Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Portage / Geauga

Meet the Portage / Geauga office

Senior Helpers of Portage/Geauga is locally owned and operated by husband-and-wife team; Michael & Lynn Jones, both born and raised in Northeast Ohio. They are proud to be part of an exceptional team of caregivers and office staff who advocates for high-quality senior care. Located in Aurora’s historic district at the intersection of Chillicothe and Garfield Roads, they are proud to serve the residents and families of Portage and Geauga Counties with customized, dependable, and affordable care.

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 Portage / Geauga 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 Aurora 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

After successful careers in the telecommunications and healthcare industries (and while raising five children), Michael and Lynn believed there was an opportunity to give back at a greater level to the Northeast Ohio communities that were so instrumental to their upbringing.

Michael and Lynn both knew there was a need and realized firsthand the necessity for loving and high-quality caregiving. Hence Senior Helpers of Portage/Geauga was born. Senior Helpers of Portage/Geauga is a mission-based, in-home care service with a purpose. A company made up of Servant Leaders where the needs of the employees and clients come first to create the highest quality caregiving in Portage and Geauga counties.

Michael and Lynn know what it's like for the people in need of care and for their families that have been providing the care up until now. Senior Helpers of Portage/Geauga is committed to providing a home care experience that earns their client's trust and ultimately provides the support and relief that everyone is seeking.

At Senior Helpers of Portage/Geauga, each caregiver candidate is personally interviewed by Michael and Lynn. Each caregiver goes through a thorough background check, and then once hired, caregivers are continuously trained in the senior in-home care industry by a certified trainer located within our Center of Excellence at our main office located in Aurora, Ohio. Each caregiver is treated with the highest level of dignity and respect and is invited to be part of a Servant Leader culture, where we put the needs of others ahead of ourselves.

We are committed to our clients, no matter how big or small the need. We are a mission-based, in-home care service with a purpose.

Realizing every day is a blessing is the positive outlook that we bring to our caregivers and clients. If we can help families bring comfort and care to their aging loved ones while providing an employee experience that’s worth bragging about, we will have succeeded.

Our process

The first step in the process is a complimentary, initial in-home care assessment with Michael or Lynn to assist us in developing a customized plan that is unique to your situation. 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 Portage / Geauga Team

Michael Jones

Owner & CEO

With over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, most recently as the Director of Field Operations for a fiber-to-the-home internet service provider, Michael Jones decided to shift his career focus to something more community-oriented. Together with his wife, who has extensive experience in healthcare, Michael founded Senior Helpers of Portage/Geauga with three main goals: to help seniors remain in their homes longer, give back to the community, and create a business they could run together.

Michael is committed to making decisions that ensure the highest quality care for seniors and their families. He finds it exciting to work alongside his wife, learning from her deep knowledge of senior care. Michael is passionate about problem-solving, removing obstacles for his team, and fostering an environment of servant leadership, empathy, and compassion. He believes in supporting his employees' growth and helping them achieve their career aspirations.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife, Lynn, their five children, and four grandchildren. The family loves playing backgammon, canoeing, cooking together, and cruising around their rural neighborhood on their golf cart. Michael is particularly proud of earning his Bachelor of Science in Management degree and becoming an FAA-certified private pilot. They also have two Shorkies, Cessna and Pitot, who bring joy to their lives.

Michael values giving back to the community and supports St. Jude Children's Hospital for its dedication to treating pediatric diseases without financial burden to families. At Senior Helpers, he emphasizes caregiver training and has established a Center of Excellence that replicates a client’s home, ensuring caregivers are thoroughly prepared to provide compassionate and professional care.

Lynn Jones

Owner & Community Relations Director

Lynn Jones is passionate about making a positive impact in her community. With over 25 years in the medical field, most recently as a Certified Medical Assistant in a multi-office family practice, Lynn sought a more fulfilling career alongside her husband, Michael. Combining her healthcare background with Michael's experience in operations and management, they found the perfect opportunity to give back to the communities where they raised their children.

Lynn finds working with the elderly especially rewarding. She cherishes the wisdom and stories shared by seniors and enjoys building meaningful connections that bring joy to both the seniors and their families.

Family is incredibly important to Lynn, and she loves spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and friends. Activities like game nights and cooking together are special moments that strengthen their bonds. Outside of work, Lynn enjoys painting and drawing to express her creativity and relax.

For the past four years, she has been actively involved in a local soup kitchen, giving back to those in need. Lynn’s leadership training with GIANT has further enhanced her ability to foster a positive and collaborative environment, both professionally and personally. Lynn is dedicated to helping others and making a meaningful difference in their lives.

Bethany Jones

Care Team Manager

With over 12 years of hands-on experience in the healthcare field, Bethany has dedicated her career to supporting individuals across a wide range of care settings. For the past 9 years, Bethany has proudly served as a State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA), working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, memory care units, and as a Direct Support Professional (DSP). Her experience has given Bethany a deep understanding of the physical, emotional, and mental needs of the people she cares for, and she takes pride in providing respectful, compassionate, and person-centered care.

Outside of Bethany’s professional life, she enjoys spending time in nature—especially fishing, which allows her to relax and recharge. She also has a passion for photography, capturing everyday moments that tell meaningful stories. Most of all, Bethany I cherishes time spent with her family, who keep her grounded and motivated in both her personal and professional life.

Bethany is always open to new opportunities to learn, grow, and continue making a difference in the lives of others through compassionate care.

Sierra Gallagher

Care Team Coordinator

Sierra is a dedicated healthcare professional with over 20 years of experience in the medical field. Throughout her career, she has served in multiple roles including State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA), Phlebotomist, and of Medical Assistant, gaining a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of patient care. She has spent more than 15 years working in both hospital settings and home healthcare, where she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate care.

Known for her strong work ethic and attention to detail, Sierra takes great pride in going above and beyond for both her clients and fellow caregivers. She is deeply passionate about ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of care, and she actively supports and guides caregivers to uphold those standards.

Sierra’s warm, bubbly personality naturally puts others at ease and has earned her the trust and appreciation of patients, families, and colleagues alike. She is driven by a genuine desire to make a positive difference in people’s lives, which is reflected in her daily work.

Outside of her professional life, Sierra enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures, and creating lasting memories with her family. She also has a passion for line dancing and enjoys taking cruises, embracing opportunities to relax and recharge while experiencing the world.

Avarie Mcinnes

Scheduling Coordinator

Avarie comes to Senior Helpers with over 5 years of hands-on experience in senior care. Avarie is dedicated to providing compassionate, dependable, and person-centered support.

Her background in childcare strengthened her natural passion for caring for others and helping individuals feel heard, respected, and valued. She believes caregiving is about building meaningful connections while supporting one’s independence and comfort.

Outside of work, Avarie enjoys traveling and seeing the world, painting, and spending time with her family. She is committed to continuing to grow in her field and making a positive difference in the lives of those she serves.

Alyse Bryan

Care Team Assistant

As a certified professional with 15 years of experience in providing care to individuals both in-home and in care facilities, Alyse has always found her empathetic approach to providing assistance to seniors a perfect fit. Alyse is certified in CPR, First Aid, Med1, and is a State-Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA). Alyse’s primary motivation stems from a sense of gratitude in caring for and assisting individuals who have contributed significantly to society and now require support due to their inability to care for themselves. Professionally, Alyse has set a personal goal of advancing in this profession to ultimately lead and train professional nursing assistance with a home care agency.

Personally, Alyse focuses her free time on her daughter, her nieces, nephews, and the rest of her family. Her love and loyalty to her family is most important. When not supporting the Care Team here, she is caregiving for her daughter and young nieces and nephews.

Barbara Dixon

Caregiver/Office Support Lead

As our Caregiver/Office Support Lead, Barb plays a vital role in ensuring that every client is matched with the right Caregiver—100% of the time. Whether she’s planning schedules weeks in advance or handling last-minute changes, Barb keeps everything running smoothly with precision and care. If you call our office, you'll most likely be welcomed by Barb's friendly voice.

Before joining Senior Helpers, Barb served as a Lieutenant in Ohio’s prison system, where she also gained experience overseeing inmate healthcare standards. Her leadership skills and attention to detail have translated seamlessly into her current role. Barb’s passion for caregiving grew from her personal experience caring for her mother, who has mobility challenges and requires daily support. This hands-on role has brought Barb great joy and a deep appreciation for the opportunity to give back to the woman who raised her. A proud Kent native, Barb is an avid football fan—cheering loud and proud for her beloved Browns. Go Brownies!

Lisa Darone, RN

Nursing Supervisor

Lisa Darone has had a distinguished career in healthcare spanning 34 years, commencing with her state nursing license acquisition in 1991. She initially served as a Medical Surgical Nurse at Hillcrest Hospital for four years before founding her own business. As the Owner/Operator of Chardon Assisted Living, Lisa provided exceptional care to hundreds of patients over 14 years of operating and managing her business.

Her extensive resume includes working with developmentally disabled individuals, leading a team of nurses and staff as a Nursing Supervisor, and serving as a Hospice Nurse for the past decade.

Lisa resides in Geauga County and enjoys outdoor activities, bird watching, and traveling. She is enthusiastic about supporting the Senior Helpers mission to deliver compassionate care and enhance the quality of life for clients, their families, and employees.

Felygene Miller

Recruiter

With over six years of experience as a Human Resource Supervisor in the corporate world, Felygene brings extensive knowledge in recruitment, employee relations, and organizational support. Now serving as our Recruiter, she manages the complete hiring process — from sourcing and screening applicants to interviewing and selecting qualified caregivers who meet our standards of compassion and professionalism. Her strong HR background allows her to assess talent effectively and ensure every caregiver aligns with our company’s mission of providing exceptional care.

Outside of her professional role, Felygene enjoys reading books and spending quality time with her family, which helps her stay grounded and inspired. Her warm personality, attention to detail, and passion for helping others make her an essential part of our team as she works to build a reliable, committed, and caring group of caregivers.

Meet the Portage / Geauga office

Our History

Our process

Meet the Portage / Geauga Team

Photos from the Portage / Geauga Office

Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Areas We Serve