The first time Alice Kirchner retired, it was 2009. She had no intention of slowing down, and a notice about volunteer training with the then-new Homeland Hospice piqued her interest.
Lorna Baer first knew Homeland through her past service with the Board of Managers. When she arrived as a resident, she knew her way around. “That’s one of the reasons
When David Sherman retired from civilian service with the U.S. Navy, 150 people signed the framed picture of the facility where he worked for 41 years, attesting to the friends
From an early age, Minerva Ward was independent. She taught her children a world of values. “Hard work,” said her daughter, Charlene Saunders. “Ethics. Compassion.” “We do a lot of complaining these days,” said her son, Ty Ward. “She never
The words were in her heart and head. They were formed over a 24-month journey of caring for her father before his death and grieving his loss after his passing. Pattie Craumer of Mechanicsburg gave her words life in a
By Barbara Goll, Community Liaison Educator and Nutritionist Most polls consistently show that people fear losing their memory and mind more than anything else, even death. Our brains are the very essence of our very being. Today, 5.3 million people
Since 1867, Homeland Center has been committed to meeting the ever-changing needs of the community. In keeping with this tradition, Homeland HomeHealth and Homeland HomeCare were established five years ago to provide a continuum of services for patients and their
The weather outside was hot and stormy, but on a summer Friday afternoon at Homeland Center, residents were inside enjoying a cool and universally beloved treat. As resident Doris Coyne put it, “Root beer floats, my favorite food!” Every Friday at 3 p.m., Homeland Center’s personal care residents are invited
Betty Lloyd cherishes her memories! Golf with friends. Bridge. Travel with family. Betty Lloyd has brought a lifetime of good memories to Homeland Center. Betty came to Homeland in March 2015. Here, she follows politics and welcomes her son, Greg, when he visits from Providence, Rhode Island, every month. Before
Everyone loves the signs of summer. Fresh strawberries. Flowers in bloom. Music in the air. Homeland Center residents and staff enjoyed them all as they welcomed the warm weather during the “Signs of Summer” gathering under the Chet Henry Memorial Pavilion. Balloons and decorations in bright blues, greens, pinks, and
Homeland Center resident Ray Caldwell remembers the joy of French fries on a warm night. “As a kid, I’d go to local fairs in the street,” he said. “In the summertime, people had fairs, maybe a block fair or carnival. Fries were always one of the main items. It was
When Ronald Brinkley visits Homeland Hospice patients, he believes he gets more out of the encounters than they do. “It’s been a blessing and truly a privilege,” said Brinkley. “You get to know them well. Most of them are very gracious and thankful that somebody came to see them.” Brinkley
As published at “Moments of Life,” National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, April 2016 Karen, a long-time Homeland Hospice volunteer, was assigned to visit Mary Frances shortly after she was admitted to hospice services. Mary Frances lived in a skilled nursing facility, and although she had family who visited and
In 2012, Andy Lank’s parents died within eight months of each other. In the midst of caring for them and then grieving their deaths, Andy and his wife, Sherry, found consolation from the people of Homeland Hospice. “They really helped us through the grieving process and were able to ask
On the rainy day when Don and Lorraine Englander first met, he was whistling “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.” That was around 1978, and it has been their song ever since. Today, the Englanders live in separate Homeland wings but they get together every day to talk, laugh, watch
In their 67 years of marriage, Flora and Jeff Jespersen have discovered a thing or two about lasting relationships. “It takes a little bit of tolerance for each other,” said Jeff Jespersen. The Jespersens also enjoy the unexpected, and for Valentine’s Day, they got a real surprise – their election
While Homeland Center’s role has changed since it was founded almost 150 years ago, one thing has remained the same – the commitment of the staff to those who depend on them for care. More than 200 Homeland Center and Homeland Hospice staff gathered this month for the annual recognition
