Household assistant for seniors

Older adults paying privately, and family members, often adult children living far away, who arrange and pay for the help.

Hourly rate for regular weekly visits, sometimes sold as a monthly package of hours. A few steady clients can fill most of your week.

• Patience and kindness
• Dependable and punctual
• Good communication with families
• Basic housekeeping

• Some states license non-medical home care agencies, so check with your state health or aging department before offering anything beyond household tasks
• General liability insurance, plus a policy for theft or dishonesty if you handle client keys or money
• Never take on bathing, medication or medical tasks without the right training and license
• Be careful with handling clients' cash, cards and personal information, and keep receipts
• If you hire helpers, check how your state treats employees versus contractors and workers' compensation

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $300 to $2,000, depending on insurance, any registration fees and marketing. Insurance may include general liability and a policy covering theft or dishonesty if you handle client keys or money.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many regular clients you serve and how many visits you schedule each week. Results vary by area and the hours you work.

Some states license non-medical home care agencies, so check with your state health or aging department before offering anything beyond household tasks. Do not take on bathing, medication or medical tasks without proper training and licensing. Also check insurance.