Homeland Hospice Named 2023 Hospice CAHPS Honors Recipient by HEALTHCAREfirst

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

National honor distinguishes Homeland for quality care for patients and caregivers.

Homeland Hospice, a nonprofit hospice program that serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania, has been named a 2023 Hospice CAHPS Honors Award recipient by HEALTHCAREfirst, a national provider of services for hospice and home health agencies.

The Hospice CAHPS Honors Award recognizes agencies that continuously provide a positive patient experience and high-quality of care as measured by the patient and caregiver point-of-view. The award acknowledges the highest performing agencies by analyzing their results of the Hospice Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey, a nationally recognized tool that hospice agencies use to assess and improve patient care and patient and caregiver satisfaction.

“Receiving this honor is a testament to the dedication of our entire care team,” said Kristine Crockett, RN, CHPN, director of Homeland Hospice. “We are passionate about providing hospice patients and their caregivers with the best possible care experience so they can make the most of every precious moment together. While this award is very meaningful to us, what truly motivates is the difference we make in the lives of our patients and families. That is what gives us the greatest sense of fulfillment.”

Ronda Howard, vice president of revenue cycle and CAHPS at HEALTHCAREfirst, said, “We began our Annual Hospice Honors Award program more than ten years ago as a way to highlight those agencies that are truly leading the way in providing and demonstrating quality patient care. We congratulate Homeland Hospice on their success.”

Homeland Hospice provides end-of-life care in a person’s home or wherever they reside, including nursing facilities, throughout South Central Pennsylvania. The program helps patients live as fully and comfortably as possible by providing symptom and pain relief; care services and therapies; spiritual support; and on-call support.

Homeland Hospice is the only hospice agency in the region to offer an in-home relief program to patient families. Homeland also provides bereavement support to families following the death of their loved one.

Homeland Hospice is part of Homeland at Home, a community outreach program of Homeland Center, which provides a full continuum of home-based services to care for patients and to support families as their needs change. In addition to hospice care, Homeland at Home services include Homeland HomeHealth (in-home physician-ordered medical treatment), Homeland HomeCare (in-home non-medical daily living assistance) and Homeland Palliative Care (comfort and relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illness).

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Homeland Unveils Tribute Medallions at a Special Ceremony in May

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Homeland unveiled its Tribute Medallions at a special ceremony held in May at Homeland Center in Uptown Harrisburg. The Tribute Medallions along with a special plaque about Homeland are displayed on the iron fence that surrounds the facility. The zinc metal medallions are a tribute to loved ones who received Homeland services as well as recognition of those who make a difference through their volunteerism and dedication to Homeland.

The event included a special blessing from Todd Carver, MDiv, BCC, Homeland Chaplain, and remarks from Noelle Valentine, MSW, LSW, Homeland’s Lead Bereavement Counselor, about Homeland’s dedication to serving families through its outreach efforts. Following the remarks, guests toured the path along the fence to see the medallions and were invited to tour Homeland Center.

“The Tribute Medallions memorialize loved ones and represent the unity of Homeland’s work,” Noelle says. “Through Homeland Center and our outreach efforts we have a special connection with the names and families associated with each medallion.”

The Tribute Medallion initiative was launched at Homeland Hospice’s 10th Anniversary Celebration in November 2019. At the event, Louetta Romberger of Millersburg purchased two Tribute Medallions in remembrance of her husband, Stanley Romberger, and mother, Francis Shoop, who received hospice services. When Homeland began assisting the family, Stanley was living at home and Francis lived a short distance away. As his health began to decline, Stanley entered a nursing home. Francis soon followed and resided in the same nursing facility. After Stanley died in 2018, Francis moved into Louetta’s home. With the help of Homeland, she cared for her mother until her passing in 2019.

“I will always appreciate the care we received from Homeland,” Louetta says. “The support was beyond my expectations.”

