Griswold

After building successful careers in finance and operations leadership, Christina Depalma and Eric Schuster decided to take a different path, one focused on service and community impact.Depalma spent more than two decades in financial services, most recently working as a supervisory principal responsible for regulatory oversight and compliance. Schuster built his career leading logistics and operations teams at Amazon. While both had established careers in corporate environments, they began looking for a way to apply their experience to something more personal and meaningful.For Depalma, the seed for this path was planted while helping care for her father during the final months of his life. Working alongside Caregivers during that time left a lasting impression. Although she continued her career in financial services for several more years, that experience stayed with her and eventually influenced the decision to move into the home care field nearly seven years later.Schuster had similar experiences watching family members navigate the challenges of aging and memory care. Together, the couple began exploring business opportunities that would allow them to serve people directly while building something meaningful together.That search ultimately led them to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=griswold-franchisees-christina-depalma-eric-schuster-ocala-2731733" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Griswold</a>. Today they are launching their franchise serving Ocala, Summerfield, Lady Lake, The Villages and surrounding areas, with the goal of helping seniors remain safe, comfortable and supported in their own homes.Depalma and Schuster sat down with 1851 Franchise to discuss what led them to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info">Griswold</a> and what they hope to build in their community. Here’s what they had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Eric Schuster: My background is in logistics and operations leadership. I spent several years working at Amazon managing large teams and complex systems. Over time I started thinking about what it would look like to build something of my own where the impact was closer to home.Christina Depalma: I spent over twenty years in financial services, most recently serving as a supervisory principal responsible for compliance and regulatory oversight. That experience taught me how important integrity, accountability and strong systems are when you’re responsible for protecting others. I bring that same mindset into our home care business, because families place tremendous trust in the people caring for their loved ones.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Depalma: Seven years ago, my sister and I helped care for our father during the last few months of his life. We worked with some wonderful Caregivers, and seeing the care and support they provided really stayed with me. When the company I most recently worked for was acquired, it prompted me to step back and think about the future.Schuster: I also had family members who needed care, particularly memory care, and those experiences showed me how important good support is for both seniors and their families. When Christina and I started talking about starting a business together, home care felt like something where we could make a real difference. Franchising made sense because it allowed us to build our own business while benefiting from an established system and support network.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Schuster: My perception of franchises was the belief that’s deeply embedded in a lot of people, that it’s very capital-focused to start up. For anybody considering a franchise, just know that it's not out of your reach as long as you do a little bit of research.Depalma: Working in finance, I had some familiarity with franchising. For us, the most important factor was choosing the right industry and the right company. We wanted something that aligned with our values and allowed us to serve people in a meaningful way.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Depalma: Specifically, we loved our franchise rep, Carol, and resonated with her in so many ways. We also spoke with about 10 different home care franchisees. Griswold was very transparent about who they are, what they do, and the passion that drives their mission. We’re honored to be a part of that.Schuster: Griswold was actually one of the first brands we looked at, and the more research we did, the more it stood out. The support structure, the reputation in home care and the overall philosophy of the company made it feel like the right fit for us.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Schuster: We don't have plans set in stone, but we do have certain goals set. Right now our focus is meeting the goals we’ve set, and if things go well, we would absolutely look at expanding.Depalma: Our purpose is to help people live with dignity in their own homes while supporting the families who love them. We also value the Caregivers who make that possible and want them to feel respected for the work they do. As we grow, we hope to stay close to the work itself by being present in the field and showing compassion and love through the care we provide.1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Depalma: Our faith and our desire to serve others played a big role in choosing this path and we’re grateful for the opportunity to support families caring for loved ones who are elderly, injured, ill or in need of help at home.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Depalma: Choose something you genuinely care about. Starting a business takes a lot of time and energy, and it helps when the work itself matters to you. If you believe in what you're building, the long days feel worthwhile.ABOUT GRISWOLD:With over 200 locations across 30 states, Griswold is one of the country’s top home care companies, providing and referring professional, compassionate Caregivers around the clock. Griswold’s “Live Assured” promise gives both clients and their loved ones peace of mind, so they can live without the weight of worry. Griswold helps adults maintain quality of life despite advanced age, onset of illness or post-surgery recovery through services including companion care, home services, personal care and respite care. Founded by the late Jean Griswold in 1982, the company has maintained its founder’s profound sense of empathy for older and disabled adults and those living with chronic conditions. Griswold has been recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500® and named a 2023, 2024 and 2025 Best of Home Care® Endorsed National Provider. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.griswoldcare.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=griswold-franchisees-christina-depalma-eric-schuster-ocala-2731733" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.GriswoldCare.com</a> or call 215.402.0200.

