Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Tri-Cities and SE Washington

Meet the Tri-Cities and SE Washington 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 Tri-Cities and SE Washington 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 Richland 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 Tri-Cities and SE Washington was proud to join the system in 2021. 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 Richland Washington Team

Mandy McCollum

Owner

Mandy has worked in the healthcare system for over 16 years, starting as an in-home caregiver herself. After seeing families struggle to find quality care for their loved ones, Mandy searched to find a solution to provide better care. She wanted to create something that supports both the caregiver and the senior. She achieved her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse and has extended training in Functional Nutrition; Alzheimer’s/Dementia; Mental Health; and Chronic Disease Management, such as Chronic Heart Disease (CHF), COPD, Insulin Resistance, Pre-Diabetes, and Diabetes; Parkinson’s Disease; Health Coaching, specializing in Healthy Keto, and Intermittent fasting; Advance Care Directives; and Safety Home Evaluations through LIFE Profile.

Her goal is to give caregivers the tools they need to excel in the job that they love doing. This allows seniors to stay in their home safely while providing the family members the break that they deserve - they become the family again instead of the "caregiver."

"Senior Helpers provided the platform to create a new and unique opportunity that lined up with my ideas of how both groups, caregivers and seniors, should be treated."

Kadie Jeziorowski, PTA

Operations Manager

With over a decade of experience in geriatric care, I have dedicated my career to being of service and advocating for older adults. My passion for helping others led me to begin my journey as a travel Physical Therapist Assistant where I gained firsthand experience improving mobility and independence for seniors with a specialized focus in geriatrics and neurological impairments. From there I advanced to become a Director of Rehabilitation, overseeing care delivery and fostering team collaboration.

Building on this foundation, I transitioned to running a durable medical equipment company and becoming the Chief Operating Officer where I specialized in providing custom solutions and navigating complex Medicare and Insurance systems to meet clients' needs. My time with that company allowed me to refine my leadership skills and build strong community relationships. Through this role, I supported seniors by enhancing home safety and implementing personalized solutions, including recommendations for equipment, home modifications and private home care services. This work inspired my commitment to the private in-home care industry, where I could make an even greater impact on the lives of vulnerable adults.

Today, as operations manager for Senior Helpers, I focus on closing gaps in care, ensuring continuity of care, and empowering seniors to live safely and supported in their home environment. At Senior Helpers we prioritize hiring staff with the most caring and compassionate hearts, ensuring we can walk alongside our clients with dignity and respect in this season of their lives. Beyond providing exceptional care, we strive to amplify our clients' voices, protect them from being taken advantage of, and support their families-especially those navigating the complexities of the aging process, with a special focus on dementia care. Our goal is to empower families with understanding and resources, making the journey less daunting and more compassionate for everyone involved. I am thankful for these opportunities to be of service to our clients and our community and share my knowledge of the aging process with those around me.

Facinet Willits

Care Team Manager

I have worked in home care for over a decade. I joined Senior Helpers to focus on our Senior community age with dignity, safety, and independence. At Senior Helpers I support our clients establish safety in the home, find comfort in routine, and offer opportunity to find purpose in the day. I also support our staff with training opportunities, social engagement, and education in long-term care & aging.

Sarah Mallonee, HCA

Scheduling Coordinator

As a passionate and dedicated Schedule Coordinator in the in-home care industry, I specialize in creating schedules for caregivers and clients to ensure exceptional care is delivered consistently. With a background as a Home Care Aide (HCA) and years of hands-on caregiving experience, I deeply understand the needs of both clients and caregivers. This allows me to tailor schedules that maximize efficiency and foster compassionate, personalized care.

I am driven by a genuine passion for helping others, and my commitment to enhancing the quality of life for clients is at the heart of everything I do. Through my work, I strive to ensure that each client receives the care they deserve, while providing support and guidance to our caregiving team every step of the way.

