April 2022 | DC Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

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Restaurateur: Let them eat steak PHOTO COURTESY OF SEABURY RESOURCES FOR AGING

By Margaret Foster When D.C. restaurant owner Mark Bucher has a gut feeling, he acts on it. In the early days of the pandemic, Bucher, who owns Medium Rare, a chain of steakhouses, sent out a message over Twitter: “If anyone knows of anyone over 70 in the DMV that is quarantined, at home and needs a meal tonight, please [contact] me. We will make sure they get dinner.” Bucher, 53, acted on instinct, he said in an interview with the Beacon. “I didn’t think about it; I just did it.” Older adults, like the rest of us, had to isolate. Bucher remembered how his father, who had died two years earlier at age 82, would skip meals unless Bucher or his sister cooked for him. Soon after Bucher’s tweet on March 12, 2020, he heard back from hundreds of people. He and his wife, four daughters, neighbors, Uber drivers and restaurant staff pitched in to cook, organize and deliver steak dinners to those in need, and to keep doing so as more names came in. Bucher brought together 40 to 100 volunteers a night, he said. “They were brave. It was scary back then.” More than two years later, Bucher and his nonprofit estimate they have delivered 100,000 free meals to older adults and underprivileged families. For his efforts to fight food insecurity in our area, Bucher will receive the 16th annual Leadership in Aging Award from Seabury Resources for Aging on May 19. “His inventive solutions to hunger really make the region a better place to grow old,” said Dawn Quattlebaum, Seabury’s chief executive officer. “His efforts really align with our mission to combat social isolation and food insecurity.”

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L E I S U R E & T R AV E L During the pandemic, restaurateur Mark Bucher, center, provided free dinners to 25,000 older adults in quarantine. He also founded Feed the Fridge, a nonprofit that works with area restaurants to make free meals available to anyone in need. Bucher is being honored with Seabury’s Leadership in Aging award for his service.

An ‘unconventional thinker’

Bucher’s instinct to take risks may have started during childhood in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. “My mother said once, ‘May you have a child just like you,’” Bucher

laughed. “I’ve always been somewhat of an unconventional thinker.” Bucher moved to D.C. to attend American See BUCHER, page 10

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Better elections Independent voters — who constitute a Long-time Beacon readers know I am not one to share my political views. For growing percentage of voters and are the largest or second-largest group this reason, the Beacon does of voters in nearly half of the not endorse candidates for states — are shut out from public office. closed primaries entirely. But I do like to share my That might sound reasonthoughts and feelings about able at first glance. If indeimportant matters of the day, pendent voters aren’t memand I think it’s fair to say that bers of a party, why should a number of important issues they help elect that party’s pertaining to our elections representative? are very much in the news today — from voter registraBecause primary elections in “safe” legislative districts tion, to gerrymandering to FROM THE PUBLISHER effectively decide the general the potential for fraud. However, the two ideas I By Stuart P. Rosenthal election winner as well! The winner of the largest want to talk about here are different, and probably not ones you’ve share (known as a plurality) of votes in a heard a lot about — if at all. But I feel these closed primary may actually represent recommendations should be deeply impor- only a small minority of a county’s, distant to voters in the Beacon readership trict’s or state’s voters: those who a) regisarea, and ultimately could have a much tered for the winning party, b) voted in the greater positive effect on the future of our primary, and c) voted for the winning candidate in the primary. country if they are widely implemented. As a result, if there are a number of canI am speaking about open primaries and didates in the primary, the winner of the ranked-choice voting. Let me explain. Unlike Virginia, in Maryland and D.C., general election may represent as few as (and eight other states), primaries are 7.4% or 14% of all voters. I am not making up these numbers: In “closed.” That means only voters who have registered in advance as either Democrat or both Montgomery County, Md. and WashRepublican can vote in the primary, and they ington, D.C., there have been general eleccan only vote for candidates from their party. tion winners in recent races who won no

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Washington DC area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Howard County, Md. and Richmond, Va. Readership exceeds 400,000. Subscriptions are available via first-class mail ($36) or third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. D.C. and Maryland residents: add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Publisher/Editor – Stuart P. Rosenthal President/Associate Publisher – Judith K. Rosenthal Executive Vice President – Gordon Hasenei Managing Editor – Margaret Foster Art Director – Kyle Gregory Director of Operations – Roger King Advertising Representatives – Dan Kelly, M.K. Phillips Assistant Editor – Catherine Brown Content Manager – Ashley Griffin

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more than that proportion of a closed primary’s votes. Not only does this feel unrepresentative, it also can have the effect of boosting the chances of the most partisan or extreme candidate. How? If, in a group of multiple primary candidates, there are several centrist candidates but only one who possesses extreme views (and who has a small but loyal following), voters who prefer moderate candidates will likely split their votes among several, allowing the more extreme candidate to win the primary (and often the general election) despite having won only a modest plurality of primary votes. (And yes, this can and does happen in national elections as well as local ones.) Which brings me to the issue of rankedchoice voting. In elections like I described above, a plurality of voters chooses the primary winner. That is, the candidate with more votes than any other candidate wins, even if they are only selected by a small percentage of voters. In ranked-choice elections, voters don’t just vote for their favorite candidate. They rank their top candidates in order of preference: first, second, third, fourth and even fifth choice. If your first choice ends up in last place, that candidate drops out of contention and your vote automatically goes to your next choice. This continues for all voters until one candidate wins over 50% of the vote. In effect, votes are tabulated as if the voters were called back for a series of run-offs, and the winner is the first candidate to get more than half of all votes (albeit the secondor third-choice votes from some voters). This ends the problem in many primaries of voters agonizing over who should get their vote. Should it be their true favorite, or the one who they think has the best chance of winning? With ranked choice

voting, they can vote for their favorite, but also have a say in choosing the winner should their favorite not make the cut. This method is likely to lead to more moderate or centrist elected officials. That’s because candidates in a rankedchoice election will be more likely to address the concerns of a broader array of voters if they know they can’t win the election with votes from only a small base. By the way, Virginia state law requires open primaries. But the winners are chosen by plurality, rather than ranked choice. So, while I admire Virginia for allowing all voters to truly participate in primary elections, I think its leaders also should give serious consideration to ranked-choice voting. In a column of this length, it’s impossible to address every aspect of these proposals, or even to bring up all the counterarguments (and, of course, there are counterarguments). If you are interested in learning more, I recommend searching for these two topics at the following balanced sources: Ballotpedia.org and ncsl.org (National Conference of State Legislatures). I think in many ways the future of our country may depend on making these changes in some form. Knowing that our votes count — and that a truly representative government results from our elections — seems to me the only way to inspire more Americans to care about elections and take the time and trouble to vote. I am interested in hearing your opinion on these topics. Please email your letter to the editor to info@thebeaconnewspapers.com, or submit it on our website at thebeaconnewspapers.com/contact-us. Thank you.

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or email to info@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: Thanks to Bob Levey for his wonderful pieces in the Beacon. His article about saying thank you to your doctors [January 2022] resonated with me and compelled me to write to you to tell you that I agree. I am not as experienced a writer as Bob Levey, but I too thank my doctors, who spend time talking and listening to me during my yearly appointments. I choose to stay with the things that work, so I have had the same doctors for more than 30 years. Thank you to these medical professionals in my life. Together with their staff and colleagues, I am a healthy, happy, 70 -yearold with a great support system in them. Carmy McAllister Takoma Park, MD

Dear Editor: In reference to your publisher’s February column, “A few what-ifs,” query this: Putin on the Mona Lisa’s face. Beauty and the Beast interchanged. Could this not mean technology and the Trojan Horse switch? Over the centuries, anything is possible. Daniel Graham, Arlington, VA Dear Editor: When Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring was published, we were just kids and the topic was not something which we could comprehend. Back then, all too often we were told See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 33

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BLURRY VISION Simple home adjustments can help you cope with early cataracts ALEXA, CALL THE DOCTOR Amazon tech offers speech-activated telehealth appointments MALE MENOPAUSE? Men also experience hormone dips; replacement therapy helps SAY IT AGAIN, SAM A new study may help you learn to hear better in noisy situations

For more happiness, try fewer choices By Kelly Bilodeau, Harvard Health Blog If the events of the past two years have left you feeling emotionally deflated, you’re not alone. Cheer has been in short supply during the pandemic, and you may be in serious need of a mood boost. Yet while this slice of time may have

been unusually stressful, people often struggle to find happiness even in normal times. This is why the field of positive psychology first emerged in the 1990s. It sought to answer the questions: Why is it sometimes hard to be happy? And is there a way to help people improve their

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Try each of these options for a week. Assess whether one or more of these positive steps increased your happiness — and then keep doing it!

Get out and get active

Fresh air and exercise are a powerful mood-lifting combination. Take the opportunity to get outside and get moving. Regular exercise can help to improve both your health and your mood. Aerobic activity like walking, biking or running releases mood-boosting hormones that can reduce stress and confer a sense of well-being. Also, when your muscles contract in a repetitive pattern, as they do when you are walking, swimming or doing activities such as yoga, it bumps up levels of a chemical in your brain called serotonin, which is what many antidepressants are designed to do. Higher levels of serotonin are associated with better mood. In fact, one study found that just 90 minutes a week of activity provided mood improvements similar to an antidepressant. When combined with medication, exercise can even help mood disorders that have been resistant to other treatments. How much movement should you strive for? Research shows that ideally you should try for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five days a week, or a vigorous 20 minutes three times a week. But if you can’t do that much, remember that some is always better than none. Even a quick 10-to-15-minute walk can elevate your mood, at least in the short term.

Appreciate small daily pleasures

Little annoyances can spoil the best day — you misplace your keys, stub your toe or encounter a grouchy coworker. But the reverse is true as well. Studies show that taking the time to appreciate small, pleasurable moments can make you feel happier. Focus on small daily events the same way you would big ones like a wedding day, the birth of a child or a relaxing vacation. After all, it’s those little moments that make up most of your life. Savor time spent gardening (yes, potted plants count) or sitting in a sunny window with a cup of tea; laugh with family members over a good meal; or settle in with a good book. Also, celebrate tiny milestones and See HAPPINESS, page 6

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Dear Savvy Senior: enpox virus that most people get as kids How effective is the shingles vaccine, never leaves your body. It hides in the nerve and what is the CDC’s reccells near the spinal cord and, ommendation for getting it? for some people, emerges later My older brother and sister, in the form of shingles. both in their 50s, got One out of every three COVID a few months back, Americans will develop shinfollowed by shingles. Do you gles during their lifetime. know if there is a connection While anyone who’s had chickbetween these viruses, and enpox can get shingles, it most would the shingles vaccine commonly occurs in people have protected them? over age 50, along with people —Scared of Shingles who have weakened immune SAVVY SENIOR systems. But you can’t catch Dear Scared: Great question! Many health- By Jim Miller shingles from someone else. care professionals across the Early signs of the disease country have been urging their older pa- include pain, itching or tingling before a tients to get the shingles vaccine (in addition blistering rash appears several days later, to the COVID-19 vaccinations) during the and can last up to four weeks. The rash pandemic because getting COVID-19 can in- typically occurs on one side of the body, deed increase your chances of developing often as a band of blisters that extends shingles. And the more severe case of from the middle of your back around to COVID you get, the greater your risk for the breastbone. It can also appear above shingles. an eye or on the side of the face or neck. The reason for this is because when you In addition to the rash, about 20 to 25% of contract COVID-19, your immune system those who get shingles go on to develop sebecomes compromised as it fights the vere nerve pain (called post-herpetic neuralvirus, which gives shingles — a virus that gia, or PHN) that can last for months or already exists in your body if you’ve had even years. And in rare cases, shingles can chickenpox — a chance to reactivate. also cause strokes, encephalitis, spinal cord Here’s what you should know about damage and vision loss. shingles, the shingles vaccine, and the recommendations of the Centers for Disease The shingles vaccine Control and Prevention (CDC): The vaccine for shingles, called Shingrix, provides much better protection than What are shingles? the old shingles vaccine, Zostavax. ManuShingles, also known as herpes zoster, factured by GlaxoSmithKline, Shingrix is is a burning, blistering skin rash that af- 97% effective in preventing shingles in peofects 1 million Americans each year. ple 50-69 years old, and 91% effective in The same virus that causes chickenpox See SHINGLES, page 7 causes shingles. What happens is the chick-

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When is it time to get cataract surgery? By Julie Corliss Starting around age 40, the lenses of your eyes start becoming cloudy, a condition known as cataracts. In many people, cataracts eventually become so dense that their vision becomes blurry or distorted. By age 80, more than half of Americans will have developed a cataract or had cataract surgery. This surgery — a quick, safe procedure that involves replacing the clouded lens with a clear plastic one — offers a very ef-

fective cure. But unless your eye doctor advises otherwise, you may not need to have surgery right away. “Most cataracts progress very slowly and can be safely observed until you feel you need better vision — for example, if you have difficulty reading or seeing street signs,” said Dr. Laura Fine, a cataract specialist and clinical instructor in ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. One of the most common early symptoms of cataracts is poor night vision, especially in

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the rain or when driving. People often complain of seeing glare or starbursts from headlights when driving at night, she added.

Coping with early cataracts

In the early stages of cataract formation, you might notice a slight decline in your vision, but not so much that it affects your day-to-day activities. In some cases, the lens simply thickens, causing nearsightedness, rather than becoming opaque. When that’s the case, the following tips can help: • See your eye doctor for a new eyeglass or contact lens prescription. • Put brighter lightbulbs in the lamps around your home, especially the ones you use to read or do other close work. • Reduce glare by positioning lights directly behind you, pointed on the task (such as on the book you’re reading). • Use magnifying lenses to read or work. • Place contrasting colors — such as a dark blanket on a light chair — around your home to help you see better. These measures help many people safe-

Happiness From page 4

achievements — a project well done or a daily goal met. Make a conscious effort to pause and enjoy small pleasures like these every day.

Limit your decisions

It may sound like a dream to have endless options, but in truth having lots of choices can generate more worry. Happiness does depend partly upon choices — after all, it would be highly stressful not to have any control over your life. However, research has found that people given more options have more oppor-

ly delay cataract surgery for years. Some end up never needing surgery. But people who rely on their eyes for work, such as architects, dentists and jewelers, may need surgery sooner than others.

When it’s time for surgery

Typically, people have surgery in the eye with the denser cataract first. If the other eye has only a minimal cataract, a second eye surgery many not be needed for years. However, most people with age-related cataracts have similar disease in both eyes, and the second eye is usually done a few weeks after the first one, once it’s had a chance to heal. Because there are follow-up visits one day and one week after each surgery, the whole process generally takes about two months in all, Fine said. It’s a good idea to sort out logistics in advance, Fine noted. For example: • In addition to a ride home after the surSee CATARACTS, page 9

tunity for regret. This is why people who run meditation or spiritual retreats often limit selections. Not having to make numerous decisions all day long can be freeing. A simple exercise can help you ease the choice burden. Decide that if a decision won’t bring major consequences, you’ll limit the amount of time you give yourself to pick, or you’ll give yourself fewer options. Don’t allow yourself to second-guess the decision once it’s made. Save the heavy deliberations for bigger, more consequential issues. However, even when making these choices, try to avoid looking back. © 2022 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Amazon’s Alexa can get you a doctor 24/7 By Tom Murphy and Anne D’Innocenzio If there is no doctor in the house, Amazon’s Alexa will soon be able to summon one. Amazon and telemedicine provider Teladoc Health are starting a voice-activated virtual care program that lets customers get medical help without picking up their phones. The service, for health issues that aren’t emergencies, will be available around the clock on Amazon’s Echo devices. Customers can tell the voice assistant Alexa that they want to talk to a doctor, and that will prompt a call back on the device from a Teladoc physician. The program, announced this spring, marks Amazon’s latest expansion into healthcare and another push by the retail giant into a form of care that grew rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Telehealth now is something that patients have gotten used to and may come to expect as an option for their care,” said Lori Uscher-Pines, a senior policy researcher with Rand Corp. “[Before] the pandemic, there might not have been this much awareness that this was a service that was available.”

Disrupting healthcare

Amazon already dispenses prescription drugs and is expanding an Amazon Care program it launched in 2019 that offers telemedicine visits with an option to send a care provider to the patient if they need an in-person visit. The company’s latest healthcare expansion comes as several competitors, includ-

ing Walmart, CVS and Walgreens, also beef up their medical offerings. They are adding care clinics or virtual programs to make it easier for patients to find regular help in the fragmented U.S. healthcare system. Insurers and employers that pay medical bills are pushing for this as a way to improve health and cut down on hospital stays or other big medical expenses. “Healthcare is a huge industry of enormous value, and it is ripe for disruption,” said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail. “And Amazon views itself as a disruptor.”

Used in British hospitals

Some hospitals already use Alexa as a voice assistant in patient rooms. In Great Britain, Alexa works with that country’s National Health Service to help answer

medical questions with advice from the country’s official website. The service will be available for customers who create an Alexa voice ID. After telling the voice assistant that they need to talk to a doctor, people will be connected to a Teladoc call center and then get a call back from a physician. The calls are audio-only for now, but the companies say they expect to add video soon. In some cases, doctors will be able to prescribe medications. Customers can get a call back the same day, but that may depend on the availability of doctors in the state where the patient is located, Teladoc spokesman Chris Savarese said. He noted that the ongoing pandemic may lead to longer wait times. The cost for a visit can vary depend on the patient’s coverage. Without insurance, the calls will cost $75.

Won’t replace in-person visits

Telemedicine in general grew rapidly when the pandemic first hit the United States and patients wanted to hunker down at home instead of visiting the doctor’s office. Virtual visits have since leveled off a bit as office visits have widely resumed. But Uscher-Pines said research shows that patients remain interested. Many want telemedicine available when they need its convenience, not as a replacement for in-person care. “Most people don’t want that to cannibalize their in-person care,” she said. “They still want those options.” —AP

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those age 70 and older. Shingrix also does a terrific job of preventing nerve pain that continues after the rash has cleared — about 90% effective. Because of this protection, the CDC recommends that everyone age 50 and older receive the Shingrix vaccine, which is given in two doses, separated by two to six months. Even if you’ve already had shingles, you still need these vaccinations because reoccurring cases are possible. The CDC also recommends that anyone previously vaccinated with Zostavax be revaccinated with Shingrix. You should also know that Shingrix can cause some adverse side effects for some people, including muscle pain, fatigue, headache, fever and upset stomach. Shingrix, which averages around $205 for both doses, is covered by most private health insurance plans, including Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, but there may be a cost, depending on your plan. Contact your insurer to find out. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

Savarese said Amazon will not be able to access, record or store the content of the ensuing call.

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Stiff muscles? Don’t stretch; strengthen By Lauren Hubbard Dear Mayo Clinic: I am a ver y active person. I visit the gym and run regularly. Although I have been able to avoid any major injuries, I find myself constantly stretching my hamstrings. It seems no matter how flexible I get, they still feel tight. What else can I do? A: Having an active lifestyle is important to achieving long-term health and wellness, so congratulations on maintaining

regular exercise — and avoiding injuries. Stretching has probably helped protect you from injury. Stretching is an important component of any exercise program. Most aerobic and strength training programs inherently cause your muscles to contract and tighten. Stretching can increase flexibility and improve your joints’ range of motion, helping you move more freely. Stretching after you exercise also can boost circulation. It is not uncommon to see patients like

yourself who have a constant urge to stretch their hamstrings — a muscle on the back of the thigh that bends the knee. These patients state that they feel the desire to stretch frequently to get rid of a sensation that their muscle feels tight or stiff. This type of stretching, known as static stretching, is when we passively hold a muscle in an elongated position in attempts to lengthen it from its previous state. More often than not, this type of stretching only provides short-term relief, and then the tight sensation comes right back. The reason for this has to do with how your body is triggering you and with the way your nerve and pain pathways work. Studies have shown that this feeling of stiffness does not always correlate with lack of mobility or flexibility in the affected area. Instead, the stiffness is a message from the nervous system alerting the brain on the current state of your body. In essence, your body is hurting, so the nervous system is sending this message in hopes of getting your attention to slow your movements. In some cases, the sensation of tightness and stiffness may signal an injury, but usually it is only an alert from the body in an attempt to help you avoid potential injury.

How (and why) we feel pain

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Pain nerves do not exist in the body. Instead, the nerve endings send messages about its environment to the brain. It may tell the brain it is experiencing sensations such as warmth, vibration or light touch, which can be considered potential threats. These messages are taken from the nerve endings, up the spinal cord and into the brain. At this point, the brain weighs the importance of the information and either decides that it is harmful or dismisses it. If it de-

cides that the environment is harmful, the brain creates pain sensations at that location. Relating this back to stiffness, this sensation is simply a constant message being sent from the nerve endings about that muscle, and the brain is deciding that the message could potentially be harmful. As a result, the brain is creating discomfort in that area. Over time, however, when the affected area of the body is strengthened, the nervous system becomes less concerned about injury because it no longer perceives weakness as a potential threat. Patients with hamstring issues often get more long-term relief from tightness with specific stability exercises as opposed to stretching alone. Consider adding activities such as squats or dead lifts.

When stretching can help

Be aware that there is another common pain generator that often sends people to physical therapy: the piriformis muscle. This muscle is beneath your glutes and works to turn your hip outward. Pain in this muscle can create a constant grabbing sensation in the glute, and can cause you to have a sore lower back and hamstrings. Typically, this can be treated with stretches where you pull your knee up toward your opposite shoulder. In general, when you’re stretching, keep it gentle. Breathe freely as you hold each stretch for around 30 seconds. Try not to hold your breath. Don’t bounce or hold a painful stretch. Expect to feel tension while you’re stretching. If you feel pain, you’ve gone too far.

