If you are running a care home, you will need to do it well. Caring for vulnerable people means that nothing but excellence will suffice. Before going into this industry, you will need to assess what it will take to run a successful care home so that you don’t make mistakes when it’s your reputation and capital on the line.
More South Africans than ever before are in need of care in their old age and, if your business is the one to provide it, running and marketing well will ensure success.
Get the right team
Your staff are going to be the people interacting with the residents on a daily basis. Because of this, the people you have working for you will be important. You will want to hire people who are naturally caring and trustworthy.
You do not need specific qualifications if you are going to be working in a care home, however, it can be very beneficial for you to give your employees ongoing training and career development so that they don’t become complacent.
If you want your staff to be able to care well for your residents, you will also need to make sure that you have ample staff for the duties and shifts that are needed. You don’t want your staff to be working too many shifts and being too tired to give adequate care.
Besides care, you will need staff to take care of administrative tasks. When you buy a care home, there will usually be an existing staff. Carefully asses the strengths and weaknesses of the team and where you need to provide more training or where you need to employ additional people.
Make sure you meet standards
First and foremost, cleanliness is vital at any care home. Elderly people are susceptible to illness and disease and avoiding this will mean keeping an excellent level of hygiene.
Regularly inspect that your staff are following the cleaning protocol. The linens should be washed often and there needs to be cleaning stations with hand sanitiser at convenient points around the building.
Keep in mind that your care home needs to be easily accessible to differently-abled people. If you buy an already existing care home, during the due diligence, make note of any changes that will have to be made before this is possible and factor that into the valuation.
Marketing
If you have made sure to get your care home up to the very best of standards, you will then need to advertise this to potential residents and their families. Focus on getting the word out in local communities so that people are aware of the services that you offer your residents.
Having extra services available to residents will be an ideal way to market your business. Think about partnering up with other local businesses like hairdressers and beauty parlours so that your residents can have access to these important parts of daily life.
Your residents will also want activities scheduled throughout the week. Having a routine is a good
idea but your residents also deserve something out of the ordinary every now and again!
Dementia care
Along with an ageing population, there have been a growing number of people with dementia. Creating an environment that can be a home to residents with dementia as well as others will give you the opportunity to appeal to a wider market.
In order to do this, you will need to create a homely, rather than sterile, environment. The safety and security of your residents will also need to be carefully considered. Extra training for your staff will also be needed!
When you look for the right care home to buy, evaluate how much you will need to spend in order to facilitate residents with dementia.
