Home Instead - Janesville, WI

Pros

• Alexis is praised for quickly getting the seniors to safety during a gas leak, likely saving their lives.
• The service is described as very dependable, with no shows and the ability to accommodate split shifts, earning strong recommendations.
• The staff caring for loved ones are compassionate, respectful, and knowledgeable, and are consistently punctual.
• Caregivers are wonderful - kind, competent, and caring - making clients feel comfortable and happy.
• Care Pros are reliable, genuinely compassionate, punctual, and attentive, going above and beyond for clients' well-being.
• Home Instead is wonderful - caring and kind, making families feel like a priority and providing peace of mind.
• The team is friendly, helpful, and sincere; Mindy and the staff are caring, compassionate, and supportive.
• Office staff are friendly and knowledgeable; caregivers are well trained, polite, and organized to meet clients' needs.
• The organization demonstrates strong attention to safety and dementia care, with excellent customer service.

Cons

• The reviewers described the management as horrible and accused the company of hiring unqualified staff, advising not to waste money on their services.
• One reviewer called the facility a circus and a total joke, saying it is not suitable for medical needs.
• They claimed the staff are disingenuous and that the company only cares about profits.
• They criticized the interviews as a disaster and complained about a lack of professionalism.
• They asserted that Lizzie did not return their voicemails, accusing the office of unresponsiveness.
• They urged others to go elsewhere for care.
• They described the office environment as unprofessional and embarrassing.

Review

There is a strong pattern across these reviews of Home Instead as a service that many families rely on for at-home care, with caregivers who consistently make a difference in daily life and in moments of crisis. Several families describe experiences that left them grateful beyond measure: one caregiver, Alexis, is credited with saving a life by quickly discovering a gas leak in the home and getting the elderly parents to safety. That kind of presence and quick action is echoed by others who note that caregivers are not only dependable and punctual but also deeply compassionate, respectful, and attentive to the people they support. The sentiment is clear: when you need in-home care, having someone who shows up reliably and treats your loved ones with kindness can be priceless.

Across many entries, caregivers themselves are highlighted as the most positive, consistent element of the service. Reviewers praise the care pros for being reliable, compassionate, and genuinely invested in the well-being of clients. They describe caregivers as extremely kind, competent, and caring, with the ability to put clients at ease and even brighten their daily lives. Families mention that the caregivers not only fulfill practical needs but also offer companionship - being "fun to talk to and have around" as they help home-bound loved ones feel more comfortable and settled. In several accounts, the caregivers' punctuality and willingness to be flexible - able to handle split shifts and varied hours - adds a layer of trust that families rely on day after day.

Another recurring thread is the sense of peace of mind that comes from consistent and capable care. Multiple reviewers emphasize that the staff were not only kind and knowledgeable but also proactive about safety and specialized needs. For families caring for someone with dementia or other cognitive challenges, the reassurance that caregivers are trained in safety and dementia care is a recurring and important point. People speak of the office team as friendly, knowledgeable, and supportive, with Mindy and her staff singled out for their professionalism and resourcefulness in helping families navigate costs and care planning. The overarching message is that, when the care team is well-aligned with family needs, families feel empowered to pursue options like Home Instead with confidence.

Yet the picture is not without its tensions. A subset of reviews voices strong criticisms of management and administrative aspects of the operation. One reviewer characterizes the management as "HORRIBLE" and cautions others to seek care elsewhere, including comments about hiring practices and expectations of medical qualifications for caregivers. Others explicitly advise against using the service, urging potential customers to consider alternatives and to "look further north into Chippewa Falls" or to explore places like Madison or Lake Geneva. The criticisms point to a perceived gap between the excellent bedside manner of individual caregivers and the processes, communication, and professionalism of the office or franchise leadership.

Some reviews go further to describe a frustrating experience with communication and accountability. A recurring complaint involves difficulties contacting the office or specific staff members, with allegations that calls or voicemails go unanswered. In one particularly pointed account, a client claims that attempts to reach Lizzie (or Lizzy) have been ignored, fueling a perception that the company prioritizes profits over the people it serves and that staff may be disingenuous. While such statements are harsh, they reflect a real concern about how back-office communications can impact the overall experience of care, even when caregivers in the field provide outstanding day-to-day support.

Despite the division between praise for caregivers and criticism of management, the sentiment among many families remains deeply favorable. Repeated testimonials describe Home Instead as a wonderful option, especially for those who need a partner they can trust to provide consistent, compassionate care. Words like "wonderful," "caring," "kind," and "prioritizing family" populate several entries, and several reviewers explicitly recommend the service to others. The positive notes are often anchored in personal stories of relief and gratitude - the sense that a parent or spouse is in capable hands, with caregivers who treat them with dignity and kindness, and an office team that, when it's functioning smoothly, makes the entire caregiving arrangement feel seamless and reassuring.

In sum, the collection of reviews presents a balanced portrait of Home Instead: caregivers frequently deliver transformative, life-affirming support that gives families a sense of security and relief, while some clients experience frustration with management and communication processes. The strongest endorsements come from those who personally witnessed urgent acts of care, consistent reliability, and compassionate companionship. For families evaluating options, these reviews suggest that the quality of the direct caregiving can be outstanding, but it may be wise to ask specific questions about the office's communication, staffing qualifications, and processes to ensure alignment with expectations and needs. If you prioritize dependable, empathetic hands and are prepared to engage with the office to optimize scheduling and care planning, Home Instead appears to offer a compellingly positive foundation for home-based senior care.

Restaurants

• Culver's (0.4 miles)
• Russ's Park Place Bar & Grill (1.1 miles)
• GR's Sandwich Shoppe (1.4 miles)
• Citrus Cafe (2 miles)
• Game Day Sports Bar & Grill (2 miles)
• Lark - Janesville (2.1 miles)
• Corvina's Bar (2.2 miles)

Hospitals

• St Marys Janesville Hospital (0.6 miles)
• SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Janesville (0.6 miles)
• Mercy Health System (2.8 miles)
• Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center (2.8 miles)
• Mercy Labor and Delivery Unit (2.8 miles)
• Mercy Clinic North (3.1 miles)
• Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center Emergency North (3.1 miles)

Physicians

• Dean Clinic Janesville East - Department of Infusion (0.6 miles)
• Mercy East Urgent Care (1.5 miles)
• Ragotzy Ronald L MD (1.5 miles)
• Landon Riggs (1.5 miles)
• Dr David Richard Luellwitz, DO (1.5 miles)
• Family Eyecare & Optical (1.5 miles)
• Premier Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (2.1 miles)

Parks

• Palmer Park (0.7 miles)
• Traxler Park (2.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• St John Vianney Catholic Church (1.4 miles)
• Foundation Bible Church (2.5 miles)
• St William Parish (3.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Mercy Clinic East (1.5 miles)
• Schnucks (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Kealey Pharmacy & Home Care Service (2.4 miles)
• Kealey Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Home Town Pharmacy (2.4 miles)

Cafes

• Mocha Moment (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.9 miles)
• Jeff's Coffee Bar (3.1 miles)