How do you start an eldercare business in Florida?

My friend told me she wants to devote the rest of her life to businesses catering to all aspects of eldercare and even to start an Assisted Living Facility. She has 20 years of experience in health care and management. I want to jump on the bandwagon as well, but I have no paid experience in health care (but I am volunteering for Hospice, American Red Cross, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and Alzheimer's Project been involved since my junior year of high school back in 2001) but I do have business experience (managerial and financial). I am also finishing my B.S. in Business Administration (concentration in finance) and completed a pre-medical curriculum. If accepted to medical school, I want my residency to be either geriatrics or pediatrics and to also take a fellowship in integrative medicine. Your help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Public Comments

1. In the United States, adult day cares are growing and thriving -- and I imagine especially in Florida. Adult day cares typically are an alternative to traditional nursing homes, and service is aimed to be more personal and cost is more affordable. The aging of the baby boomers is ensuring that this business has high demand. Typical clientele include elderly men and women who cannot live safely in their own homes, but do not require the full-time skilled nursing care provided by convalescent hospitals. They are looking for minimal supervision and assistance -- as well as companionship -- in order to live independently as possible. If you are planning on starting an adult daycare business, here are some resources to help you and give you information: National Adult Day Services Association, Inc http://www.nadsa.org/ Planning and Creating Successful Adult Day Services and Other Home and Community-Based Services http://www.nadsa.org/hcbs_techbrief.pdf Opening an Adult Day Care Facility http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/RL_DSL/AdultDayCare/ADCinqResp.htm Adult Day Health Services http://www.cshp.rutgers.edu/PDF/AdultDaycareLitRev.pdf Adult Day Care http://www.metlife.com/WPSAssets/90521757001065617557V1FAdult%20Day%20Centers.pdf Elder Care Sample Business Plan http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/business-plans/Business-Plans-Volume-01/Elder-Care.html For in-depth information, you can check the following books: Standards and Guidelines Workbook: Adult Day Care (Paperback) by National Institute on Adult Daycare http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0761516514/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid Adult Day Care: A Practical Guidebook and Manual by Lenore A. Tate http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0761516514/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid How to Start and Operate an Elderly Adult Day-Care Center by Gwen M. Walker http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0761516514/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid Adult day care: A basic guide by Sudie Maready Goldston http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0761516514/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid Planning and Managing Adult Day Care: Pathways to Success by Linda Cook Webb http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0761516514/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid As for starting a business in Florida, here are resources to guide on the rules and guidelines for starting a business in your state: Starting a Business in Florida - includes links to business registration, tax registration, links to forming your corporation and business resources http://www.dos.state.fl.us/startbus/index.html Business Registration page http://www.dos.state.fl.us/startbus/register.html Starting a Business in Florida - includes links to permits and licenses, online business filings, etc. http://www.stateofflorida.com/portal/desktopdefault.aspx?tabid=8 If you need help in starting your business, you can contact the Small Business Development Center. This is the contact person and information for Florida Florida SBDC Mr. Jerry Cartwright, State Director UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA 401 East Chase Street, Suite 100 Pensacola, FL 32502 Phone: 850-473-7800 Fax: 850-473-7813 E-Mail: jcartwri@uwf.edu Website: http://www.floridasbdc.com