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As more families face the challenges of caring for aging loved ones, the demand for eldercare support services continues to grow. While traditional senior placement remains crucial, many families find themselves needing guidance in other areas, before, during and after placement. Recognizing this is one of the key steps that has allowed Senior Care Authority, the 100-unit senior care franchise, to grow into a successful national brand and establish multiple streams of revenue for its franchisees.
“Expanding our services to include eldercare consulting ensured that families would be able to receive comprehensive support that goes beyond just finding the right care community,” said Frank Samson, founder and CEO of Senior Care Authority. “This journey began because we realized that not every family is seeking placement assistance, and some may even prefer to keep their loved ones at home for as long as possible. Eldercare consulting allowed us to build stronger relationships with families and serve as a trusted resource at every step.”
At its founding, Senior Care Authority was focused on helping families find the best placement options for their loved ones, specializing in assisted living, memory care and nursing home placement.
“When I met Marcy [Baskin], she was providing eldercare consulting services to families. I asked her if she did placement, and she said that she did but it wasn’t a large percentage of her business,” Samson said. “My response to that was ‘Well, wouldn’t it be nice if you were able to not charge the family a fee and grow that business?’ That works because we work on a commission basis with the assisted living facilities.”
Baskin had a similar perspective on the services with consulting at the center.
“I asked Frank if they did consulting work other than placement and what they charged for those services,” she said. “He said that they provided the assistance but didn’t charge for it. I let him know that families were more than happy to pay for those services and that there were many services we could offer completely unrelated to placement. That was when we started thinking about working together. Our menu of specialized services has grown tremendously over the years.”
From Placement To Holistic Support: A New Experience for Clients and Families
Senior Care Authority initially focused on helping families find the best placement options for their loved ones, specializing in assisted living, memory care and nursing home placement. Over time, the team recognized that families often needed more than just placement services. Many clients were looking for additional support, ranging from help with home safety to guidance on handling day-to-day concerns related to senior care, and incorporating an eldercare consulting aspect to the business positioned Senior Care Authority to serve a broader range of clients.
Baskin notes that families often have “micro-needs” when a loved one’s cognitive abilities decline. For instance, they may need help making the home safe for an older parent, or they may benefit from having someone check in on their loved one regularly. Eldercare consultants offer, to name a few, services such as Peace of Mind visits, Advocacy, Care Management, and Beyond Driving with Dignity, a program that helps families address concerns around older driver safety.
Another major area of need is expertise surrounding care for seniors with dementia-related challenges. Caring for or trying to find care for a loved one with dementia can be challenging, and with loads of information coming at families from multiple directions, having a trusted advisor is often a welcome relief.
To support the best possible experience in its eldercare consulting work, Senior Care Authority requires all of its owners to become certified dementia practitioners.
“There are a lot of things learned during this certification process that are invaluable to providing the best experience for the client and being able to educate the family where necessary. For example, I used to be staunchly opposed to medications, but through training, I learned how appropriate medical care, including medications, can bring comfort to people with dementia,” Baskin said. “When families understand that their loved one’s combative behavior may stem from an unmet need or anxiety, they are more open to exploring solutions that can improve quality of life.”
All these services create a bridge between full-time care and independent living, giving families options they may not have previously considered.
A Support System for Senior Care Business Owners
By implementing these trainings and services, Senior Care Authority has equipped its system with the resources and support necessary to provide leading care in the industry.
This model demonstrates how a holistic approach can make a real difference. By offering additional services and building lasting relationships with clients, Senior Care Authority franchisees provide both practical solutions and emotional support, ensuring they can meet clients’ needs, at any stage in the care journey.
For owners, this model also unlocks a world of business potential. Baskin explained that, in her own franchise, eldercare consulting services account for about a third of her revenue and set the stage for dynamic, long-lasting relationships.
“The combination of placement and consulting services builds strong relationships with clients,” Samson said “Families know they can trust us with every aspect of their loved one’s care.”
In many cases, a single decision-making client will only need one or two placement services in their lifetime. Alternately, that same client can stay engaged with Senior Care Authority for much longer if they’re able to receive support and advice throughout the process, including but not limited to the placement process.
“Eldercare consulting is challenging,” Samson said. “But it’s also incredibly rewarding to be able to support families when they need it most. Through personalized support and compassionate care, eldercare consultants are there to help families navigate the complexities of aging, ensuring their loved ones receive the care and dignity they deserve.”
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/senior-care-authority.
