Since joining Homeland’s Board of Managers in October 2024, Sandee O’Hara has been deeply impressed by the power that 18 committed women can generate. “The board’s focus is on how
Joyce Muniz was a little girl going through a magazine when her mother explained that the picture of a woman in a white dress and cap was of a nurse.
Sharria Floyd has changed her daily outfits from scrubs to business casual, but she still feels like the caregiver she has always been. “It doesn’t make me feel any less
Your choice. Our privilege. For Homeland Hospice this is a promise to deliver the most compassionate care possible to all patients and their families. In his role as a licensed social worker (LSW) with Homeland Hospice, Andrew Humes lives these
Homeland HomeHealth, a service of Homeland Center’s community outreach program Homeland at Home, has earned a five-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that works in partnership with the nation’s healthcare community
A health crisis brought Ed and Marlene Sickora to Homeland in the fall of 2024, but they knew immediately that they were in the right place. “We’ve met so many nice people,” Marlene said. “They’ll introduce themselves and talk to
When members of the Homeland community were invited to decorate canvas hearts to celebrate Homeland Hospice’s 15th anniversary, many chose to depict hands. “What comes out of our hands exudes from our hearts,” said Homeland Center Director of Nursing Jennifer
Rita Van Meter of Lewistown was known as the “miracle lady” by staff at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital after she survived a medical episode in August of 2022. During her hospitalization, Rita suffered a heart attack and received last rites from her priest at Sacred Heart Church of Lewistown. She spent nine
From her earliest years, Marilyn LaDieu had relatives who were artists and who always encouraged her in her artistic pursuits. “I have memories of people saying, ‘Oh, Marilyn’s an artist. She can draw that,’” said LaDieu. “I’ve run into many people over the years who always wanted to try art
Joyce Zandieh is a new resident at Homeland, but since moving into her personal care suite, people can see a difference. “My friends say they can feel a change in me since I came here,” she said. “I always had to figure out who would cut my grass. Will the
Dr. Suzanne Sheaffer of Harrisburg has held many titles in her life. She is a Gold Star mother, nurse, volunteer and tireless advocate for victim’s rights. She is a steadfast fighter for those who need a champion, and believes every experience has a silver lining. Suzanne is marshalling her strength and
Our pets are loyal and trusted members of our family. Their unconditional love and friendship brighten our darkest days and make the good days even better. Research has shown that pets, especially dogs and cats, can even reduce stress hormone levels and increase levels of feel-good hormones. The undeniable comfort pets bring
Of all the things Dorothy Yoder loves about Homeland Center, her favorite is the van trips. Excursions take residents to lunch at a favorite restaurant or visit local sites. “This past Christmas, we went to see a park in Elizabethtown where every single tree was lit up and covered with
For most of her life, Mary Patti lived and worked in New York City. She loved the vibrant, energetic nature of city life. In many ways, Mary’s personality mirrored that of the city. She laughed easily and often and was always game for an adventure. To know Mary, was to
Hanukkah has meaning for everyone because it recalls a time when a small, devout family of defenders repelled a force of invaders, Homeland Center Chaplain Dann Caldwell told residents attending a ceremony commemorating the Festival of Lights. “This is all part of the shared history we have as human beings,”
On a Friday afternoon in December, the Homeland Center annual holiday party returned for the first time since 2019. The scents of homemade food wafted through the halls. Music filled the air. Santa posed for pictures. And best of all, Homeland residents hosted family and friends as they shared their
When she was in high school, Emma Lengyel was passionate about making people laugh. “I was in every play and musical,” she said. “I also enjoyed writing and art.” Today, Emma still makes people laugh, bringing a note of cheer to the days of Homeland residents in her vital role
