Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of North Hudson

Meet the North Hudson 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 North Hudson 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 North Bergen 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 North Hudson 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 North Hudson Team

Jonathan Perez

Owner

Jonathan Perez is a proud U.S. Army veteran who dedicated 20 years of service to his country, including multiple combat deployments and leading top-performing teams in recruitment. His military journey taught him the value of discipline, leadership, and above all — service to others.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Jonathan was raised with a strong sense of community and family. He’s a devoted husband and father who knows firsthand how important it is to look out for one another. His experience caring for relatives and supporting loved ones through life’s toughest moments inspired him to open Senior Helpers of North Hudson — a place where families can feel confident their loved ones are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Whether it's ensuring a veteran receives the care they’ve earned or making sure a senior doesn’t feel alone, Jonathan brings his heart, integrity, and leadership to everything he does.

Alicia Perez

Owner

Alicia Perez brings over 20 years of experience in corporate leadership, customer service, and training. She has coached thousands of employees, built strong teams, and created programs that helped people grow both personally and professionally — but her most meaningful experience came at home.

When Alicia’s grandmother moved in with her family during her final years, Alicia became her primary caregiver. She assisted her with bathing, getting dressed, eating, and attending appointments. That season of life taught her just how emotionally overwhelming — yet deeply rewarding — caregiving can be.

Now as a mother of two, including a toddler and a young adult daughter, Alicia knows how important it is to have support you can trust. She and Jonathan built Senior Helpers of North Hudson on the foundation of family, compassion, and service. Their goal is simple: to treat every client like they would want their own loved ones to be treated.

Linda Cruz, RN, BSN, CCM

Director of Nursing

Linda Cruz brings not only years of clinical experience but also a heart full of compassion to her role as Director of Nursing at Senior Helpers of North Hudson. A graduate of Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Linda is a certified case manager with licenses in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. Her background in telemetry and complex case management has given her a strong foundation in chronic care, transitions of care, and advocacy for those facing serious health challenges.

But beyond her credentials, what truly sets Linda apart is her unwavering belief that every senior deserves to feel seen, heard, and cared for with dignity. Originally from Peru, Linda brings a warm cultural sensitivity and deep empathy to her work — understanding that behind every diagnosis is a person with a story, a family, and a need for connection.

Linda is also a passionate supporter of caregivers, believing that those who care with heart deserve leadership that listens, uplifts, and stands beside them. She is known for building trust, inspiring her team, and going the extra mile to ensure clients receive the highest standard of care.

Outside of work, Linda is a proud mother to a teenager who keeps her on her toes and a sweet dog named Lucy who brings joy and laughter to her every day.

To Linda, this work is personal. And at Senior Helpers of North Hudson, her mission is simple: to lead with kindness, to serve with purpose, and to make every client feel like family.

Annalysa Avila

Scheduling Manager

Annalysa Avila is the Scheduling Manager at Senior Helpers of North Hudson. At 22 years old, she brings a caring, thoughtful, and people-centered approach to coordinating care, ensuring clients and caregivers are matched in a way that supports consistency, trust, and quality service.

Having been around older adults throughout her life, Annalysa developed a strong connection to senior care at a young age. She has helped care for both her great-grandmother and her grandmother, experiences that shaped her belief in treating every senior with the same patience, respect, and compassion she would give her own family.

Known for being kind, approachable, and dependable, Annalysa enjoys building relationships with both families and caregivers. She values getting to know their personalities and creating a supportive, family-like environment where everyone feels heard and cared for.

Annalysa believes that great care starts with compassion.

Mary Marquez

Office Manager

Mary Marquez brings both professional experience and personal passion to her role as Office Manager at Senior Helpers North Hudson. With a strong background in organization, administration, and caregiver support, she helps ensure the office runs smoothly while families and seniors receive dependable, compassionate service.

Mary has always been drawn to helping others and understands the importance of trust when it comes to caring for loved ones. She works closely with caregivers and families, assisting with scheduling, onboarding, communication, and compliance, while making sure clients — especially those with higher care needs, never feel overlooked.

Her ability to stay organized, solve problems quickly, and support both staff and families makes her an essential part of the team. Mary takes pride in being part of an organization that allows her to make a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors in the community every day.

Outside of work, Mary is family-oriented and enjoys spending time with her husband and children. She loves organizing her home, helping with school activities, and being involved in her local community. Her caring nature extends beyond the office, and she brings that same warmth and dedication into the work she does every day.

Pat Crinion, LPN, RN, BSN

Nurse

Pat brings decades of hands-on nursing experience and a deep passion for patient-centered care to Senior Helpers of North Hudson. Her nursing journey began as an LPN at Jersey City Medical Center, continued with her RN from Bayonne School of Nursing, and culminated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Peter’s University.

Throughout most of her career, Pat worked in Medical-Surgical units, where she cared for diverse patient populations and found great fulfillment in watching her patients progress and recover. She also has experience in Mother/Baby units, including Labor and Delivery and Nursery, and has served as both a Charge Nurse and Nurse Preceptor. In addition, Pat played a key role in the implementation of electronic medication and charting systems, helping train and orient new nurses.

What truly sets Pat apart is her heart for seniors. She believes that every older adult has a story worth hearing and a life full of meaningful experiences. Pat takes the time to listen, encourages seniors to voice their concerns, and strongly believes that—with the client’s consent—families should be involved in all aspects of care. She is especially passionate about supporting seniors who may feel alone, helping them stay connected and easing feelings of loneliness through compassion and human connection.

Outside of work, Pat enjoys staying active, taking long walks, spending time with her grandchildren, and attending their sporting events. She also loves reading mystery novels, going out to dinner with friends, and relaxing at home.

To Pat, nursing is more than a profession, it’s a calling. At Senior Helpers of North Hudson, she is proud to support clients and families with empathy, respect, and a commitment to care that truly feels like family.

Meet the North Hudson office

Our History

Our process

Meet the North Hudson Team

Images from the North Hudson Office

Areas We Serve