With 47 million Americans over age 65, and 7 million over 85, senior service businesses have become a booming cottage industry, as seniors require a variety of services from senior home care to senior concierges to landscapers. One of the fastest growing senior service businesses in an in-home eldercare business.
As seniors age, they often have difficulty doing the routine chores, such as shopping for groceries, meal preparation, housekeeping, household management and running errands. By providing a service that takes care of these everyday tasks, seniors can continue to enjoy an independent life at home rather than in a care facility. An eldercare business is also a wonderful way to make a living while making a difference in the lives of our elders.
What services to offer: Most senior home care providers offer non-medical home care services such as routine household chores, companionship and conversation. They may also help care for a senior’s pet, taking it for a daily walk, or run errands to pick up groceries or other items.
Cost to start an eldercare business: The basics are quite simple, just a dependable vehicle and a cell phone. When first starting, you’ll also need to purchase business cards to hand out to prospects, and a simple flyer or brochure to leave with referral services, like the local senior center.
Skills required: An eldercare business is simple, and requires that you be a well-organized and caring person. If you enjoy helping others, you will do well. Remember that this is a non-medical home care business, so no medical training is required. Courses are available, including those offered by most local Red Cross offices, that cover the basics of home care and CPR.
Marketing your services: For seniors, trust is everything, so your first customers will tell their friends and relatives when you’ve earned their trust.That will lead to more assignments, and soon you will have all the work you can handle. Pass out business cards to everyone you meet, and print a list of local emergency numbers on the back to encourage folks to save the card.
Most communities have a senior center, and many have an over-55 community. Ask if you can run an inexpensive classified ad in their monthly newsletter. If you do that every month, you’ll be busy in no time.
Legal requirements: Your town or county will require a business license. If you plan to use a fictitious business name, you will need to register that name with your county or state. If you plan to use your car for business, especially if you plan to run errands for your clients as part of your basket of services, talk to an insurance agent to be sure you have the right insurance coverage.
To learn more about this rewarding service business helping seniors, read the step-by-step guide, Start Your Own Senior Home Care Business.