Time is Money: Finding More Time To Manage Your Home Care Business

As a home care business franchisee, it’s easy to get bogged down in day-to-day operations, leaving little time to consider larger decisions and the direction of the business. In order to function effectively, a franchise operator should have as much optional time as possible, but finding it can be a challenge. Some strategies to increase optional time include hiring new employees, delegating certain duties to others, automating certain functions, or even dropping certain responsibilities which are no longer necessary for successful operations. Ideally, delegating more responsibilities to employees is considered a positive, but in order to do so, employees must be qualified and capable of assuming added responsibility.

One mistake home care franchise operators can make is taking ownership of problems or situations which employees have brought to them for help. Rather than giving employees the opportunity to learn to perform the task or make the decision, the operator continues to do it because it seems easier and less time-consuming than training the employee to do it. Taking over the problem seems easier, but the better decision is to allow the employee to retain the responsibility for the problem and tell the franchisee how he or she plans to handle it. The process to allow this can seem time consuming, but ultimately it will result in better results. A franchisee should make sure his or her employees are fully and properly trained and when problems arise, encourage and allow them to offer solutions. The more challenging situations should be monitored more closely. With time and encouragement, most non-medical home care franchise employees can learn to stop running to the owner or manager every time there is a problem. Good employees will learn to successfully solve problems independently, in a manner that is consistent with the wishes of the owner.

To learn more about senior care franchising, download our FREE eBook now!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Five Ways a Home Care Franchise Changes Lives

As people age, everyday tasks often become more challenging.  Many senior citizens may find themselves in need of daily help with errands, chores and personal care, but their family members may not be available to the extent needed.  Non-medical in-home care is an excellent solution for individuals who need help with everyday activities, but who do not require daily medical care or monitoring.

Here are five ways a home care franchise is changing the lives of seniors and their families:

  1. Assisting seniors with everyday tasks –– In-home caregivers help seniors with meal preparation, grocery shopping, mail sorting and bookkeeping, light housekeeping, personal care and transport, among other things.
  2. Providing affordable care –– In-home care can be an affordable alternative to assisted living facilities, which can cost anywhere from $2,800-$7,000 per month.
  3. Giving families peace of mind –– Family members, especially those with young children at home, may find it difficult to help their loved ones to the extent they’d like.  In-home care professionals can provide family members with peace of mind, knowing that their loved ones are receiving the help and attention they need.
  4. Providing seniors with companionship –– Elderly people, especially those who are unmarried or widowed, often experience loneliness more acutely as they become more distanced from busy family members and friends, and spend more time at home alone.  An in-home caregiver’s companionship can go a long way to combat loneliness and comfort seniors.
  5. Helping seniors maintain independence –– For most of us, the thought of becoming dependent on others is uncomfortable.  Seniors frequently report that maintaining as much independence as possible is extremely important to them as they age.  In-home caregivers can provide assistance with certain tasks, while allowing seniors to maintain their independence.

The American population is aging—the number of people aged 65 and older is expected to increase to around 72 million, in the year 2030, in the United States.  Our aging population will bring increased demand for senior care services and alternatives to assisted living, such as in-home care.  Always Best Care is one of the leading providers of senior care in the nation and is ready to serve this population.

Always Best Care is one of the nation’s leading providers of non-medical in-home care, assisted living placement services, and skilled home health care.  The company delivers its services through a national network of nearly 190 independently owned and operated franchise territories throughout the USA.

Learn more about the exciting senior care industry in our FREE downloadable eBook!

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Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Top Reasons Baby Boomers Are Retiring Later

Many Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) are choosing to delay retirement and continue working—and not necessarily for financial reasons.   According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people age 65 and older in the workforce had increased from 12.9 percent in 2000 to 17.4 percent in 2010 and is expected to increase to 22.5 percent by the year 2020. Franchise with Always Best Care explores the reasons behind this increase in older workers.

Working Provides Rewards beyond Financial Compensation 

While it’s true that some Americans have not saved sufficiently and, therefore, must continue working into retirement, the reasons behind the trend of Boomers working beyond age 65 are varied.  Beyond financial necessity alone, older Americans are choosing to work longer for emotional and psychological reasons.

A study from the Sloan Center on Aging and Work found that 89 percent of older workers surveyed reported enjoying their work.  And in a sample of individuals ages 50 and over, the 2002 National Study of the Changing Workforce found that 91 percent of those surveyed said the work they do is meaningful to them.   Older folks continue working beyond retirement to reduce social isolation and increase their connection to the community.  Many people report that working helps give meaning to their lives, while others want to be able to use their knowledge and experience on the job.

