Homeland Hospice 5K and Memory Walk Set for Sept. 14

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homeland hospice 5k and memorywalkHomeland Hospice, a nonprofit outreach program of Homeland Center in Harrisburg, will host its 10th annual 5K and Memory Walk on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 8:30 a.m. at the Rossmoyne Business Center at 5000 Ritter Road in Mechanicsburg. The event serves to remember loved ones lost and raise funds to support those who need care today.

“The purpose of the Homeland Hospice 5K and Memory Walk is to remember,” said Homeland Hospice Assistant Director of Development Myra Badorf. “It is for families to remember their loved ones and for Homeland, as an organization, to remember and honor the community and people we are blessed to care for on a daily basis. We are grateful for the generous support of local businesses and individuals who make this special annual Homeland tradition possible.”

Homeland Hospice depends on the generosity of donors for its enhanced care for hospice patients such as massage therapy, music therapy, and extra in-home-relief hours for caregivers, as well as for residents at Homeland Center whose financial resources have been exhausted.

Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome. The top three 5K male and female champions will receive cash prizes – $350 for 1st place, $150 for 2nd place and $100 for 3rd place. Ribbons will also be presented to the top three male and top three female finishers in eight different age brackets. Additional prizes will include largest team, oldest and youngest participants, and treats for all the adorable dogs. After the 5K and Memory Walk, Homeland will honor loved ones, provide light refreshments and award the event prizes.

The event is open to the public and online registration is now open. In-person registration also will be available on race day from 7:15 to 8:15 a.m. Registration is required to participate in the event. Homeland Hospice is also seeking 5K and Memory Walk sponsors. Visit the event page for more details.

Artist Nicole Simmons: Evoking Joy Through Painting

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Artist Nicole SimmonsNicole Simmons was hanging her artwork in Homeland’s sunny Florida Room Gallery when a resident came by.

“Ooh, look at the pretty pictures,” the resident said. “They are so beautiful.”

That was music to Simmons’ ear. As a self-taught artist who recently discovered her love for painting, she loves connecting with people who express their appreciation.

“I like hearing that people get something out of it,” she said.

Simmons is the artist for the summer 2024 edition of the Community Gallery Initiative. Through the initiative, the Art Association of Harrisburg matches local artists with exhibit spaces at area businesses and facilities, rotating the exhibits quarterly.

Initially, Simmons thought she’d try painting as a new hobby. Five years after graduating from Gettysburg College with a degree in political science and a minor in Spanish, she became curious about the “paint and sip” trend.

“As soon as my brush hit the canvas, I thought, ‘This is awesome.’”

Initially, Simmons expected to work in cartooning and animation, but experienced artists suggested that she get a grounding in portraits and painting techniques first.

“So, I kind of went on a tangent, and I’ve been on that tangent ever since,” she said.

Today, Simmons works as a fundraising researcher and strategist at Dickinson College. Art is her creative expression outlet. She paints in a studio in her recently refurbished basement, experimenting with media and techniques.

Texture and subtle collage are evident in the pieces brightening the Homeland hallway. Her mixed-media pieces might blend plaster, collage, and acrylics. One painting of birch trees was created with oil paint and cold wax. for a cake-frosting look that inspired its title, “Frosty Twilight.”

Simmons primarily learned to paint from YouTube videos, online classes, and through the Art Association of Harrisburg.

For her Homeland show, Simmons brought two collections featuring butterflies and birch trees. The butterfly collection emerged from her memories of catching butterflies as a child. As she painted, she recognized that butterflies also represented her transformation into an artist.

“I chose butterflies as a fun thing to do, but after a while, I realized that butterflies have a deeper meaning for me,” she said. “They change. They’re metamorphosis.”

Hikes with her husband through the wilds of Pennsylvania and Colorado inspired her birch tree paintings.

“I love the visual texture of birch trees,” she said. “It resonated with what I was trying to do.”

While this is Simmons’ first Community Gallery Initiative showing, the Art Association of Harrisburg has included her paintings in group exhibits. She also had a solo show at the Wheel of Light studio in Halifax. Simmons sells her work at www.nicolesimmonsart.com

“I prefer putting out things that inspire happiness and joy in people,” she said. “Naturally, there’s a place in art for the more pensive pieces, and I appreciate them, but my creative process is so joyful and brings me a lot of satisfaction that I want to pass it on.”

Showing at Homeland feels like the perfect fit.

“I love bringing my work to this space,” she said. “Residents might see them and remember their own experiences, when they took a hike or were catching butterflies.”

As to where her art goes next, Simmons is “kind of at a crossroads.” She’s thinking of returning to portraitures but still loves playing with texture, so she’s trying to figure out how all the pieces fit.

