The holiday season is often filled with joy, tradition and long-awaited time with loved ones. But for many families, it also becomes the moment they realize a parent or aging relative needs more support at home. As adult children return for the holiday season after months away, changes in mobility, mood, hygiene or daily functioning can become more visible. And according to Ron Mentzer, operations manager for Griswold Home Care for Cumberland County, Philadelphia Center City, Blair County and Northern Vermont, that’s exactly why this time of year is one of the most important and busiest for home care agencies.

“You have families coming home to visit mom and dad. If they aren’t seeing them regularly, they may see a decline that wasn’t there maybe six months ago,” Mentzer said. “They see a need because mom and dad aren’t raising their hands themselves to ask for help.”

For Griswold, supporting families during the holidays is about more than providing care. It’s about restoring roles, preserving dignity and helping loved ones enjoy meaningful time together.

Rooted in Service: A Personal Mission

Mentzer’s commitment to compassionate care began long before he joined Griswold. “My mother worked in a retirement community, and I saw her model gifts of service,” he said. “She cared for people for a living, and then came home and cared for our family through end of life for her own parents and my father’s parents.”

That experience shaped his philosophy, especially in his support for Caregivers themselves.

“I saw how my mom served everyone else but didn’t always take the time to care for herself,” he said. “It’s very important for me that all of our employees know they must care for themselves first. The people who work in home care were born with that gift of service, and that’s really part of my why.”

Although his background is in operations management for major telecommunications companies like DIRECTV, Comcast and Amazon, Mentzer says he was drawn to Griswold specifically because the work felt meaningful.

“This is a different field for me, but it is mission-driven in nature, which pulls on my heart and aligns well with my upbringing.”

Today, he helps oversee operations for four Griswold locations owned by a close friend, creating systems that streamline and scale care while preserving the human connection at the center of the brand.

When Families Notice Their Loved One Needs Support

For many families, the holidays are the first time they’re truly able to assess how an aging parent is doing day-to-day. That’s why Griswold sees a seasonal spike in inquiries each November and December.

“When people come home for Thanksgiving or Christmas, that’s often when they notice changes — and we receive a lot of phone calls as a result,” Mentzer said. “Our goal is to bring assurance not just to the client, but to the siblings, spouses and children worried about them.”

Often, seniors don’t ask for help themselves. “People want to remain as independent as possible — that’s what everyone wants at the end of the day,” Mentzer said. 

That’s where Griswold steps in to bridge the gap between independence and safety, offering support that feels natural, respectful and dignified.

Restoring Family Roles: “Be the Child Not the Caregiver”

One of the biggest emotional challenges families face is balancing Caregiving with simply being family. 

“Sometimes it’s hard when you’re the Caregiver and the family member,” Mentzer said. “We want you to be the daughter without also being the Caregiver. We provide that support so the family member can be the family member.”

That relief can transform a holiday experience. Instead of managing medication reminders or worrying about falls, families can focus on connection, memories and quality time.

“Just like with my mom, I saw how Caregiving takes a toll over time,” Mentzer said. “If we can come in and provide professional, concierge, white-glove assistance, we can help families experience the holiday season the way it should be — together.”

The Three Layers of Griswold’s Holiday Care

Mentzer describes Griswold’s services in three interconnected categories, all of which tend to play a major role during the holidays.

1. Homemaking Services: Preparing holiday meals, tidying up, doing laundry and helping with small tasks can make a big difference in a senior’s comfort and safety.
2. Companionship: Many older adults see their social circles shrink, especially in winter. “Having someone to correspond with regularly means a lot to a senior citizen,” Mentzer said. Companionship also includes escorting clients to doctor appointments, the grocery store or even holiday events.
3. Personal Care: Bathing, grooming, hygiene and other activities of daily living often become more challenging and more noticeable during holiday visits. Griswold provides dignified support to help seniors feel like themselves.

“Griswold’s approach to everything is relational,” Mentzer said. “We don’t take it for granted when someone allows us to come into their home. We want to bring assurance to the client, the family and the community.”

When Griswold Is the Family

Not every senior has family nearby. Many have adult children living across the country or even across the world.

“Some people don’t have family local. The kids may have moved away. We have one client whose daughter lives in Europe, so we really are the family,” Mentzer said.

And sometimes, the most meaningful moments of the season come from Griswold Caregivers noticing a need and stepping in.

“We had a veteran over Thanksgiving who lives alone,” Mentzer said. “One of our Caregivers asked if she could move her weekly meeting to Thursday so he wouldn’t be alone on Thanksgiving. She saw that need and wanted to be there for him. We want to be the difference maker in somebody’s life. If you can make a difference in one individual’s day, that’s what it’s all about. We want to help people age in place with dignity. At the end of the day, that’s what everyone wants — to remain as independent as possible, supported by people who care.”

For more information on Griswold’s in-home care services or to explore care options for the new year, visit GriswoldCare.com.