4 Home Care Industry Trends In the Post-Pandemic World

The demand for home care has skyrocketed since the pandemic, with no signs of slowing down. See current home care industry trends taking on the post-pandemic world.

1. Growing Demand For Home Health Care

More seniors require some long-term care. The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) finds that 70% of people who reach 65 years of age will need long-term care. Furthermore, the number of people in that age group will be 44% greater, or 25 million people, by 2040.

On top of that, people are looking to stay in their homes for as long as possible. AARP notes that more than 80% of adults prefer to live in their homes instead of nursing homes or other institutional settings. So that’s making families turn to home health care agencies to care for their aging loved ones. Dustin Distefano, CEO of home care franchise A Place At Home, talked with CareAcademy about this issue. He’s seeing assisted living and memory care communities that used to have waiting lists are now at 70% to 80% occupancy, while home care agencies have waiting lists.

2. Caregiver Shortage to Continue

The number of caregivers in the U.S. doesn’t meet the growing demand for home health care services. In June, American Health Care Association (AHCA) and its National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) found that 73% of nursing homes are concerned they’ll have to close due to staffing issues. That same report shows that more than half of nursing homes are limiting the number of residents due to staffing woes. This is leading families to turn to home health care agencies for help.

Unfortunately, experts say the lack of caregivers will continue as a home care industry trend over the next year. According to EPI, 1 million additional home health care workers are needed by 2029 to meet the growing demand for home health care.

Reports show that pay and training are the primary areas that employers should address to encourage more people to enter the field. In 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median annual wage for home health aides was $29,430 a year. That comes to $14.14 an hour if the aides work 40-hour weeks. Workers say they want more training opportunities to earn a better wage and perform more specialized skills to help their clients.

It’s essential for business owners in this industry to address this trend and what their employees are asking for if they want to retain staff.

3. Need for Companionship Care Rising

More than one-third of adults at least 45 years or older feel lonely, according to a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report. Loneliness comes with several health risks, including dementia and an increased risk of heart disease or stroke. It’s also associated with higher depression, anxiety, and suicide rates. Hence, many families are turning to companionship care to ensure their loved ones don’t undergo any of these hardships.

Some home health care franchises, including A Place At Home, have already noticed this trend. Our in-home non-medical services include companion care. That can look like enjoying the senior’s favorite hobbies, having stimulating conversations, socializing, opening and sorting mail, and teaching seniors to use email and social media.

4. Use of Technology to Monitor Patients

Another trend that could keep you competitive in the home care industry is the use of technology. The pandemic showed us we could stay connected without meeting face to face, including through telehealth in the medical world. The downfall with telehealth appointments is that they don’t allow medical providers to collect vital signs like blood pressure and oxygen levels. New technology like remote patient monitoring (RPM) can solve this problem. It works by having patients collect their vital signs and submitting them so medical professionals can analyze the data. They would typically do this throughout the day.

This technology is expected to help lower the costs of medical care for seniors by reducing their hospitalizations. About 85% of older Americans suffer from at least one chronic health issue like diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and COPD. Through monitoring vitals with RPM, medical providers can help manage chronic illnesses from afar and help them avoid any costly downturns. In addition, medical providers will turn to home health caregivers to assist with this monitoring.

Take On These Trends With A Place At Home

As you can see, the home care industry is trending upward. Get a head start in it by joining a franchise like A Place At Home. You’ll help meet the growing demands of this industry and provide much-needed care to the senior community when you become a franchise owner. We offer multiple revenue stream opportunities, including helping staff agencies in your community solve labor shortages through staffing services. Take the next steps of owning a home care business by submitting a franchise form.

Assisted Living Franchise: Should You Invest? Here’s What to Expect

From 2018 to 2060, the number of Americans aged 65 or older will double to 95 million. They will make up 23% of our population. So, it’s no wonder people are looking into the senior care services industry. According to a Franchise Business Review survey, the senior care services industry has the second-highest average pre-tax income of all industries.

There are several types of senior care service businesses. They include in-home medical and non-medical care, housing placement services, assisted living facilities, and senior mobility product businesses.

So, should you buy into an assisted living franchise? Weigh the pros and cons in our guide and find out what you can expect with this franchise opportunity.

