Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Polk County
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Meet the Polk County 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 Polk County we believe getting the best care for your loved ones should not be complicated. Jorge Giraldo MBA opened the Senior Helpers of Polk County office in 2008 because of his passion for helping others and his interest in the growing need for in-home care services. Jorge Giraldo, MBA is committed to delivering the best possible in-home care to seniors in the Polk County community.

We take the opportunity to provide in-home care seriously and make it a priority to provide the highest level of client service possible. Over the past 16+ 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.

Our History

Our History

Jorge Giraldo, MBA, has always had a special place for the elderly in his heart. He fondly remembers his late grandmothers and other elderly family members and the many stories they told him as a young boy. He also sadly remembers the time when his grandmother was bed bound after a stroke and how difficult that was for the family. Fast forward another 10 years and Jorge watched his family care for his aunt, who lived with Alzheimer’s for many years. She went from a smart, independent and strong woman to needing help with daily activities. It took a toll on the family, especially his own mother who stayed with her many sleepless nights. This experience shaped the longing to help others so they too wouldn’t have to see their family’s health deteriorate as they selflessly cared for their loved ones. There had to be a professional service to ease this intense family burden- alas, Senior Helpers was the way he could make a difference, even if not with his own family from years ago, but for countless families well into the future!

Our team has grown over the years thanks to the wonderful referrals we receive from our community partners. We work hard to ensure our clients and caregivers are well taken care of, each and every one of our team members and clients are very important to us. We have been lucky to serve hundreds of seniors in our community over the years, and we are committed to continuing to provide excellent service to our aging population for many more years!

 

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 Polk County Team

Jorge Giraldo, MBA

Jorge Giraldo, MBA

CEO/Owner

Jorge brought Senior Helpers to Polk County in 2008, building the agency on a foundation of service, teamwork, and community support. He prides himself on creating a strong, service-minded, and efficient team, valuing every employee by fostering respect, encouraging input, and rewarding contributions to maintain a positive work environment for both office staff and caregivers. Jorge believes that a happy, well-supported team will consistently go above and beyond for clients, the community, and each other.  Always seeking creative ways to give back, Jorge supports the community donating time, money, and expertise. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University and an MBA in Finance from Iona College's Hagan School of Business. Additionally, Jorge is a Certified Lead Auditor.

Steven Magee

Steven Magee

Director of Operations

Steven ensures smooth workflows and oversees key processes, all while fostering a supportive environment for our team and clients. From payroll to Joint Commission Accreditation compliance, veteran benefits, and even IT support, Steven is there to help the admin team, caregivers, and clients alike. He runs billing including Long Term Care policies helping families utilize this valuable benefit. A proud graduate of Lakeland Senior High School, Steven joined Senior Helpers in 2018, bringing with him experience as a supervisor with Verizon. Known for his organizational skills and dedication, he is the leader of the team. Outside of work, Steven is an avid Boston Celtics fan and enjoys spending time with his energetic husky, who shares his love for adventure and activity.

Jada Mims

Jada Mims

Client Services Manager

Jada makes sure each client receives the high-quality care Senior Helpers is known for. Whether it’s 24/7 or just a few hours a week, Jada tailors care solutions to meet each family’s unique needs. She provides complimentary in-home care assessments and maintains frequent visits to update LIFE Profile Assessments and care plans. Her commitment to client satisfaction is at the heart of her role and new positive client reviews are posted regularly. A proud graduate of Auburndale Senior High School, Jada has been a CNA since 2020. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences cum laude from USF and is pursuing a Master of Health Administration at UCF. Outside of work, Jada enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, and embarking on new adventures.

Sharon Mamula, RN

Sharon Mamula, RN

“Nurse Sharon” brings extensive expertise and dedication to Senior Helpers of Polk County. As a registered nurse, she conducts monthly visits to all Veteran clients and enhances the clinical professionalism of our client and caregiver support team. She also performs caregiver skills assessments and teaches CPR classes to caregivers. Sharon graduated from Lafayette High School in Mayo, FL, and pursued cosmetology becoming the youngest instructor in the state. She later earned an Associate Degree as a Registered Nurse from Polk Community College. With experience in Maternal/Pediatrics and Community Health, Sharon’s passion for caregiving shines. In her free time, she enjoys going to the movies, playing solitaire, and diving into medical mystery books.

Georgiana Goodson

Georgiana Goodson

Community Relations Manager

Since 2016, Georgiana has been passionately connecting seniors and their families with the services they need at Senior Helpers. She enthusiastically represents the organization at health fairs, trade shows, training conferences, and community service events including the Virtual Dementia Tour™. Georgiana is happy to bring in new client referrals to help seniors Return Home Safe with Senior Helpers. Actively engaging with several senior-focused organizations, she serves as the past Board Chair of the Senior Connection Center and leads the Falls Prevention Task Force. A proud Gator with a BA in Sociology from the University of Florida, Georgiana even marched in the Gator Band and was voted “Most Spirited” at Hernando High School. Her experience includes roles in banking, education, and memory care assisted living.

Ginny Wolfe, MBA

Ginny Wolfe, MBA

Dementia and Parkinson’s Care Educator

Ginny brings her expertise to Senior Helper working part-time each month to provide specialized training and lead the Parkinson's Support Group. She trains on caregiving techniques using the Senior Gems® program, created by renowned dementia care expert Teepa Snow, and also teaches the Parkinson's Care Program to ensure high-quality care for clients.  With a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Adrian College and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Siena Heights College, Ginny also holds certifications in Non-Profit Management from Case Western Reserve University and Corporate Management from Harvard University. For fun, Ginny enjoys volunteering and crocheting, blending creativity and service into her personal life.

