Book Review: Start Your Own Senior Services Business

By Jacquelyn Lynn and Charlene Davis
ISBN: 1-932531-94-7
Publisher: Entrepreneur Press (2006)
210 pages
$14.95

Does your business know how to meet the particular needs of baby boomers, retirees, and the very mature? Do you even know the difference between all three? This Entrepreneur Startup Guide by Jacquelyn Lynn and Charlene Davis provides an eye-opening look at how to start your own senior services business specializing in adult day care, home health care, and relocation, concierge, travel, and transportation services.

Although there is a large amount of overlapping between the needs of most senior adults – especially in physically or mentally disabled clients – the authors’ research reveals that in areas such as travel, baby boomers (55 to 64), retirees (65 to 75) and the very mature (75-plus) have different needs. For example, “grandtravel” (healthy, active grandparents usually in the baby boomer range taking their grandchildren on trips) has become one of the fastest growing travel trends. A variety of seniors’ needs in different categories (and businesses designed to help meet these needs) are described throughout the book.

“Start Your Own Senior Services Business” also offers useful information regarding financial matters, developing a business plan, marketing ideas, plus a variety of printed forms including checklists, prescription medication permission form, letter of authorization for utility company, and injury report form, among many others. Each service (and piece of equipment) listed in the book has a suggested cost to go along with it, so there won’t be any unpleasant surprises for the new business owner. The text is punctuated by helpful sidebars including “dollar stretchers,” “bright idea,” “stat fact,” “beware,” and “smart tip.” An extensive appendix lists a variety of helpful senior care resources.

This book is ideal for anyone interested in starting a senior services business who isn’t quite sure what he or she wants to offer or how to take the first step. Throughout each of the 17 chapters, the authors take great care to mention the importance of treating senior clients with compassion and respect. One of many thoughtful suggestions is included in the chapter on Home Care and Home Health-Care Services: “If a client has difficulty with vision or reading, instead of writing notes and reminders, the home care aide can record instruction on a tape recorder for the client to listen to after the aide has left for the day.” These thoughtful suggestions broaden the book’s scope by addressing clients’ emotional needs (for which you may not get paid) as well as their physical needs (for which you will get paid). As Lynn and Davis seem to know, these needs go hand in hand.

Besides the obvious market of would-be entrepreneurs, “Start Your Own Senior Services Business’ offers valuable insight into the daily struggles of seniors striving to maintain their independence. Everyone with aging parents could benefit from reading this book. For more information on “Start Your Own Senior Services Business,” visit the authors’ websites at www.jacquelynlynn.com and www.cdavisfreelance.com

Copyright 2006 Leslie Halpern

Central Florida entertainment writer Leslie Halpern is the author of more than 1,300 articles in trade and consumer magazines. She wrote the books “Reel Romance. The Lovers’ Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies” (Taylor Trade Publishing), which reviews date movies and suggests romantic ideas inspired by these films, and “Dreams on Film: The Cinematic Struggle Between Art and Science” (McFarland & Company), an analysis of representations of sleeping and dreaming in more than 125 movies. Both books are available at Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. Visit her website at: http://home.cfl.rr.com/lesliehalpern/leslie_halpern.htm