At the event, Louetta toured Homeland Center. Along the way, she noticed a pianist playing on the baby grand piano in the dining room. Homeland frequently invites guests to perform for residents over lunch and dinner. She asked if her 13-year-old grandson Elliott could play. He returned several weeks later and entertained the residents.

For Louetta and families throughout central Pennsylvania, Homeland is personal. Through its work, Homeland has the privilege to care for families and their loved ones during their changing life circumstances. The Tribute Medallions and Homeland’s outreach efforts will continue to grow as the needs of our community evolve.

“We will continue to offer Tribute Medallions for families to memorialize their loved ones,” Noelle says. “Every name and every medallion will forever be an important part of Homeland’s history.”

Since Homeland Center began as the “Home for the Friendless,” more than 155 years ago, it has been – and will always be – a place for friends, family and the community to find respite and support. Every time someone enters Homeland, the first thing they see is a beautiful iron fence with the names of loved ones on tribute medallions. Each name has a story and is part of Homeland’s history.

For more information, click here or call Myra Badorf at Homeland Hospice, (717) 221-7890.

Queen of the Camper: Sharon Clark Conquers the Challenges of Grief

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Titles of skill are not given. They are earned from hard work and perseverance. For Sharon Clark of Harrisburg, the title “Queen of the Camper” was bestowed upon her by her sister as Sharon found inner-strength during her yearlong journey of grief following the death of her husband. Along the way, Sharon formed new friendships and found comfort through support from Homeland Hospice, a nonprofit hospice program that serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Sharon grew up camping with her family and loved the quiet connection with nature and those she loved. She shared this passion with her beloved husband Greg and their two sons. Family vacations meant packing up for a trip in the great outdoors. For Sharon and Greg, camping was a way of life and their dream for retirement. This plan changed when Greg died of lung cancer in February 2022.

As the weeks and months passed following Greg’s death, Sharon walked through life in a daze. Every day she put one foot in front of the other trying to define her life without her husband. She was determined to continue camping and learn how to manage their 37-foot fifth wheel camper.

“I had only driven the truck and camper a few times with Greg,” Sharon says. “I relied on my notes and memories of past trips.”

Sharon’s first trip was to a campground in Lancaster with her sister and extended family members, followed by several small solo trips. There were hiccups along the way as Sharon tackled driving the large camper, maintaining its mechanical needs and hooking it up for electrical and sewer services at the campgrounds she visited.

“I needed help backing up the camper,” Sharon jokes. “Family members, friends and my pastor often came to my aid.”

Sharon continued to take brief outings each month despite the challenges of the camper and her loneliness without Greg. At the sixth month anniversary of Greg’s passing, Sharon reached out to Noelle Valentine, MSW, LSW, Homeland’s Lead Bereavement Counselor.

Noelle connected Sharon to several bereavement groups offered by Homeland. Sharon attended the Ladies Luncheon series, for women who have lost a loved one, group therapy, and Homeland’s Annual Picnic. Sharon pushed herself out of her comfort zone and shared her grief with others.

“Sharon was trying to recreate her life without her husband,” Noelle says. “She was overwhelmed with stress and worry.”

To the outside world, Sharon appeared to be doing well, but her heart was heavy. As 2022 ended and a new year approached, the culmination of her grief took hold of her. It is common for grief to take hold several months after a loved one’s passing when the reality of everyday life sets in. This is often more challenging for people who planned to live out their golden years with their spouse.

“I could exist, but I wanted more,” Sharon says. ‘I wanted a way to live life again.”

Around the same time, the camping trailer weighed heavily on her mind. Camping was a salve to her wounded heart but the responsibility of the trailer caused significant stress with each trip.

Sharon decided to attend the RV Show at the Farm Show Complex to research alternative campers. She found one that perfectly suited her needs. It was a much smaller camper which she could easily drive without the need for a truck. It would give her the freedom to camp whenever and wherever she liked. This purchase would also mean giving up the camping trailer she shared with Greg. Her time with her bereavement group gave her the strength to acknowledge the happy memories she shared with Greg, and say goodbye to the camper.

“I felt brave making this decision,” Sharon adds. “My new camper was a big step forward for me.”

The timing of this decision took place during Lent, which is a solemn Christian religious observance leading up to Easter. Sharon is a thoughtful, prayerful and introspective woman who takes this holy time to heart. As she was finding strength to make difficult decisions, she was also growing in her spiritual journey.

“I began to believe again that God is love,” Sharon says. “The raw pain and anger is gone, and I have accepted what happened. I am ready to live my life again.”

As summer hits central Pennsylvania, Sharon Clark – survivor, risk-taker and “Queen of the Camper” – is ready to hit the open road and take on new adventures.

Homeland Hospice’s bereavement support program is available to the bereaved of Homeland’s patients as well as anyone in the community who is experiencing grief.

To learn more, please contact Noelle Valentine at Homeland Hospice at (717) 221-7890.

Afternoon Tea Party Fit for Royalty

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Afternoon tea is a quintessential English custom and fashionable social event. It is a time to pause in the afternoon for refreshments, petite sandwiches, desserts and conversation with friends. Homeland Center residents recently donned handmade fascinators or boutonnieres for a special tea party hosted by Homeland Center’s Board of Managers, which is led by 17 women dedicated to the quality of life at Homeland.

For Nancy, a resident for over a year, the tea party was among many social activities she enjoys at Homeland. Nancy moved to a personal care suite at Homeland after she began experiencing weakness and worrying about the possibility of a fall or injury.

Prior to becoming a Homeland Center resident, Nancy was no stranger to the high-quality care and compassion delivered through Homeland. In the early 2000s, Nancy’s father and stepmother were residents of Homeland for over six years. Nancy visited them often and was impressed by the attention and support they received. This made her decision to move to Homeland an easy one.

“I saw the organization in action firsthand,” Nancy says. “I knew when the time was right, I would choose Homeland.”

Like Nancy, many of the tea party guests raved about their busy social schedules at Homeland. All activities are created with the residents’ quality of life in mind. Social activities not only engage residents with each other; they also help residents build personal bonds with Homeland staff and volunteers.

Homeland Center’s Board of Managers is led by Alicelyn Sleber, who has graciously volunteered at Homeland for over eight years. Alicelyn and the Board work directly with Aleisha Arnold, Homeland Center’s Director of Activities and Quality Assurance. The Board and staff base their events on conversations with residents. Many activities like various genres of entertainment and visits from food trucks are held at Homeland, while others involve outings to local destinations and attractions.

When the idea of an afternoon tea was proposed, Alicelyn and Aleisha researched area tea houses as potential venues. Based on the overwhelming interest in the event, the group decided to hold the tea in Homeland Center’s main dining room.

“Homeland is our resident’s home,” Alicelyn says. “We decided to bring a formal, classy event to them so everyone could be part of the fun.”

Flowers, delicious specialties and live piano music transformed the dining room into a formal setting suitable for royalty. Over conversations, guests discussed the next game of bingo – a crowd favorite – as well as special past and future events.

“We try to plan special events monthly or add to an event already planned,” Alicelyn adds. “This gives everyone something to look forward to attending.”

During the holiday season, inclusive celebrations are held with all residents, faiths and traditions in mind. As the summer months begin, the ever-popular French Fry truck day is planned along with an ice cream social and summer picnic. These events are in addition to weekly happy hours held on Fridays and various games and activities held on a regular basis.

“It is a privilege to spend time with our residents,” Alicelyn says. “I can see the gratitude in their eyes.”

Homeland’s Board of Managers is deeply rooted in the organization’s history. Homeland was founded in 1867 as the “Home for the Friendless” to serve families impacted by the devastation of the Civil War. At the time, the board served to connect with families in need through activities and engagement. More than 155 years later, the mission of the board of managers remains relatively unchanged. In fact, the Board of Managers was formed and continues to be led solely by women.

