SENIOR CARE FRANCHISING FEATURE

FranchisingFeature senior care franchising

senior care franchising industry set to expand as population continues to age

seeking a midlife career change?

consider a senior care franchise

how senior care franchises are making a positive impact for everyone

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what’s new!

ALWAYS BEST CARE ANNOUNCES NEW OWNERS OF MADISON, WISCONSIN TERRITORY Always Best Care Senior Services, a leading U.S. senior care franchise system, recently welcomed local entrepreneurs David and Kehinde Ogunnoiki as owners of its Always Best Care of Madison territory in Wisconsin.

“We’re thrilled to welcome David and Kehinde to the Always Best Care family,” said Jake Brown, President & CEO of Always Best Care.

Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, the Ogunnoikis became Dane County residents in 2013. The new franchisees bring an entrepreneurial spirit to Always Best Care. Together, David and Kehinde have owned a small-scale retail operation and an assisted living facility over the past seven years. David has a background in mechanical engineering and Kehinde brings five years of experience in nursing. With a passion for helping others, the husband and wife duo will continue to provide quality senior care services to the local communities.

“Madison is a growing community and the demand for senior living is increasing every day. Always Best Care of Madison has been an asset to those in need of care and their loved ones since April of 2012, and we’re proud to be continuing the legacy,” said David Ogunnoiki.

than 200 independently owned and operated franchise territories

Always Best Care is a leading provider of non-medical in-home care and assisted living referral services with a network of more

www.alwaysbestcare.com

throughout the United States and Canada.

Main Squeeze Juice Co. has Donated 10,000 Wellness Shots, Juices and Smoothies to Frontline Workers During Pandemic In an effort to boost healthcare workers’ physical and cognitive health during the COVID-19 pandemic, Main Squeeze Juice Co., the New Orleans-based juice and smoothie bar franchise whose ownership group includes New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morstead (pictured), has delivered 10,000 wellness shots, smoothies and juices to those on the frontlines.

The initiative kicked off during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March and has since made deliveries to various medical and health facilities throughout

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various parts of Louisiana and Texas.

“We are just trying to provide some good nutrition for the doctors, nurses, healthcare staff at the hospitals and it’s just our way of adding in a little support,” said Morstead, who personally delivered the first shipment to a New Orleans medical center back in March. “Obviously, you’re seeing stories of this all over. People are chipping in all sorts of different ways around the country and around the world. We’re just trying to do our little part.” www.mainsqueezejuiceco.com

Assisted Living Locators Provides Free Consultations for Family Caregiver’s Month Assisted Living Locators, a nationwide senior placement and referral service, offered free home care consultations in support of Family Caregivers Month in November.

Assisted Living Locators’ 140 franchise offices across the U.S. assessed needs and utilized their nationwide network of in-home care providers to address the new realities family caregivers face with their loved ones during coronavirus.

Spearheaded by the Caregiver Action Network, National Family Caregivers Month recognizes and honors family caregivers across the country. Family caregivers manage health emergencies, juggle priorities, and suffer isolation - and all that was before COVID-19.

The pandemic brings even more challenges as family caregivers handle “Caregiving in Crisis,” this year’s campaign theme.

As part of the free home care consultation, a local Assisted Living Locators senior care advisor met with each family, virtually or in-person, to learn about their loved one’s needs, living conditions, and personal preferences in order to build a care plan during these unprecedented times.

from Alzheimer’s and dementia care to respite care and much more,” said Angela Olea, Assisted Living Locators, CEO RN. “Our nationwide network of home care agencies provides a full range of home health care needs, including social interaction, senior nutrition, and safety in the home, to meet the pandemic challenges and assist families with the help they need.”

“We offer a variety of care resources for family caregivers ranging

www.assistedlivinglocators.com

FirstLight Home Care Named a Top Franchise for Veterans by Franchise Business Review FirstLight Home Care was identified as an award-winning franchise in Franchise Business Review’s 2020 report on Top Franchises for Veterans.

Franchise Business Review, a market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction, provides the only ranking of franchises based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance.

FirstLight Home Care’s franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including training & support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, and financial opportunity.

“I personally know so many small business owners who are scrambling to stay afloat this year,” said Franchise Business Review President Michelle Rowan. “But the

best franchise companies - like those on this year’s list of the Top Franchises for Veterans - really stepped up support for their franchisees and helped them navigate through all the challenges of 2020.”

