Hot Occupations: Home Assistance
By Michele Blandino
It’s a pretty well-known fact that our population is aging. And, as the number of senior citizens that live within our communities increases, so does the need for services targeted specifically to this segment of the population.
For many years, nursing homes were nearly the only option available to senior citizens who found it increasingly difficult to care for themselves. In recent years, Assisted Living facilities gained popularity and gave seniors an alternative. Still, there are many elderly people who are still able to live at home assuming they receive some assistance with tasks such as cooking, cleaning or shopping. Under these circumstances, those without family or friends in close proximity may not have been fortunate to remain at home.
Fortunately, however, a new type of home care service has been introduced which allows seniors to retain their independence and to remain in their homes longer.
The Competition
One of the most well-known in-home assistance franchises is Comfort Keepers. With over 400 locations in the U.S. and Canada, Comfort Keepers has been providing non-medical assistance to client since 1997. In addition to Comfort Keepers, there are hundreds of local or regional businesses that provide the same types of services.
But, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for more.
Location, Location, Location
The key to running a successful in-home assistance business is finding the right location. Communities whose residents are primarily young and middle-aged families probably aren’t the best place to begin. Rather, the focus should be on identifying a location where is a high concentration of senior citizens; either towns with planned senior citizen communities, senior apartment buildings or neighborhoods primarily occupied by seniors. As you begin to look into various locales, be sure to check to see if there are other companies offering similar services.
Other Considerations
It is important to recognize that in-home assistance covers a pretty wide range of services – from simply providing companionship to help with the grocery shopping, but it generally does not include any type of medical assistance. In order to be successful, you will need to demonstrate that you are reliable and trustworthy. It also helps to have a healthy dose of patience and good communication skills. Remember, in many cases your clients – that is, the people who pay you – may not be the senior citizens you are assisting, but rather one of their children. As a result, it may be necessary for you to periodically check in with your client to let them know how their relative is doing or to alert them to any concerns you may have. Once you are able to demonstrate that you have the person’s best interests in mind, you will not only have earned their trust, but will likely also gain a few recommendations for additional clients.
For More Information:
To learn more about a career in in-home assisted living, you can check out:
