John Gormly | Visiting Angels | East Providence
The pitch: Visiting Angels of Rhode Island serves the senior population by providing licensed caregivers dedicated to helping older members of the community live safely and happily in their home.
Years in business: Eight
Employees: Approximately 200
Cost to obtain franchise: $77,985-$102,285 initial investment; $43,950-$51,950 franchise fee
Before opening franchise: Prior to opening Visiting Angels, Gormly worked at Brown University as a computer coordinator in the Office of the President.
Reason for opening: The reason for bringing Visiting Angels to Rhode Island was personal for John Gormly: When his parents grew older, he realized there was a need to keep the state’s aging population in their homes – and that need was not being met. “My mother was 82 and had her appendix removed,” said Gormly. “They ended up sending her home, and we scrambled to find her the care she needed.”
“We are partners with ... Rhode Island. We have the opportunity to sit with folks at the state level and listen and understand what they are trying to accomplish so we can work together. Our first passion is to take care of seniors and provide them with in-home care. The second is to provide partnerships and be an action arm of the state to help people age in place.”
“It’s important not to rip people from their neighborhoods. People remain healthier – if not in body, then certainly in mind – if they have doctors, neighbors and caregivers available to them in their own community.”
“As folks get older, they may lose one or two skills here and there – but it doesn’t make sense for them to go into a nursing home because of that. Maybe they can no longer cook, or laundry became too much of a challenge. We provide light housekeeping, transportation and transfers, help with daily living requirements, medication reminders and more.”