If i could give zero i would!! In the initial evaluation, my mom (81 years old) who was starting home health was promised everything: OT, PT, RN for wound care, aide for bathing, social worker... the case manager absolutely dropped the ball on everything!!! I havent heard from her and my mom has only been bathed ONCE by the aide in two weeks!! The wound care order specified daily care and this agency only noted twice a week. There is no follow thru by case manager, no communication between disciplines, and no sense of care whatsoever for the patient. So disappointing!! I would absolutely NOT trust this agency!!!! They don't care about the patient. Ive had to make calls every day to gety mom the care she was promised and ordered by the doctor. Very upsetting!!! read more

Care Choices' intake staff was wonderful and took the time to assure my siblings and I that they would be there for my mother and make her journey into death comfortable and peaceful. Unfortunately they abandoned her in her final hours at her assisted living facility, with no medical staff, equipment or medications to relieve her from choking on her own fluids and gasping for air for hours, before my eyes until she died. I called Care Choices' office several times begging for help but was told matter-of-factly that they did not have the staff to come out and assist and would not for hours. Seeing my mother in such pain and distress in her final hours and moments, feeling helpless, and my pleas for help being dismissed is a Worst-Day-in-my-Life scene that replays in my mind daily . I would not recommend Care Choices to anyone. K.L. 2-12-19 read more

Like so many others, I can't say enough good things about CareChoices! I was so unset about my mom when she had to be taken to Hoag Hospital (another 5 stars for them). First to emergency and then admitted. I was advised to look for a hospice agency. I meet June at Hoag and she explained everything to me and took over. CareChoices was so efficient at everything. They took care of my mom and of me. I wish that I had written everyone's name down so I could thank them. It was a difficult emotional time for me. Thank you June, Mary Ann, Gigi lovely Sarah and all the others involved with my mom's care! My mom couldn't have been in better hands! read more

Dr. Kulkari is a competent and compassionate physician who specializes in helping dying patients and their families. She and her team provide empathetic, thoughtful care. Rachael the RN has been extraordinary in her attention to detail and responsiveness. Romina has provided gentle personal care and taught my father and I to be better caregivers. Gregory the social worker is knowledgeable and extremely helpful. I cannot recommend this team highly enough. read more

Thank you for your compassion and care for my Mother. You allowed us to be with her in the end knowing she had the best medical care. extra thanks to Kassim- five stars! The Miller family Huntington Beach read more

What a wonderful group of people. The nurses who cared for Mom were so caring, knowledgeable and kind. It such a difficult time, loosing a loved one, they all went out of there way for us. They were compassionate to our mom and to us. From the doctors to the nurses and the case managers we truly thank you. Thank you all so very much. read more

Our relative came home from the hospital in an altered state, but had no terminal illness or condition. When she returned to a normal state and expressed desire to eat, drink, exercise, and be outdoors it was discouraged and opposed by this hospice agency. After persistent calls and wading through their bureaucratic process, a limited degree of palliative care was agreed upon. After nutrition and hydration were given for 2 weeks, she had marked improvement and when desire to leave hospice for home health care that would provide more complete palliative and recuperative care was expressed, St Michaels opposed and discouraged it. The family had to insist and fight to revoke hospice and be discharged so appropriate home health could be initiated. Later we found it to be because of the way Medicare pays hospice costs - if a patient is in hospice for less than one month, costs are not reimbursed or at same levels as if they remain on hospice for more than a month or die within the first month of admission. Cause of death paperwork was filled out upon admission to home hospice from the hospital -- this was premature, unethical, and possibly a violation of medicare standards and medical protocols. Filings have been made with state and federal authorities on these matters. Hospice agency's relationship to home health agency Sonnet is a cause for concern and possible conflict of interest, and it led to many contradictory practices and communications to family. We had contact with the following departments/groups within St Michaels and give them the following scores. Rating out of 5: Quality of nursing (3/5), Social workers (4/5), Chaplain (5/5), Administrative (1/5). read more

