Noelle Valentine, MSW, LSW

Learning how to navigate the unchartered waters of grief after the death of a loved one requires a strong support system and the development of coping mechanisms to find hope for the future. Homeland Hospice provides a holistic approach to grief support using a team of compassionate counselors. Homeland Hospice is a nonprofit hospice program that serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Homeland’s Noelle Valentine, MSW, LSW, Lead Bereavement Counselor, and Alexis Conkle, MSW, Bereavement Counselor, walk with families during their grief journey.

“Bereavement support is rewarding work,” Noelle says. “I’m humbled by the strength and compassion I learn from every family.”

While the steps of grief may form a pattern to healing, everyone’s process and timing is tied to their personal story. Through the shared understanding of loss, many people find comfort in Homeland’s bereavement support groups, which include a Men’s Breakfast and Ladies Lunch Series. The individual process of handling heartache can often best be addressed through individual counseling. The duality of support needed on a pathway through grief is why Homeland offers one-on-one consultations and support groups.

Alexis Conkle, MSW

“I enjoy working directly with families and helping them through the challenges of grief,” Alexis says. “I admire the strong bonds the Homeland team forms with families, as it makes this work a calling and not a job.”

In addition, Homeland offers hands-on activities including making memory pillows from a loved one’s clothing and grief art classes to serve as an avenue for expression. These opportunities along with events like Homeland’s 5K and Memory Walk provide a sense of community and an opportunity to form friendships with others who understand the journey. It is common for strangers to become close friends as they work through their grief together.

“We understand healing takes time,” Noelle and Alexis remark. “We will walk with you through your bereavement journey.”

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.

When Aimee Schmoltze’s mother began receiving hospice care, she saw the impact of the program on their family. Over a 14-month period, Aimee, her mother and their family developed emotional bonds with the hospice staff who provided compassionate care during a very difficult time. This was a formative experience for Aimee. Amidst her grief, she felt called to the work of hospice. Today, Aimee is a registered nurse and case manager for Homeland Hospice, a nonprofit hospice program that serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Aimee’s career began as a medical assistant. While she loved her job, she wanted to have a greater impact on the lives of her patients and decided to become a registered nurse. As a registered nurse and case manager for Homeland, she meets patients at the beginning of their journey with Homeland. She assesses their needs, orders any needed medical supplies and creates a care plan for aid.

This initial meeting is often very overwhelming for patients and their families as they come to terms with the severity of the patient’s medical condition. During this emotional time, Aimee is there to provide a calm, comforting presence.

“I assure patients they are not alone,” Aimee says. “We will be there every step of the way.”

Caring for the broad spectrum of needs patients face including their fears, concerns and worries is what Aimee loves most about her job. This was the life-changing work she saw when her mother was in her final months of life. Aimee understands the journey also includes families and the struggles they face during this time.

“I can see the relief on their faces when I relieve the pain their loved one is experiencing,” Aimee adds. “Open communications and education can wash away the worry caregivers experience.”

In her role, Aimee finds that many people don’t understand the breadth and scope of hospice services or the philosophy behind the hospice approach. Hospice care is available to a patient when a medical cure is no longer possible or a decision to stop aggressive treatment has been made. Homeland Hospice 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.

For Aimee, the dedicated time she spends with patients and the bonds she forms with them and their families fills her heart and soul with gratitude.

“I love this work,” Aimee says. “I am doing exactly what I was put on Earth to do.”

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

Taking the wrong step or losing balance, even for a brief moment, can cause a debilitating fall. For adults 65 years and older, a simple fall can have a lasting impact. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of injury for this age group. Homeland’s team of highly trained professionals understands the importance of fall prevention and incorporates safety measures and education into its way of work to provide the best care possible for clients and patients.

Karen Paterson, an occupational therapist and quality control coordinator has worked for Homeland since 2017. In her role as a therapist, she works directly with clients and patients. She also evaluates Homeland’s services to ensure the highest standards of safety are met. From her experience, teaching people how to establish and maintain balance is key to preventing falls.

“I teach people to follow the CDC’s balance test,” Karen says. “These four stances can reduce the risk of falls.”

The 4-stage balance test includes standing in the following positions for 10 seconds:

• Stand with feet side-by-side.
• Place the instep of one foot so it is touching the big toe of the other foot.
• Place one foot in front of the other so the heel touches the toe.
• Stand on one foot.

Understanding and regularly practicing this test can give people confidence in their balance as well as identify areas of weakness in the body to focus on strengthening. Movement and increased flexibility are essential to engage our body’s muscles and build muscle memory.

In addition to the lower extremities, Karen recommends focusing on neck and upper body flexibility with simple exercises such as like turning one’s neck slowly to the left and right, chin tucks and shoulder shrugs. The culmination of these practices can help people get to know their body and movements.

“Our night vision can be limited,” Karen adds. “Knowing how our body moves can help us navigate our steps.”

Simple adjustments to the layout and lighting of one’s home is another important factor in preventing falls. Modifications like no-skid bathmats and proper lighting can make a significant difference in safety. Other recommended adjustments include adding shower bars, clearing walking spaces and removing throw rugs.

Through Homeland’s outreach services which include Homeland Hospice, Homeland HomeHealth, Homeland HomeCare and Homeland Palliative Care, each person is given a comprehensive assessment to develop a unique care plan to meet individualized needs. The safety of clients and patients is the foundation of all plans.

During her time making home visits, Karen gets to know her clients and patients well. For some people, visits from Homeland staff are the only visits they receive, which makes observations of their behavior and movement so important to their safety.

“Prevention is key,” Karen says. “We want everyone we serve to have the best life possible.”