Since 1991, Care Consultants for the Aging has been providing licensed, certified caregivers who assist clients with medical and non-medical cares so they can stay independent in their homes.   In addition to the home care registry, Care Consultants updates and publishes the ElderCare Resource Handbook every two years.  Melissa Smith is the Vice President of Care Consultants for the Aging.

Tell us a little about your business. – Care Consultants is a Home Care Registry, which means we refer caregivers to those who need assistance in order to remain independent in their homes.  Scheduling from one hour at a time up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, clients have the flexibility to decide how often they need assistance and the ability to direct their own care.  Care Consultants also produces the ElderCare Resource Handbook, which is a complete listing of services for seniors in the Omaha metropolitan area.  Individuals can purchase the Handbook through us or view it for free at www.careconsultants.com.

How did you get started in the business? – I started working at Care Consultants as a part-time job when I was in college.  Little did I know, thirteen years later I would be Vice President and a co-owner. I was lucky enough to learn from the two women who started the company and was inspired by their expertise and passion for helping others.

Tell me a little about your family. – My family consists of my husband, Jesse, our dog, Allie, and our cat, Riley.  We also have freshwater fish, saltwater fish and various koi in our outdoor pond!

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Nine years ago, after working as a Wildlife Biologist for a time, I made the decision to return to Omaha and come back to Care Consultants on a permanent basis.  This turned out to be one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – My favorite thing to do on a day off is to get away from the city and find a place to be outside.  I love hiking, swimming or even just lying in the grass at the park.  Warmer weather is always preferred!

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I have worked as a wilderness park ranger at Yosemite National Park, ‘hooted’ for northern spotted owls for the Forest Service, and searched for marbled murrelets, a Pacific seabird, for the Bureau of Land Management.  Other wildlife I have surveyed includes bats, mollusks, voles, and other various animals.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Passionate!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – If you need something done, ask a busy person.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? – “If I Can Dream” by Elvis.  It reminds me that if you can dream of something, you can make it happen!

Which talent would you most like to have? – I have always wanted to know how to fix my own car.

What is your favorite local restaurant? – Dario’s Brasserie.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Eleanor Roosevelt.  She was inspiring and spoke out for what she believed in.  She did it all with grace and poise.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Call me at (402) 398-1848, email me at ccainc1@yahoo.com or check out our website at www.careconsultants.com.