Benefits of an Assisted Living Business

If you want to have a significant presence and impact in your community, an assisted living facility will put you on the map. They are extensive facilities that typically house dozens of older adults with various health conditions. They are also a great business venture for someone with lots of capital.

Assisted living facilities generally can be recession-resistant due to the large aging population and the many elderly individuals needing full-time care. As a result, facilities aren’t typically affected by the stock market or economic downturns. In addition, SAMO Financial notes that smaller facilities fared better than bigger facilities during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic because it was easier for them to manage the spread of the virus.

Another pro to owning an assisted living franchise is the low turnover rate of residents. Most seniors will live in these facilities for years. It’s also a less competitive market because of the expensive startup costs. But, there’s government aid available for some assisted living facilities, according to Profitable Venture Magazine. Running a larger facility for older people with deteriorating health conditions comes with high stress, but it can be highly gratifying for an owner. You’ll enjoy big life moments with your residents and their families.

Downfalls to Senior Living Facility Ownership

Despite those pros, there are many cons to opening a new assisted living facility. First, it is an expensive investment. Startup fees for an assisted living franchise can range from $2 million to $10 million. Then you’ll have ongoing operations costs like maintenance for the facility and utilities. Other expenses include disinfectant and cleaning products, protective gear, and cafeteria food. So, it’s essential to know whether your incoming revenue will cover all those expenses and provide you with an income that makes it all worth it.

Being an assisted living facility owner can be a high-stress position. You’re not only making sure you pay all bills, but you must also hire and pay staff and keep your residents and their families happy. Because of this, Assisted Living Directory finds that facility owners are often tired and overworked. You’re not guaranteed weekends or holidays off because if a problem arises in the facility, you’ll need to attend to it. That includes hours in the middle of the night.

It’s no secret that hiring is a struggle for American business owners these days. That’s no different for assisted living facilities. On top of that, you must develop ways to retain staff once you hire them.

Lastly, there are numerous hurdles involving licensing and certifications. All states have regulations for senior living facilities. Assisted living facilities must follow medical regulations because medical providers are on staff.

Consider an In-Home Care Franchise

While there are pros to owning an assisted living facility, there are many cons. Avoid those downfalls by opening an in-home care franchise like A Place At Home. You’ll still significantly impact your community and feel highly rewarded for your services. In addition, you’re still in a recession-resistant industry. In today’s world, seniors stay in their homes for as long as possible, leaving their families to rely on in-home care businesses for assistance. You’ll have long-term clients like an assisted living center if you provide excellent service.

In-home care franchises are significantly cheaper than investing in an assisted living facility franchise. Instead of needing millions of dollars to open a center, you will likely need less than $200,000 for the initial investment. In addition, ongoing costs are comparatively minimal because you can run your business out of your home, minimizing those operation and utility costs.

Provide Better Care with A Place At Home

You don’t provide medical care at A Place At Home, so there’s no hassle with medical certifications or licenses. Your revenue stream doesn’t have to stop at the in-home care services as a franchisee for A Place At Home. We offer complete care for our seniors and their families, including care coordination between medical and non-medical providers, senior living alternatives, and staffing solutions for assisted living facilities and other centers. Ready to build a business with our senior-focused care model and invest in the booming senior care industry? Submit a franchise form today.

How to Get Clients For Your Non-Medical Home Care Business: Eight Tips

With over 54 million Americans  65 years old or older, it’s no wonder the senior care industry is booming. So, you’re interested in opening a senior care company but aren’t sure how to get clients for your non-medical home care business. Even just a small portion of that older population would make all the difference. Getting qualified home care clients for your non-medical home care business is critical for profitability. We’ve got top tips for client recruitment all lined up for you.

Eight Ways to Find New Clients

Before getting started, make sure you have a clear plan. Define your market. As a senior care business owner, you want to remember that most people looking for your services will not be the seniors needing care. It’ll most likely be their children or grandchildren in search for someone to take care of their loved ones. Once your target audience is defined, use it to shape how you implement these marketing methods.

