Utopia Home Care Inc in Patchogue

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  Irene Velasco

  :: 25 November 2016 14:03:31

  Our first aide gossiped about the other veterans she helped. Our second aide spent copious amounts of time using her phone. We are generously granted eight hours a week by the VA. For whatever reason, scheduling continues to be an issue with this company. I find myself repeatedly ringing to inquire if (I mean that, IF) someone has been identified to come help my Dad when the the assigned aide cannot come. There are peculiar communication protocols in place. Here's an example that will leave you scratching your head. We were switched to a new aide when the heavy phone user left. My Dad had two appointments scheduled months back at the VA. Realizing the new aide's schedule conflicted with my father's appointments I rang Utopia. I rang Utopia after speaking to the aide. She said I needed to ring Utopia. Fine. I speak to the coordinator at Utopia and I'm told: - Cancel the 2nd appointment of the day (The aide probably won't be able to do such a long day.) - Once I cancel the appointment, schedule the disabled bus service - Once the bus appointment is made call Utopia - Utopia will ask the aide if she can accompany Dad to his appointment - As the trip will go over the daily allotted time the extra hours will be subtracted from Dad's weekly eight hours Yeah, so I do all that. More than a week passes. But I follow their guidance. Utopia finally speaks to the aide. (AFTER I CALL THEM TO REMIND THEM.) The aide has a family and could never conceivably work those hours. Can Utopia find a fill-in aide to come a different day of the week? NO. So I find myself on Friday after Thanksgiving ringing Utopia. The coordinator had agreed to call "close of business" Tuesday to advise who would be coming Wednesday or Friday. It's Friday a little after 1pm. There isn't anyone on the schedule. I've been promised by the person answering the phone the primary coordinator will ring to 'resolve this'. But as I said to Utopia, it shouldn't be my responsibility to keep track of scheduling. What if I wasn't able to ring? What if it was just my father? I honestly don't think anyone would show. They are somewhat disorganized as a company. The phone using aide used to gripe about them alllll the time. I can see why now.