Get your hearing tested today

By Jen Beck

When the dust settles this fall, and you find yourself digging through the end of election mail, you might just find the beginning of the annual fundraising appeals. Given your holiday budget, fixed income, or the year it has been, you may not have as much to give to your favorite charities.

Philanthropy during the holiday season is therapeutic and a great way to cap your year of giving, but if your finances don’t allow, there are alternatives to mailing in a check.

First and foremost, your favorite charities need volunteers. While organizations may not allow volunteers inside the building, they may have projects you can take home. Virtual volunteerism is also at an all-time high and can be a great way to stay involved even from a social distance.

What skills can you bring to the virtual world? Good with computers? Help enter data. Retired lawyer or insurance agent? Provide education on your area of expertise. Speaking of education, if you’re a teacher at heart, almost every kiddo learning virtually could use your help. Determine at what capacity you’re able to give and reach out.

If political activism speaks to you, your favorite charities can use your support all year. Health charities, educational organizations, and state policies are impacted by activism. Passion truly leads the cause, and with technology it’s easier than ever to reach out to your representatives. From the privacy of your own home you can call a senator, email a representative, or contact a legislative hopeful through social media.

Share with them why it’s important to vote in ways that support older adults, or recycling, or a better future for your grandkids. The beauty of activism is personal choice; wherever your passion may lie, connect with your charity and ask how you can encourage policy on their behalf.

Your philanthropic efforts don’t have to extend all the way to the White House. Looking locally, even within your circle, can provide a much-needed bucket filler. In general, families are stretched thin.

Working professionals are wondering how they’ll get food on the table before 8 p.m. Neighbors might be concerned with a drive home from an eye appointment next week. Offer to drop off dinner or pick up the kids from football. Check on your circle and see if you can help. It costs nothing to be a good person.

The best part of the holiday season is being with friends and family and seeing their faces light up over a homemade dessert might be the literal and figurative “cherry on top.”

Giving of your time and talent is just as important as financial gifts. Spend time thinking about what feels right for your holiday season and give as your means allow. Most importantly, enter the holiday season with grace and kindness and carry on your annual traditions of meaningful giving. (Beck is with Midwest Geriatrics, Inc. of Omaha.)

Outlook Enrichment

If you or a loved one with vision loss have found challenges in accessing critical services, Outlook Enrichment can help through its adaptive technology training program.

For individuals who are blind or have low vision, assistive technology includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with vision loss/disabilities and also includes the process used in the evaluation and selection of adaptive technology.

Outlook Enrichment offers computer and smartphone training remotely. This helps clients learn how to use smartphone apps and other technology tools that are increasingly important for working remotely, learning online, shopping, banking, and engaging with others.

Outlook Enrichment also established a technology help line for people with visual impairment at 531-365-5334. The organization’s adaptive technology trainers respond to messages within 24 hours with technology solutions to help their blind neighbors stay connected and to conduct business.

Call 531-365-5314 to schedule a phone appointment.

Get tested as soon as possible Audiology group urges Americans to consider the benefits of wearing a hearing aid at any age

The American Academy of Audiology is urging the public to be aware of the importance of good hearing health. The National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders said approximately 28.8 million Americans could benefit from the use of hearing aids. While age is often cited as a factor, there are growing numbers of younger people reporting hearing loss.

A study published by the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care cited nine risk factors for dementia. Untreated hearing loss is listed as one of those risk factors. The report also said dementia typically starts many years before it’s recognized. Untreated hearing loss impacts the brain and cognitive health.

There’s also a link between untreated hearing loss and falls. According to a study by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, an increase in hearing loss in an individual, for instance going from normal hearing to an untreated mild hearing loss, is associated with a three-fold increase in fall risk.

One of the factors in maintaining healthy hearing is being conscious of the degree and amount of loud sound exposure. More than 40 million Americans, age 20 to 69, have some type of hearing loss with approximately 10 million of those attributable to noise-induced hearing loss.