Veterans are a great fit for franchise ownership because of their strong operational experience, leadership skills and discipline.

“Former military service members make extraordinary franchisees,” said Jeff Bevis, CEO and co-founder of FirstLight Home Care. “We’ve always had a passion for supporting military veterans. We continually look for ways to ensure they have the resources, training and support they need to transition into franchising. We also have proven programs in place that provide veterans with a solid foundation to help them open and grow their own FirstLight business.”

Visit Franchise Business Review to see their list of 2020’s Top Franchises for Veterans.

FirstLight Home Care delivers non-medical home care to people who need companion care and personal care services, including seniors, veterans, adults with disabilities and those recovering from illness, injury or surgery. www.firstlighthomecare.com

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R o b S w y s t u n | Fr a n c h i s i n g U S A

Seniors Care Franchising Industry Set to Expand as Population Continues to Age When looking for a franchise to join back in 2006, Linda Pirog knew she wanted to join a business that would give her a sense of community where she could help others. That led her to purchasing a Seniors Helpers franchise and she’s been happily running it and helping seniors ever since.

example, Eric Friedrich came from a medical family— his father was a doctor and his mother was a surgeon—and he felt compelled to join a franchise where he would be able to help others in much the same way.

Wanting to help people is often what attracts entrepreneurs to seniors care franchising.

Similarly, Angela Olea, CEO of Assisted Living Locators, which connects families of loved ones who require assisted living to the facilities that provide assisted living, started her franchise business in 2003 after seeing how difficult it was for families to get their senior loved ones into the right facility.

First Light Home Care franchisee, for

While it is the compulsion to help others

“As soon as I got the information on Senior Helpers, I knew it was what we were looking for,” Purog said. “There wasn’t a doubt in my mind.”

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that leads people to the seniors care franchising industry, it is also a lucrative business to get into.

Like most, the senior care franchising industry has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it still remains a viable option for people looking to start a franchise. The aging baby boomer population in the United States guarantees there will be a high demand for seniors care in the immediate future.

There are different segments to the seniors care franchise industry, the two main ones being in-home senior care franchises and residential franchise senior care facilities.

“While it is the compulsion to help others that leads people to the seniors care franchising industry, it is also a lucrative business to get into.”

boomer population and also advancements in medicine and technology making it easier for people to stay in their own homes and maintain their independence longer.

In-home senior care franchising The in-home care portion of the industry provides healthcare services in people’s homes. Services may include skilled nursing care, homemaker and companion services, physical therapy and medical social services. While the vast majority of in-home healthcare is provided to people aged 65 and older, the industry does include in-home healthcare services delivered to people of all ages.

According to IBISWorld, the in-home senior care franchise industry grew 8 percent between 2014 and 2019, driven largely by the aforementioned aging baby

The high cost of nursing homes and assisted living accommodations, along with rising healthcare costs for hospital stays, has also helped drive demand for more athome senior care.

Continued expansion ISIBWorld expects the in-home senior care franchise industry to continue its expansion over the next five years, as demand for this particular service continues to grow, along with the amount of the population who want to “age in place” rather than move into a facility.

“With the continued implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), demand for industry services will accelerate as seniors and the disabled are transitioned from nursing home services to at-home managed care,”

says the IBISWorld In-Home Senior Care Franchises Industry in the US report.

Currently, the market size is $11 billion in the US with over 11,380 businesses making up the market and employing nearly 400,000 people.

The companies holding the largest market share in the In-Home Senior Care Franchises industry include: • Home Instead Inc. • Interim HealthCare Inc. • Living Assistance Services Inc. • Right at Home Inc. • Comfort Keepers • Griswold Home Care.

Residential senior care franchises Franchises in this industry are facilities that primarily provide residential and personal-care services for elderly people who are unable to fully care for themselves.

Similarly to in-home senior care, the residential senior care franchise industry grew strongly over the last five years at 10.3 percent to $4.3 billion thanks to the aging population of the US. With over 54 million Americans in the 65 or older age category, senior residential franchises will continue to be a lucrative business in the future.

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R o b S w y s t u n | Fr a n c h i s i n g U S A

“The high cost of nursing homes and assisted living accommodations, along with rising healthcare costs for hospital stays, has also helped drive demand for more at-home senior care.”

Desire to help Entrepreneurs interested in purchasing a seniors care franchise, whether in-home, a facility or some other senior care related service, should have a desire to help people.

