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10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress
Caregiving

10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

Helping a loved one through elder care or illness takes a mental and emotional toll on an individual. When caring for others, it’s important to take care of yourself. If you’re not in good health, the tasks of giving care will fall short, not to mention the hardships and risks it places on you, which range from exhaustion, illness, and burnout. 10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress
The stresses of giving care work out in different forms and several studies report as many as one in three feel anxious and strained. And one in two, report they have less time to spend with their support system. To help relieve potential anxiety and stress, follow these tips. 10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress

  1. Put your health first. Eat wholesome foods and avoid urges for desserts and sweets. Get plenty of sleep and if fatigued during the day, take a nap. Get a regular medical checkup, and if depressed and feel extreme sadness, talk to a medical professional.
  2. Reach out to friends and family members. Do not isolate.
  3. Get support and ask for help. List out what needs doing and ask others to pitch in.
  4. Locate and call local resources like the Area Agency on Aging. They can suggest and make recommendations for assistance. Contact a home care agency to request the help of an aide. Volunteers from faith-based organizations or local groups can help with cooking or driving.
  5. Take a break and consider respite care. Ask a friend to step in while you have lunch or run an errand. Contact an adult day care center for breaks during the day. Plan a longer break by going away for the weekend and turn to assisted living or residential care facilities for help. Some accept short-term stays.
  6. Address your emotions. Don’t keep them bottled up. Call a friend or family member and share your frustrations. Join a local caregiver support group or see a professional counselor.
  7. Once each day, do something you enjoy. Take a walk outside, call a friend on the phone, read, dance, and listen to music. Some individuals meditate, pray, and visualize.
  8. Get prepared and organized. Use a calendar to make a to-do list. And start the day by completing one task and work your way through it. Don’t panic if you can’t get to them all.
  9. Don’t be a people pleaser. It’s okay to set boundaries and to say no. You cannot do everything and meet everyone’s demands. Resist the urge to do more than you can handle.
  10. Avoid pessimism and give yourself credit.

By taking action, you can solve issues before they become problems. Remember that providing care to another person puts strain even on the most active and spirited humans. If you’re a caregiver, take steps to preserve your health and well-being.
For more information check out our article on Top 10 Caregiving Hacks to Simplify Life.

10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress

10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress 10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress 10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress 10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress

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Bed Sore Care
Conditions & Treatments

Bed Sore Care

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

The more serious the condition, the more medical professionals you see, right? Nothing is more evident of this than with bed sores. Beginning as seemingly small skin irritations, bed sores can quickly spin out of control leading to infection and hospitalization. If you or someone you care for is dealing with a bed sore, count on these five folks to help: Bed Sore Care

General Practitioner Bed Sore Care

Your family doctor, or general practitioner, will likely be the medical professional who first sees you or your loved one about a potential bed sore and either refers you to a wound care specialist, strategizes a treatment plan with you, and/or writes a medical order for home health. General practitioners may not think to ask after any potential bed sores or early signs of a pressure ulcer, so make sure to keep them apprised of any pinkish discolorations or open sores you find on the body, even if you’re not sure what it is. Bed Sore Care

Wound Care Specialist

A wound care specialist is a healthcare professional who has specifically been trained in the areas of wound care and treatment, for everything from injury and surgery, to bed sores – they might be nurses, doctors, or physical therapists. Typically, if a pressure ulcer does not heal with conventional methods within a month, your doctor will refer you to a wound care specialist. They will diagnose the stage of your bed sore (there are 4 stages), measure it, and educate you and your family about ongoing care and treatment.

Home Health Nurse

Weekly (or even more frequent) visits by a home health nurse will be a welcome occurrence in helping you keep an eye on the pressure ulcer and ask any questions or express concerns. Home health nurses will arrive with supplies to assist with bed sore treatment, and you can ask them for refills when you are out – sometimes they can help, and other times they will have to order supplies that get shipped to your home.

Nutritionist

A conversation with a registered dietitian or nutritionist might not be explicitly requested by your doctor, however, it could be helpful when it comes to treating and preventing bed sores. A nutritionist can share foods that promote tissue repair and facilitate healing, like vitamin-rich oranges, broccoli, and olives. As well, they might suggest vitamin supplements and nutritional powders and drinks that help you or your loved one maintain a healthy weight to expedite healing and prevent future sores.

