Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Elmira-Ithaca-Corning
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Serving Elmira, the Finger Lakes & the surrounding areas.
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Serving Elmira, the Finger Lakes & the surrounding areas.
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Meet the Senior Helpers of Elmira - Ithaca 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 Senior Helpers of Elmira-Ithaca 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 Elmira 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 Senior Helpers of Elmira - Ithaca-Corning was proud to join the system in 2022.  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

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 Elmira-Ithaca Team

Raja Laxmi Sankar

Raja Laxmi Sankar

Owner

Raj has always had a passion for helping for others. As a trained physician, she understands the importance and need of high-quality senior care and is dedicated to providing compassionate care that will improve the quality of life for her clients.   

Raj has lived in the Elmira- Ithaca area for the past 14 years and is an active member in her community; volunteering at local schools and fundraising for both the Cancer Society and the Alzheimer’s Association. She loves that her career allows her to bring her passions for business and caring together all while making a positive impact in her community.

Christine Kurilovitch

Office Manager

Christine loves working for Senior Helpers of Elmira-Ithaca as it provides her the opportunity to connect with the seniors in her community all while making a psoitive impact in their lives. When she is not working, she loves creating memories with family and friends and spending time with her dog, Trixie! 

1st Anniversary Celebration

On October 26,2023 we held a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate our one-year anniversary serving the Elmira and Finger Lakes communities.



I want to take this opportunity to express our thanks for the superb work Diane did for Dad while he was in the hospital. She was punctual, personable, and dedicated. She helped my Dad immensely during a difficult time for him. Her calm manner and brilliant smile worked magic. My Dad’s attitude changed completely for the better after her first visit. Thank you so much for giving us Diane. She really is a remarkable person and very caring.
 

Areas We Serve

Senior Helpers of Elmira- Ithaca provides a full range of senior home care services for you or your loved one—from companionship and light housework help, to more complex care services, including disease management,  and 24-hour care services.

  • Elmira
  • Ithaca
  • Corning
  • Bath
  • Watkins Glen