When Kellie Larsen and Leslie LaCosta’s mothers got sick and needed assistance in their homes, the friends witnessed first-hand the challenges of families who suddenly needed to juggle care for loved ones alongside their own household and job commitments. “This became deeply personal,” Larsen says. “We felt like there wasn’t the level of personalized compassion that we wanted for our moms.”
Larsen and LaCosta, who met as corporate colleagues, decided to do something to help seniors maintain their quality of life. In 2025 they launched Seniors Helping Seniors Jersey Shore North, which arranges companion care in Ocean, Monmouth, Middlesex and Mercer counties. “The company has been in the industry for over 26 years,” Larsen says. “The founder worked with Mother Teresa, which was a big part of why we decided to go with this home care agency.”
Seniors Helping Seniors Jersey Shore North specializes in companionship care; it also provides certified home health aides. “What differentiates us is we hire and train active seniors for the companionship care,” Larsen says. “Since they are in similar chapters in life and have things in common, they build a strong relationship.”
Companions perform a variety of services, such as medication reminders; dressing and grooming; shopping, cooking, cleaning, light repairs and yard work; transportation to doctors’ appointments; and pet care. “We offer a free assessment and customize the care plan to the individual client,” she says.
Team members are trained to understand the impacts of memory impairment and specialize in how to care for seniors with dementia and also receive continuing education to stay current on the ways to help seniors.
Families can schedule companion care for as little as three hours to 24/7 live-in care. “Some families don’t need a whole lot of time—especially those who are transitioning after a change in health or a diagnosis,” she says. “This is an easy way for us to start to make things easier for the family.”
Larsen says she has noticed cognitive improvement in seniors once they start companionship care. “There is a difference in people who age in place versus those who move to a facility because they feel more comfortable in their own four walls,” she says. “Our goal is to help them age as safely and as gracefully as we can in the place of their choosing.”
In addition to in-home care services, companionship and daily assistance, Senior Helping Seniors Jersey Shore North also assists with one-on-one personalized care in assisted living facilities or progression communities.
The company matches seniors with caregivers based on factors like location, availability, personality, background, hobbies and interests with the goal of creating mutually beneficial relationships. “We make a one-to-one match because we want a relationship to be formed. That helps mental stimulation because when you know somebody, you’re going to have deeper conversations,” Larsen says. “The companions I place into our client’s home are caregivers I would place in my home with my own mom.”
She recommends that families reach out for education when they think their loved one needs companion care. “Don’t delay. Far too many times, all it takes is one fall to completely change a senior’s life. We want to educate families on their options and give them peace of mind in knowing that their loved one is well taken care of,” she says. “We know what it feels like to be terrified and to not know the answers. We can provide a level of personalized and compassionate listening and care, which will make a world of a difference to a family that is probably in the middle of a crisis.”
Care That Comes Full Circle
For families navigating the challenges of aging, finding the right support can make all the difference. Seniors Helping Seniors Jersey Shore North connects older adults with compassionate senior companions who understand the value of friendship, independence and familiar surroundings. From errands and transportation to meal preparation, light housekeeping and companionship, care is tailored to each individual’s needs. Services can range from a few hours a week to 24/7 live-in care, giving families flexibility as circumstances change. The goal is simple: helping seniors remain safe, engaged and comfortable in the place they call home.
For more information, call 732-385-8805 or visit locations at seniorshelpingseniors.com/nj/freehold.