Meet The Grandville Team | Senior Helpers of Greater Grand Rapids

Meet the Greater 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 Greater 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 Grandville 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 Peter Ross with his business partner Tony Bonacuse, after both experienced firsthand the challenges families face when caring for aging loved ones. Through those personal journeys, they recognized a gap in senior care – one that left many older adults without access to dependable, compassionate, and well-trained in-home support. Their shared belief was simple but powerful: seniors deserve the choice to age safely and comfortably in their own homes, surrounded by familiarity and dignity.

The first Senior Helpers office opened in Baltimore, Maryland, quickly earning a reputation for high-quality in-home care delivered by professional caregivers. As families across the country sought a better alternative to institutional care, Senior Helpers grew into a trusted national network of more than 400 locally owned and operated locations – each rooted in the community it serves.

Senior Helpers of Greater Grand Rapids proudly joined the Senior Helpers family in 2026, bringing that mission to West Michigan. For owners John and Elizabeth Frutiger, opening a Senior Helpers location was both a professional calling and a personal decision. With aging parents and in-laws of their own, they understand how important it is to have caregivers you can rely on – people who show up with compassion, consistency, and heart.

West Michigan is known for its strong sense of community, hard work, and caring for neighbors, and those values are at the core of how Senior Helpers of Greater Grand Rapids operates. John and Elizabeth are passionate about building meaningful relationships – with seniors and their families, with caregivers, and with local partners – because they believe great care starts with genuine human connection.

“We wanted to build something that truly matters in our community – a place where caregivers feel supported and proud of the work they do, and where families feel confident knowing their loved ones are cared for with respect and compassion.”

At Senior Helpers of Greater Grand Rapids, culture is intentional. The team is built around empathy, transparency, personal growth, and even a little fun along the way. By creating a workplace people want to be part of, they believe they can deliver care that is consistent, thoughtful, and truly unmatched.

Today, we are honored to serve seniors throughout the Greater Grand Rapids area and remain fully committed to Senior Helpers’ founding mission: providing dependable, accessible in-home care – so older adults can continue living the lives they love, right here in the place they call home.

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 Greater Grand Rapids Team

John Frutiger

Owner

John brings a relationship-first approach to helping older adults live safely, comfortably, and independently at home. With more than a decade of experience in healthcare and health technology, John has built his career around improving systems of care, building trust, and putting people first.

Before becoming a Senior Helpers business owner, John held leadership roles in healthcare consulting, partnering with hospitals and health systems across the U.S. and internationally. While his career was successful, he made the intentional decision to step away from corporate healthcare to build something more personal – an organization rooted in compassion, integrity, and meaningful local impact.

John is married to his wife, Elizabeth, and together they are raising two young boys, Mason and Hayes. Family is at the center of everything he does, and that perspective deeply influences how he approaches senior care – treating every client and family as he would his own. Their family also includes Bodhi, a beloved rescue dog adopted just before the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors, staying active, and exploring Michigan’s lakes and natural spaces. A strong advocate for environmental stewardship, he believes time spent outdoors has the power to restore and heal. John has also volunteered with the National Blood Clot Alliance following the loss of his sister to an undiagnosed blood clot, an experience that further shaped his commitment to awareness, advocacy, and care.

As a Senior Helpers owner, John is proud to lead a team dedicated to delivering personalized, dependable, and compassionate in-home care – helping seniors and their families find confidence, comfort, and peace of mind.

Elizabeth Frutiger, PA-C

Owner

Elizabeth brings deep clinical expertise and a passion for education to the care and support of older adults in the Greater Grand Rapids community. She is a certified Physician Assistant with seven years of hands-on clinical experience. She later transitioned into medical education, serving as an adjunct professor and as the Director of Clinical Education for the Physician Assistant program at Central Michigan University. In these roles, she has been responsible for training, mentoring, and evaluating future healthcare providers—ensuring the highest standards of patient care, professionalism, and clinical judgment.

At Senior Helpers, Elizabeth plays a vital role in supporting both clients and caregivers. She assists with caregiver onboarding and training, helps develop and oversee individualized care plans, and participates in client assessments to ensure care is thoughtful, appropriate, and aligned with each client’s unique needs. Her clinical background and educational leadership help elevate the quality, consistency, and confidence of care delivered in every home.

Elizabeth’s approach to senior care is rooted in compassion, safety, and education—supporting caregivers with the knowledge and tools they need, while helping families feel informed and reassured throughout their care journey.

Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family, raising her two young sons, Mason and Hayes, and making the most of Michigan’s outdoor spaces with her husband, John, and their dog, Bodhi.

Lucy Seger

Office & Care Team Manager

Lucy Seger is a healthcare professional with over eight years of experience and a background in business administration. Originally from Houston, Texas, she relocated to Grand Rapids at the end of 2025 and is enjoying getting to know her new community. Lucy is deeply passionate about helping others and is driven by making a meaningful, positive impact both professionally and personally.

Her commitment to the home care industry is rooted in a very personal experience. When Lucy was six years old, her aunt, who lived with multiple sclerosis, came to live with her family. During that time, Lucy formed close connections with the caregivers who supported her aunt and witnessed firsthand the compassion, dedication, and trust that quality home care provides. That early exposure inspired her desire to be part of an industry centered on care, empathy, and service to others.

Outside of work, Lucy enjoys rock climbing, boxing, and exploring local coffee shops as she continues to build connections in her new community.

Meet the Greater Grand Rapids Office

Our History

Our process

Meet the Greater Grand Rapids Team

Our Office

Areas We Serve