Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of North Side Chicago
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Serving Chicago and the surrounding areas.
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Serving Chicago and the surrounding areas.
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Meet the North Side Chicago 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 North Side 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 Chicago community. 

Senior Helpers North Side Chicago is excited to learn more about the needs of seniors in the community. We want to be able to provide seniors with the access to activities they enjoy doing with their free time and keep them engaged physically, mentally and socially. We are excited to expand throughout our community and create lasting relationships in the 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 North Side Chicago is a mother and daughter run business. We are proud to be 100% female owned. We come from a big family and love being part of a business that supports and promotes the well being of families. 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.

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. 

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 North Side Chicago Team

Katey Brattland

Katey Brattland

Director of Operations

With a BS Degree in Kinesology and a Masters Degree in Public Health, Katey felt compelled to be involved in a business that will allow her use her training and passion to provide the highest level of service possible to seniors. Katey has seen firsthand what diseases such as Parkinson’s can do to a person as her grandfather has suffered from Parkinson’s for many years. She understands how hard it is to send your loved ones into a nursing home facility as she sees her own grandmother is not getting the proper care and companionship she needs. Katey is devoted to to helping the community and providing opportunities for seniors to live their lives to their fullest potential and improve their quality of life. 

Kerima Brattland

Kerima Brattland

Executive Director

Kerima has worked in various industries from advertising, professional development, electronic payments to Senior Helpers North Side Chicago. Kerima spent many years studying theatre in New York City. She then moved to Houston Texas as a media buyer where she met her husband of 35 years. Kerima and her husband Dan owned several companies in the personal and professional development arena promoting well known speakers and authors across North America.  In 1999, Kerima and her husband Dan started COCARD Merchant Services specializing in electronic payments. In 2020, they branched out and started Electronic Performance Systems, offering full-service Point of Sale Systems to restaurants. 

Kerima, mother of 4+ is very close to her grandmother who will turn 100 years old in 2023.  Over the last couple of years, Kerima has seen first hand the need for quality and consistent care for the elderly not just from her grandmother but her father-in-law who is battling Parkisons disease.  Kerima along with her daughter Katey is passionate and excited to be part of this industry and make a difference in the community one life at a time.  They are excited to be a mother-daughter team.  Both Kerima and Katey has spent several years volunteering locally and globally and is committed to being part of the change.

Omar Garvin

Omar Garvin

Care Manager

Omar comes to Senior Helpers Northside Chicago with over 23 years' experience in the healthcare industry. He started out in California as CNA working in a hospital setting. Later throughout his career, moving on to other roles including, geriatrics, behavioral health, intake and care coordination.

In 2017, Omar transitioned to Liaison where he was able to engage families near the surrounding Chicago area. Meanwhile, conducting ongoing visits with partner clients & hospitals to take part in the managed care process for patients being discharged.

Omar received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus on Healthcare Management from Colorado Technical University in Colorado. Not stopping there, Omar has future plans to return back to school to obtain his Master’s Degree to contribute more in the field he’s ever so passionate about.

Darren Van Dyke

Darren Van Dyke

Business Development Manager

Darren has been in Healthcare Sales for over 25 years with 10 years of them in Senior Care. His passion lies within the Senior community and helping seniors age in place safely. He is well versed in key areas such as long term care, VA / Government programs, respiratory health, acute care and hospital settings. His goal is to develop long term relationships with our clients and our local community partners. While not working with seniors, Darren’s other passion is coaching Girls Ice Hockey. He has been married for 27 years to his Wife Kelly and they have a 22 year old son Eric and a 5 year old Siberian Husky named Saint. Darren is excited to be a part of the North Side Chicago!

Rocco

Rocco

Director of 'Bark'eting

Rocco joined the Senior Helpers team all the way from Montana! He has many siblings in Minnesota and started his journey in Chicago in February 2023. Proficient in photo ops, communication, community engagement, and compassion, Rocco is full of many talents! He looks forward to wagging his tail at local events and is always ready to lend a helping paw. He is a true showstopper and crowd pleaser. Rocco loves his position and enjoys meeting all kinds of new friends in the community!


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 North Side 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.