Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of South Bend

Meet the South Bend office

More than 90% of seniors want to age in their own homes with dignity but getting the right type of care can seem daunting. At Senior Helpers South Bend, we believe that getting the best care for your loved ones should not be complicated. We are committed to delivering the best possible in-home care to seniors in the South Bend community.

We take in-home care 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.

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 most seniors would prefer to age in their own homes 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 affordable in-home care. This was the mission-driven spark that started Senior Helpers.

The first office opened in Baltimore 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 South Bend was proud to join the system in 2008. Like every other owner, we too are fully-committed to the original goal of providing dependable and affordable 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.

Our team has grown to 4 team members, and over 50 caregivers. We have been lucky to serve hundreds of seniors in our community over the years, 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 South Bend Team

Steve Chatham

Managing Partner

Steve Chatham serves as the Managing Partner of Senior Helpers, where he leads with a passion for delivering exceptional in-home senior care services to families across Indiana. With a strong entrepreneurial background and decades of leadership in the healthcare industry, Steve has successfully built and guided organizations in home care, physical and occupational therapy, and long-term care—all dedicated to improving quality of life for aging adults.

A lifelong advocate for accessible, high-quality senior care, Steve is deeply committed to expanding awareness of the full continuum of services available to older adults and those recovering from illness or injury. Under his leadership, Senior Helpers continues to set the standard for compassionate, professional, and personalized home care that prioritizes dignity, independence, and well-being.
Based in Central Indiana, Steve oversees operations and strategy for Senior Helpers locations statewide, ensuring that caregivers and staff deliver the highest level of service and support to every client and family. His people-first approach emphasizes trust, empathy, and excellence—core values that have shaped the company’s reputation as a leading provider of in-home care for seniors in Indiana.

Beyond his professional role, Steve is a devoted husband and proud father who values faith, family, and community. His mission—both personally and professionally—is to empower families with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate the healthcare journey with confidence, whether through personalized home care or coordinated clinical and facility-based solutions.
With a passion for innovation and community impact, Steve continues to drive growth and awareness for Senior Helpers, helping redefine what it means to age with dignity and receive quality care at home. His leadership ensures that Senior Helpers remains a trusted partner in supporting Indiana’s aging population through compassionate, reliable, and expert care.

Katie Barnett

Director of Operations

Katie Barnett has been a trusted leader with Senior Helpers for over nine years, bringing dedication, compassion, and excellence to every aspect of in-home senior care in Indiana. She began her journey as a caregiver, gaining valuable hands-on experience providing personalized, compassionate care for seniors in their homes.

Today, as Director of Operations for Senior Helpers of Evansville and South Bend, Katie oversees all administrative staff and leads the growth, quality, and development of home care services across both regions. Her leadership ensures that every client receives reliable, professional, and heartfelt care that supports independence and dignity.

Katie’s passion for Alzheimer’s care and dementia care stems from personal experience—her grandmother lived with Alzheimer’s for ten years. Witnessing her family’s challenges without proper support inspired Katie’s mission to make sure no family faces that journey alone. She is devoted to creating a supportive, compassionate environment where seniors and their loved ones feel valued and cared for.

Guided by her strong faith, Katie leads with integrity, grace, and empathy. She believes every day is an opportunity to serve others with kindness and purpose, helping families navigate aging with peace of mind and confidence.

Outside of her role at Senior Helpers, Katie is a proud mother of three. She enjoys spending time outdoors, making memories with her family, and finding joy in helping others. Her favorite quote—“Everything happens for a reason”—reflects her belief in hope, resilience, and the meaningful impact of compassionate care.

Angela Hall

Client & Care Team Manager

Angela Hall brings over 25 years of compassionate, hands-on experience in the medical and caregiving fields to her role as Client and Care Team Manager at Senior Helpers of South Bend. With a career spanning caregiving and leadership positions in skilled nursing facilities, Adult Foster Care (AFC) homes, and home health services, Angela offers a deep and well-rounded understanding of what quality in-home senior care truly means.

At Senior Helpers South Bend, Angela leads with heart, purpose, and professionalism—overseeing client and caregiver coordination to ensure smooth daily operations and exceptional service delivery. Her unwavering dedication to supporting both clients and caregivers reflects her lifelong passion for helping others and her commitment to improving the lives of seniors throughout Northern Indiana.
Angela believes in providing care that preserves dignity, comfort, and independence while upholding the highest standards of excellence. She is guided by her faith and inspired daily by her family, drawing strength from her favorite words:

“Through Christ, you are more than enough — fully loved, fully chosen, and fully equipped for all He has called you to do.”

Outside of her professional role, Angela cherishes time with her family and enjoys being active in her church community. Her warmth, leadership, and compassionate spirit make her an invaluable part of the Senior Helpers of South Bend team—helping seniors and their families receive the trustworthy, personalized care they deserve.