My family and I had tried many other hospice companies for my grandfather. Though his health was doing poorly, he managed to hang on and would be discharged from hospice care. The last time, he went to the hospital and was there for a week with doctors telling us there was nothing more they could do and he should go home in hospice care to be with family. We were given complete choice as to what hospice we wanted him to leave with. Recognizing many, I knew I didn't want most of them. So I turned to yelp. Saw that CareChoices had higher reviews than the other, and chose them. The nurse that came to the hospital to help us admit my grandfather was very kind and caring. She actually managed to get us a round the clock nurse for the first 24hrs he was home to help us with the inevitable. The next day, all the necessary equipment was delivered and my grandfather showed up shortly after. The first shift nurse was very kind to my family and was gentle with my grandfather, even with him sleeping and unable to wake up easily. When the second shift nurse came by, they told us that my grandfather appeared as if he was going to pass away, we had time to gather around him and hold him as he drew his last breath and passed. The nurses were incredibly kind and supportive as we mourned. They assisted in finding a funeral home (he passed away right at midnight) and stayed until the funeral company showed up to transport my grandfather. Our experience with this company was brief, but we experienced them during a very rough time. They were always kind and made sure we understood they were there to help. If we were ever not happy with something, to please call them and they would do their best to help us. There are many hospice companies out there. We've tried at least half a dozen of the largest and most well known. This company was by far the most compassionate and caring. Though I would never want to have to need their services again, they will more than likely be my first choice if I did. read more

Such a thoughtful, kind team of caregivers from the chaplains to the nurses, aides, social workers and volunteers. Highly recommend.

My family was so blessed to have the folks from St Michael care for my father in the last four days of his life. Thank you to Effie, Mary, Tracy, Maria and Paul for all the love and compassion you showed all of us as we walked through such a difficult time. If you are ever faced to make a decision for Hospice Care, call St. Michael. You won't regret it. read more

I had two amazing nurses over a 24 hour period when I brought my Mom home to die after being in the hospital. They were amazing. Super attentive, caring, compassionate. They didn't leave her room and continued to provide care even after she had departed. They prepped her body, cleaned the room and made sure she was properly medicated so she was without pain. It was amazing. The male nurse even sang to her (she wasn't conscious, but he knew she could hear). I was napping on the couch in the other room and he came to get me just as she was dying. I was there when she took her last breaths. I can't say enough about this organization. They made my last day with my Mom worry free. She passed peacefully and I wish I could hug them all and thank them again for their compassion and care. read more

The CareChoices team including Geoffrey Carol, Cristina etc were absolutely amazing and wonderful. I can't say enough about these hospice services during some of the most difficult days ever. Their intake person came to the hospital, arranged transport to a facility and when that facility wasn't working, went with me to find another facility and organized that transport. All of Mom's needs were expertly and professionally handled. And they went out of their way to assure that I was ok too. At the end, I felt like the 24 hour nurses were my friends and family. They were compassionate, caring and extremely attentive to Mom's needs. They took time to explain what they were doing during each step of the dying process and truly seemed to want to make sure that my Mom felt thoroughly cared for. I highly recommend CareChoices. read more

Very disappointed in the service we are receiving for my dad from Care Choices. Very disorganized, not meeting my minimum expectations, including no-shows and lack of coordination and communication from the care team with the family. I intend to file a formal complaint with regulatory organizations. read more

Pay attention to the one star reviews for this company. The recurrent theme is poor communication. We had the very same experience. GREAT on boarding team but really poor follow through with the nurses we were assigned. The Continuous Care workers were, overall, very knowledgeable and professional. But communication with the assigned nurse was really poor. If you're lucky, you'll be one of the 4 or 5 star reviewers. But if you're not, your experience will be %1000 more taxing on the family than just dealing with a terminal diagnosis and loss of your family member. read more

