Trust plays a foundational role in any client-business relationship. There are few industries, however, where trust is more important than it is to home care providers. Whether you operate an independent agency, work as an independent caregiver, or operate a home care franchise, your success depends on trust between your clients and your business.

If you’re thinking of opening a home care franchise, here are five ways that you can establish trust with your clients and in your community.

Trust-Building Tips for Home Care Franchise Owners

Prioritize People. When you’re opening a home care franchise, it’s important that you’re starting your business for the right reasons. Home care is a profitable sector right now, but if you put profits over people, you’ll never build trust with your clients.

As the owner of a home care agency, you’ll build trust by putting people first, showing your clients and the community at large that you’re focused on seniors’ well-being — not your bottom line.

Value Honesty. There’s no easier way to undermine trust than to act dishonestly with your clients. Be as honest and forthright as possible with clients and leads for your business.

Remember that dishonesty doesn’t only come in the form of outright lies. Even minor misrepresentations about your experience, your competition, or what clients can expect from your services will be enough to erode clients’ confidence in your home care franchise.

Show Respect. Home care is a sensitive issue for most seniors. Nobody wants to lose their independence, and many seniors feel embarrassed about the issues that led them to require home assistance.

Running a successful home care franchise means treating seniors with the utmost respect, whatever their circumstances. This will let your clients know that they have nothing to be ashamed of, and it will establish a foundation of mutual respect, which is crucial for a trusting care relationship.

Be Dependable. As a home care franchisee, you will only build trust by meeting the commitments you give to your clients and their families. Failing to live up to your commitments, even on infrequent occasions, will show seniors that they can’t depend on your agency.

Does your home care franchise promise clients a great fit between seniors and caregivers? If so, you need to be willing to go the extra mile to make sure the fit is right between each care recipient and care provider.
Do you operate an after-hours emergency line? If so, you need to make sure that every call receives an answer as quickly as possible.
Do you tell families that you’ll provide them with regular updates on their loved ones? If so, you need a system that ensures detailed, accurate updates on a routine basis.

Get Involved. Client interactions are the most important avenue for establishing trust as a home care franchise. But that doesn’t mean they’re the only avenue. It’s important that you also build trust within your community. Get involved with local groups, donate time and resources to local charities, and reach out to local professionals that serve your area’s elderly population.

Community outreach is particularly important for new home care franchise businesses. Without established client relationships to help you spread recommendations about your business, community involvement is a valuable tool for getting your name out there and attract potential clients.

Thinking of opening a home care franchise? Call 800-365-4189 today for information on home care franchise opportunities with Visiting Angels or submit an online request for detailed franchise information.