Mentor. Friend. Champion. Ask those closest to Betty Hungerford, director of development for Homeland Center, and these words immediately come to mind. Whether her friends and colleagues have known
On a recent Monday, a Homeland resident dropped by the Homeland Gift Shop, wearing a lovely scarf that came from the shop. She wasn’t looking for anything in particular. She
The Civil War (1861-1865) took our country through some of its darkest days as states and families found themselves on opposite sides of the fight. When the war ended
There are careers and then there are callings. For nurses at Homeland entering the profession is not based on earning potential or job benefits; it is founded on a passion to help others. From caring for residents at Homeland Center
The last big gathering at Homeland Center before COVID-19 changed everything was a sock hop featuring a performance from the lively Elvis Presley tribute artist Dennis Heckard. He recognized resident Jean Brinser, a neighbor from Newport, and lavished her with
This article is reposted with permission. We thank Gabrielle Elise Jimenez, hospice nurse, end-of-life doula, and conscious dying educator, for sharing her experiences at thehospiceheart.net blog. If you could relive just one moment in your life, what would it be?
In every aspect of its work, Homeland Hospice brings a team approach to care. Volunteers are an essential part of this group. Through their unique talents and open hearts, Homeland Hospice volunteers bring friendship and kindness to patients during their
In 2012, Andy Lank’s parents died within eight months of each other. In the midst of caring for them and then grieving their deaths, Andy and his wife, Sherry, found consolation from the people of Homeland Hospice. “They really helped us through the grieving process and were able to ask
On the rainy day when Don and Lorraine Englander first met, he was whistling “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.” That was around 1978, and it has been their song ever since. Today, the Englanders live in separate Homeland wings but they get together every day to talk, laugh, watch
In their 67 years of marriage, Flora and Jeff Jespersen have discovered a thing or two about lasting relationships. “It takes a little bit of tolerance for each other,” said Jeff Jespersen. The Jespersens also enjoy the unexpected, and for Valentine’s Day, they got a real surprise – their election
While Homeland Center’s role has changed since it was founded almost 150 years ago, one thing has remained the same – the commitment of the staff to those who depend on them for care. More than 200 Homeland Center and Homeland Hospice staff gathered this month for the annual recognition
2015 Homeland Door Decorating Contest Winners: 115 – Martha Finley & Wanda Kardos 207 – Harold Hixon & Raymond Caldwell E6 – Wanda Berger & Agatha Goodwin 1N2 – Eleanor Allen Nativity scenes and reindeer. Snowmen and penguins. All brightened the hallways of Homeland Center this Christmas, as residents adorned
Herm Minkoff stands in the Homeland Diner before a group of residents. On the table are news clippings and books. “Who has been following the stock market?” he asks. “It’s up,” says one resident. “About 300.” It’s been a volatile couple of weeks, Minkoff agrees. “The stock market right now is
World War II took loved ones. It opened doors to opportunity, service, and sacrifice. It was a time when many Homeland residents matured quickly from children to adults, and it all started with the bombing of the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. On Dec. 7,
Luminous, late-morning sunlight streamed across the patterned carpet of the chapel of Homeland Center one recent Wednesday in early autumn — so much so that resident Ray Caldwell, 85, politely asked for the blinds to be drawn. As he faced 12 of his fellow residents and prepared to sing by the stone
Legend has it that on one night of the year, Homeland Center is haunted by ghosts and goblins. Also, pint-sized firefighters, princesses, Ninjas, and many, many Spidermans. This is Homeland’s annual Trick or Treat, an evening in late October when residents and staff join to relive Halloween memories, celebrate family, and
As Homeland Center celebrates a year marked by glowing state inspections and the ability to provide increased benevolent care, the kudos came with a word of caution. In the highly regulated health care field, few organizations reach Homeland’s level of quality, said President and CEO Barry S. Ramper II during