“I am honored to work alongside dynamic and caring women,” Alicelyn says. “Everyone has gifts and we all share what we can.”

Homeland Center offer 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 about Homeland Center, call 717-221-7900.

Inaugural Class Graduates from Homeland’s Nurse Aide Training Program

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CNA Training Graduation graduate and teacher posing together

Graduation days are special for graduates and everyone involved in their learning. Getting to the “big day” takes hard work and sacrifice by students and support from family members. Graduation also is a time for educators to celebrate the success of the learning process. Homeland Center recently held its first graduation day from its accredited Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program.

“We are very proud of our first class of graduates,” says Kathy Kuchwara, RN/Clinical Instructor. “CNAs are the backbone of our work.”

In 2019, Homeland began developing its own Nurse Aide training program to develop current talent at Homeland as well as recruit and train new employees interested in becoming CNAs. Prior to this, Homeland used a program provided by an outside entity. Homeland staff members Dawn Mason, Quality Assurance CNA Manager, and Nicol Brown, Chief HR and Corporate Compliance Officer, worked with a health care education consultant to create a program specifically designed to meet Homeland’s core principles and values, while meeting the accreditation guidelines established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This was a comprehensive and focused effort slowed only due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

“Our program is stringent and demanding,” Kathy adds. “It takes focus and dedication to complete the course.”

Homeland offers two CNA training sessions. Kathy leads a three-week session during the day with extended hours. Raechelle Sanford, RN/Clinical Instructor leads a five-week evening class. The flexibility of sessions provides options for students who are working at the same time as they are pursuing this important education advancement.

Prior to starting the course, prospective students meet with Dawn Mason, QA CNA Mgr/Program Administrative Assistant, to assess their skill level, interest, and level of compassion they have for others. This is to ensure that not only the CNA profession is a good fit, but they have a heart and ability to mesh with Homeland’s organizational culture. The goal is to provide a pipeline of committed CNAs to share their time and talents with Homeland. Once accepted, students begin the course. Kathy and Raechelle offer a fast-paced and intense curriculum to mirror the pace of daily work and social interactions required of a CNA.  The curriculum also includes Classroom and Clinical instruction, along with tests, mid-terms, a final exam, and a clinical skills assessment.

Upon successful completion, the students attend a graduation ceremony, complete with caps, gowns, and family attendance. Graduates must then schedule and pass a written exam and a skills exam administered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to obtain their official certification.

Homeland has completed two training sessions and has more planned to keep up with the high demand for CNAs. The pandemic coupled with the aging Baby Boomer generation have caused the need for CNAs to skyrocket.

For Kathy, the Nurse Aide Training Program is a true labor of love. She has worked for Homeland for more than 18 years and has deep admiration and love for the residents she has worked with during her tenure. While Kathy has technically retired from her career at Homeland, she continues to work part-time on the CNA program to help more students reach their career aspirations.

“Homeland is always in need of talented CNAs,” Kathy says. “Compassion is the key to success.”

Homeland Center, which occupies a full block in uptown Harrisburg, is a licensed not-for-profit Continuing Care Retirement Community offering exceptional personal care, skilled nursing care, memory care and short-term rehabilitation. Homeland consistently receives CMS’s highest recognition for quality care, staffing, and safety – ranking it among the best in the country.

For more information on the CNA training course, contact 717-221-7797.

The Love of Old Glory: Ellsworth Miller’s Life of Patriotism

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Ellsworth (Ells) Miller, World War II veteran, Homeland Hospice

In loving memory of Ellsworth Miller as he passed peacefully in May 2023.

 

“Good morning Old Glory,” are the first words Ellsworth (Ells) Miller, 96, has said for the past seven years. His daily routine began and ended with a salute to the American flag he proudly hung on the balcony of his apartment at Church of God Home in Carlisle. His apartment balcony faced the Army War College which plays Reveille to begin the day and Retreat in the evening to end duty. Ells, a World War II veteran, rarely missed a chance to honor the flag and the country he loves deeply.

Ells recently moved from his independent living apartment to a skilled nursing room at Church of God Home as his medical needs have called for additional care. He receives daily care from Homeland Hospice, a nonprofit hospice program that serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania. Ells’ team includes daily visits from a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and routine visits from a nurse and chaplain.

To know Ells is to know a kind and gentle heart filled with unconditional love for his God, country and family. He is quick with a joke and dreams of sunny days fly-fishing at his cabin in Pine Creek Gorge. At 96, Ells is part of the Greatest Generation which includes people shaped by the Great Depression and World War II.

Ells was drafted by the United States Navy when he was 18 years old and earned the rank of Third-Class Motor Machinist. The United States was embroiled in battles in Europe and the Pacific Theater, which included the waters on the Pacific Ocean near Japan. Ells completed basic training in the Great Lakes and pre-ship trainings in Norfolk and Boston before leaving Fort Pierce in Florida aboard the USS Francovich for its maiden voyage.

“We were close to Cuba and we heard about the atomic bomb,” Ells says. “We were relieved the war was over.”

As the USS Francovich began its return trip to Fort Pierce, a hurricane hit the region causing three days of treacherous travel for Ells and his shipmates.

“We were bounced around the ship nonstop,” Ells adds. “All we saw was rain and waves of water.”

Following his time on the USS Francovich, Ells served our country in a variety of capacities before his honorable discharge when he was 20 years old. He left the Navy on July 25 and married his beloved Dottie the next day proudly wearing his Navy uniform. Ells and Dottie were married for more than 70 years and had two children, two grandchildren and several great grandchildren. They are the loves of his life.

After his service, Ells became an electrician and was employed by the Carlisle Barracks followed by Naval Support Activity in Mechanicsburg. Following his retirement in 1981, Ells worked in the pro shop at the Carlisle Barracks Golf Course until 2003. His career challenged his intuitive mind and fulfilled his sense of duty by continuing to support the military efforts of our country.

Homeland Hospice recently honored Ells with a special pinning ceremony for his military service. Homeland honors all who served through its We Honor Veterans program, created by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The program works to improve the quality of health care for all veterans. Homeland Hospice has been part of the program for nine years.

The ceremony ends with a salute to the honored veteran, which brought tears of pride and remembrance to Ells. The flags from the ceremony along with a special certificate he received is proudly on display in his room.

While Ells’ health varies from day to day, there is no such thing as a bad day. He approaches each day as a gift from God and feels fortunate for his countless blessings. As he continues on his end-of-life journey, he recounts his time of service with astounding clarity while imagining where his next steps might take him as he longs to reunite with his darling Dottie who died in 2021.

For Ells, Psalm 118:24 has been and continues to be his guiding light. “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

‘In Sickness and In Health’: Local Couple Faces End-of-Life Journey with Courage

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“In sickness and in health” are five simple words couples pledge on their wedding day. These words become the most sacred of promises during challenging times.

Debra and Mike of Dauphin County have kept this vow for 57 years of marriage. During their decades together they have raised two children, hosted countless holiday meals and celebrated birthday parties in the home they have shared for 52 years. Their lives changed when the “in sickness” chapter began six years ago when Mike’s health began to deteriorate. But Debra is not alone in caring for Mike. She has the compassion and support of Homeland Hospice to help her keep her promise.

Mike has struggled with various health challenges since 2009 when he underwent heart bypass surgery. His health began to decline rapidly in 2017 when he was diagnosed with Venous Disease, which forms painful blisters and skin discoloration from his knees to his ankles. The severity of the disease makes him unable to walk without the assistance of a walker. Around this time, Mike was also diagnosed with dementia.

In November of 2022, the culmination of Mike’s illnesses led to a 10-day hospital stay. Debra and her children knew Mike could not come home and solely rely on the care of his family. Debra was aware of Homeland’s reputation for high-quality, compassionate care and explored their continuum of care services. She toured Homeland Center, a private, nonprofit retirement community in Harrisburg, as well as the organization’s outreach services.

