News

Right at Home Corporate

• Free Web Conference: Depression and Older Adults - What Every Caregiver Should Know
  

  The non-profit National Private Duty Association (NPDA) will host a free family caregiver web conference titled Depression and Older Adults - What Every Caregiver Should Know on March 13, 2012, at 8:00 P.M. ET (7:00 P.M. CT).  The live and interactive program will provide advice on how family caregivers can work with professionals to identify this condition and develop an effective plan for a loved one with depression.

  The 45-minute web conference topics include:

  • Diagnosis of depression
  • Association between depression, anxiety and memory loss
  • Understanding which medications are safe and effective
  • Resources and tools for monitoring treatment and improvement

  Pre-registration for this event is required.  Sign up today by visiting the registration link at www.privatedutyhomecare.org.

  "One out of three older adults suffers from major depression," said Sheila McMackin, president of NPDA.  "Our goal is to provide information to help family caregivers increase the quality of life and identitfy beneficial treatment and care options for their loved ones." 

  
  
  
• Right at Home of Wake County, NC Receives Top 50 Entrepreneur Award
  

  On Feb. 7, Business Leader Media selected Tom Arnold, owner of the Wake County, NC office, for Business Leader’s Top 50 Entrepreneur Award. Tom’s profile will be included in the February issue of Business Leader magazine, and he will be honored at an award ceremony Feb. 23 in Raleigh, N.C. The Top 50 Entrepreneurs Award honors top business leaders in the Raleigh-Durham-Cary area. Congratulations, Tom, on your award and press coverage!

  
  
  
• Right at Home Named One of Franchise Business Review's Top Franchises for 2012
  

  Portsmouth, NH—Franchise Business Review announced the recipients of its 2012 Franchisee Satisfaction Awards, part of a national project that looks at franchisee satisfaction at some of the country’s most popular franchise brands. Now in its 7th year, the "FBR50" is the only awards program to look at actual franchisee satisfaction data and rank companies based on that.

  Franchise Business Review annually recognizes franchisors with the highest overall franchisee satisfaction based on its survey of franchisees. The survey includes 33 benchmark questions, relating to the franchisee’s experience and satisfaction as well as market area, business lifestyle, and other demographic characteristics. Franchise Business Review contacts each franchisee individually with an average franchisee participation rate of 70%.

  "We’re seeing more of a focus from franchisors on unit profitability. This has been a big focus for operators in the past several years, but now it seems franchisors are actually responding. Franchisees are rating support from franchisors better than they were a few years ago," Rowan said. "Everybody’s more optimistic going into 2012."

  Franchise Business Review publishes reports throughout the year on the top-rated companies and industry segments within the franchise marketplace. In March, the company will release its annual "Guide to Today’s Top Franchises" report, which includes more detail on the state of franchising in 2012 and on each of the award-winning companies. For a full list of the 2012 award winners, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com.

  About Franchise Business Review

  Franchise Business Review is a national franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and franchise buyer experiences. The firm’s services include commissioned franchise research projects, as well as industry-wide studies of franchisee satisfaction. Franchise Business Review is headquartered in Portsmouth, NH, and can be reached at (603) 433-2270.

  Visit www.FBR50.com or www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com for more information.

  
  
  
• House Calls Are Making a Comeback
  

  Do you remember when doctors made house calls? While the practice generally has been abandoned for the past 40 years, it seems to be making a comeback in the 21st century, due to rising healthcare costs.

  A new federal program called the Independence at Home Demonstration, created by the Affordable Care Act, will test the effectiveness of providing healthcare to thousands of chronically ill Medicare patients in their own homes, allowing them to remain there instead of potentially entering long-term care facilities. The three-year pilot program, launched January 1, 2012, was developed with the intent to keep medical costs down by helping high-risk patients with multiple illnesses avoid being hospitalized.

  Under the program, medical care is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is administered in the patient’s home by a medical team that includes physicians, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists and other health and social services staff. If a doctor can make regular house calls to monitor a senior’s health – checking blood pressure, improving diet, providing medication reminders – hopefully serious health issues can be prevented.

  The Independence at Home Demonstration program could have many benefits besides reducing Medicare costs. The program will provide seniors the ability to maintain their independence and should improve their health because they will receive comprehensive, high-quality care in their own homes from a member of a dedicated medical team. It also is hoped that a senior patient and his or her family members will be happier with the care the patient receives.

  Would you like to be a part of the Independence at Home Demonstration pilot program, either as a patient or healthcare provider? Why or why not?

  
  
  
• Right at Home of Northwest Georgia Named Small Business of the Year
  

  Right at Home of Northwest Georgia was named Small Business of the Year by the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce. Jay DeVille, owner, accepted the award January 26 at the chamber’s annual meeting and was featured in an article published in the Rome News-Tribune. "This award belongs to our staff members and caregivers who diligently work to help others," said Jay. "They deserve the credit." Congratulations, Jay and everyone at the Northwest Georgia office, on your award and press coverage!