Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Victoria

Meet the Victoria 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 Victoria 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 Victoria 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 of Victoria was founded out of deeply personal experiences with family caregiving. Robert Thornton became his father’s primary caregiver at the age of 22, navigating the complexities of dementia and Parkinson’s while pursuing higher education. His decade-long journey caring for his father provided him with firsthand insight into the challenges families face, from medical coordination to ensuring seniors remain engaged and safe at home.

Janelle Thornton brings a complementary perspective. She witnessed her grandfather’s struggle with dementia and the challenges her family faced in providing care during his final months. Her lifelong connection to her grandparents, combined with her professional background in customer service and relationship-building, reinforced the importance of compassionate, personalized care for seniors.

Together, Robert and Janelle founded Senior Helpers of Victoria to provide families with the support they need to navigate aging and care with confidence. Their shared experiences shaped a mission centered on dignity, independence, and meaningful connections—ensuring no senior or family has to face these challenges alone.

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 Victoria Team

Robert Thornton

Owner

From the moment his father began showing the first signs of dementia, Robert Thornton stepped into a role that would define his life. At just 22, he became the primary caregiver for his father, who was diagnosed with multi-infarct dementia, Lewy body dementia, and early-stage Parkinson’s disease. Over the next decade, Robert balanced the demands of caregiving—including daily routines, medical appointments, and meaningful activities for his father—with pursuing his education, ultimately earning a Diploma in Commerce and Administration, a Bachelor of Business Administration, and an MBA in Leadership and Innovation.

This experience gave Robert deep insight into the challenges families face when caring for aging loved ones. After his father’s passing, he continued to apply his skills in healthcare education and corporate operations, supporting hospitals and training healthcare workers during critical periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now based in Victoria with his wife, Robert founded Senior Helpers of Victoria to provide compassionate, professional in-home care. Inspired by his own caregiving journey, he is dedicated to helping seniors and their families live safely, independently, and with dignity—ensuring no one faces these challenges alone.

Janelle Thornton

Vice President & Client Services Manager

Janelle Thornton, Vice President & Client Services Manager of Senior Helpers of Victoria, brings both professional expertise and a deeply personal connection to senior care. From a young age, she cherished her time with her grandparents, especially her grandfather, Pops—a proper English gentleman with a cheeky sense of humor who became her favorite person. Together, they made blackberry jelly, tobogganed in the winter, and enjoyed long walks on Island View Beach.

As Pops began showing signs of dementia, Janelle watched firsthand the challenges families face in providing care at home. She supported him through hospital stays, daily routines, and the emotional complexities of his final months, ultimately holding his hand as he took his last breath on February 5th, 2025. This personal experience fueled her passion for ensuring that seniors and their families receive the support, compassion, and dignity they deserve.

Professionally, Janelle has built her career around helping people. From customer service and sales at Coast Spas Lifestyles to global client relationships at Mac Chain, she honed her skills in listening, understanding, and finding solutions for families’ unique needs. Joining Senior Helpers with her husband, Robert, felt like a natural extension of her life’s work—combining her professional experience with her personal mission to make a meaningful difference for seniors in Victoria.

Maya Goossen

Office Manager

Fresh out of high school, Maya Goossen was looking for more than just a job - she wanted a place where she could make a real difference. She discovered Senior Helpers Victoria with the intention of joining as a companion care aide, eager to help seniors live comfortably and independently. However, it wasn’t long before Maya found herself drawn to the heart of the company’s operations.

Recognizing her drive, attention to detail, and natural leadership, she soon transitioned into a larger role supporting the day-to-day functions of the business. Her dedication and enthusiasm led her to become Office Manager, where she plays an integral part in ensuring that both clients and caregivers receive the best possible support.

Maya is deeply grateful to Robert and Janelle Thornton for the trust, mentorship, and opportunities they’ve given her through SeniorHelpers Victoria. She feels fortunate every day to work alongside such a passionate and supportive team, contributing to a company that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors and families across Greater Victoria.

Mark Schmitt

Community Relations Manager

From the age of 19, Mark built his career in customer service — a field that taught him the importance of listening deeply and meeting every client’s needs with care and precision. Through extensive training with internationally recognized companies, he developed a strong understanding of systems, software, and policies, honing his professionalism and his appreciation for what true service means.

After two years, Mark transitioned into the oil and gas industry, where he quickly became a top national performer. By combining his customer service foundation with leadership and technical expertise, he found fulfillment in helping management teams grow and connecting directly with clients. However, he also discovered that his purpose extended beyond performance metrics or production goals.

That purpose was shaped by personal experience. At just 15, Mark witnessed his grandfather’s slow passing after a brain hemorrhage caused by a fall — a painful eight-month journey that left his family without peace or closure. Shortly after, his grandmother was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia. Without awareness of modern care options or support systems, Mark’s family struggled to navigate her needs and ensure her safety.

Those experiences left a lasting impact and instilled in him a deep belief that no one should face aging, illness, or recovery alone — and that families deserve education, guidance, and compassionate care.

This belief ultimately led Mark to join Senior Helpers. To him, the company embodies everything his family needed during their most difficult times: understanding, support, and hands-on help that makes a meaningful difference. For Mark, this work is more than a profession — it’s a personal mission to ensure others receive the care, respect, and compassion his loved ones deserved.

Peter Loeppky

Operations Manager

Peter has always been hardworking and family-focused. He began helping his father’s business at age 11 and continued working throughout school to support his family, especially during difficult times like the housing crisis and later, the loss of his grandparents. These experiences shaped his resilience and his deep appreciation for caregiving.

After his family moved to western Canada for a fresh start, Peter built a successful career in customer service and leadership, growing quickly into management roles in both hospitality and the gas and oil industry. Through all of it, his passion for helping others and making people feel cared for never changed.

Peter’s personal experiences caring for his grandfather are at the heart of why he chose Senior Helpers. He knows firsthand how much support, compassion, and guidance mean to families during challenging times. His goal is to ensure that other families have the resources, comfort, and peace of mind his family once needed.

Meet the Victoria office

Our History

Our process

Meet the Victoria Team

Photos from the Victoria, BC Office!

Areas We Serve