Are you a compassionate person? Are you patient? Can you communicate effectively with seniors? These are just some of the questions you will have to ask yourself before you start any kind of business aimed at seniors. If you are about to launch a NEMT business, you will need a lot more than just the answers to these questions, although they will get you thinking.
(FAQ – N.E.M.T. means non-emergency medical transport, such as taking patients to medical appointments)
While it is not expensive to start a NEMT business, and you can earn a good wage from it, you still need certain qualities that will allow you to blend in with your potential clients. These ‘customers’ will be moving slower, speaking slower and needing more attention than most clients in any kind of business.
So why would you start a NEMT business? Well, let me explain. The aging of America continues at an alarming rate. Baby Boomers are hitting their senior years and will continue to for several years to come. As we are now living longer, there has been additional pressure placed on the medical system. Changes resulting from this have seen attention placed on more ‘aging at home’ scenarios than ever before.
With seniors living in their homes longer, it puts a demand on services targeting that age demographic. Many older seniors have either lost their driving privileges or had them taken away in response to medical reasons. This in turn reduces the activity and mobility of seniors without physical mobility issues. As a result, services designed to assist seniors without mobility to do simple tasks, such as go downtown to meet friends for coffee, are becoming commonplace and successful.
This includes services such as a NEMT business.
The rates for this service in the United States range between $25 and $60 per hour. You can earn a decent part-time wage with this kind of service assisting seniors in your neighborhood and community. I emphasize ‘part-time’ because even at just 20-hours per week at a rate of $25 per hour you would make $500 per week or $2,000 per month. With multiple clients asking for your services, or in larger towns, you can make $50 or more per hour.
This is where your compassion, patience and communication skills come into play. If you are able to provide the best service, personalized with friendships and companionship, you will succeed at this venture. Seniors who learn to trust you and become friends with you will create a valuable bond. That relationship will lead to loyalty and increased business as you begin receiving referrals and recommendations from existing clients as they encourage their friends to use your service.
It all starts with the desire to be helpful.
If you are the kind of person who can do this and make a business out of it, you should check out my new guide: “How To Start A Profitable Senior Transportation Business.” It will give you every detail you will need to turn your passion to help others into a profitable business venture.