A Place At Home Opens First In-Home Senior Care Location in New Jersey

A Place At Home Somerville Owners

A Place At Home Franchise is pleased to announce the opening of their 20th franchise located in Somerville, New Jersey. Owners of the franchise location, Jessica Dale and Judy Mazon, are passionate about serving their community and are proud to begin offering senior-focused services to Somerset, Morris, and Hunterdon Counties and part of Union County in May 2022. A Place At Home was established ten years ago in Omaha, Nebraska, and is known for providing a high standard of professional and compassionate in-home care services, as well as Care Coordination and Senior Living Alternatives to round out a full continuum of care.

Having spent the majority of her adult life working and volunteering in her community, Dale says the decision to open a business focused on serving others was an easy one for both her and her business partner. Each of them has had personal, first-hand experience being a caregiver. Dale’s mother moved in with the family when Dale’s children were toddlers due to incredible health challenges. Mazon’s mother had Alzheimer’s Disease. Dale says, “I remember how I felt, and I wish I could have had somebody to help me understand the system, understand different things that we now offer, as an in-home care company.”

Professionally, Dale and Mazon’s backgrounds are well suited for a company in the senior care arena. Years ago, Mazon opened a daycare after seeing a need in the community. She’s been successful – and now owns two locations independently. Dale used her degrees in Management Science and International Business to build a personally rewarding career helping people in various ways. She’s assisted families relocating their lives nationally and internationally and spent years working for a local nonprofit where she’d previously served as a board member. That role was particularly fulfilling for Dale, as they found gaps within their community and then designed programs to fill the needs. 

When the pair started looking at business models that would allow them a way to continue making a positive impact in their community, Dale began researching senior care. They interviewed six different senior care franchises, and A Place At Home stood out amongst them all. Primarily in part, says Dale, to the company’s “We are CARE” philosophy. C.A.R.E. is the foundation of the senior care franchise’s business; they operate from a place of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Ethical behavior. “Those are the values I apply in my life, and I felt that that was just one of the things, you know, it was just so in line with me.”

Jessica Dale and Judy Mazon are driven, professional, and enthusiastic about helping families. The aging process can be complex and overwhelming. Fortunately, A Place At Home – Somerville is here to guide and assist through every stage of the journey. Whether you’re a family member caring for someone you love or an aging adult yourself, Dale and Mazon are grateful for the opportunity to help. To learn more about them and how A Place At Home – Somerville can improve your quality of life, visit their website at http://www.aplaceathomenj.com/.

If you are interested in exploring an opportunity to start your own in-home senior care business in your community, inquire today.0

A Place At Home Named Franchise Journal Top Brand of 2021

Franchise Journal Top Brands 2021

A Place At Home, an in-home senior care franchise, made some great strides in 2021! Our development team awarded seven new territories expanding to four new states. Five new territories opened their doors and serviced 15,492.34 hours with the support of our experienced operations team. The corporate operations and marketing support team grew by 40%, too. Franchise Journal Magazine recognized our growing brand as one of the Franchise Journal Top Brands for two consecutive years!

Owning your own A Place At Home franchise gives you the opportunity to positively change your life as well as the lives around you. Senior care is one of the most impactful businesses a community can have. This pandemic and recession-proof business gives you the opportunity for recurring revenue and steady demand while providing care and compassion for those who need it most. You don’t need to take our word for it. Visit our YouTube channel for weekly videos from our franchisees about their experiences in opening and operating an in-home senior care franchise.

A Place At Home is positioned for explosive growth in 2022 while celebrating its 10 year anniversary. We hope you join our franchise community for this exciting next year of growth!

Does this sound like something you’d like to be a part of? Reach out to Mitch Benson to start talking about your potential.

A Place At Home Bringing Senior Care Franchise to Illinois

A Place At Home Metro East Owner

A Place At Home, which offers in-home senior care and other services designed to help seniors age in place with dignity and respect, is excited to announce its first franchise in Illinois. The new A Place At Home – Metro East location is at 2105 Vandalia St. (Hwy. 159), Suite 10, Collinsville, IL 62234.

An Impressive Addition to Our Team

Britt Robertson was awarded an A Place At Home senior care franchise because he brings an impressive set of skills, experience, and passion to the business. He earned his master’s degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Following his degree, he spent most of his career helping Fortune 500 clients measure and improve their customer experience. This background will help him ensure that his clients at A Place At Home have the best possible experience. He knows how to meet their needs in a professional and caring manner.

