Senior Helpers Experiences Best First Quarter Growth in Eight Years

After signing 11 new franchisees, rolling out new technology and achieving certification as a Great Place To Work by the Great Place to Work® Institute, Senior Helpers, the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior care services, just finished out its best first quarter in eight years.

Signing new franchisees and reaching more clients

With hundreds of franchised businesses around the country, Senior Helpers has cared for tens of thousands of seniors while helping them age with dignity—and in just the first few months of 2019, the company signed new franchisees in two previously untapped states. Senior Helpers will be opening a territory in Honolulu, marking the first time the brand has had a presence in Hawaii. Nebraska was also added to the system for the first time this quarter, along with two additional territories in Michigan, two in California, one in Florida and four in Arizona thanks to a strategic effort to grow in the Southwestern state.

“Our 11 new franchisees come from a variety of backgrounds, and we’re so excited about what they bring to the table,” said Rob Cantrell, Senior Helpers’ Vice President of Franchise Development. “Two came from referrals within our system, thanks to like-minded people sharing their life-changing experiences. Referrals are a great validation for us, and show that a franchisee has enough trust in the brand to bring others into the fold.”

Senior Helpers was initially looking to open 25 new territories in 2019. However, thanks to an exceptional Q1, the company has reasonably stretched that target to 30. Cantrell noted that in addition to new sales, this year will also see several resales, as the franchise is gaining maturity since its 2002 founding and several owners are ready to retire. With Senior Helpers locations in high demand, the company doesn’t expect those resales to stay on the market for long.

“I take great joy in speaking to Senior Helpers franchise owners after their first, second and third year in the business,” said Rob Sharkey, Senior Helpers Chief Financial Officer. “It is at this point that so many of them show the high level of excitement that comes from building an enduring asset. Owning a Senior Helpers franchise provides them with an opportunity to build wealth in a rapidly growing segment.”

Implementing new technology and strengthening partnerships

Over the last several months, Senior Helpers has been piloting an exciting new digital assessment tool that is now being rolled out to the entire franchise system. The Life Profile platform will be used by home care providers to assess client wellness via a thorough 150-point questionnaire. Further, the tool will prove an invaluable resource in strengthening the partnership between healthcare providers and Senior Helpers home care workers.

“We get many of our client referrals through clinical spaces like hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and doctors’ offices,” explained Cantrell. “The Life Assessment platform analyzes the client’s conditions at home so that we can provide that information to healthcare spaces. This feedback can enhance the services our partner facilities provide. Further, quality in-home care actually lowers readmission rates to these facilities, which is a win-win for healthcare providers and clients and their families alike.”

Senior Helpers takes pride in providing the highest quality care to populations most in need of exceptional services. This year, the franchise is partnering with Relias to provide a new digital training platform for caregivers. With more than 300 online courses available, Senior Helpers’ programs are remotely accessible for caregiver education and resources. By investing in caregivers and giving staff an ongoing leg up in the industry, Senior Helpers supports individuals at every level of its business.

Gaining global recognition

This approach hasn’t gone unnoticed. In March, Senior Helpers became the first and only home care company to receive the distinction of Great Place To Work by the Great Place to Work® Institute, the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Upon turning out an impressive percentage of franchise owner and staff participation, Senior Helpers scored in the 89th percentile, making it the highest-scored company in the services industry.

"We applaud Senior Helpers for seeking certification and releasing its employees' feedback," said Dr. Jacquelyn Kung, of Great Place to Work's senior care affiliate Activated Insights. "These high ratings measure Senior Helpers’ capacity to earn its employees' trust and create a great workplace for high performance."

Senior Helpers is set to keep this excellent first quarter momentum going. To assist with its steady growth, the company recently hired Annie Long as Franchise Development Coordinator. Long will assist with candidate recruitment and vetting as well as digital advertising and marketing. “We’re looking forward to having her help to continue getting the word out about Senior Helpers,” said Cantrell.

Senior Helpers provides specialized care for seniors with diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and offers personal and companion care for those looking for assistance with daily tasks. Founded in 2002 with a vision to help seniors age with dignity despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges, Senior Helpers has hundreds of franchised and owned businesses that have cared for tens of thousands of seniors. For more information and franchising opportunities, visit https://www.seniorhelpersfranchise.com/.