Homewatch Caregivers of WNC

Pros

• Kelsey is a wonderful caregiver.
• Kelsey is a wonderful aide.
• She is helpful, kind, thoughtful, and is always willing to help.
• From the moment we met her, she was kind, professional and friendly.
• She covered the night shift and my dad felt immediately comfortable with her.
• She did three shifts with my dad and was with all of us when he peacefully passed away, providing comfort, compassion and offering to help in any way.
• Even when we have to make last minute requests, they are usually able to accommodate us.
• One of my favorite caregivers is Sam (Samantha).
• She brings such a great energy and work ethic to everything she does that I am always happy when she shows up at the house!
• Rubi, who is our current caregiver, works non-stop and is sweet and kind and takes great care of my mother.
• Home Instead has come through for my family on short notice.
• The workers kept my mother safe.
• They also cooked and did light cleaning and laundry.
• Home Instead has been wonderful at supporting my brother and his declining health over the last four years.
• Chris Mancari at Home Instead for her commitment and dedication to my brother's care.

Cons

• The manager is inefficient and often surly.
• A reviewer alleged that a Home Instead employee unplugged the father's oxygen machine for over 12 hours, contributing to a severe decline, with no accountability from the franchise owner.
• A reviewer criticized compensation and training, noting caregivers are paid as little as $10 per hour while clients are billed $25?$30 per hour, and that training is insufficient.
• Another reviewer claimed the service area is limited to rural NC and that staff are nice but useless.
• A reviewer reported that after the incident, the owner's response was only an acknowledgment with no real accountability.
• A reviewer stated that caregivers are sent into homes without a proper training session.

Review

Home Instead appears in these accounts as a caregiving partner that many families have come to rely on during difficult times, offering not only practical help but also a steady, compassionate presence. Across stories of end-of-life support, daily errands, transportation to appointments, light housekeeping, and even energetic renditions of Fortnite, the consistent thread is that the caregivers are more than just workers on a schedule - they become trusted allies for people navigating illness, aging, and the emotional territory that accompanies both.

Several voices highlight individual caregivers who have left lasting impressions. Kelsey stands out for many as a proactive, caring force in the home, tackling household tasks before being asked and driving the client to doctors and physical therapy, all while bringing a personal spark to the day - one account even mentions her "mean game of Fortnite" as a cheerful bonding moment. Lisa, who cared for a father with cancer, is remembered for a rare blend of professionalism and warmth: she covered night shifts, put the patient at ease immediately, and stayed by the family's side through the end of life, offering comfort and practical help in every way. Kim and Carissa are recalled positively for the way they introduced and organized care from the outset, making the transition smoother for everyone involved. In a similar vein, Samantha (Sam) is praised for her energy and strong work ethic, while Rubi is commended for her tireless, kind, and attentive care to the client's mother. The sentiment across these testimonials is clear: the people at Home Instead can bring consistent energy, reliability, and genuine kindness into challenging days.

Beyond individual caregivers, the depth of service is repeatedly praised. Several reviews note the agency's responsiveness and readiness to accommodate last-minute requests, even when other providers could not. One family highlights a caregiver who was able to come through on short notice, performing cooking, light cleaning, and laundry, and maintaining a presence that reassured both patient and family. Another expresses gratitude for a staff member who guided them through every step of the process, with a sense of relief and confidence that comes from being supported by competent, thoughtful professionals. A recurring theme is the sense of being part of a team rather than a hand-off: Home Instead shows up, stays engaged, and helps families feel less overwhelmed by the logistics and the emotional demands of care.

There are also stories that celebrate the emotional and spiritual comfort provided by Home Instead. One reviewer singles out Chris Mancari for outstanding dedication to a brother's care, noting unwavering energy and compassion for his or her particular needs, and expressing that such care is a beacon of hope in a hurting world. Another expresses gratitude for the way caregivers and staff have stood by family members through illness and aging, emphasizing the holistic care that extends beyond physical tasks to emotional and spiritual support. This sense of a caring community - clients, families, and caregivers - emerges as a core strength of the Home Instead experience in these accounts.

There are, however, moments that invite reflection on the complexities of caregiving and agency management. A few reviewers acknowledge occasional gaps or frustrations, including a note that a manager can be inefficient or surly, suggesting room for growth in some leadership areas. There is also a darker, more troubling account that centers on a serious incident involving a father relying on oxygen therapy. In this account, an oxygen machine was moved by a Home Instead staff member and later unplugged during a shift, leading to a severe decline in the father's condition. The family alleges that, after reporting the event to the franchise owner by email, the response was limited to an acknowledgment rather than accountability. This story underscores the high stakes of caregiving and the importance of meticulous supervision and urgent, transparent communication in any care operation.

On another note, several families commend Home Instead for the practicalities of care and the everyday realities of managing care across schedules. Families mention the flexibility of scheduling and the ability of staff to keep the client informed about changes, as well as moments when the agency's presence made what could have been chaotic days feel manageable. Some reviewers praise the affordability and value of services overall, while others critique the compensation framework for caregivers - describing pay as low and arguing that the cost to clients can be high, with concerns raised about training expectations versus wages. These mixed views reflect the ongoing tension many home-care providers face between fair compensation for devoted caregivers and the realities of operating under cost-sensitive pricing structures.

A common thread throughout is Asheville and rural North Carolina-based service, with families noting both the strengths and limitations of Home Instead in those areas. Several accounts emphasize how the team's care throughout the region has helped families keep loved ones at home and maintain dignity during illness and aging. There's a strong sense of gratitude for the people who show up with empathy, humor, and practical help, and a belief that Home Instead can be a lifeline when other options fall short or are slow to respond. The testimonials repeatedly praise the office staff in Asheville for being supportive, competent, and responsive - an essential complement to the caregivers who do the hands-on work.

In closing, these stories paint a portrait of Home Instead as a company capable of delivering deeply human, patient-centered care with caregivers who bring warmth, energy, and reliability into homes during some of life's most challenging moments. While the praise is abundant - highlighting compassionate individuals, flexible scheduling, and meaningful support through illness and age - there are also cautions about management effectiveness and an insistence on accountability when errors occur. Taken together, they present a nuanced picture: Home Instead is a valued partner for many families, capable of extraordinary acts of care and, at times, challenged by the very real difficulties of coordinating complex home-based care in real-world settings.

This part of Asheville, North Carolina offers a convenient location with a variety of amenities nearby. There are several physicians' offices within a short distance, providing easy access to healthcare services. Additionally, there are pharmacies, restaurants, cafes, and theaters in the area for entertainment and dining options. The presence of parks such as Lake Julian Park and Westfeldt River Park allow for outdoor activities and relaxation. Places of worship like Biltmore Baptist Church provide spiritual support, while hospitals like Mission St Joseph's and Mission Childrens Hospital ensure quality healthcare facilities are easily accessible. The close proximity to Asheville Regional Airport also makes travel convenient for visiting family or friends.

Physicians

• Arden Family Health Center (0.6 miles)
• Asheville Dermatology Center (0.6 miles)
• Asheville Medicine & Pediatrics (0.9 miles)
• Vein Specialist of Carolina Vascular (1.5 miles)
• Biltmore Plastic Surgery (2.7 miles)
• Christi G Hunt MD (2.8 miles)
• Forest Dermatology (3.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Yum Poke Spot (0.9 miles)
• Tupelo Honey (1 miles)
• P.F. Chang's China Bistro (1.7 miles)
• One Thirty One Main Restaurant (1.9 miles)
• Culver's (3 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (3.1 miles)
• Juicy Lucy's Burger Bar and Grill (4.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Ingles Market (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• Ingles Market (3.5 miles)
• Ingles Market (3.8 miles)

Parks

• Lake Julian Park (1 miles)
• Westfeldt River Park (4.7 miles)
• Blue Ridge Parkway (5.7 miles)
• Memorial Stadium (6.9 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark (1.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• BattleCat Coffee Bar (6.9 miles)
• Taco Billy (6.9 miles)
• Vortex Doughnuts (7.1 miles)
• Pollen (7.4 miles)
• Green Sage Cafe Downtown (7.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Biltmore Baptist Church (2.4 miles)
• St John's Episcopal Church (7.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Mission St Joseph's (3.6 miles)
• Mission Childrens Hospital (4.6 miles)
• Mission Hospital Operating Room (6.2 miles)

Transportation

• Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) (3.8 miles)