image of christina depalma and eric schuster from griswold international franchise owners  Ocala, FL

Griswold Franchisees Christina Depalma and Eric Schuster to Open in Ocala

1851 Franchise

Driven by a desire to align their careers with their faith and drawing on personal experiences, the couple is bringing the in-home care franchise to Ocala and The Villages.

This brand page has been paid for by GRISWOLD. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Christina Depalma and Eric Schuster Launch Griswold Home Care in Ocala and The Villages, Florida

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Caregiver Rachel Chai, a lifelong Hawaii resident and mother of two, is pursuing a master’s degree in social work while continuing to serve clients through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/">Griswold</a>, the leading non-medical in-home care franchise. After nearly a decade working as a Caregiver, Chai was recently named a recipient of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org/">Jean Griswold Foundation</a> Scholarship Program, becoming the only awardee from Hawaii during the most recent cycle.Chai began caregiving in 2014 and developed an early passion for geriatrics while working in a nursing home. “I loved building relationships with our patients and we became really close,” she told&nbsp;<a href="https://alohastatedaily.com/2026/02/19/honolulus-rachel-chai-talks-caregiving/">Aloha State Daily</a>.She credits Griswold’s scholarship support with helping ease the financial burden of continuing her education and allowing her to focus more fully on her long-term goal of serving families through social work.“Being a divorced mom of two young children, I didn’t know how I was going to pay for school and living expenses, so finding out I got the scholarship really took a weight off my shoulders,” Chai said.Her dedication shows up in everyday moments, from staying with a client during a tsunami warning to creating meaningful experiences like a “girls’ night in” for those in her care.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org/">Jean Griswold Foundation</a> Scholarship Program awarded 32 scholarships totaling more than $73,000 to Caregivers nationwide this year.Read the full article&nbsp;<a href="https://alohastatedaily.com/2026/02/19/honolulus-rachel-chai-talks-caregiving/">here</a>.&nbsp;To find out more information on Griswold or The Jean Griswold Foundation, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/">https://www.GriswoldCare.com/</a> or <a href="https://www.JeanGriswoldFoundation.org/.">https://www.JeanGriswoldFoundation.org/.</a>&nbsp;

Griswold Caregiver in Hawaii Awarded National Scholarship While Pursuing Social Work Degree

Local Caregiver Rachel Chai is balancing motherhood, school and work with support from Griswold’s National Caregiver Scholarship Program.

Aloha State Daily: Griswold Caregiver in Hawaii Awarded National Scholarship While Pursuing Social Work Degree

