Tony Bonacuse just wanted to help.
About seven years ago, in the span of 30 days, both of Bonacuse?s grandmothers needed home care. His 84-year-old grandmother had a hip replacement, and his 86-year-old grandmother fell and broke her ankle. Both were in good health and living in their own homes at the time.
Bonacuse watched his mother become the primary caretaker to both. She maintained their homes, prepared their meals and took them to medical appointments. The work was physically and emotionally draining, Bonacuse said.
“During this time, the lightbulb went off in my head,” said Bonacuse, of Hunt Valley. “I said, ?There?s got to be a better way to do this.? ”
Bonacuse established Baltimore-based Senior Helpers in 2001, offering professional in-home care to seniors. In 2005, Bonacuse and Peter Ross, a friend and business partner, co-founded Senior Helpers? franchise business. Today there are about 160 Senior Helpers offices in 35 states, including four in Maryland. Bonacuse hopes to grow the business to about 240 offices by the end of the year. Prospective franchise owners need $57,000 to $79,000 in start-up capital to open an office.
There are more than 36 million seniors in the United States, and that number will only increase, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
“The demand is really strong, and baby boomers don?t officially become seniors for another three or four years,” said Ross, who launched the first Senior Helpers franchise office in Fullerton, Calif., in 2005.
Last summer, Ellis Richman?s 84-year-old mother, Thelma, was living in Florida when she fell and broke her hip and needed home care. Richman, of Annapolis, relocated his mother back to her hometown of Pikesville. After trying several home-care companies he described as “absolute nightmares,” Richman went with Senior Helpers and has appreciated the company?s professionalism and responsibility.
“Life can be pretty tough when your parents aren?t feeling well,” Richman said. “[Senior Helpers] provided so much relief.”