My 88 year old mom had fallen and become bedridden almost a year and a half ago. My family had been helping me care for her and her doctor recommended CareChoices to give us assistance. Everyone was so kind, starting with Sally, the admitting nurse, Allison, the social worker, An Nguyen, the amazing PCP and Jennifer Perry, my mom's wonderful case manager and main nurse. The CareChoices team was gentle and warm with my very sweet mom and I know she felt the care they all sincerely gave her. They helped me get through the last weeks of my mom's life, gently guiding me even though I hadn't yet accepted that she wasn't going to get better. Mom wasn't in pain, but her health was deteriorating rapidly. I think my mom was glad that I had CareChoices there to help and support me. Mom always told me I worried too much, and Jennifer helped me do what I could for my mom and not worry about what I couldn't do. This gave my mom peace about my state of mind. I was with my mom during the night before she passed and saw that something was different. I contacted Jennifer very early and she arranged her schedule to get there as soon as possible. I was able to get the rest of the family to come say goodbye; Jennifer came and told me what I should do to keep mom comfortable. Mom passed away shortly after her last grandson got there, in the way she wanted, peacefully and in her own home with her loved ones around her. I have received calls from Paul, the Chaplain, since my mom passed, letting me know that CareChoices is available if anyone in the family needs to talk through any issues. Jennifer has reached out to me to see how I'm doing, which I really appreciated. CareChoices made a difference during this difficult time and I would recommend them highly. read more

About three months ago I enrolled my beloved mom to the CareChoices services. It was really hard for me to that but their staffs were so helpful and kind and they made the process easy for me. My mother and I were lucky to receive best CARE from her nurse, Mehrnoosh Bandi and also kind Regina who would give her bath twice a week. Mehrnoosh was always available to help and on top of my mother's medication and would make her comfortable. She always had her kind smile and we felt her caring. She is an angel. No matter what day of the week or what time of the day, she would come to check on my mother. Unfortunately my mother passed away on November 25th, but with Mehrnoosh's help and care, her final days were more bearable. I truly don't know how I could have handled my mother's health situation without Mehrnoosh's support and kindness. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. read more

These are some of the most caring and empathic team I've ever had the opportunity to know. They took exceptional care of my grandmother. As someone in the industry, there is no parallel in Orange County. par excellence!! read more

From case manager to RNs to Office staff, I never worked with an organization where all its employees treated both patient and family with so much respect, understanding and compassion. My aunt was diagnosed with an aggressive form of liver cancer, so her hospice care was a little over a month before she passed away. They were all just such compassionate individuals helping someone they've never met to get through her final days with comfort and dignity. I had to call them today (almost 2 months after my aunt passed away) because I had to get another copy of he life insurance form, and the woman who answered the phone was just the nicest person and said she would send me another copy today! Thank you for all that you do! read more

CareCHOICES was there for us as our 99 year old aunt was dying due to complications from a fall. After five days at Hoag Hospital we returned her home so that she could die there and she did within four days. This hospice agency came right in and got every single thing in order.....a hospital bed, oxygen tank, comfort kit, nurses right there to oversee our aunt's care, administer her meds, monitor her dying process. They were professional, efficient, understanding and compassionate. We couldn't have asked for better care and support. We will always be grateful for their service on behalf of our aunt (and us too). read more

Well, things started off rough, but Care Choices stepped up and went well beyond amazing for our family. For the family to make the decision of who to use, is very hard while your mother is dying in front of you. I thought I had made a huge mistake at first when Marie showed up. She was a little rough around the edges, made some inappropriate comments that sent us spinning. At that very moment, our mother had a breathing episode and Marie stepped up big time medically. The idea that we would not have "continuous care" frighten us so much at that point and she understood that. She actually wrote down that we get continuous care throughout the process which is unheard of, i hear. From that point on we received amazing, nurturing and compassionate nurses that really let us be family to our mother, rather than nurses ourselves. It would be helpful to those looking for care to hear these names to request for nurses and even for administrative (Vicki) things. Nurses: Linda, Sophie, Elizabeth, Tonya, CC, Athena. (i might be forgetting some but these are the GREAT ones) Also George was OUTSTANDING as our Case worker. The Chaplin was great Also the social worker... great. And Thanks to Marie...eventually. (on any other day I would love her sense of humor, but .... They ALL rallied to make my mother's passing a comfortable as possible. And all paid by Medicare. Here..... THE SYSTEM WORKED. (I did have to freak out a bit at the start so maybe remember "The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Grease") Thank you so much Care Choices read more

