The Caregiver Innovation Show
The Caregiver Crisis Podcast
For family caregivers juggling it all — work, kids, aging parents — this podcast is your lifeline.
We cut through the overwhelm to bring you real stories, practical tips, and tech tools that help you care smarter, not harder.
Hosted by The Caregiver Crisis Initiative, each episode explores simple ways to reduce stress, keep loved ones safe at home, and restore your peace of mind. No fluff. No guilt. Just real help.
🎙️ Featuring expert guests, product spotlights, and caregiver voices.
🧠 Learn what works, when to use it, and why it matters.
🔒 Save the “how” for when you're ready to go deeper inside our private community.
Free Starter Toolkit →
Tech Partner: Electronic Caregiver
Subscribe and join the movement to make care easier — one episode at a time.
🎧 Become a supporter of the show!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2408853/support
The Caregiver Innovation Show
The Hybrid Care Revolution
The traditional home care growth model is hitting a wall. With a staggering seven clients for every available caregiver—projected to reach 12:1 by 2030—agencies simply can't hire fast enough to meet soaring demand. This fundamental challenge requires a completely different approach, which we explore in depth.
Welcome to our deep dive into the hybrid care model, a revolutionary approach that's helping forward-thinking agencies break through the staffing ceiling. This isn't about replacing your valuable caregivers—it's about strategically blending their irreplaceable human skills with technology to create a more comprehensive, responsive care experience that allows sustainable growth even in today's challenging hiring environment.
We unpack three critical advantages the hybrid approach offers: growth beyond staffing limitations (one agency increased capacity by 35% without additional hires), dramatic reduction in emergencies and burnout (42% fewer crisis calls), and creating a premium service that transcends price competition (with tangible evidence of higher client value and longer retention). We also tackle the common objections head-on—concerns about cost, client technology adoption, caregiver resistance, and implementation complexity—with surprising data that challenges these assumptions.
For agency owners feeling trapped between rising demand and staffing constraints, this conversation reveals a practical, proven alternative. The hybrid care model isn't just a temporary fix but potentially a fundamental evolution in how home care delivers value. Is your agency ready to move beyond the limitations of the traditional staffing model? Listen now to discover how technology might help you unlock sustainable growth without the endless hiring treadmill.
So welcome to the deep dive. If you're running a home care agency, you probably know this feeling all too well. Trying to grow right, Right, but facing this huge wall at the caregiver shortage, it feels well, almost impossible sometimes Scaling up without just hiring more people.
Speaker 2:It really does seem like a contradiction, doesn't it? And that's, you know, the big challenge we want to unpack today.
Speaker 1:Traditionally, growth meant hires, simple as that yeah but that models hitting its limits now big time exactly, and that's why we're doing this deep dive into something called the hybrid care model. Now, just to be clear, upfront this isn't about getting rid of your caregivers not at all no, definitely not.
Speaker 2:It's more about blending your team, your existing team, with technology smartly to give well more complete care, more responsive care.
Speaker 1:Right Kind of amplifying what your team can already do, extending their reach maybe.
Speaker 2:Precisely Getting beyond just needing someone physically there for everything, and that unlocks new ways to grow, to be more efficient.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so our mission today really is to pull out the key insights on this. What is hybrid care actually? Why now, and you know, how, could it genuinely help agency owners like you, listening, who are probably wrestling with staffing and scaling?
Speaker 2:Exactly we want to make it practical.
Speaker 1:Okay, and to figure this out, we looked at some interesting materials stuff on how to explain tech-enabled care. Well, you know short versions, longer presentations and also some broader ideas from like marketing strategy. How do you position something new like this?
Speaker 2:Yeah, looking at frameworks like those and say expert secrets can be surprisingly relevant here. It's about communicating value.
Speaker 1:Okay, so let's get right into it then. What's fundamentally broken about the old way that makes this hybrid approach so necessary?
Speaker 2:Well, the core issue, like we touched on, is that direct link Number of clients equals number of caregivers needed. Growth equals hiring.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:But the reality, the really stark reality, is this huge gap. Demand for care is just soaring and the workforce, well, it isn't keeping up.
