Author: A Place At Home

Why Senior Care Franchises Are One of the Fastest Growing Franchises

How to Get Your Home Health Care Business License in 7 Steps

Franchises focused on seniors provide essential services to an aging population while also providing a rewarding business opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to make a difference in their communities. Choosing to invest in one of the fastest-growing franchises is a profitable move. See why senior care franchises are among the top booming franchise industries.

Growing Demand for Senior Care Services

The senior population is exponentially growing in our country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to nearly double by 2060, reaching 95 million. In addition, as the baby boomer generation ages, the number of older adults who need assistance with daily activities and managing their health is expected to rise. These factors are aiding the rise of elderly care franchises.
The demand for non-medical home care services has grown significantly as older adults seek to remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible. Senior care businesses offer assorted services that help improve older adults’ independence and quality of life, such as meal preparation, medication management, transportation, and companionship. By providing these services, senior care franchises help older adults live safely and comfortably in their own homes while also giving their families peace of mind.

Flexible Business Models

There are a variety of senior care business models you can tailor to meet your community’s needs. Whether that’s non-medical home care services, assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing, you can choose what suits your interests and expertise.

Multiple Revenue Streams

Some senior care franchises provide multiple revenue streams, offering greater potential for rapid growth and diversified income. For example, A Place At Home franchisees can offer not only in-home care services for their clients but also staffing solutions, care coordination, and assistance in finding senior living facilities. Other franchises offer revenue opportunities like medical equipment sales. Having multiple revenue streams available allows franchisees to adapt to changing market conditions and meet the evolving needs of the senior population.

Lower Cost of Entry

Many elderly care franchises offer affordable initial investments depending on the type of senior care business you open. Unlike other franchise industries, senior in-home care franchises don’t require significant capital investment in physical facilities or equipment. As a result, you can often start one from your home office, with low overhead costs and minimal staffing requirements.
They also have the potential for a high return on investment. As the demand for senior care services grows, so does the revenue potential. Additionally, many of these types of franchises have recurring revenue models, which means you can earn a steady income over time.

No Experience Required

Depending on the type of senior care you offer, you don’t always need a medical background to run the business.
Non-medical senior care businesses, like A Place At Home, focus on providing home care services such as assistance with activities of daily living, housekeeping, meal preparation, and transportation. These services do not require specialized medical knowledge or training. Plus, there are fewer licenses and regulations to worry about when you’re not providing medical care.
Additionally, in most cases, you’re not providing direct care for your clients. Instead, you’ll typically hire caregivers for that. A Place At Home franchise locations have some of the highest caregiver and client satisfaction rates, according to Home Care Pulse.
Most franchises offer comprehensive training programs covering all business aspects, from marketing and sales to staffing and operations. This training can help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to run a successful franchise for seniors, regardless of your background or experience.

Consider In-Home Care With A Place At Home

When looking for an industry that will offer rapid growth, consider the home healthcare services market and A Place At Home. Fortune Business Insights projects the industry will grow from $94.17 billion in 2022 to $153.19 billion by 2029, growing at 7.2% annually.
A Place At Home offers all these factors contributing to a quick startup and fast growth. Committing to our CARE training program will put you on track to service a client in the first 60 days post-launch. Ready to become our next top performer? Start today by submitting a franchise form.

Most Profitable Senior Care Franchises Have These 5 Qualities

How BrightStar Care Franchise shapes up against A Place At Home

Senior care franchises can be profitable, but it depends on a few factors. Look at the qualities the most profitable senior care franchises have.

Rising Need for Senior Care Franchises

The senior care industry is rising as the number of older adults in our country grows. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2034, seniors will outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history. There’ll be 77 million people 65 years and older, compared to 76.5 million kids under 18. This demographic shift means the demand for senior care services, including in-home care, will grow.

In-home care franchises like A Place At Home are becoming increasingly popular as more seniors want to age in place and receive care in the comfort of their own homes. These franchises offer meal preparation, medication management, personal care, and companionship services. In-home care is more affordable than independent and assisted living facilities for seniors and their families.

How Profitable are Senior Care Franchises?

While senior care franchises can be profitable for entrepreneurs, assisted living and nursing facilities often operate at a much lower profit margin than in-home care businesses because of the significant expense it takes to operate those facilities. A study by Fierce Healthcare found that most facilities run at a 3% profit margin or less. The healthcare news source performed the survey in 2020, the height of the pandemic, which significantly affected the senior care industry.

On the other hand, in-home care franchises have lower overhead costs. Home Care Pulse reported in 2021 that the median revenue for the home care industry was $2.02 million.

