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Future Leader: kasey Bruns, Branch Director, Elara Caring. Kasey Bruns, Branch Director at Elara Caring, has been named to the Future Leaders Class of 2026 by Home Health Care News. To become a Future Leader, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who is 40 years of age or younger, a passionate worker who knows how to put vision into action, and an advocate for seniors, and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being. Bruns sat down with Home Health Care News to share what drew her to the home health & home care industry, the biggest leadership lessons she has learned, her thoughts on the future of home health & home care, and much more. To learn more about the Future Leaders Awards program, visit https://futureleaders.wtwhmedia.com/. HHCN: What drew you to the home health & home care industry? Bruns: What initially drew me to the home health and home care industry was the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patients in the place they are most comfortable - their home. Home health allows careserveprivateduty.com to care for patients more holistically by understanding not only their clinical needs, but also the environmental, emotional and social factors that influence their overall wellbeing. I was also inspired by the ability to help reduce hospitalizations, improve quality outcomes, and support patients in maintaining their independence and dignity. HHCN: How would you describe your leadership style, and how has it changed over time? Bruns: I would describe my leadership style as collaborative, supportive, and accountability-driven. Early in my career, I focused heavily on operational performance and problem-solving. Over time, I learned that the strongest results come from investing in people first - listening, coaching, and creating an environment where team members feel valued and empowered. While accountability remains important, I now place greater emphasis on communication, mentorship, and helping others grow professionally and personally. HHCN: What is the biggest leadership lesson you've learned while serving the home health & home care industry? Bruns: One of the biggest leadership lessons I've learned is that consistency and communication are critical. In home health, there are constant changes in regulations, patient acuity, staffing challenges, and operational demands. During times of change or uncertainty, teams look to leadership for clarity, transparency, and support. I've learned that being present, approachable, and proactive in communication builds trust and strengthens team performance HHCN: In one word, how would you describe the home health & home care industry and why? Bruns: The home health and home care industry continuously adapts to changing patient needs, regulatory requirements, workforce challenges, and healthcare trends. Despite these challenges, caregivers and leaders remain committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality care while helping patients safely remain in their homes. HHCN: What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges currently facing the home health & home care industry? Bruns: One of the greatest opportunities in home health is the increasing recognition of the value of care delivered in the home setting. As healthcare continues shifting toward value-based care, home health organizations have a unique opportunity to improve patient outcomes, reduce hospitalizations, and lower overall healthcare costs. Advances in technology, remote monitoring, and data analytics will also continue to enhance patient care and operational efficiency. At the same time, workforce recruitment and retention remain significant challenges. The industry is also navigating increasing regulatory complexity, reimbursement pressures, and rising patient acuity. Successfully balancing quality outcomes, employee engagement, and financial sustainability will continue to be a major focus for organizations across the industry. HHCN: If you had a crystal ball, what do you think will impact the home health & home care industry over the next 5-10 years? Bruns: Over the next 5-10 years, I believe the industry will be heavily influenced by the continued shift toward value-based care, advancements in technology, and the growing aging population. Organizations that can effectively leverage predictive analytics, telehealth, AI-supported workflows, and remote patient monitoring will likely be better positioned to improve outcomes and manage costs. I also believe workforce development and retention strategies will become even more critical. The organizations that prioritize culture, clinician support, leadership development, and employee well-being will have a significant advantage in attracting and retaining top talent. HHCN: In your opinion, what qualities must all Future Leaders possess? Bruns: Future Leaders must possess adaptability, emotional intelligence, integrity, and strong communication skills. Healthcare is constantly evolving, and leaders must be able to navigate change while maintaining trust and stability within their teams. They must also be willing to listen, remain open to innovation, and lead with empathy and accountability. Additionally, Future Leaders must understand the importance of developing others. Strong leadership is not only about achieving results - it is about creating an environment where teams feel supported, empowered, and inspired to provide exceptional care. Jessica Longly is the Awards Program Manager. When she isn't crafting and managing the awards strategy and programs, Jessica can be found spending quality time with her family, cheering for her kids at their flag football, lacrosse and soccer games, taking her dogs on long walks, and supporting her alma mater, Indiana University. HOO-HOO-HOO-HOOSIERS!

Elara Caring data breach exposes Social Security numbers. May 13, 2026 May 14, 2026 Affected by the data breach? You may be entitled to compensation. Submit a claim today. Elara Caring, one of the nation's largest providers of home-based care services, has disclosed a data breach involving one of its third-party vendors. The total number of individuals affected across the United States has not been publicly disclosed; however, 3,311 Texas residents and 714 Massachusetts residents have been affected. On Dec. 12, 2025, a third-party vendor notified Elara that an unauthorized actor had accessed and downloaded documents containing patient information from the vendor's system.Elara's own internal systems were not compromised as a result of this incident. The unauthorized access occurred during two separate periods, between Nov. 4 and 6, 2025, and between Nov. 14 and 17, 2025. Once Elara learned of the breach from its vendor, the company launched an investigation to determine what information was involved and to identify which patients were affected. The types of information exposed in the breach included names, addresses, dates of birth, medical records, health insurance information and Social Security numbers. The company mailed out notification letters to affected individuals on May 12, 2026. Elara Caring's response to the breach. Elara Caring is offering 24 months of complimentary credit monitoring and remediation services through Cyberscout, a TransUnion company, at no cost. Each affected individual will receive a unique enrollment code in their notification letter. Elara has also established a dedicated call center for individuals with questions about the breach or who need assistance with the enrollment process. The call center is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, excluding major U.S. holidays. Steps to take if your information was exposed. * Place a fraud alert or credit freeze on credit files by contacting Equifax (1-888-766-0008), Experian (1-888-397-3742) and TransUnion (1-800-680-7289) to help prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened. * Request free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and review them carefully for unfamiliar accounts, unexpected inquiries or other suspicious activity. * Monitor Explanation of Benefits statements from health insurers for medical services not authorized or received, since medical records were among the information exposed in this breach. * Review bank accounts and financial statements regularly for any unauthorized transactions, given that Social Security numbers were involved in this breach. * Be cautious of phishing attempts that reference Elara Caring or this data breach by name, as scammers sometimes use breach notifications to craft convincing emails, texts or phone calls. * Report suspected identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-382-4357 and to local law enforcement. Submit your claim to the law firm handling this investigation. Types of INFORMATION affected Notice letter. Sources. Disclosures Breach summary. Affected Entity