Meet the Senior Helpers Costa Mesa Team

Meet the Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa 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 was founded in 2002 by Tony Bonacuse with the help of Peter Ross after their firsthand experience in caring for their respective family members. Tony and Peter identified a need that was not being filled properly by the other companies. They realized that most seniors would prefer to age in their own home rather than move into an unfamiliar institution. Unfortunately, the options available to most seniors were very limited. Most seniors did not have access to well-trained, dependable and accessible in-home care. This was the mission-driven spark that started Senior Helpers.

The first office opened in Baltimore, Maryland, and quickly developed a reputation for delivering excellent in-home senior care with their well-trained staff of professional caregivers. Based on the success of the Baltimore location, the company began to expand. Over the past 20 years, the Senior Helpers family has grown to include a network of more than 300 locally owned and operated franchises across the United States.

Senior Helpers of Costa Mesa was proud to join the system in 2023. Like every other owner, we too are fully-committed to the original goal of providing dependable and accessible in-home care with well-trained caregivers. Nothing is more important to us than being the best available resource for seniors and families in our community. We are lucky to serve hundreds of seniors in our community, and we are committed to continuing to provide uncompromising levels of care to all our families.

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 Costa Mesa Team

Derek Twells

Owner

Derek is the dedicated owner of Senior Helpers of Costa Mesa, bringing over 20 years of successful business experience to the realm of in-home care. With a passion for providing high-quality care for seniors who wish to maintain independence at home, Derek draws from personal experience, having walked the journey with his own parents for nearly two years. Witnessing their happiness and safety in the comfort of their home fueled his commitment to ensuring the same for others.

Derek is a devoted family man and takes immense pride in his role as a single father to his wonderful 17-year-old twin boys. When not immersed in the world of senior care, Derek finds joy in spending quality time at their Mountain House with his boys. Whether boating, hiking, mountain biking, or simply being together, these moments highlight the importance of family in his life.

Community engagement holds a special place in Derek's heart, as he actively supports several Christian-based churches in the Orange County area. Recognizing the significance of giving back, he strives to make a positive impact on the community he serves.

Drawing from his rich experience in the fast-paced corporate world of finance, Derek values the lessons learned and the growth achieved through starting, developing, and growing businesses. For him, success lies in the collaboration of common people working towards a common goal—a principle he carries into the heart of Senior Helpers of Costa Mesa, where quality care and genuine compassion come together.

Faith Gonzales

Office Manager

Meet Faith, the senior helper of the Costa Mesa office manager. She has been in the caregiving and home health industries for over 15 years. She brings an immense pool of knowledge, compassion and experience from all the previous agencies she had helped grow. Faith is compassionate about senior/health care. She has had the privilege of caring for her father and grandparents, as well as clients who became family. Faith takes pride in everything she does for senior helpers. She is a mother of six and a proud wife of 18 years. She enjoys outings with her family, scrapbooking, and baking. Seniors Helpers culture and reputation are what captured her heart and why she is now establishing her career with the franchise.