Giving Back is what Drives Wendy Li and her Senior Care Franchise
When Wendy Li was a child, she lived with her grandmother. “I was my grandma’s favorite granddaughter. I told her everything, and she would always give me advice,” she says.
Eventually, Li’s grandmother started forgetting things. “She became more and more forgetful. At first I was upset because I thought that my grandmother did not care enough to remember everything. Later, I realized that my grandmother was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease,” she says. With limited knowledge about how to care for someone with Alzheimer’s, Li grew frustrated, “I always wished I could have done more for my grandmother because she did so much for me.”
The Calling for Senior Care
Fast-forward to 2020, and Li found herself in the company of seniors at a rehabilitation clinic after suffering an exercise-related injury. Although she was the youngest person at the clinic, she got to know many seniors and learned some important lessons. That experience prompted her to leave her architectural career and launch her Texas-based Seniors Helping Seniors franchise locations in Northern Tarrant, West Denton and Wise Counties with her husband, William. “I realized that I could make a real difference. At the rehab, I learned two important things. One, seniors love to talk to you whether they love you or hate you — they loved me. Two, so many seniors need help. I decided to make a career change and assist seniors with the best care possible.”
As the name suggests, the company uses mature caretakers who make perfect companions for their clients. The premise behind the business is twofold: Seniors can help each other age more happily and gracefully, and seniors who give, and those who receive, benefit equally.
Along with William, a two-person office staff, and more than 50 caregivers, Li provides seniors and those in need with in-home nonmedical personal care and companionship. “We are looking to bring in a third office team member, and we are always in need of experienced caregivers with a giving heart,” she says.
Community Involvement
In addition to in-home services, the Li’s have partnered with assisted living and other types of facilities to provide residents with additional services such as companionship and rides to church, doctor’s visits and hair appointments. They also partner with the Department of Veteran Affairs to provide qualifying veterans with free care. “We are firm believers in paying our caregivers respectable wages and are one of the best-paying agencies within our territories,”
Li says.
Each day looks a little different from the last for the Li’s. A typical day is split between attending networking events, going to client home visits, pairing caregivers with clients, corresponding with prospective and current clients, and corresponding with office staff on hiring and staff-related matters. “Unlike other businesses, prospective and current clients need help outside of nine-to-five business hours, so you have to be readily available to speak with them, and also provide your services if and when they need help,” she says.
Having a caring and compassionate heart is what drives Li every day. Her secret for running the business successfully is to “work hard, don’t be afraid to spend money on advertising and good staff, don’t be discouraged by people who turn you down, and put your trust in your franchisor.”
About Seniors Helping Seniors
Seniors Helping Seniors is the only senior care brand that hires mature adult caregivers. Franchise owners match active seniors interested in enriching work with those who need a hand to continue to live independently at home. Here are some of the benefits of ownership:
- Unique business model
- In-demand service
- Rewarding opportunity
- Potential to scale
For more information about the Seniors Helping Seniors franchise opportunity, visit seniorshelpingseniorsfranchise.com.