Kaylynn Scott

Scheduling Manager

As the Scheduling Manager at Senior Helpers, Kaylynn Scott plays a key role in ensuring seamless, compassionate in-home senior care services across Indiana. She works closely with office teams and caregivers to create thoughtful, well-matched caregiver-client schedules that prioritize each client’s unique care needs, preferences, and continuity of care.

With over 12 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Kaylynn began her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and has served in a variety of caregiving and administrative roles. Her deep understanding of both sides of the care experience allows her to coordinate schedules that foster meaningful, long-term relationships between caregivers and clients—leading to better outcomes and higher satisfaction.

Kaylynn’s true passion lies in senior care, where she finds joy in building personal connections and hearing the incredible stories shared by clients and their families. Her dedication ensures that every Senior Helpers client receives dependable, personalized care from a caregiver who feels like family.

Outside of her professional role, Kaylynn is a proud mother of two. She loves cheering at the ball field, off-roading with her family in their Jeep, and spending time outdoors. Her warmth, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence make her an integral part of the Senior Helpers team.

Kim Valandingham

Lead Intake Specialist

As the Lead Intake Specialist at Senior Helpers, Kim Valandingham is often the first friendly voice families hear when seeking in-home senior care services in Indiana. With over five years of dedicated service at Senior Helpers, Kim plays a vital role in helping families begin their caregiving journey with confidence and compassion.

In her role, Kim oversees all care service inquiries, manages follow-ups with prospective clients, and coordinates in-home care assessments to ensure a smooth, personalized start for every family. Her empathetic approach and deep understanding of senior care make her an invaluable resource for families navigating important decisions about home care.

Before becoming Lead Intake Specialist, Kim served as a Care Team Manager, where she was responsible for hiring, training, and supporting caregivers across Indiana. This hands-on experience gives her a unique perspective—allowing her to connect both with caregivers who provide compassionate care and families who rely on it.

Kim’s passion lies in helping aging adults and their loved ones find the right support to live safely, comfortably, and independently at home. Her commitment to compassionate care ensures that each family receives the attention, understanding, and respect they deserve.

Outside of Senior Helpers, Kim loves spending time outdoors and cherishes camping trips with her family and grandchildren. Her warmth, positivity, and dedication reflect her lifelong commitment to helping others live with dignity and peace of mind.

Elle Pame

Recruiting Specialist

As the Recruiting Specialist at Senior Helpers, Elle Pame is dedicated to finding and hiring compassionate, skilled caregivers who share our mission of delivering exceptional in-home senior care services across Indiana. She focuses on screening applicants, conducting interviews, and matching caregivers with positions that align with their strengths, skills, and passion for helping seniors live independently and with dignity.

With over three years of experience in senior care recruiting, Elle brings a deep understanding of what makes a great caregiver—compassion, reliability, and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of older adults and their families. Her work ensures that Senior Helpers of Indiana maintains a team of trusted professionals who deliver the highest quality care and support throughout Indiana.
Elle is passionate about building strong, caring teams that make a meaningful difference in the community. She believes that quality senior care starts with quality caregivers, and she takes pride in creating opportunities for those who feel called to serve others.

Inspired by the words of Mahatma Gandhi—“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”—Elle approaches both her career and her personal life with curiosity, growth, and compassion. Her dedication helps ensure that every client who chooses Senior Helpers is cared for by a team that truly loves what they do.

Carol Scott

Authorization Specialist

With over 32 years of experience providing both direct care and administrative support for individuals with special needs, Carol Scott has devoted her career to helping others live with dignity and peace of mind. As the Authorization Specialist at Senior Helpers, she ensures families receive seamless in-home senior care services by managing insurance authorizations and client accounts with exceptional accuracy and compassion.

A graduate of Lake Michigan College and a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA), Carol brings extensive expertise in healthcare administration and client support. Her background includes roles as an Administrative Assistant and Financial Specialist, where she advanced to the Accounting and Finance Department and served as a Representative Payee for clients in group homes and waiver programs. She has managed numerous client accounts, processing financial transactions such as XEFT, EFTs, and ACHs with professionalism and precision.

Carol’s earlier experience as a Nursing Assistant at St. Mary’s Sisters of Holy Cross, combined with her ongoing private care for seniors, gives her a deep understanding of both the operational and personal sides of caregiving. She is committed to ensuring that every family’s care journey is handled efficiently, with transparency and trust.

Outside of work, Carol enjoys spending time with her family, playing board games and BINGO, and expressing her creativity through interior decorating. Her dedication, attention to detail, and compassion make her an essential part of the Senior Helpers team—supporting seniors and their loved ones with both care and confidence.

Meet the South Bend office

Our History

Our process

Meet the South Bend Team

Areas We Serve