Comparing Franchise Brands in the Senior Care Industry

Caring for the United States’ rapidly-aging population can mean big business.

According to the Institute on Aging, by 2030, older adults are expected to make up 20 percent of the U.S. population. The Institute also noted that by 2050, the 85-plus age group will reach 19 million, making up 24 percent of older adults and five percent of the total population.

While assisted living is an option for seniors and their families to consider, higher-end facilities can be very expensive, and many seniors would prefer to continue living at home and aging in place anyway. Still, they often need help doing regular, daily tasks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that 6.7 percent of non-institutionalized persons aged 65 and over need personal care help.  

This is where in-home senior care franchises can come in and save the day, providing a variety of assistance options. Whether seniors need help shopping for groceries, taking care of their personal hygiene or even just want a companion, there are many services available to help seniors live their best lives.

Here are 10 senior care brands that are making their mark on the industry — and looking for new franchisees.

Always Best Care

Locations: 200-plus

Item 7: $74,725 to $125,400

Item 19: Not available

Founded in 1996, Always Best Care specializes in non-medical, in-home care and assisted living referral services for seniors and veterans. In certain markets, the brand also offers home care for clients who are dealing with illness or injury. Franchisees go through what the brand calls the Always Best Care training program, or ABCUniversity. The brand also assigns franchisees Area Representatives and National Directors based near their local markets to provide coaching, mentoring and more.

Assisting Hands Home Care

Locations: 118

Item 7: $77,050 to $149,000

Item 19: Not available

Assisting Hands Home Care’s franchise system is referred to as FOFO, or its Family of Franchise Owners. While the brand primarily works to assist the elderly, its clientele is also made up of anyone affected by a disability or illness. Assisting Hands Home Care also offers a business conversion program for existing home care companies, and franchisees who purchase multiple territories can get a discount on the franchise fee. The turnaround time for an Assisting Hands franchise is also relatively quick—on average, it takes three to six months after signing the franchise agreement to open a location.

BrightStar Care

Locations: 300-plus

Item 7: $93,048 to $154,307

Item 19: Combined average revenue of $1.77 million systemwide, $3.57 million for top quartile of franchisees

This in-home care brand offers franchisees multiple revenue streams, including home health care, companion care, senior care and child care. The brand’s services include Registered Nurse oversight on every case and Guaranteed Compatibility, which ensures the best possible match between caregivers and clients. One way in which BrightStar Care distinguishes itself is that it does not require a minimum from its customers, stating that “From 1 hour to 24, we’re ready to meet your needs.” As part of its commitment to high standards, BrightStar Care franchisees are required to obtain Joint Commission Accreditation.

FirstLight* Home Care

Locations: 100-plus

Item 7: $110,881 to $167,876

Item 19: 1,014,333 average net revenue

FirstLight’s philosophies are centered around its Culture of Care, or its “commitment to service excellence, personal growth, and accountability.” In addition to seniors, this brand’s services extend to people who are rehabilitating or recovering, people with disabilities and veterans. FirstLight also offers personalized service plans for pregnant women and new mothers including assistance running errands, meal planning and preparation and laundry. Prospective franchisees should have a $200,000 net worth and $100,000 in liquid assets and be willing to follow a proven system.

Home Instead Senior Care

Locations: 1,000-plus

Item 7: $115,000 to $125,000

Item 19: Not available

Founded in 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska, Home Instead Senior Care focuses on providing the highest quality care possible. The in-home care brand currently has new and existing territories available. Prospective franchisees should demonstrate compassion, leadership skills, experience in marketing and a competitive nature. Just this year, the brand was included in Newsweek’s inaugural list of America’s Best Customer Service for 2019. The brand also has the Home Instead Senior Care Foundation, which has invested almost $2 million in nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada that serve seniors.

HomeWell Senior Care

Locations: 31

Item 7: $70,000 to $130,000 average upfront investment

Item 19: Not available

Founded in 1996 as Hoffman’s Home Helpers before switching its name to HomeWell Senior Care in 2002, this company got its start when Joshua Hoffman became a caregiver in a nursing home at the age of 19. Today, the company offers caregivers, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), companions, homemakers, home health aides and personal support workers to clients in need. The brand saw its system grow 30% in 2018, when the franchising industry average sits at about 10%.

Interim HealthCare

Locations: 300+

Item 7: $125,000 to $198,500

Item 19: Not available

Founded in 1966 as Medical Personnel Pool, Interim Healthcare changed its name in 1992 and has since grown to provide a variety of in-home support services. Services provided by Interim HealthCare include home care, hospice and specialized home care, although it should be noted that not all franchisees provide all of these services. The company maintains a very active blog that delves into topics such as “Could Mom or Dad have a Hoarding Problem?” and “How to Prevent Caregiver Burnout.” The brand has recieved recognition from the Franchise Times Top 200+, Entrepreneur’s Top Low-Cost Franchises, and a top 50 ranking in Franchise Business Review’s Franchisee Satisfaction Awards.

Right at Home*

Locations: 570-plus

Item 7: $79,250 to $137,900

Item 19: Average net billings of $1,710,617 per franchise entity

Right at Home was founded in 1995 when Allen Hager, who worked in hospital administration, frequently saw older patients being readmitted after struggling to care for themselves at home. Today, the brand boasts a 65 percent reduction in preventable readmissions and a 99 percent patient satisfaction rate. The brand offers conversion opportunities for existing elderly care businesses and offers customizable training and onboarding plans.

Senior Helpers

Locations: 300-plus

Item 7: $104,800 to $144,300

Item 19: Average annual gross revenue of $1,112,104 for businesses open 60+ months

Services provided by this elderly care franchise include companion care, housekeeping, personal care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, Parkinson’s care, live-in care, transition assistance, sitter assistance, concierge care and respite care. Senior Helpers recently received recognition among Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top Low-Cost Franchises and as a certified Best Place to Work, the first senior care franchise to do so. The brand also offers a 10 percent franchise fee discount to veterans and first responders.

Visiting Angels

Locations: 600

Item 7: $84,085 to $125,885

Item 19: $1.3 million average gross revenue

Visiting Angels was founded in 1998 and focuses on providing the best care possible to seniors living at home as well as peace of mind to their families. The types of care this living assistance services brand provides include home care, companion care, personal care and respite care. The Visiting Angels franchise system boasts an average net profit of 15% to 18%, and its highest-volume unit pulled in a whopping $9 million in gross revenue last year. Coupled with its low cost of entry, Visiting Angels presents a franchise opportunity that is as much about profit as it is purpose.