The Future Leaders Awards program is brought to you in partnership with Homecare Homebase.
Kristin Fenton, Administrator at Elara Caring, has been named a 2025 Future Leader 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.
Fenton 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?
Fenton: I was drawn to the home health industry because of the opportunity for one-on-one patient care. I began my nursing career in a large hospital, where I often felt I couldn’t give my patients the attention they truly deserved. Transitioning to Skilled Home Health allowed me to provide more personalized care – and I’ve never looked back. I spent many years as a field nurse before moving into a Clinical Manager role, and I now serve as the Administrator.
HHCN: What’s your biggest leadership lesson learned since starting to serve this industry?
Fenton: Always lead from the front. I believe a leader should remain visible, approachable, and actively engaged with their team. I never expect my team to do something I wouldn’t do myself. Equally important is creating a culture where hard work is recognized and rewarded, while also holding each other accountable to the high standards our patients deserve.
HHCN: If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of the home health & home care industry, what would it be?
Fenton: I would work to reduce the barriers that limit a patient’s access to needed care. Too often, restrictions, such as insurance denials, inadequate reimbursement, and delays in obtaining supplies or authorizations for additional visits, prevent us from delivering timely, comprehensive care in the home setting.
HHCN: In one word, how would you describe the future of home health & home care?
Fenton: Evolving.
HHCN: If you had a crystal ball, what do you think will impact the home health & home care industry now and into 2026?
Fenton: I believe home health remains underappreciated and underutilized. My concern is that a lack of awareness about the high level of care provided in the home — and the value it brings to both patients and the healthcare system — may lead to funding cuts. Without greater recognition and advocacy, the industry risks losing critical resources that directly impact patient outcomes.
HHCN: In your opinion, what qualities must all Future Leaders possess?
Fenton: Future leaders should earn and give respect, stay visible and approachable, adapt quickly to change, make tough decisions with integrity, and inspire their teams with a clear vision.
HHCN: If you could give advice to yourself looking back to your first day in the home health & home care industry, what would it be and why?
Fenton: Be open to change. My first day was not what I expected it to be. I was a field nurse, and my first visit on my first day of field orientation was in a very bad neighborhood. We saw a patient with a complex wound vac in a difficult-to-access area of the body, with little to no lighting in the home. I was nervous, overwhelmed, and questioning if I had made a mistake leaving the orthopedic unit — where most patients were admitted for planned elective procedures after thorough medical clearance. But despite the challenges, the patient and his family were incredibly appreciative of the care we provided. That day taught me that home health requires adaptability, creativity, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone — qualities that have shaped me into the nurse and leader I am today.
The post Future Leader: Kristin Fenton, Administrator, Elara Caring appeared first on Home Health Care News.
