A Social Workers Role at End-of-Life
March 20, 2023
by Laurie Bassler, MSW, Homeland Hospice I have an uncle who asked me “why anyone would want a social worker present when their loved one is dying?” Typically, a social
by Laurie Bassler, MSW, Homeland Hospice I have an uncle who asked me “why anyone would want a social worker present when their loved one is dying?” Typically, a social
With his decades in food service, George Shum has learned that the small details make a big difference. “We ensure our plates are preheated to keep the food warm,” said
Rita Van Meter of Lewistown was known as the “miracle lady” by staff at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital after she survived a medical episode in August of 2022. During her hospitalization, Rita
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 a secretary during a gap year between high school and
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 a resident of Homeland skilled care, joking with staff and
Employee Spotlight: Meet Kerstie Keebaugh Kerstie Keebaugh, RN Case Manager for Homeland HomeHealth, likes life in a small town. Growing up and living in Middletown, Kerstie has a close network of family and friends as well as extended links to
Homeland Hospice recently earned its fourth star out of a five-star ranking system for its quality of care for veterans through the national We Honor Veterans program. We Honor Veterans, created by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Rebeccah DeVan’s grandfather, in declining health, called his home care aides “featherweights.” “Honey,” he’d tell them. “I don’t want to get you fired, but go get my grandbaby.” That was Rebeccah’s introduction to nursing, helping care for her grandparents in their later years. She realized she enjoyed caring for others.
Throughout his life, Chaplain Mark P. Harris, M.A., M.Div., Spiritual Counselor at Homeland Hospice, has responded to the call to serve others. On his journey to becoming a spiritual counselor, Mark learned valuable life-lessons, which enriched his understanding of faith and his compassion for others. Mark joined the United States
The designer of the original 1965 Ford Mustang will receive the AACA Museum, Inc. Automotive Heritage Award during the Museum’s annual gala fundraiser on October 10 benefiting Homeland Hospice and the AACA Museum, Inc. Award recipient Gale Halderman began as a designer with Lincoln-Mercury in 1954 and four years later
Now that her time is her own again, Toni Crowder promises to resume bringing liver and onions to Homeland. She used to bring it for lunch once a month, a dish her kids hate but some colleagues love. “I’ve kind of been slacking, because of school,” she says with a
The Homeland Summertime Fair is a blend of old traditions and new ventures, but all Maliah Sumpter wanted to do was send Homeland Center Director of Admissions and Social Services Ashley Bryan into the dunk tank. “Because the water is cold,” she said. Maliah was among the dozens of children
Carl Barna is giving a tour of the impromptu tomato garden sprouting on the veranda overlooking Homeland Center’s verdant Catherine Elizabeth Meikle Courtyard. “There’s Bush Goliath,” he says, rattling off the varieties growing in pots. “Then there’s Celebrity. There’s a Roma. There’s one called a Patio tomato.” Where Carl Barna
Annual Health Care Symposium Addresses Industry Trends Every day, families throughout our community and nation are facing difficult discussions about the care of aging loved ones. Often these conversations don’t happen until an incident occurs prompting family members to “take stock” of their loved one’s ability to live independently. These
When Mindy Deardorff doodles, she doodles faces. “I love faces,” says the artist. “I’ve drawn faces since I was a kid.” She especially enjoys drawing the faces of the elderly. “There’s more character,” she says. “There’s more wisdom. You get more from the expressions.” With her love for drawing faces,
When Mildred Anthony was a child, Sunday dinner was an early affair. Afterward, her father would get into his 1935 Hudson and drive the members of his band, the Mahanoy City Eagles Band, to New York City. After midnight, Mildred’s family would gather around the radio to hear her father’s
Anita Payne knows what makes a good CNA. “A true heart,” she said. “Honesty. Patience. And being willing to learn, because nursing is forever changing. People can’t come into this thinking they know everything.” Anita has been with Homeland Center since 2005, and she is “truly grateful” for those 13