A Better Solution In Home Care Franchise

A Better Solution In Home Care began in San Diego in 2000. Its founder, Lillia Smith-Pratt, has served as CEO and president of the operating agency since March 2000. The operating company incorporated in California in March 2002 and, according to the 2026 disclosure, provides services through locations in San Diego and Phoenix.

Smith-Pratt founded ABS Franchise Services, Inc. in November 2014, and franchising began that month. The franchise company is based in San Diego and offers agencies under the A Better Solution In Home Care name; in Washington and Florida, the disclosed brand is Caring Solutions In Home Care. The business draws on the operating affiliate’s experience in home care and maintains a franchise program covering caregiver screening, client matching, administration and service delivery.

The agency evaluates a home care client’s needs and develops an individualized non-medical care plan. Staff members are matched with clients through the system’s screening and coordination process. Caregivers are employees paid by the franchisee, rather than independent contractors. Services include personal assistance, meal preparation, shopping, transportation, light housekeeping and companionship, with hourly or live-in arrangements as appropriate. Agencies also build relationships with hospitals, rehabilitation centers and residential care facilities that can refer clients needing additional support.

Pre-opening instruction combines ABS Academy online assignments with live training in San Diego. Owners must complete the full pre-launch program, and management staff must complete assigned Academy work. The disclosure describes five days of in-person training and a curriculum totaling approximately 40 classroom hours and 40 on-site hours across the training process. Topics include caregiver recruitment and onboarding, client intake and assessments, care coordination, licensing, scheduling, billing, payroll, software and local business development. The franchisor determines the mix of virtual and in-person instruction and may adjust the schedule for a participant’s experience.

Initial training is included subject to the attendee provisions of the franchise agreement; franchisees pay salaries, travel and other attendance expenses. Preparation also includes operating manuals, office specifications and lease review, key-position job descriptions, supply lists and assistance ordering recruiting and marketing materials. ABS provides a location-specific website and facilitates launch materials, with the owner paying the associated production costs. Licensing assistance is provided through an approved vendor; ABS may act as that vendor by agreement for a separate fee.

Post-launch support includes four days of initial on-site training within the first 120 days once management is hired, at least ten caregivers have been onboarded and marketing has begun. The disclosure also describes coaching, quality reviews and business planning during the first year, with weekly access to coaches for the first six months and monthly check-ins through the first year. Later coaching may be remote. Consultation, operating manual updates, billing and pay-rate recommendations and staffing guidance form part of the ongoing support. Additional refresher programs or an annual conference may carry registration, training and travel costs.

Owners use SwyftOps for customer relationships, scheduling, referral marketing, billing and payroll, alongside required business software and communications tools. They remain responsible for hardware, software subscriptions and updates. Optional enhanced support includes coaching, management-staff vetting and accountability meetings, with a $4,500 initial fee and $2,500 monthly fee for a minimum six-month service period. Optional after-hours staffing and call-center services are separately charged. Local advertising has a minimum of the greater of 2% of gross revenues or $1,000 per month, separate from the marketing fund fee; fund spending does not guarantee local leads or results.

ABS offers a practical ownership fit for someone who wants to combine team leadership with relationships in the local care community. The agency’s focus on caregiver screening, matching and ongoing coordination gives the owner a defined process for organizing services around each client’s needs. The ability to work with both individuals at home and referral partners in care facilities creates several avenues for building a local client base.

The model calls for active management and accountability. The owner or manager must devote full-time effort to the business; even under the optional enhanced support arrangement, the owner must actively assist management and retain ultimate responsibility. At least two staff members must work full time, and all owners complete pre-launch training. For an entrepreneur prepared to oversee recruitment, service quality and community outreach, ABS offers operating experience dating to 2000 and a support structure that includes online learning, launch instruction and ongoing coaching.

Read more in our guide to A Better Solution in Home Care services and franchise ownership.