Visiting Angels Exceeds 250 Franchises And $120 Million In Revenue For 2005

Company increases market presence and builds on tradition of senior care

Havertown, PA - Visiting Angels announced that the in-home living assistance company surpassed the nationwide franchise benchmark of 250 locations at the end of 2005 and reported over $120 million in revenue for the year. The company experienced a greater than 25% net increase of franchises in the last year and increased its 2004 revenues of $68 million by almost 77%. Visiting Angels' growth clearly illustrates a national trend in the demand for non-medical in-home care and underlines the company's ability to offer a safe and flexible alternative for senior care.

"We're thrilled with the success we've had since opening the first Visiting Angels agency," says Lawrence Meigs, CEO. "Our clients are amazed and relieved when they discover the breadth of services we offer, and the exceptional quality of care we can provide for their loved ones. Our reputation and growth are a direct result of the personal approach to care each agency and caregiver extends to our clients, and we anticipate future success in serving the growing senior population."

Through franchising and caregiving innovation, the company has continued to broaden its revenue stream by identifying new potential franchisees, in different geographic areas, who recognized a need for in-home non-medical services in their community. By doing so, Visiting Angels built a network around the concept of providing solutions for the array of obstacles Americans faced in identifying affordable and accessible senior care options. As that network continues to grow, Visiting Angels improves service to seniors and attracts families who want to establish care for an older relative by:

• Making caregiving easier for employees: The burden of senior care extends to the workplace, and there are significant time and financial burdens involved in caring for an elderly relative. Employers are adding senior care to their list of benefits, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are directing employees and their families to companies like Visiting Angels.
• Eliminating the challenge of long distance caregiving: For families who live a long distance away from an elderly relative, it can be difficult to organize care. Companies like Visiting Angels make it easy and safe to establish caregiving services that meet the needs of the care recipient.
• Giving ‘Snowbirds' options when they migrate: It can be challenging for a senior citizen to maintain quality and safe care when they move seasonally between the colder and warmer climates. Visiting Angels' franchise growth and consistent quality facilitate transitional care and offer a solution in markets where a franchise is located.
• Providing specialized care throughout the nation: The increased incidence of Alzheimer's disease and other debilitating ailments may not require seniors to seek medical treatment right away, but many still need incidental care. Visiting Angels offers a solution by providing access to special training for caregivers who provide dementia patients with assistance in day-to-day activities and chores.
• Providing care to our nation's war veterans: WWII, Korea and Vietnam veterans are reaching that stage in life where in-home care is an important option. Visiting Angels' offices service housebound veterans who qualify for the Veterans Affairs Disability Pension for Aid and Attendance and are working to raise awareness of this special veteran's benefit.

Visiting Angels has also attracted and maintained its growing client base by leveraging strategic corporate partnerships. As part of a program that began in 2004, Visiting Angels continued to offer value-added services that aim to improve the quality of life for clients and care recipients. In 2005, Visiting Angels aligned its agencies with the Scooter Store to provide those in need of assistance with easy access to a mobility solution. The company maintained its partnership with the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) to offer an AFA-sponsored formal training and qualification program for those who care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses. Clients have access to the Family Advantages Program, which connects clients to companies such as Kimberly-Clark, Energizer, and GE-CareGard to offer clients discounts on products and services, such as hearing aid batteries, nutritional supplements, incontinence products, emergency response systems, and much more.

"Visiting Angels reaches seniors in communities across the country, and we look forward to extending that reach," says Meigs. "Our services improve the quality of life for seniors and their families, so we continue to expand as demand for our brand grows."

Visiting Angels, the nation's leading in-home non-medical care services provider, opened in 1998 to fill the need for companionship and personal care services, and was immediately recognized as an effective option in care for seniors while giving families a respite from the burden of care. Now located in 43 states, the company leads the industry in meeting the unique and evolving regional and individual needs of the growing senior population. Services provided include assistance with the activities of daily living, cooking, completing chores, running errands, driving, and shopping.

SOURCE: Visiting Angels