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Show SmaMown Idaho population getting older living longer, staying on By STEVE CRUMP The Times-Ne- SHOSHONE, Idaho (AP) For city girl Geraldine Curry, Shoshone feels like home. Tve Uved here for 27 years," said Curry, a 7 retired nurse who ri Education Center. In that respect, she's typical of thousands of Idaho senior citizens who still live in small towns long after their kids have emptied the nest. In Idaho's farm counties most of which experienced population growth during the 1990s the It- - n lost her husband this spring. "This is where my children went to school. I " have friends here." Yet Curry isn't sure increase. "For some seniors in shell stay in this town of ' Idaho who live in small 1,365 forever. Three of her children live in major mettowns, leaving isn't an option," said Linda Powell, ropolitan areas, and she was born in Chicago. project director of the Tve just been through a Rural Interdisciplinary life changed she said. Tm Training in Geriatrics for the Idaho Rural Health doing some thinking about the future." : s C4 the land they farmed or in nearby small towns sometimes coming here from urban areas to retire. Call it the graving of small-towIdaho, and it coincides with a worldwide trend. The University of West Virginia's Center on Aging reports 60 percent of the world's elderly live in rural or remote areas, and the number is expected to fastest-growin- demo- g graphic is over 65. They're They can't sell their houses because there are no buyers, and they don't have the resources to pick up and move someplace else." "I think most senior citizens who live in small towns in Idaho really want to be there " said Loren Nelson, state director of the federal Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Program. "Go to a town like Mackay (population 602). Youll find new construction, and I think a good percentage of it comes from retirees who are moving in. That's not to say that there aren't seniors living in small towns who are hurting economically" he said. "But I think the growth the economy in the past 10 years has benefited most people." Curry is now a drive away to Twin Falls, from a wide variety of services, but it was not always so. "When we moved here, it was a long way to the mall," she said. "We learned to use things that were available here. I think my children got a good edu te cation, and my husband and I became part of the community." Curry does have some options for the future, which doesn't describe Idaho every small-towsenior citizen. "If you live in Glenns Ferry, it's a long way to the kind of sophisticated health-car- e services that seniors require," many Powell said. "I think in too many cases, they just do without." Take prescription drugs, for example. Where do you go for high-tecmedication after the local drug store closes down? To some extent, Nelson said, the services that seniors require will follow them to small towns. He cited small-scal- e nursing homes and extended-car- e centers that have opened in small towns throughout the state to accommodate local needs. "It may be an eight-unfacility, but it's there," he said. Still, the demand for health care drives many seasoned citizens out of small towns and into regional centers like Twin .'. Falls. "Seniors are going to be living in small towns in Idaho in substantial numbers for the foreseeable future," Powell said. The challenge for the society as a whole is going to be getting them the services they need." n h, state-of-the-a- it rt Tired of Singing Alone? tin Thornebeny Atrium WeYe proud ofour residents. Our residents are proud of us. Why I Chose Thornebeny Atrium J (pi, Hallie Marie "First the manager. She's great! I came here from Portland and chose Pleasant Grove because I wanted a good home. My goal is to live long and make more friends. Tve made so many new friends here. I advertise this place everywhere I go. I put Thornebeny brochures in doctors offices, drug stores and even mail them out. I think the Atrium is wonderful, and I hope I live here until Tm called to another above!" v An audience is waiting at the Legacy Retirement Residence -dozens of folks who enjoy music and being active as much as you; and like you, they are tired of solo appearances. Fine dining, private apartments, housekeeping, and transportation are just part of repertoire at Legacy. Call us, we'd love to have you over for lunch! (801)253-455- "Blllie"Estep Come see for yourself! Call or mail this at or visit us at Call Cathy today coupon 6 about Legacy Retirement Residence. for information 785-838- 4, Name. 201 West Thorneberry Way Pleasant Grove, UT 84062 (Just north of the Post Office) Address. www.apartmnTitiriTintfth.noni One block west phone of the Jordan . Mail to: Legacy Retirement, 1617 W.Temple Lane.South Jordan, River Temple I.Mr I 1 ' I ' UT 84095 |
