banner of a woman with her arm around another and the word 'trusted'

All Home Nursing Agency News

supportive quote from healing patch coordinator melody ray

Connected by COVID-19: Healing Patch Supports Families Impacted by COVID-19 Deaths

During the last two years, there have been many statistics about how our world, nation, state, and communities have been impacted by COVID-19. A startling number to consider is the more than 167,000 children – roughly one in 450 of all children in the United States – who have lost at least one of their caregivers to COVID-19, according to COVID Collaborative. As local children are being affected, the Healing Patch Children’s Grief Program has

Read More »
mercedes moment thumbnail

2022 Mercedes Moment Tickets on Sale Now

Download the ticket order form and return today to get your ticket. The sole purpose of the Mercedes Moment fundraiser is to raise funds that will allow us (and you) to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families we serve who have tremendous needs beyond normal circumstances.  What is Mercedes Moment? $100 per ticket 2019 Mercedes A 220 4-Matic Sedan* or $30,000 cash Based on the first 3-digit PA Lottery on Thursday, May

Read More »

Family Hospice Offers Grief Support Groups throughout West Central Pennsylvania

Family Hospice, Part of UPMC, is offering free grief support sessions this spring at the UPMC Home Healthcare/Family Hospice offices throughout West Central Pennsylvania. For everyone’s safety, all participants are required to wear a mask. There are no exceptions, and social distancing will be implemented. Space is limited. Registration is required by contacting Bereavement Secretary Charlene Ebersole at 814-947-7060 or ebersolec@upmc.edu. Bedford Groups will be held at the UPMC Home Healthcare/Family Hospice office, 227 Hospital Drive, Suite 2,

Read More »
photo of Melody Ray, Healing Patch Coordinator and her mother in 2020

When the Grief Is Yours: Facing Death as a Grief Specialist

Shared by Melody Ray, Healing Patch Coordinator I would like to start with a disclaimer. This is my personal grief journey. Just as everyone’s relationship with the person who died is unique, so too is our grief. There is no exact right way to grieve no exact road map to follow… this is simply my path and perspectives gained. Over the past nine years, I have worked in the children’s bereavement field supporting children and families

Read More »
allysha capps and her son patrick at a virtual therapy session

Milestone Makers

Early Intervention Therapists Facilitate Progress of Young Clients When Allysha Capps was pregnant in 2019, she was doing more than the usual preparations to welcome new life into her family. As her son Patrick was diagnosed prenatally with hypoplastic heart syndrome, she prepared for her newborn to undergo surgeries and face restrictions that would delay his development. “They told us even before he was born that therapy would be beneficial,” Allysha explains. Patrick had his

Read More »
infographic - 1 in 12 PA children experience death of a loved one by 18

Growing with Grief

A Look at Childhood Bereavement Rates and Support for Local Grieving Children Long overlooked, childhood bereavement is a critical issue and an increasingly important national priority. Nationally, one in 14 children, or 5.2 million, will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18 based on the 2020 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM). By age 25, that number more than doubles to 13.2 million. The Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM) was developed by

Read More »

Local Media Share Healing Patch’s “OK’s of COVID-19”

As Healing Patch staff Melody Ray and Shalen Steinbugl recognized the great losses we face related to COVID-19, they authored a blog post called “The OK’s of COVID-19: Validating Our Reponses to the Pandemic.” Various media outlets shared the resources the Healing Patch is offering to grieving children and families, as well as these statements validating the difficult emotions everyone is facing in this time.

Read More »
infographic of the 'ok's' of covid-19

The OK’s of COVID-19: Validating Our Responses to the Pandemic

1. It is OK to have many feelings at once. On any given day, you may experience a multitude of feelings, such as feeling overwhelmed by all of the daily changes, angry at cancelled events, disappointed by missed opportunities, sad that you cannot spend time with family and friends, wary when you cross someone at the grocery store, or too exhausted to even get out of bed. These feelings you are having are normal and

Read More »

Early Intervention Manager Shares about Infant Development

Diane Ringler, Early Intervention Manager, recently shared her experiences with infant development as part of WTAJ’s positive parenting series. This story focused on babies’ ability to predict behavior of others through their social interactions early in life. Click here to view the story on WTAJ’s website.

Read More »

HNA 50th Anniversary Recognized in Altoona Mirror

Altoona Mirror staff writer Walt Frank featured Home Nursing Agency’s 50th anniversary in a recent story. HNA celebrates milestone50 years of in-home care JUL 1, 2018 WALT FRANKStaff Writerwfrank@altoonamirror.com From its humble beginning in 1968 with six part-time nurses, Home Nursing Agency has grown into a trusted leader in the community health network, with nearly 1,000 employees serving more than 23,000 people throughout western and central Pennsylvania. Home Nursing Agency — then called Blair County Collaborating Home Nursing

Read More »
mercedes moment sold out

2025 Mercedes Moment Tickets Sold Out!

The sole purpose of the Mercedes Moment fundraiser is to raise funds that will allow us (and you) to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families we serve who have tremendous needs beyond normal circumstances. Thank You to Our Generous 2025 Sponsors! GLE SUV Sponsor S-Class Sponsors C-Class Sedan Sponsors Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona Mercedes-Benz of State College, A Ciocca Dealership Sheetz, Inc. Stuckey Automotive CLA Coupe Sponsors Altoona Curve

Read More »
young adult comforting someone at a support group meeting

Family Hospice Offers Spring Grief Support Groups

Family Hospice, Part of UPMC, is offering free grief support options this spring throughout West Central Pennsylvania. Registration is required. Please see registration deadlines and contacts for each area. Bedford Groups will be held at Homewood at Spring House Estates (Chapel), 150 Victoria Ave., Everett. Groups will be held on Fridays from March 21-April 25 from 2-3 p.m. Family Hospice Bereavement Coordinator Jennifer Cox is facilitating this group for attendees to share their feelings with others who are grieving.

Read More »
mercedes moment thumbnail

2025 Mercedes Moment Tickets on Sale Now

Download the ticket order form, and return today to get your ticket. The sole purpose of the Mercedes Moment fundraiser is to raise funds that will allow us (and you) to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families we serve who have tremendous needs beyond normal circumstances.  What is Mercedes Moment? $100 per ticket 2025 Mercedes CLA 250* or $30,000 cash** Based on the first 3-digit PA Lottery on Thursday, May 29,

Read More »