Personal Caregiver

Quite possibly the most important player in bed sore treatment is a personal caregiver – be it a private hire or a family member. Daily care and wound monitoring, whether it is dressing a pressure ulcer, applying barrier cream, or consistently shifting the body weight to alleviate pressure off the sore, comes down to a personal caregiver. With an education from your physician, home health nurse, wound care specialist, and nutritionist, successful wound care and wound healing is absolutely possible at home.

There are so many unknowns when it comes to aging or caregiving, don’t let bed sores be one of them. Knowing the different types of health care professionals who can assist with wound treatment and prevention, you are more equipped than ever to effectively combat bed sores if one should ever present itself.

By Joe Fleming

Co-Founder, Vive Health
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Caregiving

Making The Most of Visits With Aging Parents

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Do These Simple Things to Ensure Your Aging Parents are Safe in their Home

Whether you visit your aging parents weekly or a few times a year, there are certain safety issues you should walk for during your visits. Many times, during visits with family, we spend the entire visit in their living room and don’t see some of the safety hazards in the rest of their home. Making The Most of Visits With Aging Parents
While your aging parent may seem safe in his or her home, their mobility or balance can change quickly. Staying on top of their home safety is critical to helping them age in place for as long as possible. Here are some ways to maximize your visits with you aging parents so that you get quality time but also stay on top of their ability to safely live independently. Making The Most of Visits With Aging Parents

Leave the House

This may sound like an odd suggestion, but I worked with many families who visited their aging parent regularly and had no idea that their parent had a hard time getting out of the house. Whether your aging parent has front steps that don’t have a railing or use a walker that can’t be maneuvered down the steps, there are many hazards that make it difficult for a person with mobility challenges to safely exit their home.
Even if your parent is homebound, being able to exit the home is critical to their safety. What if there is a fire? What if they forget about their limitation and try to go out for a walk or get the mail. Are they able to exit and enter the house from all exits? You never know what situation could arise, so plan ahead to keep your aging parent safe.
While you are checking their ability to safely enter and exit their home, you should also take the opportunity to evaluate your parent’s driving. Perhaps you ask them to drive you to the grocery store or bakery for a treat. Riding in the car with them will give you a better perspective of their driving ability.

Cook Together

You won’t just get to learn your mother’s special pasta sauce recipe, you’ll also be able to see if she is safely able to maneuver her kitchen. Does she have the heavy pots on a high shelf? Help her find a new, easier location to store them. Are the knobs on the stove difficult to turn on/off due to arthritis? Look into new knobs or a hack to help make it easier to use.
While you’re in the kitchen, check the refrigerator for old or expired food and the food supply, in general. Is the refrigerator bare? Why? Does your parent have a hard time getting out to shop or is he/she becoming forgetful about stocking necessities. I once worked with a woman who had dementia who bought soda every time we went to the store, but she never actually drank soda. She had six packs stacked in her pantry. Do you see any oddities that were never an issue before?
Do a little digging to find out why. It may be that your parent struggles with carrying groceries into the house, so isn’t able to buy much. You may want to consider setting up online grocery delivery, or at minimum, delivery of heavier pantry items.

Allow Them to Host You

Sometimes, when we see our parents looking more frail, our instinct is to jump in and do everything. It is a wonderful gesture, but the problem is, you can’t be sure of their capabilities if you don’t watch them operate independently in their own home. Let your parent set the table, turn off the stove, clear the table (with your help of course!).
Watch to see if they are struggling with any tasks. You may be able to come up with solutions together on how to simplify tasks or you may need to consider bringing help into their home.

Get One Step Ahead

While you’re there, look for safety risks or fall risks and work with your parent to address them. You can also take a look at the following household tasks that they may need help with:

  1. Are there any burned out light bulbs? Change them while you are visiting so that your parent won’t attempt to do it on his/her own.
  2. Is the season changing? If so, ask your parent if they have blankets or clothing that is stored up high that they may need help bringing down.
  3. Are tall bookshelves strapped to the wall? You may want to consider using earthquake furniture straps so that they are secure. If your parent trips and grabs a bookshelf to stop their fall, you want to be sure they are nicely secured to the wall and don’t come down on top of them.
  4. If they are reaching for books or items on high shelves, make sure they have a sturdy step ladder with a handrail – and that they actually use it!

