It was a Friday the 13th, but red was the color of this lucky day in the Homeland Center Diner. “It’s good to be spending any time with my husband,”
What’s the secret to living to 100? “Good mother, good father,” said Helen Fridirici, who came to Homeland in 2025. “My mother was an angel. Nobody ever told her that,
In an age when many health care facilities are increasingly depersonalized, Homeland focuses on the residents. “Homeland made me believe in nursing again,” said Mary Ellen Roberts, one of Homeland’s
With a lifetime steeped in art, Nancy Stamm still enjoys first-time experiences, including her exhibit in Homeland’s Florida Room gallery. It’s nice when people “see art where they don’t expect it.” “I like the idea that people walking in their
When Joe Pulaski enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, he wanted to maintain B-52 bombers, and he got his wish. As Homeland Center honors its residents and staff veterans for Veterans Day, he spoke for many who cherish their service.
“Should old acquaintance be forgotten, keep your eye on the grand old flag.” The refrain of the song “You’re a Grand Old Flag” reminds us of the enduring spirit of our country and fellow citizens. This was one of the
For Maryann, a registered nurse, and Jules Canete, a doctor of physical therapy, Homeland is a family affair. The Mechanicsburg couple share their talents and passion for helping others as members of the Homeland HomeHealth team. They love spending time with patients
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
Homeland Hospice, a nonprofit outreach program of Homeland Center in Harrisburg, will host its 10th annual 5K and Memory Walk on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 8:30 a.m. at the Rossmoyne Business Center at 5000 Ritter Road in Mechanicsburg. The event serves to remember loved ones lost and raise funds to
