FirstLight HomeCare - West Suburban Boston, MA

Pros

• FirstLight Home Care is truly a miracle.
• The caregivers at FirstLight are kind, helpful, and proactive with elderly clients.
• The agency offers 100% accountability for their caregivers and everything that happens in the home.
• They go above and beyond.
• Management at FirstLight is easy to work with and caregivers are well matched to clients' needs.
• FirstLight does an excellent job vetting aides and ensuring compatibility with loved ones.
• Everything from office staff and scheduling to healthcare workers is first class.
• Best company ever.
• They arrange transportation when needed and can adjust schedules on short notice.
• The service provides peace of mind for families.

Cons

• There is more staff turnover throughout the industry.
• The mother was very reluctant to have someone in her house and said she would chase them out if they were brought in.
• It was a hard decision about what to do regarding the mother's continued mental decline.

Review

Two caregivers, both excellent! We're grateful for Kellyann and Nilza. That opening note captures the heart of our experience: First Light Home Care has been a steady, high-quality presence for our family for well over a year. Melissa has been handling our account with responsiveness and reliability, and the agency consistently lands qualified personnel to assist with Mom's needs. They've also been able to arrange transportation when required, which has been incredibly helpful, and they're adept at adjusting the schedule even on short notice. The aides are friendly, professional, and for the most part excellent, and we would gladly recommend First Light to anyone seeking in-home care for a loved one.

The team behind the care matters as much as the caregivers themselves, and FirstLight consistently demonstrates both kindness and proactive engagement. The caregivers assigned to my 94-year-old father are not only kind and helpful, but they're proactive about his daily routine, ensuring he has companionship and assistance with tasks around the house. They drive him to appointments and errands, providing peace of mind that someone is always there at the agreed-upon times. We receive regular communications and updates from the care managers who make sure all his needs are met, and the agency emphasizes accountability for their caregivers and everything that happens in the home. It's clear they go above and beyond.

Our positive experiences span a wide range of services and situations. The staff have delivered fantastic results, and the overall experience has prompted us to highly recommend their services for any future needs. Management at First Light is easy to work with, and the in-home caregiver they matched for our 93-year-old family member for post-surgery recovery was an excellent fit. The ability to adapt to evolving care requirements, the smooth coordination, and the assurance that the right person is in place have made a tangible difference during a delicate recovery period.

Flexibility and attentiveness are hallmarks of their approach. When we needed care for my mother-in-law, First Light offered a flexible schedule that fit our timing as we balanced work and home needs. Our caregiver arrives in the morning to handle wake, shower, dress, and breakfast routines, and will even take Mom out for a walk if weather permits. She's patient and experienced with seniors and dementia, which has been invaluable as we navigate different stages of care. The staff's support helps bridge the gap between independent living and full-time care, and for that we're profoundly thankful.

The office team deserves just as much praise as the caregivers. Everything from office staffing and scheduling to the healthcare workers themselves has been first class. Special thanks go to Angelica, who stood out as wonderful and instrumental in guiding us through a challenging period. The warmth and professionalism of the team gave our family confidence and comfort when we needed it most, and the lines of communication remained open and clear throughout.

There have been moments when timing was everything. I recall a moment when my husband, then 60, faced a nine-week hospitalization; we didn't know when discharge would come or how soon we'd need home help. A friend suggested Wendy at First Light, and she sprang into action - responding over a holiday weekend, sending paperwork promptly, and by the very next day arranging for someone to come by. Within 36 hours we had care arranged, and though his health was fluctuating, the continuity and calm provided by Wendy and the team were a steadying force. We needed only four weeks of FirstLight services, but the impact of that timely support was lasting, and we're grateful for the sense of security they gave us when it mattered most.

The experience of working with First Light is frequently described with heartfelt admiration. Stacey, a former principal and clinician, shared how Wendy and the staff went above and beyond to ensure a smooth transition and to provide clear, concise information. Her respect for the care and the person behind the care is a testament to the caliber of the team. Others have echoed this sentiment, noting that you can't teach someone to care, but First Light staff embody that care in every interaction. The level of competence, compassion, and reliability has left a lasting impression, and it's clear the agency prioritizes matching caregivers who genuinely connect with their clients.

