Our Mom 's last weeks of care were handled with professional care, compassion & spiritual care. The RN Marilyn set the tone for each CNA to carry out on their shift. Mom was very comfortable & positioned with the utmost care. She was very fragile at this point. Our family were very pleased that Mom had the best care Highly recommend Vitas. read more

PS....we just received the bill that was sent to Medicare. $5600 for the month. That is what this awful hospice was paid by the taxpayer. Where to start??? Probably the most horrible experience a human being can have with a company that states they are here to help you. My mother had stage 4 cancer and came to stay with me. From the get go, the nurse they sent was nasty and not helpful in any way. I wish, every day, since my mothers passing that I NEVER had these people in my home. The nurse constantly chastised and talked over me. Every question I had was met with a "why". I finally called vitas and told them to send another nurse. It is all money driven with this Hospice. Please heed my horrible experience and choose any other hospice or assisted living home. By the way, no one called after my mothers death........P read more

Vitas Broward county was mostly a great experience in taking care of my mom as she battled dementia and other issues. I would like to especially thank Dr Nagy, Nurse Dania and Aide Rashell and overall assistance from Group 142. They get 5 stars from me. The 4 stars refers to miscommunications experienced mostly nights/ weekends. We had nurses show up after they had been canceled, medication issues and poor contract nurses. Overall, recommend Vitas as they were invaluable in navigating such a difficult time.​ read more

Our family's experience with Vitas has been nothing short of devastating. In what is clearly a life-or-death situation, their team has been unprofessional, unskilled, and dishonest. We were repeatedly misled about service offerings, only to be told something was possible (like at-home IV and PCA pump care) when I chose to transfer to another hospice to pursue that offering. Even then, their staff demonstrated zero competence with IV care: they didn't understand how it worked, how to set it up, or how to safely manage it. My mother suffered directly because of their lack of skill and their inability to provide the level of care they promised. The final straw came during an emergency call while my mother was vomiting blood. The on-call nurse, Emeka, dismissed the seriousness of the situation, told me he didn't want to come, and insisted she'd be "fine" with just family care. When I declined his halfhearted offer after that shocking response, he later fabricated a lie that I had hung up on him, then used that lie as his excuse to refuse a scheduled visit the very next day. This kind of unprofessional, petty behavior is unconscionable in hospice care. Hospice is supposed to relieve suffering, not add to it. Instead of support, Vitas has added chaos, drama, and negligence at one of the hardest times in our lives. Families in crisis deserve competent, compassionate care. We received neither. I cannot in good conscience recommend Vitas to anyone seeking hospice care for their loved ones. read more

Patrick McGrady, the nurses, the doctors and aides have been absolutely phenomenal to work with. If you need Healthcare for your elderly loved one I urge you to call Vitas. Absolutely hands-down the best!!! read more

I normally do not leave reviews, but I feel obligated to warn other families. My mother has stage IV metastatic cancer and has been with VITAS for almost a month. She is completely bedridden, fully dependent for all care, and I am her only caregiver. I live with her alone and provide care 24 hours a day. Let me be very clear: the nurses themselves have been amazing. Compassionate, kind, and supportive. This review is not about the nurses. The problem is the company, the management, the communication, and the lack of support. From the beginning, there has been constant pressure to sign a DNR. My mother is alert and oriented and fully capable of making her own medical decisions. Hospice enrollment does not require a DNR, yet it has been pushed repeatedly. This alone was extremely uncomfortable and inappropriate. Despite my mother being completely bedridden and incontinent, VITAS classifies her as "routine care," which means a nurse comes out briefly two to three times a week just to assess her, and that is it. I was told I might receive an aide for about one hour to help bathe her. One hour. I have no help, no backup, and no family support. I am her full-time, 24/7 caregiver. There was a situation where my mother had severe diarrhea and was covered head to toe. Thankfully, a nurse and social worker happened to be present and helped me. Even they advocated for me to receive more support. However, management and the physician refused to approve additional services beyond temporary care. Communication is terrible. Requests are not followed through. A social worker specifically requested an aide to come out, and days later I was told the manager "forgot to put it in," which means no help was ever coming unless I chased it down myself. Supplies are another issue. I have to constantly call when I notice we are running low. Nothing is delivered proactively. Hospice bills insurance for these services, yet I have to hound the company to receive basic supplies. After-hours calls are dismissive. I am repeatedly told to "monitor" my mother instead of receiving real assistance. Management does not seem to take concerns seriously, and there is constant miscommunication where no one seems to know what is going on with my mother's care. This experience has been overwhelming, exhausting, and heartbreaking. Hospice is supposed to support comfort and dignity, not leave families feeling abandoned. This feels like a numbers game, where patients are enrolled and then left with minimal support while families are left to do everything alone. If you are considering VITAS for a loved one and you do not have a full support system at home, please think very carefully. read more

