Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of West Jacksonville
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Serving West Jacksonville and surrounding areas.
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Serving West Jacksonville and surrounding areas.
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Meet the West Jacksonville 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 West Jacksonville we believe that getting the best care for your loved ones should not be complicated. Sheree Ellingson opened the Senior Helpers West Jacksonville office because of her passion for helping others and her interest in the growing need for in-home care services. Sheree is committed to delivering the best possible in-home care to seniors in the West Jacksonville community. 

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. 

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.

Senior Helpers of West Jacksonville, like every other location, 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.

Sheree Ellingson was drawn to Senior Helpers because of her own experiences in caring for her dad.

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.


Sheree Ellingson of Senior Helpers West Jacksonville

Hear directly from Senior Helpers owner, Sheree Ellingson, about what we do here at Senior Helpers, why she started the West Jacksonville branch, and how our team works here at the office and in your homes.

 

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 West Jacksonville Team

Sheree Ellingson

Sheree Ellingson

Owner

Sheree Ellingson is the owner of Senior Helpers of West Jacksonville. She purchased this franchise after the experience of losing her dad to cancer 2003. Sheree traveled and trained companies on accounting software when her mom called telling her of her dad's illness. She went back to Virginia as often as possible and found out first hand how hard taking care of a senior can be. This inspired Sheree to purchase the franchise in 2008.

Sheree holds an MBA in business which helps in the day-to-day operations.  She has grown the business from a start-up company and feels very blessed and grateful for all God's grace. Sheree likes to spend time with family, friends and her constant companion, Savannah, the golden retriever she adopted in February 2018.

Jennifer Schwarz

Jennifer Schwarz

Vice President

Jennifer Schwarz is the co-owner and Vice President of Senior Helpers West Jacksonville, a position she has passionately held since 2020. With over 20 years of dedicated experience in elder care, Jennifer joined the Senior Helpers team in 2013, bringing a wealth of expertise to her role. Her career is fueled by a genuine passion for enhancing the quality of life for seniors, and she remains actively involved in providing personalized support to both staff and clients. Known for her compassionate approach and hands-on leadership, Jennifer is a trusted presence, offering a listening ear and thoughtful guidance whenever it’s needed. Her commitment to senior care and her depth of knowledge continue to strengthen the Senior Helpers team and elevate the standards of care for seniors throughout the Jacksonville community.

Jennifer Hines

Jennifer Hines

HR / Caregiver Manager

Jennifer Hines began her healthcare career in 2012 as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), driven by a deep passion for helping others—an outlook shaped in part by caring for her ill mother. She gained hands-on experience working in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies, where she found fulfillment in supporting both patients and their families through challenging times. In 2016, a work-related injury required Jennifer to step away from direct caregiving. Determined to remain in healthcare, she transitioned her career by pursuing education in Medical Billing, Coding, and Medical Scheduling, expanding her understanding of the operational and administrative side of patient care. Jennifer joined Senior Helpers in 2024 as a Staffing Scheduler and quickly grew into the role of Office Assistant, becoming a key support to both caregivers and leadership. In 2026, she was promoted to HR / Caregiver Manager, where she now oversees caregiver support, onboarding, compliance, and day-to-day workforce operations. In this role, Jennifer combines her clinical background and administrative expertise to advocate for caregivers while ensuring seniors receive high-quality, compassionate care.

Thomas Schwarz

Thomas Schwarz

Community Relations Manager

Thomas Schwarz serves as the Community Relations Manager for Senior Helpers West Jacksonville, where he leads outreach efforts with healthcare professionals, local organizations, and community partners to connect families with high-quality in-home care services. Since joining Senior Helpers in 2024, Thomas has focused on strengthening strategic partnerships and expanding community awareness of senior care resources. A Jacksonville resident for 35 years, Thomas brings a disciplined, service-driven background shaped by 20 years of combined service in the Army and Army Reserves. His professional approach emphasizes relationship management, collaboration, and ensuring seniors and their families have access to reliable, compassionate care throughout Jacksonville and the surrounding areas. Outside of his professional role, Thomas remains engaged in community initiatives and continues to support programs that serve veterans and older adults.

