FRANCHISE NEWS
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Franchise Opportunity News
Homewatch CareGivers Opens New International Office in Guatemala,
Adding a Sixth Country to Its Global Network
February 1, 2010—GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COLO.—Homewatch CareGivers, the largest and most experienced international franchise provider of full-service home care, has opened its newest international location in Guatemala, the sixth country within the Homewatch CareGivers’ network, joining the 180 locations in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Panama.
“The caregiving issues facing families are universal. Guatemalans experience the same struggles and stresses confronting families worldwide,” said Homewatch CareGivers’ President Leann Reynolds. “Helping families by providing the highest quality home care services is our mission, and we’re delighted to expand our mission into Guatemala.”
The new office, located in Guatemala City and owned by Juan Carlos and Patricia Lavidalie, will offer Homewatch CareGivers’ hallmark home care services, personalized for each client and focused on services that allow a family and their loved one to have the comfort and security of home while receiving the supporting care they need. Caregiver services are carefully documented for each client in a customized care plan. Every care plan is administered by well-trained, compassionate caregivers who are dedicated to helping families with the care they need, such as 24-hour, around-the-clock care for a loved one who is dealing with a chronic illness, assisting an individual with the support needed at home to recover from a recent hospital stay or medical procedure, providing safe and convenient transportation to and from appointments, or stepping in to help with emergency childcare when the unexpected happens.
Currently, more than 14 million people reside in Guatemala, with 3.5 million in Guatemala City. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 5 percent of residents are facing health issues that require in-home care.
“Opening a new office in Guatemala is another strategic milestone for Homewatch CareGivers,” added Reynolds. “In addition to our presence in the U.S., the new office in Guatemala, along with locations in Canada, New Zealand, Costa Rica and Panama, is part of our global growth plan. This positions our company to serve the needs of the domestic populations, and also those clients who choose to have medical procedures overseas in destination countries such as Panama, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, as part of the growing trend in medical tourism.”
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New Study Reports Three Times More People Receiving Health Care Support at Home Rather Than in Nursing Homes or Assisted-Living Facilities
Study examines trends in long-term home health care utilization and points to home health care support as a significantly growing trend
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO – December 20, 2009 – American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (www.AALTCI.org) and Homewatch CareGivers, the largest, most experienced international provider of home care for people of all ages (www.HomewatchCareGivers.com), teamed up to conduct a study examining trends in long-term health care and the utilization of associated support services. Among the conclusions of the study is the dramatic growth of people receiving support care at home and the significantly greater percentage of those with long-term care insurance who are able to receive home-based care and stay in the their homes longer.
According to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, approximately 7.5 million individuals currently receive long-term care at home because of an acute illness, long-term health condition, a permanent disability, or terminal illness. That compares to only 1.5 million in nursing homes and 1.1 million in assisted-living facilities who receive similar care for the same types of conditions. That means nearly three times more people are receiving care at home rather than in a residential facility.
"Most people incorrectly associate long-term health care with skilled nursing care in a facility when the vast majority of care takes place at home," explains Jesse Slome, Executive Director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. “It is clear that the people in today’s society prefer treatment for chronic conditions and issues related to aging in their own home rather than in a residential facility.”
"When possible, home is almost always the preferred setting for people who require care," says Leann Reynolds, president of Homewatch CareGivers. “This is has been a clear and growing trend for more than a decade, as more and better home services have become available. The vast majority of people want to receive support care in their homes in order to maintain independence and quality of life for as long as possible.”
One aspect of the study sought to compare individuals with long-term care insurance policies with those without insurance coverage. According to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, 8.25 million individuals presently have coverage and more than 180,000 policyholders are currently receiving benefits. The study clearly indicated that individuals with long-term care insurance receive significantly more home care, and thus can stay in their homes longer. The difference between the insured and uninsured is significant: 70.6% of those covered received an average of between five and seven days of care each week, while only 35.1% of those without insurance received similar care as often.
Possessing insurance to pay part or all of the cost of home care services enabled individuals to receive care at home for longer periods of time. The study found that 41.2% of those with insurance received care for longer than one year; compared to 29.7% of those without coverage.
