Why should a potential franchise buyer consider Right at Home as the franchise to buy?

Well, that is a huge change. But how does that translate to opportunity for Right at Home franchisees?

Start with non-medical senior home care, what is that and why is that need developing with the senior boom?

What about the medical staffing side of the business?

But why combine the both the senior home care and the health staffing in one franchise system?

What advantages do you have over your competition?

What is the profile you are looking for in a franchise owner?

What advice do you have for someone considering going into business for himself or herself?

What are the important differences between joining a franchise system like Right at Home and starting your own business?

What is the total investment needed to open a Right at Home franchise?

What should someone do that is interested in a Right at Home franchise?

Why should a potential franchise buyer consider Right at Home as the franchise to buy?

We all like to talk about the opportunity of being in the right place at the right time.

If you had the foresight to see the development of a major industry like the early days of fast food franchise development, would you have wanted to be a part of that? Of course you would. Because those that get in early on the ground floor of these industries following fast developing trends tend to do very well. They take some risk, but are certainly rewarded if the risk bears out.

Many of us think that the enormous boom in the numbers of seniors in the population will create just those kinds of opportunities in senior care and staffing over the next 20-30 years. Think of it. We are about to see a demographic change the likes of which have never been experienced before. Between now and the year 2030 we will see the population category "over age 65" increase from 13% to nearly 20%. When you consider that the current age 65 plus population in the state of Florida is 18% the conclusion is clear. Our entire country's population will soon be older on average than Florida's is right now.

Well, that is a huge change. But how does that translate to opportunity for Right at Home franchisees?

The key is to create a business that delivers services that respond to this growing "age wave" as it has been coined by Ken Dyctwald, a leading psychologist and best selling author on aging issues. And that is what Right at Home is all about. We feel we have created a system which effectively delivers services in two areas which are now developing: non-medical senior home care and supplemental staffing for the healthcare industry.

Start with non-medical senior home care, what is that and why is that need developing with the senior boom?

Several years ago, as a health administrator, I began to see the enormous boom in Medicare Home Health care as it was developing. I was ultimately involved in creating a very busy Medicare Home Health business. During that time period I noticed a disturbing trend. We had many patients who still needed support, but did not know where to look for help.

Medicare Home health took care of the post-acute care hospital stay: it was there long enough to pay for some basic rehab, bandage changes, checking vitals or other medical needs. But what were the consequences after Medicare Home health left? You had all these folks who could not deal with their needs of everyday living: getting up and getting dressed, fixing a nutritious meal, remembering to take their medications. Others had forms of memory loss or other dementia and were unsafe to be alone. They didn't need a nursing home, but they could not fully meet their own care needs either. I could see a care gap that needed to be filled, and long-term at-home supportive care appeared to be the solution.

I did a lot of research, including some Bureau of the Census research. It definitely confirmed what I had suspected. Their data showed that after age 65, about 17% of the population needed help with these everyday activities of living. By age 85, 45% of us need this help. These facts, together with the sheer increase in numbers of seniors, indicate a huge growing need for help.

What about the medical staffing side of the business?

There is another area with great growth potential. I first noticed this as a health care administrator involved in hospital operations. We had increasing difficulty getting enough qualified workers. The senior boom and technology was driving unprecedented growth in the health care delivery system and the need for available staff. But staff had become more and more difficult for us (editors note: hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, doctors' offices, etc.) to find and keep.

Several factors were causing this. One, nursing has been a traditionally female dominated profession. And cultural changes have opened up many other rewarding career fields for women.

Two, the work environment of hospitals and other care settings have become more and more demanding. One factor is the increasing acuity level of patients. When you combine this with the cost cutting pressures that drive administrators to have fewer nurses seeing more patients, you see the problem: fewer staff caring for more, and sicker, patients.

Many health professionals prefer working for a staffing firm like RAH which can meet their needs for flexibility, variety and the avoidance of the politics of a big organization. This is projected to grow even more as the demand for health workers is out-paced by the availability of qualified candidates.

I understand. You have growth and opportunity in the two areas. But why combine the both the senior home care and the health staffing in one franchise system?

These businesses fit together so well, and you significantly increase your available market with very little increase in the overhead.

Think of it, the basic structures of the businesses are the same. You establish a marketing and sales system that brings to your attention the need for good, reliable care workers. You recruit workers, carefully checking their background, training, and licensures etc. Then you operate an efficient scheduling and staffing system, which places those workers in assignments which matches their backgrounds, qualifications and talents.

Some differences are there, but these are easily dealt with using our proprietary operating system which we have developed over the past several years.

What advantages do you have over your competition?

There are several I would point out. One is what we discussed already: two great markets for business under one franchise system. Other important features include our training, support and use of technology in our system. In training, most only offer one week in our industry. We feel that two-weeks are needed to get the information and feel for how the business is run. Another strength is that support is provided by solid staff members who have direct experience in the industry and can understand what the business owner is facing.. Finally, we are proud of our use of technology for our industry. From our use of the award winning Maximizer database software to our Right at Home e-net online communications service network, we work hard to keeping technology that gives us a differential advantage.

What is the profile you are looking for in a franchise owner?

We are looking for men and women with integrity and ambition. People who have thought that running their own business would be right for them, but who want to avoid the risks associated with a completely new start-up.

This could be folks from many different backgrounds. The nurse, or other healthcare worker who loves her or his profession but wants more control and potential. The manager or executive who has proven ability and desire, but wants to have his or her own business. No medical experience is necessary for our business, but the will and desire to succeed is.

What advice do you have for someone considering going into business for him or herself?

Follow your brain, and your heart.

First, do your homework on the industry and the franchisor. Is there a strong market? Is it a good long-term business or a passing fad? Who are the people I will work with? Do they have direct experience in the business and know what I will be facing? Can I afford the start-up costs with this business? Have I visited the franchisor to see the business personally?

Next, decide if this is a business that fits you. Life is too short to be working in something you don't like. Homecare and staffing, for example, is a people driven business. If you don't enjoy a lot of contact with people, it wouldn't be the business for you.

What are the important differences between joining a franchise system like Right at Home and starting your own business?

There are many advantages you get with a good system verses having your own independent business:

Franchise proven business format

• Brand name
• Step by step guide
• Technical and mgmt. training provided
• Information sharing among franchisees
• Marketing and sales support
• Research and development by franchisor
• Consulting support from franchisor
• Continuing education provided