Sarenac Home Care in Spokane, WA

Pros

• Ramila and her team are described as amazing angels who truly care for every resident.
• Sarenac Home Care provides a genuine home-like environment with warmth, cleanliness, and empathy.
• The home is spotless and inviting, smelling pleasant and feeling like home.
• The care has led to meaningful improvements in residents' health and quality of life, including reducing unnecessary medications.
• Residents are treated like family, with personalized attention, love, and homemade meals.
• Families are kept informed with regular updates and photos, helping them stay connected.
• Meals are prepared from scratch and served at a family dining table, with fabulous desserts.
• The facilities are comfortable, bright, and accessible, with room to assist caregivers.
• The staff celebrate birthdays and holidays, fostering a sense of belonging and socialization.
• Ramila is hands-on, compassionate, and dedicated to meeting each resident's individual needs.
• Families feel peace, gratitude, and confidence in the care their loved ones receive at Sarenac.

Cons

• The owner was described as brusque at times and aggressive.
• It seemed money was the primary motivation for running the home, with promises of a "forever home" tied to the ability to pay.
• They were told they would need two years of private pay to bridge to Medicaid and would have to sign a contract to supplement Medicaid income.
• They were told Medicaid might only cover about $2,400 a month, creating a large shortfall that would require private funding.
• A designated Medicaid room was claimed, but the owner later contradicted that claim, suggesting inconsistent information.
• The reviewers felt the supplemental contract and private-pay requirements could be illegal or financially coercive.
• A resident's outdoor walks were restricted to avoid "ruining the grass," removing a preferred activity and causing frustration.

Review

Sarenac Home Care in Spokane is best suited for families seeking a true home-like elder-care option where a small, consistent caregiving team knows residents by name and treats daily life as a shared, family affair. The setting is intimate rather than institutional: clean, warmly furnished rooms, a dining table where meals are shared, and routines built around socialization, birthdays, and low-key activities. This community excels for seniors who prize warmth, personalized attention, and regular family updates over clinical formality or a large-array memory-care program. It is a strong fit for families wanting hands-on, heart-centered care delivered by a family-run team in a quiet, suburban environment.

Those who may want to consider alternatives include families prioritizing rigid price transparency and formal Medicaid transitions, or anyone needing high-acuity medical oversight and nursing services around the clock. A substantial update of concerns appears around financial arrangements and transition to Medicaid, suggesting caution for families navigating budgeted care with strict state supports. For residents whose needs rise rapidly to complex medical management or for whom a robust, specialized memory-care unit is non-negotiable, larger facilities with on-site nurses and formal clinical oversight may be a more suitable match. The voice of at least one family points to challenges around private-pay requirements and supplemental contracts, underscoring the importance of careful due diligence before committing.

The core strengths of Sarenac - genuine warmth, unwavering attentiveness, and a true sense of home - tend to offset the absence of a large clinical footprint. Families repeatedly note attentive, long-tenured caregivers who treat residents as if they were family, not merely clients. The home's cleanliness, the at-table family-style meals, and homemade desserts create a daily atmosphere that reinforces dignity and connection. Staff members are described as going beyond basic care - helping with personal grooming, hair, and nails; planning celebrations; and providing frequent updates to relatives. In short, the emotional and social benefits are substantial and consistently highlighted as the backbone of the experience.

Yet the most scrutinized area remains financial: price, the structure of payments, and how transitions to Medicaid are managed. Several reviews celebrate transparent, compassionate care without friction, while one detailed account raises alarms about private-pay requirements for two years and a supplemental contract tied to Medicaid access. This contrast matters. For families, the takeaway is clear: the care quality can be extraordinary, but the financial path requires scrupulous, written clarity. Before deciding, request a detailed, written policy on private pay, Medicaid transitions, and any supplemental agreements, and verify what is included in fees and what may trigger extra charges.

The stories about Ramila and the care team consistently emphasize a culture of trust and devotion. The owner and caregivers are praised for running a "tight ship" with empathy, staying present in daily life, and treating residents with the respect of family members. The overall atmosphere - guest-friendly, spotless, food-centered around homemade meals, and staffed by a team that remains with residents over time - creates a sense of security for families that their loved ones are cherished and monitored with consistency. The hospitable, almost familial approach is repeatedly credited with soothing anxieties, stabilizing mood, and supporting quality of life during fragile health periods.

In practical terms, families evaluating Sarenac should schedule a comprehensive on-site discussion that covers staffing ratios, daily schedules, meal planning, and the resident's anticipated medical needs. Bring questions about Medicaid eligibility, room availability for Medicaid transitions, required private-pay periods, and any contracts or addenda. Request current references and speak with multiple families whose relatives live there or recently moved out. Confirm the facility's ability to accommodate specific needs, such as mobility aids, memory-support activities, and safety features in bathrooms and common areas. With diligent inquiry, Sarenac offers a compelling option for those who want a nurturing, home-forward experience anchored in continuity and community, balanced by a clear-eyed view of pricing and transition policies.

Located in the vibrant city of Spokane, Washington, this particular neighborhood offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. Within close proximity, you will find a selection of restaurants ranging from casual dining options like Pooles Public House and Frank's Diner to fast food chains like Sonic Drive-In and McDonald's. Pharmacies such as Walgreens, Sav-On Pharmacy, and Rite Aid are easily accessible for all your medical needs. Additionally, there are several places of worship in the area, including Whitworth Chapel and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. For healthcare services, Providence Urgent Care and various specialty clinics are nearby. If you enjoy outdoor activities, parks like Franklin Park and Indian Trail Park provide opportunities for leisurely walks or picnics. Overall, this neighborhood offers a blend of convenience, community resources, and recreational options suitable for senior living.

Restaurants

• Pooles Public House On (0.5 miles)
• Fizzie Mulligans (0.6 miles)
• Frank's Diner (0.7 miles)
• Twigs Bistro (0.8 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (0.8 miles)
• Firehouse Subs (2.3 miles)
• McDonald's (3.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Sav-On Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Shopko Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Rosauers Supermarkets (1.4 miles)
• Payless Drug Stores (1.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Whitworth Chapel (0.8 miles)
• Prince of Peace Lutheran (4 miles)

Physicians

• Providence Urgent Care - Hawthorne (0.9 miles)
• Providence Pulmonary and Sleep Disorder Clinic - Spokane (1.3 miles)
• Northwest Dermatology (1.4 miles)
• Orthopaedic Specialty Clinic (1.4 miles)
• Mt. Spokane Pediatrics (1.5 miles)
• Spine Team Spokane (1.5 miles)
• Lee Rhonna Arnp (1.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.5 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)
• Little Garden Cafe (5.6 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (6.4 miles)
• Hold Your Grounds Espresso (6.7 miles)
• Daily Habit (7.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Providence Holy Family Hospital Anti Coag Unit (3.8 miles)
• Providence Holy Family Hospital (5 miles)
• Spokane Va Medical Center (5.3 miles)
• VA Medical Center (5.3 miles)

Parks

• Franklin Park (4 miles)
• Indian Trail Park (4.1 miles)
• Bidwell Park (4.1 miles)
• Webster Park (5.4 miles)
• Corbin Park (5.5 miles)
• Ice Age floods Playground (6.8 miles)
• The United States Pavilion, Expo '74 (6.9 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Northtown Mall (4.1 miles)