"The study confirms what we've long suspected, that a basic long-term care insurance plan costing less than $1,000 a year may provide sufficient coverage for those who want care at home and still have the ability to transition to more costly skilled facilities should the need arise," adds Slome.
According to the Urban Institute, a nonprofit founded in 1968 that conducts research on social and economic issues to foster sound public policy, 21.3 percent of the frail older population receives paid home care services and it projects this will increase to 22.3 percent by 2030 and 25.5% by 2040.
"It is vitally important for individuals to recognize the increased likelihood of needing care at some point in their lives, and to plan for that inevitability," concludes Reynolds. “Having sufficient financial resources or the protection of long-term care insurance are the prime factors for all of us who want to stay in our homes and receive care for as long as possible.”
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Homewatch CareGivers Records 27 Percent Sales Revenue Growth in 2009:
International Provider of Home Care Continues Strong Growth with 21 New Territories and Another International Office Opened in 2009
DEC. 14, 2009--GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO—Homewatch CareGivers today announced continued record-setting growth for 2009 as sales revenue increased 27.4 percent over the previous year and new sales revenue grew 20.9 percent over 2008, announced President Leann Reynolds. Homewatch CareGivers (www.homewatchcaregivers.com), founded in 1980, is the world’s largest, most experienced international provider of full-service, home care for people of all ages.
“Despite challenging economic conditions, we’ve continue our strong growth, surpassing double digit growth for the fourth year in a row. Our growth is spurred not only by our continued expansion into new territories here in the U.S. and around the world, but also our existing network of franchise offices increased same-office sales by more than 10 percent system-wide over last year,” explained Reynolds. Our continued growth speaks to the strong demand from families for care-giving services and is a testament to the commitment and industry-leading quality standards of our caregivers.”
In 2009, the Homewatch CareGivers opened 22 new territories with 17 new owners and a new international office in Guatemala. In addition to the U.S., the company now also operates in New Zealand, Canada, Costa Rica, Panama, and Guatemala and has provided more than 3.3 million hours of care throughout its network in 2009. The company provides full-service home care for people of all ages, including seniors, children, veterans, the chronically ill, and those recovering from medical procedures
“The client base for home-based care will continue to grow dramatically over the next 15 to 20 years as the world population ages,” Reynolds said. “Homewatch CareGivers is poised to service this growing demand with quality, compassionate care.”
Approximately 35 million people in America are 65 years or older and this age group’s population is expected to reach more than 70 million by 2030. As the baby boomer generation ages, the demand for home care services is expected to increase by 50 percent between 2002 and 2012 according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Employment of personal and home care aides is projected to grow by 51 percent between 2006 and 2016, creating nearly 500,000 new jobs.
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Homewatch CareGivers Joins AARP’s National Employer Team to Help Fill Job Openings Across America
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. – December 08, 2009 – Homewatch CareGivers, the largest, most experienced international provider of full-service home care, was selected by AARP to participate in its acclaimed National Employer Team (NET) program. With job openings across the US at many of its 100+ offices, Homewatch CareGivers will now have a profile on the NET program site on AARP.org to help identify qualified job seekers.
“In addition to its well-known advocacy for the 50+ age group, AARP delivers a litany of valuable programs and services to its membership,” says Leann Reynolds, president of Homewatch CareGivers. “With the careful due diligence AARP conducts on potential NET members, it is an honor to be a part of the program and a tribute to the quality standards of our organization.”
Homewatch CareGivers, now a member of the NET program developed by AARP to connect 50+ year-old job seekers with employers, recognizes the increasingly important role these experienced workers have in the workforce. Offices throughout the country continue to recruit qualified caregivers as well as marketing and support staff. The company offers full-service home care for people of all ages, including seniors, children, veterans, the chronically ill, and those recovering from medical procedures.
“In a difficult economy, being able to add new employers to the team is a great benefit to our members who are looking for work. Our NET members also benefit from the experience mature workers bring,” says Ed Redfern, Jr., National Program Consultant for AARP.
In addition to its selection by AARP for the NET program, Homewatch CareGivers is also certified by RetirementJobs.com as an Age-Friendly Employer. Many Homewatch CareGivers 100+ offices across the nation have current employment openings to fill. The AARP web address for this service is www.aarp.org/employerteam. Job seekers can also visit www.HomewatchCareGivers.com or contact a local Homewatch CareGivers’ office.