Horrible communication. When my loved one was first put on hospice they promised us the moon and the stars and made us believe they were a great organization. Communication was pretty good at first but as the weeks progressed they started to get lazy and not following through on supply requests and when they did get the supplies it would be when the nurse would come back for a visit which was once a week. These supplies were needed immediately and they didn't stick to their promise of "there is always someone in the area so when you need something day or night give us a call". Also an untrained professional such as myself shouldn't have to call to complain about a nurse so she could do her job when it comes to having open communication with the caregiver and explaining what's going on with the patient. For one they only come out once a week so they should take the time to be friendly and explain things instead of doing a quick check up on the patient just so they can get paid, do their chart notes, and move on to the next dying person. When the caregiver or I would ask questions regarding our loved one regarding her condition or a simple question how to care for her hygiene her response would be you need to speak with the bathing nurse or she would answer with an attitude. Not very professional responses from a REGISTERED NURSE who i know got training in all areas of patient care. Once they knew my loved one was already in the final stages of dying the communication got really bad. The administration try to put the blame on you when they mess up! I wouldn't recommend them especially if you have family who are not going to advocate for the patient or call them out on their mistakes. I would like to say that Megan visited my loved one 2-3 times and she was a doll. She was so friendly and has a very sweet demeanor. The other nurse could learn a lot from her. read more

I can't say enough good things about this organization. My dad who recently passed was under their care for the final week. And every nurse who came by to look after him was top notch. Special shout out to Gigi, Gladys, Cassim, Megan, and Vicente (as well as June, the intake nurse). They helped make my dad's final days comfortable and peaceful. They also showed great respect for the dad, and made what is a really painful experience much more tolerable by our family. I would highly recommend them for in-home hospice care. read more

Worst experience ever. Patient was in terrible pain This was the biggest concern for the patient that they were comfortable. This case was not managed properly. It should have never happened. Had 3 different case managers in 4 months. read more

I was referred to St. Michael's, now Care Choices by a close friend. The decision to go with this Hospice was clear from the time i met the Hospice Representative at the hospital. By the time I came home, the RN was there to meet us, the hospital bed was ready to go, all the meds were there within the hour. I was blessed to have Mary Ann and Maria for FOURTEEN months. They were consistent, always showed up on time and communication was excellent. The compassion, love and interaction was the best. My mother had two wonderful care companions for occasional visits. We had the Social Worker come out to give me support during this difficult season of my life. During the final days of my mothers life, I felt so peaceful and knew we all worked as a team to send her off into the presence of the LORD in Heaven. She left with dignity, love, and the best care ....thank you St. Michael's Care Choices. With Much Gratitude, Ann Krieger read more

I want to recommend Care Choices to everyone considering hospice care. They are staffed with the most caring and loving people I have ever met. They took care of my husbands every need during this difficult time. They also showed great concern and were such a comfort to me. Because of the incredible care my husband and our family received from these beautiful , loving people, we were able to keep him at home and that meant one of us was always at his side. He passed away August 12th, 2016 at home and I take great comfort knowing that he received the very best. I love everyone of these wonderful people and will never forget them read more

I had spoken with several Hospice groups and chose CareChoices. It just felt right. I was impressed with their care and concern from the moment we met. They are a group of the most loving people who are truly angels on earth. The Hospice road is never easy, but CareChoices made my dad's final days comfortable and serene. Hard to explain but the hospices nurses have a sense of calm about them that just fills the room. I appreciated the care also shown to me and my family. I can't thank CareChoices enough for the amazing care you provided!! read more