When strengthening is key

Remember that the sensations felt in See STIFFNESS, page 9

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A P R I L 2 0 2 2

What do they mean by male menopause? By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: Do men go through a phase of menopause similar to what women experience? A: Like women, men experience a drop in sex hormone levels as they age. But in men, the pace of these changes is quite different. In women, levels of estrogen — the primary female sex hormone — remain high for many decades. Then, around age 50, the levels plunge over a period of about five years. The lower levels of estrogen cause the physical and psychological changes of menopause, including the cessation of menstrual periods. When a woman enters menopause, it’s easy for her to tell. For the vast majority of men, the change is much more gradual. Levels of a man’s main sex hormone, testosterone, begin to drop as early as age 30. Instead of plunging within a few years, testosterone levels drop slowly (about 1%) each year for the rest of his life. This change is so gradual that many men don’t notice the effects for several decades. So, the question remains: Do the progressively lower levels of testosterone cause symptoms in a man, the way lower levels of estrogen do in a woman? There is no doubt that they can, but it can be hard to tell. There are situations when a man might experience an abrupt fall in testosterone because of an injury or illness, chemotherapy or radiation treatment, or certain medications. Extremely low levels can clearly cause

Stiffness From page 8

your body are your brain’s attempts to tell you to strengthen, move or behave in a different way. These sensations serve to drive your behaviors and do not necessarily correlate with the actual biomechanical state of the body. As a result, perceived stiffness does not always mean that the muscle is tight or needs to be stretched. Oftentimes, the muscle needs strengthening to help bring stability to the tissue. You may find a guide to stretching useful; see bitly.com/basicstretches. If you’re continuing to experience tension or pain, and stretches do not relieve this tension or pain, consult with a physical therapist, orthopedist or sports medicine specialist. These healthcare providers can identify the underlying cause of your constant feeling of tightness and, if necessary, provide you with individualized strengthening exercises to improve your symptoms. — Lauren Hubbard, D.P.T., Physical Therapy, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. Email a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org. © 2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

loss of muscle mass and bone strength, increased body fat, drop in energy, less interest in sex, and erectile dysfunction. In these cases, the term “male menopause” could be applied, and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may improve the symptoms. However, in the average man, linking testosterone levels to symptoms is tricky, and it’s hard to predict which men with low levels can benefit from TRT. Testosterone levels vary among men of the same age, and men experience testosterone deficiency symptoms at different levels. In fact, many men with low levels have no symptoms. If you’ve experienced changes that could be related to low testosterone, speak with your doctor. He or she will first want to explore whether your symptoms are related to another cause — such as overuse of alcohol, a thyroid problem or depression.

The next step is to measure your blood level for total testosterone. Because levels fluctuate throughout the day, the test should be done in the morning and repeated at least once to ensure accuracy. Most laboratories use 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter as the normal range for total testosterone. Based on your results and your symptoms, you and your

doctor might discuss TRT. But keep in mind that your testosterone level and how you feel may not be connected. Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. Visit health.harvard.edu. © 2022 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Cataracts

to 15 pounds. For the first two weeks, people shouldn’t wear eye makeup and should also avoid swimming, baths and hot tubs. Vision may be blurry in the first few days after surgery but gradually will improve. More than 95% of people who undergo cataract surgery end up with visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Still, most people will likely continue to need glasses for reading or driving. © 2022 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 6

gery, some older patients may need drivers or caregivers to be with them for follow-up visits, and possibly to assist with administering eye drops following surgery. • For the first few weeks after cataract surgery, it’s important to take certain precautions. During the first week, people should avoid lifting things heavier than 10

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Bucher From page 1

University and never left the area. One day more than a decade ago, when Bucher was working in commercial real estate, he noticed an ad about a vacant smoothie shop near his home in Bethesda, where he lives with his family. On a whim, he bought it and opened a hamburger shop there. The Burger Joint, or BGR, caught on, expanding its locations all over the area, and Bucher sold the chain in 2013 for a profit. In 2011, he co-founded a sit-down steak and frites restaurant in Cleveland Park called Medium Rare, which expanded to more locations in Arlington and Bethesda. Then the pandemic hit. With restaurants shuttered, Bucher struggled to retain his beloved staff, putting them to work preparing and delivering food for five months or so.

A P R I L 2 0 2 2 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

He began meeting people who were hungry, particularly older adults. “When we would go to their homes, we would start checking on them: ‘Do you have family?…Why didn’t you tell them you were hungry?’” he asked. Often, they would reply, “Because I didn’t want them to worry,” Bucher said. “That was the turning point for me.”

Ever scrappy, Bucher borrowed a few refrigerators from National Stadium, the site of one of his Medium Rare locations, and stocked them daily with steak, salad, fries and dessert. That’s how he launched the nonprofit Feed the Fridge, which provides healthy meals to those in need while also helping restaurants stay in business — no small feat during the pandemic. Feed the Fridge raises money to pay local restaurants to fill public refrigerators with fresh meals daily. Anyone can stop by a fridge and pick up a meal for free, prepared by restaurants such as Cava, Olazzo, Alatri Bros, Duke’s Grocery, Chaia Tacos, Pie Shop DC, Little Sesame, and Call Your Mother Deli. Restaurants receive about $6 per meal. Bucher makes sure the meals are nutritionally balanced and delicious: “dignified meals,” as he puts it. “Nothing processed.”

“Hunger doesn’t take a holiday.”

Feed the Fridge

Bucher also works to feed hungry children. In the summer of 2020, when it became clear that schools might not reopen, Bucher began to worry about students who rely on free meals from public schools. But how to reach all of them? That’s when Bucher devised an idea to deliver meals to various drop sites where kids might gather: schools, community centers, recreation centers.

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The meals, which are snapped up every day at the 29 refrigerators located from Prince George’s County to Gaithersburg, Maryland to Washington, D.C., fill an important need. People who pick up free groceries at food pantries often don’t have the money for pots and pans to prepare them, Bucher pointed out. And older adults may have trouble cooking. “The elderly typically have pots and pans, but they can’t hold them if they have arthritis,” he said. It costs about $100,000 to stock one refrigerator every day for a year, so Bucher’s nonprofit staff — one full-time employee, six part-timers and other volunteers — seek donations from individuals, restaurants and corporations. Next are D.C. senior centers: Bucher is working with the D.C. government to place free meals in several senior centers. In the meantime, Bucher’s nonprofit will “hand-deliver holiday meals to seniors who cannot leave their homes,” he said.

Free meals on holidays, too

Mother’s Day is coming up in May, and Bucher, who lost his mother when he was just 17, tries to ensure “no mom is forgotten,” he said. His nonprofit delivers between 2,000 and 3,000 brunches to mothers who are alone on the holiday. “Hunger has no holiday, and we deliver every day,” Bucher said. (DoorDash now partners with Bucher to deliver meals.) Thanksgiving is a busy time for Bucher, too. Since 2007 he has spent the day deepfrying turkeys for free, hoping to prevent the kitchen fires that happen every year. That first year, after working the fryer for hours, Bucher returned to his car, exhausted and “burned from my wrist to my elbows on both arms,” he recalled. A scrap of paper fluttered on his windshield — at first glance, he thought it was a parking ticket. Instead, it was a handwritten thank-you note from a family he had helped. “‘Without you,’” they wrote, “‘we wouldn’t have had our Thanksgiving.’ I still have that note…I never can stop this now. That drives me,” he said. Bucher says he’s determined to solve the problem of hunger in our area over the next decade — and he’ll use every entrepreneurial instinct and unconventional thought to do so. “I’ve got to stand up for people who don’t have a voice. I take that really seriously,” Bucher said. “Hunger is still as bad as it’s ever been or even worse…What we’re doing [as a society] isn’t working. Let’s try a new approach, and even if it doesn’t work, at least we’ve tried it.” If you know a mother who will be alone on Mother’s Day and would like free brunch delivered to her door, email ilovemymom@mediumrarerestaurant.com or contact@feedthefridge.org. For the locations of the 29 refrigerators with free meals, visit feedthefridge.org. For tickets to the Seabury Leadership in Aging awards on Thursday, May 19, call (202) 414-6318 or visit seaburyresources.org/lia.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A P R I L 2 0 2 2

Ways to maintain your feel-great weight By Tina Haupert, Health.com Does this pattern sound familiar? You follow a strict diet and lose weight but then, on reaching your goal, you ditch the diet and gain the pounds back. If you want to shed weight once and for all (and stop torturing yourself with restrictive dieting and constant hunger!), focus on adopting healthy eating and exercise habits that are balanced and livable. Small changes to your daily lifestyle can add up to help you lose weight and maintain it. Here are everyday ways to help maintain your happy weight: Eat often. Eating frequently might sound counterintuitive if you’re trying to lose weight. But aiming for three healthy meals and two small snacks a day means you’re eating something every three hours or so, so you’ll never let yourself get too hungry. This prevents overeating later and keeps your metabolism humming along. Get cooking with your oven. Roast-

ed vegetables are an easy snack or quick addition to a meal. Get into the habit of popping a baking sheet full of vegetables in the oven to roast along with whatever else you’re cooking. That way, you always have a nutritious option on hand. Set exercise reminders. Your calendar can keep you organized with all aspects of your life, including workouts. Schedule workouts for the week ahead every Sunday. Having them all laid out with plenty of time to exercise may motivate you to stick to your routine. Create a motivation board. Feeling down-in-the-dumps and unmotivated about fitness and exercise? Try making a motivation board on Pinterest. Just the act of creating it may lift your funk and serve as a constant source of inspiration when you’re just feeling lazy but know you should exercise. Think 50-50. When preparing meals, aim to have fruits and veggies make up about half of the plate. Breakfast, for in-

BEACON BITS

April 6+

CHILD LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

Chesapeake Life Center hosts an in-person and virtual support group for parents who have experienced the death of a child at any age on April 6, May 4 and June 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 90 Ritchie Highway in Pasadena, Md. To register, call 1-888-501-7077 or email griefinfo@chesapeakelifecenter.org.

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stance, could include a large banana or a cup of fresh berries. For lunch and dinner, add roasted veggies or a big salad (or both). All of that brightly colored produce packs tons of nutrients, but not many calories. Eat real food. You’ve probably heard this one before, but the more packaged and processed foods you eat, the less satisfied you’re likely to feel. Instead of eating a package of pretzels or cookies, for example, reach for half of a sandwich or a banana with peanut butter to fill you up and satisfy your hunger. Plan ahead. If you plan out what you’re going to eat at the beginning of the week and the start of each day, you’ll be less likely to scramble for something to eat when you’re really hungry. Having food ready at hand can help you resist junk food and unhealthy take-

out when your stomach starts to grumble. Finish last. Eating is not a race! Slow down and properly chew your food instead of inhaling what’s on your plate. Try this out and focus more on the overall dining experience. You’ll consume fewer calories. Eat by the numbers. When enjoying a big meal, stop eating when you’re at 6 or 7 on a scale of 1 to 10 (where 10 is stuffed to the gills). It may be that 20 minutes later, you feel even more full. Aim for feeling satisfied, not stuffed. Health delivers relevant information in clear, jargon-free language that puts health into context in peoples’ lives. Online at health.com. © 2022 Meredith Corporation. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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A P R I L 2 0 2 2 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Beer-braised chicken with root veggies Recipe from Seasonal Roots Did you know that the grocery store isn’t the only place to get fresh produce? A growing number of companies, such as Imperfect Foods, Seasonal Roots and Hungry Harvest, will deliver a basket of fresh fruits and vegetables to your house every week. With these subscription-based services, you can receive fresh-picked local produce — and, in some cases, unique, artisanal products like coffee or cheeses — at your door. There’s no excuse to avoid eating

your fruits and vegetables! Some produce delivery companies, like Imperfect Foods, help prevent food waste by sending “ugly” produce that is of high quality but may not get sold at your nearby grocery store because of its appearance. And because local produce doesn’t have to travel far, its carbon footprint is smaller than the produce you’ll find at the grocery store. This recipe from Seasonal Roots incorporates seasonal rutabaga and parsnips into a delicious and satisfying meal.

Beer-Braised Chicken with Rutabaga & Parsnips

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 4 chicken breasts, skinned and boned ½ teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided ½ rutabaga, peeled and cut into ¾-inch cubes 1 tablespoon and 1½ teaspoons unsalted butter 4 parsnips, cut into 2-inch pieces 1 cup chopped yellow onion ¾ teaspoon caraway seeds ¾ cup beer, preferably wheat beer (hefeweizen) ¾ cup unsalted chicken stock 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1½ teaspoons fresh tarragon, chopped 1½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar 3 tablespoons chopped scallion Directions: Heat oil in large, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with pepper and ½ teaspoon salt. Cook chicken until browned on one side, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from skillet. Add rutabaga and 1 tablespoon of butter to skillet. Cook, stirring often, until

caramelized, 5 to 6 minutes. Add parsnips, onion and caraway seeds. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add beer, chicken stock and mustard. Bring to a boil over high heat. Return chicken to skillet and reduce heat to mediumlow. Cover and simmer until a thermometer inserted in thickest portion of chicken registers 155 degrees, about 10 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet, cover to keep warm. Continue cooking vegetables uncovered until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in tarragon, vinegar, scallion, remaining ½ teaspoon salt and remaining 1½ teaspoons butter. Serve and enjoy! Residents of Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland, can sign up for Seasonal Roots with an initial fee of $50 and an annual renewal fee of $35. Customizable weekly boxes range in price from $26 to $42; weeks can be skipped if you choose. Learn more at seasonalroots.com. Hungry Harvest (hungryharvest.net) delivers boxes of produce to Maryland and Washington, D.C., and Imperfect Foods (imper fectfoods.com) serves many D.C., Maryland and Nor thern Virginia ZIP codes. Weekly fees range from $25 to $45.

BEACON BITS

April 14+

WELLNESS CLASS

In this six-week virtual wellness class hosted by the Takoma Park Recreation Department, learn about how to embrace your strengths through the challenges of life. The class takes place Thursdays from April 14 to May 19 from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. and costs $60. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/TPGrowing.

Tuesdays

COMPUTER HELP

On Tuesdays from 12 to 2 p.m., one-on-one computer help is available at the Georgetown Neighborhood Library in D.C. Learn basic computer skills, like setting up an email account, using Zoom, using social media and downloading content. Call (202) 727-0232 to sign up for a 30-minute session.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A P R I L 2 0 2 2

Health Studies

INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Say what? Study helps focus on hearing By Margaret Foster If you have trouble keeping up with a conversation in a noisy restaurant, you’re not alone. After all, as we age, our ears and brains age, too. Now researchers at the University of Maryland’s Hearing Lab are launching a study to teach older adults how to listen better. They’re seeking 100 volunteers between the ages of 65 and 85. “For someone who has trouble understanding what’s going on at a dinner table at a restaurant and would like to be able to understand better, this might help them,” said Jonathan Simon, principal investigator. “It could also help us determine what helps other people.” Simon’s team has designed a training program to help listeners understand more of what others are saying and to reduce the effort it takes to do that.

Six weeks, mostly at home

The six-week study includes five in-person visits to College Park, Maryland. Parking is free, and compensation will be provided. But most of the study can be done at home on a computer. Each participant will listen to a 30-minute session and answer questions about what they’ve heard. Even “for people who don’t feel that comfortable with computers, it works just fine,” Simon said. His staff will check in “at the beginning and the end [of each session] to make sure everything is working and that participants are comfortable.” Once enrolled, participants will be placed at random into one of three groups. One group will watch instructional videos and answer questions about them. Another group will listen to a speaker while someone else talks over them at varying volumes. The third group will take a memory test, which “involves much more of the brain and brings in memory and listening,” Simon said. For each participant, both before and after the training, Simon said, “We measure how difficult it is for them to understand speech in noisy conditions, and, critically, also their brain activity.”

BEACON BITS

April 18

BELIEFS AND HEALTH

In this free virtual workshop hosted by AARP and led by Dr. Becca Levy, professor of epidemiology and psychology at Yale University, learn how beliefs about aging can impact health and how to reduce age discrimination. This event takes place Mon., April 18 from 1 to 2 p.m. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/AgeBeliefs.

To track brain activity, everyone will have a magnetoencephalography (MEG) scan, a non-invasive test that measures the magnetic fields produced by the brain’s electrical currents. Eligible participants will also have a 15-minute MRI during the study. People tend to prefer a MEG scan to an MRI scan because they’re “quiet and not confining,” Simon pointed out. “We want to see what good things have happened to their brains — how these improvements have made their brains better,” Simon said. Taking part in the study could improve your hearing and pave the way for future scientific developments, he said. “There’s potentially something in it for

them and for the greater community.” If you’re interested in participating in

the Speech Perception and High Cognitive Demand study, call (301) 405-5629.

Fitness & Health | Subscribe online! See how on p. 27

A P R I L 2 0 2 2 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Try to Stick to One Pharmacy. As we age, we often visit more than one specialist. Using one pharmacy ensures that your entire prescription history will be in one place. The pharmacist can help monitor your medications and can quickly investigate side effects when you are on multiple medicines.

Keep a List of ALL Your Medicines in your wallet. Include the name and dose of the medicine and how often you take it. Update the list when you start/stop any prescriptions or OTC products. Show it to every doctor on every visit and share it with your pharmacist.

Resources:

Manage Your Meds Safely If you take one or more medications a day, you are in good company. Many older Americans take five or more daily.

How long should I take it?

How long will it take to work?

How will I know it’s working?

As we age, our bodies change in ways that can affect how medications work. The more drugs we take, the greater the risk they will interact with each other and cause side effects.

What are possible side effects?

Are they serious?

That is why it is important for all of us to be educated and ask questions about all of our medications, including those prescribed by a doctor and those you purchase over the counter (OTC).

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

What is the medication used for? Would you write the purpose on the prescription?

Questions to Ask Your Pharmacist When should I take this

medicine (with meals, on an empty stomach, with any special liquids)? What special precautions should

I take (avoid sunlight, avoid driving, avoid alcohol)? Can I take this medicine with

my other medicines, including nonprescription products?

Check expiration dates on all your medicines, and dispose of expired and unused medication properly. Visit the website safe.pharmacy/ drug-disposal to find a drug disposal location near you. For more advice on how to manage your medicines, visit https://bit.ly/ NIHMedManage. To download a useful guide from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, “Safe Medicine Use: A Guide for Older Adults and Caregivers,” visit https://bit. ly/SafeMedUseUMD. AARP offers “A Survival Guide to Medication Management” at https://bit. ly/AARPMedGuide.

www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A P R I L 2 0 2 2

What supplements can and can’t claim Health-related claims, however, are no Today, I was reminded about the special regulations required for dietary supple- longer allowed, though they used to be. No one goes to jail for making ments. It occurred when an such a claim, but they may Amazon representative called get a warning letter, fined if me to tell me that one word they don’t oblige, or potentialdescribing my sleep formula ly shut down. supplement implied it was for The FDA’s job is to approve a disease. a drug for a specific indication That word was “aid,” as in [by evaluating studies of the the term “sleep aid,” which drug’s safety and effectivewas on the description page. ness. Congress does not allow That wording implies it treats the disease of “insomnia.” the FDA to evaluate the safety DEAR or effectiveness of suppleIn the United States, supple- PHARMACIST ments before they are sold]. ments are not allowed to state By Suzy Cohen such things. So, my product From now on, consider how was removed from Amazon for several supplement makers have to talk to you. It’s only with structure/function claims. If days until I reworded the description. According to the Food and Drug Admin- they claim their product treats a disease, istration regulations and policies, food and that tells you they don’t know what they’re dietary supplements are only allowed to doing, or that they’re intentionally trying to fluff up their product to make a sale. make “structure or function” claims. Here are some examples of what suppleThe FDA says, “Structure/function claims may describe the role of a nutrient or ments are not allowed to claim: —These pills relieve the pain of osdietary ingredient intended to affect the normal structure or function of the human body, teoarthritis and tendonitis. That statement is not allowed because for example, ‘calcium builds strong bones.’ “In addition, they may characterize the arthritis is a disease name, and only drugs means by which a nutrient or dietary ingredi- treat it. If a drug like Celebrex makes this ent acts to maintain such structure or func- claim, it’s totally okay because their medtion, for example, ‘fiber maintains bowel regu- ication is effective for those diseases, and larity,’ or ‘antioxidants maintain cell integrity.’ the clinical trials prove it. But someone

selling an herbal supplement cannot say it. Instead, supplement sellers could say their product “supports healthy joints, cartilage and tendons.” —Vitamin D can help with respiratory infections or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Bad. Very bad, unless of course you are trying to sell a drug for those disorders. But sellers can say, “Vitamin D supports healthy immune function, as well as strong bones and teeth.” —Such and such pills are for diabetes. Nope! Diabetes is a disease, and as such only drugs like metformin or insulin can be marketed to help it. A supplement formula — no matter how good it is — could never make that claim under the law. Instead, we’d state that our formula “sup-

ports a healthy pancreas,” hoping you’d understand it’s meant for those with diabetes. See how it works now? Supplement makers are muzzled. It’s intended for your protection, but in my opinion, it can also confuse you and cause you to take supplements that won’t help (and might hurt) because you don’t know what they’re really intended for! If you’d like to receive a more comprehensive version of this article, sign up for my newsletter at suzycohen.com. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe.