For the past 5 years, Britt led the marketing team for a large insurance company. This company was focused on expanding its Medicare Advantage product. He saw the need for seniors to have access to professional, high-quality care allowing them to stay in their homes.

In addition, he has also personally seen the challenges that loved ones face in providing care a senior needs. Everyone tries to do their best, but the situation puts a great deal of strain on everyone. As they struggle to balance the demands of their own lives alongside their loved one’s need for care, they often struggle with determining what type of care is needed and how to get it.

A Partnership Based on Core Values

After researching the best senior care franchise options, Britt decided to partner with A Place At Home. The company’s core values of providing dignified, professional, and compassionate care that helps seniors live as independently as possible at home perfectly match his own beliefs. 

A Place At Home’s core values correspond to the acronym CARE. CARE represents their commitment to being Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, and Ethical. Each of their franchises operates with these values at the center of everything they do. Furthermore, that enables them to provide the help seniors and their families need during a challenging time.

The need for this kind of care was highlighted through Britt’s conversations with seniors while conducting market research for his previous employer. “Seniors want to stay home, and I want to help them do exactly that,” he explains. “At A Place At Home – Metro East, we strive every day to provide in-home senior care services that help clients feel safe, comfortable, well cared for, respected, and valued.”

To Find Out More

For more information about A Place At Home’s services or becoming a caregiver, visit aplaceathome.com. To learn about becoming a franchisee, inquire now.

Franchisee’s Receive Best of Home Care–Employer of Choice Awards

Employer of Choice Award

A Place At Home – Omaha and South Portland received the 2021 Best of Home Care – Employer of Choice Award from Home Care Pulse. The Employer of Choice Award is granted only to the top-ranking home care providers, based on caregiver satisfaction scores gathered by Home Care Pulse, an independent satisfaction research firm for home care. These locations are now ranked among the best employers of in-home caregivers in the region.

“We’re excited to congratulate A Place At Home – Omaha and South Portland for their well-deserved achievements on earning the Best of Home Care – Employer of Choice Award,” says Erik Madsen, CEO of Home Care Pulse. “Since this award is based on employee feedback, it shows the dedication A Place At Home – Omaha and South Portland have to providing their employees with a great working experience, while ensuring clients have well-trained, compassionate caregivers.” 

Best of Home Care – Employer of Choice award-winning providers work with Home Care Pulse to gather feedback from their caregivers via live phone interviews each month. Because Home Care Pulse is an independent company, it is able to collect honest and unbiased feedback.

Our franchisees work hard to keep a positive working culture and this award demonstrates their commitment to our ‘We are CARE‘ philosophy, not only in regards to their clients but also their caregivers.  We are extremely proud that the Omaha and South Portland franchisees were recognized for their dedication to providing excellent in-home care with professional caregivers,” says Dustin Distefano, CEO of A Place At Home Franchise.

“At Home Care Pulse, our mission is to help home care businesses create an experience that goes beyond client and caregiver expectations,” says Erik Madsen, CEO of Home Care Pulse. “When we see agencies like A Place At Home – Omaha and South Portland that have made an effort to provide an outstanding employment experience, we know we’re on the right track. A Place At Home – Omaha and South Portland have worked extremely hard to provide high-quality care and employment, and their work hasn’t gone unnoticed. This award allows them to provide proof of quality to potential and new clients and caregivers.” 

A Place At Home Opens First Location in Massachusetts

A Place At Home Franchisee Owners

A Place At Home, the leading provider in in-home senior care services, is bringing in-home care services to its first location in Massachusetts.

APAH’s new location franchisees are a dedicated team of family members passionate and committed to offering the best caregiving services in the Merrimack Valley. This first location in Massachusetts is part of APAH‘s plan to meet the rising demand for such services.

A Place At Home’s New Location

APAH’s new franchise in Merrimack Valley is located at 73 Princeton Street, Suite 308, North Chelmsford, MA 01863. The care team for APAH’s new home includes Gary Lafreniere, Arianna Lafreniere, and their daughter Liv Lafreniere.

Gary steps in with over 20 years of management experience as a founder and COO of a software company recognized for its award-winning customer service. His wife, Arianna, has worked for over 20 years in the finance industry. She has devoted the last ten years to the Home Care industry.

Their daughter, Liv, is very passionate about caregiving. She’s committed to taking it a notch further by studying early childhood development and psychology in college.

The Why

Speaking of why he chose to provide in-home senior care, Gary says, it’s the easiest question you could ever ask him.

“This is personal for my family and when it is personal then you are passionate and driven,” Gary Said.