My brother, Kirk, 73 years old, who lived in Maryville Illinois, took a devastating fall in October of 2024. He broke his femur, had a 9 hour surgery to implant a rod connecting his hip bone to his knee. From there it was a tragic cascade of events. He was tossed around to 4 different short term and long term facilities. Evercare of Edwardsville was horrifying on EVERY level!!!! The nurses and doctor changed his pain medication, not able to get in touch with them for 3 days. They apparently dropped him. Sent him to Anderson Hospital. Where they called me and told me that he "fell." The only evidence of that was the bruise on his back. In any event, my brother was in end stage renal and heart failure. He was in and out of the hospital too many times to count. His final resting place was Anderson Hospital of Maryville. It was THE most unbelievable, kind, loving caring hospice team. Dr. Garner understood his condition and was so truly altruistic in doing what was best for my brother. His nurse Sam, was truly an advocate, angel and professional. The pastor was an extra, caring set of eyes. As I live in Florida and he was in Illinois, you can imagine how difficult it was to orchestrate his transition. Natalie and Julie with VITAS were incredible!!! I arrived on Friday, May 24th. My brother left this earth with dignity, respect, with a like minded loving team around him. Here is a synopsis of his transition: My brother, Kirk, passed away May 25th at 2:05 pm CST. My sons, Chase and Cole, recounted the most beautiful memories with him. Sam, his hospice nurse, was truly AMAZING on every level! The kindest nurse, Nicole, with Anderson Hospital, came in to shave him. Once she finished, he fully transitioned. Well groomed, he entered the gates of heaven to join my mother, father, two brothers, and sister-in-law. The priest read him his last rights and anointed him. Pastor Mary Ann sang amazing grace and Ava Maria to him. It was a beautiful experience. What an honor to be with him during this time. I truly appreciate all of the help and support he had! His passing was soo special, touching and beautiful!!! If I could VITAS, Maryville, Illinois, Anderson Hospital a million stars I would!!! We were so blessed to have their expertise, compassion and exquisite care!?? read more

My father died at age 93. I was his live-in caregiver. We had a visiting home health aide twice a week. He walked slowly on his own without assistance. A month earlier, Dad tested positive for pneumonia. His Conviva doctor recommended Vitas for additional home health aide hours. Vitas staff met with us on a Wednesday. Dad joked around with them. I signed paperwork. A Vitas social worker and home health aide visited him on Friday. The social worker asked if Dad wanted a visiting guitarist or therapy dog. He declined. Early Sunday morning, Dad quietly fell down and couldn't get up. I called Vitas. The dispatcher advised me to call 911 for help to get him up. Medics arrived, helped him up, and asked if he was okay. Dad told them he was fine. They left. Later that morning, a fierce tropical storm began. Dad began to slump in his chair. I called Vitas again to ask for help from a nurse. Dispatcher said she would call for a nurse and give them a half hour or so. Nurse never showed up. Around 2 pm, I called Vitas again. Dispatcher said she didn't realize it was urgent and would notify nurse of priority for Dad. Nurse never showed up. Around 4 pm, I called Vitas. I said Dad is dead now. Dispatcher again said someone would be here in about a half hour. A Vitas lady arrived about a half hour later. She said she's the chaplain, not a nurse. Their doctor fabricated the cause of death on the death certificate. The next month, Vitas sent me a bereavement service offer. I called and left a message to remove me from their mailing list. Two months later, they mailed me a survey. I rated them as poor and mailed it back. A lady called to ask more detail about my survey rating and I told her the above story. Two months later, Vitas mailed me a packet containing their newsletter, support group information, and a donation brochure. I mailed it back with a cover letter asking them again to stop contacting me. I warned that I would post this review if they ever contact me again. A couple weeks later, a guy from Vitas called from a "no caller ID" listing and asked how I am doing! He said he was unaware of the above history and would notify his boss. I told him I now will post this review because Vitas repeatedly has declined to remove me from their contact list. If you want a therapy dog or guitar player companion, this agency is for you. If you want a nurse to visit on a rainy Sunday to check vital signs, look elsewhere. If you want an agency that abides by your wishes, look elsewhere. read more

My mom found out 13 day before her death that she had stage 4 cancer. She was added to hospice by Vitas 2 days after coming home from the hospital. She was supposed to receive crisis care around the clock due to her pain and respiration. The first day with nurse Tracie really made us feel like we'd made the right decision in choosing Vitas. Tracie was great, but we got her only once, on that first day. After that, we had a different nurse every 12 hours and things went downhill with haste. We didn't receive ANY supplies from vitas until day 8!! NOTHING. NO GLOVES, NO CHUCKS, NO WIPES, NOTHING!! My family & I went out purchased everything our mom needed and accepted donations from friends and neighbors to get anything else that we didn't purchase ourselves. My mom's condition deteriorated rapidly over 13 days but her so called comfort care had massive holes in it, so her care from Vitas was sub par at best, but we as family just put more responsibility on on our backs to keep her comfortable. No supplies arrived for comfort/basic care or for the all necessary WOUND care products for over a week! My mom had bedsores and generally thin skin that required special cleaning & dressing. My siblings and I made that happen. We bought our own creams, ointments, honeys and saline to cover her painful backside. We even bought our own gauge and tape​; whatever mama needed, we requested from Vitas but DID NOT WAIT to receive it. Even her medication was not being giving for comfort! The doctor changed the dosage & frequency at least twice, but we did not receive the overage meds to compensate for the changes. So, even though my mom's pain increased and the doctor increased the dosage, we could not give it to her around the clock in fear of running out before we received more. Thankfully, we were correct to withhold the prescribed dosage because it was another day and a half before the medication was supplemented. Unfortunately we ran into a weekend team that kept telling us "we are only the weekend team". What we learned that meant was they were either unable or unwilling to go above & beyond to get us the supplies & medication that my mom so desperately needed. EVENTUALLY, the regular team members of #1418 returned on Monday and everyone claimed not to know we never received the items we needed. THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN!! We started receiving the wound care items, general supplies and the correct prescriptions on Monday. My mom died Tuesday morning To add misery to mayhem, its been 2 weeks since my mom's death and no one from team 1418 has followed up with me about anything. Neither has the hospital bed & equipment been picked up. I guess, it's MY JOB to make sure they do THEIR job, once again!! This was my one and only chance to make sure my mom died peacefully and without trauma, worry or pain. I think I succeeded, but if I did, it was INSPITE OF, not because of any assistance Vitas provided. Please look around. Vitas might have the most recognizable name out there, but in my experience, they simply ​CANNOT be the best!! RIP, mama. We really tried to do our best read more

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My husband Rich, was under the care of vitas hospice. The Aids, Nurses and overall company was very kind and wonderful to both my husband and me. I would definitely recommend them to anybody who needs help because they will help you. Thank you all for what you did I really appreciated it and I know Rich did too. read more