Consider these qualities when searching for the most profitable senior care franchises:

1. Strong Brand Recognition

When it comes to senior care, families want to know that they’re entrusting their loved ones to a reputable and trustworthy provider. That’s why a strong brand can go a long way in attracting clients and building confidence in your community. So, look for a senior care franchise with a recognizable brand name and a proven marketing strategy.

A Place At Home prides itself in our comprehensive training program, which includes how to market your business successfully. So, you’re not just buying into a senior in-home care franchise with us; you’re becoming a part of a nationally recognized brand.

2. Comprehensive Training and Support

Running a senior care franchise requires specialized knowledge and skills, particularly caring for individuals with dementia and other cognitive impairments. The most profitable senior care franchises provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure their franchisees have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

At A Place At Home, we’re committed to helping our franchisees thrive. Through our CARE TRACK, we’ll coach you through your business setup, guide you to achieve set revenue benchmarks, and mentor you on maintaining a high client and employee satisfaction score.

3. High-Quality Care Standards

The success of a senior care franchise is directly tied to the quality of care provided. Therefore, look for a franchise with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality care, rigorous standards for hiring and training caregivers, and regular quality assurance checks.

A Place At Home franchisees nationwide rank among the top caregivers in Home Care Pulse’s “Best of Home Care” awards. These rankings prove that the brand is dedicated to quality, professionalism, and expertise in home care. The awards are based on clients’ unfiltered feedback.

4. Multiple Revenue Streams

Offering multiple revenue streams allows senior care franchises to increase profits. Look for a franchise that provides a range of services, from home health care to hospice care or memory care. This not only provides additional revenue streams but also ensures that you can meet the evolving needs of your community.

A Place At Home franchisees look to guide their clients through the aging journey, allowing owners to earn from multiple home care revenue streams. It starts with in-home senior care. Then you can offer care coordination, assist in finding senior living alternatives, and help local facilities maintain staffing levels.

5. Strong Local Market

Finally, senior care franchises succeed most in areas with a strong demand for senior care services. Look for a franchise that has done its homework on local market trends and demographics and has a proven track record of success.

Territories are available across the country for A Place At Home. Every territory has at least 40,000 qualified senior residents for your potential client base.

Invest with A Place At Home

We’re a younger brand with immense room for growth. Our franchisees follow a senior-focused care model that allows them to provide a unique service in their community. The senior care industry is rapidly growing; jump in now by submitting a franchise form today.

Franchise Royalty Fees: Are They Negotiable?

Learn everything you need to know about franchise royalty fees and where the money goes. Depending on the franchise, sometimes franchise royalty fees can be negotiable.

What Are Franchise Royalty Fees?

Simply put, they’re a percentage of your revenue that you pay to the franchisor in exchange for the right to use their brand name, products, and systems. In other words, it’s the cost of doing business as a franchisee.

Franchise royalty fees typically range from 4%-8% of your gross sales but can be as high as 12% or more, according to the Small Business Association. The exact percentage will vary depending on the franchisor and the industry. For instance, a food franchise is typically a high-volume business, which means a lot of customers purchase a lot of individual items. Because their revenues tend to be higher than other industries, they typically have a lower royalty fee percentage.

In contrast, another type of business, like a consulting franchise, doesn’t experience as high of a revenue volume, so their royalty fee percentage may be 10%. Then others fall in the middle, such as senior in-home care franchises such as A Place At Home.

Depending on the agreement, you’ll report your gross sales to the franchisor every month or quarter. They’ll then deduct the agreed-upon percentage from your revenue, leaving you with your net sales. Some franchises may charge a flat fee instead of a percentage, while others may have various rates for different types of products or services. In some cases, the franchisor may also require you to pay additional fees, such as marketing or technology, on top of the royalty fee.

It’s important to note that royalty fees are not the same as the franchise fee. Franchise fees are a one-time payment you make to the franchisor when you first sign on, whereas royalty fees are an ongoing cost.

Why Do I Have to Pay Royalty Fees?

As a franchisee, you’re essentially buying into a proven business model. The franchisor has already worked hard to develop a successful brand, create effective systems and processes, and build a customer base. You’ll get the right to use the franchisor’s brand name and logo, which can be a considerable advantage in a crowded marketplace. Perhaps most importantly, you get ongoing support and training from the franchisor, which can help you succeed in the long run. You’re essentially paying for the right to use all that hard work and leverage it will better position yourself for success than starting from scratch.

Are Franchise Royalty Fees Negotiable?

Franchisors are typically reluctant to negotiate their royalty fees, as they’ve already set them at a level they believe is fair for both parties. However, if you have a strong case for why you should pay less, it’s worth bringing it up with the franchisor and seeing if they’re open to negotiation. For example, if you believe you’re opening a less profitable location, they may lower the royalty expenses.

