Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Buffalo Grove
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Serving Buffalo Grove and the surrounding areas.
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Serving Buffalo Grove and the surrounding areas.
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Meet the Buffalo Grove 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 Buffalo Grove 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 Buffalo Grove 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. 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 Buffalo Grove was proud to join the system in 2024. 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
Erik Schmidt

Erik Schmidt

Owner

Erik brings over 30 years of diverse professional experience to his role as the owner of Senior Helpers of Buffalo Grove. His career began with a unique opportunity as one of the youngest individuals to earn a seat on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange during the height of open outcry trading. This early success led him to London, where he helped establish a boutique derivatives firm, collaborating with some of the world’s top financial institutions. Over the years, Erik built and led teams in Sydney, California, New York, and Chicago, honing his leadership and operational skills.

Following two decades in the financial industry, Erik shifted his focus to operations management. He took on leadership roles, managing large teams and guiding organizations through periods of growth. Most recently, as Chief Operating Officer of a software technology company, Erik oversaw various departments, including client services and tech operations, leading them through several successful years of development.

Erik’s decision to join Senior Helpers was deeply personal. "I watched my grandmother, who turned 100 this past December, transition through multiple assisted living facilities in another state. Each facility had different service challenges, and it made me think—there has to be a better way to give our aging generations a better quality of life." This experience inspired Erik to dedicate himself to providing compassionate, high-quality home care services, ensuring that seniors in the northern suburbs of Chicago receive the respect, dignity, and support they deserve.

Galyna Hosch

Galyna Hosch

Director of Operations

Galyna Hosch is excited to join Senior Helpers in Buffalo Grove, IL, as the Director of Operations. She brings a wealth of knowledge, holding a BA in Healthcare Management from Westwood College and a Master’s in Business Administration and Foreign Languages from IFNTUOG University located in Ukraine. Fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian, Galyna is also a certified interpreter, with additional skills in Polish, German, and Italian.

With nearly 20 years of experience in home care and healthcare, Galyna is deeply passionate about helping seniors age gracefully in the comfort of their own homes. She is committed to upholding Senior Helpers’ mission of providing personalized and compassionate care, ensuring seniors lead fulfilling, independent lives.

As Director of Operations, Galyna is dedicated to fostering an environment of teamwork, communication, and collaboration. She looks forward to supporting the team in delivering high-quality care while helping Senior Helpers maintain its reputation for excellence.

Nikki Greenberg

Nikki Greenberg

Director of Business Development

Nikki Greenberg is the proud Director of Business Development with Senior Helpers of Buffalo Grove. Growing up in Buffalo Grove, a few neighborhoods down from her grandparents, Nikki learned the importance of spending quality time with her family. Previously, Nikki served in an executive capacity at a Social Security Disability organization. There, she advanced company development by engaging with clients daily and taking a leading role in company operations and strategic high-level-decision-making. 

Nikki has spent her career fostering meaningful relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive company success, prioritizing client satisfaction. Nikki is deeply committed to providing others with the resources to lead their best lives. Nikki strives to maintain an environment that is kind, welcoming, comforting, and honest. Nikki is eager to meet, work with, and help you!


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 Buffalo Grove 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.