About
Raising the Bar for Compassionate In-Home Care
Essential Team Care is a privately owned, woman-led home care company proudly based in Sarasota. We’re not part of a big franchise—and that’s exactly what sets us apart. Our founder, Navy, has spent over 20 years making sure people feel seen, heard, and genuinely cared for—and that same philosophy guides everything we do.
We take the time to get to know your family and understand what matters most to you. Whether it’s companionship, help around the house, or reliable support with errands and appointments, our team shows up with a smile and a heart for service.
Our caregivers are chosen carefully—not just for their skills, but for their kindness and integrity. With Essential Team Care, you’re not just getting help, you’re gaining a trusted partner who treats your loved ones like family.
Experience and Trust: By the Numbers
Discover the impact of our dedicated care for Sarasota families.
Meet Shanavia “Navy” Walker
Founder & CEO of Essential Team Care
For more than 20 years, Shanavia Walker—known to many simply as “Navy”—has dedicated her life to providing care that’s personal, thoughtful, and rooted in compassion.
Navy started Essential Team Care to do things differently. After years in the nursing field, working everywhere from trauma centers to long-term care, she saw firsthand how often people felt like just another name on a chart. Vital details got missed. Families felt left out. Clients felt unseen. She knew care could—and should—feel more human.
So she built a company around that belief.
At Essential Team Care, every client is treated like a whole person—not a checklist. Navy’s mission is simple: deliver high-quality, dependable home care that honors the story, needs, and dignity of each individual. She leads with heart and expects her team to do the same.
“I started Essential Team Care because I believe every client deserves to be seen, understood, and cared for with intention. No one should ever feel like they’re just a task on a checklist.”
Navy’s passion for nursing runs in the family. Her mother, also a nurse, introduced her and her sister to the field early on—and that spark never left. Over the years, Navy’s worked across many different care settings, but her approach has stayed the same: lead with compassion, serve with excellence, and always do what’s right.
When she’s not working, Navy enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and giving back to her community. Her faith is central to how she lives and leads, guided by scriptures like Matthew 5:16 —
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”
and Colossians 3:12 —
“Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Under her leadership, Essential Team Care is more than a care company—it’s a team of people who genuinely care.
Ready to experience the Essential Team Care difference?
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your family’s needs.