Home Instead - Merrick, NY in Merrick, NY

Pros

• The father received attentive, loving care from Charmaine and Maureen.
• The aide was caring, attentive and professional, and the office staff were easily accessible and responsive.
• They highly recommend Home Instead.
• Six years of care were incredible, with caring, knowledgeable and professional staff who were a blessing to their mother's care.
• They were fortunate to choose Home Instead, which consistently provided qualified staff to meet their mother's evolving needs.
• Home Instead provided round-the-clock care as health declined, and the staff reached out afterward.
• The services were described as high-quality and worthy of five stars.
• Mark and Nicole are incredibly responsive, caring and practical in emergencies.
• The Merrick team includes highly skilled HHAs, PCAs and CNAs, supervised by a nurse, with Pascale providing care consultations and orientation for new aides.

Cons

• They were very quick to take their money and then they refused to refund the large deposit requested to obtain the services.
• The aide sent to them arrived in pajamas.
• They were late most of the time and the agency billed them for extra time.
• Barbara was rude and unprofessional on the phone.
• Pam is unprofessional, rude, and thinks she is the ruler of the planet.
• The woman who answered the phone was so rude that they decided not to consider this agency.
• They regretted using the so-called "Senior caring services."
• They felt charging that much more for elderly care was shameful and greedy.

Review

This Home Instead office in Merrick is best suited for families that need high-quality, in-home care with a focus on dementia or Alzheimer's - and for those who require long-term, around-the-clock support rather than a move to an assisted living setting. The model supports live-in arrangements and flexible hours, under nurse-led supervision that keeps care plans aligned with evolving health needs. When safety, continuity, and compassionate, consistent caregiver relationships matter most, this agency tends to deliver results that can significantly ease the burden on families.

Those evaluating alternatives should consider budget-driven options or facility-based communities if cost predictability and lower pricing are paramount. Several reviews flag the pricing as premium and point to deposits or billing disputes as potential sticking points. If upfront pricing clarity, simpler billing, or lower hourly rates are essential, exploring other providers or different care models is prudent. A few accounts also flag variability in phone interactions; for families prioritizing consistently courteous, professional communication, it's wise to validate responsiveness in the early stages of engagement.

The most compelling advantages lie in the depth of care and the stability of staffing when matched well to a loved one's needs. Caregivers are repeatedly described as genuinely caring, attentive, and professional, with relationships often persisting over many years. The ability to provide 24/7 live-in coverage means continuous supervision of daily activities and safety, which is particularly valuable for dementia care where disruptions can quickly escalate. A nurse supervisor, Pascale, offers ongoing guidance, helps orient new aides, and injects continuity into the care plan across staffing changes. The office team's reliability - Heena for staffing and the owners Mark and Nicole for overall accountability - further anchors the service, stepping in to secure coverage during emergencies and to reconfigure teams as needed. This combination translates into fewer care gaps and stronger family confidence.

There are clear caveats that families must weigh. Cost remains a central consideration, and mixed experiences with pricing and deposits can erode confidence if not carefully managed. Individual interactions with staff can vary; some accounts describe late arrivals or aides arriving in an informal manner, and a few voices point to unhelpful or curt phone responses. These drawbacks highlight the reality that premium, nurse-driven home care relies on consistent execution across scheduling, communication, and billing. They do not negate the underlying care quality but do demand proactive oversight by family members and a clear, upfront agreement on expectations and fees.

When the positives align with the family's priorities and budget, the pros can decisively outweigh the cons. The confidence afforded by nurse supervision, a formal care-coordination framework, and a deliberate caregiver-matching process makes this option especially attractive for progressive cognitive decline where continuity matters. The calm reassurance of knowing a nurse is available for consultation and that aides are oriented to the exact care plan presents real practical value. For families who refuse to relocate a loved one from a familiar home environment and who can absorb the premium cost, Home Instead Merrick offers a level of reliability and compassion that often proves worth the investment.

Actionable next steps matter. Arrange a thorough in-person assessment to map out live-in feasibility, hour-by-hour needs, and alignment with the existing care plan. Demand a transparent pricing outline that details initial deposits, hourly rates, overtime, and how third-party reimbursements are handled. Meet several potential caregivers and, if possible, observe interactions during routine activities to gauge warmth, respect, and engagement with the loved one. Confirm the nurse contact and the care coordination process so escalations are predictable. If, after diligent vetting, the budget remains tight or a different care model seems more appropriate, promptly compare with other reputable home-care agencies or with facility-based options to ensure the chosen path delivers safety, dignity, and sustainable support.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)

Transportation

• LIRR - Merrick Station (1.6 miles)
• LIRR - Bellmore Station (2.1 miles)
• LIRR - Wantagh Station (2.8 miles)
• Massapequa Train Station (4.8 miles)
• LIRR - Rockville Centre Station (4.9 miles)
• LIRR - Westbury Station (4.9 miles)
• LIRR - Bethpage Station (5.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2 miles)
• Starbucks (3 miles)
• Starbucks (5 miles)
• Starbucks (6.7 miles)
• Starbucks (7.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Merrick Jewish Center (2.1 miles)
• Community Church of East Williston (6.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Arby's (2.3 miles)
• McDonald's (2.3 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (2.7 miles)
• Iavarone Brothers (2.8 miles)
• Marriott Concierge Lounge (3 miles)
• Sonny's Canal House (3.9 miles)
• Dave & Buster's (4.5 miles)

Parks

• Coes Neck Park (2.4 miles)
• Newbridge Road Park (2.5 miles)
• Eisenhower Park (2.7 miles)
• Newbridge Dog Park (2.8 miles)
• Hempstead Lake State Park (4.4 miles)
• Oceanside Park (5.6 miles)
• Jones Beach State Park (6.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Nassau University Medical Center (2.8 miles)
• Kaur Rupinder P Do South Nassau Family Medicine Oceanside (4.4 miles)
• Winthrop University Hospital (5.8 miles)
• Winthrop University Hospital New Life Center (5.8 miles)

Physicians

• Long Island Pediatrics (3.7 miles)
• Prohealth Baldwin Harbour Pediatrics (4.1 miles)
• Caring Pediatric Associates (4.2 miles)
• South Nassau Communities Hospital (4.3 miles)
• Di Giovanna Family Care Center (5.5 miles)
• Winthrop Professional Building (5.7 miles)
• Central Nassau Guidance (5.9 miles)

Theaters

• AMC DINE-IN Levittown 1 (4.2 miles)
• AMC Roosevelt Field 8 (4.9 miles)
• Regal Westbury Imax & RPX (6.5 miles)