Aging Well: Ivan Payes talks about home care for older adults

RACINE COUNTY — How do we build communities where people can age with dignity, independence, and connection? That question drives Aging Well, a new podcast series from Racine County Eye that explores the realities of growing older in southeastern Wisconsin.

Hosted by journalist and publisher Denise Lockwood, the series explores local stories of care, family, and innovation — from innovative home health models to community programs that support residents living well at every age.

“We want to help families and caregivers understand the systems, services, and options available right here in Racine County,” Lockwood said. “These are conversations rooted in compassion and real-life experiences.”

Aging Well Episode 1: Redefining home care with Ivan Payes

In the debut episode, Lockwood sits down with Ivan Payes, owner of Senior Helpers of Racine and Kenosha, to discuss how his business is changing the way families think about care. For Payes, home care is more than a service — it’s about preserving independence and honoring cultural traditions.

“A lot of people have a stigma with home care agencies,” Payes said. “Everyone knows where the hospital is, but not where we fit in. We’re here to help people understand that there’s a middle ground — support at home that keeps people independent.”

Senior Helpers, founded nationally in 2002 and now boasting more than 300 franchises, offers in-home care, respite, and companionship services for seniors and others who need assistance. Payes’ local operation also provides Flex Home, a model allowing for 15-minute visits — ideal for clients who need only brief help with medication reminders or daily tasks rather than a full-hour shift.

“If someone just needs help putting on their socks or taking medication, they shouldn’t have to pay for a full hour,” Payes said. “We can help in short increments — just enough to keep people independent without overwhelming their budgets.”

Payes’ path to caregiving wasn’t typical. After a decade in beverage sales, his life changed when his mother underwent triple bypass surgery in 2021. That experience — watching family members rearrange their lives to care for her — became his “why.”

“It took three working adults to put their lives on pause to help her recover,” he recalled. “That experience opened my eyes to how much it takes to care for someone you love.”

Rooted in his Hispanic heritage, Payes emphasizes that caring for family is both cultural and personal. “In our tradition, we don’t place elders in facilities if we can help it,” he said. “We take care of them at home. That value drives everything we do.”

Partnerships, advocacy, and trust

Senior Helpers has built partnerships with assisted living facilities and Aging & Disability Resource Centers across Racine and Kenosha counties. Payes’ team not only provides in-home care but also guides families through complex systems — connecting them to financial support, veterans’ benefits, and local networks.

“Even if someone isn’t our client, we’ll still help connect them to resources,” Payes said. “We’re not in this for the short term — we want to build trust for the long haul.”

Trust, he added, begins with a human connection.

“We don’t just send a stranger to someone’s door,” he explained. “We introduce caregivers personally, explain the process, and let families ease into it.”

As Payes and Lockwood discussed, aging is not just a medical journey — it’s emotional and deeply personal. Lockwood shared her own experience helping her parents transition to a new chapter of life, a story that mirrored the hope Payes brings to his work.

“When people recharge and enjoy life again, that’s what success looks like,” Payes said. “We’re here to make that possible.”

Listen to the full episode

🎧 Listen to Episode 1: “Redefining Home Care with Ivan Payes”
Follow Aging Well for more stories about living fully, aging wisely, and strengthening community in Racine County. New episodes drop biweekly on racinecountyeye.com.

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