  1. Provide great care to your clients.
    You’ll earn word-of-mouth referrals by providing top-notch care. To ensure you give your clients the best possible service, you’ll want to spend money and time recruiting, hiring, and onboarding your employees. With A Place At Home, we guide you through a proven training process. It includes a sales, recruiting, and retention series to help hire and keep your employees, which is also key to retaining clients.
  1. Cultivate professional relationships and partnerships with other businesses.
    Develop connections with local businesses like doctors’ offices in your area with the hope that they will recommend you to their patients. Give them your brochures or other marketing materials to pass on to their patients. Hospitals are another place to provide brochures so nurses can include them with discharge papers. You can also partner with house call physicians, occupational therapists, hospital discharge planners, social workers, rehab centers, adult day care centers, and veterans’ administration. Another option is partnering with businesses to provide reciprocating referrals. Be careful of doing this, however. Your reputation is on the line. If the company you refer your client to doesn’t meet their expectations, that could negatively affect you.
  1. Get involved by volunteering.
    Put yourself among community members by getting involved. Connect with local schools, churches, food banks, and other organizations to show you care about bettering the community your business serves. Consider wearing t-shirts with your company logo to get your name out there.
  1. Integrate into the community by sponsoring an event or team.
    Another way to show involvement is by sponsoring events. Remember, your target market here is not necessarily seniors. Sponsoring 5k races or a booth at a local fair can increase your brand’s awareness among seniors’ children and grandchildren.
  1. Share your knowledge.
    Educate your market about the services you provide. Hold “lunch and learns” at senior centers, retirement communities, or churches to share your expertise on health and aging topics. These events allow the community to put a face to the business name.
  1. Build an online presence.
    The children and grandchildren of potential clients may not live locally. You’ll want to make your company info is accessible to family members worldwide. Create a Google My Business profile so you can attract clients through local searches. Set up your website and social media accounts. Collect emails on your website to send out email marketing campaigns to bring in even more business.
  1. Use lead generation sites.
    While these sites can be expensive, they can put your marketing dollars to good use. These sites create qualified leads that will likely turn into customers. Lead generation sites that are good for senior care businesses are Caring.com and SeniorAdvisor.com. Caring.com typically ranks number one in organic searches for “(location) home care agency.”
  1. Collect and promote your reviews.
    Recent research shows there is more emphasis on reading reviews than ever before. A BrightLocal survey found that 77% of people ‘always’ or ‘regularly’ read reviews when browsing for local businesses in 2021. That’s up from 60% in 2020. You can promote your reviews on your social media pages and your website.

Find Support and Training With A Place At Home

All of this might seem overwhelming for  a potential new business owner. But, there’s good news! Don’t fret about how to get clients for your non-medical home care business. Instead, consider a senior care franchise like A Place At Home. With our CARE Track, we have seen a 95% success rate of franchisees servicing their first client within the first 60 days of launching. If you’re ready to build your business and begin booking clients, submit a franchise form today to learn more about joining the A Place At Home team.

How to Start a Home Health Agency: 6 Essential Steps

Did you know 10,000 baby boomers a day will turn 65 between now and 2030, according to Senior Service Business? That means by 2030, there will be more than 70 million Americans, or 20% of the population, over 65. So, there is much potential for senior-focused business opportunities like home health care.

Interested in starting a home health agency? View our guide on all the steps required to start a successful one and how medical vs. non-medical home health care businesses differ.

What is a Home Care Agency?

A home care agency provides services in clients’ homes or places of residence, like an independent care facility or assisted living facility. Clients are typically seniors with chronic conditions that can’t do typical house chores or drive to appointments. Families also hire caretakers to ensure their loved ones don’t fall.

Elder Options of Texas lists these as possible services of a home care business:

  • Personal Care: bathing, washing hair, or getting dressed
  • Homemaking: house cleaning, meal prep, yard work, and laundry
  • Healthcare: home health aides, IV infusions, or dressing wounds
  • Medication: reminders, administering, or monitoring refills
  • Transportation: to doctors’ appointments
  • Running errands: grocery shopping or picking up medications
  • Companionship: card playing, taking walks, teaching seniors how to use new technology

If you’re looking at how to start a home health agency, you should know that hours vary. In-home tasks like personal care and homemaking can be daily, while transportation services, like monthly doctor’s or weekly dialysis appointments, are periodic. You could also provide 24-hour care for clients who need constant help and supervision. Unsure which services to provide? Home health care franchises like A Place At Home help you define your services. Our franchise has figured out which ones are in demand and can collect the highest revenue.

