In order to have a successful senior care business, you need to have good caregivers that you trust. You need to know that they will do their best, every single day so that your customers are happy with their services.
Finding good caregivers can be a challenge. However, once you do find them, it is just as important, if not more important to make sure that they stay, as they can become your ambassadors for more clients as well as other caregivers. Following are some well known tips on retaining your best caregivers:
- Hire only the best that you can. The best way to get your customers & employees to stick with you is by hiring reliable employees who are good at what they do and have a good attitude. Make a list of attributes in your best employee & try to find more of that!
- Pay them what they are worth. Then, you need to pay them well. Even if you are just starting out or trying to grow your business, if you want good employees, you have to pay them what they are worth. Otherwise, they will continue to look for a better paying job, and you will lose money in the long run replacing them.
- Train them well. It is important that you train your new caregivers thoroughly so that they know what exactly is expected of them and how to handle the situations they may encounter. Well-trained employees are an asset and will stick around, as long as they are treated fairly.
- Allow your caregivers to grow. Employees want to feel like they are using their skills in their job. If not, they may look for jobs that will challenge them. For this reason, you should always find things that your caregivers can (or want to) do and allow them to. Make continuing education important and expand your caregivers’ roles as they grow and learn. This will benefit you in the long run with new offers and services.
- Be Flexible & Fair. In the current economy, many businesses have not been able to grant raises or increased commission. Instead, consider allowing employees to office from home to reduce travel expenses, Have options to cover caregivers when they need time off for a child’s school event or similar personal need. Give your employees the freedom you give yourself as the boss. Small gestures go a long way in the eyes of an employee.
To have a successful home care business or senior care community, you need to have the right caregivers, as they are your front line. Good employees want to find jobs that they enjoy. They don’t want to look for another job, or change jobs. Stability is good. So be sure to pay them what they are worth, train them and treat them fairly.
Your business is only as good as your employees so work hard to make them the best that they can be.