Mary Ann Devery

Mary Ann Devery

RN

Mary Ann Devery first became interested in nursing while working as a teenage volunteer in a hospital on weekends. Mary Ann graduated from Mastin School of Nursing in 1973 and moved to Jacksonville, FL with her husband the same year. She has cared for adult patients in a variety of settings over four decades during her rewarding career. She enjoys reviewing basic care needs with prospective employees such as taking vitals, proper medication reminders, and safety measures during transfers and ambulation. Mary Ann continues to volunteer in a variety of activities and enjoys traveling, sewing, and writing.

Kelly Blaine

Kelly Blaine

Staffing Scheduler

Kelly began her healthcare journey in 1999, motivated by a deep-rooted passion for helping others that developed through caring for her grandmother. That early experience shaped her lifelong commitment to serving seniors with dignity, compassion, and respect. With experience across multiple healthcare systems, Kelly has spent her career supporting individuals and families through a wide range of care needs. After relocating to Florida, her desire to work with seniors was reignited and strengthened. In 2021, Kelly supported a close family member through a serious illness, further deepening her understanding of the challenges families face during complex care journeys. In 2025, Kelly joined Senior Helpers as a Staffing Scheduler, where she remains dedicated to supporting seniors in the community and helping ensure they receive the care they deserve.

Amy Wroten

Amy Wroten

Alternating Weekend Scheduler

Amy Wroten began her career with Senior Helpers nearly five years ago, serving as an HR Specialist where she supported caregivers and office operations with a strong focus on compliance, payroll, and staffing support. After stepping away to expand her experience in multi-state payroll and HR systems, Amy returned to Senior Helpers West Jacksonville in 2025 as the Alternating Weekend Scheduler, a role that allows her to reconnect with both clients and care teams in a meaningful way. Outside of the office, Amy is a proud and devoted mom to her two small children, and loves spending quality time with her family, cheering on football every chance she gets, and living out her faith in Jesus through service to others. She is also a trusted part of night and weekend operations, managing the on-call phone when needed and stepping in to cover caregiver shifts to support her team and ensure clients always receive the care they deserve. Known for her reliability, compassion, and willingness to serve wherever she is needed most, Amy is passionate about building connections, supporting caregivers, and helping seniors continue to thrive in the Jacksonville community.

VP Jennifer Schwarz Interviewed on Florida Training Academy

Join Nurse Eunice and Jennifer Schwarz as they dive into the evolving world of Home Care and discuss what it takes to be a top-notch Home Health Aide (HHA) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)! Whether you're just starting or want to consider a career in home care, this conversation is packed with insights on the essential qualities, skills, and future opportunities in this rewarding field.


Experience the Comfort of Aging at Home with Senior Helpers Personalized Care

Senior Helpers brings the support your loved ones need right to their doorstep, offering one-on-one, tailored care that lets them thrive in the comfort of their own home. Discover how our caring professionals help seniors stay safe, independent, and connected, giving families peace of mind with every compassionate visit. Learn about our range of services designed to support your family with trusted, expert care at every step.


Protecting Seniors from Theft and Burglary

Check out these easy tips from Sheree Ellingson, Owner of Senior Helpers West Jacksonville, on how to protect your loved seniors from burglary, theft, and robbery. Easy to implement, and makes a big difference!

Meet the Senior Helpers West Jacksonville Team and Learn about Fall Risks

Senior Helpers West Jacksonville owner, Sheree Ellingson discusses the importance of in-home safety for seniors who are at risk for falls.

Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit

Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit

Sheree Ellingson, owner of Senior Helpers of West Jacksonville, provides education on Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit. Watch the video here.

Areas We Serve

Senior Helpers West Jacksonville 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.

Senior Helpers West Jacksonville serves the cities and towns of:

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