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DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

By Laura Newland, Director D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living Last month marked two years since the start of DC’s public health emergency. And since the pandemic, our city has seen and felt an incredible amount of loss and challenge. We’ve lost loved ones, seen some of our favorite businesses close, and had to learn the best ways to adjust in the new normal. Yet, as a city, we came together to crush COVID-19. We wore our masks, practiced social distancing, got vaccinated, and even got boosted. And because of these small but mighty steps, we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. DC is finally open and our city is ready for our well-deserved comeback. And if you’re looking for a sign if we’re back, this is it! It’s time for us to get back to doing the things we love – attending fitness classes at our wellness centers, enjoying meals with friends, and making new connections with other seniors in our communities. Our wellness centers have been open since March 1st and we have so much in store for everyone. Another sign that our city is ready for a comeback is the recent release of Mayor Bowser’s Fiscal Year 2023 Fair Shot Budget. This budget is focused on building a safer DC, a more affordable DC, and a DC that more residents can envision a future in. It’s an example of the best of government: The Mayor committing to end senior hunger, isolation, and loneliness by supporting new and innovative programs; seniors pushing us to think more broadly; and DACL staff always being open to innovation and ready to meet and collaborate with the community throughout the District. This budget is focused on ensuring older adults can thrive in their homes and communities. They include: • $1 million investment for expanded transportation access through the District’s Connector Card programs, providing more choice in transportation options for qualifying seniors. • $2.6 million investment to keep seniors connected to family, friends, healthcare, wellness, and more through the distribution of personal tablets. This investment will provide devices, data plans, and ongoing training and support to qualifying seniors to combat isolation and promote connection to wellness activities. • $750,000 investment in increasing nutrition support through grocery card distribution for eligible seniors. With this investment, we’re building off the success we’ve already seen through similar programs focused on providing cash relief to alleviate challenges and stabilize communities.

Director Laura Newland Testified at Annual Budget Oversight Hearing

On Monday, March 21, Director Laura Newland represented DACL at our annual Budget Oversight Hearing. To view her full testimony, please visit dacl.dc.gov.

Director

Living Boldly is published by the Information Office of the DC Laura Newland Department of Aging and Community Living for DC senior residents. Editor DACL External Affairs Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the DC Department of Aging and Community Living or by the publisher.

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500 K St. NE, Washington, DC 20002 | (202) 724-5626 | www.dacl.dc.gov • Instituting a 2% property tax cap for seniors, which will lower the amount that property taxes can go up every year. With these investments, and so many others, we’re making up for lost time. The last two years have been difficult, but it’s shown us all just how much we need each other. These investments are all about re-

connecting with each other and the things that we love about our city. It’s about making sure that ever y Washingtonian can build a future here in DC, no matter their age, stage, or ability. If you’re waiting for a sign, this is it. I can’t wait to see you back out in the community.

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Living Boldly

Makes a great gift!

Mayor Bowser Releases her FY2023 Fair Shot Budget

On March 16, Mayor Muriel Bowser presented her Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Budget and Financial Plan to the Council of the District of Columbia as part of the District’s annual budget process. The $19.5 billion FY23 Budget makes

significant increased investments in public safety, housing and ending homelessness, affordability programs, and city services. To learn more about the budget, please visit budget.dc.gov.

Senior Wellness Centers Learn more about the Seabury ConnectorCard Are Now Open! In case you missed it, all senior wellness centers are open! For more information on center hours and COVID guidelines, please contact your local senior wellness center.

The Seabury ConnectorCard program provides subsidized transportation funds for eligible residents of the District of Columbia through a prepaid VISA debit card. Customers can use the ConnectorCard to pay for transportation-related expenses that include, but are

not limited to, taxi services, public transit fare cards, private transportation services, and intercity bus and rail services. DC residents age 60 and older can apply. Contact the ConnectorCard office at 202844-3000 or email them at ConnectorCard@seaburyresources.org.

Save the Date for DPR’s Senior Fest! On May 25, 2022, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation will host their annual Senior Fest at the Gateway Pavilion, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue

SE. The event will feature music, live entertainment, exhibitors, health screenings, games, a hot lunch and more. Stay connected for more information.

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More couples move to assisted living By Catherine Brown When Arlene Fingerhut was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2020, her family members weren’t surprised. “When I got the official diagnosis and had to tell my children, I said, ‘Guess what else I inherited from Grandma?’” Arlene, now 79, said in an interview with the Beacon. “My daughter answered right away: ‘Parkinson’s.’” In many ways, Arlene’s life stayed the same after her diagnosis. “Nothing was earth-shattering because I had suspected it all along,” she said. Over time, though, living at home began to get more difficult for Arlene, particularly walking up and down their three-story house’s 37 steps.

First: Family pitches in

When Arlene was diagnosed, the pan-

demic kept her husband Earle, also 79, close to home. But even if it hadn’t, he said he would have wanted to stay close to home to ensure Arlene was safe and comfortable. “I watched her like a hawk,” Earle said. “I wanted to see that Arlene was doing okay, and I wanted to make sure she could do the things she wanted to do.” With help from their children, the couple worked together to manage daily living tasks. Their daughter-in-law, for instance, helped them pick up their groceries. Earle would cook dinner while Arlene read the directions and oversaw the process to ensure he did everything correctly. Before long, however, the couple’s daughter suggested they investigate assisted living facilities. Deciding to leave a family home can be

When our family cares for your family, it’s Harmony.

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challenging for couples, particularly when they have different needs. Some choose to move the person with more care needs to an assisted living facility while the healthier spouse remains at home and visits routinely. But Earle and Arlene, who have been married for 52 years, were adamant that they make their next move together.

Then, find the right home

The Fingerhuts eventually decided to move in together to The Seneca, an assisted living and memory care facility that opened last July in Rockville, Maryland. One of the key selling points was that they could each have their individual needs met: Arlene could receive care for her Parkinson’s, and Earle could have more flexibility to visit with friends and pursue his interests.

Better relationships result

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Another selling point: “I liked that the dining room is open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., so we can eat whenever we want,” Arlene said. Moving into assisted living together enhanced both of their lives right away. “Before we had friends where we lived, but we couldn’t get out a whole lot,” Earle said. “Now we can go to dinner in the dining room and talk to friends.” Earle also feels better about leaving Arlene when he visits friends in their old neighborhood, especially his running buddies, because he knows she is being well cared for while he is away. As it turns out, Arlene and Earle aren’t the only couple to make the choice to move to assisted living together. Since it opened, The Seneca has had eight couples move in so far —more than anyone originally expected. The demand is so strong that the senior living community has begun joining single apartments into two-bedroom units.

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“One of the things that can really change a relationship between a couple is when one becomes ill and the other steps into the caregiving role,” said Jon Garber, The Seneca’s executive director. “It changes the dynamic, presenting challenges in the relationship.” But when a couple moves together into an assisted living community, the care responsibility is turned over to the professional caregiving team, and the couple can go back to being spouses again, Garber added. That’s exactly what the Fingerhuts discovered. “There are more things we can do together,” Arlene said. “We are together in more meaningful situations than we were before we moved in,” Arlene said. For example, “Earle has come with me to my Parkinson’s exercise classes,” she said. Earle interjected to say Arlene’s classes are harder than the classes he takes. That’s saying something, considering that Earle has run a few miles a day for much of his life. Garber said he takes pride in the fact that The Seneca provides the option for one person to have their care needs met while the spouse or partner can step back from being the caregiver and live their own vibrant life. “We tell the caregiving spouse, ‘It’s okay to be involved with us, but allow us to do the care,’” Garber said. “It can be hard for them sometimes to turn over care, so we help the families work through that and understand that.” It certainly turned out to be the best option for Arlene and Earle. “I wasn’t going to go anywhere else,” said Earle. “I wanted to be there with her.” Arlene is happy Earle feels that way. “I would have been devastated if he hadn’t come with me,” she said.

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10 questions to help choose a community By Daniel Morris Choosing the right senior living community that aligns with your vision can be challenging. Whether you’re looking to simplify your lifestyle or get the care that you need to thrive, you may struggle to navigate the many options out there. To help you focus your research and planning, here are 10 questions to ask when trying to find the perfect community for you: 1. What care levels are offered? Is it 24/7? Is a continuum of care available? First of all, you should ask about the care available at the community. Many senior living communities will offer several levels, including independent living, assisted living, memory care and more. Ask about whether you can switch between levels over time and whether care is offered 24/7. 2. What’s the living experience like? Every community has a distinct feel. You should get a sense for every community’s atmosphere, especially the living experience. You’ll want to look at the available floor plans for the apartments, as well as how residents interact in common spaces such as the dining room. 3. What amenities and activities are available? Some senior living communities will offer a fitness center, spa, theater, game room and art studio, as well as a robust social calendar with events and outings. Of course, also ask

about essential services such as dining, housekeeping, laundry and wi-fi. 4. What are the staff ’s qualifications and ratio? The staff at a community should include certified health aides, nurses and therapists. Sometimes an on-site physician will also be available. Ask about the staff’s qualifications and the current staff-resident ratio so you can get a sense of the personalized service. 5. What safety features are in place? Ideally, a senior living community will include an emergency response system in every room, as well as security monitoring, health tracking and more. You’ll want to understand the community’s safety protocols so that you can feel confident in the event of an emergency. 6. What are the costs? Are they allinclusive and transparent? The cost of a community can be a determining factor. Ask about the costs for every level of care, especially if the pricing is all-inclusive. You can ask for a list of included amenities and services to ensure there are no surprises. 7. What dining options are offered? Anytime dining is a must-have for many older adults who want to savor their favorite meals at preferred times of day and make the most of several dining options. Ask about the community’s different din-

ing venues and menus. 8. How does the community connect with families? Family connections help every resident thrive in a community. Ask about the community’s family outreach program and what type of events they plan to facilitate connections with family members. 9. What support for the move and transition is available? The transition to community care can be difficult. Some communities will offer a moving stipend or other support services in order to make this transition as smooth as possible. You can also take advantage of this checklist to aid your planning: bit.ly/CaringPlan 10. Can I speak to residents directly about their experiences?

The most valuable information you can get is from current residents. Ask if you can talk to the residents about their experiences to get the inside scoop on how they feel about the community.

Ask tough questions for a better fit

Ultimately, as you search for the ideal life plan community, you’ll want to ask tough questions to make your care decision. By getting answers ahead of time, you will have all the information you need to choose the best community that aligns with your vision for the future. My Caring Plan can help you plan for your retirement and find the perfect senior living community. Get in touch today at mycaringplan.com.

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Reasons to move sooner rather than later By Brad Breeding A survey conducted by myLifeSite, the company I founded in 2011, uncovered some interesting information about prospective residents of life plan communities, formerly called continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). One of the survey questions that was particularly revealing was about people’s reasons for delaying a move to a community. Respondents were asked to choose up to three out of eight possible reasons for putting off their move. Among the top responses were things you’d expect, like not wanting to deal with the hassle of downsizing and moving (34%) and concerns about long-term affordability (42%). But the most common response was, “I don’t feel like I’m old enough for a retirement community,” with over 46% of survey participants selecting that reason.

Choosing the right time

For many older adults who are currently residing in their own home but like the idea of living in a setting where healthcare services are available if needed down the road, a life plan community is the perfect solution.

In addition to the many amenities and conveniences they enjoy, life plan community residents can easily transition from living entirely independently to getting any needed assisted-living services to receiving 24-hour skilled nursing care in the on-site healthcare center. Some even offer memory care. But, as our consumer survey revealed, many people in their 80s still don’t think they are old enough to move. When is the right time to move? What is the ideal age? Unfortunately, there is no one answer to these questions because everyone’s situation is different. People age at different rates; different lifestyles impact the aging process. The average age of life plan community residents is anywhere from late 70s to early 80s, but an average is just that. There are people who are younger or older when they move. I certainly understand the concerns some people have about moving too soon, but I would caution that waiting too long can mean missing out on some of the very reasons people are attracted to these communities in the first place.

The advantages of making a move

If you think a life plan community is

To subscribe, see page 27.

right for you but feel like you aren’t old enough yet, here are five reasons to consider moving sooner rather than later: Involvement: One of the top benefits of living in a life plan community is having convenient access to a huge array of activities, amenities and services. Many of these perks take place on-site in the community, but more and more communities are offering ways for residents to stay involved in their broader community as well, via intergenerational programs, volunteer service projects, continuing education classes, art classes and more. Moving when you are younger allows you to enjoy and benefit from these events and activities. Wellness: While communities do offer residents a continuum of care services if and when they are needed, it is their goal to help residents stay healthy and living independently for as long as possible. That’s why they provide comprehensive health and wellness programs, which may include access to fitness trainers, low-impact aerobics and yoga classes, fitness and aquatic centers, and special meal plans, just to list a few examples. Relationships: I often hear people say that one of the greatest things about making the move to their community was the friendships they’ve formed with other residents. This network of friends can be espe-

cially beneficial should health issues arise in the future. Those who wait too long to move may miss out on the opportunity to develop these meaningful relationships. Qualifying: Housing contracts typically stipulate that new residents must be able to live independently when they first move into the community, and many require a health evaluation as part of the application process. Applicants who do not meet the community’s health standards can be declined. Smoother transition: Moving tends to get increasingly difficult, both physically and mentally, as we age. Those who are younger (relatively speaking), able-bodied and in good health generally are able to handle the transition more easily. On the other hand, those who are older and frailer when they move may be more likely to experience relocation stress syndrome, a condition characterized by symptoms like anxiety, confusion and loneliness. When is the right time to move to a retirement community? Generally speaking, once you have determined that a life plan community is the right senior living option for you, it is smart to move while you are still in good health and have the physical and emotional stamina to make a change and enjoy the benefits. This article was reprinted with permission of mylifesite.net.

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“My husband and I often spoke about it. If we had known the lifestyle we could have had, we would’ve moved in I think 10 years before. I made the decision, and I knew it was a good move.” – Dee L., Watermark resident for eight years

“The social activity is sort of secondary to me. The place is secure, it’s safe. I think Watermark did an outstanding job considering that nobody’s been through this [pandemic] before. They were way ahead of the curve.” – Jack, Dee’s son

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Sharing home benefits owner and tenant By Margaret Foster After living alone in her 1,600-squarefoot house for decades, Susan (a retiree whose last name is withheld for privacy) decided to roll out the welcome mat at her home in Silver Spring, Maryland. She started renting her spare room to medical students about 10 years ago. Now she rents her room to people over age 60 through a new program called Montgomery County Home Sharing. “It’s good because [the tenants are] closer to my age,” Susan said. “It’s a matter of making people comfortable and creating community.” Modeled on the “Golden Girls” idea, the home-sharing program is supported by the county and facilitated by a local non-

profit housing development and counseling agency, Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc. (HIP). HIP’s certified housing counselors work hard to find the perfect match. “In order to be sure we get a good fit, we spend a lot of time talking to individuals,” said Michele Higgs, HIP community outreach coordinator. “We listen openly and compassionately…We make it a win-win.” One win is economic, of course: The homeowner gets a little extra income, and the renter saves money on rent, which averages between $750 and $1,200 per month, often including utilities. Sometimes the homeowner discounts the rent further in exchange for gardening or grocery shopping help from the tenant.

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Another program participant, Gloria Chicas, who lives in a three-story townhouse in Silver Spring, rents out her basement. “I decided to share [my house] with somebody because I needed extra income,” Chicas said. Chicas was paired up with a 79-year-old handyman who moved into her basement apartment. They share a kitchen, full bathroom and laundry room, and it’s working out well so far, she said. “He’s quiet, so it’s okay.”

Free background checks, more

A key part of the program is a website called Silvernest, a sort of Airbnb for older adults. People in the program get free access to Silvernest, which they can search to find photos of available apartments. Silvernest also provides background checks, lease templates, automated rent payments and even insurance. If you don’t have a computer or aren’t comfortable using one, Higgs and other HIP staff can help. They can even take photographs of your home and spare room or accessory dwelling unit (a guest house, for instance). “We often see people who don’t want to be on the Silvernest program or aren’t technically savvy,” Higgs said. “We take

them where they are in terms of their ability.” To make sure everything is running smoothly, HIP counselors also check in with the participants a month after they move in, and again three months later, according to Lesia Bullock, HIP’s director of resources and communications. “The counselors stay involved with the clients,” Bullock said. “If there are any issues that come up between those times, we encourage them to call us so we can mediate any issues. It’s something our counselors are used to doing with all our clients who aren’t in the home-sharing program. That’s why this program was a good fit for us.” Counselors will stay in touch for at least six months, free of charge. As Higgs put it, “We don’t just make this happen and then leave you by yourself.”

Home-sharing as an adventure

Most participants find that renting rooms to older adults is an easy process. Susan shares her kitchen and her home with erstwhile strangers, and “It’s worked out really well,” she said. It’s even easier now that the “wonderful and supportive” staff from HIP help facilitate the process, See HOME SHARING, page B-7

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Home modification tips for aging in place By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, My wife and I would like to make some affordable changes to our home so we can remain living there for as long as possible. Can you recommend some good resources that can help us determine what all we need to consider? —Getting Old Dear Getting, Many older adults, like you and your wife, want to stay living in their own home for as long as possible. But being able to do so will depend on how easy it is to maneuver around your living space as you get older. Here are some helpful resources you can turn to for an idea of the different types of features and improvements that will make your house safer and more convenient as you grow older:

Home evaluation

A good first step in making your home

Home sharing From page B-6

she said. There’s another big advantage to the home-sharing program: social interaction. For Susan, roommates can add color

more age-friendly is to do an assessment. Go through your house, room by room, looking for problem areas, such as potential tripping or slipping hazards, as well as areas that are hard to access and difficult to maintain. Several organizations have aging-in-place checklists that point out potential problems in each area of the home, along with suggesting modifications and solutions. For example, Rebuild Together has a two-page “Safe at Home Checklist” created in partnership with the Administration on Aging and the American Occupational Therapy Association. Go to AOTA.org and search for “Rebuilding Together Safe at Home Checklist.” Also get a copy of AARP’s “HomeFit Guide.” This excellent 36-page guide has more than 100 aging-in-place tips and suggestions that can be made to an existing house or apartment or incorporated into designs for a new residence. It explains how a smartly designed or modified home and excitement to daily life. For example, she has met brilliant medical students and interesting people from other countries. One previous renter, a Korean student, shared her home-cooked meals, introducing Susan to new foods. “I’m always up for

An occupational therapist, or OT, can evaluate the challenges and shortcomings of your home for aging in place, recommend design and modification solutions, and introduce you to products and services to help you make improvements.

To find an OT in your area, check with your physician, health insurance provider or local hospital, or seek recommendations from family and friends. Many health insurance providers, including Medicare, will pay for a home assessment by an OT if prescribed by your doctor. However, they will not cover physical upgrades to the home. Another option is to contact a builder who’s a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS). CAPS are home remodelers and design-build professionals that are knowledgeable about aging-in-place home modifications and can suggest ways to modify or remodel your home that will fit your needs and budget. CAPS are generally paid by the hour or receive a flat fee per visit or project. To find a CAPS in your area, visit the National Association of Home Builders website at NAHB.org/capsdirectory. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org.

trying it, to taste other cuisines,” Susan said. Susan recommends that others rent out their spare rooms, too. “Some of my friends have dared to try [the home-sharing program], and they say, ‘Oh, this is cool.’ You get to share and meet people you wouldn’t meet otherwise. We

talk about who I’ve met through the program, and they say, ‘Wow, that’s really exciting.’” To find out more about the Montgomery County Home Sharing Program, call (301) 85-SHARE, (301) 857-4273 or visit hiphomes.org/home-sharing.

can meet the varied and changing needs of its older residents. It also features easy-todo, low-cost and no-cost fixes that lessen the risk of trip hazards and increase the safety of high-use areas like the bathroom, kitchen and stairway. In addition, they also offer videos and a HomeFit AR app (available for iPhone and iPad) that can scan a room and suggest improvements to help turn your house into a “lifelong home,” free from safety and mobility risks. Visit AARP.org/HomeFit to order or download a free copy of this guide, or to watch their videos.

In-home assessments

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Expert provides some home renovation tips By Margit B. Weisgal What can you do in each of the different areas of your home to allow you to live a long, safe life? New materials and new technology make adapting your home to fit your lifestyle easier than ever. Kevin Taylor of Taylor Made Custom Contracting, Inc. (taylormadecontracting.com), based in Jarrettsville, Maryland, is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). People with this designation complete “qualifications required by AARP and the National Association of Home Builders to perform home solutions for aging and disabled clients.” According to the NAHB, “The universal design concept for aging in place means creating attractive yet functional living

spaces where people can live or visit regardless of their age or physical abilities.” Taylor provides this checklist of items to consider when preparing your home for tomorrow:

External changes

—Consider a ramp for easier access. —Check the sidewalk or driveway for safety. —Install motion-detector lights with or without a timer. —Consider a new doorbell with a camera so you can see who is there. It can be linked to your smartphone. —Install electronic locks; some allow you to create a special code for police or firemen to enter. —Switch to lever handles, since they’re

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April 23

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April 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This free event includes plant and tree giveaways, an arts and craft fair, an electric vehicle and car show, and more. Free parking and shuttle service are available between the Glenmont Metro session and Brookside Gardens. For more information, visit montgomerycountygreenfest.org.

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easier to use than knobs for those with arthritis.

Throughout the house

—Change your lighting to LED lights. These are adjustable, can change color and can be on dimmer switches. —Include motion-detection so lights turn on automatically when someone enters the space. —Modify and widen door widths for better accessibility. —Change to lever door handles and outward-opening doors. —If you live in a multi-level home, you may want to set up a ground-floor master suite.

