🕒 Estimated Reading Time: ~3 minutes
I cringe when someone reminds me that I’m a baby boomer. I’m at the end of the official range, after all, and I relate more to my much younger adult children than I do to my nonagenarian mother. I tend to share similar philosophies with the younger set, and later today, I’m heading out to ride the southern California hills in preparation for an upcoming triathlon near Yosemite.
I am protesting this aging thing, mostly by acting childish and pretending it’s not happening. But I know it’s foolish to imagine that I will never need assistance. In fact, I hope to live long enough to need a little help. So whether I like it or not, I, too, will use one of the many senior care franchises that abound in our aging society.
Within 10 years, every Baby Boomer will be on Medicare, and senior citizen numbers will boom just as the same generation boomed after World War II. With so many prospective clients who are (or will be) in need of medical and health care assistance, a senior health care franchise will likely find itself with a vast supply of customers. The opportunities for franchisees are numerous, and the services are varied, too.
Home Care Franchises
Most people want to remain at home as they age. And that is where home care franchises step in. the services provided include medical and non-medical assistance. It could include those with limited mobility or those with chronic illnesses. In some cases, clients receive meal assistance or support with personal care like bathing. Franchises differ but can offer residential in-home care or contract services like driving or housekeeping.
Hospice Care Franchises
Hospice care is specifically designed to provide end-of-life care for terminal individuals rather than medical procedures or ongoing care. Franchisees in this field are the angels who make an imminent family death easier and more comfortable. Hospice franchise services provided may include nurses and social workers who ensure appropriate care and volunteers who offer companionship or respite for family members.
Physical Therapy Franchises
Physical therapy is often needed after an injury or surgery regardless of age. So it’s not isolated to elderly patients, but for franchisees in this sector, older patients make up a large portion of the client base. Physical therapy treatments include strength building, chiropractic care, and therapeutic massage.
Senior Care Services
Unlike in-home care, senior care services include franchises that offer peripheral service around an older patient. For example, senior care consultants assist families as they search for the best location (or alternative care options) for an older person who cannot remain at home alone. Other franchises specialize in the mound of tasks around moving someone—from packing to estate sales—that are difficult for others to manage, especially when they live far away.
As you consider your franchise alternatives, senior care is a growing opportunity for franchise business owners of all backgrounds. The need for good, consistent, and proven care is present in every geographic location, too. If you are interested in senior care or ready to develop your future in the ever-growing market for senior care services, opportunities abound. Your clients and their families will appreciate the assistance when the time comes.
Anne Daniells is a co-owner of Enterprising Solutions, a professional services firm specializing in corporate communication and financial improvement for businesses where she shares decades of corporate and entrepreneurial experience—including franchise ownership—in her writings on business culture. She has authored hundreds of articles for publications including AllBusiness.com, TweakYourBiz.com, and MSN.com. Reach out via her website for more on where corporate culture, communication, and human architecture collide.