While the industry is set to keep growing, it also has its challenges to contend with.

“When you do join this rapidly expanding industry, you will enjoy a sense of fulfillment that few other types of businesses can provide.”

“Coupled with a strong economic environment, the industry’s growing markets are likely to entice more startup brands to enter the industry,” says the IBISWorld Residential Senior Care Franchises Industry in the US report.

“These new players will compete with established senior living community

operators through aggressive marketing.

Despite the success of the industry’s business model, franchise operators are expected to encounter challenges from falling reimbursement rates and rising competition.”

The current market size is $5 billion with 2,420 franchise businesses employing over 138,000 people.

The companies holding the largest market share in the Residential Senior Care Franchises industry include: • Beehive Homes • Century Oaks Assisted Living • Country Place Living.

The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, has hit seniors care facilities especially hard, with many of the deaths experienced in the US and around the world being seniors and other vulnerable people who were either housed in facilities or exposed to the disease because of their in-home care services.

Senior care franchisees may also have trouble finding qualified people to work in their businesses. Depending on the level of care offered, qualifications could range from basic training all the way up to requiring registered nurses.

It’s important to note that if you are interested in buying and running a seniors care franchise, you don’t need to be a medical professional yourself. Running the franchise will be more of a sales and management role and you should receive training from your franchisor. They will also likely be able to help you find and train the right people to work in your franchise.

When you do join this rapidly expanding industry, you will enjoy a sense of fulfillment that few other types of businesses can provide. The challenges are many, but the feeling that you are truly helping people and making a positive difference in their lives is unmatched.

Look out for our next special feature:

retail franchising

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Expert Advice: Chris Connor | President | Franchise Marketing Systems

How Senior Care Franchises are Making a

Positive Impact for Everyone streamlined senior assisted living franchise model can be the long-term staple that will benefit us all.

What are Senior Assisted Living Homes?

This year has seen even more of a reason to move away from the industrial, hospitallike conditions that have been popularized by nursing homes. Senior assisted living facilities have differentiated themselves from nursing homes by creating homelike environments that provide for opportunities of normal activities, chores, and scheduling.

We’re seeing a boom.

Senior care franchises are in high demand and for good reason.

Many people will need long term care solutions in their life.

By 2060, the Population Reference Bureau predicts the number of seniors living in the U.S. will more than double to 100 million thanks to the Baby Boomer generation (those born between the years 1946 and 1964). This generation is moving towards retirement and, eventually, senior care is projected to surpass the number of children by the year 2030 for the very first time in U.S. history. The explosive growth that we

are seeing of the senior population means increased demand for senior services of all kinds, including senior assisted living homes.

There’s a huge positive in this growth for everyone involved — families and seniors alike — and that’s due to the availability of quality care thanks to franchising.

These high-quality concepts (which we’ll jump into in a moment) are scaling with franchise models that work well and make for an incredible quality of life.

There are few certain things in life, but one thing is for sure — none of us are growing any younger, so it’s crucial to get the systems in place that will benefit us as we all move towards our golden years.

With enough foresight, the comfortable,

“There are few certain things in life, but one thing is for sure — none of us are growing any younger, so it’s crucial to get the systems in place that will benefit us as we all move towards our golden years.”

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Imagine a home within a neighborhood — the school bus rolls through in the afternoons, people are walking their dogs and pushing strollers, music is coming from a driveway — this is the environment that senior assisted living homes are in.

Places like Avendelle, a national senior assisted living home franchise, or Senior Retreat, a company that boasts a boutique residential atmosphere headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, have understood the power of family-like environments for the overall, well-rounded health of the residents. These homes are meant to mimic the look and feel of “normal” homelife, boosting quality of life for the residents and their families.

Why Invest in a Senior Care Franchise?

We already touched on the sheer numbers that make sense for this sort of investment.

There is no shortage of aging people.

To reiterate the stat from above, a senior population of 100 million is predicted

“A senior care franchise is an investment that goes beyond the dollars and cents bottomline — this is an investment in the emotional, mental, and physical care of the generations that come before us.”

by 2060. Oftentimes these facilities have memory-specific care, catering to the growth of Alzheimer sufferers, which is predicted to increase from 5 million in 2013 to nearly triple that number by 2050, 14 million people.

The profit margins within the senior care assisted living space are very attractive.

Less employee turnover and long-term residents make for lower overhead. The utilities are for a 4- or 6-bedroom home, not an industrial-type facility. The staff and the residents form bonds and a home subculture that is second-to-none. Visitors — the families overseeing payment of such arrangements — can see this and will most likely keep their loved ones in these homes as well, which translates into dependable recurring monthly income. The dependable residential real estate investment is an added bonus.

Finally, we cannot go without saying that this is a positive, passion-driven career. Owning a senior care franchise, no matter the type, just feels good! There are a variety of types that we didn’t cover today. One is Mobility City, a company

that brings wheelchairs and any needed repairs straight to the customer. This brand already has 40 franchises! Another, Always an Angel, is a senior homecare company that provides non-medical care within the comfort of their client’s home.

A senior care franchise is an investment that goes beyond the dollars and cents bottomline — this is an investment in the emotional, mental, and physical care of the generations that come before us. We can feel good with our senior care franchise and know that we are making a positive impact on everyone involved in multiple ways!

Chris Conner has worked in the franchise development industry for almost 20 years and helped over 600 brands franchise their brand and develop franchise distribution channels.

He works with small to mid-sized businesses in all industry segments including Professional Services, Food Service, Retail, Automotive, Fitness, Healthcare and Manufacturing. He founded Franchise Marketing Systems in 2009, focusing on strategic planning and franchise marketing for new and

Chris Connor

emerging franchise brands. Today, Franchise Marketing Systems is a team of 27 franchise consultants based in the U.S. and Canada supporting brands around the world to grow and scale through franchise expansion.

For more information on a senior care franchise that is right for you or to learn more about franchising your own senior care business, visit my website at www.FMSFranchise.com

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FRANCHISEE IN ACTION: Rafael Benavides | BrightStar Care

Meet

Rafael Benavides BrightStar Care’s 2020 National Caregiver of the Year

Committed to providing the best care for his clients, Rafael Benavides exemplifies what it means to provide high-quality care, showing deep compassion for every one of his clients by going above and beyond when catering to their everyday needs.

Rafael Benavides is a caregiver with BrightStar Care Santa Barbara, one of the nation’s leading private-duty home care and medical staffing franchises.

Each year BrightStar Care® recognizes one employee who has delivered the highest quality care by honoring them with the Caregiver of the Year award. Recipients are nominated by families and clients of BrightStar Care.

Rafael Benavides is a first-time regional nominee and first-time national winner. As BrightStar Care’s national winner, Benavides will receive a $5,000 scholarship to use towards his continued education.

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Rafael Benavides is a caregiver with BrightStar Care Santa Barbara, one of the nation’s leading private-duty home care and medical staffing franchises.

Benavides received a heartfelt nomination letter from his client’s husband, Laddie, who highlighted how much of a difference Rafael has made in his wife’s life. In 2018, his client had multiple falls, medical issues and eight hospitalizations. On his first day, Rafael was gentle with his client and attentive to her needs. He came in each day with a positive attitude, encouraging his client and providing her the best care.

Laddie credits Rafael for improving his wife’s attitude and outlook on life and mentions that falls and hospitalizations haven’t occurred since Rafael began providing care. “It’s his approach that differentiates Rafael. He is truly head and shoulders above the rest,” he said.

“Rafael’s touching and heartwarming nomination letter is one of the many reasons our clients have put their trust in BrightStar Care over the years,” said Shelly Sun, CEO and Founder of BrightStar Care. “We’re delighted to recognize Rafael Benavides’ dedication to his clients and provide the honor of being this year’s Caregiver of the Year as he exemplifies what it means to put your clients first and provide the highest quality of care.” www.brightstarfranchising.com/home-care

Q&A with Rafael Benavides Franchising USA: What led you to pursue a career in senior care giving?

RB: I decided to pursue a career in caregiving because I was inspired by a doctor and I have always had a passion for helping others that are in need.

I was then offered an opportunity to start my career in an elder care facility and that’s where my love for caregiving began.

Franchising USA: Why did you start working for BrightStar Care?

RB: I met one of the owners of BrightStar Care Santa Barbara when the location first opened. I loved how the owners ran the business and shortly after I was recruited to join the team.

Franchising USA: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

RB: The most rewarding part of my job is being able to care for those who have challenges and provide them with the highest quality of care. Caring for others requires consistency, strength and empathy and I believe you need to have that in order to be a great caregiver.

