mandeville, Louisiana boasts a variety of dining options ranging from upscale restaurants like Pat Gallaghers 527 and Trey Yuen Cuisine Of China to more casual spots like Waffle House and Liz's Where Y'at Diner. Nearby medical facilities include The Fertility Institute and Ochsner Clinic Northshore, ensuring easy access to quality healthcare services. Additionally, there are several pharmacies in close proximity for convenient medication needs. For those looking to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee, cafes such as Cafe Du Monde Coffee Stand and Starbucks are just a short drive away. Places of worship like St Timothy On The North Shore provide spiritual fulfillment, while entertainment can be found at Movie Tavern Covington. Overall, this part of Mandeville offers a blend of amenities that cater to varied interests and needs, making it an attractive option for seniors seeking a vibrant community with convenient amenities.

Restaurants

• Pat Gallaghers 527 (0.4 miles)
• Trey Yuen Cuisine Of China (0.5 miles)
• Lago Mexican Restaurant (1.2 miles)
• Waffle House (1.2 miles)
• Liz's Where Y'at Diner (1.3 miles)
• The Barley Oak (1.6 miles)
• Rips On The Lake (1.8 miles)

Physicians

• The Fertility Institute (0.7 miles)
• Ochsner Clinic Northshore (1.1 miles)
• Acadian Care (1.1 miles)
• Acadian Care Child Psychiatrist Clinic Mandeville (1.2 miles)
• Brian H Strand, MD FACS (1.3 miles)
• Leblanc Pediatrics Mandeville (1.3 miles)
• Slent (1.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Lurline Smith Mental Health Center (1.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• C & C Drugs (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Cafe Du Monde Coffee Stand (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• PJ s Coffee (1.9 miles)
• Pj's Coffee (2.3 miles)
• Abita Roasting Co. Madisonville (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Timothy On The North Shore (2 miles)

Theaters

• Movie Tavern Covington (4.6 miles)