Missed Calls, Missed Clients: Why Home Care Agencies Are Switching to Specialized Answering Services

Why Every Home Care Agency Needs a Specialized Answering Service

Running a home care agency means juggling a lot — clients, caregivers, schedules, and last-minute changes.But what happens when the phone rings after hours or while your office team is busy?

Every missed call could mean:

• A new client who doesn’t leave a message

• A caregiver who can’t reach you about a shift

• A family who decides to call another agency

That’s why having an answering service built for home care — not just any business — can save time, money, and stress.

Missed Calls = Missed Opportunities

Studies show that 62% of small businesses miss incoming calls during the day, and many callers never try again (AMB’s Call Center).

In home care, that can mean:

• Losing potential clients who call for information or pricing

• Frustrated families who need quick updates

• Scheduling gaps when caregivers can’t reach the office

When people call a home care agency, they usually want to talk to a real person — not voicemail. A live answering team keeps those connections alive, even when your staff isn’t available.

Why Generic Answering Services Don’t Work

Most answering services are designed for all kinds of businesses — from plumbers to real estate offices.But home care calls are different.

You need someone who can:

• Understand what it means when a caregiver “calls off” a shift

• Know which messages should go straight to your on-call manager

• Handle emotional family conversations with patience and empathy

A generic script just doesn’t cut it when someone’s loved one needs help at home.

The Cost of Doing It In-House

Hiring an in-office employee just to answer phones can sound easy — until you add up the cost.

A full-time receptionist or coordinator can cost $45,000–$60,000 per year after adding benefits, payroll taxes, and time off. You also have to:

• Train them

• Cover breaks, sick days, and vacations

• Keep staff on payroll even during slow periods

That’s a big expense for a small agency — and it still doesn’t guarantee 24/7 coverage.

The Savings of Outsourcing

Outsourcing your calls can cost as little as $1.25–$1.65 per minute or about $50–$150 per month depending on call volume (Kwote Advisor, Housecall Pro).

That’s often 40%–60% cheaper than keeping an in-house employee (A Better Answer).

For example:If your agency takes around 500 minutes of after-hours calls each month, you might pay around $750 total — compared to thousands for payroll and benefits.

You only pay for the time you need, and you never have to worry about coverage or overtime.

Why a Home Care–Focused Service Is Better

Here’s what makes a specialized home care answering service stand out from general call centers:

1. They understand your calls

Agents are trained for real home care situations — caregiver no-shows, family inquiries, new client leads, and scheduling changes.

2. They use the right tone

Families calling about home care need empathy and clarity. Industry-specific agents know how to listen and respond professionally while representing your agency’s values.

3. They support your growth

A focused team can help you capture more leads after hours, improving your reputation and client intake without adding extra staff.

4. They save you time

Your team can focus on clients and caregivers — not on ringing phones.

Quick Cost Comparison

Category	In-House Staff	Answering Service
Average cost	$45,000–$60,000	~$750/month ($9k annually)
Coverage	Limited hours	24/7 available
Training needed	Yes	No
Time off / breaks	Paid	None
Flexibility	Hard to scale	Scales up or down
Customer experience	Depends on staff	Always covered

Real-World Results

Call centers that specialize in the home care field report extremely low error rates — one provider found just one error per 6,000 messages handled (Centratel).That kind of reliability keeps your clients and caregivers happy and your business running smoothly.

The Bottom Line

Home care is built on trust and communication. When families or caregivers call, they expect someone to answer — no matter what time it is.

A specialized answering service helps your agency:

• Save money compared to in-house staff

• Provide 24/7 support for clients and caregivers

• Capture more leads and fill more shifts

• Keep your reputation strong with professional, caring communication

If you’re tired of missing calls, losing caregivers, or juggling phone duty on top of everything else, it’s time to simplify.

Foboa’s home care answering service was designed exclusively for agencies like yours — so every client and caregiver gets the attention they deserve, 24/7.

📞 See how easy it is to get started: 👉 Learn more about Foboa’s answering services