Transitioning Into Franchise Ownership

Franchising is a great way to own and operate your own business, but the concepts inherent to franchising aren’t always easy to understand. In many cases, newcomers to this type of business model — those who have never run their own business before — adapt more quickly to franchising than those people who come from the world of independent business ownership. Adjusting to a career as a franchisee can be difficult for those who have owned and operated their own businesses in the past, even though these individuals bring tremendous assets to the table.

Are you a business owner who is considering a shift into franchising? Your skills and experience will serve you well, but there are some important things to keep in mind as you make the change and learn how to operate successfully as a franchisee.

Let’s take a look at some helpful tips!

Do Your Research
This is true for everyone entering a career in franchising, but it’s particularly true for those who come from the world of traditional business ownership: researching the ideal franchise opportunity is crucial to your eventual success. As someone with experience in business, you’ll want to enter a franchising situation that rewards your depth of knowledge, and you’ll want to find an opportunity that allows you to use your accumulated skills to earn success. A lot of franchising opportunities will be less than ideal. Use your time in research to eliminate prospects that won’t serve you well.

Talk To People
As a business person, you probably have a large network of people whose experience and knowledge you can draw from. You learn by interacting with them, and they have been essential to your success. Use your networking skills to your advantage as you investigate various franchising opportunities — talk to existing franchisees and learn about their experiences. Don’t be afraid to seek out conversations with franchisors, either! Your efforts here will help you determine which franchise suits your skills and your business style best.

Consider the Industry
If you’re thinking about shifting into franchising from a career as an independent business owner, you must be looking for change. Perhaps this means that a change of industry is appropriate, as well. However, you may be better off remaining within the industry that you know and find familiar. The choice is yours, but it’s one that requires thought and serious consideration.

One thing is for sure: the senior-care industry is growing rapidly, and franchisees from all walks of life are finding renewed passion for their careers in this amazing franchising sector!

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Are you ready to build your future in the home care industry? The time to make a difference is now! Learn more about franchising with Always Best Care and get started on your journey to success by downloading our FREE E-Book today!

Time is Money: Finding More Time To Manage Your Home Care Business

As a home care business franchisee, it’s easy to get bogged down in day-to-day operations, leaving little time to consider larger decisions and the direction of the business. In order to function effectively, a franchise operator should have as much optional time as possible, but finding it can be a challenge. Some strategies to increase optional time include hiring new employees, delegating certain duties to others, automating certain functions, or even dropping certain responsibilities which are no longer necessary for successful operations. Ideally, delegating more responsibilities to employees is considered a positive, but in order to do so, employees must be qualified and capable of assuming added responsibility.

One mistake home care franchise operators can make is taking ownership of problems or situations which employees have brought to them for help. Rather than giving employees the opportunity to learn to perform the task or make the decision, the operator continues to do it because it seems easier and less time-consuming than training the employee to do it. Taking over the problem seems easier, but the better decision is to allow the employee to retain the responsibility for the problem and tell the franchisee how he or she plans to handle it. The process to allow this can seem time consuming, but ultimately it will result in better results. A franchisee should make sure his or her employees are fully and properly trained and when problems arise, encourage and allow them to offer solutions. The more challenging situations should be monitored more closely. With time and encouragement, most non-medical home care franchise employees can learn to stop running to the owner or manager every time there is a problem. Good employees will learn to successfully solve problems independently, in a manner that is consistent with the wishes of the owner.

To learn more about senior care franchising, download our FREE eBook now!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Five Ways a Home Care Franchise Changes Lives

As people age, everyday tasks often become more challenging.  Many senior citizens may find themselves in need of daily help with errands, chores and personal care, but their family members may not be available to the extent needed.  Non-medical in-home care is an excellent solution for individuals who need help with everyday activities, but who do not require daily medical care or monitoring.