Nana Lafreniere’s end of life journey and struggle with dementia touched Gary’s family in 2020, and he remembers the countless challenging experiences they went through in the past four years trying to give her the best care they possibly could.

That experience inspired the Lafreniere’s, who unanimously agreed the purpose of their next venture should be to help other families easily navigate similar challenges in the Merrimack Valley area, giving their loved ones better care.

“As a family, we knew the purpose of our next venture was to help other families navigate these challenges by making sure their loved one is comfortable, cared for, and happy,” Gary said.
“The stress you can relieve from a family and loved one by providing the services they need and plan every step of the way is priceless.”

“Making a difference in somebody’s life by caring and being compassionate is the ultimate reward. My wife and I can’t wait to wake up every day and work alongside our caregivers to support and care for those in need,” Gary says.

Why A Place At Home?

Like other care teams who have partnered with APAH before, Gary’s family chose APAH as their new franchise for its team culture and philosophy.

“Reading the literature, watching testimonials, and visiting the website was what piqued my interest in APAH,” Gary said. “First we connected to the management team on a personal level. Next, we spoke to the people who worked for Dustin and Jerod.”

In his own words, Gary says, “There are plenty of competitive franchises. None of them can compare when it comes to the philosophy and the people that stand behind it.” He was explicitly awed by speaking to APAH’s management team, and several franchisees. Right off the bat wanted to be part of the team, bringing the first location to Massachusetts.

“At first, you might think it is all marketing speak. But after talking to the management team, people who work for management, and many franchisees,” Gary said, “I knew APAH was different and we had to be a part of it. Arianna and I then had some heart to heart discussions with other franchisees and our search ended. A Place At Home – Merrimack Valley was our new home.”

About A Place At Home

Founded in 2012 by Dustin Distefano and Jerod Evanich in Omaha, APAH is dedicated to providing the best in-home senior care services with its strong ‘We Are Care’ philosophy. APAH invites you to join its fast-growing network of franchisees with strong support and training resources.

A Place At Home Signs New Franchise Location in Pennsylvania

A Place At Home - Philadelphia West - Franchisee Dina Jenney

A Place At Home (APAH), an award-winning senior care franchise, has signed a new franchise location in Pennsylvania. The new owners, Dina Jenney and her business partner, are excited to help APAH fulfill its goals of assisting seniors to live comfortable lives in their own homes.

The new franchise location called A Place At Home – Philadelphia West will be at 1055 Westlakes Drive, Suite 300, Berwyn, PA 19312. They will serve the surging demand for in-home senior care services in the area. Jenney and her business partner plan to serve the surrounding communities in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, including the Main Line, King of Prussia, Phoenixville, Exton, and Conshohocken.

Jenney has experience providing home care services for family members. She is passionate about the need for quality care for the senior population. “We have seen firsthand the importance of quality care and the lack of compassionate services available to the senior population,” says Jenney. “Our background coupled with a passion for excellent care will result in quality services to the seniors here.”

Jenney goes on to say that she and her business partner were very impressed by APAH’s CARE philosophy. ‘We are CARE’ stands for Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, and Ethical. “We researched many agencies. It was clear that A Place At Home is an unmatched level of service and quality. From the founders to everyone on the staff, we know that everyone truly cares about this industry and the seniors we serve. We were especially impressed by the ‘We Are Care’ foundation.”

She goes on to say, “APAH’s ‘We Are Care’ model, coupled with our background and experience of caring for loved ones makes us the perfect combination. In other words, we bring compassionate care and a hard work ethic. Above all, the ‘We Are Care’ model is unparalleled in the industry. It exemplifies everything we want to provide to our clients and team members.”

Jenney comes to APAH with a background in Human Resources, Accounting, and Office Management. This has equipped her with a well-rounded skill set for the operational success of a new franchise.

“Dina brings a high level of energy and passion to the table. This shows us she has what it takes to provide exceptional care to the seniors in her community. We are excited to see them in action,” said Jerod Evanich, President and Co-Founder of A Place At Home.

About A Place At Home

APAH was launched in 2012 in Omaha. The co-founders Dustin Distefano and Jerod Evanich are passionate about providing compassionate customized care solutions for seniors. The company has since experienced explosive growth resulting in franchises across the country. APAH provides personalized in-home care services specific to the needs of each client.

There are open franchise locations coast to coast for entrepreneurs considering a senior care franchise. Most importantly, when you join this dynamic group as a franchisee you’ll have access to valuable training, business resources, and strong support.

