Meet The Team | Senior Helpers Bolingbrook & Southwest Suburbs of Chicago
Skip main navigation
Serving Bolingbrook and the surrounding areas.
Type Size
Serving Bolingbrook and the surrounding areas.
Past main navigation Contact Us

Meet the 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 Bolingbrook and Southwest Suburbs of Chicago 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 Bolingbrook 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

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 13 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 Bolingbrook and Southwest Suburbs of Chicago was proud to join the system in 2022.  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

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 Team

Kara Fairhurst

Kara Fairhurst

Owner/operator

Kara Fairhurst is the proud owner of Senior Helpers of Bolingbrook and Southwest Suburbs of Chicago. She lives locally with her husband and two sons, Emre and Ozan and plays an active role in supporting the local community. She’s involved in local children’s charities and promoting events for Seniors. She particularly enjoys the local senior picnics.

Her time is also spent meeting with new clients, developing community relationships and striving for excellence at every level of the business. She can be contacted directly for any questions or if you know a senior in need of guidance or support.

The Senior Helpers mission is personal to Kara because she has seen firsthand how important it was to her grandmother to be able to continue to live comfortably in her own home. Kara enjoys providing top quality compassionate care to Seniors so they can stay home just like her grandmother.

Her passion for providing care, led her to work as a care professional and then progressed into care management specializing in mental health. From her personal and professional experience grew her heartfelt desire to support seniors in the community and in doing so make a big difference to the lives of People in Bolingbrook.

Kara attained a Business and Management Degree and utilized this to successfully manage operations and training in other customer serving organizations. Her experience taught her that, in addition to solid policies and operational procedures, it’s the quality of the people in your organization, who make the biggest difference.

Her passion for great customer service shines through, Kara says that she is focused on hiring Care Professionals, “Who can share a smile, know their stuff and show they care”

What I love most about Senior Helpers is the impact we can have locally in improving the quality of lives for our clients, their families and our employees”.

Yecenia Rios

Yecenia Rios

Office Manager | Senior Care Advocate

Yecenia is a dedicated professional with a passion for empowering seniors through exceptional home care. With over five years of hands-on experience as a caregiver in a senior facility, she has seen firsthand the profound impact that compassionate and quality care can have on both seniors and their families. This experience has fueled her commitment to bringing the highest standards of care to the homes of seniors in her community.

In addition to her caregiving background, Yecenia has a strong foundation in quality control and team management. She has successfully supervised teams, ensuring that operational standards are met while fostering a supportive and efficient work environment. Her management experience, combined with her deep understanding of senior care, allows her to organize and lead teams that are focused on delivering personalized care to every client.

Yecenia's natural ability to organize, coupled with her dedication to improving the lives of seniors, makes her the perfect fit for her current role as Office Manager. Her compassion, professionalism, and commitment to quality care ensure that clients and their families receive the support they need, while also maintaining a smooth and efficient office environment. Outside of work, Yecenia is a proud mother of three beautiful daughters, balancing her professional and personal life with grace and dedication.

Janet Furness

Janet Furness

Human Resources Manager

Janet has lived and worked internationally and attained a degree in Social Policy in Cambridge, England.

Janet has firsthand of experience as a healthcare assistant in the Neuroscience Department at one of the world’s leading hospitals supporting doctors and patients with a wide range of needs. She later worked in dementia care and has delivered numerous seminars.

Couple this with over 20 years of experience in management working with recruitment, training, scheduling, and staff engagement - she understands how to run an efficient and effective operation.

Janet’s role at Senior Helpers of Bolingbrook and Southwest Suburbs of Chicago is to “hire the smile” and ensure effective onboarding, training, and engagement

Janet says “a family friendly environment is key to a successful and committed team”

Tea Ward

Tea Ward

Scheduling and Skill Assessment Coordinator

With over 30 years of experience in healthcare and nearly 20 years as a paralegal, Tea Ward brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the field of non-medical home care. Her diverse background, which includes roles such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Project Manager, and Claims Specialist, makes her uniquely qualified to understand the complex needs of individuals and families seeking compassionate and reliable in-home care.

Tea’s approach is centered on providing personalized care that enhances the quality of life for every client. Her experience in quality assurance and process improvement ensures that every service is delivered with the highest standards of care and efficiency. Whether it's managing care schedules, coordinating resources, or providing training for staff, Tea’s attention to detail and commitment to excellence guarantee a positive experience for both clients and their families.

At the heart of Tea’s philosophy is a genuine passion for improving lives. She believes in empowering individuals to maintain their independence and dignity, while providing the support they need in the comfort of their own home.

Tea Ward is not just an expert in non-medical home care—she’s a trusted partner in helping families navigate the complexities of in-home support with care, compassion, and professionalism.

Lorena Merino-Bello

Lorena Merino-Bello

Senior Client Care Specialist

Lorena with over 8 years of experience in the care sector,  brings a wealth of knowledge and a genuine passion for helping others. Her career includes roles as a certified nursing assistant, caregiver, and massage therapist, all of which contribute to her comprehensive approach to client care.

Lorena has built many meaningful and lasting relationships with clients over the years, thanks to her attentive, compassionate, and caring approach. Her clients trust her, and that trust has become the foundation of the exceptional care she provides.

As a naturally organized and detail-oriented professional, Lorena can manage and create personalized care plans that address the unique and ever-changing needs of our clients. Her ability to respond swiftly and effectively ensures that every client always receives the highest level of care.

We are fortunate to have Lorena as part of our team, and her skill, experience, and dedication are at the heart of the efficient and personalized care we offer. Her commitment to excellence is one of the many reasons why our clients feel so well cared for.

