BrightStar Healthcare

Pros

• Elvida (Ella) Music provided amazing care for the infant and toddler and was described as the most professional and proactive babysitter.
• Renee is described as compassionate and kind, always looking out for her dad's best interests.
• Elizabeth M from BrightStar Care is reliable, compassionate, professional and respectful, delivering excellent care.
• Amanda Duplain is caring, kind, smiling, and patient, making her clients feel comfortable.
• Lois has become part of the family, treats the child like her own, and goes far above expectations.
• Zack Brandmeyer is friendly, outgoing, diligent, and engaged with residents and the community.
• BrightStar Care delivered 5-star care on short notice and was compassionate and kind.
• Julie Laramie, RN, is professional, knowledgeable, punctual, and flexible.
• Angela is dedicated, always on time, takes initiative, and provides thoughtful ideas for care.
• Sheila provides end-of-life care with kindness and patience, bringing peace and joy.
• Grace and Q are wonderful caregivers who provide invaluable peace of mind.
• Creek Valley residents appreciate the peace of mind BrightStar Care offers through its support services and therapy.

Cons

• They don't care about the clients.
• They kept workers there who did not care for the clients.
• It was a truly disappointing experience.
• For families with special needs, this is not the right company.
• Their workers are inexperienced and have an utter lack of compassion.
• The woman who answered the call blamed it back on a client who is disabled, autistic and deaf.
• One caregiver was on the phone for over an hour while on duty and then physically abused a family member.
• The nurse Andrea provided horrible bedside service and did not check up on the clients or their loved ones.
• The company overpromises and under-delivers, and sometimes disappears.
• The company ghosted after many promises.

Review

The tapestry of care described by families and communities connected to BrightStar Care is filled with warmth, reliability, and a shared belief that the right caregiver can transform a difficult time into one of comfort and connection. Across infant care, elder support, hospice journeys, and even hospice-adjacent needs, the stories center on dedicated individuals who show up with patience, skill, and a genuine willingness to adapt to what each family and each moment requires. One of the most resonant notes is how a single caregiver's approach can ease anxiety for parents and give children a sense of safety and delight. Elvida, also known as Ella, stands out for many: she cared for an infant and a toddler with a balance of play and routines, maintaining a calm, proactive presence that allowed parents to feel completely at ease leaving their children in her hands. The combination of engaging activities for a curious toddler and gentle, attentive care for a younger child created moments of real connection and reassurance for the whole family.

In the realm of elder and end-of-life care, the testimonials emphasize steadiness, empathy, and trustworthy competence. Renee highlights the profound difference of having a caregiver who is compassionate and consistently looking out for her 99-year-old father, noting a relief that comes from knowing he is in good hands. The theme of compassionate companionship extends to hospice-adjacent scenarios as well, where families describe the value of a caregiver who can accompany a loved one with grace, dignity, and a personal touch. One caregiver, Amanda Duplain, is singled out for spending extra time, offering reassurance, and making a hesitant family feel secure about the care plan. The impressions of Amanda are echoed in other caregiving moments where a nurse's presence - trustworthy, patient, and warmly practical - helped a mother in hospice look forward to each day.

The pervasiveness of reliable, high-quality caregiving is further reinforced by individual stories of staff members who become part of the family through their consistent care. Lois, a BrightStar nurse, is described as someone who has become more than a caregiver; she is a familiar, trusted figure who treats a child as if they were her own, balancing development-focused activities with outdoor time and ongoing support. The sense of partnership extends to the broader team as well, with residents and families at Creek Valley praising Zack Brandmeyer for his customer-service orientation and the sense of confidence he brings to a community that emphasizes aging in place. The ongoing message from these accounts is that having a dependable care partner can deliver not only practical assistance but also peace of mind, allowing families to focus on shared moments rather than logistics.

The breadth of BrightStar Care's impact is underscored by accounts of rapid responsiveness and the ability to step in on short notice. One family described BrightStar as "amazing" when short-term care was needed unexpectedly, noting five-star care and genuine compassion. In another set of reflections, Julie Laramie, RN, is recognized for professionalism, timeliness, and flexibility in handling leg wound care, which further highlighted the capacity of the organization to provide specialized, on-schedule nursing when needed. The testimonials also celebrate the everyday contributions of caregivers who bring thoughtful, practical ideas to medical and personal routines, exemplified by Angela, who is described as consistently punctual, proactive, and dependable even in challenging weather, offering recommendations that enhanced the client's care beyond the basics.

