The lockdowns have been especially tough for seniors who live alone. Because of physical distancing measures, they felt even more lonely and depressed with no one to interact with for months. They could not get out of the house to get groceries or medicine. Even the holidays when families get together have been very quiet.
As outbreaks happen in one nursing facility to the other, families were forced to pull out their elderly loved ones and bring them back home. However, because adults are still working and children are going to school digitally, there is no one to care for older relatives.
Help Wanted: Home Care Services for Seniors
The current public health crisis has emphasized the growing demand for home care services. Yet, this is a problem that has existed and has been growing since before the pandemic.
The average lifespan around the world, including the United States, has increased since the last century. Now, the average American can expect to live up to the age of 78.7 years old.
It is all thanks to the changing attitudes toward health and the advancements within the medical industry.
However, as people grow older, they continue to need help. They are prone to injuries from simple trips and falls. They become ill and experience symptoms that may impact their mobility or cognition.
Increasing Demand for a Limited Workforce
It is not a bad time, therefore, to enter the home care industry. Entrepreneurs can start their own service that specializes in different areas of expertise that can be performed at home. Because of the increased demand for professionals, there are resources on how to start your own physical therapy franchise business to cater to seniors who may have had an injury, undergone a major operation, or are still reeling from the impact of COVID-19. For those who want to enter the industry, training is expected to be provided by companies.
Demand for home health care is only expected to increase after the pandemic. In one survey, 76% of Americans who are over the age of 50 said that they plan to stay at home after retirement. They want to enjoy their independence as long as possible although, eventually, many think that they will be able to remain within their present community in their twilight years.
Globally, the number of seniors will increase more rapidly than any other age group. By 2050, the 65 and overpopulation in the U.S. will exceed 88 million or almost twice the number of people in their retirement phase in 2020.
That said, the home care industry, hopefully, will grow with the demand and the clientele. Right now, there are about 2.3 million home care workers providing aid to 4.7 million adults who have disabilities and/or in their senior years.
The industry will need to hire millions more of home care workers in order to fulfill the needs of the aging population.
Growing Your Home Care Business
There is a strong demand and an even larger shortage of home care workers. However, the problem before the pandemic is the lack of people who want to enter the industry. Often, because of the disproportion between the number of clients and the number of staff members, workers have to clock in more hours.
Even if the money is good, it can get draining. With a virus spreading, there is an additional hazard to the role they play every single day.
Businesses should treat home care workers better. There should be a monetary incentive for those who pick up last-minute shifts, but they should not be forced to work extra. People in this line of work often leave because there is just too much of their lives being demanded by employers and clients. They work long hours. Caregivers are also prone to burnouts.
However, there is still a need to be careful about who you hire. In this line of business, clients are vulnerable. The rate of elder abuse in nursing and long-term care facilities is high, but it can also happen at home where the senior is alone. One bad incident can ruin the business forever. Employers should still sift through applications to find people who not only have the skills but also possess empathy and genuinely have the desire to help others.
The home care service is in need of more businesses and people who are willing to aid seniors who live at home. As the population grows older, the demand will only increase. However, businesses still need to be careful about who they hire to become successful in the industry.