In-Home Care

Home health is forecasted to grow by over 42% in the next five years, as key demographic drivers remain in place throughout this decade. At the same time, the number of certified home health agencies operating in the U.S. has decreased from over 14,000 to less than 8,000 since 1996. thus significantly decreasing local market competition. This presents enormous opportunity to forge new client relationships where entrenched competition was previously present.

In addition, the nation's population continues to age. In 1994, approximately one in eight Americans was age 65 and older. By 2030, one in five Americans will be a senior citizen. From 1960 to 1994, the "oldest" population (persons aged 85 and over) increased by 274% compared with 100% for those 65 and over. One quarter (8 million) of the nation's elderly population have some form of disability for which they require assistance, such as help with bathing, dressing, eating, preparing meals, or taking medication; by 2020 it is estimated that 15 million people will have some form of disability.

According to an AARP survey in 2000, 82% of mid-life and older Americans prefer not to move from home if they need help caring for themselves. As a result, fewer seniors may be getting the help they need with daily functioning. For example, in 1990, 80 percent of seniors needing help to prepare their meals reported that someone was available to help them; by 2001, that had dropped to just 60 percent according to the National Council on Aging. Overall, there was a significant decrease in the number of seniors who reported that they had spouses, relatives, friends or neighbors to provide personal care or assistance. At the same time, older adults have longer life expectancies than ever before.