It’s also worth noting that some franchisors may offer discounts on royalty fees for specific situations, such as if you open multiple locations or are a veteran. Other franchisors, like A Place At Home, offer a sliding royalty fee structure. So, the more revenue you earn in one year, the lower your royalty percentage is. Their current royalty structure is as follows:

5% – up to $999.99
0% – $1 million to $1.5 million
5% – + $1.5 million in sales

If you’re looking to try to get out of paying royalty fees altogether, don’t bother. These fees are a crucial part of the franchise business model and are typically a percentage of your gross sales. They provide the franchisor with ongoing revenue and help to cover the costs of continuing support services, such as marketing, training, and operations. While some franchisors may be willing to negotiate their royalty fees, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to avoid paying them entirely. So, when considering a franchise opportunity, be sure to factor in the cost of royalty fees to ensure that it fits within your budget.

Red Flags to Watch for With Royalties

While lower royalty fee rates are great, experts at Forbes warn that if a franchisor is pushing for higher up-front costs with significantly lower royalty rates, that’s a red flag. This can be a sign that the franchisor is just looking for short-term cash flow and that they might not provide the best ongoing support.

You should also be suspicious if the franchisor is too eager to offer discounted royalty fees. Forbes says there are some sufficient reasons why they might offer reduced royalty fees, such as being a new franchise or trying to get a specific market to sell. But otherwise, if an established brand is overly willing to offer you a discount on their royalties, experts say it could be a sign they’re in financial trouble and need to sell territories.

Affordable Senior Care Franchise Opportunity: A Place At Home

Our senior-focused franchise offers various services for seniors who want to age in place, find a living facility when it comes time for extra assistance, and help facilities keep their staff numbers at the required amount. Along with our other home care franchise costs, we keep our royalty fees lower because we believe in supporting our franchisees and helping them grow their businesses. As mentioned above, we lower the rate as you earn more revenue. Experts cite the industry average for royalty fees as 5%, so our top performers are actually paying lower than the industry average.

A Place at Home is committed to helping our franchisees succeed by providing affordable and flexible royalty fees and ongoing support and training. By doing so, we believe we can build a strong network of franchisees passionate about providing quality care to seniors in their communities.

Ready to get started and join our franchising team? Submit a franchise form

How to Start a Non-Medical Home Care Business In 6 Steps

Planning to start a non-medical home care business? Learn the steps here and see what it takes to open up your own non-medical home care business here.

Non-Medical vs. Medical Home Care

Before learning how to start a non-medical home care business, let’s understand how it differs from in-home medical services. Medical home care is skilled nursing care and medical services for patients who need medical attention at home. These providers may administer medications and perform wound care, physical therapy, and other medical services. Licensed healthcare professionals such as registered nurses or physical therapists typically perform this care.

On the other hand, non-medical home care assists with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation, as well as companionship and transportation services. Trained caregivers don’t need a medical background for this.

Senior in-home care franchise A Place At Home is a lower-investment franchise with high-profit potential. In-home care isn’t your only revenue stream either. You can offer professional care planning, assist clients in finding a senior living alternative, and help assisted living residences, memory care centers, rehabs, and other long-term care communities maintain staffing.

Why Choose Non-Medical Over Medical?

Non-medical home care is one of the fastest-growing sectors because of the aging population in the U.S. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans aged 65 and older is expected to double by 2060, reaching 98.2 million. This aging population prefers to age in place, meaning they want to remain in their homes rather than move to a nursing home or assisted living facility. Non-medical home care allows seniors to receive help with daily activities while still in the comfort of their homes.

Non-medical home care does not require a medical background, which lowers labor costs. In addition, while there are state or local licensing requirements for non-medical home care businesses, they’re typically not subjected to the same strict regulatory requirements as medical home care businesses. Both factors lower the barrier of entry for franchise investors.

Non-medical home care businesses have a broader potential client base than medical home care. Non-medical home care providers can serve not only seniors and individuals with disabilities but also individuals recovering from surgery or illness who may not require skilled medical care.

As a non-medical home care business owner, you can scale and grow your business easily. You can expand services to serve more clients without needing additional medical staff or equipment.

6 Steps on How to Start a Non-Medical Home Care Business

Starting a non-medical home care business requires careful planning and attention to detail, but it can be a rewarding and successful venture with the right approach. By following these steps on how to start a non-medical home care business, you can build a thriving business that provides essential services to those in need.