Angela Ward

Angela Ward

Client Care Specialist

With over 20 years of experience in the care industry, Angela brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her role as a Client Care Specialist. She has spent 15 years in home care and 5 years in facility-based care, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of client needs and the ability to deliver tailored solutions. Angela values the opportunity to connect with both caregivers and clients, recognizing that each interaction is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Her passion for helping others is at the core of her work, and she is committed to ensuring that every individual receives the highest standard of care. Angela firmly believes in supporting seniors to live their best lives, and she actively encourages the inclusion of stimulating activities to enhance their daily experiences. Whether through physical activities, hobbies, or social engagement, she ensures that her clients can stay active, engaged, and fulfilled. Outside of her professional life, Angela’s personal interests—such as gardening, camping, and cooking—are a reflection of her commitment to an active and enriching lifestyle. These passions not only inspire her own life but also play a key role in the care she provides, helping to create meaningful and enriching experiences for those she serves. Angela’s dedication to providing compassionate, personalized care makes her a valuable member of our team, and we’re proud to have her support our clients in living their best lives.

Razy Suarez

Razy Suarez

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Razy's journey in healthcare truly reflects a deep sense of passion and dedication. Her upbringing, surrounded by parents who were committed to the medical field, undoubtedly inspired her to pursue a path where she could have a direct, positive impact on people's lives. The hands-on experience she gained working in a nursing home, offering one-on-one care to residents, has likely given her invaluable insights into patient care and the personal connections that make a real difference in healthcare.

Her academic background in Psychology, paired with her current nursing education, further strengthens her understanding of both the mental and physical aspects of healthcare, equipping her to approach situations with empathy and a well-rounded perspective.

As she now transitions into the role of Talent Acquisition Specialist with Senior Helpers of Bolingbrook and Southwest Suburbs of Chicago, her passion for helping others and her solid background in healthcare make her an ideal fit. Her experience, combined with her knowledge of the industry, will enable her to recruit and support top-tier talent, helping others who share her drive for making a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors. With her background, Razy will undoubtedly excel in this new role, making a lasting impact both on her team and the community she serves.

Sevgi Alkan

Sevgi Alkan

Brand Ambassador

Engaging both our clients and our staff with clear and transparent communication is critical to building positive ongoing relationships. Keeping families well informed of our business progress and explaining how we differentiate our service offering is important.

Sevgi has lived and worked internationally and is multilingual. She is a naturally gifted communicator and social media expert. She graduated with a degree in Art and Design.

She previously built up her personal social media followers to be over quarter of a million and she says “I really enjoy supporting the business and connecting the community with how we can help”

Dianca Hester

Dianca Hester

Certified Nurse Assistant | Care Team Coordinator

With 17 years of hands-on experience in various healthcare settings, Dianca has dedicated her career to improving patient care and making a positive impact on the lives of those she serves. Her passion for healthcare extends beyond patient care—she thrives in leadership roles and is now seeking new opportunities to further her impact as a leader in the industry. Throughout her career, Dianca has gained invaluable experience working with diverse patient populations, building strong relationships with healthcare teams, and coordinating care delivery. As a Care Team Coordinator, she has developed expertise in team management, patient advocacy, and ensuring efficient communication across all levels of care. Her goal is to foster an environment where healthcare teams can work collaboratively, providing the best care possible for patients.

In addition to her professional life, Dianca finds immense joy in spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her commitment to family, along with her dedication to the healthcare field, drives her to make a meaningful difference both at work and at home.

Start Your Journey to Personalized Care

Start Your Journey to Personalized Care

At Senior Helpers of Bolingbrook and Southwest Suburbs of Chicago, we're committed to helping you and your loved ones live more independently and with confidence.

Our free LIFE Profile assessment is designed to provide you with personalized insights into your current care needs and future planning.

Schedule your assessment today and take the first step toward peace of mind!

Book your FREE LIFE Profile Assessment

3D Office Tour

Check out our office with this Google Maps 3D Tour!

Monthly Training Highlight

Our monthly Care Team training classes cover a variety of topics such as Alzheimer's and Dementia, Parkinsons, and Back to Basics. We offer first aid classes both online and in person to provide our caregivers with the confidence needed to care for seniors effectively.

Thank you Kelly Underwood from Safe Harbor Safety Training & Supplies  for another successful class


Inspiring the Future & Supporting Seniors: A Meaningful Day in Will County!

Had a fantastic day interacting with Will County High School students this morning and spending time with Will County Seniors during lunch and bingo.

Engaging with High School Students:

- Discussed career paths in healthcare, highlighting how a caregiver position can serve as a stepping stone in their healthcare journey or as a valuable part-time job while managing high school and pursuing further education. 

Interaction with Seniors:

- Shared insights on Veteran benefits and introduced Synapticure, a respite care benefit now accessible to eligible individuals dealing with Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the information shared, feel free to contact me at 630-296-0942.


Grand Haven 55+ Community's Summer Concert

What an incredible evening at Grand Haven 55 plus community's summer concert!  Senior Helpers of Bolingbrook and Southwest Suburbs of Chicago was honored to sponsor this event, receiving a warm welcome and appreciation from the residents.

We cherish giving back to our clients and showing gratitude to the wonderful community we serve. It was the least we could do for our amazing clients!


Senior Helpers of Bolingbrook and Southwest Suburbs of Chicago Staff Appreciation Day

Celebrating a great team and having fun at our Senior Helpers of Bolingbrook and Southwest Suburbs of Chicago Staff Appreciation Day - a perfect occasion to celebrate all that we have delivered caring for our clients. Thank you so much for all that you do - you truly make a difference to people’s lives. #staffappreciation #seniorcare #caregiver #bettertogether #lovewhatyoudo



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 Bolingbrook and Southwest Suburbs of Chicago 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.