A Mission Born from Experience: The Right at Home Origin Story
What makes Right at Home different starts with its founding story. The agency was established in 1995 by Allen Hager, a former hospital administrator who repeatedly witnessed patients being readmitted shortly after discharge due to a lack of proper care at home. Hager’s direct experience with this systemic gap inspired him to create a business that focused on high-quality, compassionate in-home care to help seniors and adults with disabilities maintain their health and independence. This origin story means that the company’s entire philosophy is rooted in the practical realities of a client’s post-hospitalization needs, a perspective many competitors lack.
The Right Approach: A Framework for Quality
Right at Home distinguishes itself with a proprietary framework called “RightCare,” which outlines their four core areas of excellence. This structured approach ensures a consistent, high standard of service across its independently owned and operated franchise locations.
- RightPeople®: This pillar focuses on carefully selecting, training, and matching caregivers with clients. Caregivers are screened and matched based on personality, interests, and needed services to foster a more meaningful connection.
- RightServices®: Right at Home is committed to offering a wide range of flexible services, available 24/7. They understand that needs can change, so their services and schedules are easily adjustable.
- RightApproach®: Every client receives a personalized Care Plan developed after a thorough assessment. This ensures the care provided is uniquely tailored to the individual's specific needs and goals.
- RightMission®: The company’s unwavering mission is "To Improve the Quality of Life for Those We Serve." This mission is at the heart of their daily operations and provides families with peace of mind.
Unmatched Service Variety: Beyond Standard Care
While many home care agencies offer standard companion and personal care, Right at Home provides a more diverse suite of services, including specialized and skilled nursing care. This breadth of service is a major factor in what makes Right at Home different. By offering higher-level medical care, they can assist a broader range of clients with more complex conditions, reducing the need to transition to a facility.
Right at Home Services Include:
- Personal Care: Assistance with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, and hygiene.
- Companion Care: Helps combat loneliness and includes light housekeeping, meal prep, and transportation.
- Specialty Care: Tailored support for individuals with specific conditions like Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, and diabetes.
- Skilled Nursing Care: Provided by qualified professionals, this includes wound care, medication management, and chronic disease management.
- Post-Operative Care: Support for individuals recovering at home after a hospital stay, directly addressing the gap identified by the founder.
- Hospice Support: Assistance during the end-of-life care phase to provide comfort and dignity.
- Respite Care: Giving family caregivers a much-needed break to prevent burnout.
Comparison Table: Right at Home vs. Traditional Agencies
To illustrate the value proposition of Right at Home, consider this comparison against traditional, basic home care agencies.
| Feature | Right at Home | Traditional Home Care Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Service Offerings | Comprehensive, including skilled nursing, specialty care, and companion care. | Often limited to companion and basic personal care services. |
| Caregiver Training | Rigorous training, continuous support, and matching process. | May offer standardized training, but matching may be less personalized. |
| Care Plan | Personalized and regularly managed by professionals. | May be less detailed or reviewed less frequently. |
| Founder's Experience | Built on a hospital administrator's firsthand experience of patient needs. | Typically founded by business owners with less direct clinical insight. |
| Franchise Model | Independently owned and operated, but with robust corporate guidance and support. | Can have inconsistent quality across locations due to a lack of strong central oversight. |
| Client Matching | Focuses on personality and interests, not just service needs. | Matches primarily based on availability and basic skill set. |
Robust Support for Franchises and Clients
Although Right at Home is a franchise network, the company's commitment to quality is upheld through strong corporate support and clear guidelines. Franchisees receive ongoing training and business coaching, which in turn benefits clients through consistently high standards of care. This support system includes:
- Business Performance Coaches: Each new franchisee is assigned a coach to help build a sustainable and successful business.
- Performance Groups: Experienced franchisees meet to share best practices and ensure service excellence across the network.
- Strategic Leadership Council: Elected franchisees provide feedback and guidance, ensuring a two-way communication channel with corporate leadership.
This robust support infrastructure is a testament to the founder’s vision of ensuring consistent, top-tier care delivery, no matter the location. It speaks volumes that franchisees report high satisfaction, which translates into better service for clients.
A Broader Perspective on Care
Right at Home’s approach goes beyond simply providing a service; it is about building a compassionate and supportive environment. They emphasize companionship and engaging clients in activities they love, recognizing the crucial link between social interaction and overall well-being. For families, this means the caregiver is not just an assistant, but a friendly and trustworthy presence. This holistic view is another significant answer to What makes Right at Home different? They view their service as a means to enhance a client's entire quality of life, not just to fulfill a list of tasks.
Conclusion: A Mission-Driven Difference
Ultimately, what makes Right at Home different is a combination of its compassionate foundation, comprehensive service offerings, and commitment to a high standard of care. Born from a hospital administrator's recognition of a critical need, the company has built a system that supports both its clients and its franchise owners. From personalized care plans to a wide array of specialized services, Right at Home focuses on the whole person. This mission-driven dedication to improving quality of life, alongside its consistent franchise support and focus on caregiver-client matching, sets it apart as a leader in the in-home care industry.
Visit the Right at Home website for a comprehensive list of services and to find a local office.
