Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Victoria
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Serving Victoria and the surrounding areas.
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Serving Victoria and the surrounding areas.
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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

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

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

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.

Photos from the Victoria, BC Office!

Take a look at our team in action! From providing compassionate care to creating meaningful connections with our clients, these images capture the heart of what we do every day at Senior Helpers of Victoria, BC.

Step inside the Senior Helpers of Victoria Center of Excellence, where we train and empower our caregivers to deliver exceptional, compassionate care every day.
Step inside the Senior Helpers of Victoria Center of Excellence, where we train and empower our caregivers to deliver exceptional, compassionate care every day.
A glimpse inside the Senior Helpers of Victoria Center of Excellence, our dedicated space where caregivers learn, practice, and perfect the skills that make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
A glimpse inside the Senior Helpers of Victoria Center of Excellence, our dedicated space where caregivers learn, practice, and perfect the skills that make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Stop by our office to learn more about how Senior Helpers of Victoria can support you or your loved one with compassionate, personalized care!
Stop by our office to learn more about how Senior Helpers of Victoria can support you or your loved one with compassionate, personalized care!
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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 Victoria 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.

  • Victoria
  • Sidney
  • Central Saanich