Ideal Home Care Services, Inc

Pros

• Ideal Home Care Service and the Ideal School of Allied Health Care are described as a quality operation led by founder Nicole Laborde.
• Nicole Laborde is praised for giving people a chance and for patient, supportive leadership with second-language speakers.
• The staff is described as excellent and highly appreciated.
• The company is noted for caring about both clients and employees, contributing to its strong reputation.
• Reviewers express gratitude for the agency's help with daily routines and needs, noting kindness throughout.
• Caregivers are described as kind, helpful, and always willing to assist.
• Brianna is described as a gentle, ever-ready, professionally capable, and pleasant Home Health Care Aide.
• Sori is described as a joy to have and an angel of mercy and care.
• Enrollment specialists Leo Urbadz and Angie Colman are praised as phenomenally best, professional, prompt, and tireless.
• Cindy, the coordinator, and the team are described as unbelievable in helping families during difficult times, with aides having giant hearts.
• The agency is highly recommended for all home care needs.
• The company is regarded as a great company to work with and to do business with.

Cons

• One reviewer called it the worst school in Long Island and warned not to waste money.
• Another reviewer described Ideal Home Care as unreliable, noting that aides often did not show up or staffing was unavailable.
• A reviewer stated that many aides failed to perform basic tasks like making beds or doing laundry.
• A reviewer wrote that they couldn't wait to switch and believed there must be a better agency.
• A reviewer claimed they would give zero stars and shared horror stories about abandonment and poor care.
• A reviewer alleged that a caregiver left their father unattended for almost six hours, and the father died afterward.
• A reviewer described the agency as filthy, noting aides did not clean and the apartment became moldy, with a sandwich wrapper left in a chair.
• A reviewer complained that the phone system did not work and it was impossible to reach anyone.

Review

Ideal Home Care Service, together with its school arm Ideal School of Allied Health Care, presents a picture of a company that aspires to quality through a people-focused approach. Led by founder Nicole Laborde, the organization is repeatedly described as trying to do its very best, with many reviewers noting a meticulous standard of care and a willingness to give staff and clients a fair chance to demonstrate what they can do. Several comments highlight Laborde's patient demeanor, particularly with second-language clients, and the overarching sense that the leadership values growth, compassion, and professional development.

A common thread in the positive reviews is the dependable warmth and professionalism of the staff. Clients frequently praise the care they receive, noting that the team treats clients with kindness and respect while maintaining a high level of competence. One reviewer called the staff "excellent," and another emphasized that the organization "cares for their clients and employees," suggesting a culture that reinforces mutual respect and attentiveness. The testimonials repeatedly credit individual aides for making a meaningful difference in daily routines, underscoring how attentive care can be both practical and emotionally supportive for patients and their families.

Gratitude for both the agency and the people who staff it also comes through strongly. Reviewers repeatedly express appreciation for the opportunity to help and learn through their work with Ideal, describing experiences that feel both personal and professionally meaningful. For instance, one commenter shared how working with clients has become an important part of their life journey, characterized by kindness and a willingness to help. Specific client stories embellish this narrative: a patient named Mr. Frank G., noted as polite and talkative, leaves a warm impression of the kind of relationships the agency fosters between caregivers and those they serve. The sentiment is that the organization supports a compassionate, family-like approach to care, where aides form genuine connections with those in their charge.

Several accounts celebrate the agency's responsiveness and flexibility in scheduling and staffing. People recount being treated like partners in care, with staff aiming to fit schedules to the client's needs. The praise isn't limited to home care aides alone; reviewers often mention the broader team, including coordinators and supervisors, as making a tangible difference in the client experience. In one case, two dedicated aides - referred to with affection as "two fantastic girls" - are credited with taking exemplary care of a 103-year-old godmother, treating her as if she were their own family member. The sense is of a cohesive, caring operation where staff members collaborate to ensure the best possible outcomes for those they serve.

Beyond direct care, the agency's education and enrollment side also receives positive attention. Reviewers commend the enrollment specialists for their professionalism and tireless help, with names such as Leo Urbadz and Angie Colman highlighted for their prompt and compassionate service. The school component earns its own resonance, with references to a wonderful teacher and heartfelt gratitude toward an instructor named Professor Angelica Vera. The expressions of blessing and support for teachers reflect a broader appreciation for the educational aspect of Ideal, alongside the hands-on care the agency provides at home.

