Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of South Eastern, NH
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Serving South Eastern New Hampshire Communities
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Serving South Eastern New Hampshire Communities
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Meet the South Eastern New Hampshire Office

More than 90% of seniors want to age in their own home with dignity but getting the right type of care can seem daunting. At Senior Helpers of South Eastern New Hampshire we believe that getting the best care for your loved ones should not be complicated. Dwight and Gayle Davis opened the Senior Helpers Stratham office because of their passion for helping others and their interest in the growing need for in-home care services. Dwight and Gayle are committed to delivering the best possible in-home care in South Eastern New Hampshire and surrounding communities.

We take in-home care seriously and make it a priority to provide the highest level of client service possible. Over the years we have built an exceptional team of care professionals, each committed to remaining at the forefront of the in-home care industry through our proprietary ongoing training and education programs.

 

Meet Gayle and Dwight Davis

Senior Helpers Client Mark Messina shares how Senior Helpers has helped him and his family. 

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 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 affordable in-home care. This was the mission-driven spark that started Senior Helpers.

The first office opened in Baltimore and quickly developed a reputation for delivering excellent in-home senior care with their well-trained staff of professional caregivers. Based on the success of the Baltimore location, the company began to expand. Over the past 13 years, the Senior Helpers family has grown to include a network of more than 300 locally owned and operated franchises across the United States.

Like every other owner, Senior Helpers is fully-committed to the original goal of providing dependable and affordable 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.

Dwight and Gayle were drawn to Senior Helpers because they know the challenges and rewards of caring for a loved one. They both provided care for their own aging parents. They understand the value to age in place, at home.

Our team has grown to include 7 team members and many caregivers. We have been lucky to serve hundreds of seniors in our community over the years, and we are committed to continuing to provide uncompromising levels of care to all our families.

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, review 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

Meet the Staff

Dwight and Gayle Davis

Owners

Dwight and Gayle Davis, owners of Senior Helpers based in Stratham, New Hampshire know the challenges and rewards of caring for a loved one. They both provided care for their own aging parents and understand the value of what it means to age in place, at home.

Dwight, a native of Houston, TX is the President of Senior Helpers Stratham. He moved to New Hampshire in 2004. He is a former professional basketball player - a first round draft pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Dwight spent many years as a realtor and working with youth across the state. His focus on teamwork and being the best that you can be is the focal point while building the most comprehensive home care team in New Hampshire. In addition to his responsibilities at Senior Helpers, Dwight serves as Vice Chairman of the NBRPA (National Basketball Retired Players Association), a board member of the New Hampshire Workforce Opportunity Council and the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire. Dwight is a graduate of the University of Houston and is Senior Gems® and Veterans Program certified.

Gayle is Vice President/Chief Operating Officer. She grew up on the New Hampshire Seacoast, attending school in Rochester and the University of New Hampshire. She worked in the high-tech field for more than 25 years and is known for mentoring and motivating employees to reach goals beyond their expectations. She is compassionate and caring, always willing to extend a hand to those in need. She is the co-founder of the National Aging in Place Council of New Hampshire and has been active with a number of charities/non-profits over the years.

Gayle’s father was a WWII U.S. Navy veteran. She is proud to service Veterans and their families in his honor and to provide them with all the care and respect that they deserve. Gayle is Senior Gems®, Veterans and Parkinson’s Programs certified. She is a certified facilitator of the Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT). She received her Master Trainer certification in A Matter of Balance, an evidence based fall prevention program. Gayle is also a member of the NAPW (National Association of Professional Women), NBWA (National Basketball Wives Association) and represents the Northeast Region on the Senior Helpers Owners Council.

Wendy Buckley

Senior Director of Operations

Wendy Buckley was promoted to the Senior Director of Operations in December 2019. In this position, she will oversee the operations of the entire office.  She joined Senior Helpers in August of 2015 as a Companion Caregiver. She excelled in her position. She made her client’s lives full and gave their families peace of mind. When one of her clients was hospitalized Wendy came into the office to assist. She was a natural. She understood the role as a caregiver and applied her sixteen years in banking and customer service to learning every detail of the operation of the office. She assumed the role of Office Manager in February 2018. She was responsible for a number of process improvements and became the voice of Senior Helpers with incoming calls.

