Sanctuary Hospice was chosen for us by the Case Manager at UCI Medical Center and I couldn't be happier with their selection. Making the decision to admit a loved one to hospice is incredibly difficult, and the folks at Sanctuary know the pain that loved-ones endure. The coordinator, Megan, is the consummate professional. She's been doing this for over a decade and her vast experience is exactly what families need at this difficult time. And, she's a "take charge" woman; all my wife's needs were addressed in our initial meeting. We met with Megan on a Sunday and everything was arranged and in place when my wife returned home on Monday. I have high praise for the delivery man; he was prompt, courteous, and efficient. The delivery and removal of durable medical equipment (DME) were exactly as promised. Sanctuary Hospice has a service called "Full-Circle After Care." This is an invaluable service at a time when the world seems to be crumbling around your shoulders. My counselor, Summer, handled everything that needed to be done. All the governmental and private organizations have been notified and everything is now under control. This service was unexpected but I am so grateful for Summer's intervention. She knew who to contact and how to communicate with them. So, if you're given the opportunity to use this service, do NOT pass it up. I read the one-star reviews below, and I'm sorry those families had a poor experience. However, I can enthusiastically recommend Sanctuary Hospice and Full-Circle After Care to those of you in need of this type of service! read more

I cannot praise Sanctuary Hospice enough. Every single person on their staff is the best. They are literally angels. This must be one of the toughest jobs in the health care industry but you would never know it by their attitude. No matter what day or time, they were always there for my family and my grandmother. My grandmother was under their care for six weeks. And we literally do not have one single complaint about any of the care we received by this entire team. She passed away at home due to Alzheimer's. She was never in pain and was at peace. We were all by her side. Exactly as she had wished from day one. I am sorry to see the one star review below but that negativity is an internal family issue and not Sanctuary's fault. Sanctuary does not deserve a one star review because siblings don't talk. Anyone reading this take note! Everyone should have a will and have a power of attorney on file. You choose the person who is best suited to handle your medical needs to be the one named on your POA. You also need to have a clear opinion on your DNR and have it completed as well. The hospice is there and will follow the wishes of the patient. If the patient has not completed a will, POA and/or DNR then their care if left up to the family member they are with. Make sure you and your loved ones wishes are clearly detailed! Then you can avoid the disaster mentioned below. We showed Sanctuary my grandmother's will, POA and DNR. There was never a question about the care she wished to receive. read more

We couldn't have taken care of my grandma without Sanctuary. They were caring and attentive to my Grandma and patient with us as we went through this difficult time. Whenever we needed help or had a question, a nurse or our representative was only a phone call away. Bee was our social worker and helped with all the necessary paperwork and Michelle and Claudia were friendly and knowledgeable. Thank you for giving my grandma comfort. read more

My type 2 diabetic father was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in June. He went through several months of chemo treatments but it wasn't working. In October he decided to stop doing chemo and wanted to pass away at home. I had my mom interview with 2 home hospice companies referred to us by the UCI Oncology team. Mom decided on Sanctuary because she liked registered nurse and Sanctuary Home Hospice representative Megan Irvine's demeanor and medical background. My parents who were former physicians felt that there was an understanding. Looking back, I realize that we made a grave mistake for the following reasons. 1. Megan told my mom that my father would no longer need insulin shots because he wouldn't be eating so his blood sugar level would not rise. This was patently false. The pancreas makes insulin but since he had pancreatic cancer, his body made none. So his sugar levels shot up which made him feel uncomfortable even when he didn't eat. Thankfully my mom made sure that his sugar was within a tolerable range. If she wasn't a doctor, I can't imagine what my dad would have gone through. 2. Megan said that if we weren't happy with a service that we should not post anything online but to go to them first. I went to her about an issue with Home Care Assistance a caregiving service that she recommended. We were extremely unhappy with the level of service provided and she did absolutely nothing to help. It involved an overnight caregiver who did not change my incontinent father's diapers which resulted in a horrific blister which our personal caregiver noticed straight away the next morning. 3. When Home Care Assistance came back saying that they would "look into it", I was furious because neither Sanctuary Home Hospice nurses or Home Care Assistance caregivers had any documentation. When I emailed Megan asking for the documentation and for her support in finding a solution, she failed to respond. It's unfortunate that we had to deal with a company as careless as Sanctuary Home Hospice. End of life care is all about comfort and pain management both for the patient and for the families. It's a personal emotionally difficult time and nobody wants to see their loved one treated like this. read more

A complete ZERO rating would be more accurate. WE FIRED SANCTUARY QUICKLY, here at a facility in LAGUNA HILLS, CA. FIRING them was interesting, because we NEVER EVEN KNEW THEY STARTED SERVICES! After emailing back the consent forms, we NEVER heard from them again. NOT a word! THREE days later, I had to chase after them to see if they'd even been over to see my Pop at his nursing home. After the initial Sales call with Megan, they had no idea that anyone would ever give me a single call to confirm that they'd started us as clients. It was a surprise to them that I hoped for some phone call, some indication they were even working with us! They passed me along to everyone on their staff, and there was eventually an apology from the Director, Emily. We fell through the cracks, and she'd investigate why their staff didn't know to call me, consult, give an idea what to expect, discuss medications, anything! Maybe SANCTUARY will start at your loved one's facility, and you might get a call when they're DEAD, but nothing in between. As I told Director Emily: Sanctuary has earned an ABSOLUTE ZERO for Customer Care or communication. They'll just walk in to a facility, remove your loved one from all their meds suddenly, and never even discuss anything with the family. This is a time of grief for any family. Using SANCTUARY HOSPICE will only add to a family's grief. Absolutely NO CONCEPT of customer care or communication. read more

