SeniorsList Rating: 4.3 / 5
A reader in Ohio emailed us last year with a question we’d never gotten before: “My dad wants to take one last trip to see his sister in Florida, but he can’t travel alone anymore. Is there an agency that does that?” It turns out FirstLight Home Care is one of the very few that offers travel companion services — a caregiver who will literally fly with your parent, manage medications on the road, and help with personal care away from home.
That’s the kind of thing that makes FirstLight interesting. They’re not the cheapest option — they run above state averages in most markets we checked — but the quality of their caregiver training, especially around memory care, keeps coming through in what families tell us. Their caregivers go through specific dementia care certification, not just a quick orientation video. A daughter we spoke with in California said her mom’s FirstLight caregiver was the first person in three agencies who seemed to genuinely understand how to work with someone who has Alzheimer’s.
FirstLight uses service agreements instead of contracts, so you can stop care whenever you need to without penalty. That matters more than people think — some agencies lock you in for weeks. If you’re looking at FirstLight or weighing them against another agency, email us at hello@seniorslist.com and we’ll give you an honest take on how they compare in your area.
FirstLight Home Care: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Specialty-trained caregivers: FirstLight provides targeted training to match caregivers with clients based on experience. Dementia care caregivers complete specific memory care certification.
- Rehabilitation and recovery support: FirstLight assists seniors recovering from illness, injury, or surgery with transportation, exercises, household tasks, and personal care.
- Travel companion services: FirstLight caregivers can accompany clients during travel — carrying luggage, managing medications, and assisting with hygiene away from home. Few agencies offer this service.
Cons
- Above-average pricing: Clients in states where FirstLight operates tend to pay slightly more than the state median rate.
About FirstLight Home Care
FirstLight Home Care was co-founded in 2009 by Jeff Bevis and his son Devin in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company’s core commitment is to build genuine relationships with clients, prioritizing personality fit and personal connection as essential parts of the caregiving relationship. As a franchise-based organization, each location is independently owned and operated.
Services
FirstLight offers a comprehensive range of in-home care services:
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s care: Personalized, one-on-one care plans designed to help clients with memory impairment feel comfortable and secure. Caregivers are trained specifically for memory care.
- Personal care: Bathing, hygiene, mobility assistance, toileting, meal preparation, and eating support for adults with physical or emotional challenges.
- Rehab and recovery care: Post-surgery or post-illness support including transportation to medical appointments, medication pickup and reminders, exercise assistance, housekeeping, and personal care.
- Respite care: Temporary relief for family caregivers — covering laundry, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and meal prep while you take time to recharge.
- Skilled nursing: Licensed RNs (or supervised staff) provide medication reminders and management, blood sugar testing, wound care, catheter and ostomy care, drain and tube care, breathing treatments, and overall care coordination.
- Travel companion care: A FirstLight caregiver can accompany clients on trips, providing assistance with luggage, medications, and personal hygiene needs away from home.
What to Expect
Because each FirstLight franchise is independently owned, services and pricing vary. Here is a general picture:
- Hourly rates: $32 to $50 per hour depending on location and visit length.
- Visit minimums: Many locations require a four-hour minimum; some charge premium rates for shorter visits.
- Care agreements: FirstLight uses service agreements rather than contracts, so you can pause or stop care at any time without penalty.
- Getting started: A FirstLight representative conducts an in-home assessment before care begins.
What Customers Are Saying
FirstLight’s Trustpilot score of 2.9 out of 5 is based on only two reviews and should not be taken as representative. Individual franchise ratings tell a more useful story. A FirstLight location in Brecon, Ohio, for instance, holds a 4.7 out of 5 on Google from 27 reviews.
One reviewer from that location wrote: “I have had the pleasure of dealing with Nicole Barrington from FirstLight for the past couple of years. She is an absolute angel and has been such a tremendous help in obtaining continuity of fantastic care for my client. She continues to go above and beyond.”
A negative Trustpilot review described a communication breakdown with a franchise owner regarding contract terms and service availability — a reminder that franchise-to-franchise quality can differ significantly.
We recommend checking Google and the Better Business Bureau for your specific nearest location to get an accurate picture of local performance.
Cost and Pricing
FirstLight is typically priced above state medians:
- Arizona: ~$38/hr (state median: $36/hr)
- Pennsylvania: $34 to $36/hr with a four-hour minimum (state median: $31/hr)
- Florida: $32/hr for 4+ hour visits, $40/hr for 2 to 3 hours, $50/hr for 2 hours or fewer (state median: $30/hr)
Call your nearest location for accurate current pricing in your area.
Areas Served
FirstLight Home Care serves clients in the following states:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
To find a location near you, enter your city, state, or ZIP code on FirstLight’s website or call 844-879-7300.
Our Assessment
FirstLight Home Care is a reliable choice for families who want trained, engaged caregivers who genuinely connect with their clients. The memory care specialization and travel companion service are meaningful differentiators. The skilled nursing option at many locations extends FirstLight’s usefulness for clients with more complex medical needs.
The higher-than-average pricing and per-franchise variability are worth keeping in mind. Get a local quote and read local reviews before committing to ongoing care.