Here are five ways a home care franchise is changing the lives of seniors and their families:

  1. Assisting seniors with everyday tasks –– In-home caregivers help seniors with meal preparation, grocery shopping, mail sorting and bookkeeping, light housekeeping, personal care and transport, among other things.
  2. Providing affordable care –– In-home care can be an affordable alternative to assisted living facilities, which can cost anywhere from $2,800-$7,000 per month.
  3. Giving families peace of mind –– Family members, especially those with young children at home, may find it difficult to help their loved ones to the extent they’d like.  In-home care professionals can provide family members with peace of mind, knowing that their loved ones are receiving the help and attention they need.
  4. Providing seniors with companionship –– Elderly people, especially those who are unmarried or widowed, often experience loneliness more acutely as they become more distanced from busy family members and friends, and spend more time at home alone.  An in-home caregiver’s companionship can go a long way to combat loneliness and comfort seniors.
  5. Helping seniors maintain independence –– For most of us, the thought of becoming dependent on others is uncomfortable.  Seniors frequently report that maintaining as much independence as possible is extremely important to them as they age.  In-home caregivers can provide assistance with certain tasks, while allowing seniors to maintain their independence.

The American population is aging—the number of people aged 65 and older is expected to increase to around 72 million, in the year 2030, in the United States.  Our aging population will bring increased demand for senior care services and alternatives to assisted living, such as in-home care.  Always Best Care is one of the leading providers of senior care in the nation and is ready to serve this population.

Always Best Care is one of the nation’s leading providers of non-medical in-home care, assisted living placement services, and skilled home health care.  The company delivers its services through a national network of nearly 190 independently owned and operated franchise territories throughout the USA.

Learn more about the exciting senior care industry in our FREE downloadable eBook!

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Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

The Ways Baby Boomers Are Changing the Face of Senior Care

3 Ways Baby Boomers Are Changing the Face of Senior Care

When Baby Boomers speak, their voices are heard loud and clear thanks to their sheer numbers and the influence they still hold over society. And these days, individuals from this special generation are talking more and more about how they think their senior years ought to be spent.

It’s no surprise to learn that the Baby Boomer generation has some different ideas about senior care than the generations that came before.

Let’s take a look at three of the big ways in which Baby Boomers are changing the senior care industry.

Greater Numbers and Longer Lives

The Baby Boomer generation counts about 80 million people as its members, and about 8,000 of them are reaching retirement age every day. The senior care systems that have been in place for decades are simply not designed to meet the needs of so many people retiring at the same time.  This puts a great strain on existing modes of care, such as skilled nursing facilities and other types of support services.

Baby Boomers are also living longer lives than those of previous generations: people born at the tail end of the Baby Boom generation (1964) are expected to live about six years longer than those who were born in the earlier parts of the 1900’s.  Advances in technology, fitness and medicine are increasing longevity.  Baby Boomers want to take advantage of it, making previous senior care institutions somewhat obsolete.

A Greater Desire for Freedom

The Baby Boomers made a name for themselves by questioning previously held standards of how life should be lived. Over the years, they have established new ways of thinking in our world, and 3 Ways Baby Boomers Are Changing the Face of Senior Carethey are taking that sense of change and improvement into their retirement years, as well.

Baby Boomers just don’t see themselves the same way that previous generations have when reaching retirement age. They have little interest in sedentary retirement.  Many have recollections of the limited options their parents had years ago, and they prefer to stay at home for as long as possible, where they can feel free to live their lives as they see fit.

Providing In-Home Senior Care for Baby Boomers

Senior care franchise owners are leading the way when it comes to providing the types of care that Baby Boomers want.  As a senior care franchise owner, you can operate a business that is designed to offer the balance modern seniors seek between a life of freedom but with a level of care that ensures continued health and safety.  If you are wondering how you can accommodate the needs of the aging population in your community and are ready to go into business for yourself, senior care franchise ownership could be the perfect solution!

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

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Top Reasons Baby Boomers Are Retiring Later

Many Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) are choosing to delay retirement and continue working—and not necessarily for financial reasons.   According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people age 65 and older in the workforce had increased from 12.9 percent in 2000 to 17.4 percent in 2010 and is expected to increase to 22.5 percent by the year 2020. Franchise with Always Best Care explores the reasons behind this increase in older workers.

Working Provides Rewards beyond Financial Compensation 

While it’s true that some Americans have not saved sufficiently and, therefore, must continue working into retirement, the reasons behind the trend of Boomers working beyond age 65 are varied.  Beyond financial necessity alone, older Americans are choosing to work longer for emotional and psychological reasons.