Franchising USA: Tell us how you help your clients.

RB: I cater to each of my clients differently as their needs vary case by case. I make sure to put myself in their place and provide them the level of care I would want for myself or a loved one. I also go farther than just providing basic medical care, I take them to all appointments and also make them dinner. I’m always happy to stay late to ensure my clients are happy and healthy!

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Expert Advice: Belina Calderon-Nernberg | CEO | 1Heart Caregiver Services

The Emotional Benefits of Becoming a Senior Care Franchisee “It is truly amazing to see how something as simple as social interaction with a cheerful caregiver can make such a lasting impact on a senior who otherwise would be lonely.” physically be there. After going through this experience, I decided to start 1Heart Caregiver Services so that I could provide a way to bring peace of mind to both seniors who needed support, as well as their loved ones who want to make sure they are getting the care they need.

Caregiving franchises’ strength during uncertain times

An inside look at the sector that provides not only a strong business model, but emotional fulfillment.

As an immigrant from the Philippines, I started my own business not only to make a better life for myself and my family, but to help others. When I left my parents behind, I spent a lot of time finding a local reliable caregiver so that I knew that they were being taken care of by someone who really cared for them. I had to learn to place my trust in someone who could provide support when I could not

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The senior care sector is booming and now more than ever, people are thinking about their elderly loved ones and worrying about their safety and wellbeing. Everyone has their own reasons to invest in caregiving services. We work very hard to earn the trust of seniors and their families, and we are seeing a lot of success because people know that we can take care of their loved ones in a safe and efficient manner.

The need for senior care has been rising even before the pandemic, with the baby boomer population continuing to age and the overall increase in cognitive disorders among the elderly. Currently, every 66 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and this number is expected to increase. Additionally, the pandemic period has shown a significant increase in loneliness, anxiety, fear and cognitive disorder among seniors. These factors alone have led to the increased need in senior care, and the ongoing pandemic has pushed many Americans to turn to

professionals to take care of their loved ones who are living alone and in need of assistance.

More than just a business opportunity It is very clear that senior care franchises are poised for growth and becoming a franchisee in this industry not only opens up a great business opportunity, but a chance to make a lasting impact on others.

When we meet with prospective franchisees, the first thing I ask them is why they want to join our growing caregiving brand. This type of franchise will not thrive if the owner is just looking to make money. It is a business that needs to be driven by a compassionate owner who is looking to make a difference in people’s lives.

We offer a wide variety of services; some are more technical and focused on the client’s health, like medication supervision, Alzheimer’s care, and personal hygiene, but other services are as simple as companionship. It is truly amazing to see how something as simple as social interaction with a cheerful caregiver can make such a lasting impact on a senior who otherwise would be lonely. Our caregivers are able to build meaningful relationships with each client. With each new franchisee that joins the team, we are able to make an even bigger impact.

“This type of franchise will not thrive if the owner is just looking to make money. It is a business that needs to be driven by a compassionate owner who is looking to make a difference in people’s lives.”

Belina Calderon-Nernberg

Our experienced caregivers get regular trainings through our 1Heart Caregiver University arming them with knowledge and skills needed to help our care recipients. This makes it easier for our franchisees to find the best caregiver to match the needs of the seniors needing help in their area. To have such a presence in the community and be able to help improve the quality of life for seniors right in your backyard is more than fulfilling.

Operating your own business is not something to take lightly. You have to think about your “Why” as a person, and how your new business can help achieve that “Why.” The financial gain is just a byproduct of your efforts.

There are so many amazing franchises out there, but not all allow the owners to take control of their destiny and improve the lives of others, especially those in the elderly community who are facing difficulties now more than ever.

Through our team and case management models, family members can rest assured that their loved one is being monitored for optimal health. Our caregivers are not only experienced and knowledgeable, but they are also trustworthy, tactful, and great listeners who are sensitive to the feelings of the seniors in care. That is the very

“Our caregivers are able to build meaningful relationships with each client.”

foundation of a good caregiver services franchise. If you are looking for a franchise opportunity that is emotionally fulfilling and will enable you to help others every day, then a caregiving franchise may be right for you.

No one can escape aging. Whenever I see the seniors we take care of, I see myself at their age in their shoes and there’s nothing more that I could hope and wish for than to have someone like our caregivers take care of me.

