Golden Times - September 2021

golden

TIMES A monthly magazine for the region’s seniors

TUESDAY SEPT. 7, 2021 / VOL. 31, NO. 9

SOUND DECISIONS

Is it wise to ignore hearing problems? Local audiologists speak up.

Birthday index:

INDEX:

Page 4 .............................

Birthdays ....................................................................... 4

Marguerite Sitton Denney Decicio Bob Tatko Irene Pease

Plummer trip a welcome departure from the norm ..... 5

How better hearing can improve your health .............. 8 Rough start to kindergarten for teacher, student ........ 6 Reader essay: What comes next?................................ 10 Senior meal sites list / menus .................................11/12

DON’T GET BURNED OCTOBER BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS: Send your information to Golden Times by 5 p.m.

Sept. 15.

Volunteer Opportunities .............................................. 3

golden

TIMES ON THE COVER: Dr. Anne Simon, of Simon Audiology & Tinnitus in Lewiston, holds up a hearing aid. A recent study found many who could benefit from hearing aids don’t use them. Audiologists say that is a mistake that can take a toll on relationships and overall health. Learn more on Page 8.

ON THE WEB

SUBMISSION DEADLINE for the October issue is 5 p.m. Sept. 15.

Find Golden Times online at lmtribune.com/ special_sections.

EDITOR: Julie Breslin, (208) 848-2241/jbreslin@lmtribune.com



GOLDEN TIMES: P.O. Box 957, Lewiston, ID 83501 goldentimes@lmtribune.com

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GOLDEN TIMES

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208.798.8500 • 325 Warner Dr. • Lewiston, ID 83501 • LifeCareCenterOfLewiston.com

T U E S D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 7, 2 0 2 1

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES The WA-ID VOLUNTEER CENTER, in the Lewiston Community Center at 1424 Main St., strives to provide individualized volunteer opportunities for those wishing to serve in Lewiston, Clarkston, Asotin, Pomeroy, Moscow and the Orofino area. Information and other volunteer openings can be found at waidvolunteercenter.org or by calling (208) 746-7787.

Volunteer needs include: ï Museum docents — Skills include meet-andgreet abilities, friendly personality and the ability to answer questions about the displays at the center.

Training is provided. ï Tutors — America Reads needs tutors to help K-third-grade students become proficient readers.

Volunteers need to be able to commit to at least an hour a week for the school year. Background check required. ï Companions — The Senior Companion program provides companionship and respite care to the elderly and disabled. It allows low-income senior volunteers an opportunity to assist those who need minor help to continue living independently. Senior Companions visit clients in their homes, but it is not an in-home care program. ï Food bank help — Volunteers are needed to repack frozen and dry foods for distribution. Front counter volunteers and drivers for morning food pickups also are needed. ï Meal sites — Volunteers are needed regular and substitute meal delivery drivers. A valid driver’s license and auto insurance are required. ï Opioid Information Instructors — Volunteers lead online classes through a Power Point-

based curriculum and facilitate discussion based on audience questions regarding opioids, their use and their disposal. Training is provided ï Project Warmup — Crafters are needed to make hats, scarves, mittens and lap blankets (yarn is provided) and to help tie quilts. Completed items are donated to local nonprofit agencies. ï Medicare navigation — The State Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program trains volunteers to assist local seniors with Medicare questions. ï Lewiston City Library — Volunteers needs include book shelving, gardening, homebound delivery, photography, technology tutoring, genealogy, tech lab, youth services and helping

T U E S D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 7, 2 0 2 1

students with homework. ï Mobile Blood Drive Canteen — Volunteers serve refreshments to donors immediately following donations, help maintain a comfortable atmosphere, talk with donors and answer questions while observing the donors for possible adverse reactions. ï Disaster services — As the first responders of the American Red Cross, the Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers provide comfort and direct assistance to those affected by disaster as they begin the recovery process.

INTERLINK INC. is a nonprofit organization in Clarkston that matches community volunteers to people needing assistance to remain independent

in their own homes. For information about becoming a volunteer, call (509) 751-9143. Volunteer applications and addition information also can be found online at www.interlink volunteers.org. ï The Lewiston-Clarkston Valley has an urgent need for summertime drivers to transport senior citizen and disabled people to medical and other appointments.

Drivers may choose how many hours they’re able to work. Need is for Monday through Saturday.

Training is provided, and drivers are compensated 56 cents per mile for each trip provided. ï Drivers also are needed to do grocery shopping and delivery for homebound people.

VALLEY MEALS ON WHEELS provides daily home-delivered meals to seniors, home-bound and special needs clients in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley.

If you or someone you know would benefit from in-home meal service, contact the office between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at (208) 799-5767 or by email at valleymeals@aol.com.