A study from the Sloan Center on Aging and Work found that 89 percent of older workers surveyed reported enjoying their work.  And in a sample of individuals ages 50 and over, the 2002 National Study of the Changing Workforce found that 91 percent of those surveyed said the work they do is meaningful to them.   Older folks continue working beyond retirement to reduce social isolation and increase their connection to the community.  Many people report that working helps give meaning to their lives, while others want to be able to use their knowledge and experience on the job.

Helping Baby Boomers in the Coming Years

Although many Baby Boomers are opting to delay retirement and continue working, this growing segment of the population will require assistance in the coming years and decades.  More folks are choosing to age in place, opting for home care rather than assisted living.  If helping seniors is your passion, contact Franchise with Always Best Care to learn more about starting a senior home care businesses with one of the top home care franchises in the nation.

Learn More

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

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Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

5 Tips to Start Thinking Like an Effective Entrepreneur

5 Tips to Start Thinking Like an Effective EntrepreneurBecoming an effective franchise owner requires an investment of money, time and hard work. Another key piece to the puzzle of franchise ownership is developing the proper mindset. When you own and operate a senior care franchise, you need to be able to keep your mind on your goals, even when you’re being pulled in countless different directions.

If you are interested in franchise ownership within the senior care sector, but you’re not sure if you have the right mindset to be effective, here are five terrific tips to help you get your mind on track!

#1 — Always Be Seeking Opportunities

For many franchise owners, there is a specific time and place for seeking opportunities, whether it’s during networking events or on days set aside for online research and interactions. But to make an impact with a franchise, it’s necessary to develop the ability and mindset to seek opportunity at all times.

For example, let’s say you’re getting your morning coffee and you overhear a group of people talking about senior issues in the corner of the coffee shop. Your instinct might be to get your morning Joe and head out the door, but the entrepreneurial mindset would direct you over to their table where you could introduce yourself and let the party know that you are also involved with senior issues. Chances are, you’ll make an impact and a few connections!

#2 — Become Comfortable with Risk

Your instincts might tell you that an opportunity is just too risky to pursue. While your instinct might be right, it’s good to challenge it. Ask yourself whether the opportunity truly is too risky, or whether your instincts are guiding you out of fear. You aren’t going to operate effectively without taking some risks, so getting comfortable here is key.

5 Tips to Start Thinking Like an Effective Entrepreneur#3 — Become More Flexible

As a busy person with a tight schedule and a lot of hats to wear, a rigidly organized day may seem like the best way to keep everything in your life and work in balance. But you can’t always plan everything and expect the world to cooperate every step of the way. Challenges will arise, emergencies will need to be dealt with and your day can turn upside down in a second.

The more flexible you can be, the more able you will be to whether those challenges and changes. You can keep your structure, but learning to be more flexible within it will give you an edge.

#4 — Take the Initiative

Many franchise owners come from industries where they were given orders, or had to wait to be told what to do. Franchise ownership requires you to follow direction from the corporate level, but you also have to be willing and able to take action on your own, when needed. Meeting your challenges head on can be frightening, but with practice, you can develop a mindset that makes it easy!

#5 — Keep One Eye on the Future

Operating in the here and now is crucial for your franchise, but you also have to be able to see what’s just around the corner. Keep one eye on the moment in front of you, but be sure to keep the other on the future so you can plan effectively.

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

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Franchise Ownership and the Non-Medical In-Home Care Revolution

Couple having a business meeting

We live in a stressful world.  Our lives are busier than ever, and it seems like our to-do lists just keep getting longer and longer, no matter how hard — or how much — we work.  Add to that the fact that seniors are living longer lives and choosing, largely, to live at home, which requires family members to provide care in order to ensure that senior loved ones live comfortably and safely.  In-home senior care is something that’s becoming more crucial every day, and non-medical care is rising to the top of the list of things that today’s seniors require.  In fact, it’s fair to say that the demographic-driven, non-medical senior care revolution is here, and it is one of the more compelling reasons to consider owning and operating your own senior care franchise.