Medical vs. Non-Medical Home Health Care

Most of the services mentioned above are considered non-medical health care, but as a home health agency, you can provide medical services. The differences between the two are that non-medical care does not involve medical skills. You most likely don’t need certifications to perform these services, and you don’t have to mess with health insurance. You won’t have to go through intensive specialized education and can get started quicker.

On the reverse side, when looking into how to start a home care business, you can consider medical care like administering injections, dressing wounds, or giving IV infusions. Doctors commonly prescribe this care. Some families hire a company that provides both medical and non-medical services to help take ease the burden of caring for their loved ones.

Is This Business Profitable?

Concerned about the profit potential once you figure out how to start a home health agency? Don’t be. As mentioned above, Americans are aging, giving you a growing client base. Plus, Senior Service Business finds that 80% of seniors plan stay in their homes for as long as possible. That means more seniors and their families are turning to home health care agencies to provide necessary services.

A benefit of home health agencies is that you should have stable cash flow as long as your clients are happy. Senior Service Business says the national average for these services is $27 an hour.

With A Place at Home, we offer a variety of revenue streams to help you build a successful business. In 2021, the average gross profit of our locations that have been open for at least a year was $436,799, with franchisees reporting average sales of more than $1 million, according to our latest franchise disclosure document.

How to Start a Home Health Agency?

Here are six crucial steps to get on your way to owning a home care business:

1. Build a business plan

This will function as your blueprint for building your business. You want it to be clear and comprehensive, as it will be your roadmap to structuring, running, and growing your agency. Here you will decide between medical or non-medical services.

NOW Insurance recommends defining your market to identify your target audience. This distinction will come in handy later when you create marketing strategies to attract clients.

2. Create a budget and find funding

Set up a business bank account and create a budget to follow. While this step might seem difficult at the start because you have no revenue, you must ensure you meet overhead costs like staffing and equipment during that critical first year. Experts recommend that entrepreneurs find a loan, investor, or grant. If you’re buying into a franchise, some have in-house financing options, while others collaborate with a third-party vendor.

3. Register business

The next step in how to start a home care business is creating a business entity – a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Choosing one will dictate how your company is structured and taxed. You’ll register with the Secretary of State and your local government. Lastly, register for an EIN or federal tax identification number through the IRS.

4. Acquire necessary licenses, certifications, and insurance

Check state and federal departments’ guidelines on what licenses and certifications you need to operate as a home health agency. Timeero, a business management software company, finds that some states require agencies to undergo training for Medicare and Medicaid. Those training courses can be as short as under three months or as long as a year or more.It’s essential to remember that you’re working with vulnerable individuals. No matter how many precautions you take, accidents and unpredictable events happen. Check into professional liability, general liability, and possibly cybersecurity insurance. These will protect you and your employees.

5. Sell and market

ave a sales and marketing plan in place to start lining up clients. This plan should include building an online presence like setting up a Google business profile, getting your agency on prominent elder care websites’ listings, running online ads, and engaging in social media.

6. Create policies and procedures

Policies and procedures include new client onboarding, care plans, appointment scheduling, hiring, employee and payroll records, training, client billing, and client rights and responsibilities. Having these systems in place is beneficial before opening your home care agency.

One significant benefit of a home health business is that you can operate out of your home. Determine how to keep track of employee hours, how to compensate staff for mileage, and what schedules they’ll work, all from your home office. Also, decide who will keep track of billing cycles and other accounting records.

Find Success with A Place At Home

Now that you know how to start a home health agency, why not make it easier on yourself by joining A Place At Home? Our home care franchise comes with multiple opportunities for revenue streams, including care coordination, finding senior living alternatives, and staffing services. Our proven process walks you through the steps above efficiently. You attend 40 hours of in-person, hands-on training. You’ll learn all the ins and outs of our procedures, operations, and marketing. If you’re ready to forge a path in the home care business, submit a franchise form today.

7 Most Profitable Elder Care Businesses to Tap Into

Looking to start a profitable elderly care business? Read our list of the most profitable, untapped markets that you don’t want to miss out on. Read more here.

Behind the Boom in Senior Care Business

It’s no secret that the American population is aging. The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) finds that the number of Americans aged 65 or older will nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060. Additionally, the AARP reports that the number of seniors needing additional care due to chronic illness will increase from 14% of the senior population in 2010 to 21% in 2050. That will count more than 18.5 million seniors who need assistance.

