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What is Home Care?

Defining Non-Medical Home Care Services

Non-medical home care is designed to help people with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as dressing, bathing, meal preparation and more so that they can continue to live in the comfort of their home. In short, non-medical home care is when a professional helps with things you would normally do for your loved one or yourself. Professional caregivers can assist with tasks like laundry, light housekeeping, hygiene, incidental transportation and more so that you can focus on being a family member rather than a caregiver or remove the stress from not being able to care for yourself.

Home care can include both professional 3rd party companies and informal support networks such as family, neighbors, and friends. These individuals work together to meet the needs of yourself or your family. Non-medical home care means that caregivers do not handle skilled care like administering shots or tending to wounds.

Non-medical home care services generally include:

Griswold Home Care offices support families by referring professional caregivers for personal care, homemaking, and companionship services. We have over 40 years of experience and are one of the pioneers in the non-medical home care industry. Our company was built on the timeless values of compassion and care – and these ideals are always at the heart of all that we do.

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 Home Care today.

Find a caregiver

I’ve never heard of a professional caregiver. What should I know?

Like nurses and doctors, professional caregivers have chosen a career in caring for others. Many are Certified Nursing Assistants, Home Health Aides and Private Care Assistants. Less than 5% of all applicants meet our screening standards, and we only refer caregivers we would trust in our own home.

How does Griswold attract the best caregivers?

Our founder set a high standard in 1982, and we still use it every day. Like any great working professional, the best caregivers look for organizations that share their drive to help others and treat them with respect. In answer, we encourage you to meet one of our local Directors. The compassion and empathy they show you are the same they show to caregivers.

What if I don’t like a caregiver?

Office teams do their best to stay in touch with you about your satisfaction with a caregiver, but if you are unhappy, we would expect you to reach out and share your feelings. Another caregiver will be provided quickly and at no additional cost.

Will I have a choice in selecting the caregiver?

Absolutely! Feedback from clients indicates that a personality match is the #1 factor in a caregiver-client relationship, so we highly encourage your input! We also work with each family in an initial home visit to understand what unique skills and personality they are looking for in a caregiver.

What is the process of finding a caregiver?

Finding a home care service provider should be simple, and it should be quick! Just give us a call to tell us about your needs. We’ll set up a meeting at your home or in a place of your choosing. During that visit, we will make sure we understand everything you need, and you can let us know if you have any additional questions or requests before we provide you with a caregiver. We do our best to make all this happen within 24 hours.

Can home care services help with Alzheimer’s and dementia?

Yes. Home care is often critical to managing this disease at home. In fact, according to the Alzheimer’s Association of America, approximately 70 percent of people with dementia or cognitive impairment live at home. The only exception is for clients in the late stages of the disease who need intensive medical care.

Remaining at home and in familiar surroundings that include friends, family, and routines is particularly important to those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Caregivers can help create balance and consistency for clients.

Can caregivers assist with medication?

Medication adherence is extremely important to remaining safe at home. Caregivers cannot administer medication, but they can remind clients when it is time to take their medication and work with the family to make sure that pillboxes are sorted and accurate. Drug treatment plans that include sorting and administering medications should only be handled by a family caregiver, nurse, or physician who is authorized and qualified to provide this service.

How flexible is Griswold Home Care with individual home care needs?

Service plans are tailored to meet your specific needs. If your needs change, your services can change, too!

Let Us Lend You A Hand

Contact us today and a Griswold Home Care representative will reach out shortly.

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