“For every door that closes, one opens.”
While the US home care industry grapples with the virus crisis, including denied access into senior care facilities, some positive developments are occurring. They will likely have long term industry benefits as the oldest of the 78 million baby boomers reach their fragile years (a.k.a. “The Silver Tsunami”).
First, state after state has designated home care as an essential service as they restrict commerce to fight the virus spread. Merriam-Webster defines essential as “of the utmost importance: basic, indispensable, necessary.” Is it any wonder online inquiries of key words like “senior home care” and “non-medical home care” have surged as families search for senior care solutions while hunkering down? The awareness of the essential nature of home care is reaching virtually every corner of America.
Second, with many of the fatalities occurring in group settings like independent living communities, skilled nursing facilities, and memory care units, the safer alternative of in-home care in preventing infectious diseases has been illuminated for families and caregivers across the nation. Also surging are families seeking home care that had previously decided upon facility care.
Third, the vast majority of seniors have always preferred “aging in place” in the comfort of home over relocating to a care facility. But the ever-expanding demand for essential in-home care services that enable seniors to stay at home have put pressure on the supply of caregivers. With millions of displaced employees from industries like airlines, hotels, retailers, and restaurants, many workers in transition are likely to be attracted to the growth and staying power of essential service businesses like home care. It’s an unprecedented recruiting opportunity.
In reference to the Great Recession of 2008, a politician famously said, “never let a serious crisis go to waste.” We recently saw that in action with the addition of unrelated pet projects (a.k.a. “pork”) to the third stimulus bill that delayed its release. We take no pleasure with the havoc these tumultuous times have wreaked on families, especially those who have lost loved ones, and we wish no harm to other industries, especially those with massive job losses. But, as certain doors are closing others are opening to the essential business of home care, benefiting seniors and their families for years to come.
– Scott Osborne, Founder & Managing Owner