Flooring

—Eliminate loose rugs. —Use hardwood or vinyl flooring to make maneuvering around easier. Low-cut carpet may also be used. —Eliminate any clutter along paths through the residence to prevent trips or falls.

Bathroom

—Use non-slip tiles on the floor and in the shower. —Install grab bars. Don’t use towel bars because they cannot support your weight. —Change faucets to a single handle. —Tilt or lower the medicine cabinet for

easier access. —Add lights in the shower or tub area. —Make sure the door to the bathroom opens out, not in. If a person falls in the bathroom, an inward-opening door would prevent entry by anyone assisting. “You have many options for showers,” Taylor said. “A walk-in shower with a low, four-foot threshold is less expensive than a roll-in shower or a barrier-free one. You can also add a seat and lower the handles for the shower faucet and/or spray. I recommend shower curtains rather than doors for safety, and add an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor.”

Kitchen

—Upgrade ovens and stoves so controls are in the front. —Modify the heights of counters, dishwasher and microwave for easier access. —Install a single-handle faucet. New ones have touch control. —Change your cabinets to include roll out trays and shelving and pull-out storage. —Replace bulbs with LED lights. “Every kitchen should have a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector,” Taylor added. “New detectors combine smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and have a 10-year battery life. Detectors in your home can be interconnected so if one goes off, they all do.”

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Housing News By Beacon Staff

New community opens soon in Olney, Md. A new retirement community in Olney, Maryland is “getting close” to opening, according to its executive director, Amy Rader. Located on 37 acres near a golf course, Cadence at Olney has 88 independent-living and assisted-living apartments; 41 of those are for residents needing memory care. Independent living apartments come in studio, one- and two-bedrooms with kitchenettes. Three meals a day are included in the cost. Many independent-living apartments are licensed for assisted living, so additional services can be provided as needed. Assisted living also includes three meals a day, plus personalized daily assistance as required. Additional memory care services include music and dancing programs, therapy pets and intergenerational activities. Cadence’s philosophy “is about living your best life,” said Rader, a registered nurse who has worked in senior living for 30 years. “They really believe in resident enrichment and lifelong learning, so everything is designed with that in mind.” Residents can try new foods, attend events, take classes, exercise, and learn to use technology to keep in touch with their families. The community uses a “portal,” accessible via tablet, phone or computer, called Caremerge. Residents’ family members can check in every day and keep track of what classes or events their loved ones attended. “We are fully transparent about what happens in our building on a daily basis,” Rader said. “Has mom or dad attended an event today? [Family members] can message us, and we can message them back. The ability for the families to have this real-time access to what’s going on is very exciting.” Rader invites anyone to drop by for a walk-in tour from Monday through Friday. Scheduled to open this spring, Cadence at Olney is located at 17001 Georgia Avenue in Olney, Md. For more information, visit cadenceSL.com or call (301) 887-7167.

ProMedica receives highest rankings Each year, U.S. News & World Report ranks the nation’s 15,000 nursing homes, providing information about safety, health inspections and level of care. Older adults seeking care can use those rankings to choose a facility that best suits their needs. Forty-two of ProMedica’s skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, including those in Northern Virginia and Maryland, have earned “best nursing home” status

because they achieved a rating of “high performing.” “Our employers are dedicated to helping our patients and residents transition successfully from hospital to home — a critical step in successful recovery,” Angela Brandt, president of ProMedica SeniorCare, said in a statement. “These awards illustrate the core of our mission-based organization, which is to improve the health and well-being of our patients, residents and the community.” A nonprofit health organization, ProMedica offers skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers and memory care communities as well as home health and hospice services through its Senior Care division. ProMedica operates in 28 states under the names Heartland, ManorCare Health Services, ProMedica and Arden Courts. To search for a location by ZIP code, visit promedicaseniorcare.org or call 1800-427-4427.

Homecare agency wins recognition Options for Senior America, a senior inhome care group serving the Greater Washington and Baltimore areas, has been selected as a Best of Senior Living 2022 award winner by A Place for Mom, an online platform and advisory service for senior care in North America.

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The “best of senior living” honor identifies the top in-home care, assisted living and other senior living providers, as determined by the reviews of seniors and their families on the Place for Mom website. Only 14 of the more than 9,500 homecare agencies in the country were selected for the award. For a full list of the winners, visit aplaceformom.com/best-of-senior-living-award.

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April 12+

ABRAHAM LINCOLN SYMPOSIUM

On Tues., April 12 and Wed., April 13 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., the Abraham Lincoln Institute and Ford’s Theatre Society present a free virtual symposium about the life, career and legacy of President Abraham Lincoln. The events can be viewed on the Ford’s Theatre webpage, Facebook Live, YouTube or Twitter. For more information, visit bit.ly/LincolnSymposium22 or call (202) 347-4833.

Your new home is ready: Maplewood Park Place See why we are the area’s premier resident-owned continuing care retirement community. Celebrating 25 years of active retirement living. To learn more about Maplewood Park Place DQG WKH XQLTXH EHQHȴ WV RI UHVLGHQW RZQHUVKLS

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ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE COMMUNITY

A P R I L 2 0 2 2 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

The Seneca 240-614-2800

Falcons Landing 703-293-5054

55 W Gude Drive Rockville, MD 20850 www.senecarockville.com

20522 Falcons Landing Circle Potomac Falls, VA 20165 www.falconslanding.org

The Seneca, part of Silverstone & Watermark’s Élite Collection, is a brand-new assisted living and memory care community now open next to King Farm in Rockville, Maryland. This naturefocused community is redefining assisted living with high-end dining showcasing sustainable seafood and other Marylandinspired cuisine, a wellness-focused lifestyle, forward-thinking technology and attentive personal care. Surrounded by tall, lush trees, The Seneca is a peaceful oasis in an ideal suburban location. Among other world-class amenities, the tranquil Serenity Garden and meditative Labyrinth Walk offer the chance to connect with nature. Each memory care associate is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, trained extensively on caring for and engaging with residents suffering from memory loss.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Common Bonds and Extraordinary Living is what you find when you move to Falcons Landing! Nestled near the Potomac River in scenic Loudoun County, Falcons Landing is a vibrant hub for residents who have retired from work, but not from life! Falcons Landing opened The Terrace Home Apartments, 24 new units that fuse the best aspects of apartment and cottage living. Residents will enjoy generous square footage in private corner units with social spaces to gather with neighbors. The Terrace Homes provide a fresh and exciting new take on senior living and are ideal for those that enjoy natural lighting, open floor plans, indoor/outdoor living and entertaining family and friends.

ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

Chevy Chase House 202-905-0708

Chesterbrook Residences 703-531-0781

5420 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20015 www.chevychasehouse.com

2030 Westmoreland Street Falls Church, VA www.chesterbrookres.org

Springtime is always a time to start anew! Chevy Chase House integrates wellness throughout the resident experience. Enjoy fitness classes and individualized exercise programs in our new state-of-the-art gym led by our full-time exercise physiologist. Beginning in 2022, residents can try out our new class, Vitality by Revolution in Motion. Our program also incorporates balance training; PT, OT, speech therapy; and specialized Parkinson's programs from Fox Rehab. Spend time with friends and family on our enlarged patio! Our spacious apartments start at $4599 for a studio. Call 202-905-0708 to schedule a tour, or stop by to learn more about our community. We look forward to meeting you!

A vibrant lifestyle, compassionate assisted living care, and a great location – it can all be found at Chesterbrook Residences! From entertainment and outings to birthday and holiday celebrations (not to mention the delicious food) there is always something to look forward to. Resident health and well-being are our team’s top priority. Licensed nurses are available around the clock and visiting physicians provide convenient access to quality medical care. We offer all of this and more in the comfort of beautiful one- and two-bedroom apartments tucked away in a quiet, Falls Church neighborhood. Call us today at 703-531-0781 to schedule your personal tour!

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Vinson Hall Retirement Community 571-556-4136

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-637-8928

6251 Old Dominion Drive McLean, VA 22101 www.vinsonhall.org

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org

Welcome to Vinson Hall, a vibrant senior living community located in McLean, Virginia. Here you'll discover a tight-knit community with all the amenities you want alongside a full continuum of care from independent living, assisted living, memory care support, nursing care, rehabilitative care, to respite care. We are now offering rental options for one-bedroom, onebathroom apartments! Instead of paying an entrance fee, renters pay a one-time $10,000 payment and monthly fees to access all VHRC amenities. Our rental plan also includes a $350 per month meal allowance to enjoy delicious meals at our two dining areas. To find out more about our available apartments or learn more about our rental program, call us at 571-556-4136

You’ll feel it as soon as you drive onto our 220-acre campus of lush pastures and hardwood forest—all that makes independent living at Brooke Grove different. Beautiful cottages in a truly picturesque setting. Maintenance-free living, with more time for what you really want to do. Personalized fitness programs, meals prepared by talented chefs, clubs and social events. Neighbors who share your interests and passions. Come for a visit and see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most soughtafter retirement communities in the state. Living here is simply different … because what surrounds you really matters.

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How ‘smart’ devices can make life easier By Jackie Stewart Hank Norsworthy was tired of having to walk down a dark hallway to get to bed. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 40 years ago, he uses a rollator (a walker with wheels) to get around. After several friends adopted smart home technology to automate certain features, he decided to give it a try. He bought an Echo Dot as well as some smart lightbulbs and smart plugs to help automate his lighting. With these adjustments, he can now simply ask Alexa to turn his lights on or off. Norsworthy has been so happy with the results, he’s considering getting a smart lock for his front door and more smart lights for his garage. “This beats the little motiondetector lights I was using before,” said Norsworthy, 77, of Jacksonville, Florida. More older adults are discovering and adopting easy-to-use, voice-activated smart home technology because it relies on something all of them know how to do: speak. The percentage of adults 50 years and older that own smart home technology nearly doubled in just a year, from 10% in 2019 to 19% in 2020, according to AARP’s report “2021 Tech Trends and the 50+.”

Choosing a system

Using the system may be easy, but the

real challenge is choosing which one you want. There are three main brands: Amazon’s Alexa Smart Home, Google’s Nest and Apple’s HomeKit. Because the technology isn’t always interchangeable across platforms, consumers can get locked into buying only one company’s products and accessories. So, think about which smart home features you want and why before investing in a system. Each company offers smart speakers — such as Echo for Amazon, Google’s Nest Audio and HomePod mini for Apple — that let you ask questions to a virtual assistant or give it voice commands. To do this, you start the question with what’s called a “wake word.” For example, for an Amazon device, you could say, “Alexa, what’s the temperature outside?” For Google Assistant, you would say, “Hey Google, what’s today’s date?” The wake phrase for Apple is “Hey Siri.” Other smart home products include thermostats, doorbells, lights and locks. Each product comes with its own app that you can control through your smartphone. You can also control these products through the smart speaker. Although using voice commands to control smart home technology is not required, many older adults find that feature

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helpful if they have shaky hands or declining vision, which can make a smartphone app harder to use, says Richard Caro, cofounder of Tech-enhanced Life, which looks at how aging intersects with technology, including smart home products for seniors. “They like it partly because it’s a different way to interact with things,” Caro says. Not every smart doorbell or light will work with each ecosystem. Typically, a product will work with Amazon’s and Google’s technology but not necessarily Apple’s. If you already own one piece of smart technology, it’s best to stick with that brand.

A variety of products

Many smart home products have potential to help older adults age in place. For instance, Amazon last year launched its Care Hub, a free service “designed to help aging customers maintain independence and provide assurance and peace of mind to their family members,” said Nicolas Maynard, senior manager for Alexa for Everyone at Amazon. By connecting their Alexa accounts, a caregiver can check in on a family member remotely. One feature even includes an alert if the other person’s Alexa has not been used by a certain time. (Google and Apple did not respond to a request for comment for this story.) Experts recommend smart lighting for older adults because turning lights on and off with your voice or an app can help prevent falls. Philips produces a line of smart lightbulbs, whether it’s a single white bulb or a pack of three that change color. You can also buy smart plugs that work with almost anything, such as lamps or coffeemakers, and that let you control the ap-

pliance with your voice through a smart speaker. Because they’re fairly inexpensive and easy to use, smart plugs are a good way for a beginner to try out smart home technology without making a significant investment. Experts also like video doorbells, particularly for seniors. These doorbells allow the homeowner to see and speak with a visitor at the door without having to walk over and open it. Amazon dominates the market with Ring, a brand that has captured about 40% of the video doorbell market, according to research from Strategy Analytics. Google accounts for only about a quarter of that same market.

Tutorials, classes can help

Most of these products are fairly easy to install, experts say. There are also plenty of video tutorials online about setting up a smart speaker. Amazon has gone a step further with its “Certified for Humans” stamp of approval on any products it considers easy to set up, though you can always hire someone to do it for you. Local libraries, senior centers and organizations such as Senior Planet often offer technology courses. GetSetUp.io provides classes on a range of topics, including one on the basics of smart home technology and several on using Alexa. Norsworthy, who worked in IT before retiring, says taking a class about Alexa through GetSetUp “supplied the last bit of knowledge” he needed before buying his Echo. His advice to fellow retirees: “Just go for it.” © The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Your vacation home needs an estate plan By Tracy Craig and Emily Parker Beekman Do you have a treasured second home, summer property or another vacation residence that your family enjoys? Have you thought about what happens to this beloved property when you die? If you do not plan appropriately and thoughtfully, problems may arise when you are gone. In fact, problems are almost unavoidable when emotional attachment mixes with family relationships. Planning can help avoid expensive and stressful issues. Talking to your spouse and children is a good initial step to help determine interest in retaining the property for the next generation and financial ability to maintain it. Here are three ways you can plan for your vacation home:

Leave a home to children

An outright transfer of the home via a deed to children is the simplest structure for giving away a vacation home. However, if your children all own the property equally, they all have equal say regarding the use and management of the property. All decisions require unanimous agreement, which can prove challenging and be ripe for disagreement. The children could choose to create a Use and Maintenance Agreement, for instance, to determine the terms and rules

for the property usage. Again, this contract would require all children to agree. In addition, when each child has their own individual interest in the property, each child can bequeath it however they choose at death (or even give it away during life), which can further divide property interests and quickly become messy. An unhappy child could force a sale of the entire property by seeking to partition the property in court, resulting in expensive and divisive litigation.

Form an LLC

A limited-liability company, or LLC, is a tool often used by families where each family member has a certain amount of membership interests in a home, or to give away a home in a controlled manner. The LLC operating agreement lays out rules for governing the use and management of the property. In addition, the LLC can be modified over time, should circumstances change. The initial owner of the property can put the home in the LLC. Then the owner can give away interests in the LLC all at once or over a period of years (using the annual exclusion amount, currently $16,000 per recipient). The LLC operating agreement can also outline restrictions on transferability, to make sure unapproved persons

do not end up as owners. Finally, the LLC is a great option for a rental property. A properly used LLC can help limit liability. Profits could offset expenses and could be used to help maintain the property in the long term.

Put the home in a trust

Trusts are another vehicle to help with the ownership and transfer of vacation homes. Different trust structures exist for this purpose, including: Irrevocable Trust: Property can be transferred into an irrevocable trust created for this purpose. This type of trust would be used to give away the property during your life. Your children could be the beneficiaries of the trust. And the terms of the trust would describe the use and management of the vacation home. This option also can provide creditor protection for the children. Revocable Trust: A revocable trust can be created to give away the property at your death. The trust can carve out what is known as a subtrust (or specific section of the trust) to manage the vacation home after you are gone.

The subtrust would contain terms to manage the property, including laying out rules regarding when and who decides if and when the property should be sold. A sum of money should be added to the subtrust to help pay for the house for a period of time. Qualified Personal Residence Trust: This is an option for parents to gift the vacation home for a reduced value, while at the same time allowing the parents to use the property for a term of years. After that period, the home is either left outright to the kids or is held in trust for the next generation. Planning for your family’s vacation property is important to help avoid litigation and maintain family harmony. Addressing how the property will be paid for, and setting aside money for it, as well as selecting the right structure for your family to use and enjoy the property will help avoid problems down the road. An experienced estate planner can help you explore your options and determine what works best for you and your family. © 2022 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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HOME SALES COUNSELOR

VJ Derbarghamian of Compass Real Estate 240-630-1019 12435 Park Potomac Ave. R1 Potomac, MD 20854 vj.d@compass.com Compass: A real estate company with a purpose. Our mission is to help everyone find their place in the world, and that is why we are now the #1 brokerage in the US. We are solutions driven, with programs like bridge loans, Compass Concierge for zero cost renovations, and more. As a REALTOR® with Compass, VJ Derbarghamian is considered an expert in the DC metro area's real estate community. In addition to sales achievements, VJ has earned the SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) designation by demonstrating the necessary knowledge and expertise to counsel clients age 50+ through major financial and lifestyle transitions in relocating, refinancing, and home sales.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Ashby Ponds 877-664-5445 21170 Ashby Ponds Boulevard Ashburn, VA 20147 AshbyPonds.com Ashby Ponds Offers Peace of Mind in All Seasons Winter is the perfect time of year to appreciate the value of a senior living community like Ashby Ponds in Loudoun County. Storms, sleet, and rain won’t put a damper on your day. Glassenclosed walkways connect you to campus amenities like the pool, fitness center, restaurants, and on-site medical center. A streamlined Monthly Service Package includes most utilities and day-to-day expenses, plus maintenance in and around your apartment home. No matter the temperature, your costs remain the same all year long. Ashby Ponds is part of a network of communities managed by Erickson Senior LivingSM, a nationally recognized leader among continuing care retirement community providers. Learn more today! Call 877-664-5445 for your FREE brochure.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Maplewood Park Place (301) 571-7444 9707 Old Georgetown Road Bethesda, MD 20814 https://maplewoodparkplaceinfo.com Discover the best of all worlds at Maplewood Park Place, the area's premier resident-owned retirement community, with continuing care — all “under one roof.” We've redefined retirement living for active adults 62-plus. Enjoy a warm and charming community you'll be happy to call home. Take part in a broad array of social, cultural, educational, spiritual, and recreational events each month. Delight in five-star dining, beautiful amenities, outstanding services, and attentive staff. Have peace of mind knowing a full range of health care options are available, when and if you need them. Come see for yourself why Maplewood has been the right choice for so many!

A P R I L 2 0 2 2 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

After a fire, how to deal with insurance By H. Dennis Beaver Two of my readers, “Anna” and “Danny,” woke up early one morning when their carbon monoxide (CO) detector went off, notifying them of a fire. “It was a smoldering ceiling fire in our attic with little smoke, but which created carbon monoxide. Our CO detector woke us from a deep sleep, giving us time to call 911. Only a small bathroom and laundry area off of the kitchen were damaged,” Danny said. “We would appreciate any guidance you can offer so we don’t do the wrong things with our insurance claim.”

Fire? Here’s what NOT to do

I ran Danny’s question by Los Angelesbased retired homeowners claims adjuster Rachel Greenberg and Karl Susman, an insurance broker and expert witness in insurance coverage issues. Here’s their advice. Rachel: Don’t delay in calling 911 when you smell smoke or suspect there is a fire. Consequences: If you don’t call 911, this raises suspicion of arson. Karl: In addition to phoning 911, immediately report the claim to your insurance carrier. Delay in both instances makes the entire claim suspect and may affect payment, even if legitimate. Rachel: Don’t fail to promptly begin making an inventory of what was destroyed or damaged. And don’t be a hero and start do-it-yourself repairs. Consequences: Homeowners policies generally provide replacement coverage, but you’ve got to know what was lost. Unless you have date-stamped photos — showing the structure and contents of closets and drawers — the further away from the incident, your memory will suffer and you will not be paid for what you can’t prove was in your home. Karl: By starting to fix things yourself, you might not realize that the damage is far more extensive. If you do it on your own without approval of the claims representative, chances are that you may not be properly reimbursed.

Giant red flags to avoid

Rachel: Having a bad attitude towards the claims adjusters. Consequences: They might drag their feet instead of moving things along quicker. This is a time to be patient and cooperative. Their job is to help you. They aren’t your enemy! Being a jerk or overly anxious or pushy will slow thing down. If you insist that you need that money and you need it NOW, adjusters may think, “Someone is in a lot of debt and sees the insurance claim as a quick way to get some cash to pay it off.” Karl: How you react at the scene is important. Carriers receive copies of first re-

sponders’ reports. All of that information is passed on to the adjuster. If a homeowner is pushy, this will make the adjuster suspicious — and a credit check will be done. They are trained to sniff out fraud, especially people inflating what was lost. Don’t do it. Don’t pad the list of items destroyed. If caught, in some states, the insurance company can deny the entire claim. Rachel: Abusing the “Temporary Living Expenses” section of your insurance policy by checking into the presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton and having room service bring caviar each day. Consequences: “Can I stay wherever I want?” is a frequently asked question. You should stay somewhere similar to where you were living before. This does not mean a million-dollar mansion at Malibu, unless that’s where you were living before. Approval from your adjuster — before renting an apartment or checking into a very expensive hotel — is required, or you could face a denial of payments under that section of your policy. Often insurance companies have pre-negotiated room rates with very nice properties, so it is always important to give your adjuster a chance to find lodgings for you. Karl: You will not be rewarded for extravagant expenses. If you did not order the most expensive item on the menu every day before the fire, you are not going to be reimbursed for doing so after it. “Is this how you and your family normally eat?” an adjuster will ask if presented with a mind-numbing bill from a fancy restaurant. Thinking: “I have been paying my premiums for 20 years and you guys owe this to me! Now is my chance to get my money’s worth” is not the way insurance works. Use common sense before a fire or other loss: Document your valuables. With expensive items of jewelry, clothing, anything of unusual value, let your agent know about it, and obtain an appraisal and possibly a rider for it. In conclusion, both Rachel and Karl stressed this final point: “Don’t embellish, lie, rush, assume or guess. Do not create an adversarial relationship with your adjuster. They are not your enemy!” Remember, the proper smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can mean the difference between having a home to live in after a fire — or even having a life to live at all. California attorney Dennis Beaver welcomes comments and questions; email Lagombeaver1@gmail.com or visit dennisbeaver.com. © 2022 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A P R I L 2 0 2 2

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Sources that cover long-term care costs By Harry S. Margolis This story was originally published on Nextavenue.org. The state of Washington is taking steps to fill a huge gap in our country’s patchwork long-term care system. Beginning this year, workers in that state must pay 58 cents of every $100 they earn into a fund to help pay their long-term care costs in the future. In 2025, those Washington state residents who have paid in for at least three out of the prior six years, or for 10 years total, will be able to withdraw up to $36,500 to pay for their costs of home care, assisted living or nursing home care. California has enacted a law to bring the eligibility threshold for Medicaid, the main payer for long-term care services, from $2,000 to $130,000 in total assets beginning July 1, and to totally eliminate it by the end of 2023. New York State is considering similar legislation. These initiatives begin to solve the longterm care financing challenges facing older Americans, which will multiply in coming decades as the large boomer generation starts needing such care.

