Eldercare As a Work at Home Business

A Home Business Article Contributed by Elizabeth Fox-Wise

Providing Eldercare Can Be a Lucrative Work at Home Business

A growing population of older individuals combined with your skills as a caregiver could mean a new work at home business opportunity for you! America has an aging population. By 2020, it's expected that there will be approximately seven million people in the United States over the age of 85. That's five times more than there was in 1970!

This aging of the population, combined with the increase in two-income households where both individuals are working, is firing up the demand for services that our grandparents never needed.

Where will all of these older individuals live? Eight-five percent of them say that they want to live in their home. But to do this, many will need help with the daily tasks of living. Although many adult children would love to be able to care for their aging parents, they're often just can not provide the care that is needed. Some adult children may reside in another city or work demanding jobs that prevent them from taking on the extra responsibility.

Many professional Americans are realizing that they just can't handle the triple-duty load of a career, parenting their own children and providing care for their parents.

Find a Need and Fill It Will Lead to Success for a Work at Home Business.

The need for Eldercare has already been identified and as Baby Boomers begin to enter their senior citizen years, this need is expected to keep growing. Building a work at home business in a market where the need is great and shows projected future growth can lead to a very successful work at home business venture.

This is where in-home, nonmedical, caregivers come to the rescue with hands-on help for the family. A Work from Home Eldercare business can assist seniors with the "activities of daily living" this includes things such as cleaning, cooking, grocery and other shopping, paying bills, grooming, laundry, medication reminders and understanding, errands, and rides to medical appointments. They also provide often much needed, companionship. This is particularly valued by widowed clients and other senior citizens who live alone.

Interested in Starting a Work from Home Business in Eldercare?

You certainly do not need to join a franchise or a "business opportunity" to get started in an Eldercare Work from Home Business. But these franchises do exist and that is one route to take, especially if you are looking to build a large work from home business in eldercare.

To start a work at home business in eldercare, you will need to be bonded; also if you're transporting seniors in your vehicle, you will need liability insurance. (If you buy a franchise, you will obtain your insurance and bonding through the franchising company at a group rate.) You get clients mostly by referral. So you need to network relationships with hospital discharge planners, physicians, realtors, and any social agencies in your area which works with the elderly population.

You will not need formal training to provide basic eldercare. What you will need is the ability to work hard, be punctual and reliable, and an enjoyment and appreciation of the elderly.