Golden Times publishes Volunteer Opportunities in the LewistonClarkston Valley monthly as a free public service. Area agencies may send information to goldentimes@ lmtribune.com or Golden Times, P.O. Box 957, Lewiston, ID 83501. All submissions are edited for brevity and clarity, and will run as space allows.

Questions may be directed to editor Julie Breslin at jbreslin@lmtribune. com or (208) 791-6635. Deadline for the October edition is 5 p.m. Sept. 15.

It may seem ordinary, but . . .

It is Truly Marvelous When Two People Connect With One Another Humans are drawn to connect. You might find energy in 1-on-1 situa�ons, a few friends, or big groups. But everyone benefits from human connec�on.

Human connec�on benefits from be�er hearing!

Anne Simon, AuD

208-746-7022 1022 Bryden Ave SimonAudiology.com GOLDEN TIMES

3

B I R T H DAY S > SEPT. 5

> SEPT. 11

> SEPT. 13

> SEPT. 27

Marguerite Sitton, 90

Dennis Decicio, 80

Bob Tatko, 90

Irene Pease, 90

Marguerite Joan Sitton was born in 1931 to Gustav and Nessie Granberg in Clarkston, where she she has lived her whole life.

Marguerite has a son, four daughters, 11 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. She retired from the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, and she enjoys quilting.

A birthday celebration is planned at Pollock Pines.

Born in 1941 in Lenore, raised in Ruebens, Dennis Decicio has seen much of the world by way of the U.S. Navy and later as a tribal missionary with New Tribes Mission International. The family lived among a primitive tribe in the “Green Hell of Bolivia,” later serving as a representative for the mission. Retiring after 19 years, he took up and excelled at carpentry. He then accepted a call to preach in Ruebens. After five blessed years, he retired again.

Denney has been a loving, faithful, caring husband and father for 56 years. His wife Connie thanks him publicly for his self-sacrificing life and half a century of putting his family first.

The family plans to celebrate Denney at Spalding Park with a barbecue for family members from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. An open house for friends and loved ones will follow from 2-4 p.m.

Guests are invited to bring seating, drinks and perhaps cookies. Cards are welcome, but no gifts please.

Robert “Bob” Tatko was born Sept. 13, 1931, to Jacob and Anna Tatko at the Tatko Ranch one and a quarter mile southwest of Craigmont.

Bob graduated from Craigmont High School in 1949, from the University of Idaho in 1953, and served two years in the Army.

He married Francie Hilbert of Keuterville on June 15, 1957. They had five children and farmed in the Craigmont area for 45 years.

After retirement, they enjoyed travel and visiting with family.

Bob was a charter member of the Lewis County Historical Society and active in the Ilo-Vollmer Historical Society. In 2018, he received The Esto Perpetua Award from the Idaho State Historical Society for promoting and preserving Idaho history.

Bob and Francie moved to Lewiston in October of 2016. They have nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Irene Pease, of Clarkston, was born in 1931 to Menzo and Clara Adamson in Clearwater. She was the fourth of six children, all born at home and delivered by her father.

Irene married Thomas Pease of Lenore on June 4, 1948. They were married 63 years until Tom’s death in 2011. They raised four children Mike (deceased), Stan (Kristi), Resa (Ron) and Rob (Kelly).

Irene’s first job at age 12 was as chambermaid at the Lewis and Clark Hotel, earning 10 cents an hour. She walked to work from 13th Street in Clarkston.

In 1960, Tom and Irene purchased the Clarkston Heights Market, which they operated until 1964. Irene worked for Pacific Northwest Bell as switchboard operator, repair dispatcher and engineering draftsman, retiring after 25 years.

She then worked 17 years for the U.S. government as a military and civil service tester.

Irene enjoys yard work, maintaining her swimming pool and spoiling her grandchildren (all of whom learned to swim in her pool). Irene has enjoyed water aerobics for the past 16 years.

Her children are holding a celebration in her honor from 2-5 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Lewiston Elks Lodge.

Birthday announcements for those 70 and older are printed free in the month of the birthday only. Length limit is 200 words. Announcements should include the subject’s name, city and birthdate. Name and contact information of the person submitting the announcement also is needed. Current photos are welcome.

To have photos returned, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Submissions may be sent to goldentimes@lmtribune. com or Golden Times, P.O. Box 957, Lewiston, ID 83501. Questions may be directed to Julie Breslin at jbreslin@ lmtribune.com or (208) 791-6635.

October birthday announcements must be received by 5 p.m. Sept. 15.

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GOLDEN TIMES

T U E S D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 7, 2 0 2 1

Day trip to Plummer, Potlatch nourished body & soul W

ith all the smoke people who were enjoying she shared with us. We and heat, there selecting their own food were all musical and the have been few times and being in the midst of older ones sang in harthis summer when we many friends. So sad it mony while we younger have gone out of town. had to close. ones joined in. She loved When my daughter, June, Breakfast was bountithe Lord and instilled that and her husband, ful, and we were attribute in all of us. I was Doug, invited me glad we had made so touched to be standing on a day trip, I the trip. Returning by her grave once more. readily accepted. to the car, we headThis was several ed back toward Drug prices would take weeks ago, before Potlatch. A few the contagious delmiles before reach- your breath away ta variant became ing the Potlatch The price of prescripproblematic. turn-off, you will tion drugs has long been a They wanted see a small white concern of mine. President MOVING to take me to The Biden is asking Congress FORWARD church on a hill, Gateway restauand if you look, to do something about that. rant in Plummer, there is a road I recently experienced a Idaho, for breakmarked Freeze situation that shows how fast one morning Cemetery. Turn to badly those price controls and promised the right on that are needed. to drive back to road, and after a During our smoke-filled Freeze Cemetery, near short distance you will days, I have needed my Potlatch, so I could place reach the church. Coming inhaler for asthma each some flowers on my birth from Lewiston, it’s a left and every day. The inmother’s grave. turn onto Freeze Road. haler was running out, It has always pleased In November, my and I found that my drug me to know you can go in mother’s grave will be 90 plan no longer covered any direction out of our years old. She died when that particular inhaler. valley and, in an hour I was 3. I was her 10th When my pharmacist or two, be in some small child and two more came announced that the price town with a good restauafter me. She died when is $400 for one inhaler, I rant. Two examples are her 12th child was born. I nearly fell over.

Pataha Flour Mills in Pahaven’t been able to visit I called my insurance taha and the Hearthstone her grave as often as I group, and they suggested Bakery and Restaurant would have liked, but on that I call the manufacturin Kamiah. This proved this trip I had a bouquet er, saying that they sometrue at Plummer, too. June that I wanted to leave times have coupons to help and Doug had eaten there with her. with the payment. The before and knew I would She was a gifted mumanufacturer said they no enjoy it as well. sician and got out her longer owned that drug.

After being seated, two guitar each evening and They sold it to Merck and women approached our gathered us all around. We I should call them. Calling table. The older woman sang the old hymns, folk Merck brought me the was obviously training tunes and other songs that news that they had sold it the younger one in the skills of becoming a Relax with coffee or a waitress. They both were fresh deli meal in our friendly, and before long we realized that the older spacious dining area! of the two was The GateSoups • Salads way manager and also Sandwiches • Pizza had managed Granny’s Buffet in Lewiston, some and MORE! years ago. Having GranMade Fresh Daily. ny’s close was a blow to many people. We often went there after church 332 Thain Rd., Lewiston | (208) 746-2377 and joined a crowd of

Ruth Bosserman

to another company. I gave up at that point and started calling different local pharmacies, hoping one of them might have a cheaper price. Only one had a slight discount, and with a coupon I had found online, I received $60 off of that enormous price.

I have been given other inhalers that aren’t especially helpful, and I do need a good one. I will talk to my caregiver about finding another one.

Meantime, Congress, get your act together and take pity on the elderly in

your constituency!

I haven’t missed a meal since buying that inhaler, but I hear and read of those whose incomes are limited. They either buy the high-priced drugs or they skip them and buy food. We have the most expensive drugs in the world, and you can chalk it up to greed on the part of those who manufacture them.

Something has to be done.

Bosserman, 92, is a retired Clarkston first-grade teacher.

She may be reached by email at ruthboss20@gmail.com.

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T U E S D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 7, 2 0 2 1

GOLDEN TIMES

5

First day for me and the boy with the cowboy boots A

small boy, with no adopted the “leave him name-tag, arrived late alone and he’ll come join” the first day of school. technique and invited the He stomped in with a children to the story area. deep-creased scowl that All came, except Gerald scrunched his face like a who was glued to the spot prune. Bare arms by the door. hugged his chest A song started as if to squeeze our day. By the himself invisible. third time through, His completely the kids sang shaved head and along. Not Gerald. light gray eyes He was a statue. created an old man Music wasn’t his look. He wore a thing. The action plaid shirt, blue THINKING story invited stujeans and pointed OUT LOUD dents to participate cowboy boots. I with movements glanced around the and facial expresparking lot. He’d sions. Gerald was come alone. frozen. Everyone I closed the door, introduced thembent over and selves to the class introduced myand told their self, “Hi, I’m Mrs. favorite food — Hoseley. Is your except Gerald. name Gerald?” It had As the day wore on, he to be. His family hadn’t sat down on his spot. I come the night before to called everyone back to our “meet your teacher” the story area for closing time. He glared at me, activities. I notice out silent and unmovable. I of the corner of my eye,

Sharon Chase Hoseley

my student statue making his way over. “Ah,” I thought to myself. “He finally can’t resist joining the fun.” He walked around the half circle of children, stood directly in front of me, looked me in the eye and kicked me in the shin as hard as he could. With his head held high, he marched back to his spot.

Cowboy boots hurt. I screamed. The kids were silent. I was in shock.

Gerald’s scowl turned to a smirk of satisfaction.

He had the reaction he wanted. I was new at this game. It was my first year of teaching, and my education contained no information about being kicked. I ignored it.

We closed out the day. I released the kids one by one to their waiting mothers ... all except Gerald.

No one came for him. I called the number listed on his registration.

A gruff man’s voice answered. “Yeah, what da ya want?”

“Uh, this is Mrs. Hoseley and I’m calling to remind you school’s over and no one’s here to pick up Gerald.”

“Ha, no one’s gonna pick ’im up. He’s a tough bird.

He’s walking home.”

“By himself? I can’t let him do that. He’s only 5.”

“Send him home, now,” he shouted at me, and the receiver clicked.

I looked at the address.

It was five blocks away, and he had to cross busy streets. “I’ll walk you home.” I told him.

We climbed the stairs from the basement classroom to the parking lot. When we reached the sidewalk, he took off running. He was fast for a kid shoulder high to most 5-year-olds. Too fast for me. I called. “Wait, Gerald.” He ran faster, rounded a corner and disappeared.

A bum knee kept me from running. I hobbled behind, searching for the address. A half hour later, I found the small house

with junky cars strewn in the front yard. With my heart pounding in my ears, I knocked on the door. “Come in,” yelled the phone voice. No, I couldn’t do that. I was a country girl in a big city. I couldn’t just walk into this house. I knocked again.

“Ger,” the voice demanded. “Go see who’s knocking. If it’s a salesman kick ’im in the shins.”

My runaway threw open the door and faced me in a cowboy stance complete with holster and toy guns. I called into the house. “It’s Mrs. Hoseley.

I wanted to make sure Gerald got home okay.” I peeked into the dimly lit room. A large man sat in an overstuffed recliner with crutches leaning against the arm.

“I told ya, he’d be fine.

He can fend for himself.

Don’t ya go making a sissy out of him.” The TV blared a Western with shots ringing out, along with yelling.

“I’m responsible for him till he gets home.”

I countered.

“Ya need to leave,” he ordered. “Now!”

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GOLDEN TIMES

T U E S D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 7, 2 0 2 1

me that day.

Day after day I knelt by his desk and asked safe questions. I only received a shake or a nod of his head. By Christmas the prune-face scowl disappeared. His eyes would question me, but never his mouth. Kicks came only once or twice a week.

I couldn’t imagine what Christmas break was going to be like in Gerald’s house. I met with the pastor of the church that sponsored the school and told him my story. He gathered three big boxes of food, clothes, toys and toiletries. I was much braver in his company but still apprehensive.

The TV blared. We pounded on the door. “Gerald, get that ____ door.” We heard the cussing demand.

It swung open. Gerald stood there in shorts and his, by now, worn-out cowboy boots. He didn’t know the pastor. I saw him ready for a boot attack, stepped in front of the pastor and held a box toward the kicker. He stopped midswing and stared at me.

The house was cold. It reeked from odors of a shut-up winter. The man called from his chair, “Whattaya doing here?

Schools out.”

“I know,” I responded.

“We want to share a bit of Christmas with you.”

There was silence. We sat the boxes inside the door and waited.

“Do you have any boots

T U E S D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 7, 2 0 2 1

for Ger?” he asked in a softer tone. “There’s holes in the bottoms of his. I’ve run out of things to stuff in ’em.”

“Open the box,” I instructed. Gerald looked from me to the man.

“Go ahead,” he gave permission.

“Boots!” Gerald cried out. It was the first word I’d heard from him. I’d found a pair with square toes instead of pointed.

Thought they wouldn’t hurt as much. He pulled them on. I prayed about the size. ... Yes! They were perfect with a bit of room to grow.

The atmosphere of confrontation lifted as the man invited us in. He was the boy’s grandfather and was disabled from an accident.

His daughter had given birth at the age of 14, then disappeared. Grandmother died when Gerald was 3.

This boy had every right to distrust and be angry at women. They’d all left him. His only defense was what Grandpa taught him — kick ’em in the shins.

A different attitude possessed my boot kicker when school started again. I acquired only one bruised shin — my fault: I ran into a chair.

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Chase Hoseley is a freelance writer and retired kindergarten teacher who lives in Clarkston.

She looks forward to sharing her out-of-the-box, out-loud thoughts with you each month. She can be reached at shoseley8@gmail.com.

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I limped back to my car in the parking lot while I talked to my father.

“What’s going on here?

God, this family ... I don’t know how to handle this.

No one gave directions on this — kicked and, and now a defiant parent.”

I drove home in tears mulling over my unexpected dilemma. The next day, Gerald came to circle but refused to sit. During singing, he stealthily crept to the front of the group and let the boots do his talking again. I expected it this time. Thank goodness, he chose the other leg. Yesterday’s kick was growing a goose egg.

