Homewatch Caregivers of Williamsport

Pros

• Home Watch caregivers are wonderful.
• They are very courteous and respectful and carefully take care of my husband.
• Office personnel are friendly.
• Very helpful with rearranging caregivers hours when the need arises.
• Great about getting caregivers hours within the closest proximity to their homes.
• Homewatch Caregivers is the best agency to handle all your needs.

Cons

• The owner gave very little notice before closing, leaving clients, caregivers, and office staff in the dark.
• The owner knew how long it takes to onboard new clients but failed to provide adequate notice, causing widespread panic.
• The agency was unable to provide the required care hours on multiple occasions, leaving the client alone at home.
• Ambulances were repeatedly called to transport the client to the hospital due to lack of coverage.
• Caregivers were told to leave when the next shift did not arrive, endangering the client.
• Shifts were left open until the day of coverage requests, indicating poor planning.
• The reviewer expresses embarrassment about having worked for the company at that location.
• The agency refused to reimburse missing medication, claiming there was no proof.
• The reviewer believes the company is "the lowest of the low" and would not recommend it.
• The reviewer warns others not to trust this company to care for loved ones.

Review

The collection of remarks about Homewatch Caregivers presents a portrait of a company that many clients and family members genuinely appreciate for the kindness and respect shown by the caregivers, yet is deeply shadowed by organizational turmoil and troubling lapses in service. A number of reviewers emphasize that the caregivers are courteous, respectful, and careful, and that the agency has been a dependable partner in helping people stay safely in their own homes as they age. Several accounts stress that the staff's approach is thoughtful, and some families credit the agency with helping coordinate care plans that allow loved ones to live comfortably at home. In particular, some clients highlight meaningful collaborations with caregivers and office staff to craft care plans that address daily tasks and health needs, contributing to a sense of dignity and independence for the aging person.

However, alongside these positive observations there is a second, overwhelming theme: a breakdown in continuity of care that appears to be tied to a sudden and poorly communicated closure of the location. One reviewer details a letter dated 10/10 announcing that the owner would be closing the business on 10/17, and notes that this notice came as a shock to everyone - clients, caregivers, and office staff alike. The reviewer points out that the owner, fully aware of how long it typically takes for a home-care agency to transition care for new clients, should have anticipated the disruption and given far more advance notice. The resulting panic among all parties involved paints a picture of a process that felt abrupt and poorly managed, leaving families scrambling to find coverage at short notice.

The practical consequences of that discontinuity are highlighted in multiple accounts. Reviewers describe hours that could not be fully staffed, leaving clients who require 24-hour care without coverage or with only intermittent supervision. There are reports of ambulances being called to transport clients to hospitals while waiting for someone to arrive to provide care or for a family member to reach the home. In some instances, caregivers were reportedly told to leave when the next shift did not arrive, and shifts were left unfilled until the last minute before a request for coverage was sent out. One reviewer even states with visible embarrassment that they had worked for the company at that location, underscoring the personal toll of such organizational lapses and the sense that the operation had failed those it was supposed to serve.

Amid these criticisms, some voices acknowledge that the agency has strong, positive attributes. A number of reviewers describe Homewatch as the best agency to handle a range of needs, praising the office staff as friendly and noting that they can rearrange caregiver hours when the need arises. It is repeatedly affirmed that the agency can secure caregivers who live in close proximity, helping to ensure quicker responses and more reliable in-home support. There are heartfelt testimonials about the agency enabling people to stay at home and live with more comfort and safety as life becomes more challenging, including expressions of gratitude toward both Homewatch and their partners (for example, UPMC) for providing opportunities to live life on one's own terms during the later chapters of life.

In stark contrast to the affirmative reviews, several posts are openly hostile toward the agency. A few writers characterize Homewatch Caregivers of Williamsport as "the lowest of the low," and others describe the location with phrases such as "this place is a joke." One reviewer urges others to "do your research and don't trust this company to care for your loved ones," signaling a level of distrust that goes beyond isolated incidents and into a broader dissatisfaction with the organization. The negative sentiment is reinforced by references to the closure chaos and to ongoing concerns about reliability and trustworthiness, amplified by mentions of negative experiences across social platforms like Facebook and Yelp with a consistent one-star or similarly harsh assessment.