“I wanted to know all the possible options of care for Mike’s changing health needs,” Debra says. “Homeland alleviated my concerns.”

Debra and her children decided home care would provide Mike the most comfort and peace. Debra’s son rearranged the living room for Mike’s return from his hospital stay.

“Mike’s bed faces the window so he can watch the deer outside,” Debra says. “I know this brings him joy.”

When Mike first returned home, he received palliative care services from Homeland to help manage his health issues. As his well-being continued to decline, Mike transitioned to Homeland Hospice care for his end-of-life journey.

Mike’s dementia and advanced health issues makes communication and movement very difficult. Dementia doesn’t just impact individuals with the disease. It places a significant emotional burden on caregivers, as they strive to adjust to the stages and nuances of the illness.

Through the services offered by Homeland Hospice, Mike receives routine visits from a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) to help with bathing and dressing as well as medication reminders and administration. Mike also has the support of a nurse and social worker to provide a complete team of support. Recently, Mike began receiving massages to relieve pain. This is part of the complementary therapies offered by Homeland Hospice.

“Everyone genuinely cares about us,” Debra says. “I no longer spend every minute of my day consumed by worry.”

In addition to medical care and support, Mike has received cards and notes of encouragement from volunteers around the country. The cards are delivered thanks to the generous efforts or Homeland volunteers and Volunteer Match, an online program to engage individuals with volunteer opportunities.

“Mike and I look forward to receiving cards,” Debra adds. “We are very grateful for this act of love and kindness.”

The support provided by Homeland Hospice brings Debra peace of mind and allows her and Mike to live each day as fully as possible.

“I appreciate every minute Mike and I have together,” Debra says. “It is in God’s hands now.”

For more information about Homeland Hospice, call (717) 221-7890.

A Social Workers Role at End-of-Life

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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 worker’s job is to assist with concrete needs, like helping to ensure a loved one is in a safe environment when they are living alone or if their caregiver can no longer support them at home.

Social workers also often help facilitate conversations with family members, especially when there is a disagreement about how to move forward with care.

Social workers assist with setting up private-duty caregivers. They help arrange service support waiver programs, which provide funding for services to help individuals who need care to live in their home. (The term “waiver” relates to the federal government “waiving” Medical Assistance/Medicaid rules for institutional care in order for states to use the same funds to provide services for people closer to home in their own communities.) They also help coordinate VA Aid and Attendance benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which includes free caregiving assistance in the home each month and financial assistance in addition to VA pension payments for qualified Veterans and survivors.

Additionally, social workers assist people with accessing Meals on Wheels, arranging powers of attorney, obtaining airfare reimbursement, or getting a grandson or granddaughter home from military service before a loved one passes. There are so many ways families can benefit from accepting a social worker as part of an end-of-life care team.

Homeland Hospice social workers even help families with financial concerns, such as eviction proceedings or making a referral to an elder care attorney if needed.

Some families simply appreciate having an impartial sounding board – someone who is not a member of the family to provide objective perspective. Families often need to share their story and their fears without judgment, and social workers are just the right people to share them with. Social workers provide a needed calming presence.

Social workers also help with actual care giving or managing challenging behaviors, and educate families on how best to understand that what they may be experiencing is normal.

Homeland Hospice social workers recognize the signs of end-of-life, which can be deeply emotional and difficult for families to observe. It is helpful for family members to have a social worker by their side who knows these signs and can explain them.

Social workers are a valuable part of an end-of-life care team and can provide support well beyond typical or concrete needs. They are a source of calm and peace during the dying process. With an understanding of the unique concerns and fears of families, they provide reassurance that helps them know that they will get through this – that they are giving their loved one a gift with their very presence.

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Laurie Bassler, MSW has been a social worker for 41 years, primarily in intensive care units, emergency rooms and in oncology care settings. Laurie joined the Homeland Hospice team in 2015 and says it was the best work-related decision she ever made.

“Miracle Lady” Rita Van Meter Shares Her Memories Through Homeland’s My Life, My Legacy Program

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Rita Van Meter of Lewistown was known as the “miracle lady”Rita and volunteer Kandy Melillo by staff at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital after she survived a medical episode in August of 2022. During her hospitalization, Rita suffered a heart attack and received last rites from her priest at Sacred Heart Church of Lewistown. She spent nine days in the hospital followed by one month in a nursing home. Rita turned to the services provided by Homeland Hospice, a nonprofit hospice program that serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania, which enabled her to return home and live independently. Rita’s strength to overcome medical milestones is just one of the many chapters in the story of her life. She recently shared her life story through Homeland Hospice’s My Life, My Legacy program.

My Life, My Legacy was launched last year to help hospice patients preserve their memories and tell their life stories. Through the effort, a hospice volunteer meets personally with the patient and their family to ask a series of questions about the patient’s life. The volunteer records the responses and allows the family to add their thoughts and recollections as well as photographs. The result is a printed book for the patient to help find peace and pride in their life story. The book also helps families preserve memories after their loved one passes.

Rita worked with Kandy, a recent retiree and volunteer, over the course of several months to share her memories and work through the series of questions. The book was completed in February of 2022.

“I didn’t know what to think about the project at first,” Rita says. “After a while it was just like talking to a longtime friend.”

Rita, a mother of five children, is a vivacious, politically-active self-starter who deeply loves her family. For her, family extends to friends of her children, neighbors and anyone in need of a helping hand. Rita believes her call to help others stems from the social and political time she was born.

Rita was born in 1935 when the country was in the depths of the Great Depression. At the time, our country had an unemployment rate of 20%. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act in August of 1935 which granted income for retirees and the unemployed. This Act was part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal to tackle the worst economic crisis ever experienced by our country. Rita was among the first wave of Americans to receive a social security card. With the card came a letter from President Roosevelt, which she still has today.

“I like to think this is why I am a Democrat,” Rita jokes. “Growing up in the Great Depression definitely influenced my passion for civic engagement.”

Throughout her work tenure, Rita served as a legislative assistant for Ruth Rudy, who represented Centre and Mifflin counties in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Rita loved the work because she knew the constituents and was able to help answer their questions and solve their problems.

Helping people in need of a friend is a common theme in Rita’s life. In 1989, Rita formed a nonprofit organization called Burd House, Inc., which provided a safe space for young men and women to receive help with their basic needs and education. Rita founded Burd House, which is in honor of her maiden name of Burd, by purchasing a former bakery and slowly transforming it with a kitchen, dining room, laundry service and recreational area. At any one time, up to 50 young adults could be found receiving tutoring, grabbing dinner and enjoying the company of friends at Burd House.

During its 20-plus years of operation, Rita impacted hundreds of lives through Burd House. Her small acts of kindness were miracles for many lost souls in need of a friend. Through the My Life, My Legacy program, Rita had an opportunity to relive countless happy memories of camping trips to Hidden Valley Camp Ground and special Christmas dinners with the men and women of Burd House.

Rita’s life story is special and unique, just like her. The beauty of My Life, My Legacy is that it is not a cookie-cutter approach to storytelling, rather it is a framework driven by the patient’s memories and experiences.

“Each story is distinctive based on the patient,” says Laurie Murry, Volunteer Coordinator for Homeland Hospice. “We focus on the topics that interest the patient.”

For Rita, her interests and passions are more than memories. Through her actions, Rita put in place tangible actions to change the lives of young men and women. These actions continue to ripple throughout the world today.

For more information about the My Life, My Legacy program, call Laurie Murry at (717) 221-7890.

Homeland resident Joyce Zandieh: Dedicated to justice and loving the Homeland life

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Joyce Zandieh is a new resident at Homeland, Joyce Zandiehbut since moving into her personal care suite, people can see a difference.