Every day, new bruises were added to my shins.

I didn’t report it. I was afraid of losing my first teaching job because I couldn’t control a small boy. Besides, I was the only adult in the building.

It was a private kindergarten. Who would I tell?

I checked out behavior books from the library and read, read, read. I implemented every suggestion. Finally, I poured out my circumstances to my favorite college professor. She asked, “Does this boy have a mother?”

I didn’t know. It didn’t say on his registration.

Fearful of calling the gruff voice again or going to the house, I asked Gerald the next day. “Does your mama work?” He shook his head. “Does she live at your house?” He shook his head. “Do you get to see her?” Again he shook his head. Without a word from him, I could see fear and sadness swimming in his eyes.

I knew I’d pushed far enough for one day. By this time, Gerald trusted me enough to sit in a desk close to the door where he could run if I became dangerous. He didn’t kick

Counties Served: Nez Perce, Latah, Clearwater, Lewis, Idaho, Adams, Valley, Benton, Franklin, Yakima, Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, Whitman, Spokane, Asotin and Surrounding Counties Lewiston, ID: 208-746-3050 • Kamiah, ID: 208-935-2204 Walla Walla, WA: 509-525-3388 • Moscow, ID: 208-882-0616 Tri-Cities, WA: 509-735-3388 • Yakima, WA: 509-469-3388 Spokane, WA: 509-315-1235

GOLDEN TIMES

7

LEFT: Dr. Anne Simon fits a hearing aid onto the ear of her husband, Jeff Simon, as she demonstrates the process she goes through when helping patients with their hearing aids last month at Simon Audiology & Tinnitus.

BELOW: A closeup of the hearing device on Jeff Simon’s ear.

August Frank/Golden Times

Hearing loss reduces quality of life, but it doesn’t need to, area audiologists say — and your mental health may depend on getting help

By ANGELA PALERMO OF THE TRIBUNE

W

hen Barry Barnes started working in construction, he and his buddies would use the filters from Winston cigarettes as earplugs.

They didn’t do the trick.

Decades of noise from drills and heavy machinery, including loaders and crushers, reduced his ability to hear by more than 50 percent.

“We thought we were invincible,” Barnes said.

“I didn’t take care of my

8

ears the way I do now.”

The 80-year-old Lewiston man started looking for solutions when his hearing deteriorated 30 years ago.

Like many others with hearing difficulties, Barnes began using hearing aids to listen to the world around him. The devices allow him to continue participating in what matters most.

“I golf twice a week with my friends and take boats up the river,” he said. “I have a great relationship with my children. I’m doing everything I physically can, and the reason I can do that is because of hearing aids.”

But they don’t come without a price, and

SAY WHAT?

Barnes says the “good ones will cost you.”

Hearing aid costs vary widely, ranging from $1,000 to upward of $5,000 for a set. Additional costs can accrue once evaluations and fittings are factored in.

A recent study published on the website seniorliving. org surveyed U.S. adults age 55 or older and found more than a quarter of respondents don’t use hearings aids because of the expense. The appearance of hearing aids also was cited as an impediment, but cost seems to be the biggest factor, with almost 90 percent of respondents saying price played a role GOLDEN TIMES

in their purchase decision.

The expense is worth it for Barnes, who says he couldn’t do without his hearing aids.

“It would still be worthwhile, even if it cost three times as much,” he said.

“I wouldn’t trade them for anything.”

Sick of missing out

Dr. Elizabeth O’Neil, an audiologist at Valley Facial Plastics & ENT in Lewiston, said by the time patients come in, they’re already tired of not being able to hear.

“When you think of hearing aids, you think of my grandma,” O’Neil said.

“But hearing aids are really about quality of life.”

According to the senior living.org study, 28 percent of people age 60 and older with poor hearing rely on hearing aids — that’s about 17 million people nationwide.

Dr. Anne Simon, an audiologist with Simon Audiology and Tinnitus in Lewiston, said that, in her experience, the primary reason people get hearing aids is to improve their relationships. Some individuals with more profound hearing loss could benefit from a cochlear implant.

“People come in for a first visit, just a hearing

T U E S D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 7, 2 0 2 1

test, because they don’t know what’s going on,” Simon said. “They want to hear from their grandchildren about what they did at school, or from their spouse about how their day went.”

Hearing loss makes it difficult for people to participate in conversations.

They may frequently ask others to repeat themselves or speak up, causing friction between loved ones and, often, unassuming members of the public. Loss of hearing might cause someone to avoid social gatherings and noisy places altogether.

Simon says when patients first come in for a consultation, they often appear sad.

“They’re not happy.

Something’s not right in life, so they go through the process to get hearing aids,” she said. “From the moment they first turn it on, they’ll start joking with us and laughing.”

Many ask, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”

The clinic’s clientele includes people in a broad age range, from their 30s on up into their 90s.