Helping Baby Boomers in the Coming Years

Although many Baby Boomers are opting to delay retirement and continue working, this growing segment of the population will require assistance in the coming years and decades.  More folks are choosing to age in place, opting for home care rather than assisted living.  If helping seniors is your passion, contact Franchise with Always Best Care to learn more about starting a senior home care businesses with one of the top home care franchises in the nation.

Learn More

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

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Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

4 Top Advantages of an Always Best Care Franchise

Always Best Care FranchiseThere are tens of thousands of franchises to choose from in just about every industry. By narrowing your choice to the senior care market, you are one step closer to owning an Always Best Care franchise.

Always Best Care is one of North America’s fastest-growing providers of three essential services for the burgeoning senior population: non-medical in-home care, assisted living placement, and skilled home health care.

Why an Always Best Care Franchise?

What makes an Always Best Care franchise your best option for achieving your dreams? How is an Always Best Care franchise different from other similar franchise operations? Briefly, here are four reasons to put us on your “A” list right now.

1. Total Support for Quick Success
There is a ready market waiting for you. Every day, 10,000 Americans reach 65 years of age. As the owner of an Always Best Care franchise, you tap into a tremendous client base with huge growth potential. We’ll help with a powerful suite of support services, ranging from strategic planning and communications to mentoring, marketing, and team building.

2. A Great Business Model
We give you not one, not two, but three pathways to expand revenues and increase profit. These pathways respond to the most important and prevalent needs of our senior population. They are non-medical in-home care, skilled home healthcare, and locating assisted living facilities. By offering the complete continuum of care, you will make a huge difference in people’s lives while assuring your business success.

3. Room to Grow
Each Always Best Care franchise has a population base of approximately 200,000 people, allowing you plenty of room to grow. We also offer protected referral sources. Referrals are the bread-and-butter for home care services revenues. Those referrals come from a variety of sources, such as case managers, social workers, discharge planners, doctors, and existing clients. When you market to these sources – with our assistance and support, of course – it doesn’t matter whether they are inside or outside your defined territory because you are fully protected.

4. Amazingly Affordable Startup Cost
Let’s be honest: There’s a real investment that comes with opening a franchise. But the costs for becoming an Always Best Care franchise are extremely approachable compared to other senior care franchises. Your estimated initial investment is much lower than you would expect from a company with such a solid reputation and record of success as Always Best Care.

As the owner of an Always Best Care franchise, you’ll manage a small business with a big heart. You will be fulfilling an important need for senior citizens to age in place. In doing so, you will improve their lives and give peace of mind to families in your community.

Learn More

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more.

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Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Why a Home Care Business is a Solid Investment

home care businessThere is no doubt about it. Home care businesses are in demand. The changing demographics of America’s population, along with evolving attitudes on health care in general, are assuring that a home care business will be able to turn a profit for years to come.

The Growing Demand for Home Care Businesses

Let’s face it. We are all getting older. But as the huge numbers of baby-boomers are officially becoming senior citizens, this means millions of people are reaching their golden years at the same time. In fact, it is estimated that 10,000 baby boomers will turn 65 every day through 2029! This presents a tremendous market and a bright future for home care businesses.

Right now there are about 7,000 companies involved in the home health sector of the economy, yet many communities remain under-served and can’t keep pace with the rising demand. When you own an Always Best Care franchise, one of America’s most respected home care businesses, you will be tapping into a huge market that promises an easy and fast return on your investment.

The Aging-in-Place Trend is Fueling Home Care Businesses

For years, the traditional approach to aging parents was to move them to nursing homes when their needs became too great to manage. Today, there is a decided trend toward aging in place. Whenever possible, when seniors need assistance but do not require hospitalization, they prefer to stay at home and their families prefer this, too.

An Always Best Care franchise can bring the full range of support services into the home. Whether recuperating from an illness, facing a disability, or suffering from lack of mobility, the elderly rely on Always Best Care for:

  • Health monitoring
  • Housekeeping assistance
  • Medication delivery
  • Assistance with personal hygiene
  • Help with basic daily living routines

The Dollars and Cents Make Sense for Home Care Businesses

The preference for in-home care is not just based on a desire for a better quality of life; in-home care can be considerably more affordable than living in a nursing home. The government often picks up most, if not all, of the tab for short-term home care, through programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

That’s part of the reason why investing in home care businesses makes good financial sense. It can be a reasonably priced investment, particularly if you join a solid franchise leader such as Always Best Care. In fact, research shows that you can save tens of thousands of dollars in startup costs over opening an independent home care agency.