Belina Calderon-Nernberg is the founder and CEO of 1Heart Caregiver Services, a growing franchise that serves seniors by helping them with daily needs through high quality care. 1Heart’s services include companionship, home care, hospital sitting, personal assistance, short-time “express” packages, and 24hour care. 1Heart places strong emphasis in the training of caregivers, and the brand’s “Caregiver University” has trained approximately 2,200 caregivers throughout Southern California. The brand currently has ten locations throughout California and Nevada and is looking to open new franchise locations nationwide.

For more information, please visit https://1heartfranchise.com

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Jill Abrahamsen | Editorial Director | International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG)

Seeking a Midlife Career C

Consider a Senior Care Fra

Talk to anyone who owns a senior care franchise and you’ll likely hear “I wish I had done it sooner,” or “finally, my work has meaning.”

It’s a feel-good business that can be extremely rewarding. Starting a senior care franchise might be easier than you think. It’s a perfect opportunity for people seeking a midlife career change who have some professional experience. You don’t need a medical background, but you do need to have business acumen, team building skills, and a desire to help people.

With a senior care franchise, you can step into a proven system, with support, training and a plan for success.

These days, people who desire a midlife career change are looking for more than just the bottom line. They want to make a difference. With senior care, there is plenty of opportunity. It’s a business where your customers are always grateful for your services. How nice is that?

Senior care franchisees help elderly clients have a more dignified and enriched life.

Franchise owners have a team of care givers who provide in-home support with household chores, cooking, errands and personal care. Some also provide nursing care and administer medication. The service is a lifesaver for families who are faced with the responsibility of caring for loved ones and know that aging gracefully at home is the most ideal scenario.

Not only is owning a senior care franchise good for your soul, it’s also good for your wallet. The industry has been booming for many reasons. Besides being an essential business, there is a huge customer base.

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The U.S. Census Bureau shows that this is the fastest-growing, and most affluent segment of the population today. In the year 2000, more than 600 million people were over age 60. By the year 2025, there will be 1.2 billion in that age range and over 2 billion by 2050.

Now that we have gone through a pandemic, the need for senior care services has become even more clear. With COVID-19 spreading through assisted living centers, families have moved loved ones back home to be safer. Besides an increased number of in-home clients, senior care franchise owners have been called on by understaffed nursing facilities to fill in gaps.

As an owner of a senior-care franchise, you can scale your business and grow a large team. There are many husband-and-wife teams who own senior care franchises as well as partnerships between friends. Some scale to multiple locations and can have 50 or even 100-plus caregivers on their team.

The senior care sector includes many extremely reputable and award-winning franchise brands. Some, such as Senior Helpers and Assisted Living Locators, were founded by passionate entrepreneurs who were driven to launch their brands because of their own personal experiences.

Their passion runs through their franchise systems and each brand has grown to multiple locations across the country.

Some senior brands, like Seniors Helping Seniors, offer niche services. As the name suggests, their caregivers are seniors, too.

They match more active seniors with less active seniors, keeping the client’s specific needs, personality, and preferences in mind. Not only does the brand offer help for seniors, but it also gives active seniors and opportunity for more meaningful work. Other brands, like Home Helpers

Home Care, offer specialized services like Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care and 24hour monitoring.

So, how can you make a midlife career change to a senior care franchise? Start by doing your due diligence with online research and by visiting trade shows (both live and virtual). You can also seek the help of a certified franchise consultant who can show you what each brand has to offer and suggest which one might be the best fit for your lifestyle and investment level.

If you’re seeking a midlife career change, you can really have it all with a senior care franchise. Not only is it an opportunity to draw from your previous experience and run a lucrative business, but it’s a chance to feel good about what you do. Now, what could be better than that?

Jill Abrahamsen

Jill Abrahamsen is Editorial Director at the International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG), a franchise broker network that helps hopeful entrepreneurs identify and invest in franchise businesses. As Editor of Franchise Consultant Magazine and FranchiseWire, Jill Abrahamsen writes and edits articles about success through franchise ownership.

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Expert Advice: Rick Bisio | Franchise Coach | FranChoice

Senior Care Services

Are a Booming Business Given the large senior citizen population in the United States, it makes sense that the demand for senior care franchises is at an all-time high.

There are more than 54 million people aged 65 or older in the U.S., and the Baby Boomer generation (ages 55 to 73) represents the second largest age demographic in the country.

