Arapahoe homecare co-op accepting applicants

Recognizing a shortage in senior health care options in their community, residents of Arapahoe, Nebraska, worked with the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center, an Extension program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, to form the Republican River Valley Homecare Cooperative.

The worker cooperative, which is now accepting clients, will help elderly residents stay in their homes longer. The idea was in the works for about three or four years. Catherine Bowers, executive director, founder and worker-owner, said the need grew following the closure of the Arapahoe Nursing Home in 2021.

At the same time as the closure, the development center introduced the worker-cooperative homecare model to Nebraska through a series of educational webinars and articles in spring 2022. A worker-cooperative business structure gives all owners an equal ownership share, allowing owners a say in their business and how it operates in their community.

PHOTO: Detail of young and old human hands holding each other. (Adobe Stock-#278581078 │ karelnoppe)