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The secrets of healthy aging

Moving into research When Ferrucci made the decision to become part of the solution, he began working in a geriatric hospital in Italy, but decided that wasn’t quite the right fit. “It’s sort of difficult to be only a clinician when you work with aging because the rate of success is very low. You’re dealing with very old, frail people. I wanted to do research. I started being interested in the epidemiology of aging,” he said.

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PHOTO BY DOUG HANSEN, NIH

By Barbara Ruben Luigi Ferrucci set out to study aging as a young man. As an idealistic 20-year-old medical student and volunteer for the Red Cross in Italy, Ferrucci found himself intrigued by a professor who told him the coming wave of aging adults would transform not just medicine, but politics and society as well. “He was absolutely right. If you think about it today, what everybody’s talking about in political discussion is passing healthcare [reform], how costly modern medicine is, how we’re going to afford Social Security, how we’re going to take care of people in a nursing home,” said Ferrucci, now 59. He’s pursued his early interest ever since, and is currently the scientific director of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he oversees more than 600 employees. From the NIA’s Baltimore offices, Ferrucci leads the largest and longest study of aging in the world — the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. As part of that research, he is now studying the secrets of very old, very healthy people in a study aptly named IDEAL (short for “Insight into Determinations of Exceptional Aging and Longevity”). But nearly 40 years after he first decided to focus on aging, it’s still a topic that gets far too little attention in everyday life, Ferrucci believes. “Unless we’re really focused very, very intensively on aging, we’re not going to be able to address it. So our cities will be designed by young people but inhabited by old people. We will have a social and environmental structure designed for 30-year-olds, but will in fact be used by 60- or 70-year-old people. And that’s a problem,” he said.

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ARTS & STYLE Dr. Luigi Ferrucci, scientific director of the National Institute on Aging, discusses the long-running Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging with colleague Dr. Toshiko Tanaka. In a new study, Ferrucci is now seeking very healthy people 80 or older to help uncover why they have aged so much better than their peers.

So rather than taking his vacation to relax in Rome or visit the canals of Venice, Ferrucci used his time off to go to NIA to learn about its work. He soon began to commute between Baltimore and his native Florence, spending three months here each year before returning home to his family and his work with the Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology at the (Italian) National Institute for Research and Care on Aging. When the NIA sought a director for the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), Ferrucci decided to apply, never dreaming he’d get the job. “I thought it was unlikely an Italian would ever get such a good position. But I

was wrong, because one of the beautiful things about this country is that it gives people a chance. “They liked what I was saying, they liked the work I was doing, and they offered me a position. I was 48 or 49, and I thought if I don’t do it now, I’m never going to do it.” So in 2002, Ferrucci took the reins of the longitudinal study, which had begun in 1958. A few of the earliest participants are still members of the study, which continues to accept new applicants. About 1,200 people are currently enrolled; in all, there have been more than 3,000 participants over the past 55 years. See HEALTHY AGING, page 12

A live show for all those who love Lucy; plus, Double Nickels Theater transforms oral history into performance art page 43 FITNESS & HEALTH 4 k Heart repair without surgery k When you forget, should you worry? SPOTLIGHT ON AGING k Newsletter for D.C. seniors

VOLUNTEERS & CAREERS

LAW & MONEY 33 k Higher returns with moderate risk k Scooter sales draw scrutiny LEISURE & TRAVEL

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Anonymously yours The scariest thing about sitting down to haps they might lead to a more reflective write a column, especially in the Internet type of discourse in the public arena. age, is that you risk putting After all, being told to your ignorance on display to “think before your speak” the entire world, forever. meant one thing when we It used to be if you made were sitting in our elemenan error or there was an tary school classrooms, but “editing mistake,” you might quite another when our get a comment or two, perwords may immediately be haps a letter. You could then broadcast worldwide. issue a retraction or correcOn the contrary, however, tion (“sorry I misspoke”) and many people today appear to pretty much figure that had lose most of their inhibitions taken care of it. when writing online. To FROM THE But today, every word you PUBLISHER them, it’s liberating to see write in a blog, article, col- By Stuart P. Rosenthal their words immediately and umn or even comment gets indelibly expressed in print “cached” in cyberspace and can remain ac- with the click of an “enter” button. cessible ad infinitum — and searchable by Of course, I’m omitting a crucial qualifiyour name — despite all efforts to erase it. cation here. Most Internet comments are And what about expressing opinions submitted pseudonymously, or at least that, upon further reflection, you realize using a truncated name that cannot easily were somewhat half-baked. (I’m speaking be traced back to the author. theoretically here.) Those, too, will always The ability to hide one’s identity online resurface, at an inopportune time no is, indeed, one of the signature features of doubt, even when your thinking has ma- the Internet. This privacy is what makes the tured. medium so useful to people — for both posYou’d think (well, I’d think) these conse- itive and prurient purposes. And the threats quences of Internet search engines would allegedly posed to this privacy by some feamake people more reluctant to say the first tures of the latest technology, including that thing that came into their minds, that per- of Google and Facebook, have caused a

