Home Instead - Columbus, OH in Columbus, OH

Pros

• Home Instead provides great service.
• The staff is friendly, trustworthy, and caring.
• They adapt to changing family needs and consistently find solutions.
• Betty is compassionate and extremely helpful to clients, families, and employees.
• The office staff and caregiver team are knowledgeable, compassionate, and eager to help.
• It is a great place to work, with caring clients and supportive coworkers.
• Home Instead caregivers are professional, kind, and deeply care for the seniors they serve.
• They genuinely care about loved ones who need assistance and are highly recommended.
• They offer local service and are often recommended to others.
• They provide a 24-hour phone line for assistance.

Cons

• The reviewer notes there was a different caregiver at every visit and they were never notified in advance, forcing them to figure it out on their own over a two-week period.
• They claim employees were leaving during shifts yet still getting paid for their time.
• They allege someone bought cigarettes for their grandma who no longer smokes.
• They report money missing from the grandmother's piggy bank.
• They state they abruptly demanded service stop.
• They say they will never recommend Home Instead and will share this terrifying experience with others.

Review

This Columbus Home Instead is best suited for families that want a locally owned, genuinely caring in-home care partner with a strong emphasis on personalized caregiver matching and flexible support as needs evolve. The Columbus operation, led by Betty and backed by a responsive office team (notably Melissa), is designed for families who value a warm, relationship-driven approach and who are comfortable actively shaping who provides care. It works particularly well when the goal is help with everyday tasks - laundry, dishes, transportation, bathing - delivered by caregivers who feel like extensions of the family and who can adjust as circumstances shift.

Those who should consider alternatives are families whose top priority is unwavering consistency and predictable scheduling. If the deal-breakers include receiving the same two caregivers every shift, or if a single misstep - such as miscommunications about who is coming, or concerns about caregiver conduct - would be unacceptable, a different agency with a stricter staffing protocol may be wiser. The Columbus office has earned praise for its compassionate culture, but a notable strain appears when staffing changes are frequent or when oversight gaps surface; these realities can undermine peace of mind for households that demand flawless reliability.

The strongest pros here are the people-first culture and the adaptability that comes with a locally led operation. The team is repeatedly described as caring, knowledgeable, and responsive, with a demonstrated talent for matching personalities to clients' needs. The leadership approach under Betty - who is praised for being results-oriented and accessible - creates a foundation where families feel heard and problems are addressed. The office staff, especially Melissa, is repeatedly cited as exceptionally helpful, and the overall environment is described as supportive not just of clients but of caregivers as well, suggesting a healthier, longer-lasting care relationship than might be found in larger, anonymous agencies. The 24-hour line adds a practical safety net for urgent questions or issues that arise outside normal hours.

Yet the main cons cannot be dismissed. The most damaging concerns center on inconsistent caregiver assignments and communication gaps that leave families guessing who will arrive next and when. A troubling report of a caregiver being replaced mid-shift, unpaid work while leaving early, and a concerning incident involving money highlights the risk families assume when supervisor oversight relies on individual staff behavior. The sentiment that "the loose link is the character of the specific individuals" is not a flaw in policy so much as a reminder that outcomes depend on who shows up day to day. The agency does appear willing to correct problems and take disciplinary action when necessary, but that corrective capacity hinges on proactive family engagement and clear, documented expectations.

For families evaluating this agency, the practical path is to insist on tight, written guardrails. Request a primary caregiver plan with explicit back-up coverage, and a predictable rotation that minimizes surprise. Seek assurances on caregiver vetting, ongoing supervision, and a clear process for replacing personnel who do not meet standards. Demand proactive scheduling updates, and insist on routine check-ins from a supervisor to monitor compatibility and progress. Tap the 24/7 line for after-hours support and verify how quick the agency can mobilize a substitute when a regular caregiver is unavailable. In short, transparency, accountability, and a structured care plan are non-negotiables.

In sum, Home Instead Columbus offers a practical, compassionate in-home option grounded in local leadership and genuine care for both clients and staff. It shines for families who can partner with the agency to curate a dependable caregiver team and who prize a responsive office culture that will bend to changing needs. The decisive caveat is the potential for inconsistent staffing and communication lapses, which can erode confidence if not actively managed. For households willing to invest in clear expectations, ongoing oversight, and a candid dialogue about staffing, this provider can be a strong, heart-centered fit. If, however, steadiness of caregivers and pristine predictability are non-negotiables, exploring alternative agencies with formalized caregiver continuity may be the wiser course.

This part of Columbus, Ohio, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities suitable for senior living. With a variety of restaurants nearby, such as Arby's, Wendy's, and Dave & Buster's, there are plenty of dining options to choose from. Additionally, the proximity to several parks like Quarry Trails Metro Park and Thompson Park provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. There are also multiple physicians' offices and pharmacies in the area, ensuring easy access to healthcare services. For spiritual needs, there are several places of worship nearby. Furthermore, amenities like cafes and theaters offer opportunities for entertainment and socializing. Overall, this part of Columbus offers a well-rounded community with essential services for seniors looking to enjoy a comfortable and vibrant lifestyle.

Restaurants

• Arby's (0.6 miles)
• Wendy's (1.6 miles)
• Dave & Buster's (1.7 miles)
• Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern (2.3 miles)
• Brassica (2.4 miles)
• Nasty's Sports Bar & Grill (2.4 miles)
• Roosters (2.8 miles)

Parks

• Quarry Trails Metro Park (1.1 miles)
• Thompson Park (2 miles)
• Carriage Place Park (3.4 miles)
• Whetstone Park / Park of Roses (4.1 miles)
• Hilliard Municipal Park (4.1 miles)
• Antrim Park (5 miles)

Physicians

• Arlington-Mill Run Internal Medicine (1.1 miles)
• Northwest Family Physicians (1.3 miles)
• Internal Medicine Pediatrics Hilliard (1.3 miles)
• Orthopedic One (1.9 miles)
• Hilliard Pediatrics (2 miles)
• OhioHealth Laboratory Services - Hilliard Health Center (2.5 miles)
• Hilliard Family Medicine (2.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Marc's Stores (2.8 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Andrew Church (1.9 miles)
• Scioto Ridge United Methodist Church (2.1 miles)
• Saint Brendan Catholic Church (2.5 miles)
• St Christopher Church (3.4 miles)
• Holy Name Church (4.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• Crimson Cup (4.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Ohio Health (3.5 miles)
• OSU Harding Hospital (4.1 miles)
• Richard M Ross Heart Hospital (4.2 miles)
• Select Specialty Hospital (5 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Starplex Columbus 10 (3.9 miles)

Transportation

• The Ohio State University Airport at Don Scott Field (OSU) (4 miles)