Owning a senior care franchise can seem daunting. On top of that, there are many myths about the industry that makes people shy away.

The truth is that owning a senior home care franchise is one of the best franchises to own. For instance, the senior home care business has had a stable growth of 8% since 2019. Also, the demand for senior care services is expected to increase due to COVID-19. 

In this article, we will debunk common myths about the senior care franchise industry.

Myth #1: Healthcare experience is necessary to run a senior care franchise.

It is true that senior care closely involves the healthcare sector. Nevertheless, healthcare experience is not necessary to run a senior home care franchise.

As a franchise owner, your place is to fulfill the basic everyday needs of seniors. If anything, you may assist seniors in finding appropriate healthcare services.

Regarding experience, senior care franchise owners can thrive from developing skills like:

• Sales
• Management and administration
• Finance
• Marketing

While helpful, the skills mentioned above are not strictly necessary. You can always hire a third party person to help with your franchise.

The only necessary thing that you need to run a franchise is state licensing and, depending on your state, accreditations to manage Medicaid payments. 

Myth #2: All I will be dealing with is Medicare and health insurance claims.

For the most part, home care services are covered through private pay. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will receive payments through the patient’s insurance or Medicare. 

Options for seniors to pay through insurance include:

• Veteran’s Programs: Elderly veterans may cover the cost of senior care through VA benefits.
• Long-term care insurance: This insurance helps seniors to pay for part of the costs of home care services. However, not all insurance policies offer coverage for this service.

Note that not all senior home care businesses offer the payment opportunities mentioned above. 

Myth #3: I need a lot of money to start a senior care home agency.

Just like in any other business, starting a senior home care franchise requires money. However, you don’t need millions to start your agency. 

To start a senior home care business, you’ll need around $35 to 50k. In addition to that investment, you should have enough savings to maintain your current lifestyle, but you don’t have to be a part of the top 1%.

For more information about franchise costs, reach out to  A Better Solution in Home Care. We can provide fees and financial recommendations to help you start your business.

Myth #4: I don’t “own” the franchise. I won’t be able to sell it in the future.

Once you buy the franchise, your contract should specify that you have ownership of a license. 

Owning a license will allow you to:

• Have the legal right to operate specific businesses ;  in this case, senior home care businesses.
• Build a business under your franchisor’s trademark. Since you won’t need to earn brand recognition, advertising your services should be easier. In short, you own the home care business, but you don’t own the trademark.

Unless it is specified on your contract that you can’t sell your franchise, you certainly can. A franchise contract rarely prohibits selling the franchise.

Myth #5: I’m Too Old.

It is never too late! Many older people find that investing in new businesses allows them to stay active. Plus, this industry allows you to help your community. 

If you want a lifestyle change while helping others, a senior home care business might be right for you. 

Are you still interested in owning a senior home care franchise? A Better Solution in Home Care can help! For more information, visit the company site. You can also call us at 1–877–585–9011. We are here to help.

Starting a senior care franchise business can be intimidating. But no matter how daunting it seems, there’s nothing like the rewarding feeling of giving back to your community. 

The success of your senior home care franchise comes down to one thing: clients. Developing a solid client base will allow you to have a long-standing business.

Here are some tips to get more clients and take your senior care franchise to the next level.

1. Volunteering: Promote Your Senior Care Franchise Through Your Actions

One of the main purposes of having a senior care franchise is helping others. Only through compassion and empathy can we help each other. 

By volunteering, you’ll be sending a message about your values and commitment to your community.

 Ways to promote your senior care home while volunteering include:

• Word-of-mouth marketing: Through small-talk, you may find new clients. Even if a person doesn’t require your services, they may recommend you to other people.
• Business Merch: A passive way to promote your agency is with merchandise. For example, you can wear a t-shirt with the name of your senior care franchise on it. Also, you can try handing cards or flyers to those who want to know more about your franchise. 

We recommend searching for volunteering opportunities at blood drives, local health fairs, donation centers, soup kitchens, and school volunteering programs. 

2. Networking: Team Up Your Senior Care Agency with Healthcare Providers

Senior home care services go hand in hand with healthcare services. Getting a referral from healthcare providers can boost your client base. Also, referrals from healthcare workers can help you build a trustworthy brand.

3. Let the Quality of Your Services Speak for Themselves

If your services are good, people are likely to recommend them to others. 

One way to ensure that your franchise is running smoothly is to conduct routine inspections.

During an inspection for your home care services, you should evaluate issues like:

• Are seniors’ needs being fulfilled?
• Can your services improve the life quality of seniors?
• Are services addressed with empathy?
• Are your services safe? 

If you prefer, you can hire an agency to run the inspection. The benefit of hiring an inspection agency is that they will rate your business. This rate increases the chances for clients to find and hire your services. 

4. Referral Scheme

A referral scheme aims for current clients to recommend your services. If someone new signs up, then the client who made the recommendation gets a discount. Therefore, a referral scheme can help you increase your client base. Plus, you get to make your current clients happier. 

5. Online Business Presence

Relying on social interactions is crucial to promote your business. A strong online presence is another way to expand your client base. 

Here is how your senior care franchise can benefit from having a strong online presence:

• Have a business identity: You can reflect your business identity through a website or social media accounts. For example, you can use a website to describe your business’ values, achievements, and goals. 
• Expand your client base: Business owners can promote their services through social media channels and websites.
• Offer different contact options to your clients: For example, offer a live chat for customer support on websites. Also, clients can reach out through direct messaging on your social media accounts. Last, you can include a contact number or an email on your website. 
• Make information more accessible to your clients: Through a website, clients can find useful information about your senior care services. It is convenient since clients can have access to information from the comfort of their homes.

Are you interested in opening a senior home care franchise? Need further advice on how to improve your senior care services? A Better Solution in Home Care can help. Reach out to us at 1–877–585–9011. We are here for you.