We will help you gear up with comprehensive training in our proven business model. When you open your doors with our management and marketing strategy in full swing, you will have a leg up on the competition. You will enjoy instant name recognition in your community, supported by our national reputation for quality delivery of the full range of home health services.

Home care businesses are forecast to be highly profitable and recession-resistant for years to come. Always Best Care will show you the way! Learn about us at 855-430-2273 or email [email protected].

Learn More

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

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Non-Medical Home Care vs. Home Health Care

As a senior care business owner, you may get a lot of questions from clients and their families regarding the difference between home health care and non-medical home care. In fact, to many potential clients, a “non-medical home care business” and a “home health care business” might sound very similar. Here are a few key ways in which these two types of home care differ from each other:

Home Health Care

Home health care is usually provided by a licensed medical professional. This can include nurses, physical therapists, and speech therapists, among other professionals. While a medical crisis used to mean the end of aging-in-place for many seniors, thanks to home health care, many seniors with medical issues can remain in their homes. Home health care services are usually prescribed by the patient’s physician, and the home health care professionals will only be authorized to perform these services. A few examples of home health care services are occupational therapy, wound care, mobility training, pain management, IV therapy or injections, and post-op rehabilitation.

Non-Medical Home Care

By contrast, non-medical home care focuses on keeping seniors safe and healthy, while still allowing them to remain in their own homes. Often, seniors require a little assistance around the house, and with personal tasks, in order to keep a good quality of life. Most often, the aspect of a non-medical home care worker’s job which is most important is that of companionship. Seniors need one-on-one contact and social interaction, as well as someone to help with activities they enjoy and to provide transportation to places they need to go for errands and recreation. Non-medical home caregivers can provide assistance with bathing, food preparation, hygiene and personal care, medication management, light housekeeping, and errands. Non-medical home care can be just as crucial to a senior’s well-being as home health care can be to someone with medical issues.

By distinguishing between these two types of care, clients and families can work with your home care business to better meet the needs of seniors who require one or both types of care.

Learn more about senior care franchising when you download our FREE eBook!

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Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

8 Questions To Ask A Senior Care Franchisor Before Buying In

Starting a business requires a huge commitment, and senior care franchises are no exception.  Despite a common misconception, a franchise is not a business-in-a-box, and requires a lot of hard work and dedication.  At the same time, the appeal of a franchise, for many, is that it has the advantage of an established brand and a business model with proven success.

Identifying a well-established franchise with a high degree of success is only your first step in determining which franchise is right for you.  The fact that other people have had success does not guarantee that you will be successful and, therefore, it is exceedingly important to ask the right questions before making a decision.  Here are some key questions to ask franchisors:

    1. What kind of financial assistance do you offer to franchisees?  Many franchisors offer financing assistance, so be sure to inquire about how a franchisor may be able to help you in this regard.

 

    1. Do you provide ongoing training in the form of conferences, seminars, meetings, etc.?  Ongoing training, especially when included at no additional cost to you, can help ensure your success.

 

    1. Tell me about some of your most successful franchisees and the secrets to their success?

 

    1. What is the day-to-day business like for your franchise?  This will give you a sense of what you can expect as a franchise owner and can help you determine whether this particular franchise is right for you.

 

    1. Tell me about the overhead expenses I can expect with your franchise?  
    2. What problems do your franchisees most often run into?  This can give you valuable insight about what problems you’re most likely to run into, allowing you to plan in advance.

 

    1. What kind of insurance will I be required to carry with your franchise, and can you give me an idea of what it might cost?

 

  1. Do you offer exclusive territories?  If the franchisor doesn’t offer exclusive territories, rapid growth of the franchise means that you could be competing with other locations that pop up in close proximity to yours.

These are just some of the questions to ask during the consideration process. The more information you have, the better prepared you’ll be to make a smart, informed decision about which franchise is right for you.

About Always Best Care

Always Best Care is one of the nation’s leading providers of non-medical in-home care and assisted living placement services. The company delivers its services through a national network of nearly 200 independently owned and operated senior care franchise territories throughout the USA. Always Best Care has been named one of the top franchises for minorities by the National Minority Franchising Initiative, and one of the top franchises for veterans, as featured in USA Today.

Want to learn more about the exciting and rewarding prospect of franchising in the senior care industry? Download our FREE eBook today!

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Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

401K Home Care Franchise Funding

Should I Use 401K Funds to Start a Home Care Franchise Business? It’s a question many ask every day. The economic rollercoaster has made it more difficult for individuals to find funding to start a business as financial institutions have become more reluctant to issue loans. With fewer options, many people hoping to start a business are seeking alternatives to traditional bank loans.

The days of lending to people with no assets, no income and/or no job are long gone (and for good reasons).  Given the greater difficulty of obtaining funds, more people are considering tapping into retirement funds to launch a business.  Is this a good idea?  Let’s explore some of the advantages and disadvantages of tapping into a 401K to get a business off the ground.

Benefits of Using Retirement Funds

 If you decide to withdraw funds from a retirement fund such as an IRA or 401K, how you do so is exceedingly important.  A Rollover for Business Startup (ROBS) allows you to tap into retirement funds with no penalties or taxes.  Compared to cashing out a 401K or IRA, which would result in a 10% early withdrawal fee, in addition to up to 30% taxation, using a Rollover for Business Startup is the wiser choice and, thus, has seen a dramatic increase in recent years.

Additional advantages of sourcing money from retirement accounts include:

  • Secure funds quickly—usually in just two to three weeks
  • Use the funds to pay yourself a salary during the start-up of your business
  • No interest on the loan, thus moving you closer to profitability sooner
  • Improved cash-flow situation from the start

Disadvantages of Using Retirement Funds

As with most loans, there are disadvantages to using retirement funds to start a business. The first concern is the risk associated with using funds previously set aside for retirement on a business that may not ultimately succeed.  Additionally, your financial advisor may charge you several thousand dollars for the paperwork to process a rollover, in addition to fees for managing the new fund.

Make sure to do your research when considering whether to use retirement funds to start a business, as there are some considerable risks—you should know what’s at stake before you make any final decisions.

Always Best Care is one of the nation’s leading providers of non-medical in-home care, assisted living placement services, and home health care.  The company delivers its services through a national network of over 200 independently owned and operated franchise territories throughout the USA.

Learn more about senior care franchising by downloading our FREE eBook today!

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Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Realize Your Dream of Helping Seniors through Franchising

The senior care industry is growing rapidly.  Roughly 13% of the current US population is 65 or older — a number that is projected to increase to around 20% by the year 2040. Changing demographics and an aging Baby Boomer population are creating unprecedented need for senior care services, as well as unprecedented opportunity in this growing industry.

The needs of seniors vary dramatically—some seniors need help with everyday activities like errands, bathing, dressing, medication management and housekeeping, while others have medical conditions like dementia, Alzheimer’s or diabetes that require monitoring and care.  Still others require round-the-clock care in an assisted living community or nursing home.

Starting a Senior Care Franchise Business May Be Within Reach

If your passion is helping seniors, and you have a mind for business, starting a senior care franchise may be right for you. The extent of care you are prepared to provide seniors may be dependent on the amount of capital you have to launch the business.  For example, non-medical in-home senior care does not require a medical staff or medical equipment, making your start-up costs lower than that of a home health agency that provides medical care.

You can launch a non-medical in-home care business with between $74,000 and $150,000.

If helping seniors is your dream, owning and operating a senior care franchise can help you make that dream a reality, and senior care is one of the most recession-proof industries in the nation.  Learn more about franchising with Always Best Care. Always Best Care is one of the nation’s leading providers of non-medical in-home care, assisted living finder and referral services, and skilled home health care.  The company delivers its services through a national network of over 200 independently owned and operated franchise territories throughout the USA.
Learn more about senior care franchising by downloading our FREE eBook today!

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Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Avoid the Top Home Care Business Problems by Franchising

New home care franchise owners can face a number of problems when starting out. By choosing to start a home care franchise, you can avoid common mistakes and setbacks. One of the benefits of choosing to operate a home or assisted living franchise is that the support from the proven franchise system helps you avoid these pitfalls. Here are a few of the top problems new home care franchise owners can face:

Licensing

Jurisdictions in most states require an operating license for a home care agency. Requirements vary from place to place, but many jurisdictions require a detailed package with the license application, as well as a formal business plan, and description of policy. Franchisees often receive local support from an area director or area representative to help them navigate this process and get them up and running as quickly as possible.

Staffing

In a business involving home care or assisted living, your staff is your main asset. Identifying, recruiting, and hiring top-tier candidates can be a challenge. However, some home care franchises like Always Best Care can train you with a proven staffing system to help your business recruit and retain the kind of employees that you need to keep things running smoothly!

Client Development

Your key source of clients in the home care business will be referrals from other home care providers. Hospitals, insurance companies, social workers, long-term care facilities, and rehabilitation centers can all partner with a home business to provide care. Again, a proven franchise system usually includes a marketing plan and a system to help you build a network of referrers to help keep your client base strong.

Every day is filled with a new question or challenge, so having someone to turn to is the benefits of franchising.

Learn More

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more.

ebook
Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.