Develop a Business Plan
Before starting your business, you need to develop a comprehensive business plan. This plan should describe your services, target market, financial projections, marketing strategy, and staffing plan. In addition, a business plan will help you receive funding.
Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits
Non-medical home care businesses may be subject to licensing requirements at the state or local level. Check with your state’s licensing board to determine what licenses and permits you need to obtain to start your business.
Hire and Train Staff
You must hire and train competent and compassionate staff to deliver high-quality care for your clients. Develop a thorough hiring process and offer ongoing training to your team to ensure they have the skills and knowledge necessary to provide the best possible care.
Develop Policies and Procedures
Developing policies and procedures for your business is essential to ensure consistency and quality of care. Your policies and procedures should cover areas such as client assessment, care planning, record keeping, and employee conduct.
Establish Relationships with Referral Sources
Establishing relationships with referral sources such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and doctor’s offices is essential to build your business. It’s key to network and build relationships with them.
Market Your Services
Marketing is essential to building a successful non-medical home care business. Develop a marketing strategy that includes online advertising, direct mail, and networking events to promote your services and build brand awareness.

Let A Place At Home Help You

Don’t let yourself become overwhelmed with those steps on how to start a home health agency. Instead, let A Place At Home help you build a successful business.

By investing in our lower-cost franchise, you’ll receive our proven business model that’s already been successful in other markets. You’ll undergo initial training on all aspects of the business, from marketing to operations, and have access to ongoing support from the A Place At Home team. A Place At Home franchisees benefit from the brand recognition and reputation we’ve established in the industry. This can help you attract clients and build your business more quickly than if you were starting from scratch. We provide you with a suite of technology tools. From a customized website to a client management system, these resources can help you streamline your operations and reach more potential clients. You’ll save money without group purchasing power for supplies and equipment.

Begin your journey to owning a home care franchise by connecting with us and submitting a franchise form. We’ll then be in touch with you shortly.

Senior Living Industry Outlook in 2023 & Beyond

The global senior living market is projected to grow by $91.37 billion over the next five years, according to Technavio. This isn’t a surprise, as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says 10,000 people turn 65 every day.

The senior living industry has shifted after the pandemic. Demand for nursing homes has fallen while at-home care and assisted living continues to soar. Find out why.

Current Trends in the Senior Living Industry

Seniors are looking to “age in place,” or stay in their homes as long as possible. An AARP survey found that 77% of adults 50 and older want to remain in their homes for the long term. Among the reasons is the financial burden it can put on their loved ones if they move into a nursing home. This trend alters the industry by increasing the demand for at-home care services.

Senior home occupancy is on the rise, with the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care reporting in the fall of 2022 that senior housing occupancy was 82.2%. That’s the fifth straight quarter of increases, with a total of a 4.3% increase from the lowest point during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers say while that occupancy is less than optimal, the number of seniors needing housing and care will only grow.

Another trend in the industry is an emphasis on chronic conditions and preventative care. Nearly 95% of seniors have at least one chronic condition, and almost 80% have two or more.

Seniors are also looking for more programming in their communities, whether they’re in an independent living center or a nursing home. They want programs that will improve their quality of life and all-around wellness. These programs could include fitness classes, healthy meals, or planned social activities.

Lastly, an unfortunate trend expected to continue throughout 2023 is staffing shortages, especially among nurses. In an American Health Care Association survey in June of 2022, 60% of nursing homes will limit the number of new occupants due to staffing shortages. Nearly all nursing homes are having trouble hiring new team members and asking current employees to work overtime.

Nursing Homes Struggling

The demand for nursing homes is dropping. More families are turning to in-home care for assistance instead of putting their loved ones into senior living facilities. Concerns about cost, risk of infection, and the level of care are driving factors toward this shift. SeniorLiving.org finds the monthly median cost for a nursing home ranges between $7,908 to $9,034, while the monthly median price for an assisted living facility is around $4,500.

Nursing homes are facing significant financial struggles. In 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services found that 129 nursing homes closed in the country. However, that number is probably lower than the actual count because experts say government reports are slow at keeping up with closures. Aiding the financial struggles is inflation. The rising costs of supplies and food are eating away at profit margins. In addition, nursing homes are having to increase staffing wages to attract and retain talent.

Hiring challenges also affect how many residents they can accept. So, if they’re short-staffed and can’t take more patients, then they have rooms sitting empty.

Benefits of Opening a Home Care Franchise Like A Place At Home

Besides the shift towards in-home care, there are many other benefits to opening an in-home care franchise. First, the startup costs are significantly lower because you don’t have to buy or rent a large facility. Instead, you just need a small office to hold consultations and meet with your staff. Inflation doesn’t affect you as much because you’re not supplying food for your clients.

If you don’t have the caretakers, you just don’t accept as many clients, but you’re not losing as much money as if you were running a facility and having rooms sit empty. However, a business like A Place At Home is easily scalable; you can add staff as your client list grows.

Plus, in-home care is often considered a long-term option, while nursing facilities are usually short-term. Families enjoy at-home care for the one-on-one service they receive from your caregivers, compared to a nursing home where a nurse could have multiple patients they’re looking after.

