Queen Creek residents Michael and Julie Emmelhainz, a former Boeing vice president and a 30-year nursing veteran, respectively, brought their own Seniors Helping Seniors in-home care services to the East Valley last August.
They recently celebrated their upcoming first year of business in the community on April 30 with a Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony for their in-home care services franchise that empowers seniors in need to maintain independent living in their homes for as long as possible.
“Specifically for our organization, we believe in empowering and giving back to seniors in our community. And that’s twofold — the client that receives the care, and these outstanding seniors that provide the care. You all embody what we do, and we’re thankful for that,” Michael said at the ribbon cutting.
“We bought the franchise not quite a year ago, and officially opened in August, but I think we’ve established a solid foundation for what we do,” he continued. "We’ve experienced things and relationships that I probably can’t put into words, but that go far beyond the task. It ends up being a relationship (between clients and caregivers). We pride ourselves on building relationships, not transactions."
Their in-home services include personal care and daily living assistance, memory, dementia and Alzheimer’s care, respite and specialized care, meal preparation and shopping, transportation to appointments, events, outings and more. Not only do they provide assistance, but their trusted caregivers are also a source of connection and companionship, helping seniors continue to enjoy a wide range of activities at home and around the community through a mutually beneficial friendship.
“Seniors Helping Seniors East Valley is honored to serve our community seniors through our active senior caregivers. It is a privilege and blessing to provide in-home care and assistance that allows seniors to stay in their homes safely for as long as possible. We are equally thankful for the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce who works tirelessly to create a great community and business environment in Queen Creek and throughout the East Valley,” Michael said at last month's chamber ribbon cutting.
The Queen Creek couple, who have been together for 46 years and are both 64 years old, share a passion for helping others. The autonomy over their lifestyle paired with their desire to help others made Seniors Helping Seniors the perfect fit for them.
Julie has a background in nursing of 30 years, while Michael retired after 34 years with Boeing. After retiring, the local couple found themselves volunteering for various events that helped thousands of people in their community. They loved spending time together while making a positive impact on those in need. The couple actually discovered this alternative senior care concept through a friend at their church.
Seniors Helping Seniors has 125 franchise partners and 260 territories nationwide. They have grown rapidly in recent years by building a workforce of talented caregivers who create meaningful relationships with their senior care clients. The Emmelhainz family covers Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Apache Junction, Gilbert and Chandler areas of the East Valley. The senior care concept prioritizes hiring active seniors to care for their less active counterparts and the couple plans on providing job opportunities for other mature adults throughout the greater Phoenix market.
“It’s really a win-win opportunity, and it provides us with the means to help both sides of the equation equally,” Michael said in August 2023. “Seniors Helping Seniors allows us to connect with our community while helping provide seniors with a better life. There are too many instances of seniors being left alone all day and night, or not receiving the care they deserve. We aim to help those individuals lead meaningful lives — it’s not about the money. It’s about helping make a difference for the people in your community.”
After their retirement, the Emmelhainzs volunteered their time with various charitable organizations. Through donating their time together, the couple realized they also wanted to be in business together. They were introduced to Seniors Helping Seniors by a friend of theirs who is a current Seniors Helping Seniors franchisee. The duo knew they wanted to do something that would allow them to give back to the community, and Seniors Helping Seniors presented them with the ability to do just that.
As 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 the market in Arizona with its unique care services and approach to caregiver-client matching.
In 2022, the brand built relationships with 33 new franchise owners, which equated to 73 new territories granted. The Seniors Helping Seniors system had a significant increase in the number of clients they serve across the country.
The Seniors Helping Seniors franchise stands out from other brands in the elder care space in part through its commitment to hiring senior caregivers, which provides employment opportunities for seniors and better cultivates meaningful 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 Namrata Yocom-Jan, president of Seniors Helping Seniors. “That’s exactly what we’ve found with Michael and Julie, who are well-equipped to provide unparalleled in-home services to those in need.”
The Seniors Helping Seniors franchise system was founded by Kiran and Philip Yocom, who felt called to provide loving care to seniors and to cultivate an exchange of gifts at every generational level. Together, the Yocoms founded Seniors Helping Seniors in-home services in 1998, opening the brand up to franchising in 2006. With a mission to be the most respected and rewarding home care provider in the U.S., Seniors Helping Seniors locations stand apart from competitors as the only company that prioritizes hiring active seniors to provide care services to their less-active counterparts. Seniors Helping Seniors service aligns caregivers and clients based on the abilities and needs of both by offering a wide range of care services. Their network has grown to 200-plus locations, 125 franchise partners in 30-plus states and international markets. For more information, visit seniorshelpingseniors.com.
“So where are we going? We’re just going to continue doing what we’re doing. We’ll continue to expand throughout the East Valley: our franchise allows us to go from Apache Junction to Sun Lakes, so there’s a lot of opportunity in that window. One thing we won’t do is compromise that foundation of giving outstanding care. We won’t let size change what we do for people,” Michael said at last month's ribbon cutting.
For more information about Seniors Helping Seniors East Valley, visit shseastvalley.com.