New Franchise Now Serving Seniors in Orlando

New In Home Care Franchise Owner Stephen Sherbin

A Place At Home has awarded a new franchise in Orlando. Stephen Sherbin and Nicky Sherbin are the new owners that will help fulfill A Place At Home’s larger strategy to help seniors age with dignity through personalized care. 

The Population Reference Bureau predicts that by 2060 close to 100 million Americans will be aged 65 and older. Only 3 percent of the elderly prefer nursing homes. The remainder chooses in-home care support. There is, therefore, a corresponding growing demand for quality in-home care services which led A Place At Home to franchise it’s successful model. 

A Place At Home is set to serve over 22 areas in Orlando, Florida, from Bay Hill to Pine Castle and Pine Hills through the stewardship of Stephen Sherbin & Nicky Sherbin. The owners have extensive experience in healthcare. They will be operating from a centrally located office at Hoffner Center, Suite #234. 

“We happily welcome Stephen and Nicky to the A Place At Home family,” said Co-Founder Dustin Distefano. “They bring vast business and care experience that embodies our spirit of CARE. We believe that they are the perfect people to help us grow and serve seniors throughout Orlando.” 

About The Owners

Stephen is the president-elect of the Florida Hearing Society. He has 18 years of executive-level experience in the hearing aid industry. He is also a former member of the Economic Development Council for Brevard County and a former chair of the Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce. 

His business partner, Nicky Sherbin, is a Radiation Oncology Registered Nurse Manager in Winter Park. She has been providing care for those in her community for more than 25 years. Nicky was also a Spring Training nurse for the Washington Nationals, Montreal Expos, and Florida Marlins. She was also the nurse for the LPGA and helped launch the Sports Medicine Institute in Melbourne, Florida. Both she and Stephen are very experienced in handling VIP clients. 

Why A Place At Home Franchise?

The senior care entrepreneurs chose A Place At Home for its new franchise model and inspiring philosophy. “A Place At Home has given us the ability to offer the complete range of services including in-home companion care and in-home private care,” said Stephen. “We have also started a referral service that transitions patients to the right assisted living facilities that can meet their needs.” 

Stephen praised A Place At Home for its nurturing franchisee relations. “The agency employs its care staff in a supporting, responsible, and traditional way. Their comprehensive training program allowed us to hit the ground running.” 

The US Census Bureau confirms that Florida has the highest percentage of seniors, standing at 19%. The weather, the tax system and the vibrant community of elders are the contributing factors. Stephen and Nicky have a great opportunity to make a difference in the quality of elderly care in the state. 

“Having started my nursing career in hospice and home care and working in radiation oncology for the past 14 years, I have personally seen the life-changing results achieved by competent home care professionals,” says Nicky. “We are thrilled for the chance to make an impact in our local community filled with family and friends.” 

Stephen adds, “Success requires passion. Our passion comes from our family that is going through the same challenges as our patients’ families. We understand the strong need to provide high-quality care for those we love. We also understand the feeling of being trapped by having to work but wanting to be a caring son or daughter. Providing solutions to those problems through our new franchise is incredibly rewarding.” 

About A Place At Home

A Place At Home aims to be agile to the dynamics of the aging process through the provision of personalized services tuned to the unique and changing needs of each patient. The service model is dubbed C.A.R.E, which stands for Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, and Ethical. A Place At Home helps seniors stay at home for longer with support and a degree of independence they desire. When the patients must move to senior care facilities, free placement services are offered. 

Visit www.aplaceathome.com to learn more about the services we offer and www.aplaceathomefranchise.com to learn about franchising opportunities. 

CONTACT: 

Jerod Evanich, MBA Co-Founder and Head of Development
O: 888-502-6310 x 101
F: 402-281-0738
E: jerod.evanich(at)aplaceathome(dot)com

5 Ways to Market Your In-Home Senior Care Services During the Holidays

Marketing During the Holidays

It’s that time of the year again! The shopping spirit is in the air, and small businesses are dreaming of big sales, of willing buyers with open wallets. However, none of that is a guarantee. Strategic marketing is needed to leverage the festivities for improved sales during the Holidays.

Remember, too, that at this time of the year, consumers are crushing under a barrage of marketing messages. If you provide in-home senior care services, your strategy should, therefore, cut through the clutter and reach the right people where they are.

Here are some excellent holiday marketing techniques for home care services:

1. Find a holiday angle to your services

The holiday feeling is about sharing and caring, and that ties in well with the nature of your senior care business. Currently, friends and family gather to share the love, and there is no better time to deliver an infomercial on your top care services.

