Author: A Place At Home

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

Considering joining the growing home care industry? We don’t blame you. Currently, the home care providers market is worth $120 billion in the U.S. That number is only expected to grow as an aging population looks to live in their homes as long as possible.

Federal, state, and local governments heavily regulate the industry. The regulations are to protect you and your patients. So, when starting a home health care business, one of the first things to do is get a home health care license. Here’s a look at the steps involved in how to get a home health care business license.

1. Choose Between Medical vs. Non-Medical

The type of services you provide could change the type of license you need and how you get it. For example, to offer medical services like medication administration, you’ll need to hire medical professionals before you begin the process of licensing. However, this comes with more liability for your business.

You could stick to non-medical services and provide companionship or other daily activity assistance. Some states will still require skilled medical professionals to be hired to meet the requirements for a license for non-medical home care agencies.

2. Find Out Your State Requirements

Whether you’re looking to offer medical services or operate as a non-medical home care provider, there are several steps to take before accepting clients. First, research what your state requires. Not all states require licenses for home care. CareAcademy finds three that don’t: Iowa, Massachusetts, and Michigan You can typically find these requirements on the Secretary of State’s website.

Depending on your state’s requirements, you’ll need to attend training, and state officials or an accrediting body will perform inspections. The process of getting your business license can take three to 18 months, depending on your state. Some states will provide you with a provisional license during the process. States with an increase in applications for home care licenses might take longer.

There are 18 states that require an inspection visit before receiving a provisional license for non-medical home care or home health care companies. Then, after that first inspection, follow-up inspections occur every so many years, again depending on the state.

More than a dozen states require home health care agencies to file a Certificate of Need before applying for a business license. This certificate helps state authorities monitor the supply of providers in the health care market. It evaluates the local demand before allowing a new facility or agency to open. Apply for your certificate of need first, before your license, just in case you need to reconsider your territory.

A benefit to owning an A Place At Home franchise is our market research. We know what areas and territories a home care agency can thrive in. All our base franchise unit territories have 40,000 qualified senior residents.

3. Create a Business Plan

For some license registrations, you’ll include a business plan. Generally, it’s good to have one completed before you finalize your business setup anyway. Your business plan will outline core business activities and how you plan to achieve goals. These documents include an executive summary, products, and services offered, a market analysis, marketing strategy, financial planning, financial projections, and a budget.

4. Register Your Business With the State

Before you move on to getting your license for your non-medical home care agency, register with your state through the Secretary of State and the State Department of Revenue Services. Typically, this step is as easy as filing your business name with the state and local governments.

5. Set Up an Office

Secure an office space for your business. You’ll need locked cabinets to store client and company records. In addition, most license applications will require you to include a copy of your lease.

Only a small executive suite is necessary when you become an A Place At Home franchise owner. It allows you to perform private, professional interviews with your care staff members.

6. Follow State Training Requirements

Study the mandated training for you and your employees. The requirements vary by state. Ensure it’s all completed fully before applying for a home health care license. Most states require everyone have CPR/AED training, even if you’re a non-medical home care agency. Caregivers have specific training requirements to follow.

7. Apply For Your Home Health Care License

Finally! Once you’ve completed all the previous steps, you have made it to the end of our guide on how to get your home health care business license. You can submit your license application. Fill out all the necessary forms and provide the proper materials to your state to receive your licensing.

FAQs on How to Get a Home Health Care Business License

Still have questions after reading through the guide? Here are some frequently asked questions surrounding the licensure process:

How much will it cost?
Like most other things, this varies by state. Fees can either be a flat rate or based on the number of employees. For example, a Texas home and community support services agency license costs $2,625.

How often do I have to renew?
This is another state-by-state regulation, but it can also depend on how much you want to pay to extend your license. States typically require a renewal annually or every two or three years. The more you pay at one time, the longer the license period is.