If you’re looking into how to start a non-medical home care business, let A Place At Home help. We have a proven business model that can guide you to success within the senior living industry. Learn more by submitting a franchise form.

Caregiver Shortage is Driving Demand for Home Care Businesses

Behind the Shortage

The senior population is rapidly growing, with 10,000 Americans turning 65 daily. Many of them will eventually need assistance even with daily living activities such as laundry or grocery shopping, let alone those that need medical help.

The country has struggled to meet the caregiver demand since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as millions of caretakers have left the field for various reasons. On top of that, now, with the increasing population, the United Disabilities Services Foundation (UDS) expects the national caregiver shortage to reach 151,000 by 2030 and 355,000 by 2040. On average, more than 700,000 caregiving positions are expected to open each year through 2032, according to AARP.

Why is the Demand for Caregivers Growing?

More people are aging alone. Solo agers are single, divorced, widowed, childless, or their children live far away. This group of seniors requires caretakers, especially if they want to remain in their homes for as long as possible. The National Poll on Healthy Aging finds that 88% of adults aged 50 to 80 want to age in place.

Besides the growing senior population and the desire to age in their home, Global Coalition on Aging finds that caregiver turnover rates range from 40% to 60%. Common reasons caregivers leave the field include low pay, lack of respect, need for benefits, and limited potential for professional growth. On top of that, the work of a caretaker is extremely demanding. Clients will have a variety of needs. In addition, they could be dealing with personality-altering diseases such as Alzheimer’s. It can all be overwhelming and strenuous sometimes, leading caregivers to experience burnout.

Solving the Caregiver Shortage Crisis

Companies are looking for ways to retain their caregivers and recruit new ones so they can take on more business. AARP finds that workers seek incentives like better pay, sign-on bonuses, more attractive benefits, and career advancement opportunities. While UDS finds that caregivers are looking for society to elevate their perception of their career choice, provide them with respect, and be considered a part of the healthcare ecosystem.

Along with career advancements comes the desire for more training and educational programs. The software company Home Care Pulse finds that agencies that offer their caretakers at least eight hours of orientation training and 12 hours of ongoing training see an increase of more than $700,000 in revenue compared to those that provide the minimum number of hours for compliance. Training sessions also decrease the chance of a 90-day turnover. This can save you time and money by not constantly replacing caregivers. As a potential business owner, why would you skip out on an opportunity to increase your revenue and workforce?

Why is Now a Good Time to Enter the Home Care Market?

Don’t let the worry over the caregiver shortage scare you away; the other home care industry trends make now the perfect time to join the growing industry. First off, the global home healthcare market was worth $301 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $813 billion by 2028, according to SkyQuest Technology Consulting. Following some of those solutions to solve the caregiver shortage can help you recruit and retain workers. Another way that can help you is opening a non-medical home care franchise like A Place At Home. This allows you a larger pool of caregivers to hire from.

Statistics show that home care agencies are growing. Home Care Pulse reports that providers recently experienced the highest client growth in four years, with median revenue also increasing.

The demand will only increase for in-home care as the senior population grows. A non-medical care business also allows you to work with your clients for the long term, whereas medical care is typically short-term.

Start an A Place At Home Franchise

Join the thriving industry with a franchise experiencing an average of nearly 92% overall caregiver satisfaction rate. We’re built on a senior-focused care model that provides a complete service model, from in-home care to care coordination, finding senior living alternatives, and helping those facilities with staffing solutions. Learn more about your next franchising opportunity by submitting a franchise form.

8 Home Care Marketing Ideas To Get More Clients

A successful business doesn’t rely solely on a single marketing method. Instead, they incorporate online and offline avenues to bring in new clients. Learn how to get more home care leads with these effective home care marketing ideas as part of your offline and online marketing strategy.

1. Digital Marketing

This marketing idea incorporates several methods, including Facebook ads, Google ads, and Google My Business. Digital marketing focuses on meeting your target audience where they spend time: online, on their phone, and using social media.

Google ads is a pay-per-click advertising system, which means you only pay when someone clicks on the ad. You target a keyword, so when consumers search that word, your agency appears at the top of the search result page.

Other methods with Google include creating a Google My Business Profile. This free profile allows your business to appear on Google searches and Google Maps. Marketing experts recommend that you provide as much information as possible with your profile to yield the best results. For example, include as many contact methods as possible, such as phone number, website, and physical address. Be sure you regularly update your profile with the correct hours, new photos, and posts.

2. Improve Site Ranking with SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is how you increase your website ranking online. The quality and quantity of online content that targets what people are searching for, causes your ranking to rise in search engine results which increases your brand exposure. You can achieve this through the language you use on your website and key topics you target in blogs. The best part is this creates organic search results which means you don’t pay for them. It is important to provide quality content that answers questions your target audience is searching for, while also utilizing the keywords sufficiently.