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BLUE BELL, Pa. —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/">Griswold</a>, the leading non-medical in-home care franchise, announced the winter 2026 recipients of its National Caregiver Scholarship Program in honor of National Caregivers Day on Feb. 20, 2026. The program, administered in partnership with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org/">Jean Griswold Foundation</a>, awarded its largest scholarship class to date, with 32 scholarships awarded totaling more than $73,000.“We are really excited for the Winter Scholarships winners — this was our biggest year ever,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-latini-61835b2">Sarah Latini</a>, director of the Jean Griswold Foundation. “It really shows how far the message of the opportunity and its impacts are reaching across the country.”The scholarship recipients represent Caregivers at many stages of their education and professional journeys — from those pursuing CNA training to others advancing into nursing, gerontology, behavioral health, and graduate-level health care programs.“We have a wonderful representation of both men and women at different stages of their careers,” Latini said. “Many of them were touched by a personal experience of caring for a loved one or somebody in the community that inspired them to advance their careers.”This year’s winter scholarship recipients include Caregivers from across the country who plan to use their awards to pursue education and training in high-need care fields. Below are those associated with Griswold offices nationwide:<ul><li>Aries J. (San Antonio, Texas) — pursuing board-certified behavior analyst coursework.</li><li>Ayris W. (Gwynn Oak, Maryland) — pursuing certified nursing assistant/high school diploma pathway.</li><li>Elias A. (Washington, D.C.) — pursuing certified nursing assistant training.</li><li>Ester C. (Plano, Texas) — pursuing advanced geriatric care education.</li><li>Eturnity S. (San Antonio, Texas) — pursuing physical therapist assistant program.</li><li>Garine "Gigi" G. (Atlanta, Georgia) — pursuing registered nurse degree.</li><li>Grace M. (Greensburg, Pennsylvania) — pursuing bachelor's degree in gerontology and aging services.</li><li>Joycy B. (Baltimore, Maryland) — pursuing registered nurse degree.</li><li>Kawana S. (Camden County, New Jersey) — pursuing Master of Science in Nursing.</li><li>Nadine C. (Camden County, New Jersey) — pursuing licensed practical nurse degree.</li><li>Paulina P. (Plano, Texas) — pursuing certified nursing assistant certification.</li><li>Rachel C. (Honolulu, Hawaii) — pursuing Master of Social Work.</li><li>Shachana M. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — pursuing continuing education in nursing/care.</li><li>Symone B. (Cleveland, Ohio) — pursuing registered nurse degree.</li><li>Vilma F. (Montgomery County, Maryland) — pursuing certified medical assistant and Child Development Associate credential.</li></ul>Latini emphasized that the scholarship program is rooted in the values of Griswold’s founder — and in the belief that Caregiver education strengthens families and communities.“Dr. Jean Griswold believed in continuing one’s education throughout one’s life,” Latini said. “She herself got a PhD later in life and was always encouraging staff to advance in their careers. We feel strongly that we are continuing her legacy by providing scholarships for Caregivers. We really feel we are living out her legacy with this scholarship program.”The program also reflects the urgent workforce needs facing health care today, especially in nursing and direct care roles.“In the health care field, there is a strain and a need for people to enter the nursing field in particular,” Latini said. “We see the pipeline as a direct line to the nursing fields. There is a lot going on right now, and we know that these frontline workers are essential to our communities.”The Jean Griswold Foundation surpassed a major milestone in annual scholarship support last year, a benchmark it aims to reach again in 2026.“In 2025, we gave away over $100,000 in scholarships total,” Latini said. “It is our goal to give away the same amount in the next year. Since we started in 2022, we’ve given 135 scholarships, and that totals over $300,000 awarded overall.”Applications for the Summer 2026 scholarship cycle opened Feb. 1 and close on March 31, 2026. For more information about the National Caregiver Scholarship Program and eligibility, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org/scholarship">https://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org/scholarship</a>.&nbsp;Your support makes our Caregiver Scholarship possible:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org/donate#waystodonate">https://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org/donate#waystodonate</a>.ABOUT THE JEAN GRISWOLD FOUNDATIONHonoring the founder of Griswold Home Care, Dr. Jean Griswold, The Jean Griswold Foundation is a public non-profit whose primary goal is to support Caregivers. Funds raised through private donors, corporations, franchisees, and employees will focus on Caregiver education through scholarships. The Jean Griswold Foundation believes that everyone deserves to age with dignity and the availability of quality Caregivers is the key to achieving this goal. By supporting the profession of caregiving in all its forms, communities across the nation will be happier and healthier places to live. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.jeangriswoldfoundation.org">www.JeanGriswoldFoundation.org</a>.ABOUT GRISWOLDWith over 200 locations across 30 states, Griswold is one of the country’s top home care companies, providing and referring professional, compassionate Caregivers around the clock. Griswold’s “Live Assured” promise gives both clients and their loved ones peace of mind, so they can live without the weight of worry. Griswold helps adults maintain quality of life despite advanced age, onset of illness, or post-surgery recovery through services including companion care, home services, personal care, and respite care. Founded by the late Jean Griswold in 1982, the company has maintained its founder’s profound sense of empathy for older and disabled adults and those living with chronic conditions. Griswold has been recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500® and named a 2023, 2024 and 2025 Best of Home Care® Endorsed National Provider. For more information, visit<a href="http://www.griswoldcare.com">&nbsp;www.GriswoldCare.com</a> or call 215.402.0200.

