In the Beginning Home Care Agency

Pros

• They were very friendly and explained their philosophy and procedures.
• They had no issue with possible cancellations due to weather.
• The owner seemed to understand the reviewer's position.
• The owner apologized.

Cons

• The caregiver was late by 15?20 minutes on most days and sometimes did not show up at all.
• The agency did not provide a replacement caregiver after the termination.
• The owner did not address the repeated tardiness or communication issues despite complaints.
• The deposit refund was handled poorly, with only a 50% refund offered and delays in payment.
• Checks were sent unsigned and repeatedly delayed, with excuses about mail pickup.
• The reviewer believes the agency never intended to refund the deposit and warns others to be cautious.

Review

The experience with In The Beginning began with an impression of warmth and professionalism. In late March, the agency was hired to provide a caregiver for my wife, who has Parkinson's and related challenges. The owner and one employee met with us for an introductory session in early March. They were friendly, explained their philosophy and procedures, and I explained my two practical requirements: the caregiver needed to be on time, and I might need to cancel on days when rain would prevent me from playing golf. They indicated there would be no issue with weather-related cancellations. I felt understood and prepared to start.

The service itself began in the first week of April and was terminated by the end of that month. The caregiver consistently arrived late - often 15 to 20 minutes - on at least half of the days. The pattern became the final straw when the caregiver simply did not show up one day, with no notice or communication. I expressed my frustration about the tardiness to the owner, hoping for a change, but nothing improved. After repeated tardiness, I left a heated voicemail in an attempt to convey the seriousness of the situation. The no-show ended the relationship for us, and the agency did not offer a replacement caregiver. I assumed there was none available. The owner seemed to understand my position.

When I asked how the $200 deposit would be handled, I was told I would receive a check even though I had paid by credit card. This promised refund seemed straightforward, but the actual outcome proved far from that. A couple of weeks passed with no check, so I began reaching out through voice mail, email, and text messages. There was no response for a while. In late May, I received a response stating that I would only receive 50% of the deposit because I supposedly broke the contract by not giving 14 days' notice and because my voicemail was "disrespectful." While I did not provide 14 days' notice, I debated the logic: the agency had not supplied a replacement, so why should I be bound by a notice period they clearly could not meet themselves? As for "disrespectful," that claim felt subjective; I could argue that the tardiness and the no-show were more clearly disrespectful.

According to the owner, I would still receive the $100 portion of the deposit, but not until the week of July 4. By early June, that deadline had not been met. I tracked the progress and, when the week of July 4 arrived, there was still no check. I contacted the owner again, and she claimed she had not been aware the check had not been sent and said she would mail it the next day. A week or 10 days later, I finally received a check, but it was unsigned. I notified the owner, who apologized and promised another check. More days passed without receipt, and after continued attempts to get an update, she told me the check was mailed on Friday, July 23, and that she would be going on vacation. By that point, I had still not received the deposit refund, and the mail pickup issue was cited as the cause of further delays. I remain convinced that there was no genuine intention to refund my deposit and that I was being stringed along. I had terminated the agency in late April and, by August 3, I was still waiting for a deposit refund.

Overall, the experience left a strong impression of unreliability and poor communication. The late arrivals, the abrupt no-show without notice, and the lack of a timely replacement caregiver created a difficult and unsatisfactory caregiving arrangement during a stressful time. The deposit controversy added another layer of frustration, with arguments over contract terms, notice requirements, and the handling of refunds that never seemed to be resolved. The entire episode has prompted me to caution others: there are better options out there, and I would urge potential clients to scrutinize not only the stated philosophy and procedures but also the agency's track record on punctuality, communication, replacements, and refunds before committing.

This part of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With several restaurants, cafes, and pharmacies within close proximity, residents have easy access to dining options and healthcare essentials. Additionally, the presence of places of worship provides spiritual comfort and community engagement. The nearby hospitals and physicians' offices ensure quality medical care is readily available. For recreational activities, the parks, theaters, and transportation options offer opportunities for leisure and entertainment. Overall, this area boasts a convenient and vibrant environment that would be conducive to a comfortable senior living experience.

Restaurants

• Page Dairy Mart (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh (1.7 miles)
• Fat Head's Saloon (1.7 miles)
• Bootleggers (2.4 miles)
• Mitchell's Restaurant, Bar & Banquet Center (2.6 miles)
• Waffles Incaffeinated (2.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Kingdom Hall Of Jehovahs Witnesses (1.1 miles)
• St Margaret of Scotland Roman Catholic Church (4.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (1.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (2 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)

Cafes

• Big Dog Coffee (1.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.3 miles)
• Creative Coffee and Supply (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• De Fer Coffee (3.3 miles)
• El Layali Hookah (3.4 miles)
• Kingfly Spirits (3.5 miles)

Hospitals

• UPMC Mercy (2.3 miles)
• Magee-Women's Hospital of UPMC (2.3 miles)
• Sleep Laboratory at UPMC Montefiore (2.5 miles)
• University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (2.6 miles)
• UPMC Presbyterian (2.7 miles)
• VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (2.9 miles)
• Hillman Cancer Center (3.8 miles)

Physicians

• Kaufmann Medical Building (2.5 miles)
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2.6 miles)
• Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC (2.7 miles)
• Allergy & Asthma Associates (3.2 miles)
• Bellissimo Plastic Surgery & Medi Spa (3.6 miles)
• Aiken Medical Building (3.9 miles)
• Allegheny Cancer Center (3.9 miles)

Parks

• Schenley Park (2.6 miles)
• Mt Washington Observation Deck (2.7 miles)
• Point State Park (3.2 miles)
• Point State Park Fountain (3.3 miles)
• The Duquesne Incline (3.4 miles)
• Frick Park Blue Slide Playground (3.5 miles)
• Frick Park (4 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Waterfront 22 (2.9 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak - Pittsburgh Station (2.9 miles)
• Bus Station (3 miles)
• North Side Station (3.5 miles)
• Port Authority Allegheny Station (3.8 miles)