Franchise Home Care Industry Spurs Demand for Trained In-Home Caregivers

By: Assisting Hands Home Care® | 2 Shares 88 Reads

May 10, 2012 // Franchising.com // “According to the National Institute on Aging, by the year 2015, 25 million U.S. residents will be between the age of 65 and 74. As the baby boomer generation continues to age, the need for cost-effective, in-home caregivers is expected to grow. This is reflected in data from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which noted that in 2009, the home healthcare market reached $72.2 billion,” said Richard Ueberfluss, a physical therapist and president of Assisting Hands-Naperville, who has successfully franchised his home care business in the Chicago area.

Assisting Hands is a niche player in the home care industry, staffing its operation with private duty professional caregivers who work in the home. Caregivers can include nurses, therapists, nursing aides, homemakers, and companions. They must become Certified Nursing Assistants and complete an 8-week certification program. Illinois requires 8 hours of initial training, which includes Home Safety Evaluation, Infection Control and Universal Precaution, Types of Disabilities, Transferring a client, Assisting with Personal Care, Diets, Meal Planning and nutrition, Caring for the diabetic client, Caring for the Alzheimer’s client, Elder Abuse, Medications, Housekeeping Duties, Verbal and Written Communication, Assertiveness and Time Management, Cultural Diversity, fall prevention, Hospice and dementia communication. Assisting Hands caregivers also are bonded and are certified in CPR, First Aid and fall prevention.

Rich has been so successful that he was honored in 2011 by the International Franchise Association (IFA) with its annual Franchisee of the Year Award. Franchise owner-operators representing 28 franchise systems were recognized today during the IFA’s 12th Annual Public Affairs Conference for their outstanding performance and the contributions they have made to enhance the growth and development of franchising.

“As the government and the healthcare industry seek ways to reduce healthcare costs, home care becomes a viable option because it is an alternative to lengthy hospital stays, nursing homes and other in-patient treatments. At least 70 percent of people older than 65 will require some long-term care, and most of today’s seniors would prefer home care, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,” according to Ueberfluss. “So franchising a home care business reflects changing demographic patterns and changes in health management.”

About Assisting Hands Home Care - Naperville

Assisting Hands Home Care - Naperville offers in-home, non-medical support services that fill the gap between living at home with dignity and the need for institutionalized medical care. Assisting Hands Home Care currently serves clients in Naperville, Hinsdale, Libertyville and surrounding areas. To learn more, call (630)305-9100 or visit AssistingHands-Naperville.com

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