Do I still apply for a license if I buy into a franchise?
While you’re paying to join a trusted brand, you still have to follow the rules and regulations of your state for home care agencies. So, yes, you still have to go through the steps of how to get a home health care business license and pay for it, even when you’re affiliated with a franchise system.

Let A Place At Home Guide You Through the Process

Instead of worrying about navigating how to get a home health care business license by yourself, let us help you at A Place At Home. By becoming an owner with us, you’ll receive not only licensure guidance but also a step-by-step process on how to start a home health agency. You’ll follow our five-step CARE track to gain the tools you’ll need for success. You can capitalize on multiple revenue streams — all while being backed by a reputable national brand that people recognize. Those opportunities include care coordination, finding senior living alternatives, and staffing services.

Don’t sweat the small steps. Let A Place At Home lead you to open your own home care agency. Submit a franchise form to get started.

Assisted Living Business: What to Expect When Starting One

Thinking about starting an assisted living business? Get insights on profitability and what to expect when running a business in the assisted living space. Read more.

What Can I Expect?

An assisted living facility can be a massive undertaking. Consumer Affairs notes that, on average, assisted living facilities accommodate 27 to 33 patients. As an owner, you provide caregivers for those patients to help with daily activities like going to the bathroom and getting dressed, medication management, house cleaning, laundry, meals, and social programs and activities.

You’ll need an assisted living certification to get started. This requires you have at least one staff member for every six residents. In addition, state and federal regulators require multiple types of insurance to operate, including workers’ compensation insurance, general liability insurance, property/casualty insurance, and umbrella insurance.

You’ll need to find and acquire a property that meets specific standards. That includes accessibility for all residents to reach essential parts of the facility, green space on the premises, ample parking, and safety and security features.

Then, you’ll need to perform extensive marketing to fill the rooms at your assisted living business. Finally, employees are essential to running the property. You’ll need to hire and retain quality certified nurse assistants, nurses, and other staff members to keep the place running. Don’t forget those employees will need training.

Assisted Living Center Services

You’re caring for dozens of seniors 24 hours a day, seven days a week when you own an assisted living business. That means you’ll need to provide a variety of services. These include providing clinical assistance and documenting it. You’ll create a comfortable, home-like environment for your residents. Organize social activities. Make and serve at least three meals a day. All of these factors must be done while following strict state and federal guidelines for senior living properties.

Are Assisted Living Facilities Profitable?

Senior services are growing in demand as the U.S. population is aging. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that someone turning 65 has a nearly 70% chance of needing some long-term care services and supports in their remaining years. The assisted living home market size was estimated at $73.6 billion in 2018, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4% over the forecast period.

While the market is a significant size, the costs of running an assisted living facility are high, leaving many facilities to operate at a negative net profit margin. Two of the biggest problems facing assisted living businesses are inflation and hiring. Inflation is increasing all costs of running the facility, forcing owners to pass along the increase to their residents. In addition, many businesses are struggling to hire and retain workers. The battle is an even bigger deal for senior living companies because they have to decrease their occupancy if they don’t have enough people to work.

Why is an In-Home Care Business a Better Idea?

Leave behind the stressors of running an entire assisted living facility by opening an in-home care business, like A Place At Home. You’ll face less liability and cheaper upfront investment costs. In addition, an in-home care business is easily scalable as you hire employees as your client list grows.

The demand is growing for senior home care. It’s projected by International Franchise Association (IFA) that by 2050, more than 27 million Americans will use senior care services. Plus, not only is the age of Americans rising, but so is the percentage of seniors who want to age in their homes. These two factors combined will send the demand for in-home senior care services skyrocketing. For a near future projection, an estimate quoted by IFA predicts a 29% increase for in-home assistance aides through 2024.

When opening an in-home care business, you don’t need many supplies. You’ll need a reliable vehicle, cell phone, and computer. But you won’t have to worry about building or renting a massive facility to hold dozens of residents and activities.

According to Profitable Venture, you only need one caregiver per four clients, although regulations may vary by state. So, you can quickly work to hire employees as you increase your client list.

