As a nurse case manager for Homeland Hospice, Batya Kassner finds the collaborative spirit and teamwork “amazing.” “Everyone respects everyone else’s role that they play, and everyone is more than
Ginny Jones has been guided by miracles throughout her life. During times of darkness, support has found her and helped her take the next step. For her part, Ginny’s faith
Sue and Steve Valoczki spend a lot of time joshing around with Homeland staff. “The staff is very nice,” said Steve. “They’re interactive and make sure you’re comfortable. They have
As a young woman, Tamara Jaroszewski of Harrisburg experienced the profound impact of hospice services when her sister died of breast cancer at age 40. For Tamara, hospice work became a beacon of hope and inspiration. She felt called to
Nicole Simmons was hanging her artwork in Homeland’s sunny Florida Room Gallery when a resident came by. “Ooh, look at the pretty pictures,” the resident said. “They are so beautiful.” That was music to Simmons’ ear. As a self-taught artist
By Kristine Crockett, RN, CHPN, Director of Homeland Hospice and Homeland Palliative Care. Kristine has been providing compassionate end-of-life care as a hospice nurse for more than 25 years and provides a wealth of knowledge and experience to those she
Art Wiand grew up in a family-oriented atmosphere, which is why he felt at home the first time he set foot in Homeland. “It’s one big happy family,” he said. “The majority of us socialize a lot.” Art is a
World Kindness Day, celebrated annually on November 13, promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world. It is a reminder that compassion for others is what binds us all together. When working with patients through their end-of-life journey, compassionate guides and partners are vital.
Candy corn and apples. Pumpkins and witchy cupcakes. Welcome to Homeland Center’s first “Homeland Fall Fest” – a celebration of autumn that brought residents and staff outside to enjoy a crisp day and fun with friends. “You could tell what it meant to them,” says Activities Coordinator Emma Lengyel. “Even
After four years as a social worker with Homeland Hospice and nearly two decades of working in the profession, Angie Smyser has earned her certification as a licensed clinical social worker, which refers to social workers who have obtained their master’s degree in social work and completed the requirements in
This article is re-posted with permission. We thank Gabrielle Elise Jimenez, hospice nurse, end-of-life doula, and conscious dying educator, for sharing her experiences at thehospiceheart.net blog. ____________________________ How much time do we have? Where did the time go? I wish we could go back in time. Remember that time? Time
The sign Sandy Daily held out of the car window said it all. “From Peggy, Rusty, and the Dailys, thanks for caring.” Homeland Center celebrated National Assisted Living Week 2021 with style, putting extra-special touches into a show of appreciation for employees who have performed heroically since the COVID-19 pandemic
Charles Fetterhoff has seen the inside of many nursing homes, visiting friends and his sister, born with cerebral palsy, as she went in and out of rehab. He also knows Homeland Center from the years that his mother and his sister – both named Mary – lived there. “You couldn’t
Hannah Sprow is Steelton born and bred, but her heart belongs to a cabin in the woods. From childhood, Hannah and her family would spend summers amid the forests of Pine Grove Furnace. “I loved that place,” she says. “It was more like a home to me than my own
Bravery and honor are words reserved for the select few who have risked their lives in service of our country. For United States Air Force and Navy veteran Donald McClarren of Boiling Springs these are the words he lived by during his time as a Prisoner of War in North
For Jeff Mattern, post-surgery rehab at Homeland Center was eye-opening as well as physically recuperative. “It was one of the most enlightening experiences I’ve had,” Jeff says. “I learned a lot about what goes on in a nursing facility. I was able to observe the attention to detail that the
Overheard at Homeland Employee Appreciation Day 2021: “They have chicken tacos and chicken and beef.” “Oh, no! Where’s the strawberry?” “That’s the best milkshake I ever had.” It was a bounty of food and treats, with a generous side helping of information from employee benefits providers, at the recent summertime
