What SarahCare does

SarahCare is a private, founder-led U.S. franchise system providing adult day health care services to seniors and adults with chronic conditions, memory impairment, post-surgical recovery needs, and disabilities. Founded in 1985 by Dr. Merle D. Griff in Canton, Ohio originally as S.A.R.A.H. (Senior Adult Recreation and Health), the company transitioned from a single intergenerational care site into a national franchise network that has operated continuously under CARF International accreditation since 2003 and now spans 13-18+ U.S. states.

At the unit level, each SarahCare center delivers a bundled daytime care program covering nursing services (medication administration, diabetic and ostomy care, vitals monitoring), structured activity programming (cognitive enhancement, pet therapy, social clubs including Men's Club and Book Club), memory impairment and dementia-specific programming, meal service with special-diet accommodations, door-to-door transportation, on-site ancillary services (podiatry, audiology, optometry), salon services, and chronic disease management across conditions such as Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, CHF, COPD, diabetes, and stroke recovery. The integrated "SarahCare Way" philosophy — addressing physical, mental, and spiritual needs — is the operational spine across the franchise.

The business model operates on two layers. At the franchise system level, SarahCare Franchise Systems, LLC collects a $39,400 one-time franchise fee, ongoing royalties, and supplies training, brand standards, and protected territories; total initial franchise investment ranges $350,100-$921,200. At the center level, franchisees generate revenue through recurring per-day or per-half-day private-pay rates (e.g., $80 full day / $55 half day in Indianapolis) supplemented by transportation add-ons ($15 one-way, $30 round trip), salon and ancillary service fees, and third-party reimbursement from Medicaid Aged and Disabled Waivers, Traumatic Brain Injury Waivers, Veterans Administration funding, and long-term care insurance. The franchise cites an Average Unit Volume exceeding $2.95M, though the company discloses no system-level revenue or unit count. Go-to-market combines franchisee recruitment (the principal growth channel), direct family-caregiver enrollment via website, local SEO, and referrals from healthcare providers, Area Agencies on Aging, and Veterans Administration partners.

Name

SarahCare

Legal name

SarahCare Franchise Systems, LLC

Website

https://sarahcare.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SarahCare is a private, founder-led U.S. franchise network, founded in 1985 and CARF-accredited since 2003, operating adult day health centers in 13-18+ states that provide daytime nursing, memory care, activities, meals, transportation, and chronic disease management to seniors, Veterans, and family caregivers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Jenkintown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Adult Day Health Care Services (Private Pay): Daytime care services for seniors including nursing, activities, meals, transportation, and social programs billed on a per-day or half-day rate.
2. Veterans Administration (VA) Funding: Many Veterans are eligible for VA funding for daytime care, which SarahCare helps participants determine eligibility for and bill accordingly.
3. Medicaid / State Waiver Programs: Centers accept state Aged and Disabled Waiver, Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver, and other Medicaid-funded programs for eligible participants.
4. Long-term Care Insurance: SarahCare accepts long-term care insurance as a payment option for eligible participants.
5. Franchise Fees and Royalties: SarahCare generates revenue from franchise fees ($39,400 one-time) and ongoing royalty payments from franchisee-owned centers across the network.
6. Salon and Ancillary Services: Additional fee-based services including salon/spa services (shampoo, cut, style, perm, hair coloring, manicure/pedicure) available at an additional charge.
7. Transportation Services: Transportation to and from centers offered at additional cost ($15 one-way, $30 round trip) for participants needing door-to-door service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

SarahCare operates a national franchise network of adult day health centers that deliver daytime care to seniors and adults needing supervision. The integrated service platform combines nursing care, therapeutic activities, meals, transportation, memory impairment/dementia programs, chronic disease management, recovery care, salon/spa services, and ancillary health services (podiatry, audiology, optometry). The company also licenses its brand and operational system to franchisees who own and operate individual centers.

Product overview

SarahCare operates a network of adult day health centers providing daytime care for seniors across the United States. The core product is the SarahCare Adult Day Health Center, an integrated service platform combining nursing care, therapeutic activities, meals, transportation, and memory impairment services. The service portfolio includes Activity Programs, Nursing Services, Memory Impairment Care, Meals, Transportation, Chronic Diseases Management, Recovery Care, Salon Services, Saturday Care, Isolation & Depression Support, Frailty & Physical Dependence Care, Ancillary Health Services (podiatry, audiology, optometry), and Financial Assistance. All services are coordinated through a multidisciplinary caregiver staffing model. The company also offers a Franchise Program for entrepreneurs to establish SarahCare centers under the established brand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SarahCare Adult Day Health Center Daytime care center for seniors and adults requiring supervision, featuring social activities, nursing care, meals, transportation, and personalized plans of care in a group setting. Serves seniors with chronic conditions, memory impairment, recovery needs, and frailty, plus family caregivers needing respite.
• Nursing Services Registered and licensed nurses provide medication administration, health monitoring, diabetic care, feeding tube care, ostomy care, and physician liaison services for senior participants at SarahCare centers.
• Activities Program Holistic activity programs including Wii contests, pet therapy, indoor golf, gardening, computer-based memory enhancement, and social clubs such as Men's Club, Book Club, and Out to Lunch Bunch, designed for senior participants.
• Memory Impairment Care Specialized dementia-specific activity programs, safe environment features (accessible bathing, grab bars, wheelchair transport, specialized dining), and person-centered care plans for individuals with Alzheimer's and related dementias.
• Meals Program Daily nutritious meals including breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack, with accommodations for special diets including diabetic, low sodium, pureed, vegetarian, and religious restrictions.
• Transportation Services Door-to-door transportation to and from SarahCare centers in company vans, with staff assistance for seniors during morning and evening pickups. Add-on pricing of $15 one-way / $30 round trip is disclosed at the Indianapolis location.
• Chronic Diseases Management Nursing oversight and care coordination for seniors with chronic conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, COPD, arthritis, Alzheimer's, asthma, CHF, Parkinson's, and stroke recovery.
• Recovery Care Post-operative and post-illness care including daily vitals monitoring, medication administration, wound care assistance, and rehabilitation support for hip, knee, cardiac, and spinal surgery patients.
• Salon Services Unisex salon staffed by licensed stylists offering haircuts, perms, coloring, manicures, pedicures, and grooming services for senior participants, available at an additional charge per service.
• Saturday Care Weekend care services at select SarahCare locations, providing caregivers with additional respite options beyond the standard Monday-Friday schedule.
• Frailty & Physical Dependence Care Assistance with ambulation, wheelchair accessibility, adaptive dining utensils, and toileting/bathing support for physically dependent seniors attending SarahCare centers.
• Ancillary Health Services On-site podiatry, audiology, and optometry services partnered with local healthcare professionals to reduce the need for outside medical appointments for senior participants.
• Financial Assistance Services Assistance identifying funding sources for adult day care including long-term care insurance, Area Agency on Aging programs, state Aged and Disabled Medicaid Waivers, Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver, and Veterans Administration benefits.
• SarahCare Franchise Program Franchise opportunity offering entrepreneurs the ability to own an adult day health center under the SarahCare brand, with full operational support, training, CARF-aligned system, and 100% protected territories. Total initial investment $350,100–$921,200; franchise fee $39,400 (20% discount for Veterans).

