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.
