Gulfshore Business | Right at Home Opens Punta Gorda Office
Responding to growing demand for in-home care services, Heidi Nyvoll opened her second Right at Home franchise on July 31 in Punta Gorda. The new location at 525 E. Olympia Ave. was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by members of the Punta Gorda and Charlotte County chambers of commerce.
Nyvoll launched her first Right at Home office in Englewood in 2017. Since then, her client base has steadily grown. Today, the company serves 118 clients, according to Shana Willis, the company’s business development manager. Willis, who has more than 20 years of experience in health care, said the Punta Gorda office offers a more convenient location for area residents, though the Englewood office has long served clients in Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte.
The home care industry is expanding rapidly nationwide as the U.S. population ages. Charlotte County, in particular, is a prime market. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median age in Punta Gorda was 66.5 in 2023. Countywide, the median age was 60, while Englewood’s median age reached 68.2. Pew Research Center ranks Charlotte County second in the nation for the highest percentage of residents aged 65 and older — nearly 38% of the population — making it fertile ground for in-home care services.
Right at Home is one of the largest home care franchises in the country, with more than 750 locations in five countries, including nearly 60 in Florida. The company offers a wide range of nonmedical in-home services, such as housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation, companionship, personal care assistance, post-operative support, and specialized care for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia. It also provides hospice support and live-in care options.
While Right at Home caregivers do not provide medical treatments or wound care, they do offer flexible services tailored to individual needs, Willis said. Unlike many agencies, Right at Home does not require a minimum number of service hours per week. Clients can request as little as one hour of care per week, with rates starting at $65 for a one-hour visit and $85 for two hours. The company also works with clients to explore payment options and special funding resources.
Willis emphasized the company’s focus on client well-being and caregiver quality. Caregivers undergo extensive background checks and training to ensure they meet the company’s standards.
Sometimes family caregivers need a break to avoid burnout, and Right at Home offers respite care to give them time away, Willis said. The company can also provide short-term support for clients discharged from the hospital until out-of-state family members arrive. Some clients simply need companionship — someone to walk with, share hobbies, or enjoy crafts and games.
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