assisted living facility

[Celine]

I've been approached by the director of an assisted living facility. She wants to offer massage to the residents without charging me any fee or commission and would provide a suite for me to set up in (no going from room to room!). I would charge a little less than normal, a senior discount I suppose, but how much? The spa charges $40/half hour. The director said that where she worked before the therapist did $20 half hours but that seems too low to me. That is what I get with my 50/50 spa split but the service is worth more than $20. $30 is 25% off... isn't that generous enough?I would also be available to the residents' families, possibly for a slightly higher fee than the residents pay, but I haven't decided if it should be the same as coming into the spa or still a little less expensive, or just charge everyone the same.$30/half hr$35/half hr for familyI don't expect any of the residents to want a full hour if they aren't already accustomed to having massages, but maybe family members and staff would, so I was thinking $45/$55.I'd like to give them a good deal but not cheapen the service by not charging enough. Does anyone have any experience in a situation like this, any ideas, anything to watch out for?

 

[Brendon]

assisted living facility

I have seen them charge $20 for half and for family $45.00. And they say never for a whole hour. They just can't afford that. And you want to be able to go back for repeat business. In other words what can they afford in your area. In my $20.00 is the going rate for senors.

 

[Courteney]

I'm not sure if it is the same in every area but spas usually charge more than an individual who is doing massage service in their own office. Spas around here charge around $50 to $60 an hour now and individuals charge anywhere from $35 to $45 (average). It wouldn't seem like you were giving such a steep discount if you weren't comparing to higher spa pricing. Just another angle of looking at it. I think $20 sounds great....I charge $25 in my self-run office (half hour pricing).  My take on it all...if you are already as busy as you want to be, keep your prices up. If you want to be busier, consider lower prices. Someone on this site mentioned that he charges $100 a massage. He doesn't get as many customers but he seems to make as much as other professionals who are charging half that but they end up working twice as much. You decide where you want to land on that scale.

 

[Sassy]

Ah, there's the rub.  The reason I am considering this is that spa business has slowed and I could use a little extra work. But I am torn. In my area (Kennesaw, GA - NW of Atlanta) I think $40/half and $60-65/hr are low-average for spa or any other in-call office work. The other MT I work with in-spa charges the same $60/hr in her home "office" and even for outcalls within 20 miles. I believe outcall service is worth more and charge more for it accordingly. I don't have a problem with giving a "bulk rate" or a senior discount, I've just learned that with bargain prices comes a certain attitude. Even though I've been in the area for awhile, unfortunately I don't know any other MTs around here. When I started out I was just looking for a place to show up and work while in chiropractic school, and thought it'd be just for a couple years... well, 6 years later I'm not done yet (long story!) and wishing I'd put a little more thought into the deal I made with the spa owner, like building in a pay increase after a certain amount of time... but that's a topic for another thread.  ;DGuess it's time to open up the phone book and start making some calls. I need to make a proposal to this lady so she can put the info in their next newsletter.Thanks for your replies!

 

[Don M]

Just an idea, but how about offering the 25% discount for an 'introductory offer', and then the price you perceive the value of these services thereafter? For instance, if they'd like to start June 1st, offer (and have printed in the newsletter) 25% Introductory Special. I would offer it for all (family members & residents alike). In the ad (or blurb) mention the 'regular price', and perhaps a "hook": something like a prepaid series, etc, after the introductory offer. Think of it this way:  you are already in the business, but this is a new chapter or venture. You may find that after crunching the numbers, you are more busy (and making more money supplementally) than in the off-season  spa slump. The business comes to you, and the overhead is basically your schlepping your table & supplies.... no rent or utilities. These folks that you work on may refer you to friends & family members outside the assisted living center. That would be a plus. AND, for the healthcare workers who are employed there... what a nice opportunity to get regular bodywork for an affordable price too. I can see it as a definite advaneforum.xxxe overall.Good, good luck!Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Dani D]

Thanks for your input, Jill. I was thinking 25% off is a really nice offer which comes to $30/half hour. It was going down to $20 that didn't feel right. Before starting this thread I had been tossing around $25. Hey, schlepping is a premium service! I was already thinking I'd like to just have everyone pay the same: residents, family, staff.  I love prepay series too... And, I got a bonus today! I was Google-searching for other MTs in my area and stumbled across the website of a guy who was the very first MT hired at our spa, and one of the few who have come through there I really enjoyed massages from. Last I heard he had gotten out of the business. Ah, the good ones can never keep hands off folks for long, eh?! woohoo I'm gonna make an appointment!!!  8)

 

[Ashlei]

assisted living facility

LOLI'm in total agreement about the schlepping of table/equipment! It's tough on the body!Glad you re-hooked up with a good therapist you've found. We have to 'practice what we preach'.... and what a pleasant thing to do for ourselves, anyway!Take care.Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Pompal 09.]

Yep, yep, yep!  8) Gotta set that good example and regular massages keep me going.I've been using the other MT in-spa monthly and she's good, but I need something more... so I'm shopping around. When I ask others who or where to go to, they tell me it's me. Unfortunately working on myself isn't quite what I'm looking for.