Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of West Jacksonville
Skip main navigation
Serving West Jacksonville and surrounding areas.
Type Size
Serving West Jacksonville and surrounding areas.
Past main navigation Contact Us

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 became co-owner and Vice President of Senior Helpers West Jacksonville in 2020.  She has been a dedicated member of the Senior Helpers team since 2013.  Jennifer has worked in health care for over 20 years and senior care is her passion. She is always available with a listening ear or helping hand for both the staff and clients.

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.

Tina Kolito

Tina Kolito

Schedule Coordinator

I first became interested in healthcare while taking care of my husband’s grandmother. She had stage 4 cancer and I helped the Hospice team with her care. I found I was good at it. I received my CNA in 2001. I have worked in nursing homes and hospitals but found my passion with Home Health Care and never looked back. I have been married to my husband since 1992 and have two beautiful daughters and two grandchildren. I look forward to continuing helping older adults by scheduling the perfect Caregiver with them and building new relationships.

Erin Clark

Erin Clark

Office Manager

Erin Clark joined Senior Helpers in 2019 and became the Office Manager in 2023. I first became interested in healthcare when my Grandmother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I then became and worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for 12 years. Between that time, I had four beautiful children. In the year of 2016, I started my new career path of Human Resources but have stayed working in healthcare to continue helping others.

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:

  • Jacksonville
  • Callahan
  • Hillard
  • Lawtey
  • Orange Park
  • Oakleaf Plantation
  • Fleming Island
  • Middleburg
  • Green Cove Springs
  • Lake Asbury
  • Keystone Heights
  • Starke
  • Parts of Mandarin
  • Bryceville
  • Sanderson
  • Maccleny
  • Melrose
Senior Helpers Logo