Tracking the performance of your agency is a key strategy for growing your agency. When you have metrics to evaluate your services and measure your profitability, you can create a framework for the future of your agency.
 
Join Andrea Cohen of HouseWorks to hear insights that will steer you toward long-term growth in the Home Care Master Class on Thursday, June 9.

Register for this session to learn why effective leaders know every aspect of their business—and have numbers and metrics to back them up.
 
Did You Miss the First Session?
 
Jeff Wiberg of Family Resource Home Care kicked off the Master Class series with a presentation that shared insider secrets to breaking through revenue plateaus. If you register for all three sessions, you get access to the full series, including part one of the series.
 
Plus, you can join the live webinar on July 21 to learn how to be a stronger leader so that you can create higher productivity with Catherine Vergara of CareFor.
 
Learn more about the series.

HCAOA’s Vicki Hoak opened the news conference stating that today older Americans and people with disabilities cannot access the care and support they need to remain as independent as possible in their own homes. 
 
“We simply don’t have the supply of professional caregivers to meet the rising demand for home care,” said Hoak. “This is not just a problem for the home care industry; this is a crisis facing our society, a society that is growing older every day.  By 2040, 81 million people in the U.S. will be 65 years and older, compared with 72 million under the age of 18. This means that America will soon consist of more old than young.”
 
NAHC President Bill Dombi emphasized that this is a multi-dimensional issue, and the Alliance is committed to bringing together the expertise of other stakeholders to explore an integrated focus on home care aides’ compensation and benefits, career growth, and elevating the profession of caregiving.

Stakeholders would include patients, home care aides, nurses, members of Congress, state lawmakers, and others interested in addressing this critical issue.” explained Dombi. “We’ve all recognized this is a problem, but we continue to work within our silos. But now, by joining together, we can succeed.”

David Totaro of BAYADA Home Health also spoke about the challenges home care agencies are experiencing. Last September, Bayada had to decline about 50% of all the cases it received. By the end of March 2022, the company’s declination rate was nearly 67%, reported Totaro.

The group’s first initiative, “Voices for Care at Home,” aims to share and gather the stories of caregivers, providers, clients, families, and others who have experienced home care especially those who are having difficulty getting the help they need. 
“We’re hoping everyone, especially HCAOA members and their clients, will go to the website and write their story. Stories are powerful when it comes to advocacy,” said Hoak. “The campaign’s goal is to not only highlight the issues causing the shortage but to find concrete solutions to address the shortage.”    

To share your story, click here. 
​
The next step is to form workgroups that will address the various causes for the workforce shortage. Members interested in participating in the groups are urged to send their contact information to info@hcaoa.org.

Here are the top three reasons to attend this year’s Annual Leadership Conference:
 

1. It’s been too long! 
   The last HCAOA national conference was held in 2019, so it’s time to gather again! Over the course of two days, attendees will have more than 16 sessions that provide essential information on improving agencies’ operations, care, and employee and client satisfaction.
   
   
2. Pre-Conference – Added Value 
   New this year, we have added an afternoon of advocacy education on Saturday, September 17, from 1-5 p.m., where attendees can learn first-hand the importance of being an advocate for your business and the clients you serve. You’ll hear from state legislators and advocacy experts about how to  discuss issues with elected officials and how to execute  successful campaigns. The session will also highlight state chapters roles in elevating the perception of home care as well as sharing information on trends across the U.S. 
   
   
3. Networking
   ​It’s been said that one of the best ways to learn is to network and that’s why HCAOA has scheduled several opportunities during the conference for attendees to network with one another. Whether it’s visiting with a vendor in the Exhibit Hall, where more than 60 companies will be available to discuss the latest and greatest products and services for home care agencies, or during one of the scheduled meals, networking has long been cited as a benefit of HCAOA membership. 

 
Register today by clicking here. The full conference details, including education breakout sessions, keynotes, and special events, (like the awards ceremony) can be found in the brochure. Plan to join us Sept. 17-19 in Orlando, FL.

​It's no secret that an agency's scheduler or care coordinator often sets the tone for the entire organization! Their professionalism and problem-solving skills impact all aspects of a home care company's operations, most importantly caregiver and client satisfaction. That’s why HCAOA will once again hold a webinar exclusively for individuals in these positions. 
 
For the third year in a row, HCAOA will hold this virtual session, which continues to grow in participation to the point where it is now officially named the Annual Home Care Schedulers and Care Coordinators Summit.
 
This year’s summit will feature veteran schedulers from around the U.S. who will share strategies for success in the interactive webinar on July 14, from 2-3:30 ET.

Experienced schedulers Grace Cooper of Waverly Care in Gladwyne, PA, Jessica Houlihan of Sunland Home Care in Mesa, AZ, and Jolie Perez of Care to Stay Home in Santa Ana, CA, will discuss the most common challenges they face every day and offer real-world tips and valuable solutions that can be applied in your agency right away.
 
