Familiarize yourself with federal, state and local laws regarding care providers for seniors and people with developmental disabilities.
Check with local senior centers and day programs to find out whether or not there is a need for your services. Find out what destinations people would like to visit, and what activities they would like to see offered. Do not expect to be told confidential information about their participants, and keep any confidential information you may inadvertently gather to yourself.
Research the best buys for each destination you will offer trips to, and create a tentative itinerary for each, based on the suggestions gathered from potential customers. Be sure to include every expense: meals, transportation costs, accommodations and administration costs and wages for your employees.
Attend care provider training classes through your local Area Agency on Aging or County Board of MR/DD. Gather all requested paperwork to start the process of becoming an approved service provider in your region. Incorporate your business or apply for non-profit status.
Make business cards and flyers. Mail, fax or email your brochure to every senior center, day program or sheltered workshop near you.
Hire and train employees as needed. Your best recruits will have a home health aide or nursing background. Be sure that each employee has received training in first aid, CPR, AED use and medication administration, as well as any other training required by your local Area Agency on Aging or County Board of MR/DD.
Send out surveys after every trip, asking participants for feedback. Use the survey results to improve services, reward good employees and weed out incompetent staff.
