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Mrs. F
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In a few states, an adult day care center or senior citizens day care center can be established right inside one's home. A lot of homeowners are sharing their home to the aged because the payoff of investments is immediate and great.
If you are choosing to establish such a business, this is a fundamental list of what you should consider before you even set up your business.
1. A non-profit adult daycare can obtain public funds.
Consider starting a nonprofit adult daycare center. According to Nancy J. Cox of the Robert Johnson Foundation, the ongoing national study the National Adult Service Association began tracking in the 1980's analyzes the number of adult day service programs. As recently as 2009, 80 percent of adult daycare centers are nonprofit, 10 percent are for profit and the other 10 percent only use public funds.
2. Contact your business licensing bureau.
Apply for certification and nonprofit status. Contact your local business licensing bureau to find out what you'll need to become a legal nonprofit in your area. By becoming nonprofit, you will have access to grants, donations and private contributions.
3. Write an elaborate business plan.
Compose a comprehensive business program. You will necessitate a comprehensive plan to be able to rationalize your funding needs. Business plan software system programs assist you in writing a detailed plan to help ascertain your costs and examine exactly what you need to be successful.
4. Individualize your adult daycare.
Come up with a theme. Some adult centers bring in dogs for their seniors to cuddle. Others provide active exercise programs to maintain their seniors mobile. Active Day adult center in Myrtle Beach, S.C., says bringing dogs each week makes their residents happy. "It gives (the clients) something to look forward to," says Lesley Bess, a registered nurse and director of the center. Consider ways to add a touch of individualism to make a loyal niche market for your adult daycare.
5. Fill out applications for funding.
Apply for funding. There is a wide assortment of available funding, including private donations, state financing and government grants. Start online with Federal Grants Wire for information on federal grants. To get rolling in your area, contact your county department of social services, your local agency on aging, or your local veterans administration.
What Do You Need to Start?
- Business plan
- Space in your home for seniors or a separate building
- Staff (if needed)
- Transportation service (optional)
- Medical professional on staff (optional)
- Business license and insurance
- Entertainment items (outings, games, movies, magazines, books, etc.)
- Computer with finance software
So, finally, once the entire pre-business requirements are taken care of, you are now prepared to open your own adult day care center. An adult day care center should flow like clockwork. It is not a product that you are marketing, but rather a service which may obtain you a good standing and more patrons.
A safe, friendly environment is not very difficult to acquire; it just needs more people friendly orientation and personal consideration to each and every patron. Your patrons are elderly people who may have trouble looking after themselves. You may want to accustom yourself with their personalities, medical history, food preferences, dietary needs, etc. Your main concern is to keep your patrons happy, healthy and comfortable.
Hiring a staff is necessary. If you are starting this business with only your family as help, you may be required to gain knowledge of basic caretaking lessons and basic first-aid. Otherwise, try to employ people who have experience working with the elderly before. Previous training is essential because the elderly have ultimately far different needs that those of children or of healthy adults. Also, staff members who have previous experience may give you helpful inputs as to how to manage a smoother operation.
In any case, you may also want to ask your first few customers what they would want while they are staying with you. Inputs from your patrons family member may also be helpful, especially if they have availed of the same service from other such businesses.
Like everyone else, the elderly wants a cheerful, happy environment. Plan to have a bit of entertainment whilst they are there. Simple activities like book reading or learning new songs will suffice as part of their daily activities, it does not have to be a huge bingo bonanza or a Las Vegas trip everyday. Some elderly people might like relaxing activities like knitting or TV watching or chess playing. Special trips outside your home or business establishment can be done once in a while - but that too, needs special planning and preparation. If you can work around your budget, then do so. Entertainment need not be grandiose.
Be imaginative and ask your clients what they would like to do while they are there. Their answers may be surprising, but helpful.
Be extra watchful with their diet. The elderly have special diets, especially those who are taking prescription medicines. A few may have medical conditions - so be very mindful regarding what they want. Healthy food like fresh fruits and vegetables are always good, if your patrons still have their teeth with them.
If you are planning on starting an adult daycare business, here are some resources to help you and give you information:
National Adult Day Services Association, Inc
Planning and Creating Successful Adult Day Services and Other Home and Community-Based Services Opening an Adult Day Care Facility
Adult Day Health Services Adult Day Care
Elder Care Sample Business Plan
For in-depth information, you can check the following books:
Standards and Guidelines Workbook: Adult Day Care (Paperback) by National Institute on Adult Daycare Adult Day Care: A Practical Guidebook and Manual by Lenore A. Tate
How to Start and Operate an Elderly Adult Day-Care Center by Gwen M. Walker
Adult day care: A basic guide by Sudie Maready Goldston
Planning and Managing Adult Day Care: Pathways to Success by Linda Cook Webb
Start Your Own Senior Services Business: Adult Day Care, Relocation Services, Homecare, Transportation Service, Concierge, Travel Service and More
- ISBN13: 9781599183596
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
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