Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities — Business Survival Rate

An estimated 66% of services for the elderly and persons with disabilities businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 8.1%.

66%
5-Year Survival Rate
+6.8%
Net Growth Rate
63,046
Total Firms
4,852
Annual Firm Deaths

Is Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities a Good Business to Start?

With a 66% five-year survival rate, services for the elderly and persons with disabilities has an above-average survival rate compared to the national average of roughly 50%. This makes it a relatively safe industry to enter — businesses here tend to find stable demand and sustainable economics.

The annual exit rate of 8.1% is lower than many sectors, suggesting that once established, these businesses have staying power. That said, lower failure rates often correlate with higher barriers to entry or established competition.

Entry vs. Exit Rates

Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.

Entry Rate (new businesses)12.9%
Exit Rate (closures)8.1%

Net positive: more businesses opening than closing (+4.8 pp spread).

Job Creation & Destruction

17.4%
Job Creation Rate
10.6%
Job Destruction Rate
+6.8%
Net Job Growth

The industry is adding jobs faster than losing them — a positive sign for both workers and new business owners looking to hire. Total employment: 2,135,565 workers across 63,046 firms.

Want to know how much services for the elderly and persons with disabilities businesses actually make?

See full revenue benchmarks for Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of services for the elderly and persons with disabilities businesses fail?
Approximately 34% of services for the elderly and persons with disabilities businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 8.1%, with 4,852 firms closing permanently in 2023.
Is the services for the elderly and persons with disabilities industry growing or shrinking?
The services for the elderly and persons with disabilities industry is currently growing with a net job creation rate of +6.8% per year. New businesses are entering at 12.9% while 8.1% close annually.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.