What will I be doing?

For many, retirement is a time to travel, fish or otherwise do all the things that couldn’t be done while earning a living and raising a family. Yet there are many seniors, particularly those who are older or infirm, who may not be as independent as they once were, but still want a place to go on a regular basis.

You can help these people by offering a day-care center for seniors. Some of the seniors may live on their own while others live with family members. Perhaps they feel more comfortable with some contact during the day when family members aren’t home. Or perhaps they just want the companionship of other senior adults. You can provide a place for such people. If you have an area in your home that could be used for social gatherings, TV-watching, meals and some recreation such as cards or games, you might have what it takes to start a senior day-care center.

What does a senior day-care center do? It offers limited care, meals and activities to seniors during daytime hours at your home. Their children may drop the seniors off on the way to work, or they may come in on their own.

What will I need to start?

Of course, you need a location where seniors can feel comfortable and get good care. An unused family room with an outside entrance is perfect, but even a living room and dining room can be used for this business. Make sure you aren’t breaking any zoning laws. Eventually you may decide to convert a garage into your senior center.

You’ll either need a place to prepare meals or to serve meals prepared elsewhere. You’ll need to have access for those with limitations or disabilities. You’ll need activities besides the television. You may even need a passenger van for taking seniors shopping or to appointments.

Who will my customers be?

Users of your senior day-care center will, of course, be older adults. In some cases they will also be your customers or clients who pay you for care. Otherwise you will be paid by the children of seniors or by social service agencies. You may need licensing or certification. Contact your regional Small Business Administration to find out what requirements your business must meet.

How much should I charge?

Your charge for caring for seniors placed by state agencies will be defined and paid by the agency. If you are offering care services to individuals, you will set your own price based on costs of the services you provide and the number of seniors you care for. Some care centers start with a day rate of $15 to $20 including a meal and snacks. Others base their pricing on how much state agencies will pay and look to the senior or the family to provide the balance, if any. You will also charge by time as some seniors will only be with you a portion of the day or week while others may get care in excess of 40 hours a week.

How much will I make?

This is an especially good business if you already have one or two senior parents living in your home. It offers them companionship and you an income from your other clients. But don’t expect to get rich from this business. The typical senior day-care center with six or less seniors under full-time care will net the business owner under $20,000 a year after expenses.

How can I get started?

Giving care to seniors requires skill and patience. If you feel you have those qualifications, first volunteer to work with seniors so you can develop experience and resources. Next, start looking at your home and how you can provide for seniors there. Then contact local social services and zoning offices to learn what requirements such a business will have. Some communities are friendlier to home-based service businesses than others.

Once you’re ready, start advertising your services in local senior papers and through your contacts.

How can I use computers to increase profits?

How can you expense your television, furniture, and home for your senior day-care business? What legitimate expenses can you deduct from your tax obligation? These and other questions can be answered online by the Internal Revenue Service at http://www.irs.gov.