Interim Healthcare - White Plains

Pros

• The staff is helpful and kind.
• The daughter felt her mother was safe.
• The daughter's experience with this company was the best.

Cons

• The reviewer claims the agency is the worst they've experienced.
• They say aides sent to the home show no respect and often cannot communicate well in English.
• They report aides do not read well and rely on writing or phone calls for the reviewer.
• Hygiene concerns are raised: aides allegedly don't wear gloves, don't wash hands properly, and only run water briefly.
• The agency allegedly dismissed concerns about language, stating that staff's English is all they have and accusing the reviewer of prejudice.
• Pay is described as dishonest: initial offer of $21 was deemed insufficient, the first paycheck was $18 per hour, and the agency supposedly claimed $18 was the maximum, unlike competitors paying about $30.
• The reviewer calls the agency dishonest and warns others not to use them.

Review

Care experiences with in-home care agencies can be a mixed bag, and one family's accounts show just how wide that gap can be. On one end, a daughter describes a string of frustrating and worrying encounters with an agency that sent aides into her home who she felt did not earn the trust she and her vulnerable mother needed. She emphasizes not feeling respected by the aides, and she raises serious concerns about communication and basic professional standards that are crucial when someone relies on help at home.

The core of her experience centers on the aides' ability to communicate and follow basic caregiving protocols. She notes that many of the aides did not speak or read English well, which created barriers when she and her mother depended on written notes, phone calls, and clear instructions to manage daily tasks. This matters deeply because her mother has a speech problem and relies heavily on writing and concise communication to understand what's happening and to stay safe. She recalls seeing aides who did not take proper hygiene precautions - glove use when handling food, proper handwashing, or consistent cleaning practices - and only running water briefly instead of maintaining proper cleanliness. These details aren't just about etiquette; they touch on safety, dignity, and the ability to prevent illnesses for an elderly, vulnerable person living at home.

When she confronted the agency about sending aides who didn't meet the language or communication needs she described, the response she received felt dismissive and defensive. She was told that those aides were all that the agency had available and that she was being prejudiced for asking for someone who could communicate more effectively in English. The moment underscored for her how a company's staffing choices can clash with a patient's needs and dignity, and it left her feeling that her concerns were not being heard or valued.

Financial concerns compounded the frustration. She recounts an initial offer of pay at $21 per hour for a case, but after receiving the first paycheck, the rate dropped to $18 per hour. When she asked about the rate for just the case, she says she was told it would still be $18 per hour. This contrast between expectation and reality, plus the perception that other agencies were paying substantially more (around $30 per hour for similar roles), led her to quit the agency. In her view, the situation pointed to dishonesty around compensation and value, making it hard to trust the agency to fulfill basic promises about pay and fair treatment.

Despite these troubling experiences, there is another voice connected to the same company that offers a strikingly different perspective. A different reviewer - also a daughter dealing with an elderly, disabled parent - describes the agency's experience with a much more positive lens. This account claims that, after seeking help from several agencies, this company delivered what they felt was the best possible care. The reviewer emphasizes that the staff were helpful and kind, and most importantly, that their mother felt safe under the agency's care. In this narrative, the caregivers' attentiveness and the overall sense of security left a strong, favorable impression, suggesting that the same organization can yield excellent care under different circumstances or with different staff assignments.

The juxtaposition of these experiences highlights how varied in-home care can be and how much depends on specific staff, consistent communication, and the particular needs of the patient at any given time. On the negative side, concerns about language barriers, hygiene practices, respect, and transparent pay practices can undermine trust and safety. On the positive side, a different set of caregivers and a supportive team can translate into a feeling of safety, warmth, and genuine care that families deeply value. It's a reminder that a home-care operation is not a monolith; it's a living system where staffing choices, training, and responsiveness can dramatically change outcomes for a vulnerable person.

