BrightStar Care

BrightStar Care is a leading national home care agency providing both medical and non-medical home care services since 2002. Founded by Shelly Sun in Gurnee, Illinois, BrightStar Care operates over 310 locations across 41 states, serving thousands of clients with a unique combination of skilled nursing care and non-medical personal care services as of 2026. What sets BrightStar Care apart from most home care franchises is its ability to provide both skilled nursing services (typically covered by Medicare or insurance) and non-medical companion care services. This comprehensive approach allows BrightStar Care to serve clients across the full spectrum of care needs, from companionship and personal care to skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and chronic disease management. BrightStar Care's medical services include skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, medication management, chronic disease monitoring, and post-surgical care. Non-medical services include personal care assistance, companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and transportation. The company's proprietary BrightStar Care Quality Assurance System includes a Director of Nursing at every location, ensuring clinical oversight and quality control for all care services. This medical oversight distinguishes BrightStar Care from competitors that offer only non-medical services. All nurses are registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and all caregivers complete specialized training programs. BrightStar Care is the only national home care company to be accredited by The Joint Commission, the gold standard for health care quality and safety. This accreditation requires rigorous evaluation of care processes, safety protocols, and quality outcomes—a level of scrutiny rarely achieved in the home care industry. Each BrightStar Care location is independently owned and operated by franchisees who must meet stringent qualifications, including many who have backgrounds in healthcare, nursing, or medical practice. This ensures a high level of clinical expertise and business acumen at each location. BrightStar Care has earned numerous accolades including rankings in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500, recognition as one of the fastest-growing franchises by Inc. Magazine, and multiple awards for franchise excellence and client satisfaction.