In the fast-paced digital world, technological advancements have upgraded almost every aspect of life to make it more comfortable. Everything is one click away. Despite these advancements, one irreplaceable thing is affection and care. Due to the busy work schedule, often caring for aging loved ones or differently abled loved ones gets unheeded. Besides, making decisions on providing care for the loved ones can be an overwhelming process. There are certain questions that arise like, How do you know what’s right for your family’s unique situation? Is in-home care the right solution? Or does your loved one need more?
In 1997, the journey of Home Helpers was commenced to solve a need to provide exceptionally trustworthy care at the ease of home while allowing loved ones to live an independent lifestyle for as long as possible.
“At Home Helpers® Home Care, we want to be the extended family for your aging loved ones when you aren’t able to be there,” says Emma Dickison, the President, and CEO of Home Helpers. She has had a long history with family caregiving which makes her experience vital in this industry.
Emma has been highly inspired by her entrepreneurial parents. Her parents owned a small independent motel. As her family lived on-site, she found herself working with the guests. “I learned how to be the maid, switchboard operator, cleaned the pool, painting, landscaping, etc.” Soon her entrepreneurial journey began, and she joined a fairly new startup at the time called Blockbuster Video and grew with them for 14 years. Subsequently, she worked with two major brands before joining Home Helpers. Emma has been instrumental in transforming Home Helpers beyond an in-home healthcare agency.
Meeting the Need of Today and Tomorrow
The brand Home Helpers offers a wide bouquet of services that are delivered by skilled, trained, professional, and compassionate Caregivers thorough out the U.S. dedicated to meet the client’s needs. The Caregivers work with the clients to create a customized care solution for the best possible quality of life for the client’s peace of mind.
Home Helpers serve multiple consumer segments. And most recently, the company is also launching a new program called Cared-4. With this program, Home Helpers Home Care is looking forward to redefining the very definition of home care by combining four elements, home caregiving, wellness checks, technology, and meals and nutrition into a premium package for its clients when the Caregiver is in the home, and when they are not.
Cared-4 service offering includes:
- Care and Companionship: With time it might get difficult to help the elderly or loved ones accomplish daily tasks. Under this service, the company assists with basic activities of daily living, like hygiene, cooking, or remembering to take medication which can help the loved one remain safe and comfortable in their own home. Furthermore, these Caregivers are specially trained in areas like Alzheimer’s and dementia care, disability care, and injury recovery care.
- Meals and Nutrition Planning: A good diet complete with well-balanced meals are integral to a long and healthy life. Whether it’s access to the right ingredients, the ability to prepare a nutritious meal, or the lack of information about what to eat, there are a variety of obstacles that get in the way of healthy eating. Thus, Home Helpers offers nutritional assistance for clients, including nutritional counseling and meal preparation. Additionally, meals can be pre-ordered from a menu of options prepared specifically to meet the specific needs of seniors and delivered directly to his or her home.
- Wellness Calls: Due to the daily busy schedule there can be difficulties remembering to take medication or following directives from the physician. Home Helpers offers Wellness Calls that can be scheduled at any time during any day to help with important reminders or to just touch base and have a social chat.
- 24-Hour Monitoring: The company also provides Direct Link, a wearable emergency response technology. This technology assists the client when their elderly loved one is alone. The wearable technology offers Direct Link Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) that monitors 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to make sure the clients are always taken care of.
“We work with you to create a customized care solution for the best possible quality of life for your loved one, and peace of mind for you,” asserts Emma.
Making Most of the Opportunities
Currently, the COVID-19 impact has altered the normal working routine. Several organizations have shifted their workspace online and staff is working remotely. The team at the National Support Center of Home Helpers, while identified as an essential business, also followed the measures of social distancing and has been working remotely since March 13th. With some foresight, Emma recently moved the National Support Center a new office for the corporate staff and all the platforms, as well as phones, were set up remote work. Even after the sudden shift, Emma ensured that there was swift communication throughout. She adds, “We leverage all of the typical platforms to remain connected i.e.; zoom, go to a meeting, Microsoft teams, etc.”
Apart from this, the staff has been surveyed twice in the last several months related to COVID-19. The survey has not just proved beneficial for physical health but also the mental health of the staff members. All this has contributed to more productivity despite the challenging environment created by the pandemic. This enabled Home Helpers to be able to provide continued exceptional support to their network of franchisees, who have employees on the front lines in the pandemic.
Tête-à-tête with Emma Dickison:
Everyday Home Helpers Home Care® is helping keep seniors and other high-risk populations safe and cared for in the comfort of their own homes. CEO, Emma Dickison, shares the critical measures Home Helpers’ exceptional Caregivers are taking to prevent and protect the spread of this virus and how the company is overcoming the challenges of the pandemic.
How has the current pandemic affected your industry vertical?
The effects overall, while challenging, have been positive by far. My industry is considered essential as we provide care to seniors in their homes. The pandemic has highlighted the important role our organization plays in the health care continuum and our business has continued to grow through the pandemic.
Being one of the prominent leaders in this business, how will you list down the benefits of the franchise business?
I think franchise businesses typically are a proven business model. They have a tested framework that is scalable with a recognized brand to support continued growth. As a franchise, new units don’t make costly mistakes those in traditional business startups will have to endure. The advantages of the franchise business are numerous, such as
- A proven business model with a network of like-minded franchisees working with the same brand standards, delivering the same customer experience.
- A franchise can leverage the network of franchisees for greater advantages in procurement and national accounts to profitably deliver on the brand promise.
Are there any benefits that Home Helpers provides to its franchise owners?
Our brand plays a role in governmental advocacy. I am also the President of the Board of Directors for the Home Care Association of America, the largest trade association for our industry and we work to make sure that home care is represented in the health care continuum. We also have a network of national accounts through our business development group that drives client acquisition and employment leads to our network of franchisees.
In regards to the COVID-19 outbreak, did Home Helpers undertake any special efforts towards the team?
Our motto says “Making Life Easier”, so in such tough times, we helped our network and our clients in every possible way that we could. As an example, during COVID-19 we sourced and ordered personal protective equipment for our network in bulk orders to drive down costs and make available for agencies that did not meet high minimums.
Have you and your team adapted to remote working?
Even before the virus outbreak our field team worked remotely so it was easy to adapt to remote working. We still all miss being together in the office though. Besides, we have offered a flexible work schedule for years. I do think that after this, there will be more that want to take advantage of that benefit, which is great!
Would you like to recommend any books, or podcasts that you follow to seek motivation from?
I listen to the Women’s Franchise Committees “Her Success” podcast. It has some real women’s titans in the franchise industry. Apart from this, I recommend ‘Lead for God’s Sake’ by Todd Gongwer, and ‘The Energy Bus’ by Jon Gordon for the aspiring.
Advice for the readers:
“You have to love what you do. Our corporate value statement is Be BOLD. Bring your passion every day, own your results, love what you do, and be driven by excellence.”
