Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Senior Helpers of Southeast Nebraska
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Serving Southeast Nebraska and the surrounding areas.
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(402) 205-1030
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Serving Southeast Nebraska and the surrounding areas.
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Meet the Senior Helpers of Southeast Nebraska 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 Southeast Nebraska 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 Lincoln 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 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 Southeast Nebraska was proud to join the system in 2025.  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 Senior Helpers of Southeast Nebraska Team

Alyssa Bartels

Alyssa Bartels

Owner

For Alyssa Bartels, senior care is more than just a profession—it’s a personal calling rooted in family and compassion. Growing up with a close-knit extended family, Alyssa formed deep bonds with her grandparents and witnessed both the beauty and the challenges of aging. As the oldest child in her family, she stepped up during a time when her grandparents needed care and her mother was facing a serious illness, gaining firsthand insight into the complex balance of supporting aging loved ones while managing everyday responsibilities.

Motivated by these experiences, Alyssa saw an opportunity to bring meaningful change to her community. Opening a Senior Helpers franchise in Lincoln allowed her to combine her desire to serve others with her entrepreneurial spirit. She is excited to lead a business that prioritizes care, compassion, and integrity—offering families peace of mind and seniors the dignity and support they deserve.

Alyssa is passionate about empowering her staff, uplifting her clients, and contributing to the well-being of her community. She works to foster a positive, collaborative environment where caregivers feel supported and valued. Her approach to leadership centers on empathy and impact—ensuring that each client receives personalized, high-quality care.

Outside of work, Alyssa finds joy in spending time with her husband, Joe, and their two sons, Silas (11) and Everett (7). Their home is filled with love—and pets—including two dogs, a cat, and a crested gecko. The family enjoys traveling and camping together, soaking in nature and creating lasting memories.

Alyssa is also actively involved in her church, participating in various outreach efforts and seeking new opportunities to give back. Her faith and her passion for service continue to guide her journey as a business owner and community leader.

Lacy Woolsey

Lacy Woolsey

Owner

Lacy Woolsey brings a deep commitment and personal passion to her role as Director of Operations at Senior Helpers of Southeast Nebraska. With extensive hands-on experience in senior care and behavioral health, Lacy has dedicated her career to supporting individuals across all walks of life. Before launching Senior Helpers in Southeast Nebraska, she worked in various caregiving roles—from direct support professional to behavioral health technician—gaining firsthand insight into the challenges faced by both clients and caregivers.

Motivated by these experiences, Lacy saw an opportunity to disrupt the status quo and raise the standard of senior care in her community. As a business owner, she is driven by the ability to create lasting, meaningful impact—providing seniors with compassionate, personalized care while empowering caregivers to thrive in their roles.

Lacy is a proud single mother to an incredible 14-year-old son. They live in Lincoln, Nebraska, along with their two beloved dogs: Evie, a 7-year-old French Bulldog, and Ember, a 3-year-old Boston Terrier/Pug mix. Family is central to Lacey’s life, and she values the support system she shares with her mother, who lives nearby.

Outside of work, Lacy enjoys spending time with friends and family, engaging in social activities, and giving back to the community. She has volunteered at local homeless shelters, served meals to the unhoused, and supported local youth programs—embodying her passion for helping others and meeting people where they are on their journey.

Her personal and professional journey is guided by a simple but powerful mission: to help others live their fullest, most independent lives—one person, one family, and one act of kindness at a time.

Tour Our Office

Check out our Center of Excellence! Our team is dedicated to providing top-tier training and compassionate care, ensuring every senior receives the support they deserve.
Check out our Center of Excellence! Our team is dedicated to providing top-tier training and compassionate care, ensuring every senior receives the support they deserve.
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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.
 

In Our Community

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Areas We Serve

Senior Helpers of Southeast Nebraska 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.