What other things can you think of to make a pre-emptive “strike” to ensure your parent is making dangerous decisions?
Making The Most of Visits With Aging Parents Making The Most of Visits With Aging Parents Making The Most of Visits With Aging Parents

Making The Most of Visits With Aging Parents

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You Need a Caregiving Team for Everyone’s Well-being
Caregiving

You Need a Caregiving Team for Everyone’s Well-being

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Stepping in as a caregiver for a loved one is noble. It is selfless and kind and compassionate. Caregiving is also incredibly isolating. Caregivers get so stuck in the day-to-day care that they struggle to keep it all together and rarely have time to find support and reach out. You Need a Caregiving Team for Everyone’s Well-being
While it is difficult to figure out what caregiving support you need and reach out to family and friends for help, it is critical to your mental and physical health. Don’t try to carry the whole burden of caregiving yourself. You need to speak out and ask for help. Sometimes, people don’t know what help to offer, so they don’t jump in. If you are clear with your needs, it can be easier for others to help.
In order to build a support network, you will need to know what activities you can get help with and who can share the load. Make a list of the activities you do in a day and week and what can be done by someone other than yourself. It may feel like you are the only person who can provide care, but there are many things someone else can do that won’t alter your loved one’s care. You don’t need to be the one to grocery shop or drive them to the senior center. You Need a Caregiving Team for Everyone’s Well-being
Here are some areas where you can bring in support:

  • Look into adult day care centers, respite care centers and other community services that could give you a break from your caregiving duties. If these options are too expensive, you can consider a trade with a fellow caregiver or enlist a friend or family member.
  • Ask a friend or neighbor for help with shopping or running errands. Perhaps they can pick up items for you while they are on their own errands. If you don’t ask, they won’t know you need them.
  • Join a support group where you can discuss ideas and frustrations with other caregivers. You may meet someone to do care trades with, or just have the opportunity to speak with people who understand exactly what you are going through. If you can’t go in person, there are online support groups you can join.
  • Seek out community resources that might give you a break.
  • Have a back-up person and plan in the event that you are sick or away. Once you have a back-up person, take a little time for yourself to make sure your system works, and to get much-needed respite. Even if you just stay one night in a local hotel, it will do you a world of good.
  • Set up a transportation system. You don’t need to be your caree’s personal taxi service. There are a number of options from friends and family to community options and private services like Taxis, Uber, Lift and local services. Figure out the types of transportation your parent needs and who can provide rides. For example, many senior centers have a free shuttle for residents. There are also city transportation services for things like trips to the grocery store or bank. If you set up a network of options, you will take a huge load off your plate.
  • Are there younger family members who you can include in the caregiving role? They can help with laundry or entertaining their grandparent. I knew a family who had their high school age daughter stay with grandma during school breaks. They cooked together, did puzzles and enjoyed each other’s company. It was wonderful for both of them.

Get creative. Think of what gets done in the day and how you can delegate some of the tasks or find shortcuts.

You Need a Caregiving Team for Everyone’s Well-being

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Keeping Caregivers Healthy
Caregiving

Keeping Caregivers Healthy

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Take Steps to Maintain Your Health Now for your Long-Term Well-being

Caregivers have demands on their physical and emotional energy, but what you don’t realize is the impact on your health. It can be easy to put your health maintenance at the bottom of your to do list since there isn’t an outside force demanding your time or energy. Keeping Caregivers Healthy
The problem is, chronic stress leads to major health problems such as headaches, heart disease, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, weight gain and memory problems. By constantly putting your needs at the bottom of your list, you run the risk of one or more of these serious conditions. Keeping Caregivers Healthy
Being a good caregiver means caring for yourself. If you let your health decline, you can’t care for others. Before you think, it can’t happen to me, I’m healthy/strong, consider these facts: Keeping Caregivers Healthy

  • Studies consistently report higher levels of depressive symptoms in caregivers than non-caregivers.
  • Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease caregivers suffer from depression and emotional stress 30-40% more frequently than non-caregivers.
  • Caregivers have less self-acceptance and feel less effective and less in control of their lives than non-caregivers.
  • Caregivers who experience chronic stress may be at greater risk for cognitive decline including loss in short-term memory, attention and verbal IQ.

So what can you do, when you have so little time? Here are simple ways to take better care of yourself to ward off health issues. While it can be difficult squeezing self-care in to your day, remember that you can’t care for someone else if you don’t first care for yourself. You can also try to work it into your care routine and include your caree.

