A home-cooked meal made with thoughtful intentions can do more than fill one’s belly; it can provide empathy and compassion for a family going through difficult times. When the COVID-19
This year Cindy Zelko celebrates her 25th anniversary as an accountant in the Homeland finance office, but her ties to Homeland go far deeper. Cindy first worked for Homeland as
Charles Wilson took a career with the former Allegheny Airlines and turned it into a lifetime of travel that has taken him to 23 countries. Until quite recently, he was
Caroline Witmer brings a wealth of memories to Homeland, with stories from years of adventure, service to the country, and family connections to Milton Hershey and Dwight Eisenhower. The skilled care resident enjoys life at Homeland, where she loves the
Linda Stoner had an idea. She had taken a techno-leap of faith by hosting a Zoom call craft-making session with friends, and she wondered if she could do the same for Homeland Center’s residents. With the staff’s cooperation, she made
Running a facility as multifaceted as Homeland is a nonstop, all-year-around job. Snow removal and grass cutting. HVAC repairs and maintenance. Cleaning water coolers. Hanging holiday decorations. Inspecting emergency generators. “The water temperatures are probably the most important in our
By Barbara Goll, BS, Community Education Liaison/Nutritionist The COVID-19 pandemic brought pain, hardship and profound changes in the way we socialize and engage with each other. It made us feel like Bill Murray in the popular 90s movie Groundhog Day,
Marianna Bjurstrom doesn’t let severe arthritis keep her from enjoying the day trips and activities that Homeland has to offer. Her rehabilitation services have helped her retain as much mobility as possible and even taught her to use a power wheelchair. “I don’t want to be a couch potato,” she
Unintended weight loss in the elderly is serious business. When the body is forced to draw on stored protein for energy, the antibodies that ward off illness are diverted, and a cascade of negative health consequences can follow. “If you have an 80- or 85-year-old who’s beginning to lose weight,
For F.M. Richard Simons, volunteering to fight during World War II was a way of giving back to the country that had welcomed his grandparents. The Korea War was in full force when a friend from nursing training convinced Marianna Bjurstrom to join the Air Force. To Bjurstrom, who was
Pete Wambach recalls how, as he played a sentimental song for retirement community residents, he noticed a woman wiping away tears. He asked her what was wrong. “My husband sang that song and got down on his knee in Riverfront Park and proposed to me,” she said. “And he’s been
In its 147 year history, Homeland Center has never asked a resident to leave because they lacked funds. Making good on this practice over the past year, Homeland Center has provided more than $2.8 million in charitable care for residents, auditor David H. Padden reported during the annual meetings of
We thought you would be interested in learning about two upcoming senior expos in Central Pennsylvania. We have some great giveaways, a contest to win a gift certificate to a local restaurant, information about Homeland Center and free blood pressure screenings. Our colleagues from Homeland Hospice will also be offering handy giveaways. We
As World War II raged on, Joe Bowers was serving as an Army 2nd lieutenant platoon leader. His feet were on the ground, but his hopes were in the sky, with the B-17 “Flying Fortress’’ bombers winging overhead. “I’d see these beautiful things flying around, and I think, ‘I’d like to
Barb Warfel takes in the lush landscape that Maxine is painting before offering a suggestion. “OK, Max, let’s get a little bit of light blue on top of that,” she says. “Let’s get a smaller brush because those are small areas, just to get it a little bit lighter.” Warfel
For the third year in a row a poll of Harrisburg Magazine’s more than 30,000 readers resulted in Homeland Center being selected as the Readers’ Choice for Best Long-Term Care Facility. “We are honored to again be recognized for our quality service to the central Pennsylvania region,’’ said Barry S. Ramper
Melanie Isaac is handing out musical instruments, of a sort – hand chimes, turkey calls, paper towel rolls wrapped in fuchsia and green duct tape. Preparing to sing “Jimmy Crack Corn,” she faces the eight Homeland Center residents who are gathered in a semi-circle and pulls out a plastic ear
