Meet The Southwest, MI Team | Senior Helpers of Southwest
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Meet the Southwest Michigan Office

More than 90% of seniors want to be able to age in their own home with dignity but getting the right type of care can seem daunting. Senior Helpers of Southwest Michigan believes that getting the best care for your loved ones should not be complicated. Robert Sanders opened the office out of his passion for helping seniors and their families, and the similar difficult journeys he personally experienced in caring for other seniors as well as his own loved ones. We recognize the growing need for in-home care services, and with our passion for helping others, Senior Helpers of Southwest Michigan is committed to delivering the best possible care to seniors in the Southwest Michigan community.

We take the opportunity to provide care in your home seriously and make it a priority to provide the highest level of client service possible. We have built an exceptional team of care professionals who have been thoroughly screened and vetted, and each is committed to remaining at the forefront of the in-home care industry through our proprietary ongoing training and education programs. You can feel confident that your loved one is in good hands with Senior Helpers.

Our History

Our History

Senior Helpers was founded in 2002 by Tony Bonacuse with the help of Peter Ross after their firsthand experience in caring for their respective family members. Tony and Peter identified a need that was not being filled properly by the other companies. They realized that most seniors would prefer to age in their own home rather than move into an unfamiliar institution. Unfortunately, the options available to most seniors were very limited. Most seniors did not have access to well-trained, dependable and accessible in-home care. This was the mission-driven spark that started Senior Helpers.

Senior Helpers of Southwest Michigan was founded by Robert Sanders building upon his prior experiences providing care for seniors and his own family. Like every other owner, we too are fully-committed to the original goal of providing dependable and accessible in-home care with well-trained caregivers. Nothing is more important to us than being the best available resource for seniors and families in our community, and we are committed to continuing to provide uncompromising levels of care to all our families.

  • We send only Caregivers we would trust to care for our own loved ones.
  • We send only Caregivers in our Senior Helpers family – no contractors or registries.
  • We send only Caregivers that are carefully selected, screened, trained and matched to client needs.
  • We send only Caregivers that are bonded, insured and covered by worker’s compensation.
  • We send only Caregivers that are committed and accountable to our high standards.
Our Process

Our Process

The first step in the process is a complimentary, initial in-home care assessment with a Senior Helpers consultant.  This assessment can help you understand the true needs of your loved one, and your options. Together we can discuss their needs, our senior care services and determine what’s best for your entire family.

We will cover:

  • Your family's specific goals
  • Your loved one's daily plan design and schedule
  • Pricing and payment methods
  • Implementation process
  • Ongoing communication and follow-up plan

Nothing but professional, loving, thoughtful care for our dad. We are so pleased, blessed and thankful that Evergreen Commons referred us to Sr Helpers. They are so accommodating to our crazy schedule...and remain very patient with us as so many of our dad’s needs (& wants) change on a regular basis. Their personal touch to our dad’s likes and interests are beyond what we could of asked for (& even our mom’s interests). They put in the extra time, sincerity and conversation to understand exactly what we need as a family. They have been so helpful towards our mom as well; Sr Helpers made the transition of having a caregiver for a few hours per day to now full time (whenever our dad is home) so smooth ... keeping our dad’s needs/safety and dad/mom’s personal time a top priority! They keep us abreast of changes, concerns and/or recommendations on a regular basis...we are always informed! Thank You Sr Helpers for making our transition to in-home care the most pleasant and encouraging experience!! We thank the Lord for you all! -February 20, 2020

Meet the Senior Helpers of Southwest Michigan Team

Robert Sanders

Robert Sanders

Owner

How He Helps Seniors: Robert is the team’s steadfast advocate for quality senior care, working tirelessly to ensure seniors retain the ability to stay in their homes. He visits with clients and families to find the best, individualized solutions for them and when needed partners with other organizations in common pursuit of optimal in-home senior care.

How He Learned to Help: Robert developed his passion for client care through ten years of experience in senior care, psychiatric care, and personal experiences as a caregiver for seniors and his own loved ones. As a retired Marine and former Police Officer, Robert has an innate devotion to selfless service—especially for the clients and families Senior Helpers serves. His requirement for exceptional talent on the team is unwavering, guided by his more than twenty years of experience in human resources. Robert’s education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University, graduate-level studies at Concordia Theological Seminary and Stanford University along with multiple certifications.

How He Helps Our Community: Robert is a member of the Marine Corps League, American Legion, and American Veterans. He has volunteered for approximately ten years as leader within the Boys Scouts and for over twenty years in various roles for Toys for Tots.

How He Helps in His Free Time: Robert and his wife Janice are the proud parents of two. They enjoy time together visiting the lakeshore’s beautiful beaches and dunes, exploring its many picturesque communities, attending church, cheering at their children’s school events, and playing in the yard. In the winter, you can find him helping his family find a “just right” sledding hill.

Janice Sanders LMSW, LCSW

Janice Sanders LMSW, LCSW

Clinical Services Director

How She Helps Seniors: Janice is the team’s clinical leader striving for wellness in our clients, their families and our team members. Caregiving can have many rewards, but families and caregivers face very unique challenges when caring for a loved one or client. Because those who are often in a caregiver role can experience a myriad of emotions, stress can take its toll on emotional and physical health. Janice supports family members and caregivers with strategies and support to their own wellness- remembering that if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to care for anyone else!

How She Learned to Help: Janice has worked for over twenty years supporting wellness in families. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in in Art Therapy from the University of Evansville and her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Southern Indiana. She maintains master’s level licenses in both Michigan and Indiana. Janice has worked in psychiatric and senior care, educational programming, and private practice and believes that providing support to those in their time of need is her life’s calling.

How She Helps Our Community: Janice is an active member of her church and volunteers with the Kids Food Basket and Little Angel Gowns. Partnering with families and schools, Janice has served as an advocate for those with Special Needs in multiple states over many years.

How She Helps in Her Free Time: Janice is always busy with Robert enjoying their two children’s many activities, which leaves very little free time! During the warmer months Janice enjoys the beach and during the winter you can find her indoors baking bread or cookies. Of course, there is always time for a good book. If there is a great football game on the television, you will find Janice cheering on her favorite team quite loudly.

Areas We Serve

  • Allegan
  • Allendale
  • Conklin
  • Coopersville
  • Dorr
  • Douglas
  • Fennville
  • Fruitport
  • Grand Haven
  • Grand Junction
  • Hamilton
  • Holland
  • Hudsonville
  • Marne
  • Muskegon
  • Nunica
  • Pullman
  • Ravenna
  • Saugatuck
  • South Haven
  • Spring Lake
  • West Olive
  • Zeeland