Preferred Care at Home - Montclair, NJ in Montclair, NJ

Pros

• They chose Preferred Care at Home and were delighted with the decision.
• The interaction with the owners was great, and the care provided was superb.
• The aide felt like an extension of the family and fit right in.
• Mario Parker is a hands-on, compassionate owner who is always available to listen and resolve issues.
• The care and oversight from Preferred Care at Home are outstanding, with a consistent aide who has gotten to know the loved one's schedule and preferences.
• The agency is professional, caring, and responsive, with careful caregiver selection.
• The staff speaks highly of how Mario treats aides, which motivates high-quality care.
• The agency has been recommended by United Way, reflecting trusted, professional service.
• The family has peace of mind knowing their parents are well cared for thanks to PCH-Montclair.

Cons

• The aide had a dispute with the care service over payment.
• A new aide had to be sent over after that dispute.
• It was hard on Mom to get to know a new caregiver who then had to leave.
• The family wished the aides could drive, since all errands and supplies had to be done by them.

Review

This Montclair-based agency is best suited for families that want deeply hands-on, in-home support that feels like a trusted extension of the family. Preferred Care at Home Montclair delivers around-the-clock, live-in care with caregivers who become integrated into daily routines, meals, and medication management. The leadership's visibility is a standout feature: a responsive owner who personally meets families, understands needs up front, and remains available to resolve issues. For households seeking stability, a caregiver who knows the patient's likes and dislikes, and a partner who treats the client's home as a VITAL care setting, this agency checks those boxes with conviction.

Those weighing alternatives should consider whether the schedule, role scope, and driving needs align with what in-home care can realistically deliver here. If the expectation is for caregivers to drive clients to appointments or run errands, this agency tends to rely on family members for transportation and errands, which can shift the burden back onto the household. Families seeking a more autonomous, medical-model environment with frequent interchangeable aides or with on-staff driving support may find other providers more suited to those priorities. While the care team is well-matched and stable in many cases, the occasional turnover or re-matching can be disruptive for seniors who thrive on routine.

The core strengths are hard to overlook when assessing overall value. The owner's hands-on approach translates into meticulous caregiver screening and thoughtful placement. Families consistently note that the same aide over months builds a meaningful rapport with the client, enabling personalized routines, better adherence to medications, and a calm, predictable day-to-day rhythm. The aides are described as compassionate and respectful, with the caregiver being treated as a member of the family rather than a hired responder. This level of investment from leadership creates a reliable backbone for daily care, backed by clear lines of communication and a willingness to address concerns directly.

Where the strongest pros meet real-world friction, the offsetting factors still hold considerable weight. The most notable con is a one-off disruption when a payment dispute led to a change in aides, which temporarily unsettled the loved one. In response, the owner's proactive involvement and rapid caregiver reassignment mitigated longer-term fallout and preserved trust. A further practical constraint is the lack of caregiver driving, which means errands and outside tasks often fall to family members. Yet the consistent, 24/7 live-in structure minimizes the need for frequent caretaker changes, supporting a steady routine that offsets inconvenience with predictability and peace of mind for the family.

Additional strengths that reinforce the overall value include strong external endorsements and a demonstrated ability to coordinate with other professionals. Families praise the agency's professionalism and careful caregiver selection, and they appreciate the ease of arranging ancillary supports, such as coordinating with geriatricians who offer house calls and accept Medicare. The care philosophy, as reflected in the testimonials, centers on dignity, warmth, and practical support - meals prepared with attention to nutrition, medication oversight, and housekeeping that keeps the living environment safe and comfortable. This holistic approach helps sustain independence for the client while reducing the caregiving burden on relatives.

In the end, the practical choice hinges on alignment with the client's priorities: if the criterion is a high-touch, deeply trusted in-home care partner with an executive team that is readily accessible and a caregiver pool that emphasizes compatibility and continuity, Preferred Care at Home Montclair stands out. Families that require everyday driving support or a more flexible, less intimate care model may want to explore alternatives. For those who value stability, personalized attention, and a responsive leadership style that treats the client and family like long-term partners, engaging with Mario Parker and his team offers a compelling path forward. Before committing, a prospective family should meet the owner, observe caregiver matching in action, discuss driving and errands expectations, and confirm a clear plan for continuity should turnover occur.

This part of Montclair, New Jersey offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. There are several pharmacies within close proximity, making it easy to access necessary medications. Additionally, there are numerous restaurants and cafes nearby for dining options. For recreation, there are parks within a short distance where seniors can enjoy nature and outdoor activities. The area also has various transportation options available, including train stations for easy travel. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable physicians and hospitals in the vicinity to ensure quality medical care when needed. Overall, this part of Montclair provides a well-rounded and accessible community for seniors looking to settle in the area.

Restaurants

• Applegate Farm (0.3 miles)
• Mercado Cafe & Kitchen (1 miles)
• Egan & Sons (2.5 miles)
• Faubourg (2.8 miles)
• McDonald's (3 miles)
• Wendy's (3.1 miles)
• The Rock Bar & Grill (3.3 miles)

Parks

• Anderson Park (1 miles)
• Edgemont Memorial Park (1.7 miles)
• Rutherford Memorial Park (4 miles)
• Eagle Rock Reservation (4.4 miles)
• Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (4.4 miles)
• South Mountain Reservation (4.5 miles)
• Degnan Memorial Park (4.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.1 miles)
• Paper Plane Coffee Co. (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.9 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.1 miles)
• Starbucks (6.4 miles)
• Starbucks (7.4 miles)

Transportation

• NJT - Watchung Station (1.7 miles)
• NJT - Brick Church Station (6.1 miles)
• East Orange Station (6.3 miles)
• NJT - Hawthorne Station (6.7 miles)
• Harrison Path Station (8.1 miles)
• Newark Penn Station (8.3 miles)

Physicians

• Summit Medical Group (2.8 miles)
• Women First Health Center (4.6 miles)
• Care Station Medical Group (5.1 miles)
• Paterson Community Health Center (5.1 miles)
• Summit Medical Group (5.3 miles)
• Retina Associates of New Jersey PA (6.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Clifton Blue Mosque (3 miles)
• Ahavas Israel (3.4 miles)
• Bais Torah U'tefilah (3.5 miles)
• Immaculate Heart Of Mary School (7.3 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Clifton Commons 16 (3.3 miles)
• Cinemark (4.3 miles)
• Dreamscape at AMC Garden State Plaza (7.6 miles)

Hospitals

• St Joseph's Regional Medical Center (3.8 miles)
• Saint Barnabas Medical Center (8.4 miles)