How to Open an Elderly Care Home

Popular elderly care facilities offer a caring lifestyle in lovely surroundings

Glance at the statistics or consult a recent census: good health, active lifestyles and medical advancements have added years to the lives of seniors. Ultimately, even the healthiest men and women will succumb to physical and mental decline and while it's not true for all seniors, many do and will require full-time care that families may not be in a position to provide. That's why so many corporations and individuals are opening elderly care facilities. Mix the right building design with tried-and-true senior-focused construction principles plus a caring staff, and families will flock to your welcoming home.

Things You'll Need

• Financing
• Contractor
• Fees and permits
• Multi-family zoning permit
• Public relations plan
• Legal documents
• Employees
• Renters

Instructions

1. Obtain underwriting for your elderly care home by approaching lending institutions, venture capitalists and other revenue sources. Arrive at meetings with prospective investors armed with material that proves you understand the gravity of the project you seek to undertake. Bring along budget projections, architectural renderings, blueprints, environmental and feasibility studies (see link below), documentation that verifies zoning--and don't forget to underscore the target audience that awaits the construction of your facility.

2. Establish a corporation, LLC or other legal entity as an umbrella under which the elderly care home will operate. Fund the corporation with start-up cash from the proceeds of your financing source and begin applying for permits and licenses to get the project started. Visit your insurance broker to obtain a policy that covers the construction period, so acts of nature, accidents and unexpected situations don't interrupt the progress of the project, or prevent you from staying within deadlines and financial limits. Meet with contractors to make certain they follow senior-specific building guidelines (see link below).

3. Invite the community zoning board---plus officials--to a formal groundbreaking to let the community know that your residential facility for the elderly will be a good neighbor. Place a construction trailer on the site so you can be on hand to make daily decisions required of the developer while the building is under construction--this will satisfy bonding and insurance agreements that require your presence. Oversee everything from concrete foundation pouring, installation of plumbing and electrical and wall and roof erection.

4. Form a board of directors from which all policies and protocols will flow once your facility opens its doors. Set rules and regulations for individuals (e.g., age limits, financial health of applicants to qualify for housing) and group living (time constraints for common areas, assessments for recreation and social activities, etc.). Write a guide for residents so applicants for apartments know exactly what they can expect after they move in. Ask your lawyer to draft a rental agreement that includes language to address the death of a resident living at your facility.

5. Consult with an interior designer specializing in communal living for the elderly. Diminished sight and hearing, lack of mobility and a variety of health considerations must be anticipated during a resident's tenure, so make wise decisions about common areas, making sure they are as easy to navigate as individual rooms, with large door openings, non-slip floors and easy-to-find light switches (see link below).

6. Hire competent staff with experience in geriatric housing. Mix professional health-care givers with compassionate domestic help to be ready for all types of emergencies. Launch a public relations campaign as soon as your facility is complete. Invite neighbors to stop by for tea, get the local community newspaper to write about your facility and assuage any fears neighbors may have about your presence on the block. You'll probably land future residents once they see how comfortable, attractive and accessible your facility is as a result of insightful planning and attention to detail.

Tips & Warnings

• Pet visitation programs are a big hit at senior residences and they cost nothing to run with help from a local humane society or animal shelter.

References

• senior residence standards
• architects and builders
• facility design