Meet Marie, Longtime Client of NewBridge SAIL

Marie is a longtime client of NewBridge Senior Assistance for Independent Living (SAIL). We hope that by sharing her story, you can better understand how NewBridge helps bring balance to people’s lives.

Marie

After losing her $2,500 hearing aid long before she’d paid it off, Marie resigned to a life without conversation, a world of muffled sounds. The 83-year-old’s income put her just over the Medicaid limit, and she’d charged the hearing aid to a credit card. “There was no way I could afford another one, let alone two of them.”

But when Marie told Claudia Mattson, her case manager at NewBridge SAIL, Claudia snapped to action. Claudia researched programs that provide reduced-cost hearing aids for seniors, and found that the manufacturer, Starkey Hearing Technologies, ran a charity.

Not long after, Marie was fitted for two hearing aids at a cost of only $250. “That changed everything. I can hear what people are saying, and I’m not afraid to socialize like I was,” she said.

Widowed 26 years ago, Marie was introduced to NewBridge SAIL when she moved into Pequannock Township’s senior housing in 15 years ago. “I had such severe anxiety, I sometimes couldn’t move,” she said. Marie began seeing a NewBridge counselor, who helped her learn to manage anxiety and depression.

Marie is very independent, calling on Claudia only when she feels she needs the support. Claudia helps her fill out financial paperwork and ensure she’s accurately paid her bills.

“It is unbelievable the work NewBridge does for people, and what they know! I can call Claudia about anything and she’ll find out and tell me what do to,” Marie said. “NewBridge has made such a big difference in my life.”

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[This story first appeared in NewBridge’s Impact 2016 annual report. If it has inspired you, please support NewBridge on #GivingTuesday with a generous donation. Go to newbridge.org.donate. Thank you!