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Homewatch CareGivers Announces National Winner
of Family Caregiver of the Year Award
Laura Dover, of Charlotte, N.C., Takes Home $5,000 Prize
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. – October 27, 2009 – Homewatch CareGivers, the largest, most experienced international provider of full-service home care, announced today the national winner of the company’s Family Caregiver of the Year award. Laura Dover, age 52, of Charlotte, N.C., was selected by a distinguished panel from 12 finalists from around the country for her exceptional care of 29-year-old daughter, Ashley Dover, who was severely injured in a car accident almost nine years ago and who, to this day, requires round-the-clock care.
As the winner of the Caregiver of the Year award, Laura Dover receives a $5,000 cash prize to go along with the scholarship to Homewatch CareGivers University. With her scholarship to Homewatch CareGivers University, Dover will have access to courses specific to her daughter’s needs, gaining an educational foundation to continue caring for Ashley.
“Laura Dover is an inspiration and her story truly touched the hearts of our judges,” said Leann Reynolds, president of Homewatch CareGivers. “As a company dedicated to providing the highest quality home care and helping families who need support, we know how difficult full-time care is and how demanding it can be. Laura has dedicated her life to caring for her daughter. She embodies everything this award truly represents.”
For Dover, 52, life changed dramatically the night Ashley was involved in the automobile accident, in late October of 2000. Her daughter had just turned 21 a few weeks earlier, and they had spent the day together getting ready for Halloween. She was not prepared to have her life, “turned upside down.”
“You learn what is important in life,” said Dover. “What is important is family and learning to respect yourself and others. My family has become very close due to Ashley’s situation. I have also learned to be a much more patient person and a more spiritual person through this experience.”
The accident had left Ashley with a traumatic brain injury, and totally unable to care for herself. She spent a year in rehabilitation. Not wanting to place her daughter in a facility, Dover brought her home, in the process giving up her career and replacing it with a full-time job caring for Ashley. Six years ago they moved into an apartment in Dover’s mother’s home, an environment where Dover felt she could finally provide total care for her daughter.
Of her experience caring for Ashley since the accident, Dover says, “we have survived. I have learned from experience how to navigate the hospital system; and how to care for a tracheotomy and a feeding tube.” She hopes that her story can be encouragement for others facing difficult situations.
"This award means everything to me and I am very, very honored to be selected,” said Dover. “I have given up everything to take care of Ashley and this extra money means that I can buy a few things that will help keep Ashley healthy. It's not really about the award or about the money, however. My mission is in caring for Ashley. If Ashley and I were the only two people in the whole world, I would still be doing exactly what I am doing."
Homewatch CareGivers handed out 12 awards to recipients in local markets across the country, all of whom served as finalists for the National Caregiver Award. The list of finalists included:
Disa Almeta, Lincoln, AR
Laura Dover, Charlotte, NC
Jill and Larry Ellis, Denver, CO
Anne Fisher, Pleasant Grove, UT
Judy Heier, Puyallup, WA
Laura King, Atlanta, GA
Wilda Lindquist, Boulder, CO
Lydia Maddoux, Laurel, MD
Kenneth Meyer, Greenville, SC
Cindy Prouty, Mattawan, MI
Kenneth JRosa, Los Angeles, CA
Joyce Schultz, Chesterland, OH
“Each of the finalists demonstrates selflessness and commitment every day with the devoted care they provide their loved ones,” added Reynolds. We honor them all for their sacrifice and the example they set for all of us.”
An expert panel of judges, representing a diverse cross-section of companies and organizations in the healthcare and care-giving sectors, reviewed the nominees and selected the national winner. The judges for the National Caregiver of the Year award included:
Robert Bua, CareScout and Genworth Financial - Vice President Long Term Care
Nina Buchanan, Holiday Retirement - Director Health Resources
Jeff Frater, Case Management Society of America - Past President
Susan Lutz, AARP - Project Manager, Health and Supportive Services
Kelli Moorehead, Alzheimer’s Association - Team Lead, National Office
Jesse Slome, American Association for Long Term Care Insurance - Executive Director
Kim Stoneking, National Private Duty Association - Executive Director
Leann Reynolds, Homewatch CareGivers - President
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