Managing sound exposure can protect hearing. Many hearing losses are caused by damage to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear. The damage, which may be permanent, can be caused by too much noise. Steps, however, can be taken to prevent this damage.

The simplest way to protect your hearing if you can’t avoid loud sounds is to wear protection. An audiologist can help you identify the right hearing protection including custom products that can provide a comfortable fit and good sound quality.

The American Academy of Audiology said lengthy or repeated exposure to noise above 85 decibels can damage hearing. To put that into perspective, noise from fireworks can reach up to 155 decibels. A jet plane taking off is estimated to be 150 decibels. Shooting a gun is around 140 to 175 decibels depending on the gun. An amplified music concert and an MP3 player with the volume turned all the way up can be as high (or higher) as 120 decibels. Movie action scenes in the theater have been known to reach 100 decibels.

Outdoor sounds can pose a risk too. Lawn mowers are around 85 decibels and chain saws can be 115 to 120 decibels. Compare these with normal conversations that are around 60 to 65 decibels.

The four main ways for protecting your hearing are E for earplugs, A for avoid loud sounds, R for reduce the level of sounds, and S for shorten time in loud environments

“There is no doubt people are concerned about their health. Often, though, they don’t think about the importance of hearing health,” said Catherine Palmer, Ph.D., president of the American Academy of Audiology; at professor at the University of Pittsburgh, and director of audiology for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health System.

“An audiologist educates patients about safe versus unsafe levels for listening. They utilize tools and share resources that empower patients to protect their hearing. Additionally, they perform hearing evaluations and facilitate rehabilitation efforts for hearing loss, tinnitus, and certain balance problems.”

Audiologists are equipped to work with the public during the pandemic and are practicing within CDC and local health guidelines.

“Anyone suspecting his or her hearing has diminished, should see an audiologist and get tested as soon as possible,” Palmer said.

The American Academy of Audiology has audiologists listed on its website by location at audiology.org. Click on “find an audiologist.”

A Caring Community Called HOME!

Independent & Assisted Living

• No Entrance Fee • Medicaid Waiver Approved • All Utilities & Housekeeping Included • Spacious 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments

49th & Q Street • 402-731-2118 www.southviewheightsomaha.com

You’re invited to visit the Intercultural Senior Center (ISC), 5545 Center St., for the following: • Morning exercise classes. Mondays: Tai Chi. Wednesdays: Zumba. Fridays: Tai Chi. Classes are held from 9 to 9:45. Bring water. Masks, which are available upon request, are required. • Tuesday, Nov. 3: The ISC is a voting site on Election Day.

The ISC is closed on Nov. 11 for Veterans Day and on Nov. 26 and 27 for Thanksgiving.

In late August, the ISC began opening its doors one day a week for nine people from 9 to 11:30 a.m. These men and women are encouraged to join exercise classes, do arts and crafts, play Bingo, and receive a Grab and Go meal they can take home. They are then driven home in an ISC van that has barriers between each row of seats to separate the passengers for safety during the pandemic.

The ISC is looking for home delivered meals volunteers Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. More information is available at interculturalseniorcenter.org

The ISC is a site for ENOA’s Grab-n-Go meals Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Reserve your meal before 10 a.m. the day prior. Recipients must be age 60 or older. A contribution is suggested. For more information, please call 402-444-6529.

A monthly food pantry and hot meals are also available at the ISC for persons age 50 or older. Call 402-444-6529 to learn more.

For more information about the ISC, call 402-444-6529.

VAS offering phone sessions during Medicare’s open enrollment period

Medicare’s annual open enrollment period runs through December 7. This is the time of year to review your Medicare Part D coverage or your Medicare Advantage coverage. By reviewing your coverage, you may be able to save money on your prescription drug costs in 2021.

Volunteers Assisting Seniors (VAS) will be available – even during the COVID-19 pandemic – to help you review your plan. This year, drug and Medicare Advantage plan reviews will be done over the phone, not in person, in an effort to minimize exposure to COVID-19. Phone counseling sessions will be available daily. Limited evening and weekend appointments are also available.

