We are exhibiting at Bring Care Home Conference - Join Us
We are exhibiting at Bring Care Home Conference - Join Us
Running a successful home care business relies on a core principle: prioritizing exceptional client care. It translates to meticulous caregiver selection.
Look for compassionate, skilled individuals with excellent communication abilities. Invest in comprehensive training, ensuring they can handle specific client needs and adhere to safety regulations.
Further, technology can be a great asset. Utilize software to streamline scheduling, billing, and communication. Leverage it to gather client feedback and identify areas for improvement. Nevertheless, know that it is a tool, not a replacement for human connection.
Focus on building trust and transparency with clients. Conduct regular check-ins to ensure their satisfaction and tailor services as needed. Open communication between caregivers, clients, and your team is paramount. Encourage open dialogue and address any concerns promptly.
Next, marketing is key to attracting clients. Research your target demographic and tailor your message accordingly. Highlight what sets you apart – qualified caregivers, specialized services, or exceptional responsiveness.
Cultivate positive online reviews and build relationships with local hospitals and senior centers for referrals.
Last but not least, your success hinges on your team. Competitive compensation, ongoing training, and a positive work environment foster a sense of loyalty and reduce caregiver turnover.
By prioritizing client care, building a strong team, and leveraging technology effectively, you can navigate the path to a thriving home care business.
To shed some light on the same, we interviewed an industry expert to bring her perspective on successfully running a home care business.
Who Did We Interview?
Lisa is the president of Home Helpers Home Care, which offers home care services to seniors, new mothers, short-term surgical recovery patients, and special needs individuals & their families.
The agency has been operating for over a decade and does not provide “package deals”. Instead, the care services are customized to meet the unique needs and requirements of clients.
Let us now delve into what she has to say about successfully running a home care business.
Having worked in a career most recently in digital marketing, SEO/SEM/PPC/Social, I was truly burnt out. I had worked ten years helping thousands of business owners start, build, and grow their businesses.
I had even helped my husband start our own business and build it into a successful business in our area. I just needed out! So, I called on my background in healthcare, something I truly longed to do again.
I had been a Certified Nursing Assistant in my 20s. I had worked in hospice care for five years in the office and the field. I managed a large healthcare staffing office in the Baltimore, MD/DMV region. I just missed healthcare.
So, I started searching for franchises because I know statistically that franchise systems have proven track records, processes, and methods that help the business owner be successful sooner and for sustained periods.
I have watched many businesses dissolve due to poor processes, lack of management, lack of compliance, and quality assurance. So, franchising was my choice. When interviewing a few brands, I found Home Helpers Home Care.
We cover 88 zip codes in three states. So, drive time is sometimes a huge issue for our staff. We do our best to keep them close to home yet serve any client needing care in our area.
So, balancing attendance at events, marketing strategies, scheduling, and pay/regulations can be challenging.
Our system uses WellSky Personal Care. I also use Salesmate and Ava, and we have the app that we launched earlier this year. We also have our brand of PERS for our care clients and the general population. We keep reviewing new technologies to improve efficiency and make our work easier.
First and foremost would be to eliminate sales tax on senior care in West Virginia. It appalls me that an older adult must pay sales tax to have a bath in their home.
Our legislators and governor are mostly older adults, yet they find no issue with sales tax on personal service as we perform, and they do not tax getting a haircut. Our neighboring states do not tax this service. In fact, most states do not tax it.
Secondly, I would like to have a general standard for levels of care in WV. Currently, we are unlicensed, and that is fine, but we need standards that all home care agencies follow.
That is a broad question, as there are many types of emergencies and unexpected situations.
Primarily, we do our best to maintain open lines of communication between family, staff, and the office so we all stay on the same page and keep everyone safe and informed.
With my background in hospice care, we are the leader in our area in end-of-life care after our local hospice organizations. We do our best to educate and train our CarePros regarding end-of-life care and what to expect.
We have our local hospice social workers come to our meetings and train, answer questions, and provide understanding and support. Should a CarePro need grief support following the loss of a client, we refer them to our local hospice bereavement coordinators.
We have also aligned with home health agencies in the area and have been contracted by them to provide aide services. Participating in organizations like Chambers of Commerce, Rotary, and other service organizations helps the community know our agency and then call upon us in need.
It takes a lot to run a home care business successfully. Lisa emphasizes the importance of franchise systems for success and advocates for regulatory changes while highlighting the importance of community partnerships.
Her insights underscore the significance of a client-focused approach, a strong team, and effective use of technology in the home care business.
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