No medical services are needed for in-home care businesses, just compassionate care and assistance for seniors like a companion, lifestyle, or personal care. This means you don’t have to undergo the extensive process of getting permits and licenses or dealing with health insurance companies.

Invest in Senior Care With A Place At Home

Don’t wonder how to start a home health agency. Become a franchise owner with A Place At Home instead. We provide in-depth training and a proven business model to follow for a low initial investment cost of $84,185 to $148,517. As a result, our franchisees are finding success with our multiple revenue streams. According to our latest franchise disclosure document, franchisees reported an average sale amount of more than $1 million in 2021, leaving lots of room to profit from your initial investment.

Are you ready to be our next top performer? Get started by submitting a franchise form today.

Alternative Careers For Social Workers: Not Too Late To Make a Change

Pay and burnout are common reasons social workers want to bow out of the industry. The median salary for a social worker in 2021 was about $50,000 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

So, if you’re searching for jobs in social work that pay better, know that you’re not alone. It’s not too late to make a change. There are several alternative careers for social workers out there. It’s time to find one that’s better suited to you.

Leverage Your Skills

You don’t need to stress whether your skills from social work will transfer to a new career. Social workers are typically highly motivated leaders, great communicators, and have excellent interpersonal talents from interacting with clients. They can also problem-solve, strategize, and are great at planning schedules. Lucky for you, all of these experiences will make you highly adaptable in new work environments.

Taking Your First Steps

When beginning the process of applying for new jobs, update your resume to highlight those traits you’ve mastered through social work. Then, network, network, and network some more. Some positions might need more education, like a master’s degree or doctorate, while others might need a certification.

One career alternative that doesn’t require more education or certifications is becoming a franchise owner with A Place At Home. Instead, use your leadership qualities to own and operate a location and share your compassion with your communities’ seniors by providing in-home care.

Alternative Careers For Social Workers

Consider these jobs that are similar to social work but tend to pay better. You’ll see how your experience will transfer.

Education: High school teacher, counselor, college professor, and college admissions counselor are jobs within education that allow you to build on your experiences as a social worker. Your excellent communication skills will help you with assisting students one on one. Being assertive is valuable when commanding the attention of a room of students. In college, you can teach the classes you took to become a social worker in the first place. As for counseling, your communication abilities will allow you to guide your students, understand what they’re looking for, and problem-solve with them.
Consulting: Your communication skills and conflict-resolution experience can benefit other companies. By coming in with an objective perspective, you can work with executives, managers, and other company decision-makers to see where their shortfalls are occurring. Diversity and inclusion specialist is one consulting area social workers excel in. Social workers generally have experience working with marginalized populations, so they can help companies diversify their hiring processes.
Human Resources: Employees look to their HR department for empathy and solutions to conflicts. So, working within an HR department, including as an HR Manager, you’ll use your interpersonal skills to help with sexual harassment issues and employee disciplinary procedures. Social workers’ organization, time management, and database experience will support them in overseeing employees’ benefits programs and hiring processes.
Outreach Coordinator: This position typically works with non-profit or advocacy organizations. As a social worker, you understand human behavior, can analyze societal systems, and remain objective in situations. In this role, you’ll use that experience and work with other community members to improve local programs and services. You’ll create and manage outreach programs. These events and programs promote community, safety and well-being.
Be Your Own Boss: Take your experience as a social worker and become a successful business owner. All your skills and experiences will transfer. Great entrepreneurs often start by identifying the problem or need they want to fulfill in the marketplace, just like a social worker begins by identifying their client’s issues. From there, they create the necessary products or services, connect with other professionals and resources, and promote their products. Your leadership qualities and motivation will help you excel in this field. Need help figuring out how to do it? Consider buying into a franchise system like the senior home care agency A Place At Home. Your interpersonal and communication abilities will put you ahead when discussing options for seniors with their loved ones.

