From Candy Striper to CNA: Meet Teena Mowery

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teena mowery, cna

Employee Spotlight

At 12 years-old Teena Mowery from Shippensburg learned she loved to help others while working as a candy striper at a local hospital. This experience led Teena to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) when she was only 16. Today she proudly works as a CNA for Homeland HomeCare, which has provided a continuum of care for countless clients and their families since its origination six years ago.

Over the past year Teena has worked solely with one client with Parkinson’s disease who resides near Hershey. Through her extended time with the client and his family, she has formed a strong and trusted bond.

“I look forward to seeing him,” Teena says. “I know I can make his day better because he has 100 percent of my time and focus.”

CNAs play a critical role on the HomeCare team as they are trained to notice changes in a client’s health condition, which a caregiver may not recognize. This attention to detail along with support of day-to-day activities provides safety and security for individuals in their care.

During an average day, Teena assists her client with bathing, dressing, feeding and light housekeeping tasks. Her extended time with one client has helped Teena develop a routine, which provides comfort to her client and his wife who also serves as a caregiver.

Recently, Teena helped her client enjoy dinner at a restaurant with his wife and family. While his speech is limited, he shared a touching moment with her.

“He said I love you,” Teena shares. “I know his words meant he is grateful for my support.”

Homeland’s HomeCare services can help improve a client’s quality of life while living safely in his/her home. HomeCare also benefits the primary caregiver who may be unable to perform the daily tasks required to help his/her loved one. This support also gives caregivers a brief respite from the emotional pressures of caring for a loved one.

While many of us can learn the skills needed to work as a CNA, the compassion and empathy for others cannot be taught. This comes from the heart, making the profession a labor of love.

“My clients and coworkers are extended family members,” Teena adds. “I love what I do.”

For more information on Homeland HomeCare call 717-221-7892.

Wisdom and Knowledge

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This article is re-posted 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.


elderly man and woman holding handsI saw a quote today, “when the elderly die, a library is lost and volumes of wisdom and knowledge are gone.” This got me thinking about how much wisdom and knowledge the elderly have, and how important I think it is that we sit down with them and let them share.

I sit with patients almost every day, most of which who are over 80, the oldest being 107. The stories I hear, their opinions about the world today, and so many thoughts about love and relationships… I have received the very best advice about that!!!

I was sitting at the bedside of a man who was dying, with his wife of 62 years. That is a really long time (all of my relationships together do not add up to that) and I find it truly beautiful when I see a love that has lasted that long. I always ask “how did you meet,” and “what is the secret to making a relationship last?” I love the stories about how they met, their courtship, their struggles and their strengths… I could listen for hours. And the advice is usually pretty much the same; you have to have trust, communication and deep friendship… without that you cannot possibly survive.

If you are blessed to still have grandparents or parents, sit down with them, talk to them, listen to them… you might be surprised at how much sense they make relative to life, and love. If you have small children, encourage them to do the same. And if you happen to have a little extra time on your hands, look into volunteering… it will be so good for your heart and soul… and imagine what it might do for the person sitting next to you!!!

Grab hold of those volumes of wisdom and knowledge so their stories are not lost… help pass them along so their legacy is never left behind.