Charles Carroll started coming to Adult Day Health several years ago, but is now a full-time patient in Residential Care, as he has become too ill to take care of himself. It's not a situation anyone wants to be in, but according to Carroll, it's "much better than a regular hospital or nursing home."

The amount of personal attention he receives is what he appreciates most. "They are very responsive," he says of the nursing staff. "I get lots of attention. It's the little things, like getting me ice cream if I want, that make the difference. I appreciate the kindness." Carroll gets around in a power chair, which the staff helps him in and out of, whenever he needs. "It makes it easier for me to do what I want to do. I can go downstairs to socialize, or just get out of my room for a while."

Doing the Hard Work to Get Better

When Andy came to Bailey-Boushay House in 1994, he was HIV-positive, chronically depressed, addicted to street drugs and alcohol, living hand to mouth, and miserable.

Read about the writer, Ellie David.

Living for Today at 95

Lorraine had her 95th birthday party on May 15, 2012, at Bailey-Boushay House.

She was delighted to be having another birthday and she was surprised to have something new to celebrate.

Free to Be Exactly Who You Are

Died on Jan. 21, 1995 at Bailey-Boushay House

Seattle artist Gus "was a painter his whole life," says his sister, Theodora Geokezas. He was also a lifelong and likable nonconformist.

Teri Dascher has seen a lot in her forty-some years of life, including the face of death. A heroin and cocaine user for decades, Dascher had shrunk to under 100 pounds and had legs so swollen from infection that she could barely walk. "If it weren't for Bailey-Boushay, I don't think I'd be here today."

She was given a clean room, medication, healthy food, and positive support. "Everything is given to you with heart," she says. "They taught me how to take my HIV medications and stressed the importance of taking them on a regular schedule. The nurses are great. They respect you and encourage you." In addition to saving lives, sometimes it's the little things nurses do that really stand out, like telling a person to stand up straight. "I was walking hunched over. I have terrible posture. This nurse said, 'put your shoulders up higher.' I like...

"Learning about Bailey-Boushay House was a godsend," says Vance Miller, a patient temporarily in Residential Care, being treated for a serious bout of illness brought on by AIDS and cancer. "I don't think I would've recovered if I hadn't come here."

Miller says he appreciates the atmosphere and independence of Bailey-Boushay. "I have more privacy here. The rooms are nice and relaxing, and the nursing staff really seems to care about my health."

For years, Miller has benefited from the Adult Day Health services as well. When he's back on his feet, he will come in for medication management, physical therapy, meals, and social activities. "I have a hard time remembering when to take my medication-all the HIV cocktails. They tell me when, and that helps a lot."

Before discovering Bailey-Boushay, Miller suffered from major depression. But the combination of a caring staff, professional medical attention, and...