Create a thoughtful, inspiring, and heartfelt video on the beauty of in-home senior care and how it enhances the quality of life for the elderly and their families. For example, do a video directed at family caregivers that could use a break to be “just family members” this holiday season. You offer to supplement in a few days to a couple of weeks of service and while you assist with ADL’s and medication reminders, they can focus on their family.

Be sure to share this on your social media pages, promote it on YouTube and email to local community reps. Be prepared to answer questions especially if families are bringing loved ones home from long-term care facilities and need extra help. Learn the ‘vacation’ rules for Medicaid and Medicare coverage to provide extra peace of mind.

2. Get your clients involved

The best holiday messaging should tell the story of happiness and overcoming challenges. If you have clients willing to testify for the excellent quality of your care services, ensure to leverage that. Self-proclamation and inflationary claims don’t accomplish as much as user testimonies do.

You can send out these personal client stories through email, publish them as a series of social media posts, on flyer distribution, or online video. Don’t forget to thank your clients, their families, and everyone involved, wishing them happy holidays and include a call to action. For example, they may have family in town for the holidays so offer additional hours of care so they can enjoy their company and not put them to work or worry about things that need to get done.

3. Give away something meaningful

Let your business reflect the giving that embodies this holiday season. Your current and potential clients expect to be treated this time of year. Promotions can help you break through the market even when you are just starting out.

Your holiday promotion this year can be informed of surprise gifts for the families of your existing clients, discounts to past clients or prospects, or a community senior fun event. You can also partner with other non-competitor brands, health services providers, churches, and other organizations in spreading seniors love this holiday season. Just ensure that there is an awareness value for your business in that arrangement.

Holiday gifting helps to:

  • Spread awareness
  • Increase brand love and deepen brand loyalty
  • Increase the number of referrals

4. Add a festive holiday appeal to your website

It’s a new digital age that we are living in. Pew Research reports that 70 % of seniors go online and use digital services. The inventor of the Web, Tim Berners Lee, is himself a baby boomer, and that shows that the elderly don’t live in a faradays cage of sorts. And if the seniors are not that internet savvy, at least their kids and supporters are.

This holiday season your social media pages and website should be extra interactive full of thank you messages and best wishes. Your landing pages should be holiday-themed. Your entire site needs to be current and informative, enjoyable and assuring of the legitimacy and professionalism of your services.

5. Get out, be part of the community and build a dependable referral program

Unlike most other businesses, an in-home senior care business mostly thrives on referrals. You will find that more than half of your quality client introductions come from health service providers. Introductions from community leaders and local organizations can also give you the leap you desire.

Ensure, therefore, to engage with these people often, more so this holiday season, and offer them incentives/gifts as an appreciation for their leads. Remember to also keep in touch with clients and caregivers through postcards or greetings cards this holiday season.

Don’t let your senior care business miss out on the growth potential of the holiday cheer. Follow the above simple marketing during the holiday strategies and watch your business grow.

Considering a Senior Care Franchise?

When you join our group of dynamic business owners, as franchisees of A Place at Home, you’ll have strong support, thorough training and valuable business resources to help you succeed. Contact us to learn more.

A Place At Home Opens its 10th Location

Innovative senior care company continues to expand.

A Place At Home opened its doors in North Texas on Monday, October 14th. It is the tenth APAH location to open its doors nationwide. APAH has launched other franchise locations in Austin, TX, Colorado, Michigan, California, Oregon, Arizona, Arkansas, and Papillion, Nebraska. The corporate headquarters is located in Omaha, Nebraska.

Founders Jerod Evanich and Dustin Distefano opened APAH in 2012. Both men shared a passion for making changes in senior care. They created a continuum of care model to ensure APAH would be a true solution, rather than just another home care agency. This model includes four service lines which are in-home care, care coordination, senior living alternatives, and staffing.

A widely positive response led to exponential growth, ultimately culminating in the decision to open franchising opportunities across the nation. The first new franchise opened its doors in 2017 in South Denver with owners George and Grace Bradley.

This year Evanich and Distefano celebrated their tenth location by launching the First Annual Franchise Convention, where they brought all of their new franchise owners together, giving them an opportunity to socialize and benefit from a number of seminars.

“It’s the first of many milestones for the franchise system,” said Evanich. 

“The growth we’ve seen since 2017, and hosting our first annual franchise convention, is a significant turning point for our brand. We’ve gone nationwide, and are in discussion with a prospect to potentially go international in order to reach more seniors in need of our services,” adds Distefano.

Evanich said they focus on finding the right people to expand their brand. “More and more entrepreneurs are looking for meaningful business opportunities, as well as a quality service model they can stand behind.”