In August 2018 Wendy was promoted to the Director of Operations, but insisted in still answering the phone so she would not lose touch with existing clients and new inquiries. Wendy enjoys taking the initial inquiry calls, gathering information and explaining about the services offered. Many times when the first visit is made to a client the question is asked, “Are you Wendy?” Wendy resides in Newmarket and is the proud mother of three children and two grandsons.

Wendy Martineau

Community Relations Coordinator

Wendy joined the Senior Helpers team in November 2019. She has been working in healthcare for over 18 years. She has worked in assisted living centers, hospice and homecare. She is an LNA (Licensed Nurses Assistant), an MNA (Medication Nursing Assistant) and a CDP (Certified Dementia Practioner). She has a passion for homecare and helping seniors remain in their own home. She likes to share her knowledge with new LNA’s, helping to mentor and guide them through the scope of practice of an LNA in the home.

In her role as the Community Relations Coordinator, Wendy has oversight of the development of business and partnerships in the greater I-93 corridor of New Hampshire, from Salem, Nashua north to Manchester and Concord along with surrounding areas.

Wendy lives in Nashua with her husband Brad, their two sons and two furry kids. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her family; her favorite vacation spot is Disney and her second is Las Vegas. 

Sharon English

Scheduling Coordinator

Sharon joined the Senior Helpers team in January 2020 and has been an LNA for 30 plus years. She previously worked at the Rockingham County Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center, at Sanctuary (currently Evolve at Rye) and Atlantic Home Life in various supervisory positions.

She is responsible for the scheduling of clients and caregivers. The art of coordination is her expertise. Sharon is skilled at making a great connection between the client and their care team. Sharon has taken on the responsibility to provide enhanced skills training to the staff, including transfers, rotations, showering and other best practices. She is quick to assist over the phone or running out to provide one-on-one assistance.

In her spare time Sharon loves to run. She has done several marathons and relays including the “Reach the Beach” relay which starts in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire and ends at Hampton Beach approximately 200 miles. Sharon is the proud mother of a son, daughter and two cats. 

Walter Eugene Davis

Director of Security and Pet Relations

Walter Eugene Davis is the Director of Security and Pet Relations along with being the welcoming committee. He is a five year old black Lab mix who became part of the Senior Helpers family in May 2015. He was rescued by Dwight and Gayle through New England Lab Rescue from South Carolina. He has a calming presence, does not bark or jump, and he will be quick to give you a “high five.”

Our Nursing Staff

Janneth Black, RN

Our Nursing Staff

Janneth Black has been a Registered Nurse for more than 30 years. A cum laude graduate from her BSN program, Janneth developed her unique approach to geriatric nursing care through a combination of excellent clinical experiences and resident support. Janneth developed her techniques over 22 years of working with geriatric residents and their families while owning and managing an assisted living residence in Hawaii. During this time, Janneth never discharged a resident because their care became too difficult. She is excited to bring this same commitment of care to the vision of Senior Helpers.

Agnes Kondamambou-Kikouta, RN

Our Nursing Staff

Agnes Kondamambou-Kikouta is a Registered Nurse. She started her career in healthcare as Licensed Nurses Assistant (LNA) and went on to obtain her training as a Registered Nurse. Agnes works at Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital, where she is a clinical nurse with a specialty in wound care. She also is employed by the Rocking Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) as a Homecare Registered Nurse. Agnes joined the Senior Helpers team to work with our Personal Care clients and caregivers. She is a graduate of New Hampshire Technical College and Franklin Pierce University.

Areas We Serve

Senior Helpers of the Greater Seacoast provides a full range of senior home care services for you or your loved one — from companionship and housework help to more complex care services, including disease management, Live-In and 24-hour care services.

Senior Helpers of the Greater Seacoast serves the cities and towns of:

  • Atkinson
  • Barnstead
  • Barrington
  • Brentwood
  • Candia
  • Dover
  • Durham
  • Epping
  • Exeter
  • Farmington
  • Fremont
  • Greenland
  • Hampton
  • Kingston
  • Lee
  • Madbury
  • Middleton
  • New Durham
  • Newfields
  • Newmarket
  • Northwood
  • Plaistow
  • Portsmouth
  • Raymond
  • Rochester
  • Rye
  • Salem
  • Seabrook
  • Somersworth
  • Strafford
  • Stratham
  • Windham and surrounding communities
  • Salem
  • Nashua
  • Derry
  • Londonderry
  • Merrimack
  • Bedford
  • Auburn
  • Manchester
  • Hookset
  • Concord and surrounding areas.