Starting a nursing home business can be a very rewarding experience, but there are a few things you should consider before taking the plunge. This article will explore the different considerations you should think about before committing to your decision. By considering these factors beforehand, you can ensure that your nursing home business is off to a successful start!
1. Location
Many people start nursing home businesses in remote areas that are not near enough to large populations. If you are planning on having your business serve solely local patients, then this may be fine for you. However, if you plan on growing the business into a larger facility with more services and amenities to attract long-distance travelers or even international patients, then you will need to be near major highways.
2. Staffing requirements
A nursing home is not just about the care of seniors — it’s also about managing this care on a daily basis. Be prepared to hire at least 30 employees before you open your doors. You may even want to keep staffing levels that high even after the business has been open a year in case you expect to have more patients in the future. Remember to hire competent and patient carers. Medical malpractice attorneys will get involved if you hire an employee that doesn’t perform their duties to the elderly in your care.
3. Zoning laws
Make sure that your prospective location abides by local zoning laws and does not disturb any nearby residences or businesses with noise pollution, odors, etc. In fact, if your site is close to a residential area, make sure you are compliant with noise emission laws. Many people like to live close to a nursing home that has more than 10 patients at any one time because they can offer first-hand experience of how the nursing home operates.
4. Funding
Many businesses fail within the first year because owners ran out of money before growing their business into a profitable venture. Running a nursing home business will cost you more than $75,000 for the first year alone. If you are not financially ready to start this kind of endeavor, then reconsider your decision. However, if you do have the money necessary to invest in staff members and supplies at the beginning, then consider applying for different types of loans to help your business grow once it’s opened.
5. Patient requirements
If you are opening up a nursing home for specific age groups, then research the different types of illnesses that are common in this specific population. The Federal Nursing Home Reform Law dictates that patients under Medicaid or Medicare must have their care covered by the facility they are in, so you will need to have a large enough staff in place to handle your patient load. That being said, if you are opening a nursing home for patients that fall under Medicaid and Medicare coverage guidelines, then make sure you charge them a sufficient amount of money for their medical treatment.
6. Insurance
The nursing home industry is a risky business. Hospitals and insurance companies tend to sue these businesses more than any other type of business because of the number of elderly patients involved. Make sure you have a wide variety of insurance plans to protect not only your staff and visitors but also your business.
7. Competition
Make yourself aware of any nursing home businesses in close proximity to where you plan on opening up shop. This will help you discover ways that you can differentiate your business from theirs. If there is a low supply of nursing homes in the area, then you may have an easy time attracting customers if your concept is new or falls under an untapped market demographic.
8. Government regulations
Be sure to apply for all licenses and permits necessary before opening any service-based businesses, especially those that will care for people. As a nursing home owner, you will have to abide by the Federal Nursing Home Reform Law which dictates that all patients must receive adequate care and attention from your business or it will be shut down.
9. Retirement community vs. independent living facility
There are many different types of nursing homes you can choose from when setting up your business. You can decide to run a nursing home that caters to retirement community members or an independent living facility for elderly people who would rather not live in a retirement home.
Starting a nursing home business can be daunting, but with the proper planning and execution, it can be a profitable venture. Before opening your doors to patients, make sure you have the funds to sustain your business in the early years and research your local zoning laws to ensure compliance. Additionally, be prepared to manage a large staff of nurses and carers. With these considerations in mind, use our tips for success as you open up your very own nursing home business!