Comparison guide for Ohio families
Visiting Angels vs Reliance Care.An honest side by side.
A national franchise specializing in non-medical companion and personal care.
Visiting Angels markets a select-your-caregiver model, but they are non-medical only. No RN on call, and no DODD certification for adults or youth with developmental disabilities.
| Feature | Reliance Care | Visiting Angels |
|---|---|---|
| Locally owned in Lucas County (not a franchise) | ||
| Local Toledo coordinator answers the phone (no 1-800 call center) | ||
| DODD-certified across all 88 Ohio counties (IO, SELF, Level One) | ||
| Most families have a caregiver in the home within 72 hours | ||
| Same-day emergency respite placement | ||
| Same coordinator from intake through first 30 days of care | ||
| Coordinates directly with your county SSA on DODD plans | ||
| RN on call 24/7 on a Toledo phone | ||
| Written guarantee on response time and caregiver match | ||
| Transparent private-pay rates with no surprise fees | ||
| Free, no-pressure home assessment |
Comparison reflects publicly stated service models of Visiting Angels as of 2026. Individual franchise locations may differ. If something here is out of date, tell us and we will fix it.
Where Visiting Angels is strong, and where Reliance is stronger.
Visiting Angels has well over 600 franchise locations nationwide, including several in Ohio. Their pitch is the caregiver-selection process, which works well for families who can pay privately and want help with bathing, meals, and companionship.
What they do not do is DODD services. If your loved one has a complex care plan, needs skilled oversight, or relies on the IO, SELF, or Level One waiver, Visiting Angels is not set up for it.
Reliance Care covers the full picture in one provider: private-pay home care aides, DODD-certified DSPs, an RN on call 24/7, and a coordinator who answers a Toledo phone, not a corporate line.
Questions families ask when comparing Visiting Angels.
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