Paige Miller

FlexHome Lead Caregiver

My name’s Paige, I’m the Lead Caregiver of our new program, flexHOME! I worked in Dialysis before coming over here, and I have 2 years of experience in healthcare. I am currently working towards getting my nursing degree as well. I chose the HCA/CNA route because I wanted to be able to form bonds with my clients, help them stay independent and be someone they can turn to and count on any time they need. I love hearing the stories my clients share, as well as sharing my own with them and forming those close relationships!

Siliva Serrano

Scheduler

I’m a lawyer originally from Colombia, but my journey has taken an unexpected turn. For almost three years, I’ve had the privilege of working as a scheduler, a role that I’ve truly come to love. Life often surprises us, and though my background is in law, I’ve found joy in making a difference in the scheduling world.

Outside of work, I have a deep love for animals. I’ve rescued many, and although I have two cats and a dog of my own, I also feed and care for several rescue animals in my community.

I live in beautiful Colombia with the love of my life, and I am incredibly proud of my country and its traditions.

One of the biggest influences in my life was my grandmother, who passed away in 2022. She taught me how vulnerable we become as we age, but also how pure and sweet we become with the years. It’s this love and respect for the elderly that makes my work as a scheduler so meaningful and rewarding.

I’m also passionate about traveling and exploring the world whenever I get the chance. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the Senior Helpers family and look forward to making a positive impact every day.

Bianca Pano

Office Administrator and HR Manager

My name is Bianca Pano, and I serve as the Office Administrator and HR Manager for Senior Helpers. I am a dedicated wife and mother of five children, with a strong passion for optimizing operations and fostering seamless workflows. My expertise lies in effective communication, organization, and problem-solving.

I began my career as a caregiver and successfully managed an adult family home for 12 years. I then expanded my experience in healthcare, working in a wound care office and visiting various facilities throughout the Tri-Cities. My career progression led me to specialize in medical billing for an ophthalmology practice before transitioning into the durable medical field.

For the past four years, I have been committed to helping the community navigate the complexities of the insurance process, ensuring individuals receive the medical support they need. My diverse experience in healthcare, administration, and insurance advocacy enables me to drive efficiency, support teams, and enhance patient care.

I am proud to be part of the Senior Helpers team, where I can continue making a positive impact in the lives of seniors and their families.

Kimberly Fox, PTA

Physical Therapist Assistant

Kimberly Fox is a dedicated Physical Therapist Assistant with over a decade of experience across a variety of settings. From Skilled Nursing Facilities to home health care, and even managing outpatient therapy clinics within assisted living facilities, Kimberly’s career has been shaped by her commitment to providing exceptional care. She is known for her personable, holistic approach, building strong relationships with her patients and clients to ensure that their needs are met in a compassionate and individualized way.

A native of the Tri-Cities, Kimberly has had the privilege of witnessing the growth and development of her community. Her deep connection to the area fuels her passion for helping others live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

When she’s not working, Kimberly is busy spending time with her beloved pets—a Siamese cat and two miniature huskies—who keep her active with their many adventures. She is also an avid fitness enthusiast and has been attending Orangetheory for the past seven years, always striving to stay strong and healthy. In addition to working out, Kimberly enjoys spending time in her yard, traveling to new destinations, and indulging her love of baking.

With a heart for people and a passion for personal growth, Kimberly continues to impact her patients’ lives in meaningful ways, helping them regain mobility and independence while nurturing their overall well-being.

Deborah Salas, CNA

Care Team Manager

With over 20 years of experience in the medical field, I am a dedicated care team manager and certified nurse assistant who is passionate about improving the lives of others. My career has been enriched by the wisdom and adventures of the elderly, whose stories inspire me daily. I believe in the power of compassion, empathy, and personalized care, and I am committed to making a positive impact in every patient’s life. Whether managing teams or providing hands-on care, I strive to create an environment of respect, dignity, and support for all those I serve.

Meet the Tri-Cities and SE Washington office

Our History

Our process

Meet the Richland Washington Team

Areas We Serve