Three years ago, Mike Stutz’s in-laws called from Florida after his father-in-law suffered a stroke.
With Stutz’s mother-in-law starting to show signs of dementia, they could no longer manage living on their own. There wasn’t an in-home care concept near them, so Stutz wasn't aware that option even existed. He watched them transition through three different assisted living facilities. Stutz said they lost their will to live after being uprooted from their home.
Stutz’s father-in-law eventually entered hospice care. Lisa Phelps, a hospice worker at the time, helped to care for him. It was there that Stutz connected with Phelps. The two had gone to high school together in Elkhart and hadn’t seen each other in years.
“I saw the heart she has for people and her compassion serving others. My wife and I recognized it right away,” Stutz said. “My father-in-law’s face would light up with a smile when he saw Lisa.”
Both of Stutz’s in-laws have since passed. A longtime entrepreneur, Stutz was determined to find a way to help other seniors avoid his in-laws' experience. He reached out to Phelps, who had 40 years of experience working in various roles in the health care industry, to start a new venture.
Stutz and Phelps decided to start an in-home senior care business to help local seniors age in place with dignity. Stutz explored senior care franchise options. He decided to open a franchise with Griswold, a non-medical home care company.
Dr. Jean Griswold founded the company in 1982 after learning that an elderly woman in her community had died of complications because she had no support system for care. Dr. Griswold’s solution was to pair caregivers with those who couldn’t thrive in their homes alone. She founded the company at her dining room table in a small suburb of Philadelphia. Today, Griswold has nearly 200 locations in 32 states.
In July 2024, Stutz and Phelps opened Griswold South Bend and Elkhart.
“We’re people caring for people,” Phelps said. “We’re treating the whole person and giving them assistance to live where they love.”
Griswold caregivers cook meals, perform light housekeeping, run errands, provide companionship and do other tasks seniors need to age in place at home. They provide personal and specialized care for those who need assistance due to certain conditions, illnesses or injuries. Griswold also offers around-the-clock care. The company tailors care to each client.
“We’re excited about it because it’s doing good for people every day,” Stutz said. “We wanted to provide something that can support our families and those who need care.”
The other side of their business is caring for caregivers.
“All caregivers have a really hard job—whether they are paid caregivers or families,” Phelps said. “They are carrying a heavy load of emotions and grief.”
Stutz and Phelps plan to offer a place for caregivers to gain knowledge and support each other. To decrease stress, Phelps will offer free yoga therapy to caregivers, even those who don’t work for Griswold.
Nearly 53 million Americans provide unpaid care for a loved one, according to a study from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Griswold will also support family caregivers by offering respite care.
“If we enrich the lives of caregivers and then those caregivers go out to people’s homes, they can enrich the lives of the people they’re serving,” Phelps said.
As the business gets started, Griswold South Bend and Elkhart is currently working with five families. Stutz aims to grow and scale the office as quickly as possible. He and Phelps plan to spread the word, reaching as many people as they can in the community.
Stutz has lived in Michiana for more than 60 years. Phelps is a lifelong Elkhart resident. To them, Griswold South Bend and Elkhart is about more than running a business.
“It’s about families,” Stutz said. “Having grown up here, and knowing families from this area, it’s a rewarding pathway to be able to give back to our communities.”
