As the Baby Boomer generation ages, they look for support at home with medication, meal preparation, and household chores. As a result, the demand for in-home healthcare services is expected to increase by 22% by 2034. This offers career-changers a unique opportunity to provide a vital service and embark on a fulfilling career path. It’s a great time to start thinking about starting an in-home care service.
If you have strong operational skills and a service-first mindset, you might be interested in exploring what it’s like to own an in-home care business, which can be both fulfilling and highly profitable. For example, Right at Home franchise owners who have been open for more than a year enjoyed average annual net billings of over $1.7 million per office in 2024 with a 44.43% profit margin, according to the company.
People who own successful in-home care businesses are compassionate leaders with sharp business instincts and a heart for service. Many don’t have formal health care experience, but they do have experience with caregiving and a desire to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Running a successful in-home business does require you to roll up your sleeves. You’ll need to schedule, hire and retain dedicated caregivers, build trust with clients’ families, and maintain relationships with referral sources. While it can be a lot of work, many in-home business owners say they are happy with their career choice.
A Way to Give Back
Owning an in-home care business allows you to care for families in your community and make a meaningful impact on the lives of those around you.
Maeghan Scott, a former public relations professional, manages an in-home care business in New Jersey that her late father, Moses, launched more than 20 years ago. Providing personal care services to the elderly and people with disabilities wasn’t on Maeghan’s career radar, but she says joining the family business has given her a taste of entrepreneurship and a way to give back.
Maeghan’s family had experienced the positive, lasting impact that personal in-home care providers have on clients and their families.
“My grandmother had Alzheimer’s. We had a caregiver who supported her in the nursing home until she passed,” Maeghan said. “So we were familiar with what good caregiving looked like and how important it could be to support someone at that time in their lives.
A Great Opportunity for Veterans
Veterans often thrive in purpose-driven work environments. Running an in-home care business lets them continue serving closer to home—this time, by helping seniors and people with disabilities live with dignity and independence.
Ted Pease owns two Right at Home locations, which he purchased from a previous owner in June 2023. A native of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Ted is passionate about serving his community and sought a way to serve families locally.
Before he began franchising, Ted worked in a corporate role and served for 10 years as an active-duty surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy. He continues to serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve and manage his business at the same time. His passion for serving others and drive for entrepreneurship led him to explore franchise opportunities that aligned with his values.
“I wanted to pursue an entrepreneurial life and had not previously considered a franchise,” he said. “After networking with some folks, I discovered how powerful the right franchise system could be in establishing and scaling a business.”
Ted said Right at Home provides resources and coaching that make business owners’ lives easier.
“They have full-time business coaches to help you work through any of your key business concerns or issues,” he said. “They also provide facilitated performance groups with other owners to really grow your business.”
Recession-Resistant
The best businesses to start in a recession have longevity. They aren’t based on the latest fad or only available to a small group of people. Home care businesses are considered to be recession-resistant because they provide essential services to the senior population, which will double by 2060. Families will continue prioritizing care for their loved ones, regardless of economic conditions. At the same time, in-home care provides a more cost-effective alternative to nursing homes or assisted living facilities, which can quickly deplete seniors’ retirement funds.
Because in-home care businesses may also receive funding from Medicare, Medicaid waiver programs, Veterans Affairs, or private insurance, business owners can expect to earn revenue even during recessions, making the industry a more stable option during economic uncertainty.
Right at Home is among other in-home care franchises recently named to Franchise Business Review’s 2025 Recession-Resistant Franchises list.
A Franchise Option?
If you’re interested in starting an in-home care business, you have two options. You could start an independent company from scratch or buy into a franchise. Each path offers its own set of pros and cons. Both require you to hire caregivers who can provide excellent care to your clients.
If you choose to launch your own business, you might have more control over your brand and lower initial startup costs, but you’ll have to build out every aspect of your business from the ground up, including marketing, operations, compliance systems, and referral networks.
Franchises offer built-in brand recognition and a proven business model you can follow. They can also walk you through the compliance process and offer marketing and technology support. While you will have to pay a franchise fee and royalties to a corporate office, franchises tend to outperform startups in long-term viability.
Because she took over after her father passed, Maeghan said being part of a franchise gave her the tools to get up to speed more quickly.
“The Right at Home corporate office provided the training, tools, and templates we needed to hit the ground running,” she said.
Right at Home: Leading with Compassion
Founded in 1995 by former hospital administrator Allen Hager, Right at Home offers in-home care services that help seniors and people with disabilities to live independently in their homes for as long as possible. Caregivers provide non-medical services, including meal preparation, light housekeeping, and companionship. There are currently 700 Right at Home locations in five countries, making it one of the largest home care franchises in the world.
If joining a franchise that provides reassurance to the families of seniors and adults with disabilities aligns with your mission, Right at Home might be the right investment for you. According to the company’s most recent Financial Disclosure Document, here are some financial requirements you’ll need to fulfill if you decide to invest in Right at Home.
- Total startup investment: $92,100 to $165,309, including franchise fee
- Franchise fee: $49,500 or $44,550 for honorably discharged veterans
- Minimum Liquid Assets to be considered for a franchise: $150,000
- Royalties: 5% of net billings per quarter.
You can also expect to pay fees for national and local marketing.
Right at Home offers an in-person, two-week training program at the company’s headquarters in Omaha. You can also attend webinars, town hall meetings, and the annual convention. Each franchise owner is assigned to an engagement team. This includes a business coach, an online marketing specialist, and a business operations coordinator. Together, they work to help them launch and net a profit as soon as possible.
Starting an In-Home Care Service Can Bring Fulfillment
Right at Home franchise owners report high satisfaction with their decision to join the brand. A November 2024 Franchise Business Review survey of Right at Home franchise owners found that:
- 99% said they were likely to recommend the Right at Home brand
- 97% said they enjoyed being part of the Right at Home family
- 83% said senior management encourages a strong team culture
Launching or investing in a business is a big financial commitment. If you’re interested in franchise opportunities, you should conduct your research, weigh your options and look at the franchise cost breakdown. Additionally, talk to current franchise owners to fully understand the business. You must also be honest about the time and money you are willing to dedicate to building your business.
