Bailey-Boushay House Homefront Newsletter
June 2017 Edition
Inside this issue
Going for the Gusto | Part of the Family: Steve Foss Is One of the Longest Serving Volunteers | GiveBIG!
Going for the Gusto
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Jola found a safe home and a second family at Bailey-Boushay.
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End-of-life care helps a BBH resident regain her best self
When Jola (pronounced Yo’-la) moved to Bailey-Boushay House at age 61, she was expected to live no more than three to six months. She died on Feb. 4, 2017 — three years after she was admitted for hospice care.
“We saw an amazing transformation,” says Mark Anstadt, the BBH nurse practitioner who worked with Jola from the first day she arrived.
Her many medical and psychiatric challenges—from HIV/AIDS to arthritis, diabetes, heart failure, and lifelong mental health problems—required complex care right up to the end.
But as Jola came to trust her care team, the feeling of safety and ongoing support from her “second family” enabled her to remain a free spirit, lifelong learner, and compassionate friend.
Reconnecting with the world
“I’m kind of a sad and unhappy person for some reason,” Jola said in an interview after 18 months as a BBH resident. “My spirits are higher here than in any other place I’ve lived.
”On her toughest days at Bailey-Boushay, Jola withdrew to scream in the privacy of her room. Having hallucinations and hearing voices sent her mind to very dark places.
On her not-terrible days, it was hard to find Jola in her room. She went everywhere in her patched up power wheelchair: Downstairs to socialize, join groups for art, music or Bible study, or outside for a morning stroll toward the Arboretum. Bigger trips meant riding the bus to writing classes at the community college, Northgate Mall or to get a hot dog at Costco with her boyfriend. Many good days were spent joining group outings to movies, museums, picnics, fairs, and local events.
Lifted by her friends
“When Jola was ready to go, that was it, she went!” says Debra Newman, RN. “We were able to make it possible for her to have an active life, to be free.”
The care team and volunteers helped her let go of some of her emotional pain long enough to do what she wanted to do, remembers Debra. And because Jola’s in-house provider, Mark, knew her so well, precise adjustments to her care were made to help avoid more medical problems.
Reconnecting with family
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Knowing Jola finally had a safe living space at Bailey-Boushay was a great relief to her family.
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Jola grew up in a family of five kids: brothers Joe and Mirek, Jola and her twin sister Tania, and youngest sister Anita. Exploring the natural world was a strong family value. Jola loved to travel and discover things.
Jola had a long estrangement from her family that ended not long before she came to Bailey-Boushay. It was very painful for her loved ones, including her son Jeremiah and his partner, Colleen, and Jola’s grandchildren Izabelle and Ezekiel (Jola didn’t live to see new baby Caleb).
“Jola spent 10 years on the East Coast, away from us, as a nomad in rough places,” says twin sister Tania.
Knowing Jola finally had a safe living space at Bailey-Boushay, with good food, social contacts, and creative stimulation, was a great relief to her family after decades of worry and fears for her safety.
They felt welcome to stop by any time, with and without kids. And when they couldn’t visit, they felt confident that Jola was in good hands and was not lonely.
A complicated life, a compassionate person
Here’s how Jola once described part of her East Coast experience:
“Under the Boardwalk” is my favorite song. I lived in New Jersey—and the song brings up instant memories. I didn’t have a lot of places to sleep except under the boardwalk. Most of the [homeless] families lived and slept and ate together down there. I was working all the time [as a motel maid], but I had gambled a lot of my income away. If I got lucky, I’d treat everyone to dinner at the casino buffet.”
Tales from Jola’s two families
At Jola’s memorial service, held at Bailey-Boushay House, Jola’s brother-in-law Greg gave a moving tribute on behalf of the family. A standing room only crowd included Jola’s whole family and many BBH residents, clients, and staff and volunteers (many came in on their day off) who honored Jola by remembering her at her best, and even some times when she wasn’t.
Sharing memories of Jola at the beginning of her life and at its end was a way for everyone to give thanks for Jola’s independent spirit and the joy she brought to the BBH community.
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Part of the Family: Steve Foss Is One of the Longest Serving Volunteers
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“I always hope to make someone’s day a little brighter.”
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Every Friday morning, for the last 11 years, Steve Foss works his four-hour shift at Bailey-Boushay House to engage with clients and help staff. He is one of the longest serving volunteers in BBH’s history.
“I chat with people in the big recreational room and keep it tidy and stocked, give rides to people who need to get to appointments, help out in the kitchen as needed making sack dinners and occasionally answer phones,” says Steve. “I also regularly visit people in the inpatient area. It’s great seeing everyone weekly. I feel like they’re friends and family.”
“Steve exemplifies the BBH volunteer,” says Sofia Foster, CTRS/R, recreational therapist. “He is willing to do anything from driving people to critical medical appointments or their new homes to sitting at our front desk and greeting everyone that walks into the building. Steve is always a calm presence in our chaotic world and can identify with the people we serve in a way that makes them feel accepted and comfortable.”
Steve was an early donor when BBH was just a concept and he has continued to donate. He’s lost close friends to HIV/AIDS over the years and when he learned BBH was looking for volunteers, he felt it was a good fit.
“It feels great to give back to the community,” says Steve. “Volunteering at Bailey-Boushay puts a lot of things in perspective and reminds you to appreciate what you have. Some clients have fallen through every crack imaginable and it’s awesome to see them get the help they need and they are so appreciative of the volunteers. I look forward to seeing a lot of familiar faces on Friday mornings. I always hope to make someone’s day a little brighter by being there.”
If you’re interested in volunteering, learn more at BaileyBoushay.org/volunteer.
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GiveBIG!
Thank you to all our friends who participated in the Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG to support Bailey-Boushay House clients on May 10! Your generosity helped raised $20,509!
Not only that, but your GiveBig donation had more than DOUBLE the impact thanks to a challenge match from a generous anonymous donor. They matched, dollar-for-dollar, every dollar given up to $10,000. This gift ensures that all of our clients can have access to food for four months.
We are so thankful for your support! You are a strong voice for our clients, some of the most vulnerable among us. Thank YOU for building a stronger community through GiveBIG!
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