According to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau, the country is rapidly aging. By 2035, citizens age 65 and older will reach 78 million, while citizens younger than 18 will comprise 76.7 million of the total population. As the senior population increases, so will the need for professional senior care services, which opens up career and business opportunities.
Options to Help Seniors
You have two options: go into professional service or explore a franchise on senior care services. The former means getting the education and training needed to look after those in nursing homes or assisted living facilities for seniors. You may also need the appropriate license to qualify in providing specialized care.
Seniors require specific types of care, depending on their stage of life, as well as their general state of health. Homes or facilities that cater to the aging population will provide a wide range of services, from the basic (help with everyday needs) to the complex (round-the-clock medical care).
But if you’re aiming to be an entrepreneur, you may look into franchised services. Why? For one, you’ll have a turnkey business that already comes with a system that works and a loyal client base. For another, you’ll receive support in managing and sustaining your senior care business.
Whether you decide to be a professional senior caregiver or a business owner, you’ll need to know the services you’ll provide.
Senior Services
There are two types of senior care: skilled care services and custodial care services. The former provides senior care services offered by a registered or licensed medical professional, while the latter is assistance provided by volunteers and non-medical personnel.
- Skilled Care Services
Nurses, doctors, and therapists provide skilled care services to seniors. Services under this type of senior care can only be provided by licensed professionals. This includes physical therapy, wound care, injections, intravenous (IV) therapy, monitoring vital signs, and using medical equipment.
You can work at nursing homes who need licensed professionals, or as an in-house professional in assisted living facilities. These jobs are usually short term, but if you’re working at a hospice and specialize in end-of-life care, you may stay and assist in the long term.
- Custodial Care Services
Custodial care services, on the other hand, help with daily living activities. These activities include bathing, dressing, eating, and other activities that require mobility. Caregivers usually offer custodial care services.
Individuals with no formal training can provide seniors with custodial care as it only requires assistance in mobility with any kind of daily task. Home or health aides and in-house caregivers provide seniors with this type of care.
Because of the nature of the job, health care providers stay in-home for a long time. They help seniors with degenerative conditions that impede their movements and actions. They also help seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia with their daily routine.
Sometimes, these professionals also provide companion care, which focuses on social and emotional support. These sort of services are fundamental to a senior’s quality of life, and you may want to include it in your senior care business.
As the population in the country continues to age, more seniors will eventually need daily assistance. Your participation as a professional caregiver or owner of an assisted-living facility may help ease their transition.
