Comfort Keepers in Fills Huge Gap with In-Home Care Options for Aging Adults
DAYTON , OH - As the number of seniors in America is expected to double to 70 million in the near future, the number of family members faced with the awesome responsibility of caring for aging loved ones will continue to skyrocket as well.
In fact, a Gallup Study reported that 65 percent of family members who worked while caring for an aging parent experienced conflict with their jobs, including tardiness, lost hours or income, or sacrificing of vacation time. Research also indicates that by 2005, approximately 37 percent of all U.S. workers will face more concern in caring for a parent than caring for a child .
Family members attempting to balance the needs of aging loved ones with their own busy lives are often faced with making quick decisions about care which can lead to additional stress. This gap is particularly evident among families with seniors who are in relatively good health who desperately want to continue to live at home, yet simply need companionship and help with daily tasks. Their own children deeply love and want to help, but simply can't be there often enough to attend to their daily needs.
Comfort Keepers offers companionship and other non-medical services for aging adults, new mothers and others needing assistance, and began offering services throughout in 1998. Recently Comfort Keepers was named as the No. 1 Senior Care Franchise and the No. 2 Top New Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine for 2004. Each location offers in-home services including companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, transportation and more.
"National studies consistently show that more than 95 percent of seniors, age 75 and older, prefer to stay in the privacy of their own homes," said Alan Riggs, COO. "With 75 percent of baby boomers nearing retirement within the next 10 years and the number of seniors projected to exceed 70 million over the next two decades, the need for non-medical care for aging adults will be tremendous."
Small price for peace of mind
A huge selling any caregivers, franchise owners conduct criminal, driving and credit background checks with automated screening software that ensures dependability and reliability. point for Comfort Keepers is that all of its caregivers are employees. Before hiring
The majority of Comfort Keepers' caregivers are women between ages 41 and 55, typically "empty nesters" seeking to positively contribute to the community by providing friendship and other necessary services to older adults. Families who utilize Comfort Keepers especially appreciate that the company bonds and insures their caregivers, and also covers worker's compensation and other taxes.
Clients are also at ease because Comfort Keepers conducts initial "test" visits with potential customers to ensure a good match before assigning a caregiver to begin caring for their client.
"We spend a considerable amount of time finding, interviewing and screening caregivers. What will always set us apart from independents is the professional service our caregivers provide and the peace of mind our clients have knowing that our caregivers are bonded, insured and carefully screened to be the best fit for their loved one," said Riggs.
The 'Good Samaritan' Comparison
Families often compare Comfort Keepers to a ministry or public service organization - an analogy they consider the highest compliment a company can receive.
"There's a warm spot in all of our hearts for the senior population," noted Riggs, who said the majority of Comfort Keepers' franchisees are drawn to the concept because of personal experiences in caring for an aging adult. "Our core service is based on passion and compassion for people who need help, and we deliver for them 100 percent."
About Comfort Keepers
Founded in 1998 by a registered home health care nurse and her husband, Comfort Keepers has grown to more than 400 franchise owners throughout 46 states and Canada , and was named as the No. 1 Senior Care Franchise and the No. 2 Top New Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine for 2004. For more information about Comfort Keepers services visit www.comfortkeepers.com .
|