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storm of criticism online and elsewhere. On the other hand, the ability to comment while remaining out of sight isn’t really a new development. Book authors and columnists have used pseudonyms for hundreds of years. But when push comes to shove, people can usually ferret out a person’s true (or should I say, primary) colors in the publishing world. This appears to be more difficult online, though digital sleuths do have their ways. So would people step back and be more circumspect (or at least less vicious) if they were required to write in their own names at all times? Would writers be more careful to check their facts and think through their arguments? Would we be able to have more faith in online product reviews if we could tell whether a PR hack wrote them? I think it’s clear all of these would be true. But I also think we’re unlikely to see the day when all Internet postings are

clearly identifiable. While sites like Facebook tell users they are required to use their “real name,” and the fine print on many sites says you must at least register in your real name before being able to comment, there are still plenty of opportunities to hide one’s identity online. And for all practical purposes, the fact that a site’s owner has access to your real name doesn’t make your otherwise anonymous comments identifiable without a court order. At least there is one good thing about the fact that people so often hide behind pseudonyms when they write the most outrageous things. It means they do still have a sense of shame. When people choose to use their real names in rants, we’ll know the barbarians truly are at the gates.

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 barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: Picked up the Beacon at the Silver Spring Y yesterday. Great article on [Path of Achievement award winners] Marcine Goodloe and Joyce Siegel written by Anne Ball. They are truly remarkable women, wellshowcased by the article. Kathleen Meaney Stobie RSVP Program Director Rockville, Md. Dear Editor: Your April article, “Mediterranean-style diets beat low-fat ones” in prevention of heart disease, based on research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, needs clarification. What constitutes a low fat diet? Dr. Dean Ornish (who has pioneered the lowfat diet in reversing coronary artery disease), rebutted the research you wrote about in a blog post on April 20 in the Huffington Post. Excerpts from his “Does a Mediterranean Diet Really Beat Low-Fat for Heart Health?” are below. His blog can be read at www.huffingtonpost.com/dr... /mediterranean-diet_b_2755940.html. “In the ‘low-fat’ group, total fat consumption decreased insignificantly, from 39 percent to 37 percent. This doesn’t even come close to the American Heart Association guidelines of a low-fat diet (<30 percent fat) or ours for reversing heart disease (<10 percent fat)…. “Also, the researchers appear to have done everything they could to bias the outcome in favor of the Mediterranean diet by encouraging the “low-fat” diet to increase consumption of foods that are known to in-

crease the risk of cardiovascular disease, including bread, potatoes, pasta and rice, and not to limit their intake of sodas (which also increase cardiovascular disease risk).” Dilip Ray, M.D. Baltimore, MD Dear Editor: Regarding Bob Levey’s new car-buying saga (March Beacon), I had the same baffling/frustrating experience a few years ago. I knew exactly what I wanted: sixcylinder six-speed coupe with a navigation system. Honda and Toyota both made such a car. But at least four local dealers were unwilling to listen [to what I wanted] or make a sale. At each, salesmen and sales managers responded, “We don’t get many of those, but come look at what we have in stock.” When I asked what part of my request hadn’t been understood, they simply repeated their response. So I’d ask them whether they only sold vehicles that fell off the truck in front of the dealership. One dealership, Brown’s Honda in Arlington, had a saleswoman willing to sell me what I wanted to buy. She conjured up such a car twice, then again when I was ready to buy. All it took was using the computer to search for my car, which she found only 15 miles away. I don’t see how those other dealerships stay in business with that can’t-help-you attitude. Gabriel Goldberg Falls Church, Va.

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Health Fitness &

RELIEVING GERD FOR GOOD A bracelet of magnets implanted around the esophagus can stop GERD SPEECHLESS NO MORE There are many causes and treatments for vocal cord paralysis KEEN ON QUINOA This whole grain with complete protein is easy to prepare and healthy RADIATION AND YOUR HEART Radiation for breast cancer can cause heart problems years later

New tools fix hearts without major surgery By Marilynn Marchione Have a heart problem? If it’s fixable, there’s a good chance it can be done without surgery, using tiny tools and devices that are pushed through tubes into blood vessels. Heart care is in the midst of a transformation. Many problems that once required sawing through the breastbone and opening up the chest for open heart surgery now can be treated with a nip, twist or patch through a tube. These minimal procedures used to be done just to unclog arteries and correct less common heart rhythm problems. Now some patients are getting such repairs for valves, irregular heartbeats, holes in the heart and other defects — