On a crisp, sunny October morning, a record crowd of more than 400 walkers and runners laced up their sneakers for the Homeland Hospice 11th Annual 5K and Memory Walk. This
Tom Barry of Harrisburg has lived a life of service through his military career and now as a Homeland volunteer. He brings his love of our country and joy of
The life we lead can be reinvented by taking chances and following our heart. Nearly 15 years ago, Elizabeth Terekh took a chance and moved to the United States to
In the height of the lunch rush, Registered Dietitian Meghan Sechler popped into the Homeland kitchen to ask the cook to make a special sandwich for a new resident. “And she did it,” Sechler said. “She actually did it for
Bill Wismer, a cherished resident of Homeland Center, passed away on November 7, 2025. We remember him with deep affection and gratitude for the passionate spirit he shared with our community. Ellen and Bill Wismer are lifelong gardeners whose passion
Anna Hicks is a medication technician whose compassionate approach enhances the lives of residents far beyond dispensing medications. For example, one Homeland resident wakes up achy every morning, so Hicks massages her knees with pain cream and makes her coffee,
Bygone days of elegance and refinement made a return at Homeland Center, as residents filled the main dining room for a spring tea. Kettle-shaped cards printed with flowers invited residents, and a pianist playing “Tea for Two” and other standards
Angie Bucci of Shippensburg has a heart for hospice work. She enjoys connecting with her patients and their families to provide the most compassionate care possible. For more than 12 years she has worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for Homeland Hospice, a nonprofit hospice program that serves communities
When Aimee Schmoltze’s mother began receiving hospice care, she saw the impact of the program on their family. Over a 14-month period, Aimee, her mother and their family developed emotional bonds with the hospice staff who provided compassionate care during a very difficult time. This was a formative experience for
Anniversaries remind us of meaningful moments in time that shaped our history and guided our future. Fifteen years ago, Homeland launched Homeland Hospice as an outreach program to provide compassionate care to patients on their end-of-life journey. The years have been filled with an overarching theme of love. Hundreds of
In the early 2000s, Nancy VanKirk’s mother and stepfather lived at Homeland Center. From the attentive care they received, VanKirk knew that Homeland would be her home when the time came that she would need care. “It’s a very friendly, homey atmosphere,” she said. “There’s no place quite like it.”
Anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one knows the journey through grief doesn’t have a timeline. Memories can flood our minds at inopportune moments at the grocery store or at milestone events when there is an empty seat at the table where our loved one used to
Kristine (Kris) Crockett, RN, CHPN, Director of Homeland Hospice and Homeland Palliative Care, approaches life with an open mind, always looking for opportunities to serve others. For more than 25 years, she has provided compassionate end-of-life care as a hospice nurse and administrator. The road to her current role with
When residents learn that their nurse at Homeland is the daughter of Homeland Center Director of Nursing Jennifer Tate-DeFreitas, they say to Jennifer, “Your daughter is such a great nurse!” “One resident will ask me, ‘Did you take Malani out to lunch yet? Make sure you take her out to
Taking the wrong step or losing balance, even for a brief moment, can cause a debilitating fall. For adults 65 years and older, a simple fall can have a lasting impact. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of injury for this
Is Kitty Deaven enjoying her time at Homeland? “Oh, yes,” she said. “Yes, yes, yes, yes.” Kitty loves everything about Homeland, and so do her daughters. “It’s given us peace of mind not to worry about her,” said her eldest daughter, Judy Deaven, of Susquehanna Township. Kitty came to Homeland
A hallmark of a successful organization is its ability to evolve to meet the needs of its community. For more than 156 years, Homeland Center has structured its programming to meet the needs of its patients and their families. In 2022, Homeland started offering palliative care, a new and valuable
