Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Grand Rapids

Meet the Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids 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 of Grand Rapids was founded with a clear purpose: to provide seniors with more than basic care. Our story begins with owner Joe Gugino, a Doctor of Physical Therapy who spent his career helping people regain their independence, often in the comfort of their own homes. Through this work, Joe saw how much older adults value not only professional, dependable care but also the trust, connection, and compassion that come with it.

Guided by this experience, Joe and his wife, Emily, an occupational therapist, set out to bring a new level of care to the Grand Rapids community. They wanted to create a place where families could turn for support, knowing their loved ones would be treated with dignity and respect while remaining in the place they love most, home.

From the beginning, Senior Helpers of Grand Rapids has been about more than starting a business. It was built on the belief that small changes can make a big impact, whether it is creating care plans that reflect each client’s unique story or building systems that allow caregivers to focus on what matters most: caring for people.

Today, our office continues to grow with that same purpose. We are proud to be part of the Grand Rapids community, building meaningful relationships with families and raising the standard of care so seniors can live safely, comfortably, and independently.

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 Grand Rapids Team

Joe Gugino, PT, DPT, MBA

Owner

For Joe, opening Senior Helpers of Grand Rapids is about more than running a business. It is about purpose, connection, and making a lasting difference in people’s lives. A Doctor of Physical Therapy, Joe has spent his career helping individuals regain their independence, often in the comfort of their own homes. Those experiences showed him how deeply older adults value not just quality care but also the relationships and trust that come with it.

Joe is passionate about making care personal. He believes every client’s story is unique, and the best care plans begin with listening and understanding what matters most to each individual. With a commitment to building strong systems and operations, he ensures caregivers can focus fully on what they do best: providing compassionate care. Joe takes pride in building a team that treats clients like family and in creating a trusted resource for seniors and their loved ones.

Family is at the heart of Joe’s life as well. He and his wife, Emily, an occupational therapist, share a love for helping people live fuller and more independent lives. Together with their young son, James, and their two dogs, Charlie and Ollie, they enjoy an active lifestyle, skiing in the winter, hiking and rock climbing in the summer, and spending as much time outdoors as possible.

Giving back to the community is also important to Joe. He has supported autism-focused organizations such as Autism Speaks and the Autism Society, as well as No Barriers USA, where he has helped plan and guide adaptive hikes for individuals living with neurological conditions. These experiences continue to shape his belief in inclusion, accessibility, and meeting people where they are.

At Senior Helpers of Grand Rapids, Joe is committed to raising the standard of care in the community. His vision is clear: seniors deserve more than basic care. They deserve connection, respect, and a team that goes above and beyond to strengthen the community one home at a time.

Emily Gugino, OTR/L

Co-Owner

Emily has always had a passion for helping people live their best lives. She started her career as an occupational therapist in home health care, where she worked one-on-one with seniors and their families to make daily life safer, easier, and more enjoyable. Those years gave her a true appreciation for the importance of advocacy, compassion, and meeting people where they are.

Her career then took her into leadership as a Clinical Director at a large home health company. In that role, she guided close to one hundred clinicians, balancing the art of supporting caregivers while ensuring patients received the very best care. That experience allowed her to see the bigger picture of what it takes to deliver quality at every level of care.

At Senior Helpers of Grand Rapids, Emily is excited to bring together her background in clinical care and leadership to create a positive impact on clients, families, and employees. She believes that care is not just about services but about relationships, trust, and helping people feel valued.

When Emily is not working, you can usually find her spending time with her family, staying active with a good workout, or curled up with a book she cannot put down.

Taylor Deal, CDP

Care Team Manager

Taylor Deal is a dedicated care professional with extensive experience in senior care. She began her career as a CNA in home care and advanced into a leadership role as a Memory Care Director in a large senior living community. Taylor is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner and has broad experience across the full spectrum of non-medical support, with a particular passion for serving individuals living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. She values work that promotes dignity, stability, and comfort for clients and their families and strives to bring a calm, organized, and supportive presence to every situation.

Service to the community is an important part of Taylor’s life. She has been actively involved with animal shelters and local meal programs, contributing to efforts that ensure vulnerable populations receive care and support.

Family is central to Taylor’s life. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children and takes pride in maintaining a balance between her professional and personal life. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, reading, crocheting, and studying aromatherapy. She also has a long-standing connection to rugby and previously competed at the Division 1 level.

Taylor brings a steady, team-oriented approach to her work and is committed to creating a smooth, positive experience for clients, caregivers, and colleagues alike.

Kendra Smith, LPN

Clinical Care Consultant

Kendra Smith has spent 26 years in healthcare, including 19 years as a licensed practical nurse nurse, and has built her career on a simple but powerful belief: everyone deserves compassionate, personalized care. As the owner of Moore Wellness and Care Solutions LLC, Kendra is passionate about helping individuals remain safe, comfortable, and supported in their own homes, filling the gap in clinical home care services in West Michigan with trusted, reliable solutions.

Kendra’s journey in healthcare has been shaped not only by her professional experience but also by her life as a wife and mother. She is deeply grateful for the support of her spouse, family, and close friends, whose encouragement has played a meaningful role in her ability to grow personally and professionally. She considers raising her children, building her business, and making a positive impact in the lives of her clients among her proudest accomplishments.

Outside of work, Kendra enjoys reading and spending time with her family, cherishing the moments that bring balance, joy, and perspective to her life. Her approach to care is rooted in empathy, respect, and genuine connection, ensuring that every client feels seen, heard, and valued.

For Kendra, nursing is more than a career; it’s a calling, one she embraces every day with dedication, warmth, and a commitment to making a lasting difference in the lives of those she serves.

Meet the Grand Rapids office

Our History

Our process

Meet the Grand Rapids Team

Images From the Grand Rapids Office

Areas We Serve