Benefits of Entering the In-Home Care Industry Young To Help the Elderly

The in-home care industry is rapidly growing, driven by an aging population that requires additional support to remain safe and comfortable at home. While the industry as a whole continues to offer attractive opportunities for entrepreneurs at all stages, getting into the business young offers both a meaningful career path and the potential for numerous personal and professional benefits.

Right at Home, the in-home care franchise with over 700 locations across the country, has provided a pathway for multiple young entrepreneurs looking to serve the aging population. With its strong brand awareness and thorough training and support systems, the franchise offers the scaffolding young entrepreneurs need to build long, successful careers. 

Here are some of the top benefits of getting into the in-home care industry young to help aging adults:

Early Experience and Career Longevity

While getting into business young can feel daunting, it also comes with its own unique benefits. Starting in the home care business at a young age allows people to build a solid foundation of knowledge and experience early in their careers. By the time their peers are finding their footing in other industries, young Right at Home owners may already be well-established business people.

“I don’t think my age ever worked against me,” said Beau Green, a multi-unit owner who started with Right at Home when he was just 30 years old. “It can feel intimidating to ask someone for a few thousand dollars to initiate the first few weeks of care, but the first day of school is hard. The first day on any job is hard. Whether you’re in your late 20s, early 30s or otherwise, I think it’s ultimately about surrounding yourself with people that can help coach you, mentor you, and lead you in a way that you can do this. A lot of that will come from the Right at Home corporate team, but you can also try to find a tenured, seasoned business person in your area.”

Zach Peterson, a 23-year-old who recently opened in Iowa City, echoed this sentiment.

“I’ve been working with my dad, who is also in franchising, since I was 18 or 19, sitting in on deals and negotiations. I really wanted to be my own boss, and I haven’t had any trouble with it to this point in terms of my age,” Peterson said. “I don’t think age is a factor so much as the mindset and tools. When I’m interviewing people older than me to hire, that can be a little odd at times, but the people we have hired and the clients we work with are all great. They can see that we love the area and plan to grow and expand over time, and that shines through way more than the fact that I’m young.”

Growing Demand, Opportunities for Long-Term Security and Steady Growth

According to PHI National, the home care population will need 4.2 million more home care workers by 2026. This, alongside the growing size of the senior population, points toward a bright future for the industry. For entrepreneurs who get into the space young, there is a long, stable runway ahead with plenty of opportunity to grow revenue and footprint.

“I have one territory now and am looking to expand. I’m taking everything step by step, one day at a time, to lay the foundation,” Peterson said. “If there are more opportunities, I plan to pursue them. I see starting young as an advantage. With anything I do, I’m always looking toward building a legacy. I have the drive and motivation to do big things and having a positive impact to achieve these things is exciting.”

Green, who has now been in the system for 13 years, exemplifies the value of a longer runway. Since opening their first Right at Home, Green and his business partner have grown their Right at Home business to 17 offices across Alabama and Tennessee, impacting countless caregivers, clients, and families in their communities.

While demand for services will persist regardless, many younger entrepreneurs are also in a unique position to implement more forward-thinking policies and create job security for themselves with innovative leadership approaches.

“We want to do this the right way — take care of people,” Green said. “Not just the people that we serve but our employees. For example, we’re the first people to introduce time-and-a-half pay for Mother’s and Father’s Day in Alabama and Tennessee. We have a weekend shift differential. Simply put, we know that faith, family, and football are important to people in the South. So if people have to be away from those things, they’ll be compensated. Doing things differently on the front-end all along has been a key, integral part of how we’ve gotten to where we are.”

If you're interested in taking the next step in making a difference in your community as a Right at Home franchisee, visit https://rightathomefranchise.com/.