Golden Age Home in Utica, NY

Pros

• They provide excellent and quick service.
• Their customer service is excellent.
• They are very communicative.
• They are one of the best home care providers in Jackson Heights.
• They provide exceptional service.
• Golden Age Home Care is the best home care company.
• They provide very good home care service.
• The agency is very good.
• They are very cooperative.
• They are the best home care agency in Queens.

Cons

• The agency is the worst; communication is terrible and getting paid is a challenge, with no one ever having answers when they call.
• Golden Age is a fraudulent business; they charged $300 for an elderly care certificate but never issued it, and they haven’t paid for two weeks, holding or stealing money.
• They don’t answer calls; payments have been missing for a month; legal action is being considered; people should stay far away from this agency.
• The service is bad.
• They are completely unprofessional, incompetent, and unable to communicate; direct deposits are late and payroll issues are a constant headache; there’s always a problem.
• They do not pay their employees on time; they don’t answer phones; they are rude and disrespectful and even tried to get the reviewer to remove the review.
• They are accused of wage theft by the Department of Labor; don’t give the back-wages letter to the agency and contact the Labor Department instead.
• The service is poor and they always make excuses about payment.

Review

Golden Age Home is best suited for families that prize hands-on, relationship-driven in-home care and are prepared to actively manage coordination and scheduling. When the agency’s administrative framework operates smoothly, clients consistently report caregivers who are friendly, compassionate, and adept at tailoring routines to individual preferences. The strongest testimonials highlight careful caregiver matching, dependable visits, and a front-line team that listens and responds with practical solutions. For families that want a personal, human touch and are willing to oversee ongoing communications with a coordinator, this agency can deliver care that feels individualized and attentive.

However, serious red flags appear on the administrative and financial side. A stream of reviews describes broken promises around payments, late direct deposits, and inconsistent payroll management, with accusations of withheld funds and, in at least one instance, involvement in a disputed payment scenario. Call lines are frequently described as hard to reach, and some clients report months without essential updates or timely responses. A subset of reviews escalates from dissatisfaction to warnings about mismanagement and wage-related disputes. These signals are not trivial; they indicate governance gaps that can destabilize care if not actively addressed.

Those governance gaps do not erase the caregiving value at stake. The agency’s core strengths, caregiver selection, genuine kindness, and practical problem-solving, can offset administrative friction when a dedicated coordinator is accessible and behaves as a reliable buffer. When payroll and communication are functioning, families describe dependable scheduling and on-time care, with caregivers who truly understand the client’s routines and preferences. The risk occurs when financial lapses or unreturned inquiries compound the usual care challenges, transforming care from a trusted relationship into a concern about money flow and administrative responsiveness.

Prospective clients should pursue hard data before committing. Demand written policies on payment timelines, dispute resolution, and consequences for late payments. Obtain the names of actual caregivers who will be assigned to the client and a clear escalation path if there is a scheduling conflict or a mismatch. Seek references from other families in similar situations and consider a short trial period to evaluate how well the administrative side supports the caregiving, not just the caregiver’s bedside manner. A dedicated liaison who can be reached during evenings and weekends is a critical asset to assess during the decision process.

Alternatives should be on the table for families who prize uninterrupted financial reliability and fully transparent communication as non-negotiables. In markets where payroll discipline and steady responsiveness are more consistently demonstrated, other home-care providers may deliver a more predictable experience without sacrificing the quality of caregiver fit. Compare service terms, verify references, and confirm coverage areas to ensure the agency can provide equivalent levels of in-home care with fewer administrative disruptions. A thoughtful comparison will separate cases where excellent caregiving can flourish from those where administrative risk undermines stability.

Bottom line: Golden Age Home offers real strength in caregiver quality and client-centered care, particularly for families that can anchor the relationship with proactive oversight. When payments and communications are steady, the care experience can be outstanding and deeply trusted. For families with limited bandwidth to supervise billing and scheduling or those unable to tolerate inconsistent access to leadership, alternatives with stronger financial discipline and transparent processes warrant serious consideration. In Utica, the agency can be a strong match for the right family, while serving as a cautionary option for anyone seeking turnkey reliability with minimal administrative burden.

This part of Utica, New York offers a diverse range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. The area boasts a variety of restaurants, cafes, and pharmacies within close proximity, making it convenient for residents to access daily essentials. Additionally, there are several hospitals and medical facilities nearby, ensuring easy access to healthcare services. Places of worship are also readily available for those seeking spiritual fulfillment. Transportation options such as Amtrak provide ease of travel, while parks like F.T. Proctor Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded environment for senior living with its blend of convenience, healthcare access, and community offerings.

Restaurants

• Nostro Restobar and Lounge (0.1 miles)
• Swifty's Restaurant & Pub (0.2 miles)
• Griffin's Pub (0.3 miles)
• Varick Bar & Grill (0.3 miles)
• Celtic Harp (0.3 miles)
• Ocean Blue Restaurant & Oyster Bar (0.4 miles)
• Nail Creek Pub & Brewery (0.4 miles)

Cafes

• Joseph Putrello Coffee Barista Bar (0.1 miles)
• Utica Coffee Roasting (0.6 miles)
• Bagg's Square Cafe (0.9 miles)
• Bagel Grove (1.2 miles)
• Top of the Morning Cafe (1.9 miles)
• Daylight Donuts (3.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center (0.4 miles)
• Utica Psychiatric Center (0.8 miles)
• Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center (1 miles)
• Faxton X-ray Department (1.2 miles)
• FAXTON-St LUKE'S HEALTHCARE - FAXTON CAMPUS (1.2 miles)
• St Elizabeth Medical Center (1.5 miles)
• St Elizabeth Medical Center (1.9 miles)

Physicians

• St Elizabeth Medical Center (0.5 miles)
• Oneida County Health Department, Elizabeth Street Clinic (0.7 miles)
• Faxton-st. Luke's Healthcare Foundation (1.2 miles)
• Adirondack Community Physicians: Neuro Sciences Group (1.2 miles)
• Kenneth Ortega (1.4 miles)
• Marc A Feiner (1.7 miles)
• Medical Arts (1.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Kingdom Ministries Place of Worship/House of Prayer (0.6 miles)
• Soul 2 Soul Temple (1.8 miles)
• Our Lady Of Lourdes Ch (1.9 miles)
• Church of Christ (3.1 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (0.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Utica Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.4 miles)
• Usrearchchemsupplies.Com (1.9 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe (2 miles)
• Express Scripts (2.1 miles)

Parks

• F.T. Proctor Park (2.1 miles)