  • Eat a balanced diet. Poor nutrition or rushing through meals can endanger your health in the long run. Eating well doesn’t have to be difficult. There are cooking shortcuts to work it into a packed schedule.
  • Get regular health check-ups by your health care providers. Caregivers are most likely to cancel their own medical appointments and not fill a prescription due to cost. The long-term effect can be damaging.
  • Avoid extra work. Prioritize your tasks and keep a list of what needs to be done each day and a “maybe someday list.” Be kind to yourself. Recognize that there are only so many hours in the day and you can’t do it all. It is OK to leave the clean laundry in the baskets or eat scrambled eggs for dinner.
  • Don’t feel guilty about setting limits for yourself. It is OK to say no. Not everything is an emergency and not everything is a need. When I am stressed out, I decide what is a need versus a want. A need is that I need to feed my family. A want is that it has to be a complicated home-cooked meal. Sometimes a rotisserie chicken and bagged salad from the grocery store is perfectly OK.
  • Take a walk, ride a bicycle, swim, stretch or even work in the garden. Just get your body moving. You don’t have to do it alone. Involve your caree in physical activities. Even if he/she is wheelchair bound, a walk around the block is great for both of you. You get exercise, he/she gets fresh air.
  • Take time for yourself to enjoy a hobby, read, or do something nice for yourself. Having things to look forward to can improve your outlook. You don’t have to take on big tasks. Try to read a few pages of a book before bed or watch a YouTube tutorial on a hobby you’d like to try.

Be kind to yourself. Being a caregiver is challenging and isolating. It can also be a thankless job. Your caree may not be able to express thanks, but know that you are doing great work.
Taking care of your well-being will not only benefit you now, but it will help your long-term health. Don’t put yourself last.

Keeping Caregivers Healthy

Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy

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Caring for People Means Caring About Caregivers
Caregiving

Caring for People Means Caring About Caregivers

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

The owners of home care agencies or franchises know how rewarding it can be to help others. When providing at-home care to seniors, it’s easy to see and feel the impact our work is making every day. Caring for People Means Caring About Caregivers
But as home care business owners, it can be easy to lose sight of just how many people our services affect. While it’s rewarding to see seniors’ lives bettered by our care, those rewards are undercut if they come at a cost to the care staff in our employ. Caring for People Means Caring About Caregivers

Caregivers at the Core of Our Business

These days, the business benefits to caring for caregivers are becoming more and more obvious. It’s no secret that the home care industry is struggling to keep pace with the demand for our services, a reality that’s made staffing difficult for agency owners. Simply put, it’s becoming tougher and tougher to find quality caregivers. In a market like this, keeping staff happy is essential to limiting turnover.
But even when things are going smoothly, those of us in the home care industry should be thinking about ways to make our caregivers lives easier. After all, caregivers are at the core of our business. In practical terms, keeping our care staff happy and healthy will improve the quality of service we provide. In human terms, it’s just the right thing to do to make sure our employees are cared for.
At Visiting Angels, we’ve been supporting our home care franchise owners since 1998. We know from experience that the success of any independent or franchised home care agency is inextricably tied in the quality of people who make up that agency. We think it’s important to raise awareness industry-wide about the importance of caring for caregivers.

How to Care for Your Care Staff

There are a number of ways that you can better take care of your care staff — some more obvious than others. Pay is always the biggest area of concern, and it’s an issue that almost every home care agency owner will grapple with at one time or another.
At Visiting Angels, we’ve found that many of our franchisees have found success largely because of the way they value their care staff. While home care can be a major investment, most Americans are willing to pay more for the confidence that comes with quality care. When it is clear that a higher hourly rate is tied to better care, many clients are more than happy to make the commitment.
There are other ways that you can provide support to care staff. Most caregivers deal with stressful situations, so making investments in the emotional and mental well-being of your staff can pay big benefits. One way to do this is to ensure you are always giving caregivers a manageable schedule, one that allows them to take care of themselves and live life outside of work in a way that makes sense.
Finally, there are out-of-the-box solutions to supporting care staff. Recently, one of our franchise owners has seen enormous success in caregiver retention. One of his strategies? Providing group day care* for caregivers with young children. While this might not be the right fit for your agency’s model, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take similar — if smaller — steps. Listen to your care staff’s biggest challenges, and try to think of ways you can lessen these concerns.
Visiting Angels is one of America’s largest home care franchise networks. Visit us online for information on our franchise opportunities.
Caring for People Means Caring About Caregivers Caring for People Means Caring About Caregivers Caring for People Means Caring About Caregivers Caring for People Means Caring About Caregivers Caring for People Means Caring About Caregivers Caring for People Means Caring About Caregivers Caring for People Means Caring About Caregivers Caring for People Means Caring About Caregivers

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Respite Care for Family Caregivers
Caregiving

Respite Care for Family Caregivers

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

When Is Respite Care Needed for Family Caregivers?

