Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Sunrise

Meet the Sunrise 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 Sunrise 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 Sunrise 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. Since then, 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 Sunrise was proud to join the system in 2026. 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

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

Wallace Etienne

Owner

My name is Wallace Etienne, and I am the owner of Senior Helpers of Sunrise. My journey into senior care is deeply personal and rooted in a lifetime of service, leadership, and a commitment to helping others live with dignity and purpose.

I am a proud United States Army veteran, having served for 14 years from 2001 to 2015, including three combat deployments. My military service instilled in me the values of discipline, accountability, teamwork, and compassion—principles that continue to guide my leadership and decision-making today.

In 2021, I experienced the loss of my mother to COVID-19. During that difficult period, I found myself reflecting on what truly mattered most and searching for a renewed sense of direction. Around that time, I came across a Senior Helpers brochure, and its message of compassion, dignity, and quality care resonated deeply with me. That moment became a turning point, helping me see a path forward rooted in service and purpose.

Joining Senior Helpers allowed me to channel my personal experience and professional background into meaningful work—supporting seniors and their families during some of life’s most important moments. I believe quality care goes beyond tasks and schedules; it is built on trust, respect, and genuine human connection.

Today, I lead Senior Helpers of Sunrise with a focus on personalized care, strong caregiver support, and reliable partnerships with families. From companion care to personal care and specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia services, our goal is to help seniors remain safe, comfortable, and independent in the place they call home.

I am honored to serve the Sunrise community and surrounding areas. I bring together my military leadership, personal journey, and unwavering commitment to excellence to ensure every family feels supported, respected, and confident in the care we provide.

Rakeitha Horton

Care Coordinator

As a Care Coordinator with Senior Helpers, Rakeitha Horton brings together professional healthcare knowledge and a deeply personal understanding of caregiving.

A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Rakeitha has a passion for helping seniors and families navigate the challenges that can come with aging and caregiving.

Her commitment to caregiving is deeply personal. From a young age, she helped care for her mother while also supporting her younger sibling. After her mother suffered a stroke, Rakeitha became a primary caregive. She navigated medication schedules, appointments, rehabilitation, and daily care while experiencing firsthand the emotional and physical demands of long-term caregiving.

That experience shaped her mission: to help bridge the gap between the care seniors need and the support families deserve, while promoting dignity, independence, and quality of life.

Today, Rakeitha is dedicated to connecting seniors and their families with compassionate care, resources, and guidance that make senior care more accessible, manageable, and human.

Because caregiving is an act of love, and no one should have to navigate it alone.

Areas We Serve

Senior Helpers of Sunrise 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.