Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of South Tacoma
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Serving South Tacoma and the surrounding areas.
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Serving South Tacoma and the surrounding areas.
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Meet the South Tacoma 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.  At Senior Helpers of South Tacoma we believe that getting the best care for your loved ones should not be complicated.  We recognize the growing need for in-home care services, and with our passion for helping others, we are committed to delivering the best possible care to seniors in the South Tacoma 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, each 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

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. 

The first office opened in Baltimore, Maryland, 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. 

Senior Helpers of South Tacoma was proud to join the system in 2023.  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.  We are lucky to serve hundreds of seniors in our community, 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, 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 South Tacoma Team

Melissa Brown

Melissa Brown

Owner

Melissa has a deep and personal connection to senior care. Her journey began with heartfelt experiences caring for her grandmother, Shirley, during times of medical challenges such as bypass surgery and a hip replacement. The commitment to caregiving continued as she extended her support to her own mother during a difficult illness that required hospice care.

Motivated by these experiences, Melissa's dedication to senior care has only grown stronger. Her current role as a business owner in proximity to the fifth largest military base in the nation has highlighted the pressing need for quality senior care, particularly among veterans who have served their country. Melissa strives to create a compassionate and supportive environment for seniors in her community, honoring their lives and ensuring they receive the care and respect they deserve.

Melissa's personal journey, shaped by her grandmother, mother, and now her grandfather who lives with dementia, has transformed into a professional mission to provide exceptional senior care services. She is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of seniors and their families every day.

Tara Forest

Tara Forest

Caregiver and Recruiting Manager

Tara oversees recruiting, hiring, onboarding and the day-to-day management of our caregivers, and is HCA certified.  In her off time, Tara enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 daughters and caring for her two young autistic sons. 

 


I want to take this opportunity to express our thanks for the superb work Diane did for Dad while he was in the hospital. She was punctual, personable, and dedicated. She helped my Dad immensely during a difficult time for him. Her calm manner and brilliant smile worked magic. My Dad’s attitude changed completely for the better after her first visit. Thank you so much for giving us Diane. She really is a remarkable person and very caring.
 

Areas We Serve

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