“Lately, I’ve been inspired by light and shadow and how to render warm and cool light,” she said. “Color temperature and color theory is what I’ll dive into next.”

Learning always drives the look and feel of her work.

“Art is constantly a learning experience, and I think that’s part of why I love art so much,” Simmons said. “There’s always something to learn. People say I should be a professional artist, but I love being a learner and student. It’s so freeing to experiment and try things. You’re not beholden to the same style.”

Breaking Down Barriers to End-of-Life Support

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Kristine Crockett, RN, CHPN, Director of Homeland Hospice and Homeland Palliative CareBy Kristine Crockett, RN, CHPN, Director of Homeland Hospice and Homeland Palliative Care. Kristine has been providing compassionate end-of-life care as a hospice nurse for more than 25 years and provides a wealth of knowledge and experience to those she is leading as the director. Kristine is an Army Veteran having served in the military for over nine years as a military police and corrections officer. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends at gatherings and vacations on the lake, as well as helping out her staff and finding ways to support fellow Veterans whenever possible.

Hospice care is a vital resource designed to provide compassionate support to individuals facing life-limiting illnesses. However, despite its benefits, hospice remains significantly underutilized in many communities. This trend raises important questions about why individuals and families may not be accessing this valuable service when they need it most.

One key factor contributing to the underutilization of hospice care is a lack of awareness and understanding. Many people are unfamiliar with hospice and may mistakenly believe that it is only appropriate for individuals in the final days or weeks of life. Hospice care is most effective when accessed earlier in the journey of a life-limiting illness, allowing patients and their families to benefit from comprehensive support, pain management, and emotional care for a longer duration.

Furthermore, cultural and societal attitudes toward death and dying play a significant role in shaping perceptions of hospice care. In some cultures, discussions about death may be considered taboo or uncomfortable, leading individuals to avoid conversations about end-of-life care until it becomes unavoidable. This reluctance to confront mortality can prevent individuals from seeking hospice services until it is too late to fully benefit from them.

Financial concerns also contribute to the underutilization of hospice care. While hospice services are typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans, some individuals may be unaware of their coverage options or may be reluctant to incur additional expenses related to end-of-life care. This financial barrier can prevent individuals from accessing hospice services until their illness has progressed to a point where the benefits of hospice may be limited.

Additionally, healthcare provider attitudes and practices can influence the utilization of hospice care. Some healthcare professionals may be hesitant to broach the topic of hospice with patients and their families, fearing that it may be perceived as giving up hope or admitting defeat. This reluctance to discuss end-of-life care options can delay access to hospice services and limit the ability of patients and their families to make informed decisions about their care.

Addressing the underutilization of hospice care requires a multifaceted approach that involves raising awareness, promoting cultural competence, addressing financial barriers, and improving communication between healthcare providers and patients. Education campaigns aimed at dispelling myths and misconceptions about hospice can help individuals and families understand the benefits of early intervention and comprehensive end-of-life support.

Healthcare providers should receive training on how to initiate conversations about hospice care in a compassionate and sensitive manner, ensuring that patients and their families are fully informed about their options. By addressing these barriers, we can work towards ensuring that all individuals facing life-limiting illnesses have access to the support and care they need to live their final days with dignity and comfort.

National Cancer Institute. Choices for Care When Treatment May Not be an Option

Medicare.gov.Hospice care

Shalev A, Phongtankuel, Kozlov E, Shen MH, Adelmand R, Reid MC. Awareness and misperceptions of hospice and palliative care: A population-based survey study. Am J Hosp Palliative Care. 2018 Mar; 35(3):431-439. Doi:10.1177/1049909117715215

Called to Serve Others: Meet Volunteer Coordinator Tamara Jaroszewski

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Homeland Volunteer Coordinator Tamara JaroszewskiAs a young woman, Tamara Jaroszewski of Harrisburg experienced the profound impact of hospice services when her sister died of breast cancer at age 40. For Tamara, hospice work became a beacon of hope and inspiration. She felt called to help patients during their end-of-life journey. Her call was recently answered when she joined Homeland’s Hospice team as the volunteer coordinator. Homeland Hospice, a nonprofit hospice program, serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania.

“I proudly do this work in honor of my sister,” Tamara says. “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

Tamara joined Homeland after working as a volunteer coordinator for a large hospice organization that served a sizable region. Her work with Homeland gives Tamara the opportunity to build relationships with patients and their families and the dedicated cadre of hospice volunteers. Homeland’s life-changing work is made possible by volunteers who share their time and compassion with others. From working directly with patients to helping with administrative tasks, volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization.

