Catherine Moussa, Bailey House coordinator.
Coming from Wilkes-Barre, it didn’t make sense for Tiffany Piech to travel an hour and 40 minutes to and from Harrisburg when visiting her sick friend at Harrisburg Hospital.
So, Piech stayed two blocks away at Bailey House, a Washington Street residence that houses friends and family of seriously ill patients. It was a perfect solution for Piech, who could visit with her friend, hospitalized with pneumonia, every day without burning out her car.
“The nurses told me about the Bailey House,” said Piech. “I found it to be clean and beautiful.”
PinnacleHealth established Baily House in 1987 and, since then, more than 9,300 people have stayed there. It’s named after Mrs. Charles L. Bailey, who was the first president of the Harrisburg Hospital Auxiliary.
Upon her arrival, Piech said that Catherine Moussa, Bailey House coordinator, warmly welcomed her.
“Catherine’s a sweetheart,” Piech said. “She was polite and friendly while preparing coffee and breakfast every morning. [The experience] was better than expected. The Bailey House has all the necessities, so I can just sleep and shower, while having less to think about. It helps keep the stress off.”
Bailey House actually consists of two adjoining buildings, which together can house up to seven families. The facility underwent extensive renovations last year. The living space was made cozier and more inviting, a bathroom was added, a kitchen upgraded and the interior design was refreshed. Guests stay free of charge, including all amenities like Internet, television and puzzles and games.
Baily House is run by a nonprofit board, which assists in seeing that the facility operates smoothly and guests are able to relax and take care of themselves between hospital visits, especially young mothers visiting their newborns in the NICU.
Because it doesn’t charge, Bailey House seeks help from volunteers, donations and fundraisers. In fact, most of the furniture brought in during the recent renovation was donated. Events like annual holiday tributes and fashion shows provide other means of support. Brochures and a Web presence help spread the word.
Opening Up
Families of patients who live at least 25 miles away are eligible to stay from one night to a few months at a time, on a first-come, first-served basis. Because the walk to the hospital is so short, guests typically don’t have parking or security concerns
Between hospital visits, guests can take time to rest and collect themselves before returning to see their loved ones. Moussa said that, while staying at Bailey House, families often open up to her and to each other, sharing their experiences. Bonding in this way has transformed these individual families into one, she said.
“I provide emotional support,” said Moussa. “I’m someone who they can let go of their day with.”
Although the families often are experiencing tough times, Moussa tries to turn difficult situations into less trying ones. In some cases, families have kept connected over the years after their stay.
Piech, for one, says she now feels part of the extended Bailey House family.
“I want to make a donation,” she said, expressing appreciation for her home away from home. “[Bailey House] is something I highly recommend. It’s a very nice facility.”
For more information on Bailey House and participation in fundraisers and volunteer opportunities, please visit www.pinnaclehealth.org.
