July 17, 2023
Theresa Bracher, a case manager for MyCare Ohio, was presented with the 2023 Community Champion Award at USAging’s 48th Annual Conference and Tradeshow in Salt Lake City, Utah. The award presented by Mom’s Meals®, a leading provider of medically tailored, home-delivered meals, and USAging, the national association representing and supporting the network of Area Agencies on Aging, underscores the valuable role case managers play in supporting whole health in their communities.
In their work, case managers promote awareness of the importance of nutrition in overall health and highlight this critical social determinant of health to help individuals who want to age at home and to support the management of chronic conditions.
Bracher thrives in her work, especially when working on behalf of clients who have more complicated needs. And because of her dedication to her clients, they are more likely to experience more positive outcomes under her watchful eye, according to her nomination.
For example, when one client who was already frail and underweight arrived home from a hospitalization looking even more underweight than normal, she reviewed the discharge instructions and saw a note that the client was severely malnourished. It was quickly determined due to a language barrier; the client and the caregiver didn’t understand the information provided to them. Theresa stepped in and coordinated with all the necessary individuals – the client, family caregiver, primary care physician and staff, visiting nurse, pharmacy and dietitian – to ensure a comprehensive plan was put in place to address the malnutrition issue.
“Theresa did an exceptional job of advocating for her client as well as collaborating with the client’s interdisciplinary care team to create a plan of action to best care for the client,” said Billie Elliott, Bracher’s manager at MyCare Ohio. “She has some really tough clients with a lot of complicated needs. She is very patient and takes her time to work with them. She genuinely cares and wants her clients to be where they are, not in a nursing facility.”
The Community Champion Award, introduced by Mom’s Meals in 2020, honors case managers for their outstanding achievements in the areas of nutrition, health and healthy lifestyles. USAging joined the effort in 2021.
“Theresa Bracher is an outstanding example of the impact case managers have on people with unique needs, many of them our most vulnerable neighbors,” said John Phillips, vice president of national program development for Mom’s Meals. “Mom’s Meals is proud to recognize the true champions — case managers — who work tirelessly to bring much-needed health and nutrition services to their clients.”
Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging said, “We are so pleased to present Theresa Bracher with this honor. She, along with all the case managers across the nation, truly change lives through their invaluable work. This award spotlights the critical role of case managers, who work with a diverse array of older adults to help them secure the supports they need to be able to age well at home and in their communities.”
Four case managers have previously been bestowed the Community Champion Award. Previous winner can be found here.
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About Mom’s Meals
Mom’s Meals provides fully prepared, refrigerated, home-delivered meals through Medicaid or Medicare Advantage health plan benefits or for direct purchase. Mom’s Meals delivers nationwide and offers many medically tailored options for different health conditions. Its long-term care, chronic care and post-discharge care programs allow clients to lead healthier lives while remaining independent at home. For more information, visit www.MomsMeals.com.
About USAging
USAging is the national association representing and supporting the network of Area Agencies on Aging and advocating for the Title VI Native American Aging Programs. Our members help older adults and people with disabilities throughout the United States live with optimal health, well-being, independence and dignity in their homes and communities. For more information, visit www.usaging.org.