Good Samaritan Home in St. Louis, MO

Pros

• Peggy is loved through Good Samaritan.
• Good Samaritan offers flexible hours and competitive pay based on experience.
• The caregiving staff is professional in actions and appearance, embodying timeliness, integrity, and compassion.
• The company has been wonderful for years and continues to be so.
• Good Samaritan Senior Care is regarded as one of the best in the industry and is highly recommended.
• The environment is caring and family-like, with an extremely clean, pet-friendly home.

Cons

• Good Samaritan rarely provides backup caregivers.
• The agency says backup isn't possible and leaves families in the lurch.
• The agency's communication is lacking at times.
• The situation of a 93-year-old being left without a caregiver for hours is totally unacceptable.

Review

Good Samaritan Home is best suited for families seeking reliable in-home caregiving delivered by a professional team that operates with a warm, family-like culture. It fits seniors who live with mobility issues and mild dementia and who benefit from regular help with daily tasks, errands, and meaningful companionship without moving into an assisted living facility. The standout asset is the caregiving staff: trained, punctual, and genuinely compassionate, with a track record of professionalism in appearance and approach. The environment reinforces comfort and dignity, offering a clean, pet-friendly setting that helps residents feel at ease while maintaining routines that matter to them. This program works best when the elder's day-to-day life can be anchored by dependable, personable caregivers who treat home as a supportive, respectful space.

Those who should consider alternatives are the ones for whom backup coverage is non-negotiable. Reviews repeatedly flag unreliable backups, with telltale gaps where no substitute caregiver can be found and families left scrambling. For a senior who depends on a caregiver every day or who requires strict, predictable supervision, the risk of being left unattended - even briefly - can be unacceptable. Additionally, families with tight budgets may find the in-home agency premium hard to justify if backup availability is inconsistent. In such cases, a traditional assisted living facility or a larger agency with published, guaranteed on-call coverage may deliver the peace of mind and 24/7 staffing that a highly frail elder requires.

On the plus side, the organization's strengths are notable. Caregivers are described as professional and dependable, with core values centered on timeliness, integrity, compassion, and ongoing training. Families consistently report that staff are not only capable but genuinely kind, creating a supportive, "family-like" atmosphere that reduces the elder's sense of isolation. The ability to help with errands, transportation, and routine tasks - such as grocery trips or getting to appointments - extends independence for the senior and lightens the load on family members. The combination of a respectful demeanor, practical support, and a clean, welcoming home environment makes the day-to-day experience more livable for older adults who cherish familiar surroundings.

The principal drawback remains the backup problem and the communications gaps that accompany it. When a primary caregiver is unavailable, the system often fails to deliver a timely substitute, leaving the elder waiting or unsupervised for extended periods. This is not a minor inconvenience; for a vulnerable senior, it translates into real safety and quality-of-life implications. Communication lapses further worsen the impact, as families are left without timely updates or clear expectations about when relief will arrive. The financial premium for an in-home agency becomes harder to defend when such gaps undermine reliability, especially for households accustomed to predictable care routines.

Yet the pros can meaningfully offset the cons when the backup framework is solid. When a dependable pool of substitutes exists and arrangements are clearly communicated, the combination of professional staff, compassionate care, and supportive services can dramatically reduce family stress and preserve the elder's independence at home. The care team's consistency, the emphasis on training, and the willingness to assist with transportation and errands all translate into tangible quality-of-life gains for seniors who value dignified, familiar living. The experience is strongest for those who can pair the agency's strengths with a robust contingency plan that covers occasional coverage gaps without compromising safety.

Bottom line: Good Samaritan Home offers a high-quality, compassionate in-home caregiving option with a warm, clean, pet-friendly environment and a professional staff. It is a strong fit for families who can tolerate occasional backup gaps and who want to avoid moving into a facility while maintaining autonomy at home. For those whose peace of mind hinges on guaranteed backup coverage and constant supervision, exploring alternatives - whether another agency with explicit backup protocols or a traditional assisted living setting with built-in staffing - should be part of the plan. Before committing, insist on a formal backup policy, request access to the backup caregiver roster, and establish a clear escalation and communication protocol. Consider a short-term trial to evaluate reliability and fit, ensuring that the chosen path aligns with the elder's safety, routines, and the family's capacity to manage contingencies.

This area of St. Louis, Missouri offers a mix of recreational opportunities, healthcare facilities, dining options, and amenities to support daily living. With several parks nearby such as Fairground Park and Lafayette Park, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and peaceful surroundings. The availability of hospitals like Gateway Regional Medical Center and St. Louis Children's Hospital provides convenient access to medical care. There are also a variety of restaurants ranging from casual dining at McDonald's to more upscale options like Salt + Smoke. Pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens are easily accessible for medication needs, and there are several cafes like Starbucks for socializing or enjoying a cup of coffee. Transportation options including Amtrak and MetroLink stations ensure easy access to other parts of the city. Places of worship such as St Ambrose Church cater to spiritual needs, while theaters like AMC Esquire 7 offer entertainment options for leisure time. Overall, this part of St. Louis provides a diverse range of amenities that would cater well to those considering senior living in the area.

Parks

• Fairground Park (1.1 miles)
• Wohl Recreation Center / Sherman Park (3.1 miles)
• Citygarden (3.7 miles)
• Gateway Arch National Park (3.9 miles)
• Lafayette Park (4.2 miles)
• Bar K (4.9 miles)
• Tower Grove Park (5.5 miles)

Hospitals

• VA Medical Center Spinal Cord Injury Program (2.8 miles)
• Gateway Regional Medical Center (3.7 miles)
• The Rehabilitation Institute of St Louis (3.9 miles)
• Metropolitan St Louis Psychiatric Center (4 miles)
• St Louis Children's Hospital (4.2 miles)
• SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center (4.3 miles)
• St Alexius Hospital (6.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Schlafly Tap Room (3.1 miles)
• Salt + Smoke (3.2 miles)
• Rosalita's Cantina (3.2 miles)
• McDonald's (3.3 miles)
• The Over Under Bar Grill (3.4 miles)
• Lumiere Place Casino (3.4 miles)
• Hooters (3.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• Schnucks (3.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• Walgreens (4.5 miles)
• Globe Drug (4.9 miles)
• Walgreens (5.6 miles)

Physicians

• BJC Behavioral Health Service - Dinu Petru Gangure MD (3.4 miles)
• Barnes-Jewish Hospital (4.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.4 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Blueprint Coff (5.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (3.8 miles)
• MetroLink - Emerson Park Station (5.1 miles)
• Zooline Railroad The Wild (5.2 miles)
• Metrolink North Hanley Station (6.6 miles)
• Jet Aviation (7.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Ann Catholic School (5.3 miles)
• Macedonia Baptist Church (5.3 miles)
• St Ambrose Church (5.6 miles)
• St Johns Lutheran Church (6.8 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Esquire 7 (6.6 miles)