Growing need for assistance

Anyone may need assistance as they age, whether due to dementia, illness, loss

of eyesight or simple frailty. You may simply need help with meals and paying bills, or total care for a few months at the end of life, or you may need total care for many years. The unpredictability of one’s future needs makes it difficult to plan ahead. The difficulty of planning is further exacerbated by our disjointed systems for providing care and paying for it. For most families facing a long-term care need, it’s “catch as catch can,” as they patch together care when a family member becomes ill, frail or develops dementia. The beauty and the challenge of the American free enterprise system is that in the absence of a coherent strategy for providing care from either the federal or state governments, a huge number of for-profit and nonprofit agencies and businesses have developed to provide home care, assisted living and nursing home care. Unfortunately, few retirees have sufficient financial resources to pay out-ofpocket costs for their care for very long. According to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, more than half of today’s 65-year-olds will require a medium to high level of assistance for more than a year. Almost two-thirds of that care will be provided by family members — mostly

children and spouses — at no cost, but more than a third will be provided by paid caregivers. That care may cost as little as $1,000 a month to hire caregivers to supplement assistance provided by family members, or as high as $20,000 a month for nursing home or around-the-clock home care. Few older adults have sufficient income or savings to pay for such care out-of-pocket. The Center for Retirement Research study estimates that middle-income seniors can pay for around-the-clock care for about three months, on average. As we have a patchwork system for providing care, we also have a patchwork system of paying for it. In addition to savings, older adults seeking care can dip into equi-

ty in their homes or rely on Medicaid or, in some cases, Veterans Administration benefits. According to the Congressional Research Service, 43% of long-term care services are paid for by the Medicaid program, 20% by Medicare, 15% out-of-pocket, and 9% by private insurance. (The balance comes from a mix of private and public sources that includes charitable payments and VA benefits.)

Medicare coverage

The large role of Medicare — the federal health insurance program for people age 65 and above as well as certain younger See LONG-TERM CARE, page B-16

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CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Greenspring Retirement Community 877-589-9570 7410 Spring Village Drive, Springﬁeld, VA 22150 GreenspringCommunity.com Stay Active in Winter and Beyond Greenspring is the premier senior living community in Fairfax County. Here, you’ll enjoy the independent life you’re used to, plus a host of amenities, services, and on-site care available to you no matter the weather. When you live in a house, you live with the uncertainty of power outages, high energy costs, and weatherrelated repairs. But at Greenspring, your costs remain the same all year long, thanks to a predictable Monthly Service Package. You and your loved ones will enjoy peace of mind knowing that Greenspring is part of a network of communities managed by Erickson Senior LivingSM, a nationally recognized leader among continuing care retirement community providers. Learn more today! Call 1-877-589-9570 for your FREE brochure.

ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-637-8928 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org This community hums with warm-hearted camaraderie and a zest for life shared by residents and staff alike. Experience all that makes assisted living at Brooke Grove extraordinary. Cozy, homelike dwellings with easy access to beautiful courtyards and walking paths. Caring staff trained in using memory support techniques, building independence and lifting self-esteem. Innovative LIFE® Enrichment Programming with meaningful activities and off-site adventures. Visit us to see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after continuing care retirement communities in the state. Living here is simply different … because what surrounds you really matters.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Covenant Village Senior Apartments 301-540-1162 18889 Waring Station Road Germantown, MD 20874 www.qpmgmt.com • Spacious 1 and 2 bedroom plans with washer/dryer in each apt. • Shuttle bus for shopping and local trips • On-site fitness, game, and craft rooms, movie theatre, library, beauty salon, and courtyard garden plots. It's about our residents, said Management staff, Debra and Janiece. They always ensure that they have interesting and exciting things going on. Some of the fun includes: Garden Party Cookouts, Trips to Washington, DC to see the Cherry Blossoms, the Franciscan Monastery, and the National Zoo, Black Hills Pontoon Boat Ride, Low-Impact Fitness Classes, Resident Birthday Celebrations, Craft Classes and Potlucks. Also, many guest speakers are invited to speak to our residents on topics that are relevant to them.

A P R I L 2 0 2 2 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Long-term care From page B-15

disabled individuals — in covering these costs is largely misleading because Medicare only covers so-called “skilled” needs following a hospitalization. Medicare pays for up to 100 days of care in a skilled nursing facility following a hospitalization, and longer term for home health services. But the home health coverage is never comprehensive.

Medicaid coverage

The result is that older adults often rely on their own funds until they run out and qualify for Medicaid coverage. The rules for Medicaid coverage are complicated, but in general individuals must spend down to just $2,000 in savings and investments; married couples down to $132,380 plus their home. While Medicaid’s coverage of nursing home care is comprehensive, its payment for home care and assisted living facility fees is only partial and differs both from state to state and sometimes from region to region. [Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia all offer some Medicaid waiver help, but it differs by jurisdiction.] While some may be able to leverage Medicaid to help pay home and assisted living care, they must also rely on their own savings.

Out-of-pocket costs

The low percentage of long-term care costs paid for out-of-pocket is surprising given the vast growth of both assisted living and private home care agencies over the last several decades. But it reflects the fact that most older adults have limited resources to pay for anything beyond their basic living expenses. When the need for care arises, they must rely on family members or public programs, usually Medicaid. Often families must repeatedly create new systems of care and funding as needs and resources change. That said, many do own homes and can dip into the equity to help pay for care, whether through traditional home equity loans or reverse mortgages. Family members also sometimes extend funds which can be repaid through private mortgages. But many older adults are reluctant to tap into their home equity both because it undermines their sense of security, and because they hope to pass something on to their children and grandchildren. Medicaid does not require the sale of homes before granting eligibility, but it does make a claim against homes for reimbursement when the home is sold or the

beneficiary passes away. Older adults often take steps to avoid such claims through advance planning, sometimes putting their homes into irrevocable trusts or life estates.

Medigap and LTC insurance

A large part of insurance coverage for long-term care consists of Medicare supplemental insurance [known as medigap] for skilled nursing facility copayments. While Medicare will pay for up to 100 days of skilled care following a hospitalization, it actually pays entirely for only the first 20 days. For days 21 through 100, there’s a $194.50 copayment (in 2022) which for most patients is paid by their medigap insurance. The result is that long-term care insurance policies pay for a very small share of long-term care costs [overall]. For those who have such coverage, it can be a godsend. But due to its high cost, often those who have it also have resources to pay for their care out-of-pocket, at least for some period of time.

Veterans’ benefits

More and more veterans are taking advantage of a Veterans Administration benefit known as Aid & Assistance, which will provide veterans who qualify financially with up to $2,431 a month (in 2022) to help pay for their care. This often can be vital to allowing them to stay either at home or in assisted living. However, as the program has grown in popularity, there have been more delays in getting applications approved. [In practice, these delays and wait lists prevent many from actually obtaining the benefit.]

Planning for the future

The wide variety of benefits that are available and useful depending on one’s needs and location make planning ahead difficult. Often families must repeatedly create new systems of care and funding as needs and resources change. A program such as the one starting in Washington state would go a long way towards filling in the gaps if it were national in scope, as would simplifying the complicated Medicaid eligibility rules as California is doing. For more information, visit medicare.gov/ coverage/long-term-care. For questions about your claims or other Medicare information, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). This article was reprinted with permission of Nextavenue.org. Harry S. Margolis practices estate, special needs and elder law planning in Boston, answers consumer estate planning questions at Ask Harry, and is author of Get Your Ducks in a Row: The Baby Boomers Guide to Estate Planning.

BEACON BITS

April 13

INNOVATIVE LIVES

Warren Shadd, the first African American piano manufacturer, talks about his work, including his augmentations for the SHADD piano to assist those with neurodevelopmental disabilities. This free event takes place virtually Wed., April 13 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. For more information and to reserve your spot, visit bit.ly/InnovativeLives22.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A P R I L 2 0 2 2

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Some countries where it’s easy to retire

#5 Portugal

Portugal’s low cost of living, high quality of life, reliable infrastructure, varied climate, world-class healthcare, and high degree of safety are attracting foreigners to this tiny country in increasing numbers. In addition to historic towns, picturesque landscapes, medieval villages and pristine beaches, Portugal has an abundance of Old World charm, complete with plenty of North American comforts. “Fitting in here has been far easier than many other countries we have lived in or visited,” said Terry Coles, IL Portugal correspondent. “The people are warm and wonderful, always willing to lend a hand or offer fresh vegetables and fruits from their garden. It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak Portuguese or they don’t speak English because communication happens using smiles, hand gestures, hugs and kisses.”

As an example of how welcoming Portugal is to foreigners, the government offers free language lessons at all levels, from beginner to fluent, held at local schools.

#4 Panama

Panama is incredibly international, home to communities from the U.S. and Canada, as well as many other countries. And that’s been the case for more than 100 years. The U.S. had a large military presence in Panama from the early 1900s until 1999, when the last military bases — and the Panama Canal — reverted to Panamanian administration. Rather than return to the States, many Americans chose to stay here. In the years that followed, Panama’s fame as a retirement destination grew. Panama City resident Jessica Ramesch, IL Panama editor, recently moved to Coronado, about two hours away. “I waved [to passersby], as is the custom in Coronado, and everyone cheerfully waved back. Were they expats or locals? Who knows? No matter. The one thing I do know is that I’m going to fit in just fine.”

#3 Malta

Malta, well known for a warm and sunny climate, peaceful lifestyle, and rich cultural offerings, takes the third spot. For a country about the size of Memphis, there’s quite the smorgasbord of things to do and restaurants to try. And for a city this size, it hosts a surprising number of museums dedicated to art, war, archaeology, the Knights of Malta, postal issues (actually really interesting), even the sieges that defined this island’s long history. Fitting in here — an English-speaking country where expats comprise 20% of the See LIVE OVERSEAS, page B-18

PHOTO © BRASILNUT | DREAMSTIME.COM

By InternationalLiving.com While a huge part of the adventure and challenge of moving abroad involves becoming immersed in a new culture, exploring the unknown and navigating a new language, having access to home comforts and people who speak English can help transform an overseas destination into a forever home. Things like the friendliness of the locals, the size of the expat community, activities on offer, and how easy it is to make friends all work to create a safe, welcoming environment. For International Living’s 2022 Retirement Index, we’ve looked at the countries where it is easiest to fit in — locations where you can have your adventure and be a part of a community at the same time. The winners of this year’s “Fitting in and Entertainment” category are:

Diners meet on a terrace in the Old Village in Algarve, Portugal. Americans who retire to Portugal say it’s easy to fit into the friendly, beautiful country.

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From page B-17

population of 500,000 — is easy. “No matter where you happen to be in the country, one thing is certain: You’re going to fit in,” said Jeff Opdyke, editor of IL’s Global Intelligence Letter. “And in short order you will quickly slip into the Maltese vibe. Just show up, maybe learn how to say ‘welcome’ in Maltese (merhba), and you’re well on your way to settling into a Maltese life,” he said.

#2 Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the most popular retirement havens in Central America and consistently ranks highly in terms of ease of fitting in. North American and European expats have been flocking here for more than 30 years. According to the U.S. State Department, there are more than 70,000 U.S. citizens residing in Costa Rica. But it’s not just other expats who will be great resources. Costa Ricans, or ticos, are known for their warm and welcoming personalities: part of the pura vida culture. “Having Costa Rican friends greatly enhances your expat experience,” said Kathleen Evans, IL Costa Rica contributor. “Don’t be surprised when your new neighbors invite you to their child’s birthday party or when they surround your car when it breaks down in order to help you fix

it. They are simply lovely people that way.” In addition, if you shop at local stores and markets, vendors and owners will make time to chat with you. Every sizable town hosts a weekly feria, or farmers market. “It is as much a social event as a shopping trip,” Evans said.

#1 Mexico

It’s no surprise that Mexico is a perennial winner in the “Fitting in and Entertainment” category, scoring an impressive 94 points this year. Every year, millions of Americans and Canadians travel to Mexico’s buzzing metropolises, fun beach resorts, picturesque natural areas, and charming colonial cities, among other destinations. And within a country three times the size of Texas, there are a lot to choose from. Mexico, said Jason Holland, IL roving Latin America editor, is “cheap and easy to get to…and makes for a fun and affordable vacation.” The Mexican people are used to foreigners. They know U.S. culture. Many vacation and expat destinations are “set up” for foreign residents and expats. In general, Mexicans are also very warm, friendly and welcoming people. “Many Mexicans speak English; signs and menus are in English; many restaurants cater to the American palate (although you’re never far from delicious authentic

PHOTO © WOLLERTZ | DREAMSTIME.COM

Live overseas

A P R I L 2 0 2 2 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

An expat in Costa Rica, one of about 70,000 U.S. citizens living there, shows off her pet macaw.

Mexican food, of course),” Holland said. “There are rental and real estate agencies catering to expats as well as relocation services that will help you set up a bank account, find a specialist doctor (who will most likely speak English too), secure residence, and buy a car,” Holland said. “All that makes it easy for newcomers to get comfortable in their new home.” More than a million full-time and parttime American expats live in Mexico, along with about a half-million Canadians. “You’re sure to find some folks you gel with. There is no shortage of activities to take part in: book clubs, card games, sports like tennis, golf and pickleball, hiking, mountain biking, volunteer work,” he said.

“Most expats find they’re busier than ever — and have more friends and social activities than ever — when they move to Mexico.” More information on the easiest categories to fit in from the International Living 2022 Global Retirement Index can be found at bit.ly/5easycountries. Through its monthly magazine and related e-letters, extensive website, podcasts, online bookstore, and events held around the world, InternationalLiving.com provides information and services to help its readers live better, travel farther, have more fun, save more money, and find better business opportunities when they expand their world beyond their own shores.

Live the life you deserve You worked hard to retire, so why keep working now? Enjoy maintenance-free luxury retirement at Acclaim at Belmont Bay, a senior living retirement community for ages 62 and up! We have a variety of spacious apartments to choose from and amenities galore, including an in-house restaurant, a heated saltwater pool, fully equipped gym and more! Plus, there’s no buy-in, and all utilities are included. There’s something for everyone to enjoy at Acclaim at Belmont Bay.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A P R I L 2 0 2 2

REHABILITATION

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

55+ • INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-637-8928

The Sky Bridge at Town Center (240) 545-8080

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org Imagine an extraordinary staff and the best therapies and equipment—in a beautiful environment that rejuvenates and restores. Physical therapy spaces bathed in sunlight. The quiet comfort of a garden walk or relaxing massage. Imagine getting back to the activities that matter to you. Our new, state-of-the-art rehab addition at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center offers innovative therapy services for seniors, including NeuroGym® Technologies mobility training, the Korebalance system and much more. Visit us to see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after continuing-care retirement communities in the state. Rehab here is simply different… because what surrounds you really matters

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INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Emerson House 301-779-6196 5999 Emerson Street Bladensburg, MD 20710 Our community features bright onebedroom apartments in a nine-story elevator building for today’s active and independent seniors who are 62 or older. Emerson House is subsidized for low- to moderate-income households. Activities are yours to choose from: gardening, Bingo, Wii bowling league, movie night, parties, bus trips, exercise classes, learning to line dance — it’s all waiting for you and more! Emerson House offers an in-house Resident Service Coordinator to assist with finding helpful resources. Please call today for an appointment to tour our community or request an application; 301-779-6196 Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 5:00.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Riderwood Retirement Community 877-742-4390 3140 Graceﬁeld Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 Riderwood.com What Will You Gain When You Live at Riderwood? Freedom and peace of mind in all seasons. There’s a myth that moving to a senior living community means giving up your independence. But at Riderwood in Silver Spring, you have so much to gain and nothing to give up—except your everyday worries. Bad weather won’t disrupt your plans for the day. Benefits like a pool, fitness center, and restaurants are just steps from your door through climate-controlled walkways. No matter what the forecast holds, the full-time team is here to support you. You can feel confident in the strength of Riderwood, which is managed by Erickson Senior LivingSM, a nationally recognized leader among continuing care retirement community providers. Learn more today! Call 1-877-742-4390 or visit Riderwood.com for your FREE brochure.

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Retirement Living, Redefined. The Sky Bridge at Town Center brings two distinct senior living neighborhoods with unparalleled amenities to Upper Marlboro in Prince George's County: The Arch, with stunning residences for active 55+ adults, and The Parc, which offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. Floor plans are spacious and maintenance-free with elegant, upscale design and easy access to dining, shopping, and entertainment with Washington, D.C. less than five miles away. Stylish, modern, and dynamic, The Sky Bridge at Town Center gives residents the freedom to pursue an engaging lifestyle with resort-style services, five chic dining venues, holistic wellness offerings, lively social events, and more.

INDEPENDENT & PERSONAL CARE COMMUNITIES

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A P R I L 2 0 2 2

Makes a great gift!

Money

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Furry friends can be expensive. See article on page 22.

TIPS for investing in a time of inflation Many investors are looking for conserva- tween prices and interest rates. That is, when interest rates go up, the tive investments that will proprices of bonds, and bond tect them against inflation. funds and ETFs, go down. The recent fall in the stock [See more at “Some bond altermarket has many investors on natives to consider now,” on edge, so they are looking for page 23.] safe investments that will provide some protection of their asset base. Be careful where you buy There are a few investNote that there is a distincments that investors expect tion between buying TIPS diwill provide them some prorectly from the Treasury at tection, namely Series I sav- THE SAVINGS TreasuryDirect.gov and buyings bonds [see “A good time GAME ing TIPS in the form of shares for inflation-protected bonds” By Elliot Raphaelson from mutual funds or ETFs. in the February Beacon], and You can purchase TIPS from the Treasmutual funds and exchange-traded funds that invest in Treasury Inflation Protection ury for terms of 5, 10 or 30 years. You may hold them to maturity or sell them before Securities (TIPS). Series I bonds and TIPS are designed to maturity. Your principal will increase in protect investors against increases in infla- value based on the CPI. At maturity, you are tion because their returns are linked to the paid either the adjusted principal or the original price, whichever is higher. consumer price Index (CPI). Interest is earned twice a year at a fixed Unfortunately, some investors in TIPS via mutual funds and ETFs have found the rate which is applied to the adjusted princivalue of their underlying shares recently pal. So, if your principal increases because dropped significantly in value as interest of an increase in the CPI, the interest earned would also increase. rates have risen. However, the interest is taxable in the That’s because, in general, for bond funds there is an inverse relationship be- year earned — even though you won’t re-

ceive the interest until maturity if you purchase the TIPS directly from the Treasury. You could also purchase TIPS mutual funds and ETFs from a financial institution, but they would not have fixed 5, 10 and 30-year terms. [Instead, the fund’s return would reflect a mix of the maturities of the TIPS it purchases.] The advantage is that you would actually receive the interest paid semi-annually. However, there is a major disadvantage: You no longer have the protection of principal you get when you purchase TIPS directly from the Treasury and redeem them at maturity. When you purchase shares in the form of mutual funds and ETFs, there is no maturity date. Your shares will fluctuate in value, and when interest rates increase your shares will likely fall in value.

Recent investors got burned

This has already happened this year, and I have received mail from investors complaining about the recent fall in prices. Many of them were under the false impression that, because TIPS returns are based on the CPI, their principal would also be protected and they would be receiving a positive return.

That has not been the case for shortterm investments in TIPS mutual funds and ETFs in 2022, so these investors are facing unanticipated losses. The bottom line is that investors in TIPS who want to be sure their principal is protected should ONLY purchase TIPS directly from TreasuryDirect.gov and should hold them to maturity. For example, the total return of 10-year TIPS in 2021 was 5.5%. Most investment advisers expect the Federal Reserve to continue increasing short-term interest rates in 2022. So it is expected that investors in TIPS funds and ETFs will likely see a negative return on these investments. If you had invested in these funds in prior years, you would have received good results for three and five prior years, and modest positive returns for the past year. But recent investors in these vehicles are now seeing negative returns. Year-to-date returns for many of these has been -3%. Contact TresuryDirect.gov for more information about these investments. Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2022 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Con artists target people who owe taxes By Rivan V. Stinson With tax season under way, the IRS is once again warning taxpayers to be wary of “Offer in Compromise” scams. These promotions claim that they can help taxpayers pay back taxes for just “pennies on the dollar.” But victims often end up paying the promoters thousands of dollars in fees and still end up owing money to the IRS. While the IRS’s Offer in Compromise (OIC) program allows taxpayers to request a reduction in unpaid taxes, the guidelines are strict and only a small percentage of applications are approved. To be eligible for the program, you must be up-to-date on your tax returns and have received at least one bill from the IRS. You’ll be required to provide supporting documents, including a breakdown of your expenses.

