Growing up in the Philippines, where culture dictates that children care for their parents as they age, Belina Calderon-Nernberg always shared a strong connection with the caregiving industry. By Jessica Jones
Growing up in the Philippines, where culture dictates that children care for their parents as they age, Belina Calderon-Nernberg always shared a strong connection with the caregiving industry. So in 2004, she founded 1Heart Caregiver Services, an in-home agency intended to provide seniors with companionship, home care, hospital sitting, personal assistance, and 24-hour care.
“As we expand to new communities, we look forward to improving the lives of both our clients and their families,” Calderon-Nernberg said. “We see 1Heart as a family of its own, and we are excited to invite more franchisees and caregivers into our community to better the lives of people nationwide.”
She franchised the concept in 2014, placing a strong emphasis on the training of her caregivers, launching the brand’s Caregiver University, which has trained approximately 3,000 caregivers. The brand currently has 12 locations throughout Southern and Northern California, and Nevada that are open or in development, and Calderon-Nernberg hopes to increase that number to 25 this year. The year 2020 was a COVID-19 pandemic period, but the entire franchise group grew by 22%. The first semester of 2021 generated their highest record revenue and exceptional growth compared to previous year.
To augment the company’s growth and improve the lives of individuals across the country, 1Heart Caregiver Services is currently seeking single-unit operators, multi-unit franchisees, and area representatives. The brand is focused on expanding on the West Coast, and entertaining franchise candidates on the East Coast and in Canada. And because the need for senior care is rising, with the baby boomer population continuing to age and an overall increase in cognitive disorders spiking among the elderly, 1Heart Caregiver Services is poised for continued growth.
“Currently, every 66 seconds, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and this number is only expected to increase,” the company said in a statement. “The pandemic has shown a significant increase in anxiety, fear and cognitive disorders among seniors. These factors alone have led to the increased need for senior care and pushed many Americans to turn to professionals to take care of their loved ones who are living alone and in need of assistance.”
For more information about starting a 1Heart Caregiver Services franchise, visit 1heartfranchise.com.
– Jessica Jones