Why Home Care Leaders Need to Play the Long Game with Michelle Cone

Live @ HCAOA—20-minute conversation with Michelle Cone, SVP of Industry Engagement at HomeWell Franchising, Inc.Michelle Cone on LinkedInHomeWell Franchising The investment that’s paid off in home care: 1) learning to lead with patience and 2) learning to play the long gameLeading with patience:Don’t scrap ideas or initiatives after a matter of weeks, give important things more timeMeasure everything and make decisions off of quantity and quality Find mentors who embody patience and shadow themHome care is reactive and we want to solve problems quickly, but give yourself time and space to think, reflect, and process issues accordingly Systematize ‘how you process’ as a leader, so you can improve over timePlaying the long game:In sales: building relationships, processes, and trust that lastsIn operations: short term goals, long term initiatives, and both require clear expectations and a plan of executionPut in place: monthly, quarterly, annual, and 5-year goalsMichelle’s personal mission: educating anyone and everyone on the impact and benefit of home careThe time is now for home care—we’ve put in the work, time to double down on what’s working.Keeping an eye on CMS Guide Program in 2026. Partnered with PocketRN with a focus on reducing hospital readmissions.The 3-legged stool: non-medical, skilled, hospice > personal care pulling apart from companionship, palliative care taking on a bigger role > the nature and structure of home care is shifting Sponsors:Baba (callbaba.com): AI phone-based co-pilot for seniors to prevent loneliness, create support, and connect them with professionals Paradigm (paradigmseniors.com): Credentialing, billing automation, and revenue cycle management for VA and Medicaid paymentsHomeSight (vantiva.com/homesight): TV-based wellness hub for blended care—video visits, health monitoring, and daily reminders for the family and care team