The IRS will then review your income and the assets you own, such as equity in your home, to determine whether you’re eligible to have some of your tax debts forgiven. If it determines that you can afford to repay your taxes in full through an installment program, it will likely reject your offer. You can find out if you pre-qualify for the OIC program by going to irs.treasury.gov/ oic_pre_qualifier. The IRS charges a $250 application fee, but waives it for low-income taxpayers.

Bank officer impersonators

Consumers also need to be on the lookout for con artists who claim to be fraud officers from their bank. Here’s how it works: You receive a fraud alert via text or email asking you to verify a purchase you didn’t

make. Respond “no,” and you’ll receive a phone call from a fraud impersonator requesting personal information, such as your username and password, in order to “catch” the scammer. The imposter then uses that information to drain your account. Never give out sensitive information over the phone or send money to people you don’t know.

If you’re not sure whether a call is legitimate, hang up and contact your bank directly. While your bank may ask you to verify your identity or account information, this usually happens when you initiate the call. © 2022 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

April 8+

AVOIDING SCAMS

Montgomery County State’s Attorney, John McCarthy, is partnering with the Office of Consumer Protection to protect older adults from financial crimes. Tune in to a virtual lecture or attend an in-person talk on Fri., April 8 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Rockville Senior Center. In-person talks will also take place Mon., April 25 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Holiday Park Senior Center, and Fri., April 29 from 12 to 1 p.m. at Asbury Methodist Village. To register for the virtual event, visit bit.ly/MCScams. For more information about the inperson events, call (240) 777-0311.

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A P R I L 2 0 2 2 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Retirement can entail mental health risks By Liz Weston Pamela Hixon of Leipsic, Ohio, was eager to retire from her job running a hospice agency. Soon after she quit, however, Hixon spiraled into depression and anxiety. “She lost purpose, she lost significance, she lost a sense of meaning in her life,” said her son Tony Hixon, an Ohio-based wealth manager who wrote about the experience in a book, Retirement Stepping Stones: Find Meaning, Live with Purpose, and Leave a Legacy. Overall, retirees are a contented bunch; many report being happier in retirement than they were at the end of their careers. In fact, older adults are less likely than younger people to experience major depression, according to Brent Forester, president of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. Nonetheless, retirement often involves significant losses — of identity, purpose, structure and social contacts — that can

trigger depression and other psychiatric illnesses, Forester said. “Getting depressed is not a normal part of aging,” he added. “But one of the risk factors [for depression] is loss, and the loss of one’s professional identity, the loss of one’s job, is a big one.” Often, people are too busy working and raising families to develop interests that might offer structure and purpose in retirement, Forester said. Their social networks can disappear if they primarily made friends through work, or they move to a new community after retirement. (Social isolation is another big risk factor for depression and many other health problems.) Substance abuse can cause problems for retirees, as well. Some people may use their unstructured time to drink more or use drugs more often, and aging brains are much more sensitive to the adverse effects of these substances.

Retired people also have time to think about bigger questions of purpose and meaning, according to Tony Hixon. “The age-old question of ‘Why am I here?’ can get crowded out by being busy,” Hixon said. “Upon retirement, you do have time, and that question can sometimes plague a person.”

How to ease the transition

People may be so desperate to get away from workplace stressors — a bad boss, a too-heavy workload, a rigid schedule — that they don’t fully consider the benefits they get from working. Or they may be accustomed to viewing retirement as the finish line, and don’t think deeply about what their day-to-day lives might look like without work. “Retirement is a transition, not a destination,” said Boston psychologist and retirement coach Dorian Mintzer. “It’s very helpful to think about ‘what are you retiring to?’” Consider how you’ll spend your days and what might offer “a sense of connection, engagement, purpose and meaning,” said Mintzer, co-author of The Couple’s Retirement Puzzle: 10 Must-Have Conversations for Creating an Amazing New Life Together. That might include hobbies, volunteering or time with family, for example. Figure out what gives you joy as well as what new things you’d like to do or learn next. “What are some of the things you had to put on the back burner when you were younger?” Mintzer asked. Part-time work is another option, she said. Reducing the hours you work can help alleviate burnout while allowing you more free time. Talking with a therapist, coach or sympathetic friend may ease the transition as well. “Get support from people. Don’t be

afraid to ask for help,” Mintzer said.

Where to find help

Of course, many people are pushed into retirement earlier than they planned because of job loss, poor health or unexpected events, such as the current pandemic. People who retire involuntarily are often less satisfied with their lives and suffer from worse mental health than those who retire voluntarily. People experiencing financial strains — a common result of unexpected retirement — may be more vulnerable to depression and other mental health problems. Complicating matters further, the symptoms of depression and other mental health issues may be different in older adults, Forester said. Rather than feeling sadness, for example, depressed older people may feel numb or anxious, have difficulty with memory or decisions, or suffer from otherwise unexplained physical complaints. If you’re concerned about your mental health, tell your doctor. Depression and other mental health problems typically can be treated with medication and therapy. If you’re concerned about a loved one, encourage them to seek medical treatment and to follow their treatment plan. You may need to help them make the initial appointments or accompany them to treatment, since lack of motivation and energy are common in depression. For help and more information, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1800-273-8255. And if you’re considering retirement, make sure you have a life plan as well as a financial plan. “Just the act of planning can help you feel more in control and less anxious,” Mintzer said. —AP/NerdWallet

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Makes a great gift! | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A P R I L 2 0 2 2

Take a free course at Harvard from home By Cal Sefer The first time I heard about MOOCs, I thought it must be some kind of hybrid cow. The name caught my attention, so I did what I always do when I want to know about something: I Googled it. Turns out MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Course. What’s that? Massive — thousands of students. Open — anyone can participate. Online — over the internet. Course — college classes. About 45 colleges in the United States and nearly 140 around the world offer online courses that you can either audit for free, or pay a modest fee of about $40 and get a certificate. (There are online courses from major universities that offer credit and degrees too, but for this article I’m writing only about free or certificate courses.)

Learning for fun

I’ve taken several MOOC courses just to learn something. Most were recorded lectures, so I could go at my own pace. I could even replay any class if I thought I had missed something. What’s more, some professors talk rather slowly, and I could speed up the playback and get through an hour’s lecture in 45 minutes. Some courses require you to pass a quiz before going onto the next lecture, but others allow you to skip the quizzes. Since I

don’t want a certificate, sometimes I skip the quizzes. I can usually complete a sixweek course in a couple of weeks. Being loose with how I take the courses means I probably miss something, but at the end I know more than when I started, and that fits my goal of learning something new every day. For example, I’ve taken a course on Financial Markets from Robert J. Shiller, a noble laureate at Yale; a course on Cybercrime from the University of Maryland; a course on Ancient Israel from New York University; and I just completed a course from Tel Aviv University called “The Fall and Rise of Jerusalem.” All for free!

Almost endless choices

When I first came across MOOCs, there weren’t a lot of choices. Since then, the idea of MOOCs has gained traction. Search “MOOC platforms” and one result will be a list of the top 10. Just put any one of them in your web browser and then go bonkers choosing from the hundreds of courses you might want to take. (The platforms I have used are Coursera and edX.) The list of courses seems endless: music, math, astronomy, computer programming, taxes, cinema, art, culinary, biology, history. You can also search by subject to find courses. Just to make the point, I looked

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April 21

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up something I thought kind of obscure: a “mooc course on how clocks work.” I got a list of possibilities! Before COVID, I audited at least one course at Howard Community College every semester to keep my brain working. Since COVID, I’ve used MOOC courses as a substitute. Currently I’m into ancient Middle Eastern history. Without the MOOC classes, I’d have never thought to travel there. Now I’m finding it fascinating and contemplating a trip. Whether you’re still working or retired, you can reward yourself by learning something new or reviewing a subject you haven’t thought about in a while. And you can do it at your own pace at no cost.

I keep thinking about going back over algebra. I use equations every day, but can no longer figure out where two trains traveling in opposite directions at various speeds would meet — and I don’t see how I can possibly go on without knowing how to do that! Even after my life gets back to a postpandemic normal, I’ll keep making use of the learning opportunities made available in MOOCs. Try it; you’ll like it. Visit edx.org or coursera.com for a list of their free classes. You can also search for a specific university’s free courses at their website (for example, Open Yale Courses at oyc.yale.edu; Professional and Lifelong Learning Courses at pll.harvard.edu, etc.). Note: some courses on these sites do charge for tuition.

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A P R I L 2 0 2 2 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Considering a pet? Be aware of the costs By Roxanne Alexander Animals are just plain cute and can bring so much joy to your life. But like children, they are not cheap — especially if you care for your pet properly. Whether you choose to adopt a pet from an animal shelter or buy one from a store or breeder, there are several costs to consider over the life of your pet. The first one is the acquisition cost. You can adopt a dog for around $60 to over $200, depending on the shelter (this usually includes having them spayed/neutered and vaccinated), but I have seen French bulldog puppies through breeders for $7,000. There are so many advantages to having a pet. They can bring such unconditional love and companionship. The purpose of this article is not to discourage you from owning a pet, but to allow you to consider the resources you should have available

for a long-term financial commitment. A dog or cat can have a lifespan of more than 15 years — this is almost like raising a child to college age. Many people adopt or buy animals and don’t factor this into their planning. What if a new job forces you to relocate? What if pet restrictions make buying a condo or renting an apartment a problem? I have heard many sad stories of being allergic to pets or people losing their jobs and having to surrender pets they can no longer afford to care for. Some additional costs to think about are:

smidgeon lower: $120 to $500. I have friends who cook chicken and “people food” for their dogs. This can be as expensive as feeding another human. Your pet may need some toys, a bed and possibly a crate for training. If you have a cat you may need to purchase something they can scratch. A couple of toys can easily cost $50, a dog bed $35, and a cat scratching post $30 or more depending on how fancy you want to get. And don’t forget the kitty litter, which could add up to $70 to $150 per year, Petfinder reports.

Food and toys

Training costs/property damage

Food can be quite expensive, especially if you have a larger animal. Dog owners should plan on budgeting $120 to $550 per year for food per pet, according to Petfinder. For cat owners, the estimate is only a

Puppies like to chew, and kittens like to scratch up furniture. This can be frustrating and costly, especially if the puppy ravages your expensive shoes. The average cost for dog training is

about $50 per hour, but obedience training can run $200 to $600 per week. A private dog trainer can run up to $150 per hour.

Pet insurance/healthcare

If your pet has known health issues based on their breed, it may make sense to either get pet insurance in advance or set aside cash for large vet bills. Pet insurance can range from as low as $10 per month to higher than $100 per month. Keep in mind many insurance companies will exclude “typical” conditions associated with a breed. Healthcare and vet bills can be a wild card depending on your pet. Keep in mind that if something serious comes up, a week in a veterinary hospital could mean a bill of $10,000 or more. With regular dental cleanings (easily $300 or more each time) and periodic vaccines, heartworm pills ($58 to $159 per year) and flea and tick prevention ($150 to $200 per year), even routine care adds up fast.

General liability insurance

Some condo associations require you have liability insurance if you have a pet in case it bites or destroys property. This can increase your insurance costs. About 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. If you own your home, your homeowners insurance policy often will cover dog bites, but it pays to verify. Some companies exclude covering certain breeds. In those cases, and if you are a renter, you should look into personal liability coverage and/or umbrella insurance. A colleague informed me that her condo association requested an analysis of her dog’s poop so that the culprit can be identified if a dog’s poop is not cleaned up!

Grooming

This can cost up to $100 per visit depending on the size of the pet and your location. Not all dogs require grooming, however.

Travel/pet sitting

If you travel frequently or work outside your home, factor in the costs of someone taking care of your pet when you are away. Having a dog walker come by during the day can easily cost $20, depending on where you live. Doggy day care can be $25 per day and $40 for overnight. If you travel frequently, these costs can add up quickly.

Future planning

Many people have set up trusts for their pets. Since your pet is likely part of the family, what if something happens to you? Do you have plans in place for the pet, and the financial resources to provide for the pet after you are gone? All of these are things worth considering. © 2022 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Makes a great gift! | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A P R I L 2 0 2 2

Some bond alternatives to consider now By Patrick Mueller Most people think bonds are safe, but in today’s volatile climate, they are not. In the not-too-distant past, bonds were portrayed as a safer investment than stocks. Investors looked to government bonds as the bedrock of a stable retirement income. But bond yields are extremely low these days, prompting some investors to seek alternatives. This has sparked renewed interest in various investments that can generate passive income and stability. Most people don’t remember what a bad bond market looks like because we haven’t seen one for 30-plus years! We’ve had steadily declining interest rates since the mid1980s. Bond prices move in the opposite direction of interest rates. When interest rates rise, bond prices fall, and vice versa. The Federal Reserve has already begun raising interest rates and expects to start selling off some of its government bonds later this year, so the climate is likely to be less favorable for long-term bonds going forward. And with bonds paying historically low interest rates, long-term bonds falling in price could mean a low-yield investment for years.

Problems with bond funds

Bonds issue at par value of $1,000, and by buying a bond you are in effect loaning a corporation or some form of government your $1,000. There is a length of time you have to leave it there, until it reaches what is known as its maturity date, which can range from one year to 40-plus years. There will be a set interest rate for that length of time. So, if interest rates rise (causing bond prices generally to fall), you can hold your bond until it matures and still get your $1,000 back. A huge issue is that most people don’t hold their bonds directly anymore; rather, they hold bonds through mutual funds.

And when you hold bonds in mutual funds, there are two problems: There is no set interest rate, and there is no maturity date. So when interest rates rise and your bond prices fall, there is no date in time when you can get your $1,000 back.

Other investments to consider

To avoid getting trapped while the outlook on bonds is not all that bright, here are two alternatives that can provide more security and a decent rate of return: Fixed annuities and fixed index annuities: Fixed annuities, sold by insurance companies, offer long-term tax-deferred savings and monthly income for life. They involve an upfront payment by an investor for a series of guaranteed income distributions from an insurance company. The insurer guarantees the buyer a fixed interest rate on their contributions for a specific period of time. The value of the buyer’s principal, even if interest rates rise, stays the same. You can also choose a fixed index annuity, where your principal is protected and the return is tied to a market index, like the S&P 500. If the market is down, the worst you can do is zero gain, and it will still have a participation rate on the upside. For example, if we have a 50% participation rate and the S&P 500 is up 12%, then 6% would be credited to your account on your anniversary date, and that new value is locked in and can’t drop below that value because of a market decline. Annuities often generate more income than bonds of similar maturity purchased at the same time. Also, each annuity payment consists both of return on investment and a portion of the original premium itself. Only the annuity’s return on investment is taxable, while the premium portion of each payment is returned tax-free. And because annuities aren’t priced daily in an open market as bonds are, they

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are better than bonds at holding their value while generating a more predictable cash flow. Real estate investment trusts: This is the best-known bond alternative, created in the 1960s to provide investors a way to invest in funds that own, manage and/or finance income-generating real estate. The REIT investment space is enormous; investors can target specific real estate segments and diversify across different segments. They get 90% of profits. REITs are tax-advantaged as dividends and trade like stocks. And unlike bonds, which pay a fixed amount of interest and have a set maturity date, REITs are productive assets that can increase in value in-

definitely. Many REITs have dividend yields between 5% and 10%. Be careful, though — many REITs are not liquid if you need access to your money in the short term. Alternatives to bonds do offer higher yield potential. But remember, that comes with more risk and/or higher cost. It’s wise to work with an adviser to go over your options as you assess your portfolio. Differentiate between safe and risky assets, and structure your portfolio in a way that makes the most sense for you. Dan Dunkin contributed to this article. © 2022 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

A P R I L 2 0 2 2 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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Travel Leisure &

Learn the art of walking along the streets of Philadelphia. See story on page 26.

Fun in the sun: South Padre Island, Texas

More than just fishing

Sunbathers, bike riders, surf fishermen

and vacationers have long been attracted to the sand that stretches in an unbroken line from White Sands Beach in the north to Pearl at its southern end. Fishing is by far the favorite pastime for both residents and visitors. Anglers seek their dinner in the flats of Laguna Madre Bay, which separates SPI and Port Isabel, by surf casting off beaches, dropping a line from a pier or trolling the offshore depths of the Gulf. So productive are the waters that the advertising of one charter boat captain offers “Guaranteed fish. No fish — no charge.” The popularity of that activity also becomes clear in other ways. One is the fact that streets on SPI are named after swordfish, tarpon, marlin and other denizens of the deep. In some sports bars, along with TV sets tuned to the usual athletic events, there are others beaming fishing programs. Fortunately, for visitors to the area seeking other activities, a lengthy catalog awaits their perusal and participation. Of course, the A (antiquing) to Z (ziplining) list includes many that are water-related. For starters, there’s kayaking and canoeing, snorkeling and sailing, speeding along on a jet ski and loping along a beach on horseback. Nature attracts fans to the South Padre

PHOTO BY SOUTH PADRE ISLAND VISITORS BUREAU

By Victor Block “Fish. Party. Repeat.” Those words, printed on a sign hanging on the wall of a restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas, refer to two of the most popular pastimes there. SPI, as the locals call it, and Port Isabel, perched at the other end of a causeway that connects the two, have outstanding beaches, a long list of both land and water activities, and intriguing historical tidbits that add color to the setting. The resorts are well known to “Winter Texans” — people primarily from the Midwest who spend several winter months soaking up the sun, and fun, in those twin towns on the Gulf of Mexico at the Lone Star State’s southern extremity. At first glance, both communities present the atmosphere of many beachfront locations. Hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops abound. Colorful golf carts are a popular mode of transportation. The favored attire gives new meaning to the words “casual clothing.” But much more awaits those who find their way to this inviting destination within a seashell’s throw of Mexico, which has a strong influence on the local culture.

Tourists can ride a Ferris wheel and watch the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico, just off South Padre Island, Texas.

Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary, a good place to observe a variety of native wildlife. An observation tower, blinds and a 3,300-foot-long boardwalk provide close-up sightings of some of the 350-plus species of birds that have been seen in the area. During my visit, a wall chart that lists recent identifications included colorful monikers like marbled godwit and semipalmated plover. Another expedition took my wife, Fyllis, and me on a Breakaway Cruises dolphin watch excursion in Laguna Madre Bay. Captain Bob pointed out the first one as soon as we left the marina. Whenever someone spotted a telltale fin, or better yet a dolphin leaping out of the water, a collective “oooh, aaah” echoed among the passengers. Adding to the enjoyment, and education, was inspecting at close hand various specimens that a net had dredged up from the bay floor. Among sea life we examined were a stingray, several small fish and shrimp.

Shrimp a large draw Morning and evening horseback rides along the beaches of South Padre Island give visitors a chance to explore the area when it’s quiet and cool.

It’s no surprise that shrimp were found there because those crustaceans have been the source of an industry that has thrived in

the area since the middle of the 19th century. Today, Texas consistently ranks among the top three producing shrimp states, along with Alaska and Louisiana. The trawlers typically drag their nets along the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico for as long as three weeks at a time, working at night, since shrimp are nocturnal. When not at sea, trawlers may be spotted docked at several locations in Port Isabel. Also not surprising are the variations on shrimp dishes served at local restaurants, which augment the Tex-Mex cuisine on many menus. Dishes using shrimp that were new to me included tacos, quesadillas, omelets, Eggs Benedict and even a BLT sandwich. The story of shrimping is among many told at the Port Isabel Historical Museum. Exhibits there portray the area’s past, beginning with the Spanish exploration period and moving on to the arrival of Native Americans, the Civil War and colorful tales of border folklore. The museum is housed in an 1899 building that in the past served as a dry goods store, post office and railroad station. Port Isabel is also home to a landmark lighthouse that was completed in 1853 to See TEXAS, page 25

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Texas From page 24

guide ships bringing supplies to U.S. military posts. During the American Civil War, it was used as an observation tower by both Confederate and Union forces. Of 16 lighthouses along the Texas coastline, this is the only one that’s open to visitors. The importance of Port Isabel’s role during the United States-Mexican War (1846-1848), following annexation of Texas by the U.S., and the American Civil War comes alive at the Walk of Generals. It consists of 21 medallions set in sidewalks surrounding the lighthouse that commemorate military men who served and fought in the area during those conflicts. Among the men so honored are Generals Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant and Zachary Taylor (12th President of the Unites States).

Local art scene

Both Port Isabel and SPI also lay claim to being art appreciation destinations, though in a non-traditional way. Any flat surface inside or outside a shop, restaurant, home or other building can serve as a palette for paintings, usually depicting sea life. There are two “trails” that visitors may

follow. The Sea Turtle Art Trail leads to 10 colorfully painted Fiberglass replicas of those reptiles as they’ve never been seen before. The largest, named Tank, covers the entire front of a building. Images on Miracle’s shell depict the challenges of turtle life, from emerging as hatchlings to avoiding predators in the deep oceans. More than two dozen sandy creations comprise the Sandcastle Art Trail, supporting SPI’s claim as Sandcastle Capital of the World. Along with traditional castles, the creations include a singing mermaid and wildlife (such as pelican, alligator and dolphin) that frequent the area. In addition, a tent-like structure called the Sandcastle Village houses an eclectic collection of works. Santa stands not far from Neptune; an enormous butterfly dwarfs a nearby iguana. If seeing sand animals isn’t your thing, perhaps world-class fishing or relaxing on celebrated beaches is. They’re among the many treats that await those who visit SPI and Port Isabel, Texas, a welcome wonderland in any season.

