Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Hattiesburg

Meet the Hattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg 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 affordable 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 Hattiesburg was proud to join the system. Like every other owner, we too are 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. 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 Hattiesburg 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, is an Instructor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation for William Carey University. 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 took interest in the quality of senior care after watching her mother suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia for 9 years. Kelsea understands the necessity of having caregivers who are adequately trained to serve those affected by that disease. Kevin and Kelsea are proud that they can offer caregivers who are trained to serve those who are affected by dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. They are committed to providing excellent care and service to our community for many years to come.

Kevin and Kelsea reside in Petal, Mississippi with their two sons Kohen and Krosby.

Gillian Valadares

Care Team Manager

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.

Heather Williams

Office Manager

Heather comes to Senior Helpers of Hattiesburg with more than 15 years of experience in customer service and hospitality. The past 10 years have been spent specifically in healthcare and healthcare management. Heather, a Mississippi native, has called Purvis home since 2012. Heather’s passion to make a meaningful difference in the elderly community has been deeply influenced by her role as a caregiver for her own mother-in-law who is currently battling Alzheimer’s and dementia. As our office manager, Heather will use her experience and passion to ensure that you and your family will have the highest level of quality home care that emphasizes dignity, compassion, and respect. When Heather is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Cary, her two sons Geran, and Harrison, her niece Brittlee, and mother-in-law, Dianne. She also enjoys being an active member of her community. She serves as both a den leader and chairperson for the Purvis Cub Scouts.

Kacey Lear

On-Call Scheduler

Kacey Lear is from Diamondhead, Mississippi. She joined the Senior Helpers of Hattiesburg team in 2023 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. Kacey has a heart for helping others and enjoys working with the senior population. As an on-call scheduler, Kacey understands the importance of being organized, kind, and hardworking. Kacey can also often be found assisting us in the office and out in the community with various events. She is a senior at William Carey University and will graduate in May with her Bachelor’s in Forensic Science with a minor in Mathematics. When Kacey is not on-call, she enjoys playing soccer, beach volleyball, and reading.

Avery Routt

On-Call Scheduler

Avery Routt is from the small town of Kosciusko, Mississippi. She first joined the Senior Helpers of Hattiesburg team in 2022 as a caregiver while she was working through her undergraduate degree. Avery’s passion for the aging population started when she was just a child. She grew up assisting in the care of both of her grandmothers who lived into their late 90s. She also spent her time volunteering and playing the piano in various assisted living homes. In 2023, Avery earned her Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy from The University of Southern Mississippi. In 2024, Avery rejoined the Senior Helpers team as an on-call scheduler. She understands the necessity of having compassionate and reliable caregivers. Her goal is to assist older adults in keeping their independence and staying in their own homes for as long as possible. Avery is currently a doctoral student in the Occupational Therapy program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. When Avery is not on-call she enjoys painting, playing tennis, and watching documentaries.

Meet the Hattiesburg Office

Our History

Our process

Meet the Hattiesburg Team

Senior Helpers in the Community

Areas We Serve