ABHM Offers Residents Solution to Hearing Loss

Cam Shelhamer

Cam Shelhamer

Eversound enables our resident who have hearing loss to hear again with a level of clarity they haven't experienced in years. The response from ABHM residents and staff to the Eversound technology has been extremely positive and increased resident participation in our life enrichment programs and improved resident quality of life."
— Jeff Hongslo, President/CEO

Enhancing residents' quality of life is one of the highest priorities for American Baptist Homes of the Midwest (ABHM). When residents suffer loss of hearing, enjoying conversations with friends, family, church services, entertainment and other activities becomes difficult. As a result, seniors often withdraw from life-enrichment programs and become disengaged.

Which is why ABHM partnered with Eversound. Eversound designs and develops proprietary audio technologies, which help seniors hear clearly during movies, presentations, group activities and conversations. The headphone system is specifically tuned to the needs of seniors and provides an enhanced listening experience compared to conventional hearing aids. "While hearing aids amplify all sound, Eversound focuses in on the source of what someone is listening to and amplifies that specifically," says Leah Atz, wellness director at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea, MN.

Thorne Crest was the first of ABHM's communities to use the Eversound technology, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive. Resident Cam Shelhamer says: "I can hear so much better with the headset. Otherwise, I have to be face-to-face to read lips." For those like Cam who have experienced hearing loss, Eversound has had a transformative effect.

"You really see Eversound's impact when residents have headsets on and they just light up," Leah says. "They become so engaged. It's like night and day." Residents have used the Eversound devices at theater productions, movie outings, care consultations and in everyday conversations.

"You can tell on residents' faces when they're only picking up bits and pieces of what's being said," Leah says. "When you put the Eversound on them, they're smiling."

You Can Help Improve Our Residents' Quality of Life

Your gifts to ABHM help ensure that projects like Eversound continue to improve the lives of those in all of our communities. Your gift of any size can make a big impact. Contact Tommy Tyler at 952-253-1483 or ttyler@abhomes.org to learn more.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to American Baptist Homes of the Midwest a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

The official bequest language for American Baptist Homes of Midwest to share with your attorney is: "I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to American Baptist Homes of Midwest [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

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A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to ABHM or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

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Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to ABHM as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to ABHM as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and ABHM where you agree to make a gift to ABHM and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

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