What Is Non-Medical Care?

Think about the seniors in your life — they probably require more medical care than you do, but for the most part, they live comfortably and happily. What they really need is help around the house, companionship, assistance with shopping and other errands, house-cleaning, medication reminders, and transportation.  These are all areas where modern seniors tend to require help, but none of them are so serious that they require a move out of the home or contact with nurses, doctors and other medical professionals.

This is the essence of non-medical care.

Basically, today’s seniors want to stay at home, but they can’t do everything that’s required of them to maintain the home and be truly safe.  For many families, the stress of the modern world (or the fact they live in another part of the country) prevents members from pitching in all that’s necessary to help mom or dad.  That’s why non-medical home care services like those offered by Always Best Care are in demand and so valuable.

Own a Business That Provides Outstanding Non-Medical Care for Seniors

Happy business owner giving each other a high fiveFor many families, the obvious answer to the non-medical care gap for senior loved ones is hiring a provider like Always Best Care.  Our caregivers are trained to help out with all of the things that seniors need help with, but don’t necessarily fall under the banner of medical care, that is what we call the activities of daily living, or, ADLs.

As the owner of your own non-medical in-home care franchise, you can provide a valuable service to your community as you grow a business of your own in a highly promising industry!

Of course, there is a lot to learn to become a senior care franchise owner and provide a high standard of care, but that’s one of the reasons why franchising is so attractive. Always Best Care ensures that all of its franchise owners are trained properly and understand what it takes to hire, train and manage the best caregivers. You don’t need to do it all alone!

If you’re interested in learning more about non-medical senior care and how you can join an industry that’s on the cutting edge, we invite you to contact us today.

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

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Senior Care Franchise Ownership — A Strong Business Model for the Future

Senior Care Franchise Ownership -- A Strong Business Model for the FutureFranchise ownership is terrific avenue for people who want to take their skills and experience into a different realm of business. Senior care franchise ownership, in particular, gets a lot of press because the industry is growing so much, but you may be wondering — is it a strong business model for the future?

Obviously, we are biased on the subject, but there are some undeniable facts that show that in-home senior care franchise ownership is a fantastic sector to enter for people like you who want to steer their ship into a solid, satisfying and potentially lucrative future.

What Do You See in Your Future?

Not every opportunity is a great fit for everyone. Senior care franchise ownership represents a fantastic business option for people from all walks of life, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. However, we would advise you not to be so quick to dismiss it if it doesn’t immediately stand out in your mind as a possible future.

The first step in deciding what you will do with your professional life is to envision what you want it to look like. Like most individuals who have dreamed of a better, more independent professional future, you’ve surely spent some time picturing yourself in the ideal scenario.

  • Do you see yourself working closely with others?
  • Can you picture yourself networking with key people in your community
  • Does your vision include work that helps people in your area?
  • Do you envision a professional life that includes built-in organizational support and structure?
  • Are you picturing a business that takes the needs of others into account?

If you answered “yes” to the questions above, senior care franchise ownership could be a great fit for your future!

Franchise Ownership and the Future

Senior care franchise ownership is getting a lot of press today, but you might be concerned about its future. Sure, today’s seniors have expressed a strong desire to live out their retirement years at home, but what about subsequent generations? Is owning a senior care franchise a solid option for a strong business future?

The fact of the matter is that there will always be seniors — and there will always be a need for senior care. And the way our society is moving, it’s easy to see that the current trend of seniors staying at home will continue. People like having options, and now that seniors know that they can stay at home where they are comfortable, it’s unlikely that future generations will revert back to the costly nursing home model that dominated in the past.

The numbers don’t lie, either:

  • There are currently about 46 million Americans aged 65 or older
  • By 2060, that number will more than double to nearly 98 million
  • The senior segment of the population is growing faster than any other
  • The demand for elder care alternatives will likely continue to rise, largely thanks to the increase in the number of cases of Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia

(Source: PRB.org Aging Fact Sheet)

Senior Care Franchise Ownership -- A Strong Business Model for the FutureWhat About Your Future?

