Griswold's Caring Hearts: A Source of Connection in the Senior Care Space

Griswold, the non-medical home care franchise, sums up its brand mission in two simple words: Live Assured. Clients receive the comprehensive care they need to enjoy life, families can rest easy knowing their loved ones are well-cared for, caregivers and employees benefit from a supportive and stable work environment and the broader community thrives. And nowhere is that mission more apparent than the Caring Hearts networking group. 

Founded by Christy Nuss, Director of the PA Griswold corporate office, and Beth Pantano, Griswold Senior Community Liaison, during the height of the pandemic, Caring Hearts aims to help healthcare professionals stay connected through recurring meetings, community events and strategic initiatives. Today, the group has become a sensation, garnering immense popularity and even turning away memberships due to its success.

"Griswold has been in business for 41 years, a pioneer in the home care industry, but many still haven’t heard of us,” said Pantano. “That is why we wanted to continue this group, even after the pandemic ended. We all network together, which means we are referring back and forth with each other. It aligns with our 'Live Assured' tagline — it is all about trusted relationships."

A Journey Rooted in Personal Experience

Nuss, who has been with Griswold for an impressive 21 years, shared her personal journey that led her to home care. "Prior to this, I was a manager for a physician's office,” she said. “I had a grandmother who was in a senior care facility and I saw the struggles my aunt had during that time. When I found out about home health care, the opportunity came up to join the Griswold team. I really believe in the importance of aging in place and what we do.”

Pantano, with eight years at Griswold, brings a rich background in nursing and sales. "I grew up in a family-owned business, so I have that sales background, as well,” she said. “I’ve really done every role here, from caregiving, recruiting, client services, to community involvement.” 

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Griswold began looking for ways to keep the community connected. “With traditional marketing avenues closed, everyone was dying to connect with each other,” Pantano said. “That is when we came up with the idea for Caring Hearts. As things started to open back up, I stepped into managing the group a year-and-a-half ago, and we've since grown to about 25 dedicated members, all of which are relevant to the senior population." 

When it comes to Caring Hearts, Pantano says the primary goal is education. The group meets in-person every month to connect and keep one another up-to-date on relevant advancements in the industry and market. Those meetings are complemented by their active social media presence, which Pantano credits for giving them a lot more visibility.

Community Engagement and the Upcoming Health Fair

Caring Hearts is not just about networking; it's about giving back. From holiday caroling to ice cream socials to packing bags for meals on wheels, the group is deeply involved in community service. 

Perhaps the group’s biggest event comes in the form of its annual Senior Resource Fair, where community members and healthcare professionals can come together to reach more people in their community.

“There are so many great resources out there, but oftentimes our senior population has no idea they are available to them,” said Pantano. “That is why we really try to get out in the community and spread the word.” 

This year’s fair will be held at the Mohegan Pennsylvania on Tuesday, September 26th from 10am to 2pm. It will include 32 vendors in the healthcare space, from pharmacies to medical equipment manufacturers, home health providers and aging agencies, as well as representatives from the PA State Attorney General’s Office, Veterans Affairs and local care professionals.

The fair, which is completely free to the public, is designed to be fun, engaging and very interactive, with raffle baskets and a grand prize giveaway. 

“Each attendee will be given an entry card and in order qualify for a grand prize, they have to stop at every table and have a conversation,” said Pantano. “If they visit each vendor and mark it on their card, they will have the opportunity to win an overnight stay at Mohegan and a dinner for two at Rustic Kitchen Bistro & Bar.”

Why Caring Hearts Matters

Overall, Griswold's Caring Hearts networking group stands as a testament to the power of community and connection, especially in challenging times.

"With Caring Hearts and these relationships, we hope to be a strong resource,” said Nuss. “Even if home care isn’t the right option for you, we have a resource of people we can lean on to recommend another provider. 'Live Assured' means a lot to us."

With dedicated leaders like Nuss and Pantano at the helm, the group is set to make even more significant impacts in the lives of healthcare professionals and the senior community they serve.

Franchise opportunities range from $95,850 to $174,100 including a $49,500 franchise fee. For more information about franchising with Griswold, please visit https://www.griswoldhomecare.com/franchising/investment-info/.