SYNERGY Homecare of Bergen County

Pros

• Vickie was kind, comforting, and took time to discuss the process with the family.
• Vickie's effort and genuine, down-to-earth kindness were highly appreciated.
• The caregivers were outstanding and treated the client as if they were their own.
• Management did whatever they could to help, including constant schedule changes and late-night calls.
• Leslie paid attention to detail when writing the care plan.
• Josefina is a compassionate caregiver with a huge heart.
• Scarlett, the on-call coordinator, is always available and ensures shifts are covered.
• Rosita and Omyra are consistently available and professional.
• David, Sandy, and Vickie have been amazing to work with and treat clients like family.
• Vickie was tremendous in helping locate a caregiver during a difficult time.

Cons

• The agency rushed the process, spoke to her condescendingly, and pressured her to hand over sensitive information without clear explanation.
• Her paperwork was aggressively taken from her and she was not allowed to keep her own documents, leaving her uneasy about how her information was handled.
• The entire process felt disorganized, misleading, and exploitative.
• The experience was described as extremely unprofessional (as highlighted by the "Applicants Beware" section).

Review

Families facing the decision of who will assist with care in the weeks after a hospital stay often search for a blend of practical support and human warmth. In reviewing the experiences shared about Synergy HomeCare, a clear pattern emerges: compassionate, attentive staff and careful attention to what families are going through can make a difficult period a little more manageable, even when lives take unexpected turns.

One account centers on reaching out to Synergy while a mother was still in the hospital and the family was considering third-party help once she returned home for hospice care. Vickie from the office responded with extraordinary kindness, taking time to speak at length about the realities of caregiving for a parent. She shared personal experiences that the family deeply appreciated, offering a down-to-earth, comforting manner that felt genuine rather than performative. Vickie then visited the family at the hospital to assess the situation, provide information, and reinforce a sense of reassurance. Although the family ultimately did not hire anyone because the mother passed home just a few days after discharge, they came away with gratitude for the manner in which Vickie handled the conversation and the care she extended. Even without purchasing services, they recognize the value of that compassionate interaction.

Yet, not all experiences with any agency are uniformly positive, and one testimonial documents a markedly different interaction. The reviewer described a problem-filled experience characterized by a sense of being rushed, spoken to condescendingly, and pressured to disclose sensitive information without clear explanations. They alleged aggressive handling of paperwork - being unable to take their own documents home and being shown some items shredded - leaving them unsettled about how information was managed. The reviewer described the overall process as disorganized, misleading, and exploitative. This stands in stark contrast to the countless accounts of care and warmth that follow, serving as a cautionary note about the importance of respectful, transparent processes and rigorous privacy practices in home-care arrangements.

In another long-running relationship, families speak of an eight-year affiliation with Synergy that left them with overwhelmingly positive memories. The reviewer described the entire experience as wonderful: caregivers who treated the mother as if she were their own, and management that went above and beyond - managing constant schedule changes and late-night phone calls with a calm, proactive approach. The message is clear: for some clients and families, Synergy isn't just a service provider; it becomes a trusted partner in ongoing care, capable of adapting to the evolving needs of an aging loved one.

Several entries highlight first-day impressions that set the tone for ongoing trust. One account lauds an amazing first day with a caregiver named Josefina, who demonstrated compassion and a big heart. The care plan was crafted with diligence by Leslie, and questions directed to Vickie were answered promptly and efficiently, reinforcing the family's confidence in choosing Synergy. When a company demonstrates that level of attentiveness from day one, it often translates into a broader sense of reliability as care continues.

A recurring theme across many reviews is the notion that family members feel listened to and supported as they navigate complex caregiving demands. A testimonial from well over a year ago notes that signing up with Synergy was "the best choice" for a mom, with staff described as amazing and highly accommodating. Specific names recur with gratitude: Scarlett as on-call coordinator, Rosita and Omyra for their availability and professionalism in answering questions, and Leslie for a well-written care plan. The family also highlights David, Sandy, and Vickie as people who worked hard to ensure that mom received care as if she were part of a family, rather than just a client.

Another reviewer recounts the difficulties of coordinating care from far away, while praising the agency's efficiency and flexibility. Vicky's assistance in locating a caregiver for a mom who had contracted COVID is cited as particularly valuable; the mother-in-law's stay involved changes in location and sudden needs, yet the team managed to respond with quick communication, timely arrivals, and adaptability to shifting circumstances.

Long-term relationships with caregivers also stand out in these testimonials. Lydia Etoro and Elizabeth Viven are named as exemplary aides who delivered not only competence but genuine kindness to a husband with Alzheimer's, with the reviewer noting that the aides were able to help them through a very challenging period. Other names - Gia (Gianina) and Sacha - are praised for diligence, attention, and a personal touch that helped the family feel confident about ongoing care. When caregivers build a bond with a patient and their family, the sense of continuity and trust can transform what is otherwise a stressful experience into something more manageable and even meaningful.

Several testimonials emphasize the broader strengths and commitments of the Synergy team. Live-in aides like Marjorie are described as mindful and highly ethical, becoming, in effect, part of the family and receiving periodic check-ins from the company to ensure continued well-being. Families repeatedly point to high standards of conduct and compassionate, patient-centered care as foundational strengths. The agency's coordinators - employees like Scarlett, Ashley, and Sandy - are highlighted for their responsiveness and professionalism, with specific anecdotes about finding the right caregiver on short notice, aligning shifts with changing needs, and maintaining a steady line of communication during transitions into home healthcare.

Taken together, these accounts paint a nuanced portrait of Synergy HomeCare: a company capable of delivering heartfelt, attentive care across a range of circumstances, from the most delicate hospital-to-home transitions to long-term, in-home support for chronic conditions. They also underscore the importance of approaches that protect patient privacy, maintain transparent processes, and preserve the dignity of the person receiving care. The consistent thread is that when the people involved - caregivers, coordinators, and family members - approach the situation with empathy, clear communication, and a willingness to adapt, home care can be a source of real relief and reassurance during trying times.

This part of Teaneck, New Jersey, offers a convenient and welcoming environment for senior living. With several hospitals in close proximity such as Holy Name Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, residents have access to quality healthcare services. There are also a variety of dining options ranging from fast food chains like McDonald's to upscale restaurants like Houston's and The River Palm Terrace. Additionally, the area boasts plenty of pharmacies for medication needs and cafes for social gatherings. Parks like Van Saun County Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, while nearby transportation options such as MTA Subway stations make it easy to navigate the city. Places of worship like The Riverdale Minyan offer spiritual support for those seeking it. Overall, this neighborhood provides a diverse range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment.

Hospitals

• Holy Name Medical Center (0.6 miles)
• Milstein Hospital Building (4.6 miles)
• Russ Berrie Medical Science Pavilion (4.8 miles)
• NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital (4.9 miles)
• Bronx VA Medical Center (5.3 miles)
• St Barnabas Hospital (6.4 miles)
• Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center (6.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC DINE-IN Shops At Riverside 9 (1.7 miles)
• Dreamscape at AMC Garden State Plaza (4.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Houston's (1.8 miles)
• McDonald's (1.8 miles)
• McDonald's (1.9 miles)
• McDonald's (2.6 miles)
• Kura Revolving Sushi Bar (3 miles)
• McDonald's (3 miles)
• The River Palm Terrace (3.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)

Cafes

• Bogota Press Cafe (2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.7 miles)
• Kuppi Coffee Company (5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)
• Pier I Cafe (7.6 miles)

Parks

• Flat Rock Brook Nature Center (2.2 miles)
• Van Saun County Park (3.7 miles)
• J. Hood Wright Park (4.4 miles)
• Inwood Hill Park (4.6 miles)
• Riverdale Park (4.6 miles)
• St Nicholas Park (5.6 miles)
• Saddle River County Park - Dunkerhook Area (6.4 miles)

Physicians

• Park Medical Group PA (3.8 miles)
• Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital (4.7 miles)
• Kayal Orthopedic - Westwood (6.6 miles)
• Cummings, Allegra Weill Cornell Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology (7.4 miles)

Transportation

• MTA Subway - 190th St (4.3 miles)
• MTA Subway - 181st St (4.3 miles)
• MTA Subway - Dyckman St (4.6 miles)
• MTA Subway - Inwood/207th St (4.6 miles)
• MTA Subway - 168th St (4.7 miles)
• Metro North - Riverdale Station (4.8 miles)
• MTA Subway - Fordham Rd (5.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• The Riverdale Minyan (4.7 miles)
• Bais Torah U'tefilah (7 miles)
• Ahavas Israel (7.2 miles)
• Clifton Blue Mosque (7.5 miles)