Holly Shepard

Holly Shepard

Caregiver Manager

Holly plays a vital role in maintaining the exceptional caregiving standards at Senior Helpers. She focuses on recruiting and hiring top CNAs and Home Health Aides, ensuring they are thoroughly trained and prepared to meet each client’s unique needs. Then, she provides ongoing support to caregivers, visiting them in the field and serving as a trusted resource. Holly oversees caregiver compliance and provides coaching, an essential part of Senior Helpers' commitment as a trusted home care agency, setting us apart from independent contractors. She has years of experience as a CNA in home health agencies and nursing homes. In her free time, she enjoys performing music for veterans and cherishes moments with her grandbabies.

Brianna Hitchcock

Brianna Hitchcock

Scheduling Manager

Brianna is a pro at aligning client care needs with caregiver skills and availability, prioritizing quality care. Her thoughtful approach to matching new clients with caregivers creates a positive and stress-free experience for both. Brianna excels in multitasking in a fast-paced environment, collaborating with her team for efficiency and accuracy. Whether it’s a client’s doctor appointment or a caregiver’s unexpected personal need, she is happy to work with clients, their families, and caregivers to make adjustments that ensure everyone’s needs are met seamlessly. A 2021 graduate of Auburndale High School, She was a Senior Helpers Home Health Aide, enabling her to foster meaningful connections. In her free time, Brianna enjoys recharging by watching movies or taking trips, embracing moments of relaxation and exploration.

 

William Keller

William Keller

Scheduling Coordinator

William ensures caregivers are well matched with clients to deliver personalized and timely care. As scheduling coordinator, he takes time to understand each caregiver’s strengths and gets to know clients’ unique needs, creating connections that foster trust and satisfaction. Life happens, and schedules can change. William expertly navigates the ever-changing demands of scheduling, accommodating special requests and addressing last-minute needs to maintain service excellence across hundreds of shifts each week. Born and raised in Lakeland, William is a proud graduate of George Jenkins High School and a certified CPR Instructor. Outside of work, he enjoys fishing trips, watching movies, and spending quality time with his family—including his two dogs and three cats.

Jackie McCullough

Jackie McCullough

Administrative Assistant

Meet the friendly voice you hear when calling our Polk County office and the warm welcome when you visit. She’s always ready to assist walk-ins with general information and caregivers with training, compliance forms, or their WellSky client care app. Managing high call volumes with ease, Jackie also supports the entire office team, ensuring our caregivers can provide the highest quality care to clients. She makes everyone feel valued from the start. Integral to the caregiver interviewing and onboarding of qualified, experienced new hires, she brings over 35 years of office experience and a genuine passion for helping others. Jackie’s caring nature shines as she consistently puts others before herself and finds joy in making a difference in the lives of clients, caregivers, and the community she serves.

Caregiver Mentor

Caregiver Mentor

You won’t find our Caregiver Mentor in the office much, as this role is dedicated to supporting caregivers in the field. Acting as an ongoing resource, the Caregiver Mentor ensures caregivers are properly trained to meet the unique needs of their clients. They play an essential role in new client or caregiver introductions, helping newer caregivers feel confident and comfortable. Caregivers appreciate the Mentor’s visits, as they provide guidance, encouragement, and solutions to challenges. The result is extremely high caregiver satisfaction and retention. With a focus on building strong relationships, the Caregiver Mentor helps ensure a high standard of care and fosters a supportive environment for both clients and caregivers.

Alzheimer's and Dementia Care

In 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2022, we brought Teepa Snow, one of America’s leading educators on dementia, to Polk County. She has worked as a Registered Occupational Therapist for over 30 years her wealth of experience has led her to develop our Senior Gems® program.

As experts in Alzheimer's and dementia care, you can trust us to make your loved one's life, and yours, much easier and more enjoyable. If your elderly loved one is suffering from Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, it can also take a tremendous toll on your own physical and emotional well-being. But with assistance from Senior Helpers, you don't have to go it alone.

We can create a customized home care plan that changes as your loved one's needs change. Our care team has extensive training and experience in providing the right level of individual care and support, while carefully monitoring everything from medication to daily activities. Our Senior Gems® approach is about creating a positive environment that focuses on what they can do, not what they can’t do.

 

Veterans

Senior Helpers of Lakeland takes great pride in helping Veterans find the homecare benefits for which they are eligible. In addition, we honor our veterans for their service to our great country! We host veteran pinning ceremonies at client’s homes, facilities and even our office for our team. It is a way for us to let our veterans know their service for our country is still important to us and always will be.

 


Melanie is one of the most dedicated and caring people that have come into (our community) to care for a precious resident. She is so kind and considerate and respectful to Mrs. W and to our staff! I love knowing Melanie is here for her and Mrs. W loves her! I can see why she was chosen (as Senior Helpers Caregiver of the Month) and if I ever needed someone to care for MY OWN loved one, she would be the first one that I call!

Areas We Serve

Senior Helpers of Polk County 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 and 24-hour care services.

We serve all of Polk County, FL including:

  • Lakeland
  • Winter Haven
  • Kathleen
  • Auburndale
  • Eagle Lake
  • Lake Alfred
  • Bartow
  • Lake Wales
  • Haines City
  • Davenport
  • Polk City
  • Mulberry