HOW TO SET UP A PRIVATE HOME NURSING BUSINESS INTRODUCTION It is evident that population ageing will become a major issue in developing countries which are projected to age swiftly in the first half of the twenty-first century. The proportion of older persons is expected to rise from 8 to 19 percent. The fastest growing group of the older population is the oldest old, that is, those who are 80 years old or more. In 2000, the oldest old numbered 70 million and their numbers are projected to increase to more than five times than over the next 50 years. Another major demographic difference relates to gender. Older women outnumber older men. The gender dimension of ageing must be a priority for global and national policy action. There are also rural and urban demographic differences in ageing. Currently, overwhelming proportion of older persons in developed countries live in areas classified as urban while the majority of older persons in developing countries live in rural areas. This trend is expected to continue in the future. In Ghana, the situation is not very different. Available statistics from the population census of 2000 and other surveys on population indicate that the majority of people in Ghana (64%) live and work in rural areas where the greater proportion of older persons also reside. Available data indicate that older persons aged 65 years and above constitute 5 percent of the Ghanaian population (GSS, 2002). This figure is among the highest in Africa. Most of these elderly persons reside in rural areas. There is also evidence to show that the aged in Ghana have been increasing over the years. The 2000 Population and Housing Census Report indicates that the proportion of the elderly (65 years and above) formed 5.3 percent of the population, an increase from 4.0 percent in 1984. The percentage increase of the aged population between 1960 and 1970 was 12.5 percent. This decreased to 11.1 percent between 1970 and 1984. However, between 1984 and 2000 the figure increased to 32 percent. The ageing of the population is also reflected in the increase of the median age from 18.1 years in 1984 to 19.4 years in 2000. It is established that the ageing of Ghana's population has been precipitated by rapid fertility decline and improvements in public health services, personal hygiene, sanitation and nutrition. Over the past years, various individuals and companies have approached me to help them set up a healthcare facility of some sort. Often these are healthcare professionals, but recently an increasing number of non-healthcare professionals are also venturing into this type of business. The healthcare industry has seen a few innovations in brand strategy but the majority of healthcare businesses remain traditional. This book takes a critical look at the processes involved in setting up a private home care nursing business. It takes into account the LEGAL, FINANCIAL, and ECONOMIC ramifications of setting up and operating such a business. With a low entry barrier and a growing demand, it is the ideal business for young healthpreneurs with little capital. This business allows us as a nation to solve the problem of neglect of the elderly, whilst at the same time creating employment for our nurses and other healthcare workers.