The service industry has seen remarkable growth in the passing decade. Enterprises are now quite aware of the necessities of customers and are constantly working to meet – and exceed – their expectations. But some of the services include a very complicated procedure and require ample amount of research and technology. Inhome care is one of them. Even in the face of ever-changing needs, Comfort Keepers® has managed to become a leading provider of quality, in-home care for seniors and other adults.
Comfort Keepers offers a wide range of services, including everything from companionship and personal care to Alzheimer’s and dementia care. The care plans offered by the company are customized so that each visit is wholly unique. The company refers to its caregivers as Comfort Keepers®, who engage the clients physically and socially, allowing them to maintain not only their safety and health, but also their independence.
Technology and Care
Comfort Keepers is continually looking at new and innovative technologies that can help enhance their clients’ wellbeing. The heart of its service offering is Interactive Caregiving™, an approach to care that transforms day-today caregiving into opportunities for meaningful interactions. It leverages technology in order to make it possible to deliver on this care philosophy. For instance, the GrandPad tablet allows seniors to stay connected with loved ones through video chat, while ClearCare’s Family Room portal gives clients’ family members visibility into their loved one’s care.
Vision of a Leader
Carl McManus is the CEO of Comfort Keepers, North America. Ever since he joined the company, he has been the force behind several large acquisitions, significant organic growth, the company’s digitization initiative, and the introduction of several brand-differentiating technological innovations. He is responsible for driving revenue in 600- plus franchised and company-owned locations across 50 states and Canada, setting strategic direction, fostering innovation, and moving the brand into the future.
Carl began his career working as a CPA with Arthur Andersen and Co., followed by working as a management consultant at Deloitte Consulting. His experience also includes several years with Yum! Brands, Inc. and Gateway Computers working in mergers & acquisitions, strategy, operations, innovation as well as franchise management and development roles. Carl earned his undergraduate degree from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, a master of business administration from the Harvard Business School, and holds a CPA certification in Georgia.
Milestones Along with the Journey
Comfort Keepers began in 1998 when Kris Butler, a registered nurse working in Springfield, OH, saw that her patients needed help with their non-medical needs. She created a solution that ultimately became Comfort Keepers.
Comfort Keepers recently marked a 20-year anniversary and celebrated across the franchise network with a Nationwide Open House Day. Comfort Keepers also introduced 20 Wishes for 20 Years as a promotion, in which it is granting wishes to caregivers and clients throughout the year.
The company is also changing the conversation around aging with a brand renewal, Elevating the Human SpiritSM. It has adopted Elevating the Human Spirit into its messaging, placing the daily interactions with clients, caregivers, and its overall philosophy of care, front and center. This is more than just a tagline. It’s a way for the company’s caregivers to deliver care that empowers its clients, allowing them to thrive and achieve greater wellbeing, no matter their age or acuity.
Since the establishment of Comfort Keepers, it has attained various awards and recognitions. In 2004, the company was ranked top in senior care at Entrepreneur Magazine’s ‘Franchise 500’. In 2009, Comfort Keepers was acquired by Sodexo, Inc, a food and facilities management company committed to Quality of Life.
Year after year, Comfort Keepers kept launching various programs including the Nourish Senior Life® program and Feed Seniors Now® food drives, designed to combat senior hunger. In 2013, the 90th international unit of the company was opened and in 2015, it became a national team in the National Walk to End Alzheimer’s awareness and fundraising program. Last year, the company managed to expand globally through acquisitions in Ireland, France, and the UK. What began with one office, Comfort Keepers now has 700+ offices worldwide and has helped thousands of seniors and other adults live more comfortably at home.
Continuous Innovation
The force that drives Comfort Keepers is its goal to improve the lives of seniors. And it has recognized that to meet the needs of its customers, it must find new ways of providing social engagement and mental/emotional stimulation – through technology solutions and other innovative means.
Acknowledgement from Customers
“Our mom had a heart attack and after seven days, she was in her home and on hospice. We used another company for mom’s care initially. There were glitches in their coverage, so I reached out to Comfort Keepers for help. What a difference that made for our mom, sister, and me. Comfort Keepers sent out people we could trust with our mom’s care. They were on time and very loving. So, thank you for hiring the best!”
URL: comfortkeepers.com
Source: The 10 Best Return of investment franchise, 2018