Ask for Megan or Irma, They are the best in the industry!! Amazing / passionate workers with care first mind sets. Highly highly recommend.. read more

All my interactions with the Sanctuary Hospice have been great. They represent a very knowledgeable and caring company and offer more assistance they I initially realized. The care they offer not only the patient, but the family members who love that patient is priceless at a time when its needed the most. read more

My 83 year old mother was placed on hospice approximately 2 month before her death. She had been bedridden for 7 months and was in extreme pain screaming each time she urinated. My mother's pain was not being managed before or after being placed on hospice. My sister who had control of my mother's health care decisions told the hospice not to contact the other 4 sisters or release any information to us. I called the hospice to explain that my sister was not on speaking terms with us and was using her role to retaliate. My mother loved all 5 of her daughters. The hospice never called me back to discuss the matter. Then on the day of my mother's passing, the nursing home said they received a call from the hospice instructing the nursing home to have us removed. My sisters and I refused along with my mother's 85 year old sister. Fortunately my mother did not die alone and was surrounded by 3 of her 5 daughters who comforted her and prayed over her. This hospice did nothing to manage my mother's pain and allowed my sister to have the primary care doctor insert a urinary catheter, when 2 months earlier the Urologist at USC said to remove it. Supposedly my sister wanted to be able to measure my mother's urinary output. Not a reason for a catheter to be placed in a dying woman, or any one for that matter. Once again the hospice failed to intervene to stop the irrational decisions made by my sister who was in charge. Fortunately my sister who is an RN in Seattle was able to finally persuade my sister who had health decisions, to have the catheter removed. I always thought that hospice was to comfort the patient and family. In our situation the hospice failed to provide comfort to anyone, not even to my mother. read more

I would like to take the time to thank sanctuary team for the best job ever. recently my grandma passed away and I'm happy she left calm loved and pain free. originally my grandma is from El Salvador she was very worried and concerned of not getting Spanish speaking nurses. to our surprise sanctuary hospice has Spanish speaking nurse, charge nurse Graciela was very helpful. Bath Aid Dulce was very sweet. she guide me and my mother on how to reposition and my grandma enjoyed visits . Once again thank you very much for the best care. special thanks to Graciela and Dulce. read more

The worst hospice ever, They just don't cared about the dying person or the family of the sick, my Dad was enroll with them for 20 days and he received only two bed baths, from all the nurses and nurses aides they sent. Most of them will spend 3 minutes and leave. They also provide only 1 bag of diapers and a bag of wipes. And they have an actitud like they're your boss. They deliver a hospital bed, that didn't work, and their equipment is old, dirty and deficient. read more

There's a company you don't want to use for your dying relative they were horrible from the get-go they didn't get into the medication right the person that's dying cannot chew tablets they've sent over tablets instead of liquid painkiller they didn't bring any diapers anything to wash her body with everybody would show up and they had nothing to do their job with so everybody be where of this company with your relative dying you can do without them believe me The mustard on the renewal is don't use these people read more

Hospice is not the "h-word" that most people think. It is a service that gathers a team to help the ailing loved one and their family. My aunt was under the care of Sanctuary Hospice for several months. With their caring staff and help, my aunt got better and was released from hospice. I am forever grateful to Sanctuary for their help and concern, professionalism and discernment. read more

My husband passed away over a month ago and I am just getting around to writing this review. I can never explain the great feeling of relief my husband and I had when we started working Sanctuary hospice. The entire staff is extremely caring. In particular, the LVN Carmen was like our own personal Angel. She made my husband laugh, she could talk seriously with him and he would look forward to her visits. She has a way about her that's unlike anyone I've known. To step in take control but without making you feel like she's controlling. She just seems like a big huge support boulder. Always had the answers or know where to get them. We had several RN's and each had great compassion and we're very efficient. Carmen was just with us the entire 6 months. I had a phone number to call 24/7 if I had any questions or issues. During the six months I had to use that number many times. The person who answered the phone 90% of the time was Tracy. I never met her but boy could she get things done. I couldn't believe how fast things would happen no matter what the situation after calling Tracy. The Social worker Michelle was like my own personal therapist who allowed me to express all my feeling and I always felt so very much better after her visit. Also, can't forget to mention the Volunteer Coordinator Emily and volunteer Kristen- you two gave me that free time I needed. The other group I would like to give kudos to is Hospice Source. This is the company that handles all the equipment and supplies for Sanctuary Hospice. One of the gentleman I worked with named Ramon was especially outstanding. His staff of delivery persons were very well trained and were as efficient as he. In other words, Sanctuary Hospice is a well-tuned machine with a big-big heart. I love every one of you. Thank you so much for making this extremely hard time in both my and my husband's lives as good as it could possibly be. The love and compassion will never ever be forgotten. read more