Additionally, people are now living longer, as the average life expectancy in the United States is 78.93 years. That is an average increase of more than three and a half years since 1990. People also want to live in their homes as long as possible without moving into a senior care facility. With a sizeable age group that is living longer, there is ample need for in-home service franchises to care for our nation’s seniors.

While the opportunity is there to capitalize

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on this large, growing market, there are several things franchise prospects should know about senior care as they conduct their due diligence. The first is the types of services that are offered, as there is some variation depending on customer need.

There are many kinds of in-home senior care services, but they mainly fall under three main categories:

Personal Care and Companionship This service is where a caretaker goes to a senior’s home and helps them around the house. The individual may not be able do everything they need, so the caretaker assists in the home, whether it is picking up certain items or moving things as needed.

They may take care of the kitchen, prepare food or spend time with the senior. Many franchises provide these types of personal care services.

Home Health Care This includes personal care with a physical

component. An example of this service is assisting a senior to or from their seat or bed. Caretakers may also help with personal hygiene or support them if they need to take a shower or use the restroom.

There are also a lot of franchise companies involved in this type of care as well.

Medical Home Care This involves medical care for the senior in the form of nursing services.

This is often longer-term care in which the caretaker administers medicine or injections while monitoring vital signs.

This operates on a higher level of care and expertise and requires having a nurse on staff. Most franchises do not need to include these services to build a successful business. Among the franchise companies that include these services, some offer it initially while others allow their franchisees to evolve into it.

A senior care franchise owner does not need to have experience in healthcare, and only those businesses providing

“Many senior care franchise owners get into the business after having gone through the experience of needing professional assistance for a loved one and the challenges faced in finding good care.”

According to the Population Reference Bureau, the number of Americans ages 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060, and the 65-and-older age group’s share of the total population will rise from 16 percent to 23 percent. medical services involves employing a nurse. Franchisees in this field may have different backgrounds, although many possess strong organizational skills and decision-making abilities. They may have experience in business development, human resources and leading groups of people.

As a franchise coach, I’ve noticed that these owners must have a certain personality and mindset that matches the demands of the job. They should have a positive attitude and outgoing nature to be able to interact with others, whether it is new or current customers and their families. More than anything else, however, a franchise owner in this line of work must have a tremendous sense of empathy.

While it is a rewarding experience, providing senior care services can an emotionally draining endeavor. Workers provide assistance to seniors in various stages of need, from those who are slightly isolated and physically limited to others who require advanced medical care. Good caretakers cannot simply arrive at a home, check off things that need to be done and move on. They must show kindness, patience and caring in everything they do.

The unfortunate reality of working in this sector is that many patients struggle with common needs, are in poor health and will eventually pass away. That is why having a caring approach and sensitivity to their needs is so important. Many senior care franchise owners get into the business after having gone through the experience of

needing professional assistance for a loved one and the challenges faced in finding good care.

One of the advantages of owning a senior care franchise is a relatively low overhead cost. Most franchisees and their staff operate in a basic office setup with phones, desks, chairs, and files. These types of offices are inexpensive, easy to find and have a short-term lease. The business does not require a storefront location with an inviting atmosphere because customers are not visiting the location.

These businesses also have tremendous scalability, as they can start as a modest investment and grow into a multi-million dollar operation. If someone has the right outlook and a high degree of empathy, owning a senior care franchise can be a very rewarding and successful business.

Finding and retaining good employees in this field can be a challenge. They need to be hard workers, have a great deal of empathy, be willing to work long or unconventional hours and do it at a relatively low wage. Senior care can take place on evenings, weekends and holidays.

If a caretaker misses and appointment, it can create significant consequences.

Even though it is true that there is a tremendous demand for senior care, there is also a lot of competition. That is the case for both attracting customers and retaining good employees. That is why empathy is required for the job and people must feel like it is a calling. If people have the right skills set and proper motivation, then some of the issues like long hours and employee turnover is just seen as the cost of doing business in an industry that serves others.

The outlook for senior care franchises is quite strong with the increased number of senior citizens in the coming years.

Rick Bisio

Rick Bisio is one of the countries most respected franchise coaches and author of the Amazon best seller, The Educated Franchise - 3rd Edition. Since becoming a franchise coach in 2002, Bisio has assisted thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs nationwide explore the dream of business ownership. www.afranchisecoach.com/the-coach

Franchising USA

fe at ure : seni o r ca r e fr anchising

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