Canada has one of the fastest aging populations in the world. By 2030, it is projected that one in four Canadians will be over the age of 65. This demographic shift is creating a strong and sustained demand for senior care services in all its forms, including home support, healthcare, and additional kinds of personal assistance.
The healthcare and senior care franchise industry covers a wide range of services to meet the diverse needs of seniors, including:
- Home care services: These franchises provide non-medical personal care (e.g., help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, housekeeping, laundry and meal preparation) as well as medical home care like nursing services and physical therapy.
- Companion care: Focused on providing companionship and emotional support, these services may also involve light housekeeping and transportation.
- Health and wellness services: Includes in-home physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and other rehabilitation services.
- Memory care services: Specialized care for individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other cognitive impairments.
- Non-medical transportation services: Providing transportation for seniors to appointments, grocery shopping, or social activities.
- Hospice and end-of-life care: Helping lessen the pain and suffering of one nearing their death. These service providers also address emotional and spiritual needs and provide support to the patient’s family.
Being a caregiver is not the only way to be a part of the industry.
Other examples of non-caregiver healthcare and senior care franchises include franchises that offer comprehensive care coordination services, helping families navigate the healthcare system and manage their loved ones' care. Others help seniors and their families find appropriate living arrangements when the decision is made to leave the current home (e.g., independent living, assisted living, nursing homes). Also available are franchises that help seniors and their families deal with their estates.
Healthcare and senior care franchising isn’t limited to seniors.
While seniors do make up a large percentage of the home care market, they aren’t the only ones served by these franchises.
Non-senior home care covers adults aged 18-64, helping with several kinds of non-medical and support services. Care is provided for people with chronic conditions such as ALS or paraplegia, as well as to those with learning or physical disabilities. More temporary help is provided to those who are recovering from surgery, illness, or injury. Home care providers have also been known to aid mothers pre- and post-natal as well.
The Impact of Age-In-Place
The desire to “age-in-place” has been a key contributing factor to the growth of Canada’s healthcare and senior care franchise industry, as more of the Baby Boomer generation nears the 65+ age range. As the government says, aging in place means having the health and social supports and services you need to live safely and independently in your home or your community for as long as you wish and are able.
In many cases, aging-in-place can be achieved with non-significant modifications to the household. However, in some cases, occasional outside help will become necessary to aid seniors in maintaining their independence. Help from home and senior care franchises can help keep these senior citizens in their beloved homes. This translates to plenty of opportunities for prospective franchisees to start both a professionally and personally rewarding business.
Benefits of Franchise Operation in This Industry
By being a part of a franchise system, healthcare and senior care franchisees can depend on the franchisor to assist them with staying on top of ever-changing trends that will help them better serve their clients, streamline their operations, as well as keep up with changes in codes and compliance.
In Canada, senior care services are governed by federal, provincial, and municipal laws, and regulations can vary by area. Being a part of a franchise system is a way to have an increased level of support while operating with a complex industry.
Your franchisor should be able to guide you in the right direction to get the proper licenses, as the brand should be familiar with the rules and regulations yourself. Ultimately, however, the responsibility falls on you to ensure everything is in order. It’s imperative that you do your due diligence.
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Home and senior care franchises are perfectly poised to meet the needs of Canada’s growing senior population and, luckily for potential franchisees, these types of franchises tend to have lower opening costs.
If you think a healthcare or senior care franchise could be for you, click on the “Request Free Info” button for any of the franchises above you’re interested in and fill out the contact form today!