However, not every review mirrors these strengths. A subset of feedback conveys significant concerns, including a starkly negative portrayal of the school and the overall reliability of the agency. One reviewer labeled the school as "Worst in Long Island," warning others away. On the home-care side, there are equally strong cautions: reports of aides not showing up, failures to perform basic tasks like bed-making or laundry, and allegations of abandonment. A detailed account describes a situation where a replacement aide was delayed for hours, leaving a bedridden patient unattended, with claims of miscommunication and insufficient response from the office. The same review paints a picture of an agency that did not adhere to expected care standards, including cleanliness issues and improper handling of emergencies.

Other critiques center on operational frustrations, such as a nonfunctional phone system that makes it difficult to reach anyone when issues arise. In one lengthy recounting, a family describes a sequence of events culminating in the death of a relative, with accusations that the agency's actions - or lack thereof - contributed to a tragic outcome. While this represents a single, extreme experience in a larger field, it nevertheless highlights the potential consequences when staffing, communication, and accountability fail to meet family and patient expectations. These reviews emphasize the reality that home care involves complex coordination, where even a small lapse can have profound effects on a person's well-being.

Taken together, the collection of reviews paints a nuanced portrait of Ideal Home Care Service and its affiliated Ideal School of Allied Health Care. On the positive side, many families and caregivers speak to a culture of kindness, professional dedication, and a genuine commitment to both clients and staff. The leadership, particularly Nicole Laborde, and the team members who go above and beyond in their daily duties, are repeatedly cited as sources of strength and trust. The enrollment and educational components also receive praise for their supportive, responsive service, suggesting a comprehensive ecosystem designed to nurture both care delivery and professional development.

On the flip side, the more critical voices remind us that high-performing home-care organizations must continuously address gaps in reliability, communication, and operational consistency. Instances of missed visits, inadequate housekeeping, and delayed responses illustrate the high stakes involved in in-home care, where families rely on dependable support around the clock. These reviews underscore the importance of transparent communication, robust scheduling, and strict adherence to care plans to prevent harm or distress for patients and their loved ones.

For readers evaluating Ideal Home Care Service and Ideal School of Allied Health Care, the takeaway is clear: there is a strong foundation of genuine care and professional devotion that many clients and staff celebrate, but there are also significant concerns raised by others that cannot be ignored. Prospective clients and employees might weigh the stories of compassionate, personalized care and reliable coordinators against the cautions about scheduling reliability, accountability, and environmental cleanliness. As with many home-care providers, prospective families would do well to inquire directly about staffing, scheduling practices, and escalation procedures to ensure alignment with their specific needs and expectations.

Medford, New York is a convenient and accessible area for senior living, with a variety of amenities located within a short distance. There are several pharmacies nearby, including Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy, making it easy to access necessary medications. Additionally, there are cafes such as Starbucks for leisurely outings and restaurants like Taco Bell and Applebee's for dining options. The area also offers reliable transportation options, with Suffolk Transportation Coram and various LIRR stations in close proximity. For entertainment, there are theaters like Island 16 Cinema de Lux and Regal Ronkonkoma nearby. Medical care is readily available from physicians such as Stony Brook Extended Care and SightMD, as well as Long Island Community Hospital for more serious health concerns. Parks like Selden Dog Park provide opportunities for outdoor activities and Heritage Park offers a peaceful setting for relaxation. Overall, Medford provides a comfortable and well-equipped environment for seniors looking to settle in the area.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Prescription Centre & Surgicals (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.9 miles)
• Bellport General (6.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (1.7 miles)
• McDonald's (1.8 miles)
• Applebee's (1.8 miles)
• Popei's Clam Bar (2 miles)
• Wendy's (2.9 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (3.7 miles)
• McDonald's (4.3 miles)

Transportation

• Suffolk Transportation Coram (1.9 miles)
• LIRR - Yaphank Station (4.2 miles)
• Bellport Railroad Station (5.4 miles)
• Patchogue Lirr Station (5.8 miles)
• LIRR - Ronkonkoma Station (6.4 miles)
• TSA Security Check Point (6.5 miles)
• Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) (6.6 miles)

Theaters

• Island 16 Cinema de Lux (3.8 miles)
• Regal Ronkonkoma (5.3 miles)

Physicians

• Stony Brook Extended Care (4.2 miles)
• Advanced Orthopedics (4.4 miles)
• SightMD (4.8 miles)
• Robyn LaBarca (4.9 miles)
• Stony Brook Advanced Pediatric Care (4.9 miles)
• South Shore Neurologic Associates (5.2 miles)
• First Choice Medical (5.3 miles)

Parks

• Selden Dog Park (4.3 miles)
• Heritage Park (6.3 miles)
• Shorefront Park (6.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Long Island Community Hospital (4.4 miles)