Healthcare Veteran Turned Franchisee Provides Care With Seniors Helping Seniors

Carl Lathan has spent the past three decades working in both hospice and senior living business development and knows the healthcare industry well. He often worked with the owner of two Seniors Helping Seniors territories in his community, and when he was offered the chance to take over as a franchisee upon the previous owner’s retirement, he felt like the transition made sense. 

Lathan has always been passionate about helping others; this is evident in his career history, but his experience in serving seniors started much earlier when he was only a teenager.

“I have a heart for caring for others. I originally started my first job as a teenager as a private duty caregiver,” said Lathan.

Lathan is looking forward to providing the best care possible to the seniors in his area, building upon the excellent foundation established by his predecessor. He’s especially excited about Seniors Helping Seniors’ model of using active seniors to provide care for their less active counterparts because he knows that the connections these seniors make with their peers are incredibly meaningful for both caregivers and clients.

1851 Franchise spoke with Lathan about his journey into franchising and his plans for the future.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Lathan: For the last 30-plus years I have worked in hospice business development and senior living business development.

The previous owner of these territories and I had worked together for the past 10 years as a referral source for each other because I worked in healthcare and she, of course, operated and owned Seniors Helping Seniors. As she got closer to retirement, she wanted to find someone that would continue her legacy and build upon the foundation that she had already built. From working closely with her and knowing the process, the services and the great reputation of the company, I knew it was something I could do well. I want to keep things going the way they were by providing the best care possible. 

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Lathan: I never understood it previously because I never looked into it. I first thought about McDonald’s when I thought of franchising. Now, I realize there is great support for any business in franchising. There are so many resources available.

It's like a big family; you have other franchisees that you're able to reach out to and share information with.  I would not have been able to start up a company like this on my own. It's much easier to be part of the franchise and have a well-known and well-respected name, such as Seniors Helping Seniors.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Lathan: I'm excited because there's so much room for growth and there's such a great need for seniors that are staying at home wanting to live independently. Being able to provide such a great caregiver for them via a person who is a peer to them is great. The caregiver is someone that has the same interests and that they can have a great conversation and connect. 

It's just a great system and, after meeting the staff, I was amazed because I heard the stories from them on how the clients are just like their family. It's amazing to be able to continue to build on this foundation that is already here. 

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Lathan: We're aiming for slow growth because we provide the service but we have to have those that can deliver the service well. The key right now is making sure that we have enough caregivers on board and determining their availability. We do plan to reach out to all of the senior living communities and referral sources and build upon those referrals to grow the business, but we want our growth to be gradual so that we won't burst at the seams. 

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Lathan: I have a heart for caring for others. I originally started my first job as a teenager as a private duty caregiver. It was organized by my church. The church taught us to be caregivers. We were paid, but I was always taught to share my money to help others in meaningful ways. 

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Lathan: Take your time, pray and believe in what you’re doing. Believe in the service you are providing.

ABOUT SENIORS HELPING SENIORS:

Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise system was founded by husband-and-wife duo Kiran and Philip Yocom. Kiran, who grew up in India, later worked to advance humanitarian efforts alongside Mother Teresa. After Kiran moved to the U.S. in 1995 and married her husband Philip, the Yocoms felt called to provide loving care to seniors and to cultivate an exchange of gifts at every generational level. Together, the Yocoms founded Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home services in 1998, opening the brand up to franchising in 2006. With a mission to be the most respected and rewarding homecare provider in the U.S., Seniors Helping Seniors® locations stand apart from competitors as the only company that prioritizes hiring active seniors to provide care services to their less-active counterparts. Seniors Helping Seniors® service aligns caregivers and care recipients based on the abilities and needs of both by offering a wide range of care services. Seniors Helping Seniors® network has grown to 200-plus locations, 125 franchise partners in 30-plus states and international markets. For more information on Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care, visit seniorshelpingseniors.com.