Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of The Smoky Mountains
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Serving Sevierville and the surrounding areas.
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Serving Sevierville and the surrounding areas.
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Meet the The Smoky Mountains 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 The Smoky Mountains 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 Sevierville 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 The Smoky Mountains was proud to join the system in 2026.  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 The Smoky Mountains Team

Joseph & Pam Cate

Joseph & Pam Cate

Owners

Joe and Pam Cate are the owners of Senior Helpers of the Smoky Mountains and is dedicated to helping seniors maintain their independence, dignity, and comfort while aging safely at home. After a successful 33-year career in the oil and gas industry, Joe retired and pursued a new calling centered on serving others and making a meaningful difference in his community.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Accounting, Joe brings decades of leadership and business experience to Senior Helpers. He is passionate about building strong relationships with clients, families, and caregivers, creating a trusted support system where everyone feels heard, respected, and cared for.

Joe is especially excited about bringing compassionate, dependable care to families throughout the Smoky Mountains area and building a team that shares his commitment to exceptional service. He believes that caregiving is about more than completing tasks—it's about creating moments of comfort, connection, and peace of mind when families need it most.

Joe and his wife, Pam, have been married for 33 years and are proud parents of two daughters, Whitney and Kelsey. They are also the proud grandparents of Everleigh and Shepherd, with a third grandchild expected soon. Joe considers his family his greatest accomplishment and enjoys spending time with them, relaxing on the lake, and staying actively involved in his local church.

Emily Cook

Emily Cook

Office Manager

Emily Cook serves as the Office Manager at Senior Helpers of the Smoky Mountains. Bringing over a decade of administrative and support services experience, she excels in communication and project coordination. Emily is dedicated to driving team efficiency and organizational growth while fostering a positive workplace culture. Outside the office, she loves running, exploring local coffee shops, and hiking with her husband.


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 The Smoky Mountains 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.

  • Sevierville
  • Pigeon Forge
  • Gatlinburg
  • Cosby
  • Dandridge
  • Hartford
  • Jefferson City
  • Kodak
  • Lowland
  • Mascot
  • Morristown
  • New Market
  • Newport
  • Seymour
  • Strawberry Plains
  • Talbott
  • Walland
  • White Pine
  • East Knoxville