I am going to simply write praise of a Vitas "music therapy" program for Mamie Mayfield. I'm her only child, Stan West) "For my charming mom, Mamie Mayfield, a retired singer-composer, the VITAS music therapy program has worked wonders. Mom, 91, is diagnosed with end-stage dementia. While she doesn't always remember caregivers' names, she usually remembers lyrics to songs. Residents rejoice hearing her passionate phrasing of familiar songs through the Pearl of Hinsdale's memory care unit." read more

Stay away from Vitas! Terrible patient care and treatment of my mother! It was hard to get supplies and have a nurses aid to come and bath her 2 x week as promised. They deserted my mother when they found out she had Covid. They are in it to make money off of Medicare and do not care about the patient!! read more

As I sit here tonight with my dying mother I am profoundly disappointed in Vitas. Apparently staffing issues have made it impossible for a nurse to be here during my mothers final hours. I am utterly alone and vitas has failed in supporting my mother and myself. She has been put into continuous care and there is no nurse to help her 2 days in a row. I hope the nurses enjoy their Halloween parties..... this is so messed up. read more

My mom was put on hospice care for her dementia. Vitas was great. The staff were very friendly and helpful with her care.

Where do I begin always envision hospice to be a peaceful easy transition. But boy was I wrong. After discussing my hospice options I chose vitas Broward program. All seemed well until the lies began. One after another. The ball was dropped in more ways that I can say. Equipment took over 24 hours to get delivered after 20 or more phones call to get the oxygen my grandfather desperately needed to go home with on his birthday. I've never gotten as much false ETA's and broken promises. My grandfather had to be transported back to the ER where he was pushed in a corner agitated and uncomfortable due to Vitas sending him home without first making sure equipment was in place. And then at 11pm at night I'm being told that I must accept the fact that he must be Transferred To a Vitas hospice unit because the Hospital stated that he was already discharged and he needed to leave the ER. I tried several times to speak to administrator which took hours. And then again I was told that my only option was to move him to a unit that they were not even sure they had the equipment to facilitate his care. It has been a nightmare to say the least. Thought Hospice was there for emotional support for Pts and families. Please think twice before signing those Consents with Vitas. read more

At the most difficult time in my life I was so fortunate to have had Vitas for home hospice care for my wife. The nurses were all excellent, caring and knowledgeable. There were many complex situations to deal with and they were always well managed. I could not imagine going through this process alone. I had 24 hour care and was surprised at how compassionate the nurses were. To have people in your home 24 hours a day was new for us and we had concerns about that, but it could not have been better! Doctors, nurses, supervisors, and support were all exceptional. They offer support for family after the fact as well. I would highly recommend Vitas. read more

Vitas was absolutely wonderful. My mother was in the hospital and the doctors suggested we speak with the hospice doctor. He told us all about Vitas' services and thought we weren't quite ready for them. He said we would know when we need them. A week later we needed them and they took over my mom's care. They walked us through the maze of applying for Medicaid, information on the facilities, etc. As she got worse they explained everything that was going on. When she passed they were so comforting and have contacted me over the weeks to see if I needed any of their grief services. I can't say enough good things about them - the staff really are angels. read more

