Kenosha natives Gil Atanasoff and Jennifer Payes open new Senior Helpers location

Kenosha natives Gil Atanasoff and Jennifer Payes (formerly Atanasoff) and Ivan Payes have opened Senior Helpers — one of the nation’s premier providers of personalized in-home senior care — located at 6211 Durand Ave., suite 101 in Racine.

The new franchise serves senior citizens and their families throughout the Racine-Kenosha area. Senior Helpers’ professionally trained caregivers help local seniors continue living in the comfort of their own home, despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges.

The Racine location will be managed and operated by Atanasoff and the husband-wife duo of Jennifer and Ivan Payes.

“After reflecting when an opportunity arose to expand this service in our hometown area, my husband, brother and I jumped at the opportunity,” Jennifer Payes said. “Gil and I were born and raised in Kenosha, and Ivan and I currently live in Mount Pleasant, so it is incredibly important to us that we are able to serve the community that truly is home to us.”

Atanasoff has seven years experience in the senior care industry. The Bradford High School graduate owns three additional Senior Helpers franchises in Colorado and Wyoming and served as executive director of Senior Helpers in Madison.

“I’ve seen the positive impact (Gil) created in these communities and the burden he’s alleviated on countless families,” said Jennifer Payes, who also graduated from Bradford. “We were drawn to Senior Helpers by the quality services it offers, and the potential to be a part of a company that is known as the first in the industry to provide specialized caregiver training in Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Parkinson’s disease care.”

Senior Helpers operates with a vision to be the leading home care company in each community it serves. 

Its local caregivers are trained to offer the highest level of care possible based on the company’s Senior Gems^® Alzheimer’s and Dementia care program. 

As the gold standard for excellence in personalized in-home senior care, the program was developed in conjunction with nationally recognized dementia care expert Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC. 

Local residents will also benefit from the company’s Parkinson’s Care Program, a specialized training program for their caregivers created in conjunction with leading experts from the Parkinson’s Foundation’s Centers of Excellence network.

“We’re pleased to have Jennifer, Ivan and Gil on our team as the newest Senior Helpers franchise owners” said Peter Ross, chief executive officer, Senior Helpers. 

“This powerful trio brings a passion for their community and an understanding of the importance of in-home senior care to their new roles. Gil’s knowledge of the senior care industry paired with Ivan’s background in people and sales mixed with Jennifer’s project management and finance background will serve them well and be rewarding for seniors and families living in Racine and the surrounding area.”

“Gil and I were born and raised in Kenosha, and Ivan and I currently live in Mount Pleasant, so it is incredibly important to us that we are able to serve the community that truly is home to us.”

– Jennifer Payes, Senior Helpers Racine owner

Founded in 2002 with a vision to help seniors age with dignity despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges, Senior Helpers has hundreds of franchised and owned businesses that have cared for tens of thousands of seniors.

For more information, please visit www.seniorhelpers.com/wi/racine/. 

For inquiries, please call 262-554-7783 or email ivan@seniorhelpers.com. Senior Helpers of Racine is also hiring caregivers. For more information on available jobs call 262-232-6977 or email ivan@seniorhelpers.com.