RIVERVIEW, Florida—Florida residents Lorenzo Dickens and Kiara Dickens have opened a new location of Seniors Helping Seniors in-home care services, a franchisor with over 200 franchise partners and 400 territories nationwide, to serve the South Hillsborough County area, including Riverview, Apollo Beach, Gibsonton, Brandon, Ruskin, Wimauma and Valrico.
The husband-and-wife duo said they aim to bring professional experience and family-centered values to their Seniors Helping Seniors franchise. Kiara is a registered nurse and former director of operations for a Medicare Advantage program, and Lorenzo is a hospital-based pharmacist with years of experience working with patients in need. The couple said they were inspired to open their own business by a shared passion for service, community and supporting aging adults with dignity. Their location is based in Riverview, Fla., where they live with their four children.
The brand stands apart in the in-home care industry by prioritizing the hiring of active seniors to help their less active counterparts.
"This is the kind of work that doesn't feel like work," said Lorenzo. "If we didn't need to make a living, we'd still want to do it. It's just something we love. Seniors Helping Seniors gives us the chance to support aging adults in a meaningful way, while also giving older workers a purposeful role in the community."
"The heart of this business is about trust, empathy and connection," Kiara said. "I was extremely close with my grandmother and always wanted to build a place where families could feel confident that their loved ones were in good hands. This franchise allows us to do that—not in a facility, but in the comfort of people's homes."
The demand for in-home care for mature populations continues to grow, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reporting that nearly 70% of retirees will require some form of long-term care. Seniors Helping Seniors services is expanding in Florida with its care services and approach to caregiver-client matching.
The Seniors Helping Seniors franchise is committed to hiring senior caregivers. The franchise aims to provide employment opportunities for seniors and better cultivate relationships between caregivers and care receivers.
"We've become a leader in this industry by prioritizing the best possible care for our seniors, and that means partnering with only the most passionate and hard-working franchisees," said Seniors Helping Seniors President Namrata Yocom-Jan. "That's exactly what we've found with Lorenzo and Kiara Dickens as a new franchisee Partner, who are well-equipped to provide unparalleled in-home services to those in need throughout South Hillsborough County."