In 2019 the elder care products and service market was worth $832.8 billion. Research and Markets predicts the industry to see a compound annual growth rate of 3.9% through 2025, making it a trillion-dollar industry. Homecare held the industry’s largest market share in 2019, a trend that is expected to continue as research from AARP finds that nearly 90% of people over the age of 65 prefer to be taken care of and age within the comforts of their own homes.

Elder Care Business Opportunities

You’ll find more than a dozen business ideas when searching for ways to tap into the industry. Here’s a look at the seven most profitable elder care businesses.

  • Senior Care Consultant and Relocation Service: This type of business helps families find the best living arrangements for their aging loved ones, whether it be in-home care, daytime services, or a senior living facility. This business is an easy startup that you can run out of your office with minimal or no employees. Or, like A Place At Home franchisees, it can work as an additional service to partner with another senior care business.
  • Home Remodeling or Retrofitting: This type of business has room to grow as more and more people look to stay in their homes as they age. Remodeling or retrofitting could include adding ramps, shower grab bars, or lifts to make the home more accessible and safer for seniors. You could also perform home safety checks to determine if families need to add safety features.
  • Travel Company: This business venture targets active seniors looking to explore a new place in their retirement.
  • Property Services: Since seniors are looking to stay in their homes longer, they will have to turn to someone for help with everyday house chores and maintenance as they age. These services include housecleaning, lawn care, and other handyman work to assist with daily household tasks.
  • Non-Medical In-Home Care: It’s tough for family members to provide around-the-clock care for seniors in their homes while also tending to their own households. This business model can offer various services, from staying with someone for a few hours to having a caregiver at the home 24/7. It can also include helping the client with daily life tasks like cleaning, going to appointments, or grocery shopping. Providing this service like A Place At Home franchisees do is very rewarding as you ease the worries of loved ones about their senior.
  • Senior Transportation Services: There comes a time when you will either not be capable of driving or simply don’t want to get behind the wheel. Plus, your children may not always be available to drive you, and taxis can be expensive. So, you’ll turn to transportation services. These businesses often have vehicles in their fleet that can handle wheelchairs.
  • Mobile Service Providers: Have a background in giving manicures, cutting hair, or giving massages and facials? By offering a mobile option, you can visit seniors at their homes so they can still pamper themselves.

Is a Home Care Franchise a Profitable Investment?

More and more people are turning to home care services to help care for their aging loved ones, making it a profitable franchise investment. In fact, a Franchise Business Review Special Report found it to be the most profitable type of franchise business in 2021. Senior care outranked real estate, health, and personal services in this report.

A Place at Home: Capitalizing on More Than One Sector of the Industry

As you can see, there are many paths you can go down in the senior care industry. By investing in a senior care franchise like A Place At Home, you can benefit from multiple revenue streams within the most profitable elder care businesses. Franchisees with A Place At Home offer in-home care, care coordination, senior living alternatives, and staffing solutions for other caregiving businesses. Start the process today by submitting a form. 

A Place At Home Named 2022 FranServe FRAN-TASTIC 500 Franchise

FRAN-TASTIC-500

A Place At Home has been named a FRAN-TASTIC 500 Franchise by the world’s largest franchise consulting and expansion organization, FranServe, Inc.

Alesia Visconti, CEO and President of FranServe Inc. says, “Franchising helps people change their lives and take control of their future. It’s a community that celebrates the Life-Work Balance. A brand that makes our annual “FRAN-TASTIC 500” list shows that it values a fun and rewarding lifestyle and emphasizes people fulfilling their dreams of business ownership through franchising. It’s a brand that deserves recognition for going the extra mile and for being, well, fran-tastic!”

A Place At Home celebrates its 10th Year Anniversary in 2022. According to the organization’s CEO, Dustin Distefano, the recent brand recognition marks extra significance this year.

“We are so honored to recently be recognized by respectable businesses such as FranServe, Franchise Business Review, Franchise Journal, Entrepreneur, Best of Home Care by Home Care Pulse, and others” shares Dustin. “2022 marks a decade of A Place At Home building something special in the senior care industry.”

