My 22 year old son was unfortunately involved in a horrible automobile accident that landed him in the hospital for eight and a half months. Upon his discharge form the hospital our family was in need of a weekday caregiver service that we could trust and rely upon. My son’s case manager at his last facility located BrightStar as a possible solution. BrightStar is located a reasonable distance form our home so the company seemed to be a good fit. I spoke with the owner Donny via phone and email and we set up a time for Donna the Director of Nursing and Katie the Community Relations Director to meet at my home to discuss our needs. Donna only came to the house as scheduled and we went over my son’s and our family’s needs. We came to an agreement to start services the following week and completed all the necessary paperwork. I was told by Donna that on the first day she would be there for the first 4 hours to smoothly transition our new caregiver. That first morning the new caregiver Bryan arrived at my home. We all introduced ourselves and I informed Bryan of my son’s therapy appointments and medication intervals but there was no Donna in site. I asked Bryan to call Donna and Donna said she was running a bit late but was on her way. This was must first warning about this company and how they conduct themselves. Donna showed up a half an hour late as I was leaving for work and we spoke briefly. I felt more at ease knowing that she would be there to help the new caregiver and my son get acquainted and transition. I was told by my son that she was there approximately half an hour. Where are the 4 hours I was told we would get? During my lunch hour I did a pop in at my house to see how things were going. Bryan was relaxing watching TV. I asked Bryan if he would make my son a sandwich which he did and I went back to work. About 2 hours later I get a call from my son’s physical therapist telling me that she is knocking on the door of my house and ringing the doorbell but no one is answering. I tell her that Bryan is there and should be able to let her in. At the same time my injured son is texting me and telling me someone is knocking on the door. At this time I can only assume that Bryan is asleep in my living room. I call my son’s brother and ask him to go by the house right away and check on things. My other son goes in the house to find Bryan asleep in my living room. WTF? My son did not receive his medications as needed and he missed a therapy session. ON THE FIRST DAY!!!!!!! I called Donna and immediately and fired BrightStar as my son’s caregiver service. I told her I expected that I wouldn’t be charged for this mess and she agreed. Two weeks later I get the bill and it was paid in full as we had previously set up automatic payment. I called BrightStar and Donna answered, she informed me that this was a matter I needed to discuss with the billing department. Donna took my number and told me billing would contact me soon regarding the matter. BrighStar billing department never returned my call . If you value the health of your loved one and would like to do business with an ethical company be warned that BrighStar is the last company that you should ever put your trust in.
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