Our Team
Your Home Instead team in Nanaimo, BC possesses a heartfelt desire to work with seniors in the community. It is our ultimate goal to forge extraordinary relationships between our clients and their Care Professionals.
When you are ready for help, our caring staff is on call to quickly answer your questions and accommodate your senior services needs.
About Us! - The Home Instead Office Team
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 - Service Coordinator
Steve was one of the first Care Professionals to join our company and has since become an integral member of our office team. Steve works hard to ensure that each client - Care Professional match and visit, is in line with our client’s needs; he utilizes his eight years of experience working with scheduling and staffing to ensure our beloved clients are given the best care. 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, playing with his rescue Chihuahua, 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!
lauren.kennedy@homeinstead.com
Tanya Rochefort - Human Resources
With a diverse background spanning real estate, finance, and senior care, Tanya brings a wealth of experience to her role as Human Resources at Home Instead. Her professional journey includes roles as a Realtor, Mortgage Broker, and Finance Manager, and she has also served as a Recruitment & Engagement Coordinator, Care Coordinator, Scheduler, and Caregiver with our organization.
Tanya’s extensive experience in these areas equips her with a deep understanding of both the operational and human aspects of the business. Her commitment to supporting and nurturing both clients and staff has been a hallmark of her career.
Outside of work, Tanya is a dedicated mom to two grown children and a proud grandmother of two. She has a passion for dogs, seniors, and the beauty of nature. When she’s not at work, you can find Tanya boating with her husband, enjoying walks, or indulging in her love for crocheting.
We’re thrilled to welcome Tanya back to Home Instead, where her expertise and enthusiasm will undoubtedly contribute to our mission of providing exceptional care and support.
Pac the Therapy Puppy
Thumper the Therapy Bunny
Celebrating our 4 Year Anniversary - October 2024!