Yet, the collection of experiences is not without its cautions. Several reviews acknowledge that the quality of care can vary, and that not every interaction meets every expectation. One account notes a client-facing challenge: a perception that some workers did not ultimately meet the care standards expected, accompanied by messages of frustration about the care process failing to align with the client's needs. Another narrative describes a deeply disappointing experience with a caregiver company that struggled to support a family member with special needs, including a caregiver who appeared inattentive and a situation in which a caregiver allegedly engaged in inappropriate behavior. A later review cites a specific concern about a nurse who provided poor bedside manner and inconsistent follow-up, reminding readers that strong care requires consistent, compassionate, and respectful interactions. An older experience recounted by a patient noting a nurse's unreliable support and logistical missteps - such as difficulties securing medications - emphasizes that reliability and proper coordination are essential components of truly quality in-home care.

Taken together, these perspectives sketch a nuanced portrait of in-home care as both profoundly meaningful and complex. The positive experiences foreground individuals who approach care as a calling: caregivers who arrive on time, who listen, who customize activities to fit each child or elder's needs, and who foster a sense of safety that families can lean on during tense or transitional moments. The caregiver who becomes part of the family, the nurse who treats a patient with dignity in hospice, and the coordinator who keeps schedules and needs in sync - all of these elements cohere into a broader narrative about the value of compassionate, reliable, and adaptable home care. At its best, BrightStar Care is described as providing an "extra layer" of support, one that invites families to keep loved ones at home with confidence, supported by a network that strives to adapt to evolving needs and to honor the humanity of every person receiving care.

For families considering in-home care, the stories offer a spectrum of lessons: the importance of pairing families with caregivers who demonstrate proactive engagement and a calming presence; the benefit of a well-coordinated team that can respond quickly to changing requirements; and the reality that genuine care depends on ongoing communication, accountability, and alignment of expectations. The consistent threads - compassion, reliability, and a genuine commitment to improving lives - shine through in the majority of accounts, even as they acknowledge that no service is immune to occasional missteps. In the end, these voices converge on a hopeful takeaway: with careful matchmaking, clear communication, and a shared dedication to patient and family dignity, in-home care can bring peace of mind, meaningful connection, and moments of joy during challenging times.

This particular area of Florissant, Missouri offers a variety of amenities and services that may appeal to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient place to live. With a range of dining options including Culver's, Doughnut Cupboard, and Pearl Cafe nearby, residents can enjoy delicious meals without having to travel far. Additionally, St Ferdinand Park provides a peaceful outdoor space for leisurely walks or relaxation. Access to pharmacies like Dierbergs and Walgreens ensures easy access to medication and healthcare supplies. For those in need of medical assistance, Christian Hospital and DePaul Health Center are both within a reasonable distance. The proximity to the St. Louis Lambert International Airport may be convenient for visiting family or travelling purposes. Overall, this area offers a blend of convenience, healthcare facilities, dining options, and recreational areas that make it a desirable location for senior living in Florissant.

Restaurants

• Culver's (0.1 miles)
• Doughnut Cupboard (0.3 miles)
• Henkes Tavern (0.5 miles)
• Mann Meats (0.5 miles)
• Narrow Gauge Brewing Company (0.6 miles)
• Florissant City Diner (0.8 miles)
• Pearl Cafe (0.8 miles)

Parks

• St Ferdinand Park (0.3 miles)
• Blanchette Memorial Hall (8.3 miles)
• Frontier Park (8.3 miles)
• Piasa Park (9.8 miles)
• Creve Coeur Park (9.8 miles)
• Wohl Recreation Center / Sherman Park (10.1 miles)

Cafes

• Made. by Lia (0.5 miles)
• Old Town Donut Shop (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (1.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (9.7 miles)
• Starbucks (10 miles)

Pharmacies

• Dierbergs (0.6 miles)
• Schnucks (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Schnucks (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Schnucks (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)

Transportation

• St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) (4.4 miles)
• TSA PreCheck A Gates (4.4 miles)
• TSA Security Checkpoint Gates C & D (4.4 miles)
• Terminal 1 (4.5 miles)
• Terminal 1 Passenger Pickup (4.5 miles)
• Southwest Airlines (4.5 miles)
• Terminal 2 Parking (4.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Christian Hospital (5.1 miles)
• DePaul Health Center - Emergency Room (6.5 miles)
• DePaul Hospital (6.5 miles)
• St Joseph's Hospital (8.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Ann Catholic School (6.8 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Streets Of St Charles 8 (9.1 miles)

Physicians

• Walsh, Martin Ssm Health Outpatient Center Veterans Memorial Parkway (9.3 miles)