Dayton Business Journal: Right at Home plans Dayton-Kettering expansion
This article was originally published on Dayton Business Journal. Read the article here.
A global in-home care franchise looks to expand in the Miami Valley after nearly two decades of operating a single local location.
Right at Home debuted in the Dayton region in 2007. The franchise's lone area location is in Beavercreek at 3779 Dayton Xenia Road.
Lynn Daugherty decided to open the Beavercreek location due to her own personal "perfect storm." In 2004, she was a single mother of four, and within a short period, her father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer while her mother fell seriously ill. Through navigating their health care while raising her children, she learned that the system can be overwhelming.
After her parents passed, she felt compelled to turn her experience into something meaningful for others facing similar challenges.
"I felt a calling to ensure other families in Greene County didn't have to walk that road alone," Daugherty said. "I interviewed several organizations, but Right at Home gave me that 'warm feeling' which was a culture of compassion that matched what I wanted for my own parents."
In the nearly two decades since, Daugherty has seen an increase in demand for complex care for seniors, such as Alzheimer's, dementia support and post-rehabilitation recovery.
As Dayton has a significant population of seniors — over 14% — determined to stay in their homes, Right at Home looks to expand its outreach in the region.
Right at Home currently has 15 franchise owners operating more than 20 territories across Ohio. The company is preparing to add a new unit in the Dayton-Kettering area, while also exploring opportunities in surrounding communities and nearby rural markets.
The Dayton-Kettering territory alone is home to more than 40,000 residents age 65 and older — a figure projected to rise in the coming years.
"That's thousands of people who need support to age safely at home, and we know that number is only going to grow," said Jennifer Chaney, Right at Home senior vice president of franchise development and sales. "Across Ohio, the senior population is increasing quickly, and that creates a real sense of urgency around high-quality home care. Expanding into Dayton felt like a natural next step."
To stand out in the senior care market, Right at Home has focused on strengthening support systems for its franchisees. Over the past year, the company has introduced new technology aimed at improving operational efficiency, including a customer relationship management platform that streamlines referral tracking and client management.
Franchise owners also receive guidance on dementia care through Medicare's GUIDE program, as well as strategic support in navigating a mix of payment sources. The company emphasizes hands-on training to ensure franchisees are prepared to make an immediate impact.
"When we step in, family members don't have to do it all themselves; they can spend more time being a son, daughter or spouse instead of a full-time caregiver," Chaney said.
A timeline for the expansion was not provided. With new offices planned in the future, the company anticipates bringing dozens of jobs to the region, ranging from office staff and caregivers to specialized nurses.
Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home care to seniors and adults with disabilities who want to live independently. Right at Home’s global office is based in Nebraska with more than 700 franchise locations in the U.S. and five other countries.
