Accomplished artist, clockmaker, musician, and photographer, Larry has always lived on his own terms. It took a toll on his family and his health: now in his 70s, he was ailing and homeless. Late one evening, he showed up at his On Lok PACE center and collapsed in the hall.

"Had he not come to use, he would probably be dead now," said Nanda Devi Rich, Lead Medical Social Worker at On Lok PACE, and Larry's social worker since 2017. "He knew he could trust us and hoped someone would be in our clinic to help him. It was fortuitous that we were still open and I was also here!"

Larry's circumstances were not always so precarious. He studied art at UC Berkeley and his signature clocks were featured in the lobbies of hospitals and banks. People stopped by his studio to buy his drawings and jewelry. He had his own apartment. But Larry could be difficult with others, struggled with addiction, and as he aged his physical and mental health began to deteriorate- and his life, to unravel.

He was evicted and lost all his personal belongings out of a storage unit, including a lifetime of artwork, photographs, and musical instruments. Diagnosed with kidney disease, he chose not to take his medications. His only daughter tried to provide care, but she could not do it on her own, eventually referring him to On Lok PACE. "Larry was alone, with challenging behaviors almost impossible to diagnose, given his lifelong mental health issues and recent dementia symptoms," Nanda said.

She helped him navigate the shelter system and managed his petty cash to help him stay sober. "Larry might be hard to contact while on the streets, but he still came to On Lok regularly for his scheduled care. We established a connection based on mutual trust. I never let him down and I never overpromised, and he responded well to me," Nanda said.

Finding permanent housing was a priority, but Larry had a reputation for creating trouble in a community setting. Once placed, he would follow the house rules for a while, but sooner or later he would start hoarding junk or pick fights with other residents and get kicked out. And Nanda would be back at square one, begging anther facility to accept him, rallying all available resources to his aid while he cycled in and out of hospitals and shelters.

The night he collapsed at his On Lok PACE center was a turning point for Larry. Once hospitalized, he spent weeks being nurtured back to life and, as he regained his strength and self-confidence, he reflected on his close brush with death. In a moment of clarity, he resolved to try harder to make it all work.

"We were nervous about discharging him, because he had nowhere to go and every facility I approached had turned him away." Nanda said. "I would beg them. show them photos of his work, his beautiful drawings. I reminded them that he was somebody's father, son, and friend." Miraculously, the last housing option on her list agreed to take him in.

In his current home, Larry receives the care he needs. He has a place for his musical instruments, and he appreciates what everyone is doing for him- especially Nanda. "His story is important to me because Larry is not your typical happy, humble or grateful participant. And that's why he really needs us," Nanda said. "I will pull all stops for the most difficult seniors because they bring our On Lok mission to life."

When she visits Larry, Nanda brings him the colored pencils and drawing pads he likes. She made portfolio of his artwork for safekeeping. "Creative people need to express themselves- it gives them purpose and helps their psychosocial health," Nanda said. Larry's daughter could not be more grateful. "She thinks coming to On Lok is the best thing she ever did."

Recently, Larry found a broken-down guitar on the sidewalk, and Nanda used some of his funds to buy him a new one. When she delivered it, Larry took it out of its case feigning indifference, but obviously delighted. "I play the flute, sax, and bass clarinet; it's helped me get through a hard time. I will teach myself the guitar, give me a couple of weeks. It will give me something to do besides my art," he said, fingering a few chords.

Art still finds Larry's life with meaning. "I never run out of ideas when I draw," Larry said. "Honesty is the most important quality for an artist. You can communicate what's on your mind. Some people want to hide. I don't hide anything."

Around Nanda, his gentler side emerges. "I have been lucky; I have had good things in my life. When you have a patient disposition, you can wait for the right thing to happen. And I am patient." Larry strummed his new guitar, beaming at Nanda: "Thank you so much for doing all these kind things for me. It was very considerate of you. Most people don't know what to get me, but you do. This guitar will be good. I can play it quietly, so it won't disturb my neighbors."