Posts by: Editor

In order to be successful in any business you have to offer something that others are not offering in order to stand out from your local embedded competition. If you are seeking referrals from a long term care insurance company – why would the case manager who is over your area send referrals to your agency vs. the five they have already been referring to in your city during the last five years and are super happy with? Telling the case worker that you have “the best trained caregivers with Hospice/Alzheimer specialties” and “will take their difficult cases” unfortunately will not suffice as everyone already says things just like that! You need to offer something that stands out head and shoulders above the embedded competition to get in the door! You do not have to purchase a franchise to be successful – but you do need people behind you who are financially motivated to help…

The senior care industry is booming! However, it doesn’t mean you need to spend $50,000 to purchase a senior care franchise. Do you have a passion for helping others? Do you enjoy helping the elderly? Do you like the idea of helping seniors stay in their homes vs. going to a nursing home? If you answered yes to all of these questions starting a senior care business could be a good fit for you! Have questions? We love questions! Our team will take the necessary time to answer all your questions. What Is Home Care? Caregivers and Aides perform a critical role in helping those, such as the elderly, who are not chronically ill, yet need assistance with daily activities like bathing, house keeping, personal hygiene, using the toilet, running errands, cooking, etc. The home care services industry is currently a $70 billion industry and is expected to continue to flourish over the next 30…

As we celebrate Veterans Day today we wanted to share a story of true grit that encapsulates the sacrifices our Veterans made during WWII and other wars to follow globally. We at Startup HomeCare love that we get to help elderly Veterans and their spouses get up to $2,200 per month to pay for in home care to keep them independent at home instead of moving to a facility. Help us get the word out about these little known VA Benefits! The above man’s name was Horace Greasley (the one with his shirt off). He was a British POW famous for escaping over 200 times to visit his girlfriend, a local Jewish girl. Why did he keep going back? Loyalty. He returned every time with extra food or other contraband to share with his fellow captives. Greasley spent 5 years as a prisoner of war, during which time he served as camp barber and…

The days when birthday celebrations and bingo were the highlights for seniors have long since passed. Today, countless communities offer seniors a well-rounded list of activities that will keep seniors stimulated and engaged when the weather is bad. If you take care of a senior loved one, you are a senior living on your own, or if you are considering obtaining a license for non-medical home care so you can start a home healthcare business, look over these five ways to keep seniors engaged during bad weather: 1. Swimming Swimming is a great activity to enjoy all year. It helps improve endurance, balance, strength, and flexibility. In fact, an Australian study discovered that men over the age of seventy who regularly swam were thirty-three percent less likely to fall when compared to men who do not regularly swim. To get the most out of the pool, plan ahead of time. If your senior loved…

The cold months of winter can be harsh for seniors. It is imperative that your loved ones stay safe during the wintertime. Your loved one’s safety not only includes dressing suitably for the cold weather but also ensuring their homes are ready for the winter season. Depending on where your loved one lives, there may only be a little bit to do to winter-proof in and around their homes. On the other hand, if your senior loved one lives in the colder regions, your to-do list may be long. Here are a few tips from Startup HomeCare to help weatherproof your loved one’s home this winter. Interior Check the furnace and make sure it is in good working order. Also, clear away any materials that can become a fire hazard. Purchase and install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and stock up on batteries for both devices. If there are any other heating units, have…

During the winter season, cold temperatures, snow, and ice can make life challenging for seniors. Home health businesses need to plan around cold temperatures and slippery sidewalks. These two items can cause in a wide array of illnesses and injuries. One way to prevent injuries from a fall would be to check the weather before leaving home. If the forecast expects freezing rain or snow, simply reschedule any activities taking place away from home. Senior falls in the snow or ice can be especially dangerous during the winter season. Your senior loved one may not understand just how slippery the sidewalks may be and a slip and fall could result in a great deal of damage to their body. Countless seniors will experience a bone fracture of some kind, especially in their wrist, hips, shoulders, and ankles. Unfortunately, a bone fracture of this type can be life-changing for the elderly. This is why it…

During the cold winter months, you probably worry about your senior loved one falling or suffering from hypothermia. These are valid concerns to have as a home health care business. However, another hazard that your aging loved one is at risk of experiencing is seasonal affective disorder also known as SAD. It is a certain type of depression people experience in the winter. Seniors are at risk for developing SAD since winter weather makes it more difficult to get out of the house. Keep your elderly loved one from experiencing depression by engaging some winter activities this coming up winter. Bake Together There are so many tasty treats to make with the holidays approaching. So, spend some time together in the warm kitchen doing some baking. Delicious home-made treats are irresistible on a chilly winter day. Winter Movie Night Make some warm drinks, pop some popcorn, and snuggle up with a warm cozy blanket…

Seniors need adequate fresh air and exercise just like the rest of us. A home health care business needs to integrate outdoor activities for the elderly. It’s also important to be trained in some basic, safe autumn activities that will help get seniors out and about. Of course, being able to exercise their minds is also a great thing to do. You can choose other activities that help keep them sharp, not just active. Walks Walking is one of the best things that you can do with seniors that still have mobility, or that are able to sit in a wheelchair and be pushed about. You can choose easy to walk over paths and take in the fall colors, and fresh, crisp fall air. Baking Fall Goodies Everyone loves fall goodies, and when you allow the seniors to bake with you, this becomes a memorable, yet fun experience for everyone. They can not only…

During the winter season, snow, ice, and cold temperatures can make life difficult. Cold weather and slippery sidewalks can result in a wide range of illnesses and injuries. This is especially true for our senior loved ones. Having elderly care from reputable home healthcare businesses to help your aging loved one on a regular basis, can help them remain safe during the winter months. Here are some tips to prevent common winter-time dangers that the senior population faces. Dress for Warmth Winters cold temperatures can lead to hypothermia and frostbite. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than fifty percent of hyperthermia deaths wear of individuals over the age of sixty-five. So, dress in layers and do not allow indoor temperatures to go too low. If heading outside, a heavy coat, warm socks, warm hat, scarf, and gloves should be worn. Slipping in Ice Snowy, icy sidewalks and roads make it easy to…

Fall can be a great time for senior loved ones. The weather is not too cold or too hot, the leaves are changing colors, and the crisp air is inviting. With fall right around the corner, it is wise to start considering a safety plan for your senior loved one for fall. After all, one of the greatest ways to avoid unnecessary issues is by being proactive. Keeping Senior Loved One’s Safe in Their Home in the Fall One of the largest problems that seniors face is the risk of falling. As summer changes into fall, there will be many more slick surfaces and trip hazards. Unfortunately, most individual fail to think about these hazards since they are not as dangerous as the snow. 1. Pick Up All Leaves It is important to pick up all the leaves on a regular basis once they start filling up the yard. Failure to pick up these…