For families navigating home care, these experiences offer practical lessons. It's crucial to inquire about the caregivers' language skills and training, and to set clear expectations for communication methods that work best for the patient, whether that's writing, phone calls, or direct conversations. Hygiene and safety protocols should be explicitly discussed - glove use, proper handwashing, and safe handling of food need to be standard, verifiable practices. Pay transparency is equally important: understand the rate, how it's calculated, and how it may change over time, and compare with other agencies to avoid surprises. Finally, seek multiple references and direct feedback from other families who have worked with the agency, and don't hesitate to request staff that align with your loved one's specific needs.

In the end, these accounts illustrate both the risk and the reward in home-care services. A caregiver team that prioritizes clear communication, respect, and safety can make a profound difference, while gaps in language access, hygienic practices, and transparent compensation can erode trust and safety in equal measure. Families deserve care that not only meets practical needs but also preserves dignity and peace of mind for their loved ones. The best path forward is a careful, proactive approach: ask hard questions, observe firsthand, and choose a provider whose values and practices align with your family's standards for safety, respect, and clear communication.

This part of White Plains, New York offers a convenient and vibrant community for seniors looking to settle in a bustling urban area. With several cafes such as Starbucks and Nespresso Boutique nearby, you can enjoy a variety of dining options and socializing opportunities. Additionally, the proximity of pharmacies like CVS and Saxon Pharmacy ensures easy access to necessary medical supplies. For healthcare services, you have reputable facilities such as Dickstein Cancer Treatment Center and White Plains Hospital within close reach. The area also boasts beautiful parks like Tibbets Park and Hart's Brook Park & Preserve for leisurely walks and relaxation. Transportation options are readily available with Metro North train stations nearby, making it easy to explore the surrounding areas. Overall, this part of White Plains provides a well-rounded environment perfect for seniors seeking convenience, amenities, and a lively community atmosphere.

Cafes

• Starbucks (0 miles)
• Nespresso Boutique at Bloomingdale's, Westchester (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (3.6 miles)
• Starbucks (4.6 miles)
• Starbucks (4.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Saxon Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.3 miles)

Parks

• Tibbets Park (0.3 miles)
• Hart's Brook Park & Preserve (2.2 miles)
• The Arbors (4.7 miles)
• Uniontown Playground (6.5 miles)
• Rockefeller State Park Preserve (6.6 miles)
• Memorial Park (6.6 miles)
• Rye Town Park (6.6 miles)

Physicians

• Dickstein Cancer Treatment Center (0.3 miles)
• Weill Cornell Psychiatry at NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Division (0.8 miles)
• WestMed (1.3 miles)
• Digestive Disease & Nutrition Center of Westchester (2.3 miles)
• HSS Westchester (2.6 miles)
• Westmed Medical Group (4 miles)
• WMCHealth Physicians Advanced Imaging Center Nuclear Medicine (4.2 miles)

Hospitals

• White Plains Hospital (0.4 miles)
• Burke Rehabilitation Hospital (1.3 miles)
• St Vincent's Hospital-Westchester (4.2 miles)
• Northeast Medical Group Family Medicine - Rye Brook (4.8 miles)
• Greenwich Hospital (7.1 miles)
• Bendheim Cancer Center (7.2 miles)
• Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital (8.3 miles)

Restaurants

• City Limits Diner (0.7 miles)
• Roosters Market (1.3 miles)
• Captain Lawrence Brewing Company (3.6 miles)
• Pepsico (3.9 miles)
• Serafina (4.7 miles)
• Goosefeather (4.8 miles)
• Brrzaar (5.5 miles)

Transportation

• Metro North - Hartsdale Train Station (2.1 miles)
• Valhalla Metro North Station (2.9 miles)
• Signature Flight Support (3.6 miles)
• Million Air White Plains (3.7 miles)
• Westchester County Airport (HPN) (4.2 miles)
• Metro North - Harrison Train Station (5.3 miles)
• Metro North - Rye Train Station (5.5 miles)

Theaters

• Alamo Drafthouse Yonkers (4.5 miles)
• AMC Port Chester 14 (5.9 miles)