“I am getting to know our volunteers personally,” Tamara adds. “I am overwhelmed by their kindness and dedication to our work.”

Many volunteers find personal satisfaction from the relationships formed through patient visits. Often, patients think of volunteers as an extension of their family. Tamara helps support these relationships and assists volunteers to ensure they feel supported in their roles. When a volunteer returned to her scheduled patient visits after a reprieve to grieve the death of her father, Tamara was by her side.

“I knew her first visit back could be difficult,” Tamara says. “We approached it as a team.”

While Tamara has been with Homeland for only a few months, she is impressed by the longevity of service and creativity volunteers bring to their work. Many individuals have dedicated years to the organization and continue to raise their hands to take on new and different projects to bring comfort to patients and their families.

Tamara is excited to see more people participate in My Life, My Legacy, which gives hospice patients an opportunity to tell their life story to a volunteer who records the responses and allows the family to add their thoughts and recollections, as well as photographs. The end result is a printed book for the patient to help him/her find peace, and pride in his/her life story. The book also helps families preserve memories after their loved one dies.

“The books are beautifully written,” Tamara adds. “Our volunteers put their heart and souls into these projects and it shows.”

As Tamara grows in her tenure with Homeland, she looks forward to shepherding new projects as they evolve to benefit patients. For her, each day is a new and wonderful opportunity to build on Homeland’s rich history of service.

“You know when you are in the right place,” Tamara says. “I feel I was destined to do this work.”

For more information on volunteer opportunities with Homeland Hospice, call Tamara at (717) 221-7890.

Homeland Palliative Care Enhances Continuum of Support

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patient kissing a child on the cheekA hallmark of a successful organization is its ability to evolve to meet the needs of its community. For more than 156 years, Homeland Center has structured its programming to meet the needs of its patients and their families. In 2022, Homeland started offering palliative care, a new and valuable outreach service, to provide a greater continuum of care for its patients. The addition of palliative care services helps patients with a serious illness have a better quality of life.

Palliative care may be appropriate if a patient suffers from pain, stress or other symptoms due to a serious illness. These diseases may include cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF), liver disease, kidney disease, Parkinson’s, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), dementia, stroke, HIV/Aids and other serious illnesses. Palliative care is based on the needs of the patient, not on a specific diagnosis, and can be provided along with curative treatment.

The goal of palliative care is to reduce and eliminate symptoms such as pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, shortness of breath, constipation, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite.

“Offering palliative care services is another critical line of support we can offer patients,” says Dr. David Wenner, Assistant Medical Director for Homeland Hospice. “This form of care often helps patients avoid emergency room visits due to uncontrolled symptoms and other issues related to the disease.”

Similar to Homeland’s other at-home services, palliative care can be administered any place a patient calls home. The convenience and comfort of receiving care at home has driven the demand for the creation of a palliative care program.

“For patients who are homebound because of a serious illness, this service brings them comfort,” says Hadiza Fox, a registered nurse practitioner at Homeland. “We provide our patients the highest quality of care in their personal space.”

nurse and an elderly woman smiling at each other“Each patient is unique and requires a personalized approach to care,” Dora Butler, a registered nurse practitioner at Homeland, adds. “The Homeland team works together, along with a patient’s other health care providers, to ensure that care is consistent, compassionate and individualized.”

In their roles with Homeland, Hadiza and Dora help patients with palliative care support. They work with each patient to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s medical condition as well as the needs of the family. They then set goals for the type of care needed to ensure the best quality of life possible.

Hadiza shares an example of when she met with a patient who was homebound and in significant pain. She evaluated the patient’s immediate need for symptom management and contacted the primary physician, pharmacy and insurance company. In one visit, she helped solve the patient’s immediate needs and addressed the ancillary concerns.

“I like to think we are the glue that holds the pieces of care together,” Hadiza says. “It is a privilege to help people when they need it most.”

Palliative care is sometimes mistaken for hospice care; however, they are not the same. Hospice care is provided at the end of life. Palliative care may be provided at any time during a person’s illness and is often offered to patients at the same time they are receiving potentially life-prolonging or curative treatments. Palliative care does not prevent patients from receiving other healthcare services, treatments or procedures.

Palliative care also helps patients and families better understand an illness and assists with complex medical decision-making. Central to palliative care is that a patient’s care team fully understands the patient’s goals and values, so they can make the best care choices possible. Homeland’s Palliative Care team consists of board-certified nurse practitioners, a licensed social worker and a physician medical director.

For more information on Homeland’s Palliative Care program or to request a consultation, call (717) 857-7403.