3. Referrals: Client & Professional

Client referrals are key. According to Home Care Pulse’s 2021 Home Care Benchmarking Study, 73% of revenue in one year came from client referrals. In addition, you can encourage current clients to refer you to their friends and family by offering a referral discount.

You can build a network of professional referrals by connecting with other healthcare professionals in the community, such as physicians, hospitals, senior care homes, and physical therapists. The relationship should be neutral, where you refer your clients to them, and they refer their clients to your home care agency.

4. Take Part in Community Events

Put yourself in front of potential clients by participating in community events such as 5k walks and runs, fairs, or sponsoring sports teams. At these events, you can also offer prizes to people who fill out an information form that you use to contact them later. Print brochures and other branded items can also be used to build awareness of the home care services you provide.

5. Hold Community Education Sessions

Sharing your knowledge on senior in-home care with your neighbors is also a method of marketing yourself as an expert in the industry and increases consumer confidence in your agency. You can do this in person or online. Holding these kinds of sessions will put your name in front of potential customers. You can also partner with a physician and hold a Q&A session on topics such as senior safety, disease prevention, or signs of diseases like Alzheimer’s. When people RSVP to the events, they will share contact information so you can reach out to them after the event.

6. Encourage Reviews

Encourage and incentivize your customers to leave reviews on various sites such as Google, Yelp, and Facebook. CareAcademy found that for every one-star increase a business earns on Yelp, it sees a 5%-9% increase in revenue. Meanwhile, a five-star review increases customers’ likelihood of purchasing the product or service by 270%.

7. Pitch Yourself to Local Media

Another free home care marketing strategy includes pitching yourself to local news outlets. Have an impactful caregiver story to share? Pitch it to the media as a feature. Hosting an educational event? Share it with the media for free promotion!

8. Utilize Lead Generating Sites

Included in your marketing strategy should be listing your agency on lead-generating websites like AgingCare.com, Caring.Com, and CareinHomes.Com. These are some of the top sites consumers trust to find a quality home care agency.

Stay Relevant with A Place At Home

Most importantly, support your home care marketing ideas by providing top-notch, compassionate care and services that make you stand apart from your competitors. By joining A Place At Home franchise, we can help you do just that.

With one of the most comprehensive franchise training programs in the industry, we detail how to market your franchise successfully. Plus, our national brand recognition will automatically give you a leg up when entering the market.

Submit a franchise form to begin the process.

What Makes Non-Medical Home Care Businesses Profitable?

Starting or owning a non-medical home care business is a lucrative opportunity with massive growth potential. Learn what makes it profitable here.

What’s the Average Income for a Home Care Agency?

In 2021, Franchise Business Review found that senior care was the top franchise industry for income, outranking real estate, medical, personal, and business services. In addition, the franchise magazine found that the average income for senior care franchises is $155,132.

But what about the home care industry specifically? Home Care Pulse reported in 2021 that the median revenue for the home care industry was $2.02 million, compared to $1.95 million the year before and $1.81 million in 2019. Meanwhile, Home Care Answers finds that home health businesses experience an average gross profit margin of more than 35%.

What Increases Non-Medical Home Care Business Profits?

Thousands of people are turning 65 every day. We’re living longer, and people want to stay in their homes for as long as possible. All of this and more is increasing the need for in-home senior care, expanding the potential of your non-medical home care business profits. So much so that the U.S. Census Bureau reports a 50.5% growth in revenue for the home health care services industry.

Another reason non-medical home care business profits are increasing is that there’s a rise in chronic conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 6 in 20 adults have a chronic disease. These adults can require help from caregivers to perform daily tasks and housework.

One-fifth of American households are multigenerational, according to Pew Research Center. This number has steadily increased over the last two decades. Contrary to what many people think, this is increasing the demand for home care providers. Parents need help taking care of their elders because they’re also taking care of their kids. Making non-medical home care the perfect option to assist them during the workday and help their loved ones with daily tasks.

On top of that, AARP reports a decline in family caregivers. The interest group says that in 2010 the family caregiver support ratio was seven potential caregivers to every high-risk person 80 years or older. By 2030, that ratio is expected to be four to one, and then it’s going fall even more to three to one in 2050.

Not only is the ratio declining, but AARP also finds that more than 60% of family caregivers are also working, leaving gaps in care. As a result, families are increasingly seeking help from companies like A Place At Home, which in turn can increase their non-medical home care business profits.

Non-Medical Vs. Medical Franchises: Which One’s a Safer Investment?

