Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Lake Country

Meet the Lake Country 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 Lake Country 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 Oconomowoc 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 of Lake Country was founded out of a very personal experience with family caregiving. Owner Sara Atwood, a proud veteran who served 21 years in the military, witnessed firsthand the challenges her family faced when caring for her grandmother during her final years. Like so many families, they struggled with distance, juggling responsibilities, and relying heavily on just one family member to provide care. That experience made it clear how important it is for families to have access to reliable, compassionate support.

With a deep desire to continue her lifelong mission of service—this time within her own community—Sara opened Senior Helpers of Lake Country. From the very beginning, her vision was simple: to provide peace of mind to families by ensuring their loved ones receive not only professional care, but also genuine companionship, respect, and dignity.

Since its founding, Senior Helpers of Lake Country has been built on the values of compassion, service, and connection. Every member of the team shares the commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors and their 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 Lake Country Team

Sara Atwood

Owner

Sara Atwood opened Senior Helpers of Lake Country out of a deeply personal journey with her grandmother. Coming from a proud military family, Sara and her loved ones followed in her father’s footsteps and served their country. During her grandmother’s final years, however, the family faced the challenge of ensuring she received the care and companionship she deserved. With many family members no longer living in Wisconsin, the responsibility often fell on just one caregiver. This experience opened Sara’s eyes to how critical reliable, compassionate support is for families—and inspired her next mission of service.

After dedicating 21 years to serving in the military, Sara felt called to continue making a difference closer to home. Senior Helpers of Lake Country was born from that desire: to give families peace of mind knowing their loved ones are safe, supported, and genuinely cared for. What excites Sara most is the opportunity to bring comfort, belonging, and joy to seniors and their families through meaningful connections.

Outside of her work, Sara is married to her husband, Derek, and together they have two children, Anna and Andrew, along with their dogs, Chewy and Lucy. Since retiring from the military, one of Sara’s proudest accomplishments has been completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality Management, a goal that has shaped her vision for leading her business with care and service at its core.

In her free time, Sara enjoys being outdoors with family and friends, attending summer concerts, camping, and hiking. She and Derek also share a passion for riding their Harley Davidson motorcycles, which has connected them with fellow veterans and charitable organizations. They can often be found supporting veteran causes through organized charity rides and donations.

Heidi Behlke

Office Manager

Heidi Behlke brings a wealth of experience and compassion to her role as Office Manager at Senior Helpers of Lake Country. Originally from Connecticut, she has called Wisconsin home since the age of 12, and values the balance Lake Country offers—nestled between Milwaukee and Madison with the warmth of a close-knit community.

With a professional background rooted in sales and marketing, Heidi has spent the past decade working in senior living, including leadership roles as an Executive Director and in community-based sales. Throughout her career, she has been drawn to working with seniors, cherishing the opportunity to hear their life stories and ensuring they receive the care and dignity they deserve.

Heidi is especially excited to be part of a veteran- and woman-owned business that provides such a vital service to the community. In her role, she wears many hats and applies her wide-ranging skills to support both clients and caregivers. Her philosophy is simple but powerful: listening first. She believes listening is the foundation of understanding needs and creating solutions that make a real difference.

Outside of work, Heidi gives back to the community as an adult leader in Job’s Daughters, a youth group for young women. She also enjoys attending concerts, competing in puzzle competitions, and spending time crafting. A favorite quote that inspires her is, “You cannot discover new oceans without leaving the shore.”

Lauri Eckmann

Marketing and Outreach Coordinator

Lauri Eckmann brings more than four decades of experience working with individuals and families across all stages of life. Originally from Bismarck, North Dakota, she began her career in 1983, dedicating herself to supporting AIDS patients, children, high-risk families, and seniors in need. After studying Family Science with an emphasis in Gerontology and Death and Dying at North Dakota State University, Lauri continued her journey of service through roles in sales, marketing, and program development. She has lived in the greater Milwaukee area since 1996, enriching her community with her expertise and compassion.

Lauri’s passion for senior care is deeply personal. Inspired by her profound love for her grandparents and great-grandparents—and shaped by witnessing her great grandmother’s struggle in long-term care—she committed herself to helping older adults live with dignity, comfort, and purpose. She believes wholeheartedly that everyone deserves the chance to live their best life, and she works tirelessly to make that possible.

As Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for Senior Helpers of Lake Country, Lauri is excited to help individuals remain safely and successfully in their own homes. She values the opportunity to connect families with services that allow loved ones to thrive in familiar surroundings—a meaningful win for everyone involved.

Known for her energy, compassion, and dedication, Lauri approaches every client and caregiver with openness and a desire to help. She believes knowledge empowers families to make the best decisions for their needs. If she knows the answer, she’ll share it; if she doesn’t, she’ll find it and follow up right away. Lauri is committed to ensuring that those she serves feel supported, informed, and confident every step of the

Meet the Lake Country office

Our History

Our process

Meet the Lake Country Team

Photos from the Lake Country, WI Office!

Areas We Serve