Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Milwaukee
Skip main navigation
Serving Milwaukee and Surrounding areas.
Type Size
Serving Milwaukee and Surrounding areas.
Past main navigation Contact Us

Meet the Milwaukee Office

More than 90% of seniors want to age in their own home with dignity but getting the right type of care can seem daunting.  At Senior Helpers Milwaukee we believe  getting the best care for your loved ones should not be complicated.  We are committed to delivering the best possible in-home care to seniors in the Milwaukee community.

We take in-home care very seriously and make it a priority to provide the highest level of client service possible.  Over the past years 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.

Our History

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, 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 Milwaukee 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 have been lucky to serve hundreds of seniors in our community over the years, and we are committed to continuing to provide uncompromising levels of care to all our families.

Ivan Payes

Ivan Payes

Owner/Executive Director

As Owner and Executive Director, Ivan oversees all aspects of a few Senior Helpers locations. He is dedicated to improving the lives of our clients and hiring compassionate caregivers that meet their specific needs. Most recently, Ivan was the District Sales Manager of Keurig Dr. Pepper in Racine where he spent 11 years. He is passionate about helping seniors live independently and helping families keep their loved ones at home for as long as possible. Ivan is proud to help families in his community by providing compassionate care so their loved ones can age in place.

Jennie Payes

Jennie Payes

Owner

As an Owner, Jennie oversees the business operations of the office. Born and raised in Kenosha and now living in Caledonia, she is excited to have brought Senior Helpers to the community that means so much to her. Jennie’s background includes project management, business, marketing, and finance at Advocate Health, Case New Holland, and GE Healthcare. Jennie is proud to be making an impact in her community by providing alternative solutions for families so their loved ones can age in place.

Gil Atanasoff

Gil Atanasoff

Owner

As an Owner, Gil oversees all activities for multipe Senior Helpers locations. He successfully owns several Senior Helpers in Northern Colorado and Wyoming currently and is proud to have brought the same level of care to his hometown. Gil most recently led Senior Helpers of Madison, WI, one of the largest offices in the country, utilizing his experience from over 20 years in a number of industries. He is grateful to work for a company that shares his passion for helping seniors live independently. Raised in Kenosha, Gil is proud to honor loved ones’ wishes to age in place in Southeast Wisconsin.

Silvia Rekowski

Silvia Rekowski

Operations & Finance Manager

Silvia joined the Senior Helpers family in February 2021 as the Office Administrator. Over the years she has learned all aspects of the business with her primary focus on Billing and Payroll. Silvia has over 20 years of customer service experience and a passion for helping others. Now, as Executive Director, Silvia coordinates office efforts to provide the best home care in the Greater Milwaukee area. Outside of work Silvia enjoys cooking and spending time with her family and 4 kids, living life to the fullest.

Elizabeth Erman

Elizabeth Erman

Client Services Director

Elizabeth has been in the home care industry for over 20 years.  With having cared for family members in their home, she’s a true believer with aging in place, being able to stay in your home, and being able to live your life to the fullest. When you or your loved one is in need of additional assistance to be able to live safely and independently, Liz is able to provide the resources to be able to make the best decision for you and your family. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with their children.

Josh Erman

Josh Erman

Client Services Coordinator

I’m a compassionate and dependable home care professional beginning my career in providing high-quality, person-centered support to individuals who need assistance with daily living. My passion lies in helping others maintain their independence, comfort, and dignity at home.

In addition to starting my journey in home care, I am proudly enrolled in the Air National Guard, where I’m developing strong skills in teamwork, leadership, and discipline—qualities that directly enhance my ability to provide reliable and respectful care.

I take pride in building trusting relationships, listening with empathy, and creating a positive environment where clients feel respected and cared for. Whether helping with daily routines, companionship, or simply offering a friendly presence, I strive to make a meaningful difference in each person’s day.

Javia Peel

Javia Peel

Scheduling Coordinator

Javia is a detail-oriented healthcare professional with hands-on experience in patient care and scheduling coordination. Javia has a passion for helping others and being the scheduler she never had. One thing about Javia is she always strives for excellence. Outside of work, Javia spends time with her dog, Stella. She also enjoys shopping and eating with family and friends.

Leo Payes

Leo Payes

Client Service Coordinator

As a Client Service Coordinator, I’m passionate about helping families navigate the process of finding compassionate, dependable in-home care for their loved ones. I understand how important it is to feel confident and supported when making care decisions, and I strive to make the experience as smooth and reassuring as possible.

My commitment to this work became deeply personal when my mother underwent triple bypass surgery. Supporting her through recovery gave me firsthand insight into the challenges families face and the value of having the right care and guidance. That experience inspired me to dedicate my career to helping others access the support they need.

Today, I’m proud to help families build care plans that promote safety, comfort, dignity, and independence at home.

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 your loved one's needs, our senior care services and determine what is 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

Areas We Serve

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

Senior Helpers Milwaukee serves the cities and towns of: