Unlocking the Business Potential of Aging-In-Place Services with Pat Lund

There are many profitable services to offer as a handyman, and one niche you may not have heard about is Aging-In-Place services.

Aging-In-Place services are home modifications and improvements that allow aging adults to live in their homes safely and for longer.

Examples include installing grab bars and rails, building ramps, improving lighting, and installing chair lifts.

Aging-In-Place services first came on my radar about eight months ago when one of my students mentioned it on a live webinar. Ever since, I’ve seen it pop up all over the place.

And that’s why I’m excited to bring you this interview with Pat Lund. As the executive director of Age Well At Home, he’s an expert in this field and happily shares how to capitalize on this growing business opportunity.

About Pat Lund

Pat is the creator and executive director of Age Well At Home – a non-profit business in The Twin Cities, Minnesota, that provides home modification and improvements to help aging adults live in their homes for longer.

Pat has a ton of experience in the home service industry, which started when he got a job painting houses to help him get through high school. He later became director of several non-profit programs, including Paint-a-Thon, Meals on Wheels, and A Brush with Kindness. He worked locally and nationally with Habitat for Humanity to implement programs to assist lower-income families in maintaining their homes.

About six years ago, Habitat for Humanity wanted him to help create a program to help the aging population stay in their homes, eventually leading to his current venture.

Aside from his vast experience and connections, he’s just an overall nice guy who wants to connect with and help others in this industry.

Resources Mentioned in the Podcast

• AgeWellAtHome.org (Pat’s website)
• National Council of Non-Profits (Help to financing for non-profits)
• Become a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS training)
• Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies (home service statistics)
• Johns Hopkins CAPABLE

Notes and Takeaways From This Episode

• These are great services if you enjoy working with your hands and helping people.
• The average job size to transform a home is $4,000-$5,000, but just $1,500 in home modifications can go a long way toward making a home safer for seniors.
• The population of people over 60 is exploding, so the demand and opportunities are growing.
• Most in-demand services include: Grab bar installation, Ramps, and Chair lifts.
• Other services: Taller toilets, walk-in shower installation, tub cut-outs, changing appliances, changing and adding lights, handheld shower heads.
• It can be challenging to gain the trust of seniors, but partnering with their healthcare providers is a great way to establish trust. If you can get them to recommend you, they will trust you. This is hard to do, but it’s well worth it.
• Advertising in the newspaper, local radio or TV station, and other local media outlets is a great way to reach potential customers. News outlets love a story about someone who had their life improved by some of these services.
• About 1/3 of referrals come from the kids of the aging adults.
• Becoming a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist is a great way to build trust and connect with like minded individuals.
• Running your business as a non-profit can help build trust and allow you to help people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford your services.
• Aging-In-Place services are easy to learn, but business skills are what make the difference between success and failure.