We have all seen the home health care industry grow by leaps and bounds over the past decade. With more home health care agencies and service providers than ever before, the competition is getting tougher. Customer expectations are also growing, and as the baby boomer generation reaches its peak, there is an even greater demand for specialized services. Home health agencies that don’t take the time to listen to customers and look for unique ways to stay competitive will have a hard time standing out. Home health consultants can help you capitalize on these growth opportunities by identifying the best specialty services for your market.

The need for specialized services

When customers compare home health care agencies, they often all look the same and there is nothing specific that differentiates one from another. Agencies that want to continue to grow must now offer specialized home care services that meet the diverse needs of clients. Standard services like personal care and assistance are expected, but what other services can your home health care agency offer to stand out from the crowd?

Home health consultants can help you develop a wide range of specialized home care services, including:

• AM Care (Lift and Shine) and PM Care (Fluff and Crease)
• Sleepovers
• Foot care
• Exercise/rehabilitation or ambulation care
• Changes in the home
• Pet care and assistance
• Assistance for the care of the mother and the baby
• Ambulatory surgery care and support
• Vacation helper assistance
• Landscaping or landscaping services
• Childcare services or sick children
• Spa services

How to choose specialized services

Instead of trying to guess which of these specialty services are right for your home health agency, start by listening to your customers. Do they ask for help during a specific time of day? Are you getting requests from new moms and their babies? Do you have clients with pets who could use help caring for their furry companions? Home health consultants can also provide information on the right type of specialty service for your agency.

With the holidays fast approaching, many of your clients may start talking about the chores and events that come along with this time of year. Offering a vacation helper service is a great way to help them enjoy all of the season’s activities. You can help with:

• Purchase of gifts
• Wrap gifts
• Decorate the house
• Bake cookies and treats
• Attend Christmas productions and church services
• Transportation to the homes of friends and relatives

This type of seasonal home care service can benefit many of your active clients and also attract new clients to your home care agency. If you need help getting started, home health consultants can help you get up and running right away.

Establishment of specialized services

Specialized services do not have to be offered exclusively by internal staff. You can forge partnerships with local providers to offer a wide variety of services at a reduced price. When considering a partner, you’ll want to look for vendors that have shared customers, goals, and markets. Examples of associations for specialized home care services include:

• Medical alert systems
• Grocery and meal delivery companies
• Transport companies
• Wholesale pharmacies
• Cell phone providers
• Home repair companies
• Nail and hair care specialists
• Dog groomers, walkers and veterinarians
• Lawn and garden care services
• Cleaning companies

When considering working with home health consultants and other service providers, whatever you do, remember to really talk and listen to your clients. You may be surprised how a careless comment from a customer can lead to the opportunity to provide a new service. Also, keep in mind that many customers may not be aware of the specialized home care services you currently offer. Your ability to adapt and meet your changing needs can help you stay competitive in this growing industry.