By: Najla Alexander
Union County officials announced that Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services, a franchisor with over 200 franchise partners and 400 territories nationwide, has proliferated in recent years by building a workforce of talented caregivers who create meaningful relationships with their senior care clients.
Now, local residents Matt and Erin Eckard have opened a new location to serve Union and Essex Counties in New Jersey, officials say.
According to Union County officials, after more than 25 years in leadership roles at companies like Nabisco, Kraft Foods International, and Mondelez—with nine relocations along the way, including London—Matt Eckard felt called to build something meaningful and lasting in the community they now call home.
His wife Erin, a lifelong caregiver, supported their family through every move, putting her own career on hold to raise their children, UCPO officials said.
Union County officials said together, they found their calling in Seniors Helping Seniors, a brand that stands apart in the in-home care industry by prioritizing the hiring of active seniors to help their less active counterparts.
“We’re fortunate to have both of our parents, who have been doing this kind of work on a volunteer basis for years. We’ve seen them drive others to appointments, prepare meals, and offer companionship,” said Matt.
“There’s so much good being done, but not enough people to do it all. Helping others stay in their homes and thrive in their communities felt like the right fit—something we’re excited to wake up and do every day.”
The demand for in-home care for mature populations continues to grow, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reporting that nearly 70% of retirees will require some form of long-term care, Union County officials say.
Union County officials stated that Seniors Helping Seniors® services is expanding in New Jersey with its unique care services and approach to caregiver-client matching.
This new location in Union and Essex Counties will mark the seventh in the state and will focus on serving communities throughout the area, according to UCPO officials.
Union County officials stated that the Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise stands out from other brands in the elder-care space in part through its commitment to hiring senior caregivers, which provides employment opportunities for seniors and better cultivates meaningful relationships between caregivers and care receivers.