5 Facts Every Home Care Agency Owner Should Be Grateful For

The home care industry might have its share of challenges, but it’s not all doom and gloom. 

The home care industry has its share of challenges right now—climbing turnover rates and increasing competition among them—but home care professionals still have a lot to be grateful. Here’s five things you can be excited about as we prepare for 2021.

#1: More and more seniors are recognizing home care as a way that they can age in place.

Every day, 10,000 baby boomers turn 65. More and more of them are adopting home care as a means for them to maintain their independence. This is a win-win: more seniors can keep the quality of life they want, and home care agencies can grow and bring their services to more clients. While this doesn’t come without growing pains, there are worse problems than being part of one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States.

#2: Younger generations increasingly want work that provides purpose, not just a paycheck.

It’s becoming more and more apparent that to Millennials (and members of Generation Z), purpose is as important as paycheck. This is an opportunity for every home care agency. In the home care space, this type of employee will always find the most satisfaction—and while it can be easier said then done, agencies whose brand promotes and embodies their purpose, principles and mission will increasingly have an advantage.

#3: Some of the biggest ways you can reduce turnover are relatively quick and cheap.

Every month, we survey thousands of clients and caregivers to learn what their agencies can do better. What’s interesting that many of their responses don’t mention factors like lowering client billing rates or getting paid more as a caregiver. While these are certainly among the most important factors, the feedback we’ve captured shows that there are other ways you can retain more clients and caregivers without sacrificing margins. These include better recognition (for caregivers) and more consistent communication from office staff. In fact, poor communication from office staff was one of caregivers’ top complaints in 2019. Keeping caregivers more in the loop and calling clients more often to check up on them is a simple way to start reducing in your turnover.

#4: Advances in technology are providing new tools for caregivers to look after clients and new tools for agencies to assist their caregivers.

Everywhere, technology is changing how we provide care. Tools like TabSafe and MedMinder, for instance, help caregivers track when to give medication to clients. Other tools are available to track everything from dietary needs to vital signs. On the management side, more and more agencies are relying on mobile care apps through their scheduling software that helps them provide streamlined communication and up-to-date care plans for their caregivers.

#5: Thousands of devoted caregivers do what they do simply because they love to give care.

Let’s not forget what home care is all about—the people. While different caregivers have different reasons for taking the job, there are many caregivers who became a caregiver and stay as a caregiver simply because they love what they do. This Thanksgiving, let’s recognize their hard work.

What are you grateful for? Let us know in the comments!