Please call VAS at 402444-6617 to schedule your phone session with one of VAS’ trained and certified Medicare counselors.

By David Kohll, PharmD & Dylan Sherrill, PharmD

Don’t let your oxygen therapy hold you back. Stop planning your life around how many oxygen tanks you can carry or worrying about how you’re going to breathe when you’re away from home. Get your freedom back with a modern-day portable oxygen option that works for many Americans.

Charge the concentrator on any outlet and get back to a full charge in no time.

Oxygen and portability haven’t always been compatible. Oxygen tanks have been around for more than a century, but they were heavy, unwieldy, and unsightly. They were also a fire hazard, and to get them refilled you had to bring the tank to an oxygen supplier for exchange.

Oxygen tank users have to keep track of how many oxygen tanks they have left, and if they’re busy living an active lifestyle, they might have to cancel plans because they don’t have enough oxygen tanks to leave home safely. Don’t you think humans who invented the iPhone, robots that vacuum by them-

selves, and sliced bread would have come up with something better by now? Well, they have.

Portable oxygen concentrators have been available for more than a decade but recent advances in battery and oxygen concentration technology have vastly improved their abilities. Most portable oxygen concentrators weigh only four to six pounds and are easily carried by most people. They come with stylish shoulder carrying bags, offer other options for mobility such as backpacks and pull-behind carts, and are quiet and hardly noticeable in public.

Most portable oxygen concentrator devices are Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved, meaning they may be brought on commercial airflights with no special waiver or documentation.

The battery life of most concentrators range between six and 12 hours, depending on how much oxygen the consumer needs. Many concentrators offer extended battery options for longer lasting charges, external batteries for when the concentrator needs a boost, and easy-to-swap batteries for a quick reload in a pinch.

Get away to visit family and only pack your portable concentrator and charger. Take a road trip to see the world and charge your concentrator with a car charger. Was your flight delayed at the airport and you worried you would run out of oxygen before you made it home? Charge the concentrator on any outlet and get back to a full charge in no time.

The best part is that portable oxygen concentrators are easy to use. Simply change the setting to what you and your healthcare provider decide is best for you, turn the concentrator on, and begin breathing easier.

There are many portable oxygen concentrators on the market that offer different advantages. It’s important to discuss your options with your local oxygen provider so he or she can get you set up with the portable oxygen concentrator that works best for you.

Most oxygen providers don’t rent used oxygen concentrators through insurance, and instead only sell them, offering deals that are often much cheaper than going through insurance.

Portable oxygen concentrators last for years and can be used every day, so what are you waiting for? (Kohll and Sherrill are with Kohll’s Rx in Omaha.)

The Sierra Group, LLC

FREE Book & CD Call Us: (800) 309-0753

Denture Project scheduled for Dec. 2 at Creighton University School of Dentistry

Men and women without teeth or who have ill-fitting upper and lower dentures are invited to the Creighton University School of Dentistry’s Complete Denture Project on Wednesday, Dec. 2,

Patients will be screened at 8 a.m. at the Creighton University School of Dentistry, 2109 Cuming St.

Second-year dental students will make new dentures under the guidance of the dental school’s faculty.

The cost for the upper and lower denture is $200. Payment in full to the Creighton University School of Dentistry will be due on March 3, 2021. No insurance or Medicaid will be accepted.

For more information, please call Carrie Ann at 402-280-5990, ext. 4147 or Gina at 402-280-5990, ext. 5073.

Omaha Fire Department

The Omaha Fire Department’s Public Education and Affairs Department will install free smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors inside the residences of area homeowners.

To have a free smoke and/or carbon monoxide detector installed inside your home, send your name, address, and telephone number to:

Omaha Fire Department Smoke/Carbon

Monoxide Requests 1516 Jackson St.

Omaha, Neb. 68102

For more information, please call 402-444-3560.