About Jean Griswold
Our founder, Jean Griswold, was a care professional who became a visionary
entrepreneur when she started the first non-medical home care franchise
in the United States while running her own home care business.
Jean started at her dining room table in 1982 in suburban Philadelphia.
Her husband, Minister and Doctor Lincoln Griswold, informed her that an
elderly woman in their parish had died through the complications associated
with malnutrition and dehydration because she had no support system to
care for her. Jean was deeply saddened by what she felt was an easily
preventable tragedy. She was driven to act.
Jean Griswold was an extraordinary leader. She was diagnosed with multiple
sclerosis in 1967 at the age of 36 but continued to work actively in her
office until she was 79. She published a book, “Fears of the Elderly” in 2013.
Jean was born in New York City. She received a bachelor’s degree
in economics and business from Douglass College and a master’s degree
in personnel and guidance from Rutgers University. She received an honorary
doctorate from Holy Family University in 2006. From 2003 to 2004 she was
Entrepreneur in Residence at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
She won numerous awards, including the Spirit of Philadelphia Award, the
Working Woman’s 2001 Entrepreneur of the Year honor, and the 2002
MS National Achievement Award of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Jean passed away on January 28th, 2017 at the age of 86. She was an inspirational
woman and entrepreneur, and despite her passing, her values live on in
Griswold today.
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