Inland Northwest Senior

Riverview Retirement secures accreditation

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:24:11 -0400

Riverview Retirement Community has earned accreditation for its RiverCare home health division, expanding services to meet a surge in seniors who are choosing to age in place rather than move to a facility.

MultiCare plans to shut down multiple clinics

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:23:57 -0400

MultiCare Health System plans to close several Rockwood clinics by the end of 2026 due to financial challenges in the healthcare industry.

Rockwood Retirement eyes Liberty Lake campus

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:23:26 -0400

Spokane-based Rockwood Retirement Communities is actively engaged in planning a new senior living campus within the River District development in Liberty Lake.

Gluten-free restaurant opens in Spokane Valley

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:23:08 -0400

Kindlers LLC opened its first fast-casual restaurant this month at 14816 E. Sprague, bringing a certified gluten- and seed oil-free eatery to the city of Spokane Valley.

Bakery develops recipe for consistent growth

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:22:47 -0400

Mother Bear’s Bakery is expanding into a larger North Spokane location, giving the family-owned business more room to prepare food, display baked goods, and grow its menu after exceeding capacity at its previous storefront.

The Kitchen Engine reaches 20-year milestone

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:22:28 -0400

When first walking into The Kitchen Engine store inside the historic Flour Mill building in Spokane’s North Bank neighborhood, it's not immediately noticeable that the cookware and appliance shop offers patrons more than culinary products and equipment.

The art of giving back: Education leader's career rooted in service

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:21:31 -0400

Mark Anderson dedicated more than 50 years to public education, but when asked to explain what a school administrator really does, he doesn't mention budgets, buildings, labor contracts, school boards, or bond issues. He talks about ministry.

October 2026 Meals on Wheels menus

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:21:09 -0400

October 2026 Activities

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:20:53 -0400

October 2026 Events Calendar

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:20:33 -0400

Spokane Mounted Patrol spurs memories, smiles

samh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:19:53 -0400

For some Inland Northwest seniors, a visit from Spokane Mounted Patrol can send them on a trip down memory lane.

Capitol Bar & Grill opens in Spokane Valley

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Capitol Bar & Grill opened on Friday, Aug. 7, in Spokane Valley, and has been packed with patrons every day since, says restaurateur Raci Erdem.

Gonzaga's Pac-12 entrance brings opportunity

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Gonzaga University has officially entered the Pac-12 Conference, and the move could prove to be one of the most consequential decisions in the history of its athletic program, especially concerning the school’s storied men’s basketball team.

Operating room renovations eyed at Sacred Heart

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Providence is investing $9 million to modernize four operating rooms at Sacred Heart Medical Center, located at 101 W. Eighth in Spokane, as part of a multiyear project to revamp all 28 surgical rooms at the hospital.

Rehabilitation hospital planned in Post Falls

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Encompass Health Corp., a Birmingham, Alabama-based healthcare provider, is planning to build a new 50-bed rehabilitation hospital in Post Falls. Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Post Falls will provide inpatient rehabilitation services to Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene, and surrounding areas, where existing rehabilitation beds are limited.

Sleepless nights inspire Spokane invention

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

SleepVibe Inc. has increased sales of its sleep aid device by more than 300% over the past year through podcast advertisements and support from sleep apnea doctors and first responders across the Inland Northwest who are discovering the benefits of the company’s namesake invention.

Former SRHD health officer starting endowment

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

To help young people get out in nature, Bob and Amy Lutz are creating an endowment focused on outdoor experiences, education, service, and nature, using the funds he won in his wrongful termination lawsuit against the Spokane Regional Health District.

Fairwood Retirement's evacuation plan put to test

virginiat@spokanejournal.com — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

In the nearly 40 years since opening its doors, Fairwood Retirement Village & Assisted Living had never experienced a mass evacuation. That changed with the Spokane Complex Fires.

A view from 100

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Born May 1, 1926, Corky Houchin lived in a world that evolved from Model Ts to space shuttles, from switchboard operators to smartphones, and from handwritten letters to artificial intelligence. She lived through the Great Depression, World War II, the assassination of President Kennedy, COVID-19, and technological advancements that shape our lives today.

Seniors face greater risks from wildfire smoke

samh@spokanejournal.com — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Wildfire smoke has become an expected feature of Spokane summers, and research shows exposure to it can have short- and long-term health effects — especially for more sensitive groups, including seniors.

September 2026 Activities

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

September 2026 Events Calendar

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

September 2026 Meals on Wheels menus

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Giving while living gains popularity in the INW

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Estate planning attorney Julie Olds says she is seeing a growing number of clients who don’t want to wait until they're gone to begin making a charitable impact. Instead, they are choosing to give during their lifetimes, allowing them to see the results of their philanthropy and involve family members in decisions about where their money goes.

Bestland Senior Living awaits baby boomer surge

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Coeur d'Alene-based Bestland Senior Living helps older adults as they transition from an independent life at home to a senior living community, says Bestland Executive Director Dana Klaas. The longtime retirement community's business and revenue are steady this year, compared to previous years, but the company is expecting future growth as more people reach retirement age.

Long-term care sector faces increasing pressure

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The population of adults age 85 and older in the Spokane area is projected to nearly quadruple, rising from 10,700 in 2025 to 40,400 by 2050 — a significantly higher growth rate than any other age group over the next 25 years. As the demographic grows older, the long-term care sector is expected to face higher demand for assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, and adult family homes, creating new opportunities — and challenges — for providers across the region.

Manchester native brings British fare to INW

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Hungry patrons in search of authentic British fare have a new option in Spokane's West Central neighborhood, where owners Mark Twigg and his wife Maureen Torphy are wrapping up the soft opening of Twiggy's Fish & Chips LLC.

'Follow the Blooms' reaches national audience

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

"Follow the Blooms," an eight-episode series that takes viewers behind the scenes at Inland Northwest flower farms and the floral installations made from their harvests, has started streaming nationally on PBS, with a second season already in production.

Fairwood Retirement's waitlist continues to grow

samh@spokanejournal.com — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Before Odette Rubright and her husband, Bill, moved into a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom independent living unit at Fairwood Retirement Village & Assisted Living three years ago, the couple visited multiple apartments at the facility.

Back to school: Rockwood grows university partnership

virginiat@spokanejournal.com — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

A partnership between Rockwood Retirement Communities and Whitworth University is flourishing, giving residents access to campus events, classes, and opportunities to take on mentorship roles.