Griswold Special Care in Harrisburg, PA

Pros

• The staff at Griswold Home Care were very accommodating to their clients' immediate needs.
• The nurses who cared for the grandmother provided kind, appropriate care in her final days.
• Griswold Home Care lived up to expectations and fulfilled the family's wishes.
• Sandra and the Griswold staff were gratefully recognized for all they did.
• The staff at Griswold were super friendly, helpful, and went above and beyond to meet specific needs.
• The caregivers were punctual, intelligent, and knowledgeable.
• The Griswold team is described as caring professionals who are consistently concerned about the well-being of clients and their families.

Cons

• The reviewer claims Griswold stacks all the cards in favor of the dealer.
• They report ongoing problems with Mallory and caregivers, describing Mallory as rude and unprofessional and alleging she lies about caregivers' qualifications.
• Caregivers are described as not interacting with the patient, often playing on their cellphones and watching TV.
• The reviewer would give zero stars and would not recommend the company to their worst enemy.
• There is hesitation about Griswold's self-employed model and the associated pre-admission paperwork.

Review

Griswold Special Care in Harrisburg is best suited for families seeking flexible, in-home support where the aim is to keep a loved one at home with help from visiting caregivers. The arrangement works well for seniors and others who need assistance with daily activities, reminders for medications, and caregiver presence that can adapt to changing needs, including end-of-life support delivered by nursing staff visiting the home. This is not a facility-based option; it's a responsive, home-centered service designed to deploy care quickly and adjust to the household's rhythms and priorities.

Those who should strongly consider alternatives are families looking for rigid, predictable staffing or a highly controlled environment. If the priority is guaranteed consistency - same caregivers every week, uniform training, and direct-employer relationships with all staff - Griswold's model, which relies on independent contractors, may not align with expectations. For households that demand a highly structured supervision regime, or a setting that mimics a formal facility, other agencies or facility-based programs with clearly employed staff and centralized oversight may feel more secure.

The strongest pros here center on responsiveness and real-world caregiver dedication. In Harrisburg, staff have demonstrated a willingness to accommodate urgent needs and to tailor support around the loved one's preferences. Families report compassionate nurses and caregivers who are genuinely kind, punctual, and capable of stepping in when plans shift. Several reviews emphasize that Griswold shows up in meaningful ways - finding someone to help even when exact needs aren't initially met, and providing honest cost discussions that help families plan without surprises. This practical reliability can be a meaningful offset to the inherent variability of a home-care roster.

Yet, the cons are real enough to merit careful consideration. Specific complaints describe caregivers who were rude, unprofessional, or unengaged, with one persistent issue involving a staff member named Mallory. In some cases, caregivers appeared more focused on personal distractions than on interacting with the patient, raising concerns about quality control and consistency. The independent contractor model can compound these risks, yielding questions about training, accountability, and how qualifications are verified over time. A long-ago report also points to a pay arrangement where workers are paid directly by families, with Griswold taking a separate fee, which can complicate expectations around coverage and back-up support.

From a decision-making standpoint, several practical steps help maximize value and reduce risk. Insist on a formal caregiver-matching process, clear background checks, and verified credentials for every caregiver assigned. Request a written, patient-centered care plan with defined goals, daily routines, and escalation procedures, plus a guaranteed primary caregiver with a reliable backup in case of illness or turnover. Clarify whether caregivers are Griswold employees or independent contractors, and secure a transparent, written fee schedule with cancellation and back-up coverage terms. Arranging a short trial period or bridge start can reveal fit before long-term commitments are made, and designate a single point of contact to troubleshoot concerns quickly.

Overall, Griswold presents a credible option for families prioritizing home-based care that can flex to changing circumstances and deliver empathetic, hands-on support. The strongest cases come from those who value prompt accommodation and meaningful, practical assistance in the home. However, the mixed experiences - from highly praised, patient-centered care to reports of disengagement and inconsistent training - mean that readiness to manage caregiver relationships and to demand structured oversight is essential. If a tightly supervised, consistently staffed, facility-like environment is non-negotiable, exploring alternatives with directly employed staff or an on-site, residential setting may provide greater reassurance.

Located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, this area offers a variety of amenities that may be appealing to seniors looking for a convenient and comfortable living environment. With several physicians' offices nearby, including Aspire Health Concepts and Penn State Health Diagnostic Center, residents have easy access to medical care. There are also pharmacies such as Rite Aid and CVS Pharmacy within close proximity for medication needs. For dining options, Gilligan's Bar & Grill and Peachtree Restaurant & Lounge offer tasty meals, while cafes like Starbucks provide a cozy spot for coffee lovers. Additionally, the area is home to hospitals like PinnacleHealth Community General Osteopathic Hospital for peace of mind in case of emergencies. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the parks nearby, such as Forest Hills Park and Riverfront Park Harrisburg, perfect for leisurely strolls or picnics. Overall, this part of Harrisburg provides a mix of healthcare facilities, dining establishments, and recreational areas suitable for seniors seeking a well-rounded living environment.

Physicians

• Aspire Health Concepts (0.2 miles)
• Center For Advance Orthotics (0.4 miles)
• Sears Hearing Aid Center by Beltone (0.5 miles)
• Caputo Christopher Urology Of Central Pennsylvania Harrisburg (1.3 miles)
• Penn State Health Diagnostic Center (1.6 miles)
• Watkin Nipple & Associates (1.6 miles)
• PinnacleHealth Infectious Disease Associates (1.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Gilligan's Bar & Grill (0.2 miles)
• McDonald's (1.9 miles)
• Peachtree Restaurant & Lounge (2.1 miles)
• Wendy's (2.2 miles)
• 3 B Ice Cream (2.4 miles)
• Fiesta Mexico (3.5 miles)
• Boneshire Brew Works (3.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Colonial Park UCC (0.3 miles)
• Community Evangelical Free Church (1.8 miles)
• St Andrews In the Valley Episcopal Church (2.5 miles)
• Harrisburg Bic Church (3.7 miles)
• Trinity United Methodist Church (6.1 miles)

Hospitals

• PinnacleHealth Community General Osteopathic Hospital (1.4 miles)
• Harrisburg State Hospital (3.8 miles)
• Alex Grass Medical Sciences Building (4.9 miles)
• Department Of Surgery (4.9 miles)
• Polyclinic Campus (4.9 miles)
• UPMC Pinnnacle Harrisburg (5 miles)
• Labor & Delivery (5 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Harrisburg (1.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2 miles)
• Greystone Public House (2.4 miles)
• Tomato Pie Cafe (3.6 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• Little Amps Coffee Roasters (5 miles)
• Starbucks (6.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.7 miles)

Parks

• Forest Hills Park (3.3 miles)
• Riverfront Park Harrisburg (5 miles)
• City Island (5.4 miles)
• Fort Hunter Mansion and Park (6 miles)