Griswold Home Care - Baltimore and Howard County, MD in Ellicott City, MD

Pros

• The 4-hour minimum per shift worked out well for the family.
• The caregivers were usually the same person and everyone was nice and friendly.
• The caregivers were wonderful, very friendly, and did a great job.
• The caregiver Keesha Thomas was strong, punctual, reliable, self-directing, pleasant, and professional.
• The online payment system with a weekly online statement makes billing easier.
• The office staff at Griswold has been wonderful.

Cons

• The office staff and caregivers were not in sync, leading to poor coordination.
• There has been a lack of consistency in caregivers, with different people arriving at times.
• A caregiver occasionally came to work while sick, which was unacceptable.
• The service does not provide male caregivers, forcing the client to switch to another agency.
• The backups were inadequate due to language barriers and the loved one's hearing aids making communication harder.
• There were delays in receiving calls when a caregiver couldn't show up.

Review

Griswold Home Care in Baltimore and Howard County is best suited for families seeking dependable, in-home assistance in a familiar setting, with a steady caregiver presence rather than a facility-based option. The service works well for households that want a personal, friendly caregiver who can become a regular contact and provide companionship, supervision, and support on a flexible basis. The Ellicott City area and surrounding counties are the practical focus, making scheduling and coordination more straightforward for local families. The 4-hour minimum per shift anchors the arrangement in meaningful, hands-on care rather than brief check-ins, which suits long visits and deeper assistance but isn't ideal for those who need frequent, shorter touchpoints. In short, this option is a solid fit for those who value a consistent home-care presence and can tolerate some scheduling variability.

Carefully weigh who may want alternatives. Families needing absolute consistency with a single caregiver for every shift may be disappointed, since randomization in scheduling can occur and backups are not always identical in capability or style. The absence of male caregivers is a notable constraint for households that require a male presence. Language barriers and hearing-aid challenges among backup staff can complicate communication and daily routines, especially when the primary caregiver is unavailable. For clients seeking short, frequent engagements under four hours, this agency can feel awkward or inefficient. Additionally, while office staff are responsive, aligning the cadence between the office and the caregiving team can sometimes lag, creating gaps in day-to-day coordination.

The strongest positives center on caregiver quality. Many reviews highlight staff as friendly, personable, punctual, and capable, with certain caregivers - like Keesha Thomas - standing out for reliability and a professional, self-directed approach. When the same caregiver remains assigned for an extended period, continuity translates into smoother routines and better understanding of specific needs. The ability to rely on a primary caregiver most weeks, with occasional replacements, is a practical balance for families comfortable with some turnover. The agency's online payment system and weekly statements add convenience, reducing administrative friction for busy families. The initial inquiry phase is noted as responsive, which helps families feel supported from the outset.

However, the cons cannot be ignored. Turnover among backups can dilute consistency, and when an alternate caregiver arrives with different communication styles or language limitations, miscommunications can surface quickly. Language barriers and the lack of male staff complicate care for some situations, including activities of daily living and safety routines where a male presence or clearer verbal exchange matters. Occasionally, replacements come with delays or the need for family members to step in and train new hires, which imposes additional duties and planning on already tight schedules. The office may be wonderfully helpful, yet some families report a disconnect between office expectations and on-the-ground realities, especially around back-up coverage and scheduling responsiveness.

For families navigating this choice, practical steps can make a meaningful difference. Ask for a primary caregiver to be scheduled as consistently as possible, and request advance introductions to backups who will be on call, along with a clear backup protocol and a contact point for urgent changes. Confirm the 4-hour minimum upfront and discuss whether a shorter visit option is acceptable when needed, so expectations align with real-world needs. If language or gender considerations matter, be explicit about preferences and verify the staff roster before committing. Inquire about training routines for new backups and the process to maintain continuity when a regular caregiver falls ill. Finally, establish preferred channels for updates and billing so that alignment between the caregiver and office remains tight, reducing the likelihood of miscommunication.

Overall, Griswold offers a pragmatic, caregiver-forward approach that works well for families who prize warmth, reliability, and the comfort of in-home support, provided that tolerance for occasional caregiver turnover and scheduling variability is there. It is a dependable choice for those who can live with occasional back-up gaps and who value a straightforward payment system and local responsiveness. For households requiring unwavering one-to-one consistency, guaranteed male caregivers, or flawless multilingual communication across every shift, exploring alternatives remains prudent. With clear expectations and proactive communication, the team can deliver meaningful, at-home care that keeps loved ones safe and engaged.

This part of Ellicott City, Maryland provides a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With a variety of restaurants within close proximity including Phoenix Upper Main, Manor Hill Tavern, and Chosun Hwaro, residents have plenty of dining options to choose from. Pharmacies such as Rite Aid and Walmart Pharmacy are easily accessible for any medication needs. Nearby healthcare facilities like NeuroCare Center and Saint Agnes Medical Group provide quality medical care. Residents can also enjoy the beauty of nature at parks like Patapsco Valley State Park and Centennial Park. Places of worship such as Bridgeway Community Church offer spiritual support, while entertainment options include theaters like AMC Columbia 14. The area is well-connected with transportation options such as Amtrak/MARC - BWI Rail Station just a short distance away. Overall, this part of Ellicott City offers a comfortable and convenient lifestyle for seniors looking to settle in the area.

Restaurants

• Phoenix Upper Main (0.5 miles)
• Manor Hill Tavern (0.6 miles)
• The Trolley Stop (0.8 miles)
• Chosun Hwaro (1.8 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.8 miles)
• Honey Pig Gooldaegee Korean Grill (2.9 miles)
• Wendy's (3.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.6 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (4 miles)
• Walgreens (4.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.2 miles)

Physicians

• NeuroCare Center (0.8 miles)
• Saint Agnes Medical Group: Maryland Cardiovascular Specialists - Catonsville (2.3 miles)
• Advanced Radiology (2.8 miles)
• Parnes May & Associate - Wendy Hurwitz MD (3.1 miles)
• American Radiology Services (3.1 miles)
• Dr. Klebanow & Associates (3.2 miles)
• Omni Eye Specialists (5.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Sheppard Pratt Health System (1.3 miles)
• Spring Grove Hospital Center (4.4 miles)
• Howard County General Hospital (6 miles)
• Howard County General Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine (6 miles)
• Bon Secours Health System (6.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.4 miles)
• Tous Les Jours (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)
• Café Nordstrom (5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.3 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)

Parks

• Patapsco Valley State Park (1.6 miles)
• Centennial Park (3 miles)
• David Force Park (3.4 miles)
• Centennial Park (3.8 miles)
• Blandair Regional Park (4.7 miles)
• Lake Elkhorn Park (6.6 miles)
• Martin Road Park (7.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Bridgeway Community Church (3.3 miles)
• St Augustine's Church (6.5 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Columbia 14 (5.1 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak/MARC - BWI Rail Station (8.2 miles)