I have a friend who loves old people and wants to start a business helping the aging and caregivers/family members. She is so smart and savvy, and would be great at Senior Move coordination, helping families to prepare their documents, etc. What do you and your families NEED most?
The other services like referrals, coordinating, etc. can be done with agencies. I know that some people hire a coordinator to help determine what is needed and get the help to them, like arrange for the aid to come on certain days, arrange doctor appointments and transportation, check on groceries and get them delivered, etc. I have known family members who hire someone to do all of that when they have extremely hectic schedules or live far away. I don't know of anyone who does it outside of an agency. I might do online research and see if any seminars are offered on it, since, you'd want to get legal advice and insurance.
Older people and their families need support from people who really know what they're doing.
I love old people, too, and when they weren't my mother I have always got on extremely well with elders. It's an affinity, I'm not claiming credit for any particular virtue or talent. After my mother died I eventually applied for a job with a reablement service, knowing that most of the clients would be older...
[In fact, in six months the clients I have worked with have ranged in age from 22 to 101. How will your friend decide where to draw the line?]
... and all my friends and family and professional network et al said "oh yes! You'd be really good at that!"
Well. This is the best job I have ever done in my life. I skip to my car, really I do. But the key point I want to make is that I no longer think I know all about supporting older people. In six months I've learned more than I can even begin to list here - and there is as much and more to learn in the next six, too. I've lost none of my ambition to deliver high quality services, but I have most certainly been brought down to earth with a hard bump.
So I have to ask: what directly relevant training and experience does your friend have? I am living proof that "fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
But, doing something like this takes a lot of "hats". You have to know where all the resources are and understand them. She will need to understand Medicaid, in and out. Insurance in and out. She will need to know how Social Services work. What they provide and maybe learn to help people fill out forms. Believe me, this can be complicated.
Before she even gets started, she may have to be certified in some areas. Lots of seminars (some u get College Credit) She may need a background in Social Work or at least courses.
She should start with her local Office of Aging. They may be able to help her figure out what she needs. I have a friend who is starting a similar business. She is nonprofit and had to get a federal tax ID. But this friend has been working throughout the County for years. She signs up for Grants and works with them. Lots of experience.
I worked as a secretary for a Visiting Nurse Assoc. My boss was big on having information on hand for clients and people calling or walking in.
We supplied emergency food and had a clothing closet for our Township only. I had a list of food closets in the county and soup kitchens. Places where free food could be found. Like what Churches distributed government food monthly (need proof of need) We had aides that would ask to be put on our list to help them find clients. And what we didn't know we found out. Office of Aging put out a booklet of resources every year. I was given permission to copy and distribute these booklets. I had a table full of pamphlets about the ALs and Nursing homes in the area. Care agencies. Services in the county.
This is not an overnight thing. She needs to find out the needs of her Community. Where I live Office of Aging is the big resource. I live near the County seat. Social Services/Medicaid are maybe 10/15 minutes away. But there are other members who are in rural areas and resources are too far to take advantage of. These people could use a service like ur friends.