If you go

Flights from Washington, D.C. or BWI to Harlingen, Texas, start at $430 on Southwest Airlines. The Harlingen airport

is about an hour from the coast, as is the Brownsville airport. Accommodations include the selection expected at a beach resort destination. Typical of the budget hotels in SPI is La Copa Inn, a beachfront property with a pool, restaurant and fitness room. Rates begin at $90; lacoparesort.com. Fyllis and I opted for a three-bedroom Airbnb condo with a full kitchen, balcony and use of a swimming pool shared with occupants of the three other condos nearby. Many restaurants in SPI and Port Isabel are similar in decor (casual) and menus (lengthy). Ceviche is a common appetizer,

sometimes touted as the best in SPI, all of Texas and the world. Many seafood restaurants offer to “cook your catch” for reasonable prices. Because entrees, like Texas, are oversized, Fyllis and I usually shared one and, at times, an appetizer, which was enough for two hungry people. Jake’s Restaurant is a typical local eatery which has been “serving fun since 1982.” Specialties include fish, shrimp, oyster and chicken baskets with sides ($10.95-$12.95) and a bountiful seafood platter with sides ($23.95); Jakesspi.com. For more information visit sopadre.com and portisabel-texas.com.

BEACON BITS

April 20

INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES

The D.C. Public Library and Department of Human Resources are pairing up to provide a free virtual session on writing effective resumes and refining interviewing techniques. This event takes place Wed., April 20 from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information, including a link to the session, visit bit.ly/DCHRDept. Email david.quick2@dc.gov with any questions.

April 23

SPRING FORAGING

The U.S. Botanic Garden presents a virtual workshop on surprising edible plants that can be found in the spring in D.C. and the midAtlantic region. This free event takes place Sat., April 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information and to pre-register, visit bit.ly/SpringForagingDC.

BEACON BITS

April 23

BEER & BERRIES FESTIVAL

The Sandy Spring Museum hosts the Beer & Berries Festival with Maryland craft beer, food trucks, live music, and more on Sat., April 23 from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15 per person in advance, $20 at the door. For more information and to buy tickets, visit bit.ly/BeerandBerries or call (301) 774-0022.

Sundays

CATHEDRAL COFFEE HOUR

The National Cathedral offers an online international coffee hour on Sundays at 1:30 p.m. Gather with clergy and participants from all over the world to discuss the sermon and current events and engage in fellowship. For more information and to reserve a space, visit bit.ly/CathedralCoffeeHour.

MYRTLE BEACH, June 5-9................................................................................ $1,399pp Includes motor coach transportation, 4 nights accommodation at the ocean front Beach Cove Resort Executive Suites, 4 breakfast & 4 dinners, Entertainment and even a Putt-Putt tournament! WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WINE, Sept 14-16 ......................................From $899pp Includes Motor coach transportation, 2 nights accommodation at the Holiday Inn Monticello, 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 1 dinner, touring of James Madison and Woodrow Wilsons home plus wine tasting! SE COAST & BAHAMAS CRUISE FOR THANKSGIVING, Nov 11-19.....From $369pp (inside cabin) Time to get back on the cruise ships ! ! Sail on Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas from Baltimore. Ports of call include Charleston SC, Cape Canaveral (Orlando, FL), Grand Bahama Island and CocoCay , Bahamas.

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Philly may bring out your inner wanderer By Don Mankin I learned the art of urban wandering in Philadelphia, the city I grew up in. The French have a word for it: A flâneur is someone who strolls, rambles or saunters almost randomly through city streets, observing people and places, looking for the novel, the interesting and the unexpected. Flâneurs will peek down a street and change course, pulled in by the architecture, the look of the people, the hidden parks, the stores that support the neighborhood, or a café where others take a break from their own explorations and perambulations. Sometimes it’s simply the way the sunlight filters down through the trees. The keys to successful flânerie are spontaneity, serendipity and discovery. As the feet wander, so does the mind, revealing observations, memories and insights. When I was growing up, my father, a

great wanderer in his own right, would lead me through the narrow streets of what is now known as Old City — the historic district near the Delaware River, where in 1681 William Penn founded the “greene country town” now known as Philadelphia. I reluctantly left the city behind 45 years ago when I moved to Los Angeles. As a travel writer, whenever I visit a city, I spend a day or two exploring it on foot. But after all these years, my favorite place to explore is still Philly, especially the Old City and the Society Hill and Queen Village neighborhoods to the south. Their narrow, tree-shaded streets, many of them cobblestone, are lined with restored 18th- and 19th-century townhouses, small parks and squares, hidden courts and mews, and a restaurant scene that is as creative and lively as it gets.

Time travel to a quieter era

On a four-day visit last November, my wife and I chose to stay in Society Hill, just south of Old City, a neighborhood of historic row houses built 200 to 300 years ago. The streets, buildings and squares look much as they did when Ben Franklin walked these very same streets more than 250 years ago. Our apartment, rented from Airbnb, was in a classic townhouse in the heart of Society Hill. Horse-drawn carriages clipclopped past our door. Across the street, visible from our living-room window, was the historic HillPhysick House, former home of the “father of modern surgery,” who treated the elite of Philadelphia society as well as several of the founding fathers. Also visible from the window was Delan-

cy Street, a cobblestone street with some of the most faithfully restored 18th-century Federalist and Greek Revival-style townhouses in the neighborhood. After a day of wandering through the neighborhood, we headed a few blocks north to the Historic District to check out the most historic sites of all: Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House and Elfreth’s Alley, a narrow passage lined with restored houses built between 1720 and 1830. The website of Visit Philadelphia calls it “the nation’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street.” On subsequent days, we explored South Street and Queen Village, just three short blocks south of our apartment. In my youth, South Street was a rundown commercial district where I would go to buy cheap, invariably ill-fitting suits. In the 70s and 80s, it turned into a hippie, bohemian, punk haven, and then evolved into the tourist destination it is today, overflowing with “exotic” boutiques, tattoo parlors, headshops, hipster bars, and inexpensive places to eat. Its lively street scene is perfect for peoplewatching.

Art galleries and a riverwalk

Just south of South Street is Queen Village. Queen Village is just as old and walkable, almost as historic, but not as upscale as Society Hill, so the restaurants, shops and art galleries tend to be more quirky, lively and cutting-edge. A couple of blocks east is Penn’s Landing on the Delaware River, where — you guessed it — William Penn (almost) landed about 350 years ago (he actually landed further south, but the City of Philadelphia purchased the right to use the name). There you’ll find more places to eat, plus a promenade and plazas along the river. It also hosts the Independence Seaport Museum and several historic warships — including a World War II-era submarine, the Spanish-American War cruiser USS Olympia, and a four-masted steel barque built in Scotland in 1904 that now serves as a floating restaurant.

How to be a flâneur

If you are planning a visit to Philly, find a place to stay in or close to the Historic District and bring a reliable pair of walking shoes. Get a good map, take a look at it to get an idea of where you are going, then put it away and just wander. Check the map from time to time to orient and guide your wanderings, but let your heart, not the map, be your guide. If a street looks interesting, go down it. If a café looks like a good place for a break, take a seat. If a house strikes your fancy, don’t be shy: Stop, stare, take a photo. And don’t be afraid to eat one of those gigantic cheese steaks. The worse that can happen is a good case of heartburn and a grease-stained shirt — the mark of a genuine, fully-fledged Philly flâneur. See PHILLY, page 27

From page 26

If you go

Amtrak trains run frequently from D.C. to Philly for as little as $30 each way. Or you can drive up I-95 in about two hours. However, parking and congestion on the narrow streets can be expensive and annoying. We booked Cobblestone Street Sanctuary, a one-bedroom apartment with a fully stocked kitchen in the heart of Society Hill, through Airbnb for $125 per night plus fees. For something more conventional, try the Philadelphia Marriott Old City near the major historic sites. Rates start at $218/night. As for restaurants, try these: Southwark — an excellent neighborhood restaurant and classic tavern in the heart of Queen Village specializing in farm-to-table American cuisine.

Famous 4th Street Delicatessen — a hundred-year-old deli in the heart of Queen Village serving the thickest pastrami sandwich I have ever eaten outside of New York. Jim’s Steaks — Monster cheesesteak sandwiches on South Street. Typical Philadelphia attitude: “Order and move on.” The food is worth the attitude. Zahav — A modern Israeli restaurant that has earned worldwide praise and a James Beard award for the chef. Possibly the best meal I have ever eaten. It’s a difficult reservation to get, but persistence will be well rewarded. Le Virtù — Outstanding Italian restaurant on Passyunk (pronounced “Pashyunk” by the locals) Avenue in South Philly near the Italian Market. Marrakesh — an excellent, inexpensive Moroccan restaurant located in Society Hill for almost 50 years. For more information see visitphilly.com.

BEACON BITS

April 29

BRAHMS REQUIEM

The Friday Morning Music Club (FMMC) presents the Arioso Chorale and Montgomery College Chorus accompanied by the Avanti Orchestra in Brahms’ Requiem at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 29 at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md. Tickets not required, but registering will ensure you learn of any last-minute changes to COVID policy or concert details. Suggested donation: $20 (freewill offering). Parking is free. To register, visit bit.ly/BrahmsFMMC.

PHOTO BY ANETA WABERSKA/SHUTTERSTOCK

Philly

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A P R I L 2 0 2 2

Philadelphia’s Elfreth’s Alley, the nation’s oldest residential street, dates to 1702. The city is full of interesting neighborhoods, like Old City and Society Hill, for visitors to explore on foot.

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A P R I L 2 0 2 2 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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Style Arts &

Recent books about “the war to end all wars.” See page 30.

Fostering inner strength through the arts there were [antisemitic] laws. We couldn’t go to school. My parents taught me to read and write,” Hendel told the Beacon. Her family came to the U.S. in 1944 as part of a group of refugees from Italy. “A thousand of us [came] in a convoy of six American ships, a two-week voyage, [yet] the families had to sign that they would go back,” Hendel recalled. Eventually Congress passed a bill during the Truman Administration allowing the refugees to stay. Hendel and her family settled in New York City with distant family members. One of Hendel’s elementary school teachers inspired her interest in art, and Hendel eventually became an art teacher at George Washington University. She later took art therapy classes at the university and found that those classes gave her a way to confront some of the experiences she had as a child during the Holocaust. “That’s when I did a very large wood carving that expressed my fear as a child — running away, being pursued, being in danger, being afraid,” Hendel said. Hendel established CREATE, originally

COURTESY OF CREATE ARTS CENTER

By Susan Ahearn Though it was founded 35 years ago by a Holocaust survivor, the CREATE Arts Center in downtown Silver Spring has a mission that seems tailored for today: offering art classes and art therapy to foster creativity, connect community and boost mental health. “My feeling was that the arts really belonged out there in the world for all people,” said its founder, Tamar Hendel, now 86. That includes everyone from “people who think of themselves as needing therapy and people who just want to try and see what it’s like doing the arts,” she said. Hendel founded CREATE in 1986 “because she found art therapy tools to be helpful to her and her family, as survivors of the Holocaust,” said Linda Marson, its executive director. Hendel was six years old when the Nazis entered Yugoslavia in 1941. She and her parents and older brother fled to Italy and then America. “We survived in Italy for two years, under very positive conditions, because the Italians are very good, generous, giving people for the most part, even though

At the CREATE Arts Center in Silver Spring, Maryland, students participate in Senior Arts Day. The Center was founded in 1986 by Holocaust survivor Tamar Hendel. It offers a variety of classes as well as art therapy for children and adults.

located in Bethesda, to give others access to the same healing experience she had. “Essentially what we’re doing is finding what’s good in the person, where the

strength is,” Hendel said. “Where their beauty is. Where their humanity is.” See ARTS CENTER, page 31

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April Events

Amos Lee

NSO Pops: Amos Lee One of the shining stars of modern folk, Amos Lee creates the rare kind of music that’s emotionally raw yet touched with a certain magical quality. In his anticipated ﬁrst collaboration with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia-born singer/ songwriter intimately explores real-world struggles through beautiful song—an outpouring born from deliberate self-examination.

April 19 | Concert Hall

Ben Folds

William Shatner

DECLASSIFIED®: Ben Folds Presents with William Shatner Following his recent trip to space, legendary actor and musician William Shatner joins NSO Artistic Advisor Ben Folds for a special concert presented as part of Ben’s casual, late-night series. This unique “part concert, part party” series deﬁes the traditional symphony experience with exciting guest artists, pre/post-shows and parties, and more. It’s classical music, DECLASSIFIED!

April 29 | Concert Hall

The Kennedy Center Chamber Players Spring Concert

Hélène Grimaud

Hélène Grimaud plays Ravel Experience the “cracking vitality and wit” (The New York Times) of one of today’s most brilliant classical stars as French pianist Hélène Grimaud takes on Ravel’s jaunty, jazzy Piano Concerto. Led by outstanding young conductor Roderick Cox, the program also features Prokoﬁev’s emotionspanning Fifth Symphony and Esa-Pekka Salonen’s exuberant Helix.

April 7 & 9 | Concert Hall

Comprised of titled players of the National Symphony Orchestra, this acclaimed ensemble performs music by Shostakovich and Schubert.

April 10 | Terrace Theater

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Works illuminate ‘the war to end all wars’ 288 pages, Casemate paperback, 2020 Before the United States entered World War I, the country maintained a policy of neutrality. Nevertheless, a small band of idealists and adventurers volunteered to aid the Allied cause. The most illustrious were the aviators — 38 Americans who served under French command — flying open cockpit biplanes in the unit called The Lafayette Escadrille. Beginning in April 1916 for 22 months, they flew more than 3,000 patrols over the French sectors. After the U.S. entered the war, the unit was transferred to the U.S. Air Service in February 1918. Miraculously, 27 aviators survived the war and became famous for their service. Eight of the 38 American volunteers lost their lives in aerial combat, one was captured, and several suffered crippling wounds. Aviation historian and U.S. Air Force veteran Steven Ruffin has painstakingly compiled a comprehensive history of the unit. More than 230 photographs accompany the text. On July 4, 1928, the imposing Lafayette Escadrille Memorial was dedicated on a 10acre plot in the suburbs of Paris (read how you can contribute to its upkeep at worldwar1.com/pdf/Lafayette_Project.pdf). At the book’s conclusion, you’ll find a list of nine museums in the United States and France that feature artifacts or exhibits

CONCERT

ENCORE 15TH ANNIVERSARY

April 6 marks the 105th anniversary of the the Argonne Forest in France. In addition to the broad overview of the U.S. entry into the First World War. These Lost Battalion, Never in Finer books help us remember and Company portrays the lives of appreciate those who served. four doughboys: journalist Never in Finer CompaDamon Runyon, Sergeant ny: The Men of the Great Alvin York of movie renown, War’s Lost Battalion, by attorney Major Charles WhitEdward G. Lengel, 368 tlesey and stockbroker Cappages, Hachette Books patain George McMurtry. perback, 2021 Through their stories, we Chief historian of the learn of the trauma of battle White House Historical Assoand the challenges that veterciation, D.C. native Edward THE ans face when they return Lengel, has written a moving BIBLIOPHILE home to peacetime society. account of New York City’s By Dinah Rokach The Lafayette Escadrille: 77th battalion and other Army units who were surrounded and cut off by A Photo History of the First American German troops when they advanced into Fighter Squadron, by Steven A. Ruffin,

about the Lafayette Escadrilles. The closest is the Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia. A Military Atlas of the First World War: A map history of the War of 1914-18 on land, at sea and in the air, by Arthur Banks and Alan Palmer, 340 pages, Pen and Sword Military paperback, 2021 This prodigious compilation of the course of the First World War illuminates the hostilities that raged beginning in July 28, 1914, through subsequent U.S. entry, until the armistice of Nov. 11, 1918. With the ingenious use of maps, diagrams and statistics, this indispensable work explains the strategies of the combatants and the diplomatic history leading up to the conflagration. The Atlas describes military maneuvers with precise map-placements of such famous battles as Ypres, Verdun, Somme, Gallipoli and Jutland. It analyzes military mistakes, identifies major commanders and delineates the organization of rival military units — cavalry and infantry. The Atlas, a new edition of the out-ofprint classic first published in 1975, includes 300 hand-drawn black-and-white maps and diagrams by Arthur Banks. Prolific nonagenarian British author and historian Alan Palmer provides an erudite introduction to each chapter of maps.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A P R I L 2 0 2 2

In praise of politically active older voters Political season is heating up, both local- But I, for one, will welcome it. ly and nationally. As usual, older AmeriThere’s no extra credit for casting a cans are front and center. thoughtful vote. Either you The reasons are tried and vote or you don’t. Doing your true. We vote, and we give homework doesn’t really matmoney. ter in the end. Younger people might do But among my agemates, the first, and sometimes do the as campaigns ramp up, I nevsecond. But so often, they are ertheless sense a desire to too busy and too cash-strapped vote smart. to lean into campaigns the way We veterans of life won’t be their elders do. easily swayed by snazzy TV So, we oldies-but-goodies ads, or candidates who pander HOW I SEE IT will soon see and hear the fa- By Bob Levey to what they think we want to miliar script: Door knockings, hear. We gravitate toward realevent invitations, mailed leaflets and deal politicians who understand the Greek fundraising phone calls. root of that word — “Polis,” or a city of peoYes, it can all be tedious and annoying. ple. People as in who it’s all about.

One friend, well into her 70s, turns political door knocking into a cross examination. She thanks the candidate for knocking, and then starts grilling. Where do you stand on women’s rights? What are you going to do to safeguard the climate? Ask candidates how they feel about such interrogations, and the more enlightened ones will tell you that they are welcome. “So often, when I knock on a door, and a younger voter answers, the questions I get are teeny tiny,” says one candidate I know well. “What am I going to do about the busted streetlight on the corner? About teenagers speeding? About late trash pickup? “It’s actually a relief to meet voters who are tuned into bigger issues. They are al-

most always older.” Another candidate heaves a private sigh of relief when the door isn’t answered by a young parent. “Schools are such a flash point these days,” that candidate told me. “But I’m not running for the school board. Whenever I explain that, the parent thinks I’m ducking and dodging. It’s very difficult.” Yet older voters care about schools, too. And not only because their grandchildren attend them. For two years, these older voters have heard about the educational fallout from COVID — how tough it has been on kids to stare at a computer screen for hours on

Arts center

Living Community in Silver Spring. “I did art [for many years], but I didn’t call myself an artist. Since I moved to Riderwood, I call myself an artist,” Hendel said. One of her sculptures is displayed in the art gallery at the CREATE office. Hendel said her late-in-life transition to artist is not surprising; after all, adults con-

tinue to grow and express themselves in new ways. “We still have our humanity, and the need to say what we need to say.” The CREATE Arts Center is located at 914 Silver Spring Ave., Silver Spring, MD. For more information and a schedule of classes, call (301) 588-ARTS (2787) or visit createartscenter.org.

From page 28

Pandemic pivot

As the pandemic enters its third year, everyone can benefit from art therapy. The nonprofit offers a program known as “COVID Art & Mindfulness: Coping with Pandemic Stress.” The CREATE Arts Center recently expanded its programming, Marson said, to meet the community’s need for “artistic expression in the midst of a pandemic…the need to express yourself — your fears, your dreams, your expectations, your anxiety.” Like most organizations, the center had to pivot to online classes after the pandemic shutdowns began in March 2020. “We had our classes and workshops online, and we ran them very successfully, including a virtual summer camp,” Marson said. One of the center’s most successful programs is smARTkids, a free after-school

program provided at four public elementary schools in Montgomery County. According to Marson, smARTkids is for students from low-income households who are primarily English learners. The program “aims to strengthen language and literacy skills and give these kids some of the emotional tools that they need to express themselves,” Marson said. During the pandemic, the center mailed art materials to kids at home, free of charge. The center also has a program that offers respite for adults with mental health issues. For example, CREATE provides art therapy for adults with schizophrenia. “It keeps them out of the hospital, many of them. And they know they’re here for art therapy,” Hendel said.

Embracing the artist moniker

The woman who spent a lifetime teaching art and art therapy is now retired but actively engaged in creating art herself from her home at the Riderwood Senior

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See BOB LEVEY, page 33

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Crossword Puzzle Find a new crossword every day on our website at www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com/puzzles. Instant Oats 1

By Stephen Sherr 5

32 35

46 50

54 61

41 45

57 63

Across

Jumble answers on p. 35.

1. Offerings at an Indian clothing stare 6. Create a bike path 10. Bog down 14. Wedding gown style 15. ___ the Roof (Drifters classic co-written by Carole King) 16. More than 21, in blackjack 17. Drug taxed by the British in 1856 18. Early model 20. Without any pizzazz 22. Site of the 2016 Olympics 23. Natl. Bat Appreciation Month 24. Donkey 27. Proceed cautiously 33. On the House, or Off the Hook, briefly 34. Columbus’ favorite ship 35. Eagle’s nest 36. Sergeants and corporals 38. ___-law (such as Meathead to Archie) 41. Whip mark 42. US news org. since 1846 44. Blunder 46. Sense of Humor, in personal ads 47. Totally defeated 51. Dir. from Ft. Myers to Ft. Lauderdale 52. Chinese “way” 53. Make an incorrect ruling 54. How to prepare instant oatmeal (or solve this puzzle) 60. Vacation property 63. Acid in proteins 64. Like Las Vegas and Tatooine 65. New York canal with 35 locks 66. Tears to pieces 67. Lift to the airport 68. Twosome (such as a 31 Down) 69. Sprinkle on the vinaigrette

Down

Scrabble answers on p. 35.

