Eric Hathaway is the co-owner and general manager of Home Helpers, which began business in Four Points in September to add a layer of care for senior citizens.

1) General manager Eric Hathaway, why did you start Home Helpers?

From my experiences as a former director of youth ministries and a manager of patient support at Medtronic Diabetes, I saw a need to help support Austin’s growing elderly demographic. The establishment of Home Helpers is underpinned by a dedicated commitment to prioritizing caregiver satisfaction, recognizing its pivotal role in delivering exemplary services to our esteemed clients. A happy caregiver means top-notch care for our clients.

We started on September 1st and have been thrilled with the response from the community!

2) What brought you to the Four Points area?

An underserved elderly population and a great place to live.

3) Are your services in demand now more than ever, and why?  

Caregiver services are in high demand due to an aging population, a preference for aging in place, increasing health conditions, busy lifestyles, and a growing awareness of the benefits of professional care. Government support and specialized services further contribute to the surge in the need for caregiving assistance.

4) Do you have some stats to back up why your services are needed and how they help the senior population?

The Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Area is home to the second-fastest growing population of adults aged 65 and older in the country, and it has the fastest-growing population of adults between 55 and 64 years old, according to the U.S. Census Bureau on the subject of Aging Population.

Travis County’s Health and Human Services Department predicts that by 2050 the senior population in the county will triple today’s numbers.

On preference for home-based care, the AARP reports that nearly 90% of seniors prefer to age in their own homes.