Author: A Place At Home

8 Home Care Marketing Ideas To Get More Clients

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

1. Digital Marketing

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

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

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

2. Improve Site Ranking with SEO

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

3. Referrals: Client & Professional

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

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

4. Take Part in Community Events

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

5. Hold Community Education Sessions

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

6. Encourage Reviews

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

7. Pitch Yourself to Local Media

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

8. Utilize Lead Generating Sites

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

Stay Relevant with A Place At Home

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

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

Submit a franchise form to begin the process.

What Makes Non-Medical Home Care Businesses Profitable?

Revised on 11/18/2025

How to Start a Non-Medical Home Care Business with High Growth Potential

With an aging U.S. population, a rise in chronic conditions, and an overwhelming desire to age in place, starting or owning a non-medical home care business can be a lucrative opportunity. Explore what makes these types of businesses profitable and how investing in a senior care franchise can give you a leg up in a competitive industry.

What Drives Profitability in Non-Medical Home Care?

The profitability of non-medical home care agencies can vary significantly, but there are many factors that contribute to your bottom line:

Aging population: According to the Population Reference Bureau (PRB), the number of Americans ages 65 and older is predicted to increase by 42% from now until 2050. With more senior citizens, there’s a growing demand for high-quality care services.

Rise in chronic conditions: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 129 million people in the U.S. have at least one major chronic illness. Of those 129 million, 42% have two or more and 12% have at least five. These individuals, if they don’t already, will eventually need some kind of long-term care during their lifetime.

Working caregivers: Family caregivers are feeling the strain of helping aging parents while working and raising their own children. In fact, 27% of working caregivers have changed from full-time to part-time work to accommodate the demands of caring for a loved one.

Preference for aging in place: Results from a recent AARP survey found that 75% of adults aged 50 and older want to remain at home while they age. Another 73% said they wish to stay in their current communities for as long as possible.

These trends are helping home care franchise owners experience growing client bases, steady referrals, and recurring service needs.

Non-Medical vs. Medical Franchises

While they may sound similar to each other, non-medical and medical franchises have significant differences in how they operate.

Fewer Regulations

Non-medical franchises have less hoops to jump through. Even if your state requires a license for your business, there aren’t as many regulations to follow compared to a medical franchise. You also don’t have to deal with insurance companies paying you for services. Instead, your clients pay you out of pocket. Additionally, neither you nor your employees need complex medical credentialing, making it easier to find qualified care staff members.

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

Lower Overhead Costs

The overhead costs for a medical franchise are higher than those of a non-medical business. To start, the professional staffing required for medical care is more expensive than simply hiring caregivers. Plus, medical customers typically require more consistent, if not daily, care. Compare that to non-medical clients, where companionship services are only for a couple hours a day, a few days a week.

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

Why Franchise with A Place At Home

The A Place At Home business model is designed to help franchisees generate multiple streams of revenue. Instead of offering just one service—such as in-home care—we offer four core services:

In-home senior care
Care coordination
Senior living alternatives
Staffing solutions

Through our senior-focused care model, we provide a continuum of services, which allows us to become trusted partners to our clients.

Our franchise opportunity is affordable, with startup costs ranging from $91,195 to $166,012, including our initial franchise fee of $49,500. To qualify, interested franchise candidates must have a net worth of $250,000 and at least $50,000 in liquid assets.

With lower overhead, private-pay revenue, and multiple service lines, our franchise model is designed to deliver a faster path to ROI compared to more complex healthcare businesses.

To learn more about how to start a non-medical home care business, what territories are available for investment, and why A Place At Home may be the right choice for you, fill out our franchise inquiry form today.

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

How BrightStar Care Franchise shapes up against A Place At Home

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

Side-By-Side Comparison

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

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

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

Is BrightStar Care Franchise the Right Choice?

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

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

BrightStar Introduces Call Option

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

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

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

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

Build More Than a Business with A Place At Home

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Healthcare Startups Fail: Top 5 Reasons

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

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

1. Running Out of Cash

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

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

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

2. Not Enough Market Demand

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

3. Product or Service Doesn’t Fit Workflows

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

4. Flawed Business Model

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

5. Regulatory or Legal Issues

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

Healthcare Startups vs. Medical Franchising

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

Benefits of Homecare Business Vs. Medical Business

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

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

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

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.