Speaker 1:Keep hearing about the numbers.
Speaker 2:They're pretty sobering. Right now it's something like seven potential clients for every one caregiver out there. Roughly.
Speaker 1:Seven to one Wow.
Speaker 2:And the projections by 2030, that could be 12 to one, 12 to one, yeah, so you just can't rely solely on hiring more people. That's strategy. It's just not sustainable anymore. It's a dead end, frankly.
Speaker 1:Okay, that definitely paints a picture, a tough one. So how does this hybrid care model offer a different route? What does it actually involve? Day to day?
Speaker 2:It changes the math. Basically, it blends your amazing caregivers with tech to give support around the clock, even when a caregiver isn't physically there.
Speaker 1:Okay, so technology handles some things.
Speaker 2:Exactly, Things like medication reminders, maybe safety checks, even offering some companionship through, say, a smart display monitoring activity patterns.
Speaker 1:Stuff. That's important, but maybe doesn't need hands-on care every single time.
Speaker 2:Precisely it's finding that sweet spot, that balance between the human touch, which is irreplaceable, and efficient tech support.
Speaker 1:Now I can almost hear some listeners thinking okay, but my clients are older, they won't use tech. Or maybe my caregivers, they'll hate this.
Speaker 2:Yeah, totally understandable thoughts, very common concerns, and we will get to those absolutely. But the basic idea first is this Let your skilled caregivers focus on the things that really need their expertise, their empathy, that human connection Right, and let technology handle some of the well, maybe more routine but still vital background tasks efficiently.
Speaker 1:Okay, that makes sense conceptually. Let's dig into the specifics, then. Why is this working? Our sources pointed to three big advantages inspired by some of those communication strategies we looked at. Let's start with secret number one growth beyond staffing that whole paradox thing.
Speaker 2:Right the paradox. It's about challenging that deep-seated assumption, isn't it? Yeah, that growth is always tied to headcount.
Speaker 1:Yeah, more clients, more staff, it seems obvious.
Speaker 2:It does. But the hybrid model shows how tech can kind of decouple those two things. It breaks that direct link.
Speaker 1:Okay, how Break that down for us? How does tech actually manage tasks and let an agency grow without just hiring constantly? Give us some examples.
Speaker 2:Sure, think about those regular but crucial things. Medication prompts, super important Wellness checks. Just a quick how are you feeling Companionship? You know combating loneliness, monitoring for falls, changes in routine.
Speaker 1:Things that need doing consistently.
Speaker 2:Absolutely critical, but they don't always need someone physically present, right, yeah? So technology maybe telehealth for virtual check ins, maybe smart sensors, even AI for communication it can automate or manage a lot of this.
Speaker 1:OK.
Speaker 2:And that frees up your caregivers. They can then focus on the clients who need more intensive hands on support or provide more quality time, that emotional connection, the stuff only a person can do.
Speaker 1:So it's about using your people smarter where they add the most unique value. I think our sources mentioned visiting angels of Denver. That was a specific example.
Speaker 2:That's right. Yeah, they implemented a hybrid strategy and the result? They increased their client capacity by 35% 35% Wow. Yeah, and the kicker, they did it without adding any new caregivers.
Speaker 1:No new hires.
Speaker 2:None, Just by using tech smartly to boost what their existing team could handle. It really shows, you know, tech isn't replacing people here. It's making them more effective, extending their reach.
Speaker 1:That's a real eye-opener. So the big takeaway for this first secret is tech lets you break through that ceiling, that limit imposed by how many people you can hire.
Speaker 2:Exactly You're maximizing the team you already have, getting more from your existing resources.
Speaker 1:And doing it in a way that actually improves the overall care potentially.
Speaker 2:That's the goal Better scope, better quality, more comprehensive support.
Speaker 1:Okay, great, let's move to the second secret then. This one's about reducing emergencies and caregiver burnout Both huge issues, oh, massive For owners, caregivers, families, everyone.
Speaker 2:The idea that hybrid care can help with both, that's really powerful.
Speaker 1:So what's the thinking here?
Speaker 2:Well, the old way often assumes 24-7 care means 24-7 staffing, physically present, which is, you know, incredibly expensive.
