BrightStar Healthcare Review

BrightStar Care is an award-winning home nursing agency dedicated to helping seniors age in place with grace and dignity. Founded in 2002, the company operates on a franchise model with more than 300 locations nationwide. BrightStar guarantees the best possible match between caregiver and client thanks to industry-leading screening and training practices.

The agency is equipped to handle a variety of in-home needs, including personal care, skilled nursing, and medication management. Experienced staff provide 24/7 memory support for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as respite services for family caregivers who need a break. Transitional care is also available to help seniors safely return home from the hospital or rehab center.

BrightStar has achieved the prestigious Joint Commission accreditation for eight years in a row, demonstrating the company’s commitment to outstanding levels of care. High customer satisfaction ratings for caregiver compassion, training, and compatibility earned BrightStar the Best of Home Care Leader in Excellence Award for 2020. Overall, customers praise BrightStar for consistently reliable care that allows seniors to keep living in the home they love.

What Senior Care Services Does BrightStar Healthcare Provide?

Personal Care and Companion Care Services

BrightStar’s personal care attendants are fully screened, certified, and matched with clients based on lifestyle and personality factors. Before service begins, a registered nurse meets with each client to create a unique care plan that’s tailored to their needs. Registered nurses supervise all personal attendants to ensure that quality levels of care are being met.

Some of the personal care services BrightStar offers include:

• Meal planning and cooking
• Shopping
• Housekeeping, such as laundry, dusting, vacuuming, and trash removal
• Pet care
• Companionship, including assistance with reading and writing
• Help connecting with family via social media and email
• Home safety evaluations to minimize the risk of falls and other injuries
• Help moving around the home
• Personal hygiene, including bathing, grooming, and dressing
• Feeding
• Outpatient pre-op and post-op assistance

Transportation services are offered as part of BrightStar’s personal care services. Insured caregivers can provide transportation in their own vehicle or the client’s vehicle. Caregivers take seniors anywhere they’d like to go, including doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, religious functions, or visits with friends. An attendant will help clients into and out of the vehicle and accompany them throughout the entire trip until they return to their home.

Seniors can receive personal services for any desired amount of time, from a few hours per week to 24-hour live-in care.

Skilled Nursing and Transitional Care

Seniors who require skilled nursing services receive an in-depth assessment and personalized care plan created by a BrightStar Director of Nursing. The agency and nursing team work alongside each client’s physicians to coordinate care every step of the way.

BrightStar focuses on improving the quality of life for all seniors, including those with chronic conditions or who are terminally ill. Nurses provide a number of skilled care services, such as:

• Rehabilitation
• Wound care
• Physical, speech, and occupational therapy
• Blood draws
• Tube feeding
• Catheter maintenance
• Intravenous drug therapy
• Medical equipment assistance

BrightStar nurses can also help seniors manage their medications by ensuring they take the correct dosages and watching out for side effects or drug interactions.

Transitional care is offered to seniors returning home from the hospital, rehab center or other health care setting. Nurses provide assistance with recovery for a number of conditions, including:

Heart Attack/AMI

BrightStar’s four-week heart attack recovery program teaches seniors about lifestyle changes, medication management, and foods to include in a heart-healthy diet. A Clinical Pathways coordinator will perform a regular physical assessment that includes monitoring of blood pressure and respiratory rates. Any changes in condition are reported directly to the client’s physician.

Diabetes

Includes safe needle disposal, blood glucose level checks, healthy diet education, and monitoring for swelling in the lower extremities.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and Pneumonia

Nurses teach clients how to properly use their inhalers for effective medication delivery. Regular assessments include oxygenation and respiratory status checks. Coordinators can work with clients to help them stop smoking, if applicable.

Some seniors with pneumonia may require oxygen therapy. A BrightStar nurse will ensure the oxygen flow is correct and help with administration during travel. A coordinator checks equipment for safety and can teach clients and families how to prevent oxygen-related fires.

Disability Services

BrightStar caregivers are trained to turn bed-bound patients every two hours and provide pressure relief every 15 minutes for clients in a wheelchair. This can help prevent issues caused by prolonged immobility, such as ulcers and pressure sores. Nurses use proper techniques to move patients with slide boards and Hoyer lifts, reducing the chance of injuries and falls during transport.

Memory Care

Seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia have unique needs that require a personalized plan of care. A BrightStar RN Director of Nursing meets with each client for an evaluation to determine the care level that’s right for them. All memory care staff has a minimum of one year of experience and are certified in the BrightStar Care Dementia approach.

Memory care includes a full range of supportive services, from housekeeping and transportation to skilled nursing and medication management. Care may be provided for just a few hours per day, or if 24/7 support is needed, a live-in caregiver can be arranged. Respite support is available for family caregivers, allowing them to recharge and prevent burnout.

BrightStar caregivers help seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia stay safe and happy in their homes for as long as possible. Caregivers can assist clients with favorite hobbies and activities, providing companionship and mental engagement that may help slow the progression of memory loss.

What People Are Saying About BrightStar Healthcare

Clients say that BrightStar Care is dependable, with staff that truly care and treat them like a member of their own family. One customer says, “I called them in an emergency situation, and they came and started the services right away. They went above and beyond. They were phenomenal. I like that they were responsive and professional. The staff was kind, and I didn’t have to worry.”

Family members agree that their loved one is always in good hands when it comes to BrightStar caregivers. As one puts it, “They take care of my dad when I can’t step in, and it gives me peace of mind and frees up my time. They are personable. It was like they were helping their family.” Another remarks, “I would recommend BrightStar Care because I like the people who they send. The personalities of their caregivers are fantastic. BrightStar Care has made life easier for me because I can relax and get my stuff done while they take care of my loved one.”

How Much Does BrightStar Healthcare Charge for Home Care?

Home care costs vary based on several factors, including the type of services required, how often one needs assistance, and the timing of the services (i.e., overnight vs. daytime care). Where you live also has a significant impact on the cost of home care, as national chains scale their local prices to the cost of living in a given area.

When planning for home care costs, keep in mind that the national average cost is about $24 per hour, though prices in your location may be higher or lower. You can contact a Family Advisor at (800) 973-1540 to learn more about home care costs and payment options in your area.

Who Should Consider BrightStar Healthcare?

BrightStar Care is ideal for any senior who needs personal care, friendly companionship, or just an extra set of hands around the home. The agency is especially suited for those who require:

• Skilled nursing. Seniors with complex medical needs can rest assured they’ll be well cared for at home thanks to BrightStar’s skilled caregivers. All staff are managed by a licensed Director of Nursing to ensure consistently high-quality care.
• Memory care. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be a challenge for family members to manage alone. BrightStar caregivers keep seniors safe and comfortable at home, allowing them to remain in a familiar and soothing environment.
• 24-hour live-in care. When seniors need help getting out of bed, eating or using the restroom, having a caregiver visit for only a few hours per day might not be enough. BrightStar can arrange for a live-in caregiver or a team of caregivers that provides support 24 hours a day.

How to Get Started with BrightStar Healthcare

Contact a Family Advisor at (800) 973-1540 for more information about BrightStar’s offerings in your area and to connect with a local home care provider. Our knowledgeable Family Advisors can provide one-on-one guidance to help you find the best home care service for your needs and budget, all at no cost to you. No matter where you are in the process of choosing a home care provider, a Family Advisor can help.