Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Gulfport

Meet the Gulfport 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 Gulfport 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 Gulfport 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. 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 Gulfport was proud to join the system in 2025. 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

Meet the Gulfport Team

Kevin and Kelsea Weldon

Owners

Kevin and Kelsea Weldon are passionate about improving the quality of care for the aging community. Kevin has always held a special place for the elderly in his heart. Kevin is a Mendenhall, Mississippi native and feels called to helping others in our state. He has spent nearly 12 years of his career in health care serving the aging population and their families. He has held positions in health and wellness, cardiac rehab, and most recently hospice care. Kevin holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Exercise Science from Mississippi State University and a Master’s in Health Care Administration from William Carey University.

Kelsea, a southern California native, took interest in the quality of senior care after watching her mother suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia for 9 years. She understands the necessity of having caregivers who are adequately educated and trained to serve a variety of different needs, including those suffering from that disease. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Performance from The University of Southern Mississippi and a Master’s degree in Interscholastic Athletic Administration from William Carey University. Kelsea has spent most of her career at William Carey University. She has served as the Head Women's Coach for Indoor and Beach Volleyball, full-time faculty for the School of Education, and most recently Adjunct Instructor. Kelsea enjoys serving in the community and educating families about available resources for their loved ones.

Kevin and Kelsea are committed to providing excellent care and service to their community for many years to come. Kevin and Kelsea reside in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with their two sons Kohen and Krosby.

Gillian Valadares

Care Team Director

Gillian Valadares, a native of Yuba City, California, has been in Hattiesburg since 2017. Gillian joined the Senior Helpers of Hattiesburg team because she is passionate about helping others, especially those of the elderly population. Gillian is dedicated to the Hattiesburg community and knows that Senior Helpers works in a meaningful way to help seniors retain their independence in their homes. As our care team manger, Gillian will make certain that you and your family will be perfectly matched with the right caregiver to meet your specific needs and schedule. Gillian comes to Senior Helpers of Hattiesburg with two years of experience working in a nursing home facility and an additional three years working in wellness development. She received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from William Carey University in Health Administration and Education. When Gillian is not serving others at work, she loves spending time with her husband JP and going on walks with her dog Luna.

Amber Duncan

Community Relations Manager

Amber Duncan, a Wiggins, MS native has been in Gulfport since 2019. Amber joins Senior Helpers with more than 10 years in health care and mental health experience. Amber’s passion for helping others came from her two grandmothers, each with a different battle, but one fighting dementia today. She is a dynamic and accomplished professional who combines a strong foundation in business management with a talent for building and maintaining positive community relationships. Her experience with home health and mental health demonstrates her ability to manage operations and provide exceptional customer service. Amber's skills in communication, interpersonal relations, problem-solving, and organization make her well-suited for our Community Relations Manager role, where she can effectively engage with the public, represent the organization, and foster collaboration. Outside the office, Amber enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys crawfish boils, anything to do with pool time and helping the community.

Savannah Panarello

Care Coordinator

Savannah Panarello, originally from England, and proud of her Japanese heritage, has made the Gulf Coast her home where she enjoys raising her four children. She joined the Senior Helpers team because she is passionate about improving the lives of seniors and helping them maintain their independence in the comfort of their own homes. With six years of hands-on experience in healthcare, Savannah brings compassion, dedication, and a strong commitment to client well-being to her role as Care Coordinator. She works closely with clients and families to ensure each care plan is thoughtfully designed and every caregiver is the perfect match for their individual needs. When Savannah is not serving others, she enjoys spending time with her family and embracing all the Gulf Coast has to offer.

Katie Lear

On-Call Scheduler

Katie Lear is from Diamondhead, Mississippi. She joined the Senior Helpers of Hattiesburg team in 2024 because she is passionate about our mission. She enjoys the kindness and respect that is shown throughout our office and in the community. She is always motivated to serve everyone to the best of her ability. Katie has a heart for helping others and enjoys working with the senior population. As an on-call scheduler, Katie understands the importance of being organized, kind, and hardworking. She is a Junior at Western Governor University and will graduate next May with her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in child welfare. When Katie is not on-call, she enjoys traveling, meeting celebrities , and nannying.

Meet the Gulfport office

Our History

Our process

Meet the Gulfport Team

Areas We Serve