Home Care For The Elderly A Growing Industry Niche
The Dallas Morning News:
When Gertrude Hurd returned home from the hospital after a fall, she relied on in-home caregivers to fix her breakfast, remind her about her medications, tidy up her place and help with other household chores.
“I’ve graduated from a wheelchair to a walker in just a month,” boasted Ms. Hurd, an 84-year-old Lewisville resident, who added that her Home Instead aides share the credit for her recovery.
Mildred Krueger has had the same aide from Right at Home for seven hours a day, four days a week since 2006. The two women have become good friends and enjoy baking and cooking together.
The 87-year-old Dallas resident likes having someone around her house who knows her well enough to anticipate her needs. “I’d be in a nursing home otherwise,” she said.
As more seniors decide to “age in place” and remain out of nursing facilities, they’re increasingly turning to professional in-home aides to help with everyday living.
Some 11,000 licensed home-care businesses served 7.6 million people last year, according to the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. And in-home aides are projected to be the second fastest-growing job over the next decade – the government forecasts a 50 percent increase, from 767,000 to 1.2 million jobs.
Though “mom and pop” businesses have dominated home care, entrepreneurs have propelled the recent growth by opening franchises to capitalize on the expected doubling of the older population by 2030.
The industry includes established brands such as Home Instead Senior Care and Comfort Keepers as well as up-and-comers like Always Best Care Senior Services and Right at Home.
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