Throughout these experiences, the overarching message is one of tangible improvement in quality of life and peace of mind. Families describe a caregiver presence that is steady, warm, and capable of handling the unique needs of those with Parkinson's and other neurological conditions, as well as autoimmune-related considerations and dementia. They've arranged light meals, laundry, and even at-home physical and occupational therapies when appropriate, underscoring a holistic approach to in-home care. The sense of being "not alone" in managing aging or illness, with a trusted partner in First Light, resonates in every testimonial and contributes to a sense of hope and well-being for both clients and their families.

Looking back across these stories, the throughline is clear: First Light Home Care brings not only skilled hands but also a compassionate, adaptable, and accountable approach. The care coordinators like Melissa and Wendy, the caregivers such as Glenda and the unnamed attentive teams, and the support staff in the office all contribute to a seamless, person-centered service. In moments of crisis, routine, or transition, the agency demonstrates that it can provide consistent, high-quality care that respects the dignity and routines of their clients, while offering families the reassurance that their loved ones will be safe, engaged, and well-supported at home.

Located in Needham Heights, Massachusetts, this area boasts a variety of amenities that cater to senior living. With several restaurants nearby such as Echo Bridge Restaurant, Truly Yogurt, and Corrib Pub & Restaurant, seniors can enjoy a range of dining options. Additionally, there are numerous pharmacies including CVS and Walgreens for convenient access to medications and healthcare supplies. For recreation and relaxation, residents can visit nearby parks like Newton Highlands Playground and Cutler Park. Easy access to transportation options like the MBTA Riverside Station and proximity to hospitals such as Newton-Wellesley Hospital make it a convenient location for seniors seeking medical care. With places of worship like Temple Shir Tikva and physicians in the vicinity like Dedham Medical, older adults can find comfort and convenience in this part of Needham Heights.

Restaurants

• Echo Bridge Restaurant (0.6 miles)
• McDonald's (1.2 miles)
• Truly Yogurt (3.2 miles)
• Corrib Pub & Restaurant (4.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (4.5 miles)
• Margaritas Mexican Restaurant (4.7 miles)
• Eggs & Thai Cafe (4.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Wegmans (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.1 miles)

Parks

• Newton Highlands Playground (1.4 miles)
• Cutler Park (2.2 miles)
• Larz Anderson Park (5 miles)
• Pagel Playground (5.9 miles)
• Jamaica Pond (5.9 miles)
• Olmsted Park (6 miles)
• Natick Common (6.1 miles)

Cafes

• French Press Bakery & Cafe (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (3.5 miles)
• Starbucks (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)
• Mike's Donuts (6.3 miles)
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe (7.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Newton-Wellesley Hospital (1.9 miles)
• West Roxbury VA Hospital (3.7 miles)
• New England Baptist Outpatient Care Center (6.3 miles)
• McLean Hospital (6.5 miles)
• New England Baptist Hospital (6.6 miles)
• Lemuel Shattuck Hospital (6.7 miles)
• Brigham and Women's Hospital (6.7 miles)

Transportation

• MBTA Riverside Station (2.5 miles)
• MBTA Reservoir Station (4.7 miles)
• Readville (6.8 miles)
• MBTA Fenway Station (7.1 miles)
• MBTA Kenmore Station (7.6 miles)
• MBTA Ruggles Station (7.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Parish of the Messiah (2.8 miles)
• Temple Shir Tikva (7 miles)
• Our Lady's Church (7.1 miles)
• St Paul Parish, Harvard Square (7.5 miles)

Physicians

• Dedham Medical (3 miles)
• Mersi (5.4 miles)
• Bidmc Lowry Building (6.6 miles)
• Mass. Eye and Ear (6.6 miles)
• Harvard Medical School (6.8 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates – Spinal Unit/Pain Management (7.2 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (7.3 miles)

Theaters

• Showcase SuperLux (3.3 miles)
• Cinema World Majestic 7 (5.4 miles)