Real Life Living Services

Pros

• Reviewers describe the clients as great and value the meaningful one-on-one interactions with them.
• Management is friendly, responsive, and supportive of staff.
• Real Life Living Services is seen as an awesome place to work with very flexible scheduling and great staff.
• Supervisors are helpful, answer questions, and assist with scheduling shifts.
• The company genuinely cares about clients and helps them remain independent at home by providing bathing, dressing, hygiene maintenance, light housekeeping, and cooking.
• Training is thorough, preparing staff to care for clients effectively.
• Scheduling is flexible and compensation is competitive, with positive client-staff pairings.
• Staff report meaningful relationships with clients and a real positive impact on lives.
• The work environment is welcoming, with kind-hearted, professional staff.
• People would recommend the company and describe it as a great place to work.

Cons

• The reviewer described the company as poorly run and unreliable, noting repeated failures to show for their special needs daughter.
• One reviewer stated that Chevy is horrible at her job.
• A reviewer called it the worst place to work, citing payroll delays (taking up to three weeks to get paid) and lack of client services during vacations due to scheduling issues.
• Another reviewer described the company as terribly run, under-staffed, leaving clients in dirty diapers or alone for hours, and paying employees late with poor overall organization.
• A reviewer would never recommend the company as an employer, criticizing minimal training, rapid client matching, and disorganized pay and paperwork.
• A reviewer reported coworkers arriving to meet clients in pajamas, indicating unprofessional behavior.

Review

Real Life Living Services is seen by many of its employees as a place where meaningful, one-on-one work with clients who have disabilities is valued and rewarded with flexible scheduling and supportive relationships. A large portion of reviewers highlight the opportunity to make a real difference in clients' lives, including helping them stay in their own homes and maintain independence. Staff frequently mention the rewarding nature of building meaningful relationships with clients and their families, learning something new every day, and feeling that their presence and care have a tangible, positive impact. The job is often described as fitting well with school schedules and personal life, making it an attractive option for students or those seeking a flexible caregiving role.

Several reviewers emphasize the care-oriented culture of the company. They praise the emphasis on client happiness, daily interactions, and the sense that staff are part of a larger mission to provide high-quality, compassionate care. The services offered - ranging from bathing, dressing, and hygiene to light housekeeping and cooking - are framed as essential supports that help clients live more independently at home. In this light, working for Real Life Living Services feels less like a routine job and more like a calling, with staff taking pride in the relationships they build and the positive difference they can make in someone's life.

On the management and scheduling side, experiences are mixed but tend toward the positive in many reviews. Several comments point to friendly, accessible managers who answer questions and support staff. Supervisors are described as helpful when it comes to scheduling shifts and resolving issues, which contributes to a feeling of being supported in meeting both client needs and personal commitments. Some reviews also mention ongoing, on-site or readily available training that helps new employees feel prepared to care for clients. In addition, several reviewers note that the company is flexible and accommodating, which is a strong selling point for students or those balancing other responsibilities.

However, there are significant concerns raised about organization and reliability. A number of reviewers describe the company as poorly organized or unreliable, with complaints about inconsistent pay, late pay stubs, or payroll issues. Some recount experiences of being told there was no other option but to take a client, even when other options were available, which can create stress and a sense of being overburdened. There are also remarks about paperwork, W-2s, and general administrative chaos, including reports of coworkers arriving late or inappropriately dressed for client meetings, and criticism that the system does not always keep track of essential documents. These issues contribute to a perception that, despite the rewarding nature of the work, there are systemic problems that can affect staff morale and financial security.

Within the reviews, there are a few sharp negative outliers. One or two individuals mention specific staff members or supervisors who were perceived as unhelpful or damaging to the team, and a particularly strong critique describes the workplace as disastrously mismanaged with a disregard for both clients and employees. These comments stand out as warnings about organizational health and reliability, contrasting with many positive narratives and underscoring that experiences can vary widely depending on location, management, and timing.

Overall, Real Life Living Services appears to offer a compelling, purpose-driven role for those who value direct client support and flexible scheduling, with many staff members forming strong bonds with clients and feeling their work matters. Yet potential employees should be aware of the caveats raised by several reviewers: organizational and payroll inefficiencies, variability in management effectiveness, and inconsistency in pay and paperwork processes. For families seeking services, the core promise remains robust - the ability to maintain independence and receive compassionate care at home - though they should be mindful of the possibility of experience differences from one office or supervisor to another.

The area of Grand Rapids, Michigan, described in the list provided offers a range of amenities and services suitable for senior living. Residents in this location have access to a variety of dining options, including bars and grills, pubs, fast-food chains, and family-friendly restaurants. Additionally, there are several parks nearby for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Pharmacies are conveniently located within a short distance for easy access to medication and healthcare needs. Local cafes provide opportunities for socializing and enjoying coffee or light meals. For medical care, there are multiple physicians' offices and hospitals within a few miles' radius. Residents also have options for entertainment with theaters hosting movie screenings nearby. Places of worship offer spiritual support and community engagement for those seeking religious involvement. Overall, this part of Grand Rapids presents a well-rounded environment that caters to various lifestyle needs for seniors looking to settle in the area.

Restaurants

• Charlies Bar & Grill (0.8 miles)
• Bud & Stanleys Pub & Grub (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1.3 miles)
• Russ' Restaurant (1.6 miles)
• Cheers Good Time Saloons (1.7 miles)
• Frosty Boy Grand Rapids (1.8 miles)
• Mill Creek Tavern (1.8 miles)

Parks

• Huff Park (1 miles)
• Riverside Park (1.4 miles)
• Provin Trails Park (2.2 miles)
• Belknap Park (2.8 miles)
• Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (3.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Meijer Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Family Fare Supermarkets (2.1 miles)
• Meijer Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Meijer Pharmacy (2.7 miles)

Cafes

• Biggby Coffee (1.8 miles)
• Kitchen 67 (2.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)
• Rowster New American Coffee (4.3 miles)
• The Intersection (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)

Physicians

• Metro Health Comstock Park (2.1 miles)
• Alpine Oral Surgery (2.2 miles)
• Decatur Vein Clinic (2.5 miles)
• 4D Moments (2.6 miles)
• Advantage Health (2.7 miles)
• Eye Plastic And Facial Cosmetic Surgery (2.8 miles)
• Maupin, Bernard Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan (2.9 miles)

Theaters

• Celebration Cinema Grand Rapids North & IMAX (2.5 miles)
• Studio Park (4.2 miles)
• Celebration Cinema Stu (4.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Spectrum Health (3.4 miles)
• Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion (3.4 miles)
• Helen Devos Children Emergency Room (3.5 miles)
• Richard J. Lacks Sr. Cancer Center (4.1 miles)
• Trinity Health Birth Center - Grand Rapids Hospital (4.2 miles)
• St Marys Hospital (4.2 miles)
• Blodgett Hospital (4.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Ada Bible Church (3.5 miles)
• Temple Emanuel (3.7 miles)
• Grace Fellowship (3.7 miles)