Transportation CNA Antonia Gomez: Making the trip a delight

Antonia Gomez chose a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant because she loves helping people.

“That’s my biggest thing,” she said. “Even outside of Homeland, I’m always helping friends, family, everybody.”

In her 14 years at Homeland Center, Gomez formed friendships with residents and colleagues and experienced the many ways a CNA can help residents live their best lives — and give family members confidence in the care their loved ones receive.

As a transportation CNA, Gomez plays a vital role in ensuring that residents can attend medical appointments, family gatherings, and their favorite restaurants – all the things that matter to the quality of life.

Gomez contacted four nursing facilities after passing her CNA exam, and Homeland was the first to respond.

“God knew what he was doing,” she said of the offer to work at Homeland. “It was a blessing.”

She started on the second floor in skilled care before being promoted to lead CNA. A couple of years later, Gomez began working as a restorative aide, helping residents maintain their mobility. Like her fellow Homeland colleagues, she found opportunities to grow and develop.

When she was offered the transportation CNA role in December, she learned to drive the Homeland van. Her work combines outside transport with her familiar CNA duties, such as helping residents use the bathroom or transferring out of a wheelchair while they’re in a doctor’s office.

Along with Transportation Coordinator Michael Quinones, Gomez ensures that residents participate in activities important to them, such as family birthday parties. When a resident was upset because a last-minute glitch prevented her son from taking his mom to a planned dinner, Gomez called on her Homeland colleagues for help finding alternative transportation.

“She was so happy,” she said. “She was so appreciative. That made her day.”

Even before taking on her new role, Gomez would help the Homeland Activities Department transport residents on fun excursions to restaurants and events. On one trip, she took a resident to Towson, MD.

“We went to the Cheesecake Factory,” she said. “We had such a ball. It was just me and her. She’d never been to a Cheesecake Factory, so we went together. We built a good relationship, and I’m really close to her family.”

When she’s not transporting residents, she will help CNAs with their floor work.

“Everybody at Homeland is family-oriented,” she said. “We all get along and joke around. Mike Quinones always gives me an encouraging word. He lets me know I’m doing a good job.”

Gomez has two children: a 12-year-old boy – “He kind of grew up at Homeland” – and a 17-year-old daughter who is considering a career in nursing.

When Gomez is not busy with kids and work, she enjoys day trips, even if it means driving a few hours for a meal or to shop along a seashore boardwalk.

She loves getting to know Homeland residents and asking about their stories. With one resident who never talks, she communicates with pictures and expressions.

“I recently went to go see him, and I gave him a hug, and he said ‘hi’ back,” she said. “That made me cry. I get chills just thinking about that.”

Building relationships helps make a difference for the residents. “You treat them like your family.”

Homeland Center (www.homelandcenter.org) offers levels of care including personal care, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Homeland also provides hospice, home care, home health and palliative care services to serve the diverse and changing needs of families throughout central Pennsylvania. For more information or to arrange a tour, please call 717-221-7900.