Northern VA Home Care Agency Marks Fifth Anniversary

The greatest calling Alexandria resident Christine Friedberg has ever found was service to others. Growing up the daughter of a minister in the DC metro area, helping members of the community was ingrained in her early on. And when she saw the compassion her elderly grandmother received from a professional caregiver, whom the grandmother called her “angel,” her eventual course in life was set.

This month, Friedberg marks five years as a franchise director for Griswold Home Care, helping seniors, the infirmed and those recovering from illness or injury stay in the place they love most – their homes. Her company will celebrate the milestone with a private event on Sept. 14 that will, in part, raise money for the Jean Griswold Foundation, the nonprofit named for Griswold Home Care’s founder that gives grants to visiting nurse organizations and other community nonprofits across the United States.

Begun in 2012 with one employee, herself, Friedberg’s office now employs 110 caregivers and six office staff, serving Fairfax and Arlington counties, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church. One of more than 200 independent Griswold offices, her agency delivers non-clinical care such as assistance with nutrition, hygiene and daily chores, to help clients maintain good health, dignity, and a positive outlook. It also provides companionship, overnight care, hospice care and respite care.

“I found this opportunity as a result of my career as a franchise consultant, and it hit me like a lightning bolt while I worked out on my treadmill…this is what I really want to do,” said Friedberg, the mother of three, including twin toddlers. “It’s hard to believe it’s been five years. I’ve never looked back.”

She estimates during that time her office has assisted at least 500 clients, many of whom came as a result of word of mouth.

“There are many home care agencies. But I’m convinced ours is different because of what we call our ‘Griswoldness.’ We are fulfilling the vision of the company’s founder every day, including values such as putting compassion before commerce, and human dignity above everything else. That’s been the driving factor of our success in Northern Virginia.”