Why for-profits need a theory of change, too
The world is changing! Gone are the days when it was okay to maximize profit without considering any negative impacts. In fact, new terms have been coined for presenting your business as socially responsible without genuine action and policy—no business wants to be accused of “green washing” or “social washing”.
As a for-profit social enterprise, we are experimenting with new ways to embed our social and environmental impact into our business model even more. We don’t just have a strategic plan—we have created our strategic plan based on our theory of change.??
A theory of change is the overall pathway to how we are carving out our road to success (our vision) and how we are monitoring whether we are moving in the right direction (our outputs, outcomes, and impacts).?
Here is how it is working for a for-profit.
Vision: Aging with Integrity
By believing that our role as a business is not only to provide the best home care in North America, but to improve the whole journey of aging, it changes what we do and how we do it.
As our global population ages, the need for comprehensive care strategies becomes increasingly urgent. By 2050, it is estimated that 1.5 billion people will be over the age of 65, and despite a growing preference among seniors to age at home, many lack a structured plan for doing so. Just Like Family Home Care is dedicated to redefining the narrative around aging by emphasizing proactive planning and informed decision-making.
The Need for Proactive Aging Plans
In Canada, where the senior population continues to grow significantly, dementia cases are also rising; projections show that by the year 2030, one in three individuals over the age of 80 will develop some form of the condition. This underscores the importance of a robust support system that allows seniors to maintain their independence as long as possible while preparing for increased needs over time.
We know that education plays an important role in facilitating the changes we are making. Because we have our theory of change, Just Like Family Home Care holds workshops across the country surrounding aging in place and planning. We believe in providing families with the knowledge to help them make informed decisions.
领英推荐
Supporting Independence and Interdependence
Our partners expertly facilitate activities for seniors that adapt to changing abilities, such as virtual chair yoga and interactive storytimes, which are accessible even to those with limited mobility. Our approach extends beyond mere assistance—by providing comprehensive resources like fall prevention checklists and in-home assessments, we help seniors and their families manage their environments safely.
We believe that seniors should thrive and enjoy an enhanced quality of life. Because we have a theory of change, we spend time and money to curate the best virtual activities for seniors across the country.
Transition to Interdependence
As needs increase, Just Like Family Home Care prioritizes preserving interdependence—seniors may require additional support to maintain independence.? Wearable devices to monitor health metrics like heart rate and walk steadiness can preemptively indicate health risks, such as potential falls. Just Like Family advocates for a support system, preserving dignity and extending the period of interdependence. Monitoring devices and community support systems like Lifeline Medical Alert or buddy systems provide necessary support without compromising independence.
We believe technology can play a positive, beneficial role in helping seniors maintain independence. Because we have a theory of change, we provide tools, resources, and recommendations to families to support their transitions from independence to interdependence.
More Dependent and Crisis Stages
As individuals become more dependent, comprehensive homecare options become essential. Discussions about advanced care directives, including Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders, are vital. Just Like Family Home Care emphasizes the importance of ensuring these preferences are respected and registered appropriately in all living environments.
Because we have a theory of change, we believe that our role is more than just home care.? We are a navigator for families and their loved ones during very difficult times.
With a theory of change, rather than just a strategic plan, we have a wholistic approach that allows us to do things differently. At Just Like Family Home Care, we are dedicated to empowering seniors and their families to maintain autonomy and quality of life throughout the aging process. By detailing each stage of aging and the corresponding care strategies, we aim to support each family uniquely, ensuring that aging can be a process managed with dignity and grace.
It would be wonderful to see more for-profit companies using non-profit tools in the years to come.
Thanks for sharing your experience. It's interesting to see how a theory of change can influence business outcomes. In what specific ways has this approach modified your team's strategy and results? Looking forward to learning more from your insights and those shared by others here.
Co-founder @ Unwrapit. I help companies build relationships through gift campaigns that are personalized, sustainable, and scalable.
9 个月Carla Langhorst This is a really inspiring post. Thank you for making the case for theories of change within for profits by shedding light on the specifics of aging with dignity - a topic that will impact all of us and our families sooner or later.