In Conversation with Becky Reel to Bring Her Insights on Achieving Home Care Business Success

First things first. There is a growing need for quality senior care. But this alone does not suffice as a reason good enough to launch a home care business. Your passion must be ignited by a desire and a mission to empower agencies to deliver exceptional service to our vulnerable population.

To navigate the ever-changing landscape, stay connected with industry associations, and attend relevant conferences.

Also, success hinges on self-awareness. The most effective businesses understand their strengths and target audience and tailor their approach accordingly. By specializing, they avoid spreading themselves too thin and build a strong reputation.

Financial success is equally important, but so is caregiver well-being. By prioritizing caregiver appreciation and support, foster loyalty and reduce burnout. These are the ingredients of a recipe for client satisfaction and a thriving business.

To shed some light on the same, we interviewed a home care industry expert to bring her perspective on achieving home care business success.

Let us now delve into what he has to say about achieving home care business success:

Question 1. What led you to start a home care consulting firm?

I found a big gap between the quality care that seniors want and the care they get. I started the firm to ensure our vulnerable populations have good options while supporting small business owners. Running a home care agency can be overwhelming and challenging. I wanted to help agencies gain control of their agency and help them figure out how to create an agency that works for their lifestyle, not the other way around.

Question 2. How can home care providers stay updated with the latest regulations and industry trends?

It is vital to stay associated with the Home Care Association of America and your local chapters. In addition, I provide regular updates to my clients as things come up and share on my social media platforms. But from a more holistic standpoint, it is crucial to stay involved by attending as many webinars and conferences relevant to what you do as possible. It’s important to stay curious and listen to various podcasts and webinars to stay updated on trends and regulations.

Question 3. What are the strategies to improve the efficiency and profitability of a home care business?

I take a unique approach for every agency and every market because every agency has a different voice,strategy, market, etc. The best agencies understand who they are, who they want to serve, and their strengths.

They then tailor their approach for specific clients and do not try to be the best solution to everybody.

I took over the agency from my parents because I wanted them to retire comfortably. I thought I would lead it for two years and then take a step back. But 10 years later, I was still there because I loved it – I loved connecting with the community and providing such a needed service.

I was incredibly fulfilled with helping clients and employees, and being the reason our caregivers had stable and reliable hours. I just found us being a visible piece of the community to be very gratifying.

I want other agencies to do the same – do more than provide home care – and make a name for themselves in their community.

Question 4. What challenges do most home care agencies face when delivering care, and how to address them?

The first challenge is staffing. But when you have a good brand, treat people right, and approach caregivers as human beings, it’s not challenging to find the right people.

Also, retention is a challenge. I work with great partners who help with retention, ensuring the caregivers feel appreciated and supported.

Everyone focuses on revenue, but I think a big focus should be on caregivers. Ensure you keep the good ones with you. You will not have happy clients if you do not have good caregivers.

Also, many agencies find that they need to be a good solution for everybody. But they need to single out who they are, who they want to serve, and their strengths, like I said before.

It opens you to the right clients and helps you scale your agency correctly.
Further, burnout is a challenge. To be able to find that work-life balance is a challenge. Ensure you take care of yourself and your employees and do not get exhausted working day in and day out.

Question 5. What advice would you give someone looking to start a home care consulting firm?

You must invest in training and scheduling software because when you onboard your caregivers, you do not want them to feel they are joining a startup.

It is what I do for my clients. We build a process for them; you need to figure out everything, from recruitment to sales strategy to operation alignment, before you go to market. Have all your ducks in a row. The software and the back office help you set up the process.

In Conclusion

Becky Reel, founder of Reel Home Care Consulting, offers valuable insights on achieving success in the home care business.

Passion for quality care and industry knowledge are crucial. Align yourself with associations and attend conferences to stay updated.

Understanding your target audience and agency strengths is essential for tailoring your approach and building a reputation.

Financial success is crucial, but prioritize caregiver well-being to foster loyalty and reduce burnout. It leads to client satisfaction and a thriving business.