Why the Home-Based Care Industry Is Growing So Fast

In 2019, Home Health Care News surveyed more than 680 medical professionals across all areas of the healthcare spectrum. Over a third of respondents named home health and private home care services as their key “growth targets” for 2019. In a similar vein, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that home healthcare will continue to increase by 54% until the year 2026. This increase is taking place after over 30 years of higher federal expenditures on home health care, which increased by 30% between 1974 and 1995.

Research has consistently shown that the future of home health is looking brighter than ever – and workers throughout the industry will continue to see greater job opportunities and income gains as a result. By joining the movement for home-based care, you may be able to benefit from this growth, while participating in a more human-centered care approach at the same time.

Why Is the Home Health Care Industry Expanding So Fast?

For the most part, the shift to home health care has been spurred by changing demographics across the country. With the generation known as the “Baby Boomers” turning 65 recently – and with more people choosing to have smaller families – the population is steadily becoming older each year. In fact, the United States Census Bureau reports that by 2060, the median age of the U.S. population will increase from 38 to 43.

Concerned that our current health care system will not be able to care for every senior, policy and health experts are racing to implement more home health care solutions at the public level, which will help to offset the costs of an aging population. But the growth of the home health care industry isn’t just about helping seniors: It’s about re-framing the home as the center of care, rather than staying within the confines of the conventional doctor’s office.

Combining an old-fashioned “doctor’s call” model with new advances in technology, the home health care industry is poised to create more valuable outcomes for patients. Armed with a complex ecosystem of health IT tools, health-monitoring gadgets, and online consultations, providers at every point in the healthcare spectrum will be able to offer more targeted assistance for those in their care – particularly for seniors.

Increased Legislative Support for Home Health Care

As the home-based care industry continues to grow at lightning speed, legislators are also picking up on these trends, solidifying the economic changes into meaningful legal reforms. In April, a bipartisan group of Congressional representatives introduced a bill called the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2019, or H.R. 2150.

With the current Medicare rules, only physicians can legally expand their patients’ care to include home health services. While H.R. 2150 is still being debated in committees, this legislation would speed up the pace for home health care even further, by allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to certify their patients for home health care.

Filling the Gaps in the Healthcare Continuum

At Homewatch CareGivers®, we’re excited to play an important role in the expansion of home health services over the coming decades. By “filling the gaps” in the current healthcare system and providing dedicated in-home care for those who need day-to-day assistance, we make the burden of care a little lighter on seniors and their families.

It’s an exciting time to join with our in-home care franchise opportunity! Call (888) 404-5191 today to learn more.