How Griswold Supports All Members of the Veteran Community

Griswold, the non-medical home care franchise in the U.S. with over 170 locations and over four decades of experience, is all about serving others. In this way, the brand has historically aligned with the values and culture of the veteran community, not only providing veteran entrepreneurs with an exciting business opportunity, but also employing veteran caregivers and providing care to veteran clients. In honor of Veteran’s Day, Griswold is celebrating the dedicated men and women who have served in the military. 

“Our veterans give themselves up in service to our country and expect nothing in return,” said Griswold Director of Sales and Operations Matt Ericksen. “The least we can do is help them bear their burden in their moment of need, supporting them in any way possible. They were there for us; we want to be there for them.”

How Griswold Supports Veteran Franchise Owners

Over the years, Griswold has welcomed many veteran entrepreneurs into its system, providing a clear path to entrepreneurship for those transitioning out of the military and looking to enter the private sector as a business owner.  

“From the highest level, we have a mission-driven purpose,” said Ericksen. “Our commitment is to help seniors age in place. We have a singular goal: take care of people and do right by them. Don’t try; get it done. That aligns very closely with a military mindset of setting goals and achieving your plan. Those skill sets translate very well — from leading teams and developing talent in the office to providing the highest quality of care to the community.”

George McGuire, for example, is a Griswold franchisee in San Antonio, Texas who served 21 years in the U.S. Army before retiring as a lieutenant colonel. McGuire was trained in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and worked closely to support and protect the President of the United States and other high-level dignitaries on numerous occasions. In 2003, McGuire decided to invest in a Griswold franchise in San Antonio. Since then, McGuire has won several awards from the franchisor and continues to expand his business.

“My time in the military provided me with the solid foundation and skillset I use to run my business on a daily basis,” said McGuire. “When you’re in the military you have a strong sense of purpose and belonging, and I have found that in the Griswold franchise system, too. I also get to continue the feeling of satisfaction in giving back to the community and providing a service that makes peoples lives a little easier. Transitioning to the civilian side of life can be challenging for veterans, but this opportunity provides a great solution.”

In order to foster this supportive community, Griswold ensures franchisees like McGuire can connect with other like-minded colleagues in the system. Franchisees also have all the resources they need to provide this essential service. The Griswold team offers ongoing support and rolls out initiatives and programs to help optimize revenue. 

“Veterans want to feel like they are part of a community, and we want to help them follow this new life path,” said Ericksen. “We want to amplify their strengths and position them for success.”

Griswold is a 5 star member of VetFran, an organization dedicated to educating and facilitating the transition of veterans into franchising. The company also offers a 20% discount on its initial franchise fee for any veteran joining Griswold. 

How Griswold Supports Veteran Caregivers

In addition to veteran franchise owners, Griswold also encourages and seeks out connections with the veteran caregivers, as well as active service members who are looking for part-time work. 

“If they are looking to transition into the healthcare space, we can help them develop the right skill sets with our caregiver training platforms,” said Ericksen. “They can learn about Dementia care, Althizemer’s care, etc. We can give them that foundational experience.” 

As an employer of choice, Griswold also works hard to meet veteran families where they are at, Ericksen says. “We make it very easy to work with spouses and partners, for example, so we can accommodate their work-life balance,” he said. “That goes across everything we do here — lead with empathy and understanding. Give them everything they need for a sustainable way of life. We want those veteran families to take care and be happy.”

Perhaps one of the most significant examples of this caregiver-centric approach is Griswold’s National Caregiver Scholarship Program in partnership with its nonprofit organization, the Jean Griswold Foundation. In 2022, the Jean Griswold Foundation awarded $24,000 in scholarships to 12 caregivers from across the country with amazing stories of perseverance and fortitude. This year, that number is jumping to a whopping $100,000 because of how successful the fundraising program was last year. 

How Griswold Supports Veteran Clients

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more seniors are choosing to age in place. According to AARP, 77% of adults 50 and older want to remain in their homes for the long term. Without the astronomical costs of assisted living facilities and nursing homes, home health provides seniors with the ability to live in the comfort and security of their homes with the assistance they need. And considering nearly one-half (49%) of all veterans in the U.S. are 65 years or older, this need is especially crucial among the military community.

“Coming out of COVID, isolation and aging in place is a huge issue within the senior community and the veteran population,” said Ericksen. “That is why we have worked hard to create accessibility solutions for all veteran clients. We’ve worked very closely with The VA, for example, to help veteran families find alternative payment methods for in-home care. Our goal is to become a community resource, not necessarily to bring in another invoice.”

As a result of this education-based approach, Griswold has seen a 58% year-over-year increase in the number of veteran clients served. “So far this year, we’ve provided care to 768 veterans, 304 of which did not have access to our services in the past,” said Ericksen. “In every living room visit we have, we are bringing to light the level of accessibility we provide for care for veterans. It is all about education — leaving clients in a better situation than they were in before.”

Elderly adults and adults with disabilities or illnesses have many unique needs, which is why Griswold offers a wide variety of services to accommodate their clients. The brand’s care plans are customized to fit each client and can be adjusted as their needs change over time. The home care services include homemaking, personal care, companion care, hospice care support, respite care, live-in overnight care and more.

“Overall, we’ve created a system that allows us to better take care of veteran franchisees, who then take better care of veteran caregivers, who then take better care of veteran clients,” said Ericksen. “We are essentially able to help all veterans involved in the communities we serve, which is something we are very proud of at Griswold.”

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/.