America is filled with unrecognized heroes. One group whose selflessness is consistently overlooked is family caregivers. Over 15 million Americans support family members through at-home care and assistance, providing over 17 billion combined hours of unpaid care each year. But even if that care is unpaid, it still comes at a cost, as any caregiver who’s suffered from caregiver stress syndrome can tell you. Respite Care for Family Caregivers
Too often, family caregivers find themselves overtaxed, over-stressed, and overwhelmed. This puts caregivers at risk of burnout and can lead to high levels of mental and physical strain. One solution is respite care by family members, home health care professionals, or non-medical home care agencies.
Respite care gives family caregivers a way to make time for self-care, even while remaining their loved one’s primary caregiver. If you think you might benefit from respite care, consider the following…

Are You at Risk of Caregiver Stress & Burnout?

Family caregivers tend to go above and beyond when caring for their loved ones, but this can often result in caregivers stretching themselves thin — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Many family caregivers spend more time on care than they would at a full-time job, and it can sometimes feel like your loved one’s care has taken over your life. Respite Care for Family Caregivers
This results in what is called caregiver stress or, in the most extreme cases, caregiver burnout. Some of the signs of caregiver burnout include:

  • Anxiety, anger, and depression
  • Exhaustion and lack of sleep
  • Sudden changes in eating habits
  • Fluctuations in weight and physical fitness
  • Over-reliance on medications, alcohol, or other drugs
  • Feelings of resentment toward the care recipient

While steps such as meditation, therapy, or a healthier lifestyle can relieve caregiver stress, sometimes these changes aren’t enough. When this is the case, you may need another person who can help share the load and give you the time you need to take care of yourself.

Options for Respite Care

There are a few different types of respite care available to family caregivers, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Respite Care for Family Caregivers
Before turning to professional respite care providers, see if family members can assist with care. While family members won’t have the experience or training of a professional caregiver, they will have a pre-existing relationship with your loved one. That relationship is often invaluable when caring for an elderly person.
Other options include medical and non-medical respite care. Which kind of care you choose will depend on your loved one’s specific care needs. If your loved one relies on you for help with taking medications, for instance, then medical home care will be your best choice. On the other hand, if your loved one does not need medical assistance, then non-medical home care is often the more affordable option.
If you’re looking for non-medical respite care, you may wish to consider your local Visiting Angels home care agency. Visiting Angels caregivers offer flexible care plans, including respite care, to help share the load with family caregivers.

Respite Care for Family Caregivers

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Local Non-Profits Providing Senior Care Help
Caregiving

Local Non-Profits Providing Senior Care Help

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

When a person needs help it’s surprising that few know of the local relief and services to call. There are many non-profits designed to help seniors in need and their family caregivers. However, when asked, “Do you know who to call for help when in a crunch for a ride or for food?” In my experience, I find consumers at a loss and challenged to locate local help. Local Non-Profits Providing Senior Care Help
Since November is National Caregiver Month, it’s important to acknowledge the work that families give. I was a caregiver for my parents, so, I have experienced the challenges. To alleviate some of the burden, here is a list of places to go or call if needed. Typically, the most wanted services deals with issues like,

  • Housing
  • Personal care with daily living
  • Case Management
  • Transportation
  • Meals
  • Social Isolation
  • Legal support
  • Day care
  • Emergencies
  • Support
  • Financial assistance

The Aging Council at Seniorcare.com offered several “go-to” sources when in need of care. The thought leaders say, “When a senior or family caregiver struggles with a crises or medical event, or has another issue they can’t figure out on their own, usually, there are two or three local resources that adults can turn to for a resolution.” Here are several the experts recommend:
Anthony Cirillo, The Aging Experience, “In Charlotte we have a great resource called Just One Call, a one-stop source of information and assistance for seniors and adults with disabilities. Feeding America can point you to food banks to address food insecurity. And the Salvation Army has an arm devoted to elderly services.”
Donna Schempp, “Family Caregiver Alliance provides links or a specialist to talk to who can give people information on services anywhere in the United States. All communities have a local Area Agency on Aging and should be the first place to call when needing help. Faith communities are also a good source of support and referrals for needed services.”
Michelle Jeong, LifeAssist, “Two organizations come to mine, www.sfvillage.org = great on and offline resource based in San Francisco, CA and Meals on Wheels.”
Violet Swenson, LTC Global Agency, “Three significant local resources in Florida to consider are: Florida Highway Patrol (disaster assistance for natural calamities), WebMD (for diseases & treatment), and NCOA (public policy & action services). Seniors need to prioritize their safety, make sure that they are properly diagnosed and are receiving the right medication, and have a voice in their community.”
David Inns, GreatCall, Inc., “The Family Caregiver Alliance (Caregiver.org) has an interactive map where you can click your state, and it will guide you to local resources. The Eldercare Locator (Eldercare.gov) is a service that allows users to search for resources and information. The Family Caregiver Council (FamilyCaregiverCouncil.com) is a great place to start as it has links for all aspects of family caregiving.”
Scot Cheben, CaregivingAnswers.com, “Churches, Meals on Wheels and other local support groups have their limitations. The internet doesn’t have borders. Most states have a Department of Elder Affairs or something similar available online. The internet will give you access to a wider variety if information that might be available. CaregivingAnswers.com gives you the opportunity to have your questions answered by a professional.”
Connie Chow, Daily Caring, “During a crisis, if you need immediate help, reach out to people who understand the system and know how to get fast, effective results. I recommend an in-home care company or on-demand caregiving service for in-person help, a geriatric care manager for complex situations, and the county’s Area Agency on Aging to get connected to helpful local resources and services.”

Local Non-Profits Providing Senior Care Help

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Make a Difference by Starting a Senior Care
Caregiving

Make a Difference by Starting a Senior Care

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Everybody wants to make a difference. That’s doesn’t necessarily mean changing the world — but it means contributing where you can. But too often in today’s world, it feels like our careers don’t really have a positive impact. We fiddle with spreadsheets, track down leads, compile reports. And at the end of the day, we wonder what impact we’ve really, truly made. Make a Difference by Starting a Senior Care
But there are businesses and careers where it’s still possible to feel like you’ve made a difference. For instance: starting a senior care business. In-home senior care isn’t just one of the fastest growing industries out there, it’s also one of the most impactful. Make a Difference by Starting a Senior Care
That was made clear by a recent study released by Johns Hopkins University. In the study, seniors who struggled with regular day-to-day tasks were provided with in-home assistance and senior-friendly home repairs. At the start of the study, participants struggled with roughly four “activities of daily living” on average. But by the end of the study, the number of activities the average participant struggled with had fallen by half. Make a Different by Starting a Senior Care

Putting the “Care” in Senior Care

At Visiting Angels, one of the top reasons we hear from entrepreneurs for starting a senior care business is wanting to make a difference. Our franchise owners are people who are driven to do meaningful work. They get a boost out of seeing their clients’ lives improve thanks to care, and it means the world to them that their success as a business owner comes with a positive legacy.
Of course, starting a senior care business doesn’t just improve the lives of seniors. There’s a ripple effect of positive change that comes with helping the elderly live more happily, comfortably, and healthily at home. Senior care agencies provide relief and respite for unpaid family caregivers. They give seniors the support they need to get re-involved in the community. And they help seniors stay healthy, creating a positive impact on an already overburdened health care system.

Keys to Starting a Senior Care Business

Does starting a senior care business seem like something you’d be interested in? If so, there are some key issues you’ll need to address:

  • Independent or Franchise? You can start a senior care business on your own, or you can build your business using a pre-set franchise model. Starting your own business allows you to build an independent brand, while a senior care franchise will offer support and guidance as you build your business.
  • Training & Licensing. Unless you’re already a trained and licensed senior care provider, you’ll need to find a program for home care training and apply for your license. If starting a franchise, you may receive substantial support in this area.
  • Choosing Your Market. Starting a successful senior care business can largely depend on choosing the right market. Consider openly available data — like demographic info portal org — to do research in this area. Make a Different by Starting a Senior Care

If you’re thinking of starting a senior care business, get in touch with Visiting Angels. Our franchise system has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs launch their very own home care agencies. For more information on starting a senior care business with us, call 1-800-365-4189 or visit us online today.

Make a Difference by Starting a Senior Care

 

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