When my Mom came home from Hoag, Nurse Marie from CareChoices assessed my Mom and gave her 3 weeks. Said to dry her out, the drier the better for death. I didn't like this nurse one bit. CareChoices pushed morphine from the get go but we told them no. They kept giving her more and more potent meds, Within 2 weeks she was wearing a 100 mg fetanyl patch that hospice ordered plus taking Ativan 2 times a day. My Mom after she was released from Hoag following surgery seemed to not be aware she was terminal. She displayed a positive attitude and a fighting spirit. That is until Nurse Robin asked to speak with my Mom alone. She told my Mom she was dying and she was dead a week later. This hospice group is nothing more than turn em and burn em. They get paid more in the first 60 days so it behooves them to move things along. Once they have thoroughly plied your loved one with drugs and they can't think, eat or drink, it's all over. Do not call hospice unless you are willing to let your loved one die and I mean immediately. I am convinced that Care Choices manipulated my Mom's death due to a scheduling issue. She passed on Friday, 4 weeks after being admitted to hospice and after being in a coma for 2 1/2 days. In addition to the above, I don't think this hospice took an adequate amount of time preparing the family for the transition, wasn't forthright in the services that can be provided, and continuously pushed drugs. I have also tried with no success to get grief counseling which is a covered benefit to family members under the patient's medicare. I will say that other than head Nurse Robin and Marie, the other nurses that assisted with my Mother during her coma were compassionate and professional. One more thing, Nurse Robin couldn't get coverage for Saturday (wasn't needed as my Mom passed on Friday) while my Mom was on her deathbed, and one of the nurses who was supposed to show up never did and Robin had to take her shift. Robin gave my Mom a dose of morphine at noon when she left, told the next Nurse to bathe my Mom and change her gown, and my Mom passed at 2:25 p.m. read more

I would definitely recommend carechoices to anyone looking into hospice services for a loved one. They truly care for their patients and provide quality care. They have been easily accessible for any questions or any concerns which is important when it comes to the patient's needs and conditions. read more

Not impressed with this hospice agency. My father-in-law was on their services, I live out of state and am a former hospice nurse who has been working in LTC for several years dealing with end of life. The case manager RN was not educated in my opinion in end of life care. I felt the staff of nurses that stayed in the home when he was put on continuous care were okay except for the one who told my sister-in-law that her mom can sleep somewhere else and not in the room with her husband. Nurse turned on overhead light that woke her and then she could not get back to sleep, my sister-in-law asked that she not do that again. She was rough when turning him so my sister-in-law had to show her how to do it to not hurt him. The day before he passed away I received a call from my sister-in-law, she was crying as her father was in pain. She put the phone on speaker and it was horrible to hear him in that much agony. I had to call the hospice on call triage nurse to get the frequency and dose of his meds changed so he could die with dignity. I do not feel this company understands that dying is not easy, is painful and hard. They need to educate the staff on dosing of medication, pain control and showing respect for the patient and the family. I would not recommend them to my dying dog. read more

There simply are no words to describe how truly WONDERFUL the staff at CareChoices were during the last days of my father's life! He had been through a horrendous experience involving a fall, surgery for his broken hip, and four weeks at a Rehabilitation Hospital. He declined quickly, and the decision was made to bring him to my home under Hospice Care. We could not have been happier with CareChoices as our Hospice provider!! A few examples of the outstanding service we received include: the intake nurse who spent hours with me at the Rehabilitation Hospital to ease the transition from the Hospital into Hospice; the compassionate, caring, and gentle nurses who provided 24/7 care for him and emotional support for us (Linda was absolutely AMAZING!); the Social Workers who patiently explained everything to us and were prompt and efficient in their follow-up; and the Chaplain (Garrett) who offered spiritual support to our whole family. CareChoices staff educated us on what to expect in the days before his passing, taught us how to care for him on the rare occasions when they could not cover a shift, kept him clean and comfortable, and connected with him in the most beautiful and touching ways. I am confident that my father had the very best end-of-life experience possible because of their compassionate care! There is never an easy time to lose a loved one, but CareChoices made a very difficult experience a little bit easier to bear. I enthusiastically recommend CareChoices for anyone who is looking for a superior Hospice provider! read more