Speaker 1:And exhausting for the caregivers on call.
Speaker 2:Totally exhausting Leads to burnout.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:But here's a key statistic we found Something like 80% of after hours calls those emergency calls. They turn out not to be actual emergencies 80%, seriously that high?
Speaker 1:What kind of things are they then?
Speaker 2:Often it's well. Maybe a client forgot if they took their meds, or they're feeling anxious and just need some reassurance.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Or they have a simple question, or just loneliness kicks in. They want to hear a voice. Things driven by worry or isolation, maybe minor concerns that could grow if ignored, but aren't a crisis right that? Second.
Speaker 1:I see Things that feel urgent to the client but don't need an immediate lights and sirens response.
Speaker 2:Exactly so how does tech help? Well, remote monitoring, virtual support systems. They can often address these things proactively before they become what feels like an emergency.
Speaker 1:Like a safety net, always on.
Speaker 2:Kind of yeah, and this proactive approach. It leads to a big drop in actual emergency calls. The average reduction we saw mentioned was around 42% 42% reduction.
Speaker 1:That's huge. Think of the impact.
Speaker 2:It's massive Fewer crisis calls means less stress, less burnout for caregivers. That helps keep good staff.
Speaker 1:Right, absolutely, retention is key.
Speaker 2:And it's better for clients too. Small problems get nipped in the bud before they become big problems. Better outcomes.
Speaker 1:And peace of mind for the families. That must be huge too.
Speaker 2:Immense reassurance, knowing there's that extra layer of oversight, that continuous support. We even heard an anecdote about an agency owner finally being able to sleep through the night without the phone ringing constantly.
Speaker 1:I can only imagine that alone sounds transformative.
Speaker 2:It really is. It shifts the whole dynamic from reacting to crises, constantly putting out fires, to proactively supporting people, preventing issues. It's a big mental shift too.
Speaker 1:Okay, that makes a lot of sense. Let's talk about the third key advantage. Then, secret number three creating a premium service, moving beyond just competing on price.
Speaker 2:Right, Because in a lot of markets, let's be honest many agencies look kind of similar from the outside, offering hours of care.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it becomes a commodity. Who's cheapest per hour?
Speaker 2:Exactly Leads to price wars. Squeezed margins not ideal, but the hybrid model gives you a chance to offer something genuinely different, to stand out.
Speaker 1:How so? What makes it feel premium to a potential client, or, say, a hospital discharge planner?
Speaker 2:Well, you're not just selling blocks of time anymore, You're offering a complete solution. Right? You've got the essential in-person care, yes, but it's blended with 247 virtual support, maybe continuous monitoring, proactive digital check-ins.
Speaker 1:So it's the whole package More comprehensive, more responsive.
Speaker 2:Precisely, it's a different level of service, Always on support, peace of mind. That's a much higher value proposition than just you know. Caregiver hours.
Speaker 1:And that lets you position yourself differently, command better rates.
Speaker 2:It should. Yes, you can justify premium pricing because you're offering demonstrably more value and referral sources. They often want the best solution for their clients, not just the cheapest. They'll likely prefer an agency offering this comprehensive, tech-enabled approach.
Speaker 1:And maybe it attracts better caregivers too, people who want to work for an innovative agency.
Speaker 2:That's part of it too. Good caregivers are drawn to places that are forward-thinking, that provide better tools, better support, focus on quality outcomes. It all ties together.
Speaker 1:And better service, better outcomes. Yeah, that should mean happier clients who stay longer right, better retention.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. The example used in the materials was home instead of Portland. After they went hybrid they saw, I think, a 22% increase in average client value 22%. Significant and maybe even more telling the average client stayed with them four months longer.
Speaker 1:Four months yeah.
Speaker 2:That says a lot about how clients and families value that extra support, that reliability.
Speaker 1:Okay, so those three secrets growth beyond staffing, reducing emergencies and burnout and creating a premium service they paint a really compelling picture.
Speaker 2:But there are always hurdles. Right Practical concerns.
Speaker 1:Exactly. Let's tackle those objections head on. Things people listening might be thinking right now like, ok, sounds good, but what about the cost? Isn't this tech expensive?