Sign up your team today to learn how to:

• Create an environment of care and empathy for clients and caregivers
• Implement successful, organized staffing procedures
• Learn communication strategies like listening and being proactive
• Discover how to multi-task like a pro

 
Cost is $90 for members. Click here for details and to register. 

​Register now for the Entrepreneur Academy and learn how to effectively engage with your clients to create memorable, positive experiences that build trust and confidence in your agency.

This MBA-style academy provides insight into your behavioral tendencies and human interactions, enabling you to have a deeper understanding of yourself and how to engage others.
 
The program was built for busy professionals. Here are some ways it can work for you:

• Self-paced flexible one-year program
• Talent Insight Assessment to uncover your strengths and weaknesses
• Entrepreneur toolbox at your disposal
• Weekly topic discussions with fellow classmates
• Dynamic group coaching model
• Over 30 hours of learning opportunity
• Personal leadership strategic plan for the future

 
Click here to learn more about the program. When you are ready to register, email info@hcaoa.org to get the code for the discounted price of $999. You can start the program any time through September 30 and will have one year to complete from that date.

​Are you in touch with your feelings? What about how others are feeling? Leaders who know how to identify their own feelings and empathize with others are more effective at building stronger teams through trust and collaboration. Teams who work well together succeed together.

Learn how to boost your emotional intelligence in the HCAOA Entrepreneur Academy, a self-paced program that builds better leaders. The program lasts for one year from the day you start and includes a mix of independent study and interactive sessions with Dr. Tonya Miller, the program creator, and other students.
 
Dr. Miller combines real-world experience with academic expertise. She is passionate about personal growth and developing strong leadership cores committed to integrity, accountability, and self-awareness.
 
Click here to learn more about the program. When you are ready to register, email info@hcaoa.org to get the code for the discounted price of $999. You can start the program any time through September 30 and will have one year to complete from that date.

​Hundreds of home care providers across North America shared their data, strategies, and best practices in running a home care agency for the 2022 HCAOA Benchmarking Report.
 
In 2021, the industry median annual revenue for a home care agency was $1,664,856.

For HCAOA member agencies the median annual revenue was $2,146,881. That’s an increase of 29%.

​If you’d like to see more HCAOA-member versus industry comparison data, download the 2022 HCAOA Benchmarking Report here at no cost.

Register for the May 11 meeting of the Arizona State Chapter Meeting to hear the latest federal legislative and advocacy priorities from HCAOA’s own CEO Vicki Hoak and VP, Government Relations Eric Reinarman. Other topics include patient advocacy, tax credits and how to balance private pay and Medicaid.
 
The meeting will be held 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on May 11 at the Westin Phoenix Downtown Hotel.
 
The full agenda:
 

• The Role of Home Care in Patient Advocacy - Melissa Cardine, MSN, RN, BCPA, Patient Advocate, The Bridge RN Patient Advocates
• Labor Law Hot Topics - Josh Vaughn, Sarah Watt, and Andrea Lavelle, Littler 
• State Legislative & Advocacy Update - Bob Roth, HCAOA Board Member
• Leveraging the Employee Retention Tax Credit - Missy Waites, Director, alliantgroup
• Finding the Right Private Pay & Medicaid Mix - Andrea Cohen, House Works

 
Lunch will be provided and attendees will have the opportunity to network with colleagues and vendors. The registration fee is $40 for HCAOA members and $80 for non-members. Register here.

HCAOA has confirmed that Lisa Mahoney, MPH, In-Home Services Survey Manager, Office of Health Systems Oversight, Health Systems Quality Assurance, Washington State Department of Health, will speak at the Washington Chapter Conference on May 24 to provide an update about common state citations for agencies. Mahoney joins a strong lineup of speakers, including:
​

• Retention is Recruiting - Clayton Foutch, Home Matters Caregiving  
• Harnessing Technology to Reinvent Growth & Excellence in Home Care - Alon Brener, Chief Revenue Officer, Sensi.Ai 
• Leveraging the Employee Retention Credit - Missy Waites, alliantgroup 
• Advocacy Update - Jeff Wiberg, HCAOA Board Member, and Leslie Emerick, Chapter Lobbyist
• Labor & Employment Law Hot Topics 
• Washington Chapter Update - Sharla Bode, Chapter Chair 
• HCAOA Update & New Member Benefits - Jennifer Battista, HCAOA COO

 
Attendees will have the opportunity to network with colleagues, innovators, and vendors supporting the industry. Lunch will be provided. Join us Tuesday, May 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Download a printable conference flyer.
 
A discounted overnight rate $174 is available for conference attendees at the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center. Click here to reserve by May 13 (date extended!).

In one day, you can learn about all the hot issues facing home care agencies in Georgia.  From how to recruit more caregivers, what Congress is doing that may impact your business and your clients to hearing about current mandates in the workplace – all these issues and much more s will be covered during the upcoming Georgia Chapter meeting on May 19, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Georgian Terrace Hotel.
 
