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Family caregivers are the backbone of society and they deserve to be treated with respect. They are the unsung heroes, the ones who take care of their loved ones at home with love and patience. CEO Medium explains that many businesses have begun providing services to family caregivers that help ease the burdens they take on every day.
Meal Planning and Delivery
Meal delivery services can help caregivers save time by simplifying the process of meal planning and cooking. With a meal delivery service, you can provide healthy meals to those who don’t have time to cook for themselves. If you want to start a food delivery business from home, then meal kits are a great way to go.
The meal kit can be a collection of pre-portioned ingredients that make up the components of the meal’s recipe. When you assemble the kit, you’ll place the recipe card inside with step-by-step instructions. Depending on the kit you’re putting together, the ingredients can be partially cooked and the vegetables can be pre-cut. Or, if you choose, you can assemble the whole meal and have it ready to bake.
It’s best to choose a niche early on so you can perfect your products and services. That way, you can concentrate on a specialty, like basic family fare, organic meals, or vegetarian.
Non-Medical Transportation
The transportation industry for seniors in the United States is booming. Non-medical transportation means taking seniors who cannot drive to doctor’s appointments, yoga classes, the library, etc. This frees up the caregiver who can use that time for themselves.
If your business is to be strictly for transporting individuals and not groups, then a small-sized van that can accommodate that person and one other individual to assist should be enough. It should obviously have facilities to ensure the safety and comfort of your passenger. Keep plenty of water and a first aid kit supplied with needs for seniors, and make sure you’re able to keep the temperature inside comfortable.
Home Visits
A large majority of seniors need some simple assistance that their caregivers spend long hours providing. These are chores like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, and performing household chores for their senior loved ones. If you enjoy working with older adults, establishing a non-medical senior care business may be for you.
If you plan to hire staff, CareAcademy notes that your in-home care employees must be certified. You should also check with local and state agencies to learn of any regulatory requirements you’ll have to meet.
The amount you can charge for your senior home care services depends more on where you live than any other factor. Hourly rates range from as low as $18 an hour to as much as $40 an hour, with the national average for non-medical home care services being $24 an hour.
Become an Advisor
If you have business or accounting skills, then you can offer to help families with managing finances, medical expenses, filing insurance, and finding ways for seniors to help pay for services or medications. You can offer your services as a senior living advisor. Before advising your clients, you need to do exhaustive research for all local assisted-living and skilled-nursing facilities in your area, including pricing info, payment options, detailed facility reports, and reviews from other families.
Plan to Succeed
Start with a business plan. Smartsheet points out that a business plan is an overview of the business idea, as well as a strategy for building and running it. A business plan can act as a roadmap, helping you stay focused on your goals. Most banks need to review your business plan before they can approve a small business loan. Your business plan shows the loan officer you’re serious about your new venture and that you’ve considered the challenges and risks involved.
Understand who your target is before coming up with a marketing plan. Then choose a memorable name and decide on a brand. You can design your own logo and business cards with online apps and tools, but you’ll probably want to get outside help to make your website look professional.
Deciding on what senior caregiver service best suits your skills and talents, then coming up with a plan to implement it are bold first steps, but they can set your feet on a path of financial independence and the knowledge that what you’re doing is worthwhile.
