Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Pasadena
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Serving Pasadena and the surrounding areas.
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Serving Pasadena and the surrounding areas.
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Meet the Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena was proud to join the system in 2024.  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 Pasadena Team

Sandra Van Dyke

Sandra Van Dyke

Owner

Sandra Van Dyke is the owner of Senior Helpers of Pasadena, where she found the perfect opportunity to start a business dedicated to helping seniors and their families maintain a good quality of life. Sandra is thrilled to be opening her business in the beautiful city of Pasadena and becoming an active part of its vibrant community.

Her passion for learning and exploring new ventures is evident in her diverse background. Sandra recently earned her California Real Estate license, attended culinary school, and even started a Personal Chef Service. She also owned a large retail art store that featured art supplies, an art studio, framing services, and a gallery.

Sandra is a proud mother of four grown children—one daughter and three sons—and a loving grandmother to a granddaughter and grandson. In her leisure time, she enjoys gardening, painting, reading, traveling, and watching movies. One of her proudest achievements is becoming a Master Gardener, and she volunteers her time at the Huntington Garden to help maintain the Children's Garden. Sandra's dedication to her community and her love for lifelong learning drive her to make a meaningful impact through her work at Senior Helpers of Pasadena.

Joel Burnham

Joel Burnham

Office Manager

Joel eagerly joined Senior Helpers after speaking with Sandra Van Dyke and being inspired by her passion for supporting others in the community. With a background in caregiving, Joel has always loved making life easier for others, appreciating the positive impact that thoughtful and careful commitment can have. His dedication to service extends beyond his work, as he is deeply passionate about his growing family and the Pasadena neighborhood they now call home. Joel met his wife nearly four years ago, and they were married this past May. Together, they volunteer with a church program that brings donated food to a local park every other Saturday—a routine they both genuinely enjoy and find fulfilling.


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 Pasadena 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.