Simon says the worst thing people can do when experiencing hearing loss is to let frustration keep them from getting treatment.

The seniorliving.org study also analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey and found that people older than 60 who have hearing loss but don’t use hearing aids are twice as likely to report frequent symptoms of depression than those who the devices.

People sometimes don’t realize they’re struggling to hear, Simon said. “It creeps up slowly. They may think something else is going on — like memory problems — when they’re just not hearing properly.”

Missing out on conversa-

adjust them. Barnes said he’d tried three different styles before finding a pair that felt just right.

“If your hearing is bad, you’re most likely going to have to go through a few sets of hearing aids to find what works,” he said.

Hearing aids can be fitted on or behind the ear, and even inside the ear canal.

According to Simon’s website, the “receiver-in-canal” style, which is smaller and less visible, represents most modern-day fittings.

Technological advances have produced a range of August hearing aid options that Frank/Goldimprove the ability to en Times hear in specific situations.

It’s not one-size-fits all like something’s off, to see Some models feature When shopping for hear- an audiologist and get a full external microphones and ing aids, buyers should evaluation of their hearing. wireless connectivity. be cautious of misleading But it may take time to “Hearing aids aren’t claims. The devices can’t find the best fit. The devic- just for hearing better restore normal hearing, es need to be programmed anymore,” Simon said. according Simon, but they properly, and the user See HEARING, Page 10 can improve hearing by needs to be taught how to amplifying certain sounds.

“You have to be careful of ordering something that’s not tuned for your hearing loss,” she said. “ ‘One size fits all’ is generally not going to work well. We call them overthe-counter hearing aids.”

What works on one person, may not work for someone else. She encourages people, if they’re feeling

An image of Jeff Simon’s ear canal appears on the computer screen as audiologist Anne Simon works a camera, demonstrating some of the processes she uses to examine patients.

tions can increase feelings of loneliness and isolation, which is why Barnes says he hasn’t considered taking the hearing aids off.

“I don’t feel handicapped,” he said. “It’s a fact of life to me.”

One of his grandchildren comes by once a week for dinner. Without hearing aids, Barnes says he might be caught smiling and shaking his head. Instead, he developed a meaningful relationship.

“To be able to talk and have a relationship with her is huge,” he said. “If I couldn’t hear her, that would be devastating.”

T U E S D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 7, 2 0 2 1

GOLDEN TIMES

9

HEARING

Reader essay: What next after full life?

the most common medical conditions affecting older adults, according to Torrance (Calif.) Memorial Medical Center. The lack of stimulation reduces the brain’s ability to process speech.

According to O’Neil, hearing loss has been linked to dementia.

“You’ve got to keep your brain active,” she said.

“People miss out on a lot of things when hearing loss goes untreated. They become withdrawn.”

Simon agrees that auditory deprivation can even keep the brain from staying stay fine-tuned.

“Their quality of life is better when they act sooner,” she said. “If you want to stay sharp as you age, treating your hearing is the best way to help yourself.”

> Continued from PAGE 9 “We can pair hearing aids to smartphones or the television. There’s always new, more sophisticated ways to process sound that helps us hear in varied environments.”

Hearing for your health

Choosing to forgo treatment not only makes it difficult to communicate, but also may lead to health consequences down the road, according to Simon.

And while there’s no cure, amplification devices are useful for helping people with a range of needs.

“The studies are clear,” she said. “People who treat their hearing loss fare much better, as the years go by, than people who put it off.”

Hearing loss is one of

I

am an old lady. I turned 95 last month.

I once had a husband and seven of the most talented children in California.

That’s where we lived then, and California was a mecca of talent.

Some of our kids were on shows such as “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand” and “The David Frost Show.” All performed at state fairs and talent shows. When they were very young, I had to travel quite far to find adequate teachers for children so talented.

We were living in Fremont, Calif., and there was, at that time, a talent show on television called “The Ben Alexander Talent Show,” hosted by Ben Alexander of “Dragnet”

Palermo may be contacted at apalermo@lmtribune.com.

COMFORT

BEYOND THE

fame. I told my husband, “We need to take our talented little kids over to Oakland to try out.”

Well, they won first place out of that week’s talent, and off their careers went.

The eldest daughter, Linda, captured first place in a national taekwondo contest, and the daughter I live with, Debby, won the county fair in the junior division in anything and everything she entered. Her trophies filled our house.

The eldest boys, twins, were great musicians and were in the musicians union at age 14. They had a big dance band and played for chamber of commerce get-togethers. One son, Deon, was tops in gym-

nastics, and the youngest, Darren, has a great baritone voice. He sings in the church choir and local stage productions.

I feel very blessed. The “old lady” part comes across thusly: Where do I go from here? I seem to just go on and on living. I am healthy and have a few more years.

My mind is good, and I have a medical background of knowledge as a licensed caregiver. I cared for men and women who had dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

And so I explore, and again ask the question: What now?

