Frequently Asked Questions

Griswold’s core services and mission are consistent across all locations, but the specific service model can vary depending on state regulations. In some states, Griswold offices operate as registries that refer thoroughly screened Care Professionals, while in other states, they directly employ and supervise the Caregivers. No matter the model, every Griswold office remains 100% focused on quality care and responsiveness to your needs – so you can expect high standards and compassionate service at any location. (It’s always a good idea to check with your local office for the exact services and support they offer, since certain specialized programs may vary by area.)

You can easily find your nearest Griswold office by using the Find Your Local Griswold tool on the website. Simply enter your zip code or city, and the locator will display the closest office in your area along with its contact information. If you prefer, you can also call 1.800.GRISWOLD to be connected to your local office for assistance.

Griswold maintains rigorous standards to ensure every Caregiver is qualified and well-prepared through a screening process. All Caregivers go through background checks and reference verification before they start providing care. Once on board, Caregivers may continue their education to keep their skills up to date so they can deliver the most comprehensive and safe care possible. Screenings and processes vary by state. Check with your local Griswold office for more information.

At Griswold, select locations use advanced virtual home-monitoring technology to provide an added layer of safety and support for Clients when a Caregiver or family member is not present. Virtual home-monitoring technology may include audio, radar and/ or video detection and can continuously monitor for signs of trouble. For example, it can detect falls or a Client calling out for help, and even catch early indicators of issues like a possible infection, cognitive decline, or medication errors by analyzing sound patterns. This HIPAA-compliant technology works around-the-clock (even when a Caregiver isn’t present).

Yes – Griswold is experienced in helping veterans and their families navigate available VA (Veterans Affairs) benefits for in-home care. Your local Griswold office can be your guide regarding the benefits you’re entitled to. For example, the staff can help veterans obtain VA medical benefits or apply for programs, like Community Care Network (CCN), that cover in-home personal care, assist with registering for the VA’s Aid & Attendance benefit, connect you with veteran-specific support groups or services, and coordinate in-home care that utilizes VA benefits. This support can be invaluable in making sure veterans get the care they need without unnecessary delays or complications. Please note, not all Griswold locations offer Veterans Care. Check with your local office today.

Griswold provides dementia care support* to help individuals with memory loss continue living safely at home with dignity. Many Griswold, or Griswold-referred Caregivers, have experience caring for Clients with dementia, and they approach each day with extra patience, compassion, and understanding. This support is designed to reduce confusion, manage behavioral changes, and provide comfort and safety for Clients and peace of mind for their families. *Services may vary by location. Contact your nearest office to discuss your unique needs.

Griswold works alongside hospice and palliative care services to support Clients with serious or terminal illnesses in the comfort of their homes. While hospice or palliative medical teams focus on pain management and medical needs, Griswold, or Griswold-referred Caregivers, provide the essential non-medical support to keep the person comfortable and maintain their quality of life. This can include offering emotional support and companionship, helping with personal care and hygiene, assisting with light housekeeping or meal preparation, and providing medication reminders to ensure the Client stays on their prescribed schedule. Griswold’s role is to complement hospice/palliative services by tending to day-to-day needs and easing the stress on family members during a challenging time.

Starting care with Griswold is straightforward and centered around you and your loved one’s needs. First, you reach out to your local Griswold office – you can call them or fill out a contact form online, and a team member will promptly get in touch. They’ll ask a few basic questions about your situation and then schedule a complimentary in-home visit at a convenient time. During this initial home assessment, a Griswold care coordinator will meet with you (and your family, if you wish) to learn more about your loved one’s needs, living environment, and daily routine, as well as answer any questions you have. If you think Griswold is a good fit, your local office can discuss your preferences for the Care Professional who will provide your services; someone to give you the kind of support you need to live the lifestyle you want. The team also helps take care of any necessary paperwork and will talk through payment or insurance options, so you know exactly how everything will work. Finally, once the plan is set, Griswold will work with you to begin services as soon as you’re ready – often, care can start immediately or at your preferred date, with your Caregiver fully briefed and ready to help.

Griswold distinguishes itself through its long history, compassionate values, and commitment to quality. Founded by Dr. Jean Griswold in 1982, Griswold was one of the first non-medical in-home care agencies in the country and today has over four decades of experience built on a storied legacy of integrity, empathy, and compassionate service. Unlike many providers, Griswold sees Caregivers (Care Professionals) as the foundation of its success – they rigorously screen and support Caregivers, ensuring Clients receive care from dedicated, skilled individuals who truly care. Griswold is also an award-winning, and an Endorsed National Provider (ENP), pioneer in in-home care innovation. We strive to find new ways to improve the lives of Clients, such as utilizing technology for 24/7 monitoring. While Griswold has a nationwide reach (over 200 locations in 32 states), each office is deeply rooted in its local community – this means you get the reliability of a national leader and the personal, neighborly touch of a local Caregiver team who knows your area and values its people.

Griswold strongly believes that Care Professionals are the heart of its service, and the company provides support to Caregivers to help them succeed. Many Griswold offices offer ongoing training and development opportunities. In these cases, Caregivers can continue their education to build their skills, stay up-to-date on best practices, and grow in their caregiving careers. The Jean Griswold Foundation, a non-profit organization, has awarded over $150,000 in educational scholarships, assisting Caregivers further their training, enhance their skills, and advance their careers all while they continue to provide excellent care. Griswold also fosters a positive and supportive work environment: they value and recognize Caregivers’ contributions and strive to match Caregivers with Clients in a way that leads to rewarding, long-term care relationships. By investing in its Care Professionals – through training, scholarships, and recognition – Griswold ensures that Caregivers feel supported and appreciated, which translates into better care for Clients.

Yes –some Griswold locations can accommodate around-the-clock care, including both live-in and 24-hour care arrangements. If your loved one needs continuous support day and night, some Griswold locations offer a live-in care option, where a dedicated Caregiver actually lives in the home and provides consistent assistance and companionship throughout each day. Live-in Caregivers help with personal care, meals, household tasks, and more on an ongoing basis, and often become a trusted friend who ensures the Client is never alone. Alternatively, if you prefer not to have someone living in the home, Griswold can arrange 24-hour care in shifts – this means multiple Caregivers will work in rotation to cover all hours of the day and night. With 24-hour shift care, a Caregiver is always awake and present, ready to help whenever needed (such as through the night), giving families true peace of mind. In both scenarios, Griswold’s team will work with you to determine the best schedule and ensure the Caregivers are coordinated so that your loved one has seamless 24/7 support. Please note, each office is individually owned and operated. Not all Griswold locations offer 24-hour or live-in care. Check with your local office today.

If you’re interested in joining Griswold as a Caregiver (Care Professional), the process is welcoming and straightforward. Start by visiting our Be a Caregiver page on the website, where you can find local opportunities by entering your location or zip code. Caregiver onboarding is handled by our local Griswold offices, so you’ll want to connect with the office nearest you to see current openings and requirements. Griswold looks for people who are compassionate, reliable, and driven to help others – if you have a caring heart, patience, and the necessary experience or training (requirements can vary by state or position), being a Caregiver may be your calling. Typically, the steps involve filling out an application or contacting the local office, going through an interview and background screening process. Griswold is always looking for kind, dedicated individuals to help their community, and they provide support to help you succeed in making a difference every day in seniors’ lives. (If you’re ready to explore this career, you can also call 1.800.GRISWOLD for guidance on how to apply.)

Griswold takes great care in pairing Clients with the right Caregiver, because a good match makes all the difference in quality of care. During the initial consultation and assessment, the Griswold team will spend time getting to know you or your loved one – they’ll ask about care needs, daily routines, personality preferences, and what qualities would make you feel most comfortable with a Caregiver. The goal is for the Caregiver and Client to “click” and build a trusting rapport. Griswold is dedicated to creating genuine connections – they want you to feel at ease with your Caregiver, so you can expect someone who fits your needs and with whom you can form a comfortable, respectful relationship right from the start. If for any reason you don’t feel the match is quite right, Griswold will work with you to adjust and find a better fit. Please note, each office is individually owned and operated. Check with your local office today.

Companion care is a type of non-medical in-home care for older adults or people with disabilities. It focuses on providing social interaction and help with everyday tasks like light housekeeping, meal preparation, running errands, or driving to appointments. In short, companion Caregivers keep seniors engaged and assist with routine chores, rather than providing medical or personal nursing care.

Personal care services (also called custodial care) help people with the basic activities of daily living. They include things like bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and more. These services support a person’s personal hygiene and self-care needs at home, helping them maintain comfort and safety.

Griswold locations may serve as a respite care partner under Medicare's GUIDE Model (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) — a CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) innovation program that provides coordinated dementia care and Caregiver support at no cost to eligible Medicare beneficiaries. For families caring for a loved one with a confirmed dementia diagnosis, the GUIDE Model covers up to $2,500 annually in respite care services, giving families a much-needed break while a professional Caregiver provides in-home support. Caregivers are well-suited to deliver this respite care in the home setting, working alongside the GUIDE participant's clinical care team. Ask your local Griswold office whether they are partnered with a GUIDE provider in your area and whether your loved one may qualify.

In-home care can be tailored and customized to fit a Client’s non-medical needs. Caregivers may provide services like companionship, personal care, dementia care support, respite care and more, depending on the Griswold location. Home health care services are professional medical services you receive in your own home for an illness, injury, or chronic condition. These services typically include part-time skilled nursing care, therapies (physical, occupational, or speech), medical social work, and home health aide care (if needed). The goal is to manage health problems and help patients recover safely at home instead of in a hospital or nursing facility.

A Caregiver’s duties generally cover personal care and support for daily living. This includes helping with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and moving around. Caregivers also handle light housekeeping and meal prep, and provide companionship and emotional support to keep the person comfortable and engaged.

Becoming a certified Caregiver usually means completing an approved training program and passing a certification exam. Requirements vary by state and role (for example, CNA or home health aide), but the general steps are the same. You must find a state-approved Caregiver training program (often at a vocational school or community college), complete the required classroom and clinical hours, and then study and pass the state competency exam at the end of the course.

No, they are related but not the same. Palliative care is supportive care for anyone with a serious illness, at any stage (even alongside curative treatment), focusing on relief of symptoms and improving quality of life. Hospice care is a type of palliative care specifically for people who are near the end of life (typically with a six-month prognosis) and who are no longer seeking curative treatment. In short, all hospice care is palliative care, but not all palliative care is hospice.

Medicare’s hospice benefit does not pay for continuous 24/7 in-home caregiving. Hospice teams (nurses, aides, etc.) do provide visits and are on-call around the clock, but they cannot be at the patient’s side every hour of the day. In practice, “continuous” hospice care at home is only approved during brief periods of crisis. Otherwise, ongoing around-the-clock care must be arranged privately (with family Caregivers or hired aides). For those who are approaching the end of life with little likelihood of recovery, hospice care provides dignity for the patient and peace of mind for those close to them. Hospice offers pain and symptom management as well as emotional support. Griswold supports hospice patients and their families with emotional support, medication reminders, homemaking, companionship and more.

Medicare defines four levels of hospice care. They are (1) Routine Home Care (normal hospice visits at home), (2) General Inpatient Care (provided in a hospital or skilled nursing facility for short-term crisis-like level care), (3) Continuous Home Care (provided at home for short-term crisis-like level care), and (4) Respite Care (temporary care provided in nursing home, hospice inpatient facility, or hospital so that the family or primary Caregiver can take time off). Each level meets different needs.

Ideally, palliative care is offered early in the course of any serious illness. There is no single “right” time – in fact, many people benefit from palliative care as soon as they receive a serious diagnosis. In practice, doctors often involve palliative care teams early on so patients can better manage symptoms, plan treatments, and get support along the way, rather than waiting until very late stages.

Respite care is temporary relief for a family member or primary Caregiver. It means arranging short-term care (hours or days) for the Client so the usual Caregiver can take a much-needed break.

Under the VA’s home care services (like the Homemaker/Home Health Aide program), all enrolled veterans who meet the clinical criteria, and it’s available, can get help at home. In practice, this means a veteran that’s eligible for VA community care and who needs assistance with personal care can receive services. These in-home care aides help veterans remain at home by assisting with activities of daily living (dressing, bathing, etc.).

True 24/7 in-home care usually requires arranging either a live-in Caregiver (who stays overnight and works shifts with breaks) or multiple Caregivers covering rotating shifts. In practice, families hire care agencies or private aides to ensure someone is awake and available around the clock. Medicare will not pay for continuous 24-hour private care, so this level of care is generally paid out-of-pocket or through long-term care insurance, VA benefits, Medicaid waivers, or other programs. For the most up-to-date information, contact your local Griswold office. Each office is individually owned and operated.