Build Your Own Success with A Place At Home

If you want to get out of the corporate world, become a franchise owner with A Place At Home franchise owner. We know your social work experience is a great asset. You’re used to connecting clients with resources. As a franchisee, you’ll connect your customers to resources that will help them safely continue aging in their homes.

The growth potential is exponential with our brand compared to other companies. The number of seniors is rapidly growing, and most are looking to stay in their homes. So, take the next steps toward this new career and help the seniors in your community by submitting a franchise form.

Recession-Resistant Franchise: Four Signs to Look For

While you can’t control the economy, you can control what business you open. Recession-resistant franchises can thrive and adapt easier than other businesses during economic slumps.

So, how do you find a franchise opportunity that is less volatile in a recession? Here are the signs you should look for that hint at a strong recession-resistant franchise.

The Product or Service is a Necessity

When money becomes tight, people cut out the “luxuries.” That typically includes entertainment, clothing, and travel. Meanwhile, businesses that perform specialized services or provide necessary products, like food, do well during tough economic times. Those businesses include repair services for cars, plumbing, roofing or HVAC systems, in-home senior care, grocery and convenience stores, hair salons, or restoration services.

Repair Services: Cars and air conditioning units break without warning, no matter the state of the economy. In tough times people will repair their necessities over buying a new one. This factor makes repair services like auto repair shops, home appliance mechanics, or HVAC maintenance providers stay strong during a recession.
In-Home Senior Care: 10,000 people turn 65 every day in the U.S. Many seniors are now looking to age in their homes over some facility or community. They will need constant care, making non-medical in-home senior care companies, like A Place At Home, fare better during uncertain economic times.
Grocery & Convenience Stores: Food is a necessity. While people might cut back on eating out at restaurants on a tight budget, they’ll still do their grocery shopping, making grocery stores a great business investment during tough economic times.
Hair Salons: Hair is constantly growing, and unless you’re looking to become Rapunzel, you’ll need a haircut. Nearly 60 million Americans had four or more haircuts in a six-month period last year.
Restoration Services: A home catches on fire, or a basement floods after a rainstorm. Neither are events homeowners plan for. So, once the smoke clears and the water recedes, a professional must restore the property to its original state. This service needs to happen almost immediately.

Financial Strength

When studying franchises to buy into, closely analyze their Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). This document will give you a clear understanding of their financial state. Asking an accountant and lawyer to help review the numbers is also a good idea. It will include information on any bankruptcy claims, the past financial performance of the franchise system, and audited financial statements.

A Proven System

During your exploration of recession-resilient franchises, spend time scrutinizing their system and whether it has a history of building successful franchisees. Does their approach work in various demographics in all parts of the country? When speaking with franchisees during Validation, ask them whether they felt their training and support were worth their investment costs.

Growing, But Stable Demand

A key to recession-resistant franchises is they are in industries that are seeing a rise in need but also have a sustainable demand. For example, the demand for senior home care is skyrocketing. On top of that, the elderly population will grow exponentially for the next decade, creating sustainable demand for the industry.

Also, consider whether it’s a year-round or a seasonal business. Year-round demand allows you more opportunities to bring in revenue than a seasonal business, like lawn care. Whereas no matter the weather outside or the state of the economy, thousands of seniors need in-home care daily.

Make Yourself Recession-Resistant with A Place At Home

With an A Place At Home franchise, your revenue isn’t only coming from in-home care. We offer services for every phase of the aging journey, from non-medical in-home care to coordinating care between providers and ultimately finding a senior living facility. But our home care revenue services don’t stop there. We help senior living communities maintain compliance by finding staffing solutions for them.

In 10 years, we have built a location-tested model to help our franchisees thrive. Our first locations are now doing over $1 million in sales. We’ve provided care to over 4,217 individuals and employed 4,566 caregivers. Help us expand our compassionate reach across the country while we help you build a promising business no matter the economic state. Start today by filling out this form and one of our representatives will be in touch.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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

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 franchise franchise opportunities franchising franserve frantastic 500 senior care franchise