22 27

1. War and Peace, for example

2. “Oh dear!” 3. Drink garnish 4. An insult makes it worse 5. Fisherman’s Wharf sunbather 6. Insect stage 7. Car loan figs. 8. Spooky curse 9. Offer a carrot 10. Closet pest 11. Brown league 12. Member of the AFL-CIO leadership 13. Before, poetically 19. Roman port that is an anagram for IOTAS 21. Name of 18 French kings 24. Motionless 25. Site of an early Civil War battle 26. Boil with rage 27. “___ such a pushover” 28. Penalties from poison plants 29. One of the Friends 30. End of an INFERNO 31. Dance in Evita and Rent 32. One of the Testaments 37. Gal of song 39. Promise to pay 40. Prominent 43. Denizen of Pennsylvania Ave. 45. Book section usually paginated with Roman numerals 48. Ready to be returned to the wardrobe 49. Witness to a signature 50. Constitution co-writer 54. Users of the Force 55. Diva’s solo 56. Title : Car :: ___ : House 57. Pitchfork part 58. Gets to the closing credits 59. Another one of the Friends 60. Make lace 61. Good name for a financial planner 62. Trail ___

Answers on page 35.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A P R I L 2 0 2 2

Bob Levey From page 31

end. Older voters know that any campaign has to be about education and the pandemic above all else. But it’s also a mistake to underestimate the power of emotion. I will not soon forget a political debate I attended four years ago. The audience was 95 percent over the age of 65. One of the candidates fell in that age range. His opponent was in his 20s. Back and forth they went, about problems great and small. Questions from the floor were sharp and savvy. The tone of the event was impressive — no personal attacks, just honest disagreements about how public money should be spent. Right beside me, in the back, sat two women who were clearly pals. They were also clearly grandmothers. How do I know? Because, throughout the debate, they stage-whispered to each other that the younger candidate reminded them of their grandsons. Not a word about his policies. Just lots of words about his deep blue eyes. Intrigued, I asked them later if they intended to vote for the younger candidate for that reason. They both said maybe. Yet another reminder that politics can sometimes be uncomfortably close to show business. If you’ve got that ring-ading-ding, that may be enough. Meanwhile, older people are right there for the blocking and tackling that every campaign needs. No candidate has to have envelope-lickers any more — not in the digital era. But every campaign depends on phone bankers, fundraising cold callers and community organizers. Ask most candidates who can do those jobs well and who volunteers to do them most often. The answer is almost always the same: People who are retired, but still in possession of their marbles. People who seek purpose in their lives beyond the bygone days of chasing a career and a paycheck. And when the next election day rolls around, you won’t have to guess which age

Letters to editor From page 2

that insects were the enemy. Now, we’re trying to save them!...Well, some of us are. The Agra-Chemical companies still make arguments favoring pesticide (insecticide, herbicide, fungicide) usage, even in the face of research from many State agricultural schools which find that using far less pesticides and less fertilizer produces similar crop yields. Joe Treimel Pleasant Valley, NY Dear Editor: I was happy to see the article about Rachel Carson, while I was dismayed to NOT find a clarification of the pursuant murkiness that rendered her DDT work

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

group is manning the polls, or which will be right there in line once the polls open. One of those oldie every-year voters will be me. When I was very young, I walked with my father to our neighborhood polling

place. Each year, he would deliver the same civics lesson along the way: How voting is our voice. How voting is something you should always do. How a single vote does matter. I think of that, and him, each November.

And I will often say to the people in the waiting-to-vote line with me (especially if their hair is gray): “Good morning. Good to see you out here. Glad to see you care.” Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

counterproductive. This is well explained in John Stossel’s 2006 book, Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity. The Story: In the 1940s, in response to an urgent need for insect control, DDT was developed and found to be extremely effective. After that, its production skyrocketed, and it came to be used virtually everywhere, and in quantities far in excess of what was actually needed. This led to perceived widespread illness in people, which led to nearly everyone perceiving DDT as a health hazard and dropping it from consideration for any type of use. The main problem was that nearly all countries banned its use, and that led to the deaths of millions in countries where malaria was a threat. Ver y small quantities of DDT could have saved mil-

lions of lives. Today, 16 years after Stossel’s book, the World Health Organization has determined that countries with a malaria threat may decide on DDT use for themselves. Bill Norwood Greenbelt, MD Dear Editor: I read with delight the guest column by Carolyn Ellis in the March Beacon. As an African American woman born in the 60s in South Florida, I assumed all northern white people were not racist. That has turned out not to be the case. Racism has layers and Ms. Ellis has just uncovered some of the layers in her life. My prayer is that all people would do some soul searching and examine themselves. And if they uncover racist tendencies, do as she is doing and work towards

removing them. If all we do this, we will have a better America. Brenda Stephens Gaithersburg, MD Dear Editor: Please do bring back Carolyn Ellis again. She offered challenging ideas, our own personal history of growing up in D.C., unaware of Jim Crow and her own sense of limited understanding of racism and inequality. I like that she brought up James Baldwin’s “I am not your Negro.” It is free to watch through the public libraries using Kanopy! She is a lively writer and I would like to see more of her in the Beacon. Jan Hochman Silver Spring, MD

A P R I L 2 0 2 2 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Obituaries; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on page 35. CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment. EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate. Caregivers A HOME HEALTHCARE- Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in care. 15 years’ experience. 2405336599) A CARE AGENCY - Been in business for more than 10 years. Experienced nurses, CNAs, GNAs. Any hours you need. Flat rate for live-in. Duties include cooking, housekeeping, bathing, errands, etc. Tel: 667-231-8235 CAREGIVER: CARE FOR LOVED ONES live their best life in the comfort of their own home EXP Good Ref: Day or night shift call 301502-2258 PRIVATE HOME HEALTH -CAREGIVER: Kind, Loving, Honest, Compassionate, Trustworthy, reliable caregiver is looking for full time job caring for your loved one. 28 years experience seeking position in MD, DC, VA with excellent references. Call Julie (301) 221-7695 EXPERIENCED, PROFESSIONAL COMPANION CAREGIVER, With Full Concierge Service’s Given, For Day Shift! Services Include Cooking, Preparing Meals, Shopping, Housing Cleaning! High-Quality Services, FlexibleRates. Call, 240-277-1272. COMFORCARE HOME CARE PRINCE GEORGE’S - Compassionate, experienced caregivers available full/part-time or live in. Duties include personal hygiene, companion care, cooking, grocery shopping/errands, etc. Tel: (240) 764-5844 -pgcounty@comforcare.com

Computer Services PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call David G. at: 301-6424526. Or 301-328-2112

Events RUN FOR A BRIGHTER PALESTINE! Train for a marathon, half-marathon, 5K, or 10K while raising funds to support scholarships for Palestinian students. Info session 4/21 6:30PM and 4/23 1:00 PM. RSVP kirkcruachan@yahoo.com

Financial WESLEY FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts. Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 855-626-8703.

For Sale

Home/Handyman Services

Wanted

PARKLAWN CEMETERY OF ROCKVILLE Double Lawn Crypt, Block 29B, Unit 608, Levels A&B. Consists of One Unit with Two Chambers, Tier-Type (2 Burial Rights). Valued at $13,000; for sale at $6,500. Call 210-216-2887

SLOWING DOWN AFTER 40 YEARS OF CONTRACTING. Small to medium jobs mainly residential but will do some commercial. Will work all over DC area. $42.50 an hour from arrival on job. Andy 703-906-5429.

BUYING VINYL RECORDS from 1950 to 1990 JAZZ, ROCK, BLUES, R&B, DISCO, SOUL, REGGAE, & GOSPEL, ANY VINYL FORMAT 33 1/3 RPM Albums, small 45 RPM’s & some 78 RPM, Also CD’s, Prefer LARGER COLLECTIONS AT LEAST 100 items, PLEASE CALL JOHN 301-596-6201

PUT ON YOUR TV EARS and hear TV with unmatched clarity. TV Ears Original were originally $129.95 - NOW WITH THIS SPECIAL OFFER are only $59.95 with code MCB59! Call 1-833-934-0843. GENERAC STANDBY GENERATORS provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 1-866964-8106. NATIONAL MEMORIAL PARK CEMETARY. 4 Choice Sites in Desirable Block DD. Reg $7995/ea. Sale $3995/ea OBO. Contact 917-754-3355 KING DAVID MEMORIAL GARDEN, 4 choice sites in desirable Block 5, regularly $7,495 each, sale $2,995 each; all 4 $10,000, contact Jason Dunn at 781-789-5017 or dunn.adair@gmail.com. TWO CHOICE MAUSOLEUM SITES in King David Memorial Gardens in desirable Court of Christ, Building 0ne. Regular $15,000 each. Will sell for half, $7499. OBO. Call Velma Clark 3364292846 cell or 2767300104.

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate HUNTERS WOODS FELLOWSHIP HOUSE. Apartments for 62+ or Disabled. Waitlist Open. April 23, 2022 from 9am-2pm only. Applications only accepted at Herndon Neighborhood Resource Center, 1086 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170. Call 703-620-4450 for details. EHO/SLN/FSF

Health ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO HEAR, listen, and/or communicate? Are conversations frustrating for you? Do you have hearing loss? “ASA Speech-Language-Hearing Therapies” provides listening training, lipreading/speechreading training, as well as strategies for communication which can support/enhance your abilities. Antoinette Allen, CCC-SLP is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist who has provided aural rehabilitation/listening/communication therapy services to hard-of-hearing, deaf, and Deaf adults for 34+ years. If you (or a loved one) have hearing loss and seek a provider who combines expert knowledge with sensitive and compassionate care, we are here to assist/support. Feel free to contact us at asallen@asahearingtherapies.com PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-851-0949. DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-844366-1003 www.dental50plus.com/320 #6258. MOBILEHELP, America’s Premier Mobile Medical Alert System. Whether You’re Home or Away. For Safety and Peace of Mind. No Long Term Contracts! Free Brochure! Call Today! 1-240-650-9189.

Home/Handyman Services THE BATHROOM OF YOUR DREAMS for as little as $149/month! BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Limited Time Offer - FREE virtual in-home consultation now and SAVE 15%! Call Today! 1-855-653-0087. HOME MOBILITY EQUIPMENT SALES, SERVICE & REPAIR! One Step Mobility Can Help You With Your Home Mobility Needs 24/7: Stair Lifts, Power Chairs, Scooters, Ramps & More. Please call 301-767-5070 or visit: onestepmobility.com DON’T LET THE STAIRS LIMIT YOUR MOBILITY! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-866-365-5170.

Legal Services APPLYING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY or Appealing a Denied Claim? Call Bill Gordon & Assoc. Our case managers simplify the process & work hard to help with your case. Call 1-866-970-0779 FREE Consultation. Local Attorneys Nationwide [Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL (TX/NM Bar.)]

Miscellaneous BOOK, PAPER & PARCHMENT CONSERVATOR trained at The Smithsonian Institution. Treat and preserve your documents, rebind books and albums. Member American Institute for Conservation. Preserving treasures for 4 decades. Call or text:. 410-925-4501. TURN YOUR EXISTING SLIDING DOORS into a hands-free entry for you and your pets! Autoslide converts existing doors and windows from manual to automatic. Perfect for outdoor cookers/gardeners/handclapped/infirm/pet owners. To order contact the HIGH-TECH LOCK COMPANY 301-327-0095

Personal Services WE ARE A TO Z PERSONAL ORGANIZERS, bringing order to your life and to the life of your loved ones. We specialize in relocation services for seniors. Check us out on the web at A2Zorganizers.com, or give us a call at 240.420.4920 ORGANIZE, DECLUTTER, PACK, MOVE & UNPACK SERVICES Personalized service that helps you take control. Please call 301.452.5730 or email: ccallahan@mdseniorhelp.com. Visit www.mdseniorhelp.com for more information. DOWNSIZING OR LIQUIDATING AN ESTATE? Doing it yourself? YOU ARE THROWING MONEY AWAY! Our specialists know the current trends in today’s market! Our easy process determines what to keep, gift, sell, donate, or discard. Services include: estate liquidation, downsizing, junk removal, estate sales, and consignment of collectibles. We buy estates, vehicles, and real estate. Call/text Philip 301-219-3600 DownsizingSpecialists.com. One person’s trash is another’s treasure, and we know the difference!

TV/Cable DIRECTV for $79.99/mo for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Watch your favorite live sports, news & entertainment anywhere. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix included! Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply. Call 1-888-572-4953. DISH NETWORK. $64.99 for 190 Channels! Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/mo. (where available.) Switch & Get a FREE $100 Visa Gift Card. FREE Voice Remote. FREE HD DVR. FREE Streaming on ALL Devices. Call today! 1844-560-5837.

Vacation Opportunities CRUISES NOW BOOKING! All major cruise lines, all cabin categories. Sail from any port you prefer, including Baltimore. Destinations to Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean and beyond. Also handling resorts and tours. Independent local agent focused on good service and great value. See our website at www.walpertravel.com. Call Sandy or Ed at (301)880-7203, or email ed@walpertravel.com.

Wanted CASH FOR RECORDS, CDS AND DVDS. Best price guaranteed. Free appraisals. All types of music {33, 45, 78 & CDs.} Also buying turntables and stereo equipment. Will make house calls with CURBSIDE PICKUPS. Call or text Steve at 301-646-5403.

I BUY OLD GUNS: Rifles, Pistols & Shotguns (Military/Civilian). I have a Federal Firearms License & Maryland Regulated Firearms Dealer License. I safely/legally buy from estates & individuals. Tim 703-447-7243 or www.midatlanticmilitaryantiques.com ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES/ESTATE LIQUIDATION: We provide full estate liquidation/home cleanout services — and we’re always buying great stuff! Especially looking for collections of vintage toys, old signs & other advertising pieces, comic books, sports memorabilia, gold & silver coins, pre-1965 coins, jewelry, historical objects, historical memorabilia, autographs, antique paintings, bronze sculptures, folk art, yard art, vinyl records, and valuable collections of all kinds. Based in Silver Spring MD, we serve Montgomery, Howard and Baltimore Counties, Washington D.C., NOVA and beyond. Also provide appraisal services for insurance/estates. We’re experts at clearing hoarder houses, too. Call Chris on cell (202) 731-9447. www.OrionsAttic.com. HIGHEST CASH PRICES PAID for entire estate or single item. Buying quality antiques and mid century furniture, art, silver, gold, jewelry, flatware, military cameras, music instruments, vintage signs, anything unusual. Please be ready to sell and pick up same day. Please call Chris 3012621299. License 0849. LADY WHO LOVES PRETTY THINGS would like to buy yours. Dishes, figurines, pottery and similar. Favorites are bone china cups and saucers and old Christmas and Halloween decorations. Especially love Herend, Meissen and Shelley. Also, midcentury smalls of all kinds. Have to clear a house in a hurry? Would be happy to take a look at anything you have. Please call Susan, (301) 785-1129. CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. Ask for Tom. Call anytime, 301654-8678 (Reg. 883). WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, MANDOLINS, UKULELES. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Masks & safe distance. Jack (301) 279-2158, leave message. WILL BUY MILITARY, WWII, WWI, Civil War memorabilia items. Uniforms, weapons, helmets, photos, war souvenirs, medals, photos or any other items associated with U.S., German, Japanese or other military history. Call Dave (240-464-0958) or email (david.obal63@gmail.com). TOP PRICES PAID FOR FINE ANTIQUES, ARTWORK and unusual and rare things including decorated crocks and stoneware, antique clocks and music boxes, classic cars, coin operated devices, toys and dolls, furniture, lamps , art glass and pottery. I am 69 years old, well educated [ law degree ] financially capable and have over 40 years in the business. Why pay outlandish auction house, estate agent or consignment store commissions when you can get a fair upfront price for your valuables with no hassle? If you have something rare, unusual and valuable and are prepared to sell it I would like to speak with you. Please call Jake Lenihan 301 279 8834. Thank you. STAMP COLLECTIONS PURCHASED/APPRAISED- U.S., Foreign, Worldwide, Regular Issues, Commemoratives, and Back-of-Book; Anything Philatelic!; Long-time APS Dealer/Member; Phone: 301-309-3622 or E-Mail: arogolsky@gmail.com PAYING CASH MERCHANDISE PRE 1980 old toys, sterling silver, records, antiques and collectables and much more. If you have old items to sell call Carl 312-316-7553. Located in Silver Spring. No Furniture or glassware.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A P R I L 2 0 2 2

Say you saw it in the Beacon

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 32 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

S A G A

A L A S

D O N T B E

I T C H E S

T I A R T A

R I N D

I N J U R P Y H O S E A B L E J M E I D X I

S E A L I O N P O T U S

P U P L A O U R I N S O W A S H E D

A P R S

V O O D O T O A N I G O N O U O T A D A R E R I E Y A D

E N T I C E N O T E D

M I R E O V E R O T Y P E S H T A S S I N T H E A E R I E W E L T F S O H O F T H E R R W A T E R A M I N O R E N D S D R E S S

ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: HANDY MIGHT UNSURE CANOPY Answer: After rubbing the seasoning on the Thanksgiving turkey, she had — “THYME” ON HER HANDS

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month (for Baltimore and Howard County editions); by the 20th (for Washington and Richmond editions). Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your ad: • $25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500. • $50 for 501-750 (maximum length). The website will calculate this amount for you. Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number. • Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. • All ads are subject to publisher’s discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.

To place your classified ad, visit www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds

We thank our advertisers who make our publication possible. Please patronize them and let them know you saw their ad in the Beacon! Clinical Studies Howard Univ. Alzheimer’s Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 UM Hearing Study . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Elections John McCarthy for State’s Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Employment Career Gateway . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Virtual 50+ Employment Expo . .20

Funeral Services Going Home Cremation . . . . . . . .27

Government Services DC Living Boldly Newsletter . . .16 Glenview Mansion Rental . . . . . .30 Montgomery County Age-Friendly Newsletter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Montgomery County Aging & Disability Services . . . . . . . . .8 Montgomery County Public Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Home Health Care/Companion Services Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . . . .B-12 Options for Senior America . . . . .12 Radiocw Health Care . . . . . . . . . .15

Housing Acclaim at Belmont Bay . . . . .B-18

Ashby Ponds/Erickson .1, B-8, B-14 Brooke Grove Retirement Village . .B-10, B-16, B-19, B-20 Cadence Living Olney . . . . . . . . .15 Chesterbrook Residences . . . . . . . . .B-10, B-17 Chevy Chase House . . . .B-10, B-15 Churchill Senior Living . . . . . . . . .6 Covenant Village . . . . . .B-16, B-17 Culpepper Garden . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Emerson House . . . . . . .B-17, B-19 Enterprise Residential . . . . . . . . .10 Falcon’s Landing . . . . . . . . .3, B-10 Friendship Terrace . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Greenspring/Erickson .1, B-8, B-16 Harmony Senior Services . . . . .B-2 Homecrest House . . . . . . .B-6, B-19 Homewood at Frederick . . . . . . . . .8 Housing Initiative Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-12 Knollwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Landing of Silver Spring, The .B-15 Maplewood Park Place . . .B-9, B-14 Modena Reserve at Kensington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-7 Park View Apartments . . . . . . . . .10 Quantum Property Mgmt . . . . .B-17 Providence Fairfax, The . .B-3, B-19 Residences on the Lane . . . . . . .B-4 Riderwood/Erickson . .1, B-8, B-19 Seneca Rockville, The . .B-10, B-13 Sky Bridge at Town Center, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5, B-19 Sommerset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-6 Sylvestery, The . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-13

Tribute at the Glen . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Vinson Hall Retirement Community . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-10

Legal Services Farr Law Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Law Offices of Nancy Feldman . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Law Offices of Paul Riekhof . . . .23

Medical/Health I Hate Knee Pain . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Judy Oh, DDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . .6 MedStar Health PSA Screening . . .7 Silver Spring Medical Center . . . .8 Steven Friedman, DDS . . . . . . . .12

Retail Perfect Sleep Chair . . . . . . . . . . .36 Potomac Collector . . . . . . . . . . . .21 So Lite Scooter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Senior Resources JCA Senior Helpline . . . . . . . . . .23

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Brooke Grove . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-19 ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation . . . . . . . . . .11

Subscriptions Beacon Newspapers . . . . . . . . . . .27

Technology

Memory Care

TechMedic4u . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Brooke Grove . . . . . . . . .B-16, B-20 Cadence Living Olney . . . . . . . . .15 Kensington Club . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Harmony Senior Services . . . . .B-2 Landing of Silver Spring, The . .B-15 Modena Reserve Kensington . . .B-7 Providence Fairfax, The . .B-3, B-19 Seneca Rockville, The . .B-10, B-13 Sky Bridge at Town Center, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5, B-19 Sylvestery, The . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-13

Theatre/ Entertainment

Real Estate Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-3, B-14 Long & Foster/ Eric Stewart . . . . . . . . . . . . .22, 26

Capital One Hall . . . . . . . .B-11, 31 Encore 15th Anniversary Concert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre . . . . . .28 Friday Morning Music Club . . . .28 Kennedy Center, The . . . . . . . . . .29 Leadership in Aging Awards . . . .27 Senior Zone Radio Show . . . . . . .30 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . .31

Travel Eyre Tour & Travel . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Shillelaghs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Travel West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . .25

A P R I L 2 0 2 2 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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