A Golden Opportunity in the Golden Years

Who are the best caretakers for seniors? This franchise's answer: other seniors

- CHLOE ARROJADO

When you're in the business of caring for others, nothing beats having Mother Teresa on your résumé. Kiran Yocom has just that; she worked with the sainted nun for more than a decade in India, and Yocom's commitment to serving others continued when she moved to the U.S. in 1995. Three years later, she cofounded home-care company Seniors Helping Seniors. Inspired by the compassion she saw in older people, she hired seniors as primary caregivers for other seniors.

Since the business, based in Reading, Pennsylvania, began franchising in 2006, it has expanded to 135 franchisees throughout the U.S., the U.K., and Malta. Yocom's daughter, Namrata Yocom-Jan, is now president of the company. Striking a balance between truly compassionate care and profitable business strategy isn't always easy, but Yocom says the key is finding franchisees with a heart for the business. Here, mother and daughter share how they've done it.