If you have a vision for your future that involves a rewarding professional life in a solid, growing industry, you owe it to yourself to consider your own senior care franchise. The industry is growing rapidly with no signs of slowing down, and those who get on board today with their businesses will be well equipped to take advantage of tremendous opportunity here in the future.

Learn More

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

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Non-Medical Home Care vs. Home Health Care

As a senior care business owner, you may get a lot of questions from clients and their families regarding the difference between home health care and non-medical home care. In fact, to many potential clients, a “non-medical home care business” and a “home health care business” might sound very similar. Here are a few key ways in which these two types of home care differ from each other:

Home Health Care

Home health care is usually provided by a licensed medical professional. This can include nurses, physical therapists, and speech therapists, among other professionals. While a medical crisis used to mean the end of aging-in-place for many seniors, thanks to home health care, many seniors with medical issues can remain in their homes. Home health care services are usually prescribed by the patient’s physician, and the home health care professionals will only be authorized to perform these services. A few examples of home health care services are occupational therapy, wound care, mobility training, pain management, IV therapy or injections, and post-op rehabilitation.

Non-Medical Home Care

By contrast, non-medical home care focuses on keeping seniors safe and healthy, while still allowing them to remain in their own homes. Often, seniors require a little assistance around the house, and with personal tasks, in order to keep a good quality of life. Most often, the aspect of a non-medical home care worker’s job which is most important is that of companionship. Seniors need one-on-one contact and social interaction, as well as someone to help with activities they enjoy and to provide transportation to places they need to go for errands and recreation. Non-medical home caregivers can provide assistance with bathing, food preparation, hygiene and personal care, medication management, light housekeeping, and errands. Non-medical home care can be just as crucial to a senior’s well-being as home health care can be to someone with medical issues.

By distinguishing between these two types of care, clients and families can work with your home care business to better meet the needs of seniors who require one or both types of care.

Learn more about senior care franchising when you download our FREE eBook!

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Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

How to Transition from Stay-at-Home Parenting to Home Care Franchise Ownership

Making the Transition From Stay-at-Home Parenting to Home Care Franchise Ownership

Stay-at-home parents come to a crossroads when they have finished nurturing their children into adulthood. If you find yourself there now, you know how discomforting it can be to suddenly have energy and time available that, until recently, went directly to your children’s lives.  Perhaps you want to get back into a professional life — but you are wary of going back to work for someone else in a corporate setting.  But, you might not have the desire to begin from nothing with a startup, either.  Additionally, you probably want to find yourself on a path that allows you to continue giving and providing support to those who need it.

For many people transitioning out of stay-at-home parenting, the answer is senior care franchise ownership.

 

Why Senior Care Franchise Ownership?

Owning a franchise is a great way to realize the career ambitions you may have put on hold to raise a family, but without many of the huge risks that accompany startup businesses.  Franchises allow you the freedom to call the shots for defining your company’s culture and vision, but operating with the guidance, support, and a proven system backing you up every step of the way.

Of course, there are several types of franchises to choose from, in every imaginable industry. Everyone is familiar with fast-food, home cleaning and hair salon franchises, for example, but other sectors of the economy are becoming known for their franchise opportunities, as well. Senior care franchises are special in that:

 They aren’t just businesses; they are community resources
 In-home senior care is a rapidly growing industry, particularly with the “Baby Boomer” generation transitioning into older age and retirement
 Senior care franchise ownership gives you the opportunity to continue providing care and support to those who need it
 Franchise ownership in the senior care sector allows you to interact with people from all walks of life, connecting you to a rich life outside the home

 

Making the Transition into Senior Care Franchise OwnershipMaking the Transition From Stay-at-Home Parenting to Home Care Franchise Ownership

Now that you’ve got time and energy that you didn’t have available before, you might be tempted to jump right in to the first opportunity that comes along.  However, it’s good to perform some research and a bit of soul searching to determine what path is truly the right one for you and your future.

Senior care franchise ownership is a great way to perform meaningful work in the next phase of your life and career. It may not be perfect for everyone, but it is a unique opportunity for those who may be searching for a way to earn a living and give something back to the community at the same time.

We feel confident that your research will reveal senior care franchise ownership as an excellent next-step possibility for you!

 

For More Information

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising eBook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

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