— Helen Jonutz, of Lewiston

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208.743.8600 GOLDEN TIMES

T U E S D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 7, 2 0 2 1

REGIONAL SENIOR MEAL SITES Readers are advised to Juliaetta-Kendrick Senior call to check if their local Citizens Center meal providers are offering 104 S. Sixth St., congregate meals or pickKendrick, (208) 289up options as states contin5031, meals from noon ue working to contain the to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays coronavirus pandemic. and Fridays.

Cottonwood Community Hall

506 King St., basement, Cottonwood, (208) 792-2465, meals at noon Tuesdays.

Craig Mountain Senior Center 413 Nezperce St., Winchester, (208) 924-6581, noon Wednesdays.

Grangeville Senior Center

Lewiston Community Center 1424 Main St., Lewiston, (208) 743-6983, meals at noon on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Moscow Senior Center 412 E. Third St., Moscow, (208) 882-1562, noon Tuesdays and Thursdays.

108 Truck Route, Grangeville, (208) 983-2033, meals at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Nezperce Senior Citizens

Kamiah Senior Center

Orofino Senior Center

125 N. Maple St., Kamiah, (208) 935-0244, meals at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

930 Michigan Ave., Orofino, (208) 476-4238, meals at noon on Tuesdays and Fridays.

501 Cedar St., Nezperce, (208) 937-2465, noon on Mondays and Thursdays.

Pomeroy Senior Center

Spud Hill Seniors

695 Main St., Pomeroy, (509) 843-3308, meals at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

401 Line St., Deary, (208) 877-1717, meals at noon on Tuesdays.

Palouse Senior Meals

313 Second St., Asotin, (509) 758-3816, meals at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

United Methodist Church

220 E. Main St., Palouse, (509) 878-2301, meals at noon on Wednesdays.

Potlatch Senior Citizens

Valley Community Center

549 Fifth St., Clarkston, Potlatch Senior Citi(509) 758-3816, noon zens Meal Site, 645 Pine St., Potlatch, (208) 875-1071, meals at noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays.

Weippe Hilltop Senior Citizens Center 115 First St. W., Weippe, (208) 435-4553, meals noon Mondays and Thursdays.

Pullman Meals on Wheels (509) 397-4305.

Valley Meals on Wheels (208) 799-5767.

Pullman Senior Center 325 SE Paradise St., Pullman, (509) 338-3307, meals at 11:45 a.m. on Mondays and Fridays.

Riggins Odd Fellows Building 121 S. Lodge St., Riggins, (208) 628-4147, noon on Tuesdays.

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T U E S D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 7, 2 0 2 1

594951F_21

GOLDEN TIMES

11

SUNDAY

MONDAY

VALLEY MEALS ON WHEELS — SEPTEMBER MENU

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

HOT: Meatloaf/ HOT: SpaHOT: Pork loin/ 8 ghetti/roasted 9 roasted reds/ roasted reds/corn mushrooms green beans SACK: Pastrami/ carrot-raisin salad/ SACK: Dill chicken sal- SACK: Roast beef/cotbutterscotch pudding ad/cucumbers/brownie tage cheese/pears

7

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

HOT: Chicken

HOT: Beef stroganoff/squash-ntomatoes SACK: Egg salad/tomatobread salad/gelatin fluff

10 casserole/Spanish

rice/cauliflower SACK: Turkey/macaroni salad/cookies

HOT: Chicken HOT: Broccoli HOT: Chicken 13 alfredo tortelli14 rice casserole/ cordon bleu/ ni/broccoli veggies noodles/corn SACK: PBJ UncrustSACK: Ham-pastrami/ SACK: Turkey salad/ veggie salad/applesauce able/chips/fruit salad potato salad/brownie

HOT: Salisbury HOT: Pork chops/ HOT: Beef/but16 mac-n-cheese/ 17 steak/roasted tered noodles/ reds/peas mixed veggies veggies SACK: Tuna/veggie SACK: Chicken salad/ SACK: Krab salad/cransalad/lemon mousse berry-spinach salad/fruit veggie salad/cobbler

HOT: ChickenHOT: Lasagfried steak/pota- 20 na/sauteed toes/veggies cabbage SACK: Egg salad/cotSACK: Turkey/3-bean tage cheese/peaches salad/vanilla pudding

HOT: Pork loin/ scalloped potatoes/green beans SACK: Chicken salad/ fresh veggies/brownie

12

19

HOT: Chicken

HOT: Beef stew/

26 dill carrots

27 cordon bleu/

HOT: Pulled pork/veggies SACK: Turkey salad/coleslaw/fruit salad

21

HOT: Ribs/

28 baked beans/

15

22

HOT: Teriyaki

29 chicken/rice/peas

corn pasta/veggies SACK: Roast beef SACK: Turkey sandwich/ SACK: Tuna sandwich/ sandwich/potato salad/ cottage cheese/peaches green salad/cobbler gelatin