Quantifiable outcome

• AUV $2.95M+ across the franchise system
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NADSA (National Adult Day Services Association)coreOthersDr. Merle Griff, SarahCare's Founder & CEO, served as Past Chairperson of the Board of Directors for NADSA. SarahCare is listed as a member/affiliate on the NADSA website.
• CARF InternationalcoreOthersSarahCare has been continually accredited by CARF International since 2003. Dr. Merle Griff served as member of the International Advisory Board for CARF. CARF is the only independent accreditation body for adult day care.
• LeadingAgeminorOthersSarahCare is an affiliate/member of LeadingAge, a national association of 5,500+ nonprofit aging services organizations.
• International Franchise Association (IFA)minorOthersSarahCare is listed as an affiliate/member of the International Franchise Association (IFA), the leading voice of franchising worldwide.
• NFIB (National Federation of Independent Businesses)minorOthersSarahCare is listed as an affiliate/member of NFIB, the leading small business advocacy organization.
• Alzheimer's AssociationminorOthersSarahCare refers families to the Alzheimer's Association for additional caregiver resources, support groups, and education. The Alzheimer's Association is a key partner for dementia-related care guidance.
• Dementia Friends of IndianaminorOthersSarahCare of Indianapolis has become part of Dementia Friends of Indiana, which strives to reduce the stigma of dementia through education and awareness.
• CICOA Aging and In-Home Services (Area Agency on Aging in Central Indiana)minorOthersSarahCare of Indianapolis partners with CICOA as the Area Agency on Aging in Central Indiana, providing caregiver resources and referrals.
• Indiana Family & Social Services Administration (FSSA)minorOthersThe Indiana FSSA selected SarahCare of Indianapolis as a recipient of a Direct Service Workforce Investment grant, with 95% of the grant going directly to support direct care staff.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ComForCare: National franchise system providing in-home senior care and adult day services with a multi-state footprint and similar franchise model. Comparable to SarahCare in franchise growth strategy and senior care focus.
• Comfort Keepers: Franchised senior home care provider offering personal care, companionship, and specialized dementia support across the U.S. Comparable to SarahCare as a franchise-based senior care operator with a similar multi-payer approach.
• BrightStar Care: Franchised home health and medical staffing provider offering skilled nursing, personal care, and senior services. Comparable to SarahCare in serving seniors with medical/non-medical care through a franchise model.
• Visiting Angels: Franchised provider of in-home senior care, personal care, and respite services across 600+ U.S. locations. Comparable to SarahCare as a franchise competitor in the senior care space with similar caregiver-respite positioning.
• Right at Home: Franchised in-home senior care provider offering companion care, personal care, and specialized support for dementia and chronic conditions. Comparable to SarahCare in franchise structure and senior-focused service portfolio.
• Senior Helpers: Franchised senior home care provider offering in-home care, Alzheimer's and dementia care, and Parkinson's care. Comparable to SarahCare in franchise growth approach and disease-specific senior care positioning.
• Synergy HomeCare: Franchised home care provider offering personal care, companionship, and specialized senior services across the U.S. Comparable to SarahCare in franchise operations, multi-state presence, and senior care focus.
• Always Best Care Senior Services: Franchised senior care provider offering in-home care, assisted living placement, and skilled home health. Comparable to SarahCare as a franchise model covering a similar senior demographic.

Broad incumbents

• Home Instead: Largest franchised provider of in-home senior care services with 1,000+ locations globally, offering personal care, companionship, and dementia care. Comparable to SarahCare in serving seniors with caregiver support, though Home Instead focuses on in-home rather than center-based day care.

Others

• LeadingAge: National industry association of 5,500+ nonprofit aging services providers that SarahCare is a member of. Comparable as an ecosystem participant shaping policy, standards, and demand signals that affect SarahCare's market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/sarahcarecenters
• Facebookfacebook.com/sarahcareadultdaycarecenters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sarah-adult-day-services-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/sarahcarecenters
• Xx.com/sarahcare

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SarahCare