Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of North Raleigh
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Serving Knightdale and the surrounding areas.
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Serving Knightdale and the surrounding areas.
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Meet the North Raleigh 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 Greater Arlington 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 Arlington 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 Story

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 20 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 North Raleign was proud to join the system in 2019.  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 Owner

Megan Bellamy

Megan Bellamy

Owner

Megan grew up in a military family and proudly continues that legacy today with a military family of her own. From an early age, she learned the value of a strong work ethic alongside the importance of service- giving back to others, especially to the elders who have given so much to their families and communities.

While working as a young attorney, Megan served with a pro bono legal services office, where she helped qualified nursing home residents transition to living independently with the supoprt of in-home care. Through this work, she gaines firsthand insight into hoe many seniors struggle to understand and navigage their care options, as well as the emotional and logistical challenges families face while caring for aging parents, raising children, and managing their own lives. These experiences inspired Megan to help NC families find peave of mind by ensuring their loved ones recieve friendly, trained, and compassionate care in the comfort of their own homes.

Megan earned her BA in English Literature from the University of Florida and her JD from Howard University School of Law. Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children, being outdoors, watching football, and cooking. She also serves as a Girl Scout Troop Co-Leader, where she supports her daughters and their fellow scouts as they serve their community and develop leadership skills of their own.

Meet the North Raleigh Team

Barbara Hegermiller-Smith

Barbara Hegermiller-Smith

Registered Nurse

Barbara has been a registered nurse since 1983, having worked as an adult nurse practitioner from 1987 through 2023. She is retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs after thirty years of service having worked with primary care, diabetes management, women's health, neurology, and liver transplant clinics. Since 2023, she has partnered with private home care nursing agencies to provide skilled nursing care to patients at home. She is passionate about helping patients stay as independent as possible, as well as supporting care that fosters chronic disease management, reducing flare up of illness, and prevention of hospitalization when feasible.

Marlana Mayr

Marlana Mayr

Sales and Marketing Manager

As the Sales and Marketing Manager for Senior Helpers, Marlana is honored to serve in a role that aligns closely with her lifelong passion for helping others. She is driven by a genuine desire to make a meaningful impact in the lives of seniors and their families, ensuring they receive the care, respect, and support they deserve.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she relocated to the Raleigh area in 2008, where she has built both her career and strong community roots. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Psychology from Walden University, which deepened her understanding of human behavior and reinforced her commitment to compassionate, person-centered service. 

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her two daughters, relaxing at the beach, exploring new restaurants, and making memories with family and friends.


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 Raleigh 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.