Jerod Evanich, President and Co-founder of A Place At Home, shared, “This recognition is testament to not only our brand but also the culture we’re building here. The support teams, franchisees, and Caregivers are representing this brand to thousands of stakeholders across the country every day.”

Founded in 2012, A Place At Home’s senior-focused continuum of care model was deemed the ‘next-gen home care franchise opportunity by 1851 Franchise. A Place At Home offers multiple revenue streams including in-home care services, care coordination, senior living alternatives, and staffing solutions. This unique recession-resistant approach in a rapidly growing industry will likely earn A Place At Home many FRAN-TASTIC recognitions in the years to come. 

For more information about our emerging brand, inquire today.

A Place At Home Opens First In-Home Senior Care Location in New Jersey

A Place At Home Somerville Owners

A Place At Home Franchise is pleased to announce the opening of their 20th franchise located in Somerville, New Jersey. Owners of the franchise location, Jessica Dale and Judy Mazon, are passionate about serving their community and are proud to begin offering senior-focused services to Somerset, Morris, and Hunterdon Counties and part of Union County in May 2022. A Place At Home was established ten years ago in Omaha, Nebraska, and is known for providing a high standard of professional and compassionate in-home care services, as well as Care Coordination and Senior Living Alternatives to round out a full continuum of care.

Having spent the majority of her adult life working and volunteering in her community, Dale says the decision to open a business focused on serving others was an easy one for both her and her business partner. Each of them has had personal, first-hand experience being a caregiver. Dale’s mother moved in with the family when Dale’s children were toddlers due to incredible health challenges. Mazon’s mother had Alzheimer’s Disease. Dale says, “I remember how I felt, and I wish I could have had somebody to help me understand the system, understand different things that we now offer, as an in-home care company.”

Professionally, Dale and Mazon’s backgrounds are well suited for a company in the senior care arena. Years ago, Mazon opened a daycare after seeing a need in the community. She’s been successful – and now owns two locations independently. Dale used her degrees in Management Science and International Business to build a personally rewarding career helping people in various ways. She’s assisted families relocating their lives nationally and internationally and spent years working for a local nonprofit where she’d previously served as a board member. That role was particularly fulfilling for Dale, as they found gaps within their community and then designed programs to fill the needs. 

When the pair started looking at business models that would allow them a way to continue making a positive impact in their community, Dale began researching senior care. They interviewed six different senior care franchises, and A Place At Home stood out amongst them all. Primarily in part, says Dale, to the company’s “We are CARE” philosophy. C.A.R.E. is the foundation of the senior care franchise’s business; they operate from a place of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Ethical behavior. “Those are the values I apply in my life, and I felt that that was just one of the things, you know, it was just so in line with me.”

Jessica Dale and Judy Mazon are driven, professional, and enthusiastic about helping families. The aging process can be complex and overwhelming. Fortunately, A Place At Home – Somerville is here to guide and assist through every stage of the journey. Whether you’re a family member caring for someone you love or an aging adult yourself, Dale and Mazon are grateful for the opportunity to help. To learn more about them and how A Place At Home – Somerville can improve your quality of life, visit their website at http://www.aplaceathomenj.com/.

If you are interested in exploring an opportunity to start your own in-home senior care business in your community, inquire today.0

A Place At Home Named Top Low-Cost and Recession-Proof Franchise

FBR Awards A Place At Home

Franchise Business Review’s Independent Research Data Shows Franchisees Are Highly Satisfied with Their Investment in A Place At Home.

In 2022, A Place At Home was identified by independent franchise research firm, Franchise Business Review (FBR), as being one of only 50 franchises to qualify as a Top Low-Cost Franchise. They were also named Top Recession-Proof Franchises.

A Place At Home was co-founded in 2012 by two childhood friends, Dustin Distefano and Jerod Evanich in Omaha, Nebraska. After several attempts at finding acceptable care for their loved ones, they were unable to meet their needs at the standard they expected. Both were determined to find a solution for others facing similar challenges. The idea for A Place At Home was born: Senior-Focused Care that is comprehensive, consistent, and provides a continuum of care.

After experiencing rapid growth in their Omaha market, they realized they had something innovative. In 2017, they took their Senior-Focused Care model to other communities and the A Place At Home franchise sprouted. A Place At Home is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this year with 23 locations coast-to-coast. 