Speaker 2:It's a fair question. There is an initial investment, no doubt, but the counterargument is what's the cost of not changing?
Speaker 1:Explain that.
Speaker 2:Well, think about loss growth because you can't staff cases. High turnover costs because caregivers are burnt out, clients leaving because you can't provide consistent coverage. Sticking with the old model has hidden costs, big ones.
Speaker 1:Right the cost of inaction.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and the return of inaction Exactly. And the return on investment for hybrid care. We saw figures suggesting it can actually be quite fast, maybe seeing a positive financial impact in like 60 to 90 days sometimes.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's quicker than I would have guessed. Okay, what about the clients, especially older clients? They won't use technology. We hear that a lot.
Speaker 2:It's probably the most common assumption, but the data we looked at it kind of challenges that when the tech is chosen carefully, user-friendly, simple, and when it's implemented well, with good training, good support, the adoption rates among older adults even those over 85, can be surprisingly high. Like 94% adoption was one figure cited 94% Really. Yeah, the key is making it easy, non-intimidating and showing the clear benefit to them Safety, connection, independence.
Speaker 1:So it's how you introduce it. Okay, what about the caregivers? Worried about tech replacing them or just adding more complexity to their jobs?
Speaker 2:Another valid concern. Change is hard but interestingly, what seems to happen often is caregivers actually come to appreciate it.
Speaker 1:How so.
Speaker 2:Because it takes away some of the tedious stuff, maybe the constant charting, the repetitive checks. It lets them focus on the more rewarding parts of the job the human connection, the skilled care.
Speaker 1:Using their skills more effectively.
Speaker 2:Right and feeling more supported, less overwhelmed. We saw examples where caregiver turnover actually dropped significantly after implementing hybrid care. One figure was a 37 percent drop.
Speaker 1:Lower turnover. That's huge in this industry.
Speaker 2:Massive. So the tech becomes a tool for them, not a threat to them. It enhances their work, doesn't replace the core of it.
Speaker 1:That reframes it completely OK. Last big hurdle complexity. Just the idea of setting all this up, finding the right tech, integrating it, it sounds daunting.
Speaker 2:It can definitely feel that way. Yeah, like where do I even start? But the good news is you don't have to reinvent the wheel. There are systems, blueprints, step-by-step guides now designed specifically for home care agencies, roadmaps to follow, so it doesn't have to be this massive, disruptive chaos. You can phase it in manageably.
Speaker 1:And that leads us to something specific mentioned in the sources right the hybrid care launch blueprint.
Speaker 2:Exactly that blueprint is basically a structured guide designed to help agencies roll out a hybrid model relatively quickly. Maybe in about 30 days was the suggestion 30 days, yeah. And, importantly, it's based on what's actually worked for other agencies real-world stuff, not just theory so it's like a practical playbook, step by step that's the idea a clear roadmap to make the transition, to evolve the care model, without, you know, turning everything upside down overnight.
Speaker 1:It provides a pathway okay, so bringing this all it really feels like this hybrid care model isn't just a nice to have anymore. It's becoming, well, maybe essential a real opportunity to tackle those huge staffing challenges head on.
Speaker 2:I think so. It's a way to overcome the limits of that old staffing, dependent way of thinking to build sustainable growth even in this tough environment.
Speaker 1:It's about rethinking how care is delivered.
Speaker 2:Fundamentally and using tech strategically, not to replace the human element that's crucial, but to enhance it. To boost quality, boost efficiency, build a more resilient agency.
Speaker 1:Right? Well, as we wrap up this deep dive, it leaves you with a pretty big question to ponder, doesn't it? You know thinking about the future. Demand keeps rising, the workforce challenges aren't going away, so how might embracing a hybrid model not just fix today's staffing problems, but actually reshape the whole value proposition of your agency for the long term?
Speaker 2:It's a fundamental question, isn't it about the future shape of home care? What does value really mean? Going forward?
Speaker 1:Definitely food for thought for every agency owner listening. Thanks so much for walking us through this.
Speaker 2:My pleasure. It's a critical topic right now.