There is also a specific incident recounted by a reviewer concerning medication management. According to that account, a life-sustaining 30-day prescription went missing, triggering an investigation. The reviewer sought reimbursement of $22 to replace the medication, but says the agency declined the reimbursement due to a lack of "proof." The emotional sting of that decision is compounded by a subsequent interaction in which the reviewer was asked whether they were switching agencies, and then noted that a new agency would take over on the 25th. The combination of a missing prescription, a denied reimbursement, and the sense of being treated as a transient customer as the agency's closure loomed adds a layer of frustration and anger to the overall assessment.

Despite the sharp contrasting opinions, a common thread across many reviews is the sense that care quality and personal interactions can be very strong, even when operational and management issues undermine confidence. Some reviewers recount meaningful collaborations with aides and family members to design care plans that support daily living and safety at home, and they acknowledge that such outcomes are achievable when the care team can function smoothly. At the same time, others feel misled by abrupt notices, disappointed by inconsistent coverage, and betrayed by what they perceive as poor handling of transitions and patient needs during a vulnerable period. The mixed set of experiences underscores the reality that, for some clients, Homewatch Caregivers can provide compassionate, competent care under stable conditions, while for others, the organization's problems - especially around closure timing, staffing continuity, and responsiveness - create significant risk and disappointment.

In closing, the body of reviews suggests a service that offers genuine benefits when it can deliver consistent, well-coordinated care and maintain open, transparent communication with families. Yet the overarching narrative also sketches a cautionary tale about the consequences of abrupt operational change and inadequate contingency planning. The most salient caution for prospective clients and families appears to be to conduct thorough due diligence, verify the local leadership and scheduling reliability, and seek clarity on how transitions will be managed should a location face closure. The experiences at this location run the gamut from heartfelt appreciation for compassionate caregivers to deep frustration with management decisions that compromised care continuity, leaving many to question what the future holds for similar agencies in the area.

This area of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, offers a convenient and bustling community for seniors looking to settle down. With several pharmacies nearby such as Rite Aid, Medicine Shoppe, and Wegmans, access to medication and health supplies is easily accessible. There is also a variety of restaurants within walking distance, including Franco's Lounge, The Bar On Market, and Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant for dining options. For those who enjoy coffee or tea, Alabaster Coffee Roaster & Tea Company is just a short walk away. In terms of healthcare, there are multiple physicians' offices nearby such as Community Health Center and Susquehanna Health Surgical Associates. Additionally, Divine Providence Hospital and The Williamsport Hospital are within close proximity for any medical emergencies. Parks like Robert L Shangraw Athletic Complex provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this neighborhood offers a vibrant community with essential amenities for senior living.

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.1 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe (0.2 miles)
• Wegmans (0.4 miles)
• Susquehanna Health Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.1 miles)
• GIANT Pharmacy (2.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Franco's Lounge (0.1 miles)
• The Bar On Market (0.1 miles)
• Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant (0.1 miles)
• The Brickyard Restaurant & Ale House (0.2 miles)
• Bullfrog Brewery (0.3 miles)
• Disalvo's (0.3 miles)
• New K-Bar & Hotel (0.5 miles)

Cafes

• Alabaster Coffee Roaster & Tea Company (0.1 miles)
• Starbucks (0.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (0.4 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (0.2 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (0.7 miles)
• Lycoming Valley Railroad Co. (2.9 miles)

Physicians

• Community Health Center (0.3 miles)
• Price Optical Company (0.5 miles)
• Pain Management of Williamsport (0.5 miles)
• Pais Gregory Nd (0.5 miles)
• Susuquehanna Health Surgical Associates (0.6 miles)
• Susquehanna Health General Surgery (0.6 miles)
• Schmidt Elva-Susquehanna Health Medical Group (0.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Agape Fellowship of the Mennonite Church (0.4 miles)
• Almond Branch Ministries (0.9 miles)
• Unitarian Universalist Congregation (1.1 miles)
• First Church of Christ (1.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Divine Providence Hospital (0.6 miles)
• Susquehanna Health Outpatient Rehab Center (0.6 miles)
• The Williamsport Hospital (0.7 miles)
• Susquehanna Health Hospitalist at Wrmc (0.8 miles)
• Rose View Center (1.5 miles)

Parks

• Robert L Shangraw Athletic Complex (0.8 miles)
• South Williamsport Park (1.2 miles)
• James Short Park (2.1 miles)