“The FBR survey results reveal our highest ranked areas show our franchisees are highly engaged, respect the brand, and we have a strong franchise community. We believe this shows how strong our roots are which will only allow us to grow stronger over time.”

Dustin Distefano, CEO and Co-Founder of A Place At Home

How the Survey Works

Franchise Business Review provides the only rankings of franchises based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. FBR publishes its rankings of top franchises in its annual Guide to Today’s Top Franchises, as well as in quarterly reports throughout the year that rank the top franchises in specific sectors.

Nearly 11,000 franchisees representing over 135 low-cost brands participated in FBR’s franchisee satisfaction survey over 18 months. The brands that were named to the list of the best low-cost franchises to buy had to have high franchisee satisfaction and an investment of under $100,000 at the time their franchisees participated in FBR’s satisfaction survey. 

In addition, more than 32,000 franchisees representing over 300 franchise brands participated in FBR’s franchisee satisfaction survey over 18 months. A Place At Home was one of just 100 franchise brands to be identified as a Top Recession-Proof Franchise award winner and be featured on the list of the best recession-proof businesses to start.

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

“One of the most common myths around buying a franchise is that it’s too expensive. But what many people don’t know is that there are a number of very solid business opportunities out there that can provide the satisfaction and perks of business ownership but don’t require a huge financial investment,” said Eric Stites, CEO of Franchise Business Review. “For people seeking to be their own boss, the Top 100 Recession-Proof businesses we identified this year not only have outstanding satisfaction among their owners—one of the most important factors to consider before investing in any franchise opportunity—but they have performed well in good times and bad and we feel they hold a strong advantage to outperform their competitors in the years ahead.” 

“We have a proven process in place to ensure we’re vetting franchisees before they join our community. We’ve built an amazing group that not only respects the brand and mission but they also respect each other and want to see everyone succeed.”

Jerod Evanich, President and Co-Founder of A Place At Home

A Place At Home’s survey data showed they outscored the franchise industry and senior services industries in all categories including training and support, leadership, franchise system, core values, franchisee community, financial opportunity, general satisfaction, and self-evaluation.

“APAH does not only talk about their core values but they act on them. They have consistently been there to support me and my location’s growth.”

Anonymous Franchisee

Dustin Distefano credited the positive culture to A Place At Home’s hands-on approach. “Our team of Franchise Business Coaches utilizes standardized benchmarks to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses. This helps them assist in areas the franchisees may need additional coaching in. We’re able to do a pulse check regularly on their engagement with the brand.”

A Place At Home is grateful for this recognition and the amazing franchise community we’ve built. The franchisees continue to remain dedicated to providing compassionate and professional care in their communities despite the challenges they’ve faced head-on these past two years. 

Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com to see the full list of 2022 Top Franchises. Inquire now to learn more about joining our community of franchisees making a big impact in the lives of seniors.

A Place At Home Awards First Franchise in Ohio

A Place At Home West Chester

A Place At Home (APAH), the leading provider of in-home senior care services, has signed a new franchise location in West Chester, Ohio. The senior care agency will serve seniors in the West Chester community and Hamilton, Middletown, Mason, and surrounding communities.   

Located at 8050 Beckett Center Dr., West Chester, Ohio 45069, the franchise is ready to help APAH continue its mission of helping older adults age in place.

Bringing a unique perspective

The new franchise’s owner brings a unique perspective to senior care services. Originally from Ghana, Africa, the owner says his culture emphasizes caring for your elders. The belief is that a blessing from your elders is a blessing that sustains for all time. His goal is to give back to the community and serve others while creating a legacy of caring for his children to have and continue.

Having worked as a home health aide while in college, he’s seen first-hand the challenges seniors face when they don’t have the care they need. His experience planted the seed that led him to where he is today – providing compassionate, professional care to seniors in his community. He said, “I chose A Place At Home because of their core values of C.A.R.E. – Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, and Ethical – aligning with my own values.”