Griswold National Caregivers Day Scholarship Winners

Caregivers all over the country were awarded more than $73,000 to advance education and strengthen the future of frontline care.

Griswold Celebrates National Caregivers Day, Announces Winter Scholarship Winners Through the Jean Griswold Foundation

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BLUE BELL, PA. —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/">Griswold</a>, one of the nation’s leading in-home care franchises with a 43-year legacy, is closing out 2025 on a high note after achieving record growth across franchise development, systemwide performance and brand recognition. The milestone year positions the brand for even greater momentum in 2026 as&nbsp;<a href="https://griswoldhomecarefranchise.com/">Griswold</a> continues to expand thoughtfully while investing in innovation that helps older adults safely age in place.“This year was spectacular for Griswold — we hit every goal across the board,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-slupecki-08b2288">Michael Slupecki</a>. “Our franchisee royalty growth was right there at double digits. We signed 21 franchise agreements and opened 16 locations, and our five company-owned locations all delivered spectacular year-over-year growth. It’s been a great year.”Throughout 2025, Griswold expanded into 13 states. North Carolina led the way with four new franchise awards, while additional openings across secondary and tertiary markets reinforced Griswold’s belief that the right owners can thrive anywhere.“The aging population is really happening everywhere,” Slupecki said. “Because this is a people business, it’s about finding the right partners with the right mission and values. When you do that, they can be successful wherever they are, and we’re seeing tremendous performance across the system.”In addition to expansion, Griswold earned more external recognition in 2025 than any year in its history, including three top honors from&nbsp;<a href="https://franchisebusinessreview.com/top-franchises/griswold-home-care/#brand_awards_module">Franchise Business Review: Top Franchise, Top Recession-Resistant Franchise and Top Franchise Culture</a>. The home office team was also recognized for the fourth consecutive year by&nbsp;<a href="https://sponsored.inquirer.com/top-workplaces-2025-ranked/">the Philadelphia Inquirer as a Top Workplace</a>.“We’re not just hitting our internal goals; we’re being recognized externally,” Slupecki said. “Prospective franchisees come into Discovery Day already having done their validation. They’ve spoken to existing owners about our culture, our mission and our support. It’s a great blend of culture and being able to make money, and that gives people confidence to step away from a 9-to-5 and invest in a Griswold franchise.”A key driver of Griswold’s long-term growth strategy in 2025 was continued investment in tech. While not a health care provider, the brand increasingly operates with a health care mindset — using technology tools that help monitor client well-being, identify early signs of decline and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations.“We think like a health care company,” Slupecki said. “By leveraging technology and data, we’re raising our game and differentiating ourselves. Our goal is to become the provider of choice for families by keeping clients safe, healthy and in their homes longer.”Looking ahead to 2026, Griswold aims to sign approximately 23 new franchise locations, with target markets including Utah, Wisconsin and Alabama.“We don’t want to sell a lot of locations and do it poorly,” Slupecki said. “We want 100% of the people who trust their investment with us to succeed. Holding ourselves to higher standards allows us to provide the support franchisees need to win. We’re in a great position to take the success of 2025 and do it even better. If we can grow faster, open more successful locations and roll out technology that truly differentiates our franchisees, that’s a win across the board.”ABOUT GRISWOLDWith over 200 locations across 30 states, Griswold is one of the country’s top home care companies, providing and referring professional, compassionate Caregivers around the clock. Griswold’s “Live Assured” promise gives both clients and their loved ones peace of mind, so they can live without the weight of worry. Griswold helps adults maintain quality of life despite advanced age, onset of illness, or post-surgery recovery through services including companion care, home services, personal care, and respite care. Founded by the late Jean Griswold in 1982, the company has maintained its founder’s profound sense of empathy for older and disabled adults and those living with chronic conditions. Griswold has been recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500® and named a 2023, 2024 and 2025 Best of Home Care® Endorsed National Provider. For more information, visit<a href="http://www.griswoldcare.com">&nbsp;www.GriswoldCare.com</a> or call 215.402.0200.

With 21 franchise agreements signed, 16 new locations opened and expansion across 13 states, Griswold strengthens its national footprint while doubling down on tech, culture and franchisee success.

Christina Depalma and Eric Schuster Launch Griswold Home Care in Ocala and The Villages, Florida

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