As the older adult population increases rapidly in the United States, priorities and trends across the home care industry are continuing to evolve amid the changing landscape. In 2024, the industry experienced some notable shifts, including the emergence of hospital-at-home programs and greater demand for private duty home care as older adults prefer to age in place. At the same time, the sandwich generation – adults who care for their aging parents while still raising their own children – has swelled to nearly 80 million people, putting more pressure on individuals caring for family members than ever before.

From continued advancements in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to families purchasing long-term care insurance for their loved ones, 2025 is shaping up to be another year of significant change for the home care industry. For this article, we sat down with Family & Nursing Care CEO Neal Kursban and Vice President of Business Development Mitch Markowitz to discuss the top trends to keep an eye on this year.

Innovation in technology stands to help home care providers get ahead. As AI and advanced software solutions become more prevalent, private duty home care companies that are adopting these innovations are seeing noticeable improvements in day-to-day operations. While some developments like wearable devices are still in their infancy in the home care industry, AI enables companies to run more efficiently today. “Not only do AI and other software solutions give us accurate, data-driven insights that help inform our strategy, it saves us time so we can focus on what’s most important – providing access to care for older adults,” said Kursban. “Whether it’s streamlining the new client intake process, helping with caregiver scheduling and the frequency of nursing visits, or summarizing meetings and next steps, technology can play a key role in enhancing company operations.”

With the number of people in the U.S. 85 years and older expected to more than double from 6.5 million in 2022 to 13.7 million in 2040, the demand for home care services is also growing. In fact, according to several sources, the number one job needed right now in the U.S. are home health and personal care aides, ahead of restaurant workers and software developers. Despite needing more caregivers to assist the growing number of older adults, there continues to be a shortage of workers and potential new immigration policies may only exacerbate this issue. “Our client’s average age is 86 years old, and, as Baby Boomers get closer and closer to that age, the demand for home care is only going to go up,” said Kursban. “The bottom line is more talented, highly qualified, compassionate caregivers will be needed to keep up with an aging population.”

A major focus of 2025 will be the continued economic pressures on families. As families try to stretch their dollars as far as they can, one unfortunate byproduct is the decrease in spending on home care support. In fact, providers across the industry are seeing the average number of hours per week that clients receive care decrease compared to prior years. That’s why it’s incumbent upon home care companies to keep their rates as reasonable as possible to ensure families get the quality support they still need. “We know it is vitally important for families not to have to sacrifice the help they need.”

 

 

As more people in the U.S. age, there’s an increasing need for long-term care, and that’s only going to grow in the coming years. As such, families are turning to long-term care insurance to help meet this need and give them the peace of mind that they can get help if necessary. Home care companies are seeing an uptick each year, with families paying for support through a long-term care insurance plan. “As a home care resource, it’s critical to be able to meet everyone’s needs, whether it’s providing access to an experienced caregiver or assisting families with their long-term care insurance,” said Markowitz. “At Family & Nursing Care, our long-term care insurance management team helps families navigate the complexities of their policy and supports them through every step of the claims and reimbursement process.”

As home care needs increasingly become urgent and unpredictable, families often find themselves grappling with the challenge of securing reliable caregiving assistance at a moment’s notice. With the home care industry evolving into a 24/7, 365 days a year necessity, the demand for swift, effective care solutions is critical. At Family & Nursing Care, 50% of new clients start receiving care within 24 hours and 75% within 48 hours, particularly following a hospital discharge or after a fall occurs. “It’s vitally important to recognize this growing need and be fully prepared with the staffing, resources, and services to respond promptly and proficiently in any situation,” said Kursban. “The home care industry is not a Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. profession. The home care companies that are ready to accommodate immediate client needs during nights and weekends stand to separate themselves.”

The Family & Nursing Care Difference

While there are changes across the home care industry each year, Family & Nursing Care’s commitment to being a leading resource for compassionate, reliable care is enduring. As one of the oldest and most trusted home care resources in the Mid-Atlantic region, we’ve made it our mission to help older adults live their fullest independent lives in the comfort of their own homes. Here’s some of what sets us apart:

  • For more than 56 years, we’ve assisted tens of thousands of families by providing access to experienced caregivers who help with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, mobility assistance, errands, meal prep, light housekeeping, medication reminders, companionship, and more.
  • Our longstanding relationships with hospitals, senior living communities, skilled nursing facilities, and long-term care insurance companies allow us to liaise in the coordination of what can often be an overwhelming process for clients and families. Whether it’s coordinating home care when a sudden need arises or supporting families following a hospital discharge, our team stands ready to support them 24/7, 365 days a year.
  • Only the top 8% of caregivers who apply meet our unwavering standards of excellence, ensuring every caregiver we work with is the best-of-the-best.
  • As an A+ rated company by the Better Business Bureau and a nine-time Circle of Excellence recipient by the National Business Research Institute, it’s no wonder why more than 25% of Family & Nursing Care employees have been with the company for over 10 years

To learn more about Family & Nursing Care’s leading home care services, visit the Why Us? page on our website.