SeniorsList Rating: 4.3 / 5
You’ve probably heard the name Home Instead — they’re the biggest home care franchise in the country, with over 1,200 locations in every state. When families start researching care for a parent, Home Instead is often the first call they make. The question we hear most is whether the big name actually translates to better care.
The honest answer: it depends on your local franchise. We called Home Instead offices in Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Florida while researching this review, and the experience varied a lot. The Phoenix office was warm and patient, answered every question without pressure, and quoted competitive rates. The Florida location pushed hard to lock in a weekly commitment before we’d even done a consultation. Same brand, very different feel.
What we do think Home Instead does well across the board is caregiver screening. Their background check process is one of the most thorough we’ve seen — FBI fingerprints, sex offender registry, drug testing, random drug testing for active employees. When you’re handing someone the keys to your parent’s house, that level of vetting matters. A son we spoke with in Texas told us he chose Home Instead specifically because of the screening process after a bad experience with a privately hired aide. His mom’s caregiver has been with her for two years now. If you want help evaluating whether Home Instead is the right fit compared to other options near you, email us at [email protected].
Home Instead: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Customized care plans: Home Instead builds care solutions around an in-depth assessment of each client’s specific needs, preferences, and routines.
- Rigorous caregiver training: Caregivers complete training in emergency response and dementia care, both online and in person with a registered nurse. Training continues annually.
- Comprehensive pre-employment screening: Caregivers pass state and federal background checks, FBI fingerprint checks, sex offender registry searches, drug tests, and driving record reviews. Random drug testing applies to active employees.
Cons
- Minimum commitments required: Many Home Instead locations require a minimum number of hours per visit and a weekly hour commitment. This may not suit families who only need occasional care.
- Above-average pricing: Home Instead typically runs $5 more per hour than local state medians.
- No skilled nursing: Home Instead provides non-medical care only. RN and LPN services are not part of the offering.
About Home Instead
Home Instead is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Its more than 1,200 U.S. offices serve clients in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with additional locations in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Because each franchise is independently owned and operated, service availability and pricing will vary by location.
Services
Home Instead organizes its services into seven categories:
- Companionship: Social engagement through conversation, games, puzzles, and regular companionable visits.
- Chronic illness support: Non-medical assistance for clients with Alzheimer’s, dementia, heart disease, Parkinson’s, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, or stroke recovery needs. (Caregivers are not nurses but can assist with daily routines.)
- End-of-life care: Support for clients in hospice, including personal care and companionship.
- Enhanced services: Medication reminders, glucose level checks, and wound monitoring (non-clinical).
- Meal preparation and homemaking: Cooking, light housekeeping, and household organization.
- Personal care: Assistance with bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, transferring, and mobility.
- Transportation: Rides to errands, appointments, social events, and places of worship.
What to Expect
With each franchise independently managed, experiences vary. From our research across multiple locations:
- Hourly rates: $35 to $55 per hour for care ranging from light personal assistance to specialized chronic illness support.
- Visit minimums: Most locations require at least four hours per shift; some require 12 hours per week scheduled.
- Personalized care: An in-home consultation before care starts is standard practice.
- Staff quality: Representatives consistently demonstrated strong knowledge of care needs and showed genuine compassion in our interactions.
What Customers Are Saying
Home Instead’s national aggregate scores on Trustpilot (2.6) and Consumer Affairs (2.1) are lower than its reputation might suggest. These scores reflect the full range of franchise experiences. Individual location reviews tell a more nuanced story.
A satisfied client from Sugarland, Texas, shared: “I needed a reliable home care company for 24-hour care for someone transitioning to hospice. Lillian came out to understand the care needed and staffed it with great caregivers. I will use them again.”
Not every experience has been positive. Some clients have described communication failures, inconsistent staffing, and in rare cases, serious issues with caregiver conduct. Reading local franchise reviews before committing is strongly recommended.
Cost and Pricing
Pricing depends on location, service level, and hours booked:
- Phoenix, Arizona: $36 to $40/hr; lower rates for 12+ hours/week. Couples care available at ~$45/hr. (State median: $36/hr)
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: $38/hr under 20 hours/week; $36/hr at 20+ hours/week. Four-hour minimum per shift. (State median: $31/hr)
- Delray Beach, Florida: ~$35/hr for light personal care; $45 to $55/hr for specialized care. 12 hours/week minimum; 4-hour minimum per shift. (State median: $30/hr)
Areas Served
Home Instead provides care in all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and internationally in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Our Assessment
Home Instead is one of the most recognized names in home care for good reason. Its nationwide coverage, rigorous caregiver training, and pre-employment screening process are real strengths. The customized care plan approach and compassionate staff culture stand out consistently in positive reviews.
The above-average pricing and minimum commitment requirements limit suitability for families seeking occasional or sporadic coverage. And as always with large franchises, individual location quality matters enormously. Research your local franchise before making a decision, and schedule the free in-home consultation as a first step.