Non-medical franchises have fewer hoops to jump through. Even if your state requires a license for your business, there are far fewer regulations to follow compared to a medical franchise. You don’t have to deal with insurance companies trying to pay you. Instead, your customers pay you out of pocket. Additionally, neither you nor your employees need specific medical credentialing, making it easier to find qualified care staff members.

On the flip side, medical franchises require registered and licensed practical nurses, physical therapists, clinical supervisors, and other skilled medical professionals.

Non-Medical vs. Medical Franchises: Overhead Costs

The overhead costs for a medical franchise are higher than those of a non-medical business. The professional staffing required for medical care is more expensive than non-medical. Furthermore, an employee is typically required for at least eight hours a day, seven days a week, for medical customers. Compared to non-medical, where companionship services are only a couple hours a day, several days a week.

Your professional liability insurance premiums are lower for a non-medical business than for a medical one. Plus, you require fewer supplies for non-medical home care.

Invest in Potential with A Place At Home

Skip all the obstacles of a medical franchise and become one of A Place At Home’s top performers. Our proven business model will teach you everything you need to know about how to start a non-medical home care business. We’re more than just a home care business; we’re senior-focused. You can profit from multiple revenue streams, including in-home care services, professional care planning and coordination, senior living alternatives, and staffing solution services.

Ready to jump into this thriving industry? Submit a franchise information form.

BrightStar Care Franchise vs. A Place At Home Franchise: Which Is Right For You?

Deciding between a BrightStar Care franchise opportunity or another franchise, like A Place At Home, in the home care industry? We don’t blame you, as 10,000 people turn 65 every day. So, let us help you compare two franchises in this growing senior home care industry.

Side-By-Side Comparison

While many of BrightStar Care’s services overlap with A Place At Home, the main difference is that BrightStar Care uses a Registered Nurse (RN) for every client, even when the state doesn’t require it. This element is important to note because RNs cost more to employ.

Here’s a look at how the startup costs compare for the two franchises.

	BrightStar Care	A Place At Home
Franchise Fee	$50,000	$49,500
Initial Investment	$111,008 – $191,108	$84,185 to $148,517
Liquid Capital Requirement	$100,000 – $150,000	$50,000
Royalty Fee	5.25%	4.5% -5.5%
Ad Royalty Fee	The greater of $500 or 2.5%	1%
Franchise Growth	2020: 325 units 2022: 365 units	2020: 13 units 2022: 20 units

Is BrightStar Care Franchise the Right Choice?

BrightStar Care opened in 2002, then began franchising in 2005, and as you can see, it has now grown to hundreds of locations across the country.

Owners can earn a variety of revenue streams. Locations can offer medical and non-medical services like in-home and companion care for seniors, medical staffing for facilities, and childcare. The company has two other franchises that run hand-in-hand with senior in-home care, BrightStar Senior Living and Bright Star Care Homes. These both offer assisted living and memory care living options for seniors. But, again, both will require medical professionals on staff and have their own initial investment costs.

BrightStar Introduces Call Option

The franchise system its now taking some heat in the press for introducing a call option. The call option gives the franchisor the power to buy back or terminate the franchise agreement at a predetermined price. That price could be less than the fair market value.

In addition to this call option being introduced, the president of the BOA told Franchise Times that Shelly Sun, the BrightStar founder, is talking with strategic partners that she would use the call option. For example, CVS recently announced it’s buying the home healthcare provider Signify. Shelly told Franchise Times that the call option is necessary for the brand to evolve.

The BOA president says many franchisees are trying to sell their agreements, which is decreasing value of the franchise itself. Others that have their livelihood in the franchise are concerned it could be ripped from them in the next couple of years.

While the franchise provides two weeks of initial training for owners and the director for your director of nursing, sales director, and branch manager, it’s very difficult to move past the idea that you could be investing in something that could be gone before you really get going.

Build More Than a Business with A Place At Home

A Place At Home prides itself on the family environment we’ve built. Other franchise owners are an extra layer of support you can lean on by joining the franchise family. However, that’s not all that makes us a unique franchise. We focus on non-medical care, which requires fewer hoops to jump through when opening compared to a medical franchise.

We guarantee our territories have enough clientele for you to thrive. All our base territories have approximately 40,000 people living in that area that are 65 years or older. That number increases every day!

Just like the BrightStar Care Franchise, we offer several home care revenue streams. As an A Place At Home owner, you can provide the following:

In-home senior care
Care coordination
Assistance in searching for senior living alternatives
Staffing solutions for senior care facilities

We have dedicated our time to perfecting a proven business model and training plan that can help our franchisees flourish. We built the CARE Track™ business process, which will take you from signing your franchise agreement to becoming a CARE Pro. A Place At Home guarantees that if you commit to CARE Track™ 100%, you will serve clients in the first 60 days post-launch. If not, you’ll have your first six months of royalty fees waived. That’s how confident we are in our business model.