SACK: PBJ Uncrustables/fresh veggies/pudding

11

HOT: Ham/scalloped potatoes/ carrots SACK: Roast beef/beet salad/cookies

18

HOT: Shepherd’s HOT: Roast HOT: Chicken 25 turkey/mashed/ 24 pie/veggies parmesan/ broccoli noodles/peas SACK: Krab salad/spinach salad/ SACK: Ham sandwich/ SACK: Roast beef sandgreen pea salad/cake wich/pasta salad/cookies gelatin fluff

23

HOT: Tuna cas-

30 serole/broccoli SACK: Ham sandwich/green pea salad/cake

HOT: Spaghetti/ HOT: Chicken2 fried steak/ spicy meatballs/ green beans mashed/zucchini SACK: Egg salad/spinSACK: Krab salad/ ach salad/tangerine veggie salad/cookies

1

Meals are delivered to established clients between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. 365 days of the year. Individuals can have a hot meal delivered to their residence for $3.50 per day or a hot meal and a sack lunch for $4.50 per day. More information is available by calling (208) 799-5767. Menus are prepared by St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and are subject to change.

7 Spaghetti/hot veggie/

salad/fruit/bread

M

T

fruit/bread

W

14 Sweet ’n’ sour chicken/

15 Chicken sandwich/hot

veggies/salad/fruit/bread

veggie/salad/fruit/bread

20 Taco pie/hot veggie/ salad/fruit/bread

21 Biscuits ’n’ gravy/hot veggie/salad/fruit/bread

22 Hamburger steak/hot

27 Lasagna/hot veggie/

28 Chicken-fried steak/hot

29 Ham salad sandwich/

13 Meat loaf/hot veggie/

salad/fruit/bread

salad/fruit/bread

veggie/salad/fruit/bread

September senior meal menus

8 Ham/hot veggie/salad/

LEWISTON SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM — When: Noon, Mon./Tues. and 11:30 a.m. Wed. • Where: Pickup available at Lewiston Community Center, 1424 Main St., or call for delivery at (208) 743-6983. On-site meals are every Monday through Wednesday. The buffet will be brought back at a later date. • Cost: $4 suggested for seniors 60 and older; $5 for nonseniors • Note: Menu is subject to change.

veggie/salad/fruit/bread

veggies/salad/fruit/bread

SENIOR ROUND TABLE NUTRITION PROGRAM — When: Noon, Tues./Thurs./Fri. • Where: Pickup is available at the Valley Community Center, 549 Fifth St. No. F, Clarkston, or call for delivery at (509) 758-3816. • Cost: $4 suggested for seniors 60 and older; $7 for nonseniors • Note: Menu is subject to change.

7 Chops/mashed potatoes/corn/fruit cocktail/

M

roll/cookie

T

14 Company casserole/broccoli/green salad/

pearsauce/Texas toast

21 Chicken fettuccine/green beans with bacon/

pickled beets/pineapple rings/Texas toast

28 Roast beef/mashed potatoes/baby carrots/ juice/roll/cake ’n’ ice cream

9 Baked chicken/stuffing/veggie

W

medley/gelatin/applesauce

10 Turkey ’n’ Swiss sandwich/krab salad/black bean ’n’ corn salad/fresh fruit

16 Tater tot casserole/veggies/

17 Roast beef sandwich/loaded cauliflower

23 Baked fish/zucchini casserole/ peas/peaches/cookie

24 Egg salad sandwich/tossed green salad/pig pickin’ salad/chips/fresh fruit

TH

fruit cocktail/cook’s choice dessert

F

salad/mashed potato salad/chips/fresh fruit

30 Beef stroganoff/winter mix/pickled beets/gelatin/Texas toast

MOSCOW SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM — When: Noon, Tues./Thurs. • Where: On site at the 1912 Center, 412 E. Third St., or call for delivery (208) 310-3779.

Cost: $5 suggested for seniors 60 and older; $7 for nonseniors. • Notes: Soup (starting at 10:30 a.m.), salad bar (at 11:30 a.m.) and dessert are available daily. Menu is subject to change. • Online: users.moscow.com/srcenter.

M 12

7 Beef paprikash/fire-roasted tomatoes/gnocchi

T

14 Chicken zucchini casserole/couscous/carrots/roll 21 Beef stroganoff/noodles/broccoli 28 Burrito bake/Mexican rice/mixed veggies

W GOLDEN TIMES

9 Sweet ’n’ sour pork/sweet potatoes/cauliflower/roll

TH

16 Jamaican-style beef stew/noodles/peas ’n’ onions/roll 23 Italian pasta bake/cauliflower

30 Lemon pepper cod/mashed potatoes/peas/roll

F

T U E S D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 7, 2 0 2 1