The Future Leaders Awards program is brought to you in partnership with Homecare Homebase.
Meisha Oleksiak, Market Leader for the East Region & Delaware at Help at Home, 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.
Oleksiak 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?
Oleksiak: What initially drew me to the home health and home care industry was very personal. My grandmother was diagnosed with MS when I was growing up, and seeing the impact it had on her daily life – and on our family – really shaped me. It made me want to be part of an industry where I could help make things better, not only for individuals living with challenging diagnoses, but also for the loved ones who support them. That experience instilled in me a strong sense of purpose, and it continues to drive the work I do today.
HHCN: What’s your biggest leadership lesson learned since starting to serve this industry?
Oleksiak: The biggest leadership lesson I’ve learned in this industry is the importance of balancing results with people. Home health and home care are built on relationships – with caregivers, clients, families, and teams. Early on, I thought success was all about hitting metrics and solving problems quickly, but I’ve learned that the real impact comes when you slow down to listen, build trust, and invest in people. When your team feels seen, supported, and valued, the outcomes naturally follow.
HHCN: If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of the home health & home care industry, what would it be?
Oleksiak: Caregivers are the heartbeat of our industry, yet their dedication too often is undervalued. Looking ahead, I’d love to see more organizations follow the example of Help at Home in truly putting caregivers first – investing in their training, growth, and long-term career pathways. Because when we support and uplift caregivers, we don’t just empower them – we elevate the quality of care for every client and family they serve. That’s the foundation for lasting impact and sustainability in home health and home care.
HHCN: In one word, how would you describe the future of home health & home care?
Oleksiak: Evolving.
HHCN: If you had a crystal ball, what do you think will impact the home health & home care industry now and into 2026?
Oleksiak: I think the biggest forces shaping home health and home care, both now and into 2026, will be workforce dynamics and technology.
On one hand, the demand for care is only growing as the population ages, which puts increasing pressure on caregiver recruitment, retention, and fair compensation. On the other hand, technology – from scheduling platforms to remote monitoring tools – is transforming how we connect caregivers, clients, and families.
The real impact will come from how well we align these two forces: investing in people while also embracing innovation that makes their jobs easier and care more accessible. That balance will define the future of the industry.
HHCN: In your opinion, what qualities must all Future Leaders possess?
Oleksiak: Adaptability, empathy, and accountability.
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?
Oleksiak: If I could go back and give myself advice on my very first day in this industry, it would be: pace yourself and give yourself grace.
In home health and home care, there’s always more to do – more clients who need support, more caregivers to engage, more processes to improve. Early on, I thought I had to have all the answers right away. What I’ve learned is that the real difference comes from building relationships, listening, and tackling challenges step by step.
Progress is a marathon, not a sprint, and giving yourself the space to learn along the way is what allows you to truly grow and lead with impact.