Pros and Cons of Hiring a Franchise Broker

If you or somebody that you know is interested in buying into a franchise, you may want to consider hiring a franchise consultant or broker to help you choose which franchise is best for you.

There are hundreds of successful franchises in the United States, from burger joints to senior care franchises, so it may be hard to make a decision on which industry to invest in.

Franchise brokers act as middle men or intermediaries between the company that owns a franchise and a prospective franchisee. Keep on reading for a few pros and cons about bringing in a franchise consultant to help you make your decision.

Pros

Free Service – Usually the services of a franchise broker come free of charge, with the franchisor paying the broker’s fee after a franchisee buys into their franchise.

Experienced – A good franchise broker will have experience in a wide variety of industries. Make sure that you ask him or her the various industries that they have consulted in, and ask them if they have experience in a few industries you are interested in.

Avoid Losing Money – Your franchise broker will should be able to let you know whether or not the company you are looking at presents an opportunity to make money and succeed, rather than lose money and fail. This, obviously, is very important. You will not always be able to tell if a franchise is a good investment simply by reading their franchise marketing material.

Cons

Brokers are Salesman – Don’t forget that at the end of the day, your consultant will be compensated by the company that you choose to go with. This means that your broker will probably try to sell you hard on a few business models that he or she has found successful in the past. The industries that these businesses are in may not be the route that you want to go, so don’t be pressured into making an investment you are uncomfortable with.

Limits – While working with an experienced broker can be very beneficial, it will limit the number of franchises that you can choose from. If your broker doesn’t do business in the senior care franchise industry, he or she won’t have any information for you to digest in order to make a healthy decision for you and your family. 

Keep in mind that the final decision on investing in a franchise is entirely up to you. If your broker is pressuring you or isn’t living up to their end of the deal, look elsewhere.

Allergies and Your Senior Loved One

It’s no secret that millions of people in the United States suffer from some sort of allergies, especially when spring and summer time roll around. Seniors, in particular, feel the effects that pollen and other allergens bring about during warmer weather. Because this year’s winter was warmer than those in the past, an increased amount of allergens is present. If you or somebody you know is aging and is affected by allergies, here are some tips to help survive the “itchy eye” season:

 Keep an Eye Out for Signs – One myth about seniors is that they aren’t as susceptible to allergies like younger people are, when they are actually equally likely to be affected. Contact your local non-medical home care franchise and have them notify your caregiver to be on the lookout for sneezing, watery or itchy eyes and runny noses when caring for your elderly loved one.

Let Your Senior’s Doctor Know – When a doctor is more focused on your senior’s serious health issues, it may be harder for him or her to treat your senior’s allergy symptoms. Let senior’s doctor know that your loved one is suffering from allergies, and that they may not be part of the larger or ongoing sickness associated with your senior.

Be Wary of Antihistamines – Antihistamines are often prescribed for the treatment of many kinds of allergies, but doctors often stay away from prescribing them to the elderly, as they can cause confusion, dizziness and retention of urine. Contact a trusted medical professional to find out some alternatives to antihistamines.

Stay Up-to-Date on Future Treatment Options: There are some exciting treatments on the horizon that are specifically tailored to older Americans, which may be a safer alternative to traditional prescriptions. One such treatment is a steroid inhaler that utilizes an antihistamine, which is applied into the nose, essentially eliminating the dangerous side effects traditional antihistamines present for seniors.

Pay close attention to the health of the senior in your life, and always make sure to contact a doctor before buying medicine if you notice that your elderly loved one is suffering from allergies.

Benefits of Receiving Care through a Home Care Franchise

We all come to a point in our lives where we are no longer able to do things the way that we used to. Just because you are getting older, it does not necessarily mean that it is time for a nursing home. It just means that you can use a little extra help occasionally. Thankfully, there is an entire industry of home care professionals who dedicate their time to helping seniors in their community through their home care business.

Here are just a few ways that home care franchises and their non-medical home care workers provide care for older Americans in their own homes:

Meal Preparation - As we age, preparing meals can become tedious or even confusing. It is important, especially for seniors, to get the right amount of nutrition in order to stay healthy. A home care provider can help prepare and cook healthy meals so that a senior doesn't have to. This can be especially helpful for older individuals suffering from dementia, who may need a reminder on where eating and cooking utensils are located around the house.

Driving - An elderly care franchise can provide a home care professional to take care of driving for seniors if their eyesight isn't what it once used to be, or if driving has become dangerous for the individual or others on the road. Relying on a home caregiver to drive also has the potential to save money for the senior, as car maintenance costs and even gas costs can be reduced.

Cleaning - From emptying the garbage to washing the dishes, cleaning up around the house can be a chore for anybody, but particularly for older people who may not have the mobility or energy to do so. Home care franchises can customize their care plans around the needs of a senior, and as such can provide a caregiver that can help tidy up a senior's home on a regular basis.

Medication Reminders - Older men and women can become more forgetful as they age, and may unintentionally miss taking their medication. A non-medical home care business has can assign an in-home care staff member to create an easy-to-read calendar for the senior, so that he or she knows when to take their medication. They can also provide helpful verbal reminders and check to ensure that medication has in fact been taken at the right times during the day.

Every senior's needs are different, and can range from help with simple daily activities to more involved tasks that require a compassionate individual's care. What makes home care franchises unique is that they can cater to a large range of non-medical needs, to help maintain their independence and dignity.

Qualities of a Successful Home Care Franchise Owner

There are thousands of successful franchises in the United States today, in a variety of different industries. From fast food to electronic, franchises can be found on nearly every corner in every state. People choose to invest in a franchise for many different reasons, but how do you know if you would be a good fit as a home care franchise owner? Keep reading to find out a few qualities that help make a great senior care business owner.

Professional Background – Those with professional backgrounds in operations and marketing tend to do well as home care franchise owners, as do professionals who may have had a disagreement with their supervisor, yet still excelled in their position. This is because the individual succeeded within an established system, similar to a franchise’s structure.

Personality – This is where being a lover rather than a fighter helps. Those who are comfortable accepting feedback from colleagues and bosses tend to have success in the franchise game. That doesn't mean that you have to be a “yes man” or a robot, it means that you are probably capable of following rules and learning from mistakes. Since home care franchises have rules already set in place to help you become successful, you will be ahead of the game.  

Passion – One of the most common themes that senior care franchise owners comment on is the fact that they are a very passionate bunch. Not just passionate about making money, but about making a difference in their community. Home care franchise owners often say that they get a genuine sense of accomplishment and meaning, because they are helping older adults live better, more independent lives. If you are passionate about making a positive impact on another person’s life, a non-medical home care franchise may be a good fit for you.

Not everyone is cut out to invest in a franchise, especially one that deals with sensitive issues regarding the care of aging adults. However, the senior care industry is growing at a steady rate, and those with the mindset and passion to embark on a meaningful journey into the world of home care and assisted living placement can enjoy monetary success without any guilt.