Dear J.T. & Dale: I have been self-employed in the in-home care nonmedical field for more than five years. My main clients went into a nursing home, and I am now working only four hours a week. I have taken fliers to numerous businesses and given out my business card but have had no response. Please give me some direction. — Susan

J.T.: You might consider finding a temporary or part-time job. I suggest you start by researching local companies that manage teams of in-home care specialists. Perhaps you can find an established organization and work for it on a contract basis. Check your paper and local websites that post openings, as well as specialty sites like Care.com.

Dale: As for searching for new clients, you can target neighborhoods with likely prospects. Look for areas with still-nice homes that were built 30 or 40 years ago, many of which will still have the original residents, now starting to wonder how to keep living independently. I’d spend a little money on a graphic designer to make a nice flier that explains some of the services you could provide.

J.T.: Even better: Drop off those fliers at offices of doctors who work with the elderly. These are the people with patients who are figuring out how to keep their independence, and some of these doctors will be glad to have you as an option to offer those facing tough decisions.

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Jeanine “J.T.” Tanner O’Donnell is a professional development specialist and the founder of the consulting firm, jtodonnell.com, and of the blog, CAREEREALISM.com. Dale Dauten resolves employment and other business disputes as a mediator with AgreementHouse.com. Please visit them at www.jtanddale.com, where you can send questions via e-mail, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019.

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