For Businesses That Want to Be Elder Friendly
Elder Friendly is good for seniors, but it's also good for business! By being certified Elder Friendly, your business will be able to display our decal and be listed in the Elder Friendly Business Directory, which proves to your existing and future customers that they come first.
Click on any of the videos below to learn how Elder Friendly can enhance your business:
If you have a business in Broome, Tioga or Chenango County - you can make the Elder Friendly name work for you!
How Does It Work?
The process for becoming Elder Friendly is straightforward. Here's what you can expect:
1. Contact Action for Older Persons at 722-1251 or via our online contact form HERE.
2. An AOP representative will answer any questions you have and send you a letter of agreement and informational documents.
3. Once you return your letter of agreement and evaluation fee, the process officially begins. Enrollment in the Elder Friendly Program is good for two years, and the following fee schedule applies:
Businesses with 1-50 Employees................ $200 for 2 years
Businesses with 50+ Employees ................ $400 for 2 years
4. After receiving your letter of agreement, AOP will have 3-4 secret shopper volunteers evaluate your business, via phone and/or visit depending on the services you provide.
5. Once the volunteers complete their evaluations, and results are compiled, you will be contacted by an AOP staff person to setup a manager's meeting with you to discuss the results.
6. Many businesses will pass the certification on this first attempt. We will review your best practices and offer any suggestions to improve upon your existing customer service and accessibility.
7. When your business becomes certified, you will receive:
- An Elder Friendly Certified sticker to place at the entrance to your business
- Listing in the online Elder Friendly Business Directory
- Inclusion in the newest print edition of the Elder Friendly Business Directory
- Digital copy of the Elder Friendly logo to use in your web, print and television promotions
- Ongoing networking opportunities with Action for Older Persons to stay abreast of timely senior issues
8. That's it! Don't hesitate, start the process today!
Elder Friendly Business Directory
CLICK HERE to see other participating area businesses in the Elder Friendly Business Directory
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What if my business rents our space so we can't change the layout or we cannot afford costly renovations to become Elder Friendly?
A. It's not all about physical accessibility, it's about customer service. If your business, for example, only offers spotty on street parking, you can accommodate customers by having staff available to help a person being dropped off in front of your business. If your shop is too small to accommodate full wheelchair access and you can't widen the aisles, staff can be trained to approach shoppers and offer assistance in finding the products they need. Elder Friendly is about customer service above all else - so even if you think your site has some accessibility challenges, you can still be Elder Friendly.
Q. What if my business does not pass?
A. Remember, we want EVERY business to become Elder Friendly, so if you don't pass on the first try, we'll work to help you find solutions. An AOP staff person will meet with you to discuss any shortcomings, offer creative accommodations, and work with you and your staff to become Elder Friendly. Once you make changes, you are eligible to request an Elder Friendly reassessment within a 6 month period of the manager's meeting. Also, please note that this program is completely confidential. Your evaluation results will not be shared with anyone except you.
Q. My business only has a small percentage of senior customers, why should I bother with Elder Friendly?
A. If you want MORE seniors coming through your doors - this is a big step in the right direction! By promoting your business as Elder Friendly, you'll be on the radar of seniors and tap into an entire customer base that you may not have had in the past. Also, Elder Friendly comes down to customer service, which is something that is good for every customer regardless of age.
Q. I don't have a store-front or office space that customers ever see. I do business in peoples homes. Am I eligible to be Elder Friendly?
A. Absolutely. We use a number of different evaluations depending on the business you run. We can certify retail sites like restaurants and clothing outlets, telephone service providers, and direct service providers like construction or security companies.
Q. My business is not in Broome County, can I still participate?
A. This program is available to Broome, Chenango and Tioga Counties in NY State. If your business is in one of these three counties - you can participate!
Q. My business has multiple locations, am I obligated to evaluate all of them?
A. If you have multiple sites under one business name, you can have any - or all - of them evaluated. However, each site will require it's own individual evaluation process, so you will need to enroll each location separately.
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