A Social Workers Role at End-of-Life
March 20, 2023
by Laurie Bassler, MSW, Homeland Hospice I have an uncle who asked me “why anyone would want a social worker present when their loved one is dying?” Typically, a social
by Laurie Bassler, MSW, Homeland Hospice I have an uncle who asked me “why anyone would want a social worker present when their loved one is dying?” Typically, a social
With his decades in food service, George Shum has learned that the small details make a big difference. “We ensure our plates are preheated to keep the food warm,” said
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
Homeland Hospice recently earned its fourth star out of a five-star ranking system for its quality of care for veterans through the national We Honor Veterans program. We Honor Veterans, created by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)
If you need to find Homeland Director of Nursing Jennifer Tate-Defreitas, her desk isn’t always the place to look. “I still work the floor, and I still work every shift,” she says. “It’s important as a director to know the
Lois Hartman grew up in Philadelphia, but after moving to a slightly more rural setting, she enjoyed life amid the greenery. There was just one problem. “In Philadelphia, we roller-skated on the streets because they were smooth,’’ she recalled. “When
Dennis Dinger and Tina Jones are a father-daughter duo with divergent careers but a shared passion for Homeland Center. Dennis is a career financial services executive who serves as treasurer for the Homeland Board of Trustees. Tina started working in
“My husband used to give me the first wildflower he saw each spring,” remarks a widow from a Homeland Hospice bereavement group. “Some years it was a dandelion.” Fond memories of a loved one can bring solace and strength during the grieving process. Sharing memories with others helps us understand
From running an errand for a grieving family to providing assistance at bereavement support group meetings, volunteers are an integral part of Homeland Hospice. They graciously share their time and compassion. They are deeply committed to making sure hospice patient and their families have a network of support. They are
People living with cognitive and language impairment have difficulty finding the right words as well as recalling recent events. Sometimes the words are on the tip of their tongue but remain elusive. This situation can create frustration and embarrassment. But help is available. Speech-language pathologists evaluate and treat cognitive-communication disorders
Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis is in the building! Homeland Center residents, staff, and guests were treated to the musical sounds – and shaking hips – of Elvis Presley impersonator Brad Crum, on a Friday afternoon in April. Dressed in a sky-blue suit studded with rhinestones and dripping with chains, Crum
Korea. Honolulu. Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Yuma, Arizona. El Centro, California. Arlington, Virginia. Carlisle. Six elementary schools. Three high schools. Homeland resident Polly Myers saw the USA and beyond, even before she graduated from high school. Her father, a West Point graduate, was a career Army engineer whose assignments took the
From her first day at Homeland Center in October 2017, Kelly Weldon “just dove right in, talking to everybody, remembering the things they like and don’t like.” Kelly spent the first 16 years of her nursing career working at an area retirement community. She left there to work at the
Typing handwritten recipes into a computer, even with a broken wrist. Playing table games with an elderly hospice patient who outfoxes his opponents every time. The spirit of volunteerism energizes Homeland Center and Homeland Hospice. Homeland Center’s 104 volunteers and Homeland Hospice’s 54 volunteers enjoyed an elegant dinner recognizing their
Employee Spotlight on Brian Medkeff-Rose Brian Medkeff-Rose, M.Div., M.A., Bereavement Counselor at Homeland Hospice, found his true calling 26 years ago while attending a spiritual retreat in Washington, D.C. “I was called to full-time ministry,” Brian says. “That became my career path and I never looked back.” Brian graduated from
As she watched her grandchildren happily opening the colored plastic Easter eggs, Homeland Center resident Jean White mused the adults get as big a kick out of the annual hunt as the kids. “I like it that Homeland encourages everyone to participate and includes families,’’ Jean said, taking in the
Eve James was a teenaged Homeland volunteer, helping residents with little things throughout the day. She quickly learned how much a small act of kindness could mean. “We had a resident who didn’t have a lot of family, and she loved to do crossword puzzles,” says Eve. “I went to