“My friends say they can feel a change in me since I came here,” she said. “I always had to figure out who would cut my grass. Will the kids do this forever? Yesterday was the first snow in my adult life when I didn’t have to worry about who was going to shovel the snow. It’s like freedom, finally.”

Joyce brings a lifetime of activism and advocacy to Homeland. As a career nurse, she always found a way to speak up for others and help them overcome barriers.

On the day Joyce was born in Harrisburg, her father was in England, preparing to cross the English Channel with General George S. Patton’s 3rd Armored Division in the wake of D-Day. She grew up in Lemoyne before the family moved to the Mechanicsburg area.

After graduating from Cumberland Valley High School, she joined friends attending nursing school at Polyclinic Hospital in Harrisburg. In her last year, she found she enjoyed working in psychiatric care and providing care during labor and delivery. When she graduated, Joyce won an award for outstanding ability in obstetrical nursing.

“The miracle of seeing somebody being born was amazing,” she said. “I just loved it.”

Graduation launched a 45-year career in nursing, including time in her beloved labor and delivery. When she worked at Holy Spirit Hospital, she and a nurse who shared her interest in obstetrics and psychiatry co-founded the Maternal Assistance Program for pregnant women battling drug addiction.

Through the program, case managers helped women and babies get to doctors’ appointments and find whatever help they needed.

Joyce, who has a son and daughter from her first marriage, was single for 14 years after her divorce until she met Mehrdad Zandieh in 1985. A member of the Bahá’í faith, he fled his native Iran during the Iranian Revolution to escape persecution.

Making his way to the U.S., he met Joyce, a fellow Bahá’í drawn to the faith by its themes of one God, religion, and mankind. They married in 1990 and enjoyed movies, picnics, Bahá’í activities, and holy days. (For a good primer on Bahá’í, Joyce recommends www.bahaifaith.org).

They also shared a love of Broadway shows, counting “Phantom of the Opera” and “Les Misérables” as their favorites. Joyce remembers her first Broadway experience when she was about 13. The family was driving home from a shore vacation when she and her sister urged their parents to follow signs to New York City.

“And they went!” Joyce marvels. They saw Ethel Merman in “Gypsy.” “She never used a microphone. That hooked me on Broadway shows.”

Joyce is a lifetime NAACP member who believes passionately in equality and fairness.

As a member and later chair of the Harrisburg Human Relations Commission, she and a Latino woman once separately answered the same rental ads, busting the landlords whose blatantly inequitable treatment of the two violated fair housing policies.

“I’ve always been an advocate for people,” Joyce said. “I never wanted anybody to be mistreated.”

Joyce’s ties to Homeland go back many years, knowing its sterling reputation from her mother’s time as a resident to the support from Homeland HomeHealth nurses after knee and hip replacements.

When Mehrdad, a cancer survivor, was diagnosed with a new tumor early in the COVID pandemic, Joyce cared for him at home. In his last few weeks, Homeland Hospice sent a nurse to help with the medical care and an aide to take care of Mehrdad’s personal needs.

“I felt relief because I could be the wife again,” she said.

Mehrdad died in May 2020. Joyce grieved deeply but continued living in her Harrisburg home, still doing favorite things like renting a limo to take her daughter and daughter-in-law to see Hugh Jackman in “The Music Man.”

However, looking back on the last year, Joyce realizes that she was building up towards the move to Homeland, having her house cleaned and giving family and friends her beautiful Persian rugs from Mehrdad’s native Iran.

An avid fan of Freddy Mercury and Elvis Presley, Joyce brought a Freddy Mercury doll crocheted by her daughter to her bright Homeland suite. As she settles in, Joyce looks forward to starting a new jigsaw puzzle featuring the album covers of Queen. She loves playing bingo and enjoys the musicians who entertain the residents.

“Sometimes, an older gentleman will get up and dance with some of the aides, and it’s so sweet,” she said. “I don’t have to cook. I don’t have to do housework. I don’t have to clean. I’m really happy to be here.”