Before that, you’re paired with a business coach. With their help, you’ll go through comprehensive sales, recruiting, and retention training. Then, you’ll attend 40 hours of in-person training to experience operation in action at our flagship location in Omaha, Nebraska. You’ll learn procedures, operations, and marketing during that in-person training. We won’t ever leave you hanging. After you open, we’ll reconvene on additional training if you’re still struggling to meet your KPIs.

Another benefit to our franchise is our de-escalating royalty structure. That’s right, the MORE money YOU make, the LESS money WE take.

While we are a young brand, opening in 2012 and franchising five years later, our commitment to supporting you and providing compassionate care pushes us above the rest. You can join us at a great time with immense growth potential.

Start the process of joining our family by submitting a franchise form.

Why Healthcare Startups Fail: Top 5 Reasons

According to Forbes, 90% of all startups fail. As for those in the healthcare and social assistance field, only about 57% make it past five years. Meanwhile, in the medical technology sector, upwards of 75% of U.S.-based, early-stage medtech companies never find success, according to TTi Health Research & Economics.

Learn the top reasons why healthcare startups fail so you can be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead when running your healthcare business. Get the insights.

1. Running Out of Cash

Mismanagement of funds or failure to raise enough capital is the most common reason for any business, not just healthcare startups, to fold. A CB Insights study found that 38% of unsuccessful startups ran out of cash or failed to raise new capital. The healthcare industry is especially tough. Managing cash flow is challenging because the sales cycle in healthcare is particularly long.

One area where medical businesses lose funds is putting too much money and effort into pilot programs. Many companies underestimate the amount of effort required to have a successful pilot. You want to put the right amount of resources into the program to gain traction and revenue without going overboard. There’s a fine balance needed.

One way to skip the pilot programs is to invest in a franchise. A Place At Home allows seniors to age safely in their homes. We’ve already gone through the trials and tribulations that come with healthcare startups, so you don’t have to. Instead, you’ll receive our proven blueprint for building your own in-home senior care business.

2. Not Enough Market Demand

In that same CB Insights study, research showed 35% of startups fail because there isn’t enough market demand for their products or services. Although a medical technology company can have multiple potential paths for its product or service, they typically start with the one that the founder or CEO is most experienced in. But, this path might not be where the highest demand is. So, you should perform extensive research and determine which direction provides the best market size, competitive landscape, and highest potential for patient adoption.

3. Product or Service Doesn’t Fit Workflows

All jobs in the healthcare field are essential, making their workflow vital to saving lives and treating patients. You might think your new technology will make their lives easier, lower costs, or improve patient outcomes, but the adoption period might turn them away from using it. Facilities and offices usually have a well-established workflow model; anything that disrupts it could come with pushback.

4. Flawed Business Model

The CB Insights study found that nearly a fifth of all startups failed because of a flawed business model. The most common reasons a business model fails are because their profits and losses don’t add up or its story doesn’t make sense. This basically means that the company built the product or service on incorrect assumptions about the consumer. Or in other words, there’s no real market for the product or service.

5. Regulatory or Legal Issues

The medical field comes with lots of hoops to jump through. Some startups try to skip the regulatory approval process and go directly to the consumer. For some companies, it’s worked. But it leaves you hoping your customers are okay paying out-of-pocket for your health service or product. While the process can seem lengthy and expensive to go through, receiving federal approval, in the end, might help your business thrive.

Healthcare Startups vs. Medical Franchising

Concerned one of these five reasons might be what brings down your new healthcare business? Consider franchising. There are several medical franchising routes, from at-home care to urgent care centers or physical therapy offices. While the initial investment costs are higher than possibly a startup, you know there is already a demand because the brand is thriving in other locations. The franchise provides a proven business model, allowing you to get up and running efficiently. Good franchises will walk you through all the licensing and regulation steps to start a medical business. They already know the ins and outs, so take advantage of it.

Benefits of Homecare Business Vs. Medical Business

Forget the hassle of dealing with insurance companies and stricter regulations of medical businesses. Instead, learn how to start a home health agency like A Place At Home. The overhead costs and startup costs are kept lower for several reasons.

First, you don’t have to hire medical providers like doctors, mid-level practitioners, or nurses. Caregivers provide our clients with exceptional homecare. This factor keeps your staffing costs lower. Then, your professional liability insurance is lower because you’re not providing medical services. Lastly, since you’re not providing physical or occupational therapy to your clients, you’ll need fewer supplies, keeping overhead costs lower. So, you can provide your community with compassionate, senior-focused, and customized in-home services.

Ready to jump into the homecare industry? Submit a franchise form to get started.