Meet Our Team
We believe every family in the area deserves tailor made in-home senior care with a compassionate touch. That's why we established Home Instead® of Nanaimo.
Proudly Serving Aging Adults & Their Families for the last 5 years in Nanaimo and Central Vancouver Island
Our Promise
- Do what we say we’re going to do – each and every time
- Solve care problems using compassionate, person-centered solutions
- Engage in thoughtful relationships with the families we serve
- Give back to our community
Melissa King - Owner & Director of Client Care
Melissa is our Owner and Director of Client Care, but beyond that, she is the heart and vision behind the company. More than anything, Melissa has the heart to give back to our community and exceed expectations for what home care can be. After fifteen years of working as an LPN, Melissa found a special love for her palliative care patients and their families. After nursing for seven years, Melissa began teaching a Health Care Assistant program here on the island, where she loved helping to shape the next generation of health care workers. After witnessing first-hand the challenges families face while caring for their aging loved ones, Melissa found Home Instead. She fell in love with their mission to help people stay home as long as possible and the ability it gave her to train her Care Professionals how to care for others in their community.
Above all else, Melissa is a mom; she spends every moment possible with her two kids playing yard games, going on hikes, or sitting doing homework together. To her, family is everything. And it is that love and passion that translates directly into the personal way she cares for each of her clients and their families.
Steve Kristensen - Care Services Coordinator
Steve has been with Home Instead since the beginning and remains an invaluable part of our team. In his new role as Care Services Coordinator, he supports clients, Care Professionals, and office operations—often stepping in wherever needed. Whether you hear him on the phone or see him in the home, Steve helps ensure care runs smoothly through hands-on support, quality checks, training, supply coordination, and shift coverage. Born and raised on the island, Steve is passionate about his community; working with Home Instead has allowed him to reinvest his time and talent into giving back to his roots.
Outside the office, Steve enjoys DIY renovations, working outside in his garden, and cooking up a storm.
Lauren Kennedy - Training & Engagement Coordinator
Lauren is our Recruitment & Engagement Coordinator at Home Instead Nanaimo, with 7 years experience in an office setting and 2 years in a long term care facility.
Lauren gravitated towards home care due to her empathetic nature and drive to make a positive difference in the lives of others. With her hands on experience & excellent communication skills, she will manage the recruiting process, filling open jobs and coordinating best matches between our care professionals and clients. She will ensure that our Care Professionals are well supported in gaining all the skills necessary to excel in providing exceptional client and family - centered care.
Lauren chose Home Instead as she shares our passion to provide individualized care, and improve the quality of life for our aging neighbors & their families. Home Instead also offers flexible hours and the option to work independently, this is important to Lauren as she now has the ability to balance her family and work life.When Lauren is not caring for our families or coordinating in Office duties, she is hiking with her two dogs Lola and Rocket, and her son Tyson. Due to Lauren’s compassionate and empathetic personality, her future goal is to have a small farm with rescued animals!
Nisha Bherwani - Service Coordinator
Nisha plays a key role in ensuring smooth scheduling and strong matches between clients and Care Professionals. She works closely with both families and staff to make sure every visit is timely, well-coordinated, and meets the unique needs of each client. Nisha’s attention to detail and calm approach help keep everything running just right behind the scenes.
When she’s not scheduling, Nisha loves being in nature, sipping a good cup of coffee, and cooking delicious meals for friends. It’s her peaceful escape from a busy day.
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Pac the Therapy Puppy
Thumper the Therapy Bunny
Celebrating our 4 Year Anniversary - October 2024!
More Than a Business