Below is the agenda for the day:
 

• News & Chapter Updates - Eddie Grogan, CareMaster Medical Services, Chapter Chair
• Federal Update & Policy Priorities - Vicki Hoak, HCAOA CEO
• Mandates in the Workplace - Ann Mellen and Burton Peebles, Polsinelli Law Firm
• Leveraging the Employee Retention Credit - alliantgroup
• Department of Community Health - Michelle Robinson, MHA, Director
• Caregiver Recruitment and Retention - Maggie Keen, VP, myCNAjobs.com
• State Legislative Advocacy Update - Rusty Paul, HCAOA GA Chapter Lobbyist and Dave Lamb, HCAOA GA Legislative Chair
• Best Practices Roundtable Discussion - Beth Dow, Kelley McDougall, Ken Stavas, Brad Culp
• Marketing Your Private Homecare Business - Gary Zermuehlen, Consultant, Coach/Trainer, Simon, Inc.

 
The cost is $75 for members and $150 for non-members. Register now.

Several agencies in West Virginia are interested in forming an HCAOA State Chapter in West Virginia. Any member providing services in West Virginia as well as other agencies interested in joining, are invited to a virtual meeting this Friday, May 5, at 2 p.m.
 
According to Jennifer Battista, HCAOA COO, state chapters are important when developing advocacy efforts in the state as well as providing relevant educational programming.   
 
“Our members want to have a unified voice when discussing such issues as raising Medicaid rates or enhancing licensure regulations,” said Battista. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to establish a chapter in West Virginia to advance our advocacy efforts for better Medicaid rates.”
 
Register for the one-hour webinar here. There is no cost. We want to hear from you!

 
The HCAOA Member Code of Conduct is a framework for best practices for its home care member organizations that represents excellence in delivering high quality in-home services to clients of all ages. It is promoted and supported by HCAOA’s ongoing educational programming and advocacy efforts and reflects HCAOA’s guiding principles to serve clients in their homes. Once an agency attests to following the Code, a symbol is placed next to their name on the HCAOA’s Find a Provider site. 
 
Member agencies can sign the Home Care Association of America’s Code of Conduct and attest to their dedication to upholding the standards below:

• Compliance with State and Federal Regulations
  Operates and furnishes services in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to the health and safety of clients/patients.

• Insurance Coverage
  Maintains appropriate insurance coverage including general liability, worker’s compensation as required by law and any other coverages organizations deem necessary to cover services provided.
• Service Agreement/Plan of Care
  Maintains a service agreement or a plan of care, when applicable, that is signed at the start of care by the client/designee and organization. It includes the agreed upon hours of service, cost and payment arrangements, client rights and complaint procedures, organization’s responsibilities, and contact information.
• Home Care Aide Assurance
  Conducts criminal background checks, training and supervises all home care aides.
• Emergency Plan
  Plan is in place for all types of emergencies including natural disasters, pandemic, and power outages​​

 
Read more and sign the document here.

​“A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader, a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.”
Eleanor Roosevelt

Leaderships skills help both the leader and the employee. Boost your confidence as a leader and be an example for your employees with the HCAOA Entrepreneur Academy.
 
You will learn to: 

• Use your own strengths
• Understand human interactions
• Navigate change
• Resolve conflict with collaboration

 
After completing this one-year course (at your own pace) you will be more confident in your leadership skills and equipped to deal with the challenges of running a home care business.
 
Learn more about the program here. When you are ready to register, email info@hcaoa.org to get the code for the discounted price of $999. You can start the program any time through September 30 and will have one year to complete from that date.

HCAOA members who completed the Entrepreneurship Academy learned how to turn complaints into collaboration with clients by using their feedback as a chance to strengthen your services.
 
Discover exactly how to do that in this one-year, self-paced program where you will learn real-life strategies for improving how you manage your business.
 
The program includes online learning, weekly mini topics, and group coaching sessions where you can get actionable items to try in your daily activities.
 
Instructor Dr. Tonya Y. Miller PT, DPT, PhD has more than 25 years of experience. This MBA style academy (at a fraction of the cost) provides insight into your behavioral tendencies and human interactions, enabling you to have a deeper understanding of yourself and how to engage others for successful outcomes.
 
Register today and start immediately. HCAOA members get a discounted rate of $999 (a savings of $201). Email info@hcaoa.org to get the code. You can start the program any time through September 30 and will have one year to complete from that date.
 
Find details here.

​Todd Austin, president of Home Care Pulse, reviews industry trends and insights gathered from hundreds of agencies across the US in the 2022 HCP Benchmarking Report.
 
Here’s a sneak peek of revenue breakdown by years in business:

​The report contains 175+ data points and benchmarks like the one above to use as a roadmap and resource for your home care agency. According to the report, in 2021, a home care business that has been in business for 5-6 years averaged $1.5M in revenue. Use this chart to see how your home care agency compares.
 
To purchase a copy of the full Report, use the code preorder2022 at www.homecarepulse.com/benchmarking.
 
HCAOA members are invited to an exclusive webinar with Home Care Pulse on May 12 webinar for an overview of the report and detailed data on how the past year affected agencies, plus what you need to know to operate better in the next year. Learn more and register here.