Providing personalized care for seniors

When you call A Place At Home – West Chester, you can expect the following:

  • Needs Assessment – We’ll discuss and work with you to learn your concerns, needs, and goals. We’ll make sure you know about any financial benefits available to help offset the cost of care.
  • Personalized Care Plan – We partner with you, your family, and anyone else on your support team to develop a personalized care plan to serve your needs. 
  • Matched with Caregivers – We’ll choose the most qualified, appropriate caregivers based on your care needs and ensure they’re a good match for you and your lifestyle. The level of care they can provide is important, and so is your comfort level with them.
  • Care Monitoring – We’ll receive feedback from your care team to manage any changes in your condition that need to be addressed. You and your family can access that information at any time via our online portal. 

Partnering with seniors and their families

A Place At Home – West Chester will ensure that seniors are well cared for as a true partner with them, their families, and their healthcare team:

  • In-Home Senior Care – Helping seniors live safe, independent lives in their own homes through a wide range of custom in-home care services. Care is directed by a plan created by a qualified professional and delivered by a compassionate team of caregivers.
  • Care Coordination Services – Helping families successfully navigate the often complex healthcare system. Together with seniors and their families, A Place At Home will provide recommendations, referrals, and collaborate with all providers. This includes attending doctor’s appointments, performing household safety assessments, managing medication, and more. A Place At Home serves as both a liaison and an advocate. This ensures that seniors receive the highest level of care.
  • Senior Living Alternatives – If at some point you decide you need to move into a senior living community, A Place At Home is here to help. The legwork is done, simplifying the process while supplying reliable information.
  • Staffing Services – A Place At Home can help provide senior living communities with CNA/CMA staffing.

Getting in touch

To learn more about A Place At Home – West Chester, visit their website. Whether you’re a senior who needs care, a family member, a caregiver, a senior care center that needs staffing assistance, or a potential franchise owner, we’d love to hear from you!

Jerome Philips Awarded Franchisee of the Year by IFA

Jerome Philips IFA Franchisee of the Year

The International Franchise Association (IFA) named Jerome Philips of A Place At Home – South Portland as Franchisee of the Year. Philips was honored at IFA’s 62nd Annual Convention in San Diego, California, for being an outstanding franchise establishment owner-operator.

“Franchisee of the Year Awards are the highest honors presented to individual franchisees,” said Matthew Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “These local business owners, like Jerome, represent some of the best entrepreneurs in the country. We are proud to recognize his contributions to his community, his employees, and all those he serves.” 

The Franchisee of the Year Award recognizes leading franchisees who exemplify at least one of IFA’s “Open for Opportunity” core pillars: Community, Workforce, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Veterans. 

Philips Committed to Change

Philips is passionate about keeping seniors in their homes longer, with a better quality of life. That mission means providing his clients with safe and effective care and ensuring that his caregivers have a safe and inclusive environment with which to provide that service. 

Over the years, Portland has struggled with racial and cultural disparity within its local healthcare system. This has made providing safe and quality care difficult. In the past, clients and other customers have had the option to say they don’t want care provided by someone with an accent or from a particular ethnic background. And healthcare agencies have had the option of accommodating those requests. 

Jerome’s stance on these issues goes beyond how he operates A Place At Home. He’s committed to seeing a change from a higher level. He partnered with the Oregon Healthcare Association (OHCA). Together, they’ve advocated for their caregivers. They’ve had discussions with legislators at a state-level expressing their concerns. “We’re talking to them and giving them very real stories. They really don’t understand what it’s like for our employees.” He is working to break down roadblocks and navigate barriers to lift up the people in his community. Read the complete story here.

Beyond advocating for inclusion, Jerome is the first owner to add an additional office strictly for training his caregivers. His commitment to providing compassionate care with passionate professionals won him Home Care Pulse’s Top Client and Top Caregiver Satisfaction awards. He is passionate about improving his community, building his caregivers up, and creating long-term, quality relationships. On winning the award, Jerome said, “It has been an incredible journey, and couldn’t imagine a better team to guide the ride with. This award is shared with every A Place At Home location, new and old, as they have all provided the mentorship and guidance to improve our processes on a daily basis.”

Franchising Opportunities

A recent IFA study showed that franchising helped lead U.S. economic recovery in 2021, with exceptional job and business growth across all franchising sectors. The industry on average provides higher wages, better benefits, and more leave than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater opportunities to underserved communities and aspiring entrepreneurs, according to Oxford Economics research. Franchisee of the Year recipients are examples of change-makers in the franchising world. If you are interested in learning more about an A Place At Home Franchise opportunity, complete our inquiry form.