My grandmother passed away in Feb. of 2011. The hospital she was at recommend Vitas Hospice Care when it became evident that her health would not improve. After some consideration we choose Vitas. I regret having chosen Vitas Healthcare. Vitas made the last days my family and I had with my grandmother more difficult and painful than those days already were. Most of the initial information we received from Vitas representatives was inaccurate and it quickly became obvious that Vitas was more interested in providing the cheapest possible care than in my grandmothers comfort or dignity. We were warned by some of the nurses and hospital staff that were not connected to Vitas that this would happen but the full extent of the bully treatment was surprising. Day 1: Vitas initially told us that my grandmother would not be moved from the comfort of the hospital setting she was in until she was completely stable and that the strong medications she was receiving to keep her pain-free would not be changed. We were also told that once she was stable she would be moved to a Vitas facility within a different hospital were she would be very comfortable and could stay for the remainder of her time. The first representative we met presented us pictures of the very comfortable and spacious Vitas facility. So we signed the papers turning grandma's care over from the hospital she was in to Vitas. Day 2: A doctor from the hospital tells us that my grandmother is not stable and should not be moved yet, hours later a vitas representative tells us that my grandmother will be moved the next day and that she will only be able to stay at the Vitas facility for 3 to 4 days, after that she will be moved to a "Home" where she would not receive the morphine she needed. My family and I were terribly disturbed by all these new claims. We began trying to make arrangements and trying to speak to someone at Vitas that could explain why all the initial plans had changed. From that point on it became a battle against Vitas to keep my grandmother comfortable and in dignified circumstances. Conversations with Vitas became a mix of apologies for poor service and rude representatives with constant questions about our willingness to move grandma in the next few hours regardless of her current condition. Grandma passed away before any moves had to be made. Vitas made a painful situation much worse. I recommend never using their services. read more

My brother needed hospice care and this company was recommended to us by the nursing home. I have never dealt with a less professional organization in my life. I have the nursing home contact us because the doctor never comes. I needed forms filled out that the social worker promised to take care of. Never heard from her again despite numerous calls and emails. This after the first one lied to us (have email) and then when called on it doubled down and lied again, about my brothers funeral arrangements. We were promised how well it would run with dedicated teams of Doctors, nurses, social workers and chaplains. The only person that ever bothered to contact us unsolicited was the chaplains. Once your sign up with them all they want to do is take your money. If you want pray for you loved one then this is the company for you. If you want competent and compassionate professional care please go with another company. read more

Vitas was there seven years ago for my Mom's long term Hospice care. First with in home care, then continued at nursing home. They were there for me for grief council many months after. Once again in July 2016 I turned to Vitas during my husband's severe health decline. In home care until he passed on. I regret the need to use a Hospice but I am grateful for the one I turned to. read more

Wish I could give 0 stars! What a nightmare this company is in Fort Lauderdale I would avoid them 100% and go with another company. the only person that was helpful with this group was Maria who was a nurse that was my main contact among many other phone numbers that I was told to contact them by. However Maria was the only one who answered my calls answered my concerns and helped me through a horrible 3 weeks of hospice care for my father. up until the day he was discharged from there hospice care and into my lap, she was very helpful. they do not transfer their patients to other hospice companies outside of the Vitas program. it is not their policy to assist you in helping a smooth transition to another hospice. I was told that once he is discharged he is my responsibility and it would be my responsibility to find another physician to authorize his hospice care when I take him out of their system. Discharge day was a nightmare as it was explained to the team that I wanted all the paperwork completed the prior day and I wanted medication enough for him for his travel and for a couple of weeks during his transition to be available for me when I came to pick him up. None of this was completed, the discharge paperwork, the nurse that arrived had no idea he was getting discharged and had no discharge paperwork on hand. And I explained to her to call her company to get it squared away and she did however it took 2 hours for them to find a discharge form and then I asked about the medication she knew nothing about the medication to order and unfortunately I had to leave with my father with no medication. once arriving to his new destination I called the new hospice company that we were transferring him to on our own without any help from Vitas and within an hour I had 15 days worth of medications and immediate help Once I arrived at his new facility. I apologize for such a harsh and negative evaluation and review of Vitas, but something needs to be done with this company what customer service and with patient care. Avoid them find someone else, or find Maria she will help you out without the help of the other team players of Vitas that are unable to connect with you as they are extremely busy in that area with close to 2,000 patients and insufficient staffed and inexperienced staffed and uncaring staff. read more

Tough way to spend moms last days, extremely disorganized and unprofessional most of the " head nurses" have no clue what the patient is taking or needs because they either don't read the reports or assess the patient. Missed medication doses mom was in extreme pain. Im 22 and my mom is dying and vitas can not even keep her out of pain which is the reason we came to them in the first place. They constantly argue with us in front of my mom which makes me more angry then u would ever imagine. I personally think the entire company should be reviewed by the government and I would never recommend this company to anyone ever. I hope this saves other people and families from dealing with these people. My mom is one of the most amazing caring and understanding people in the world and does not deserve any of what has gone on. She will rest in peace regardless, I hope the management will be able to do the same. read more

Vitas was very fast in setting up my father for care. They provided all equipment, pain medication, hospital bed and did it within hours of being called. Medicare paid for everything, even though he was on a Humana HMO. They provided aides 24/7, doctor visits, nurses that checked on him as needed. Their goal was to stabilize the pain and to remove care when he was stable. They promised light housekeeping, shopping, meal prep, laundry, etc. by their aides. None of this ever happened. My father was mobile, had full mental capability, but had severe pain on moving. Vitas gave him morphine and methadone for pain, but not regularly, and he was still in severe pain on moving. He wasn't eating, then they confined him to bed, which made him agitated and angry. I asked them to take him off the morphine and methadone, as he looked like a skeleton, didn't recognize anyone, and still had severe pain on moving. The doctor argued, but I prevailed, and they stopped the morphine and methadone, but gave him a sleeping pill when he tried to get up. He died that day. They never stabilized him, so unless your loved one is in the very final days of their life, I can't recommend them. They promise a lot, but deliver half. read more

My mother past away last month after being released from the Miramar Hospital . She was cared by Vitas at our home. Vitas did'not deliver what they promised , my mother did not die comfortably . She was under a lot of agitation , pain and suffering. None of their nurses, doctors or staff did anything to make her feel comfortable. They did not know how much Morphine to give her or how to make her calm down. She was really agitated due to her irregular breathing , the pain killers were not administered in a wise manner. My father, my sister and I basically had to tell them what to do. The doctor came to our house two days after she had been home already when the situation was out of control. Some of the nurses were really lazy , except two of them which i think were shocked and realized that we needed all the help possible. Vitas does not deliver anything of what they say . Are theyvsomehow insensitive to human pain or nurses undertrained for the lasts difficult moments of a human being? I think the treatment for comfort was very basic and did not fulfill the requierements of a true relief. Vitas is just a lie ! DO NOT RECOMMEND TO ANYBODY. PLEASE DO NOT HIRE THEM EVER IF YOU LOVE YOUR FAMILY. read more

This location has not closed. Today's date is 11/22/16. I can't say enough positive things about this organization. This was the 3rd in home hospice service we used as we fired the first two. They were attentive, knew when to increase her meds & 24/7 nurses, provided all medical equipment, hospital bed, social worker, nurses & doctors. During the hurricane they made sure their patients had enough, meds & oxygen. We fired the 2nd hospice service because they ran out of oxygen during the hurricane so we had to hospitalize our Mom. We switched to Vitas the next day. When our Mom did pass, they called the family. The chaplain called to see if we wanted grief counseling, we got a sympathy card signed by the entire staff including the doctor. Our family was extremely satisfied with them. read more

Vitas healthcare and their staff were absolute guardian angels when they tended to my dad in an assisted living facility. They were available 24/7, since I live out of town, this was very important. They genuinely cared for my dad, kept him as comfortable as possible during his last month of living. They cried with me, laughed with me and even came to his memorial service. They have continuously kept in touch with me making sure I'm doing well. The one phenomenal thing they did on the day he died was asked me for some articles of his clothing. About 3 months after his passing, I received 2 beautiful hand made "Care Bears" in the mail made out of some of his shorts/shorts. I thought they would make me sad but actually brings me joy looking at them knowing how extremely well he was cared for and actually loved. I will forever my indebted to Vitas for how they treated my dad and cared for him during his final days. If you ever have the unfortunate need to obtain a caregiver of this type, you will not be disappointed in choosing vitas!!!!!!! read more