November marks National Home Care & Hospice Month, a time to recognize the Caregivers, families, and professionals who bring dignity, comfort, and independence to those aging or recovering at home. For more than 40 years, Griswold has been a leader in compassionate home care — empowering franchisees and Caregivers alike to serve their communities with empathy and excellence.
Few embody that mission more than Mirza Donegan, director of Griswold Home Care for Silver Spring & Montgomery County North. Her journey into home care began, as it does for so many, with a personal experience that changed everything.
“Before, I used to do marketing for a nonprofit in alternative transportation,” Donegan said. “What started my road to Griswold was when my mother-in-law got very old and developed dementia. I was in a job transition, so I was able to care for her. That experience opened my eyes — helping her find the right companies, coordinating her care — I realized, ‘I think I can do this.’”
When she began exploring home care companies, Griswold stood out immediately. “It had not only a business sense that I appreciated, but also that Jean Griswold side that is really important to me,” Donegan said. “That started my path, and it hasn’t changed. I’m still very involved in running my office because I really care and want to stay connected with my clients. I appreciate their trust in us — not just to take care of them, but to give them the best care possible.”
For Donegan, that means overseeing every detail — from finding the right Caregiver to ensuring each care plan fits seamlessly into a client’s daily life. “All the pieces that fall into place matter,” she said. “I’ve found another niche in the company and am so emotionally invested in what we do.”
Donegan’s commitment to compassionate care runs deep. “I was adopted and grew up in a military family,” she said. “My father served three terms in Vietnam, and that really impacted our lives. I learned to care for those who needed care very young. Now, as one of the providers for the VA, it’s such an honor to serve other veterans. I deeply understand what those families went through.”
After 13 years with Griswold, Donegan now owns two territories and oversees a diverse team of nearly 100 Caregivers.
“It’s been so rewarding to hire amazing people who have this passion for seniors,” she said. “They come from different parts of life, but they all have that central desire to care because they’ve cared within their own families. Helping them follow their dreams — seeing them grow and succeed — has impacted my life in incredible ways.”
At its core, Griswold’s mission is about connection — bridging the gap between families and the Caregivers who support them. Donegan says her team often becomes an extension of the families they serve.
“These people are taking care of their own children and their parents,” she said. “They need someone who is really going to care and become part of their family. That’s what we do — we become that extra part of the family, caring for their loved ones like our own.”
That perspective has played out in Donegan’s own life.
“My mom had a stroke recently, and my Caregivers have been so incredible,” she said. “Now they are our family. The ones helping me at home have gotten to know our grandkids and our family. They know our family. It’s come full circle — I’ve experienced firsthand the impact of what we do.”
Donegan’s story reflects the lasting impact of its founder, Dr. Jean Griswold, who began the company in 1982 after recognizing the need for compassionate in-home care.
This National Home Care & Hospice Month, Griswold celebrates the people who make its mission possible — the Caregivers, franchisees and families who bring compassion to life every day.
“I didn’t think this is where I would find my purpose,” Donegan said. “But now I know this is what I was meant to do. To care for others, to build a team that shares that passion, and to help families feel safe — that’s what makes Griswold so special.”
For more information about Griswold and its compassionate home care services, visit https://www.griswoldcare.com.
Griswold
SPONSORED
The leading home care franchise is honored to spotlight franchisees like Mirza Donegan of Maryland, whose compassion drives the brand’s legacy of service.
November marks National Home Care & Hospice Month, a time to recognize the Caregivers, families, and professionals who bring dignity, comfort, and independence to those aging or recovering at home. For more than 40 years, Griswold has been a leader in compassionate home care — empowering franchisees and Caregivers alike to serve their communities with empathy and excellence.
Few embody that mission more than Mirza Donegan, director of Griswold Home Care for Silver Spring & Montgomery County North. Her journey into home care began, as it does for so many, with a personal experience that changed everything.
“Before, I used to do marketing for a nonprofit in alternative transportation,” Donegan said. “What started my road to Griswold was when my mother-in-law got very old and developed dementia. I was in a job transition, so I was able to care for her. That experience opened my eyes — helping her find the right companies, coordinating her care — I realized, ‘I think I can do this.’”
When she began exploring home care companies, Griswold stood out immediately. “It had not only a business sense that I appreciated, but also that Jean Griswold side that is really important to me,” Donegan said. “That started my path, and it hasn’t changed. I’m still very involved in running my office because I really care and want to stay connected with my clients. I appreciate their trust in us — not just to take care of them, but to give them the best care possible.”
For Donegan, that means overseeing every detail — from finding the right Caregiver to ensuring each care plan fits seamlessly into a client’s daily life. “All the pieces that fall into place matter,” she said. “I’ve found another niche in the company and am so emotionally invested in what we do.”
Donegan’s commitment to compassionate care runs deep. “I was adopted and grew up in a military family,” she said. “My father served three terms in Vietnam, and that really impacted our lives. I learned to care for those who needed care very young. Now, as one of the providers for the VA, it’s such an honor to serve other veterans. I deeply understand what those families went through.”
After 13 years with Griswold, Donegan now owns two territories and oversees a diverse team of nearly 100 Caregivers.
“It’s been so rewarding to hire amazing people who have this passion for seniors,” she said. “They come from different parts of life, but they all have that central desire to care because they’ve cared within their own families. Helping them follow their dreams — seeing them grow and succeed — has impacted my life in incredible ways.”
At its core, Griswold’s mission is about connection — bridging the gap between families and the Caregivers who support them. Donegan says her team often becomes an extension of the families they serve.
“These people are taking care of their own children and their parents,” she said. “They need someone who is really going to care and become part of their family. That’s what we do — we become that extra part of the family, caring for their loved ones like our own.”
That perspective has played out in Donegan’s own life.
“My mom had a stroke recently, and my Caregivers have been so incredible,” she said. “Now they are our family. The ones helping me at home have gotten to know our grandkids and our family. They know our family. It’s come full circle — I’ve experienced firsthand the impact of what we do.”
Donegan’s story reflects the lasting impact of its founder, Dr. Jean Griswold, who began the company in 1982 after recognizing the need for compassionate in-home care.
This National Home Care & Hospice Month, Griswold celebrates the people who make its mission possible — the Caregivers, franchisees and families who bring compassion to life every day.
“I didn’t think this is where I would find my purpose,” Donegan said. “But now I know this is what I was meant to do. To care for others, to build a team that shares that passion, and to help families feel safe — that’s what makes Griswold so special.”
For more information about Griswold and its compassionate home care services, visit https://www.griswoldcare.com.
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