Starting Your Own Elder Care Side Hustle

Are you a caregiver at heart? Do you miss sitting on the back porch with grandma talking about the good old days? Then this may be the perfect side hustle for you. The population is aging and they need help around the house. This could be a trip to a doctor’s appointment or grocery shopping. Maybe stopping in to check on someone’s mom or dad that lives alone. It might mean light housekeeping or making a meal. It also just might mean being a companion. Showing up and listening. This is where you come in by offering your services to help with these daily living chores. If you can provide this care it makes you an invaluable resource, and people are willing to pay for those resources, and this is how you get started with your own Elder Care side hustle.

There are a few basics that apply to starting any side hustle.

• Identifying a problem.
• Solving the problem.
• Selling your solution, by obtaining clients

Let’s chat about obtaining clients.

Create an ad. This could be a graphic image or just a short blurb about the services you are offering. Remember you could have the best service business in town but if people don’t know you exist you can’t sell your service.

Seek out local Forums, Facebook groups, and Craigslist, and post about your services.

Flier churches, parks, senior centers, and other places your clientele might be visiting.

Network. You never know when you’ll overhear a conversation, or be asked for advice on a subject that will lead to a sale. Keep your business cards on you at all times.

Word of mouth will eventually be your best marketing strategy. Happy clients who would like their friends to also utilize your services. So make sure you keep HAPPY clients!

There’s An App For That: Elder Care

• Papa pal: Papa helps health plans and employers connect members and their families to real people for help with companionship, everyday tasks, transportation, and more. It’s vital human connection, right to the front door.
• CareLinx: A platform that connects caregivers with families in need of in-home care services.
• Care.com: An online marketplace for caregivers, including those that provide in-home care services.
• Caresync: A care coordination platform for families and caregivers to manage care plans and share information.
• Honk: A platform that connects families with trusted local caregivers.

It’s worth noting that most of these apps have a free version and also a paid version that grants access to more features and benefits.

Even though these apps exist many locals won’t be aware they exist. Some may also prefer to hire someone they’ve met in person. These apps could also work to your benefit, you may be able to contact them and offer your services through the apps.

As with every side hustle make sure to keep your receipts. Track your supplies, mileage, and other expenses. You’ll also need to track your income from your side hustles so that you can file your taxes appropriately at the end of the year. Please consult your local tax professional for details.

Elder Care as a side hustle can be lucrative most care rates start at $20 per hour but can vary greatly by the type of services needed and the complexity. Certifications can also up your expected pay rate. CNAs, Patient Care Techs, LPNs, RNs, and other health care providers are likely to charge a rate closer to their individual industry standard but you wouldn’t hire an RN if you just needed someone to run to the grocery store or run a load of laundry. So if you’ve got the patience, knowledge, and communication skills this might be a great side hustle to add to your bag of tricks.