A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Regina Smelser

Regina-SmelserBorn and raised in the city of La Porte, Regina Smelser continues to be active in her community through her work with Alzheimer's. After leaving home to attend college at Ball State University, Smelser returned to her hometown where she met and married her husband of eight years, welcomed two step-children into her life, and three sons of her own.

"My family is so supportive and I am so blessed to have them in my life," Smelser gushed.

Smelser has worked in the social services industry for fifteen years with concentrations in mental health, public assistance, employment services, assistance with troubled youths, and assistance with the aged and disabled population. Currently, she works for REAL Services, where she has been for the past six years.

"I believe strongly in the mission of REAL Services. We serve so many people who sometimes would otherwise 'fall through the cracks' in community services," Smelser said, regarding her work. "I make it my mission to try to make a difference for one person each day. Our clients are elderly or have disabilities that many make them feel isolated, and have little or no family or supports in the area, so we may be the only people they see or talk to."

Many clients have said what a difference it makes to have someone that actually listens and shows interest in what they have to say.

"I want each of the people that I serve to know that they matter and are valuable to someone," Smelser said.

Most of Smelser's time with REAL Services has been as a Home Care Manager, where she manages a case load of individuals that are in need of in-home care and that live in the community. She and he co-workers help get their clients the services they need set up, such as home delivered meals, an emergency response button, a bath aide, or even nursing. However, in October, Smelser started a new positions as a Long-Term Transition Specialist. Though she still has a small, specialized case load of home care clients, she now also worked with all of the area's nursing facilities and hospitals as well.

"I find this position to be quite rewarding, because I see the excitement from people anticipating returning to their home or to be with their loved ones," Smelser said. "It's a bit like putting together a puzzle, and the final piece in the needed services starting when our clients return home. It's so neat to see those goals being met and to have a hand in making others happy."

When she's not working with REAL Services, Smelser is very involved in Alzheimer's awareness. Her interest Alzheimer's came through her work, where she has worked with several clients who have Alzheimer's, as well as other forms of dementia.

"It breaks my heart to see the changes in a person with the disease as it progresses. No disease is a 'good' one to have, but somehow knowing that Alzheimer's takes you mind is just terrifying," she said.

After receiving some reading material from a caregiver, Smelser decided to do some further research on the subject. From all of her research, she learned about the walks put on every year by the Alzheimer's Association to raise funds for research and awareness.

"When I was seeking information about the disease, I found that there was a walk coming up and decided to start a team. I thought it was a neat event for a good cause," she said.

After the walk, Smelser asked if she could volunteer to help the nest year. When she was contacted and told that they were planning a walk in Michigan City, she joined the steering committee to get the ball rolling. 2013 marked her third year on the steering committee and her first year as a co-chair with Cathy Berk. As a co-chair, she was able to experience a little more of the publicity and preparation that goes into the Walk to End Alzheimer's.

"The steering committee really is a great group of women, and the walk has grown each year as a result of hard work and the team spirit support from the committee," she said.

The next Walk to End Alzheimer's will take place on October 5th, 2014 at Washington Park.

When she's not working or volunteering with Walk to End Alzheimer's committee, Smelser is very involved with music as a proud member of the La Porte City Band, volunteers on committees at her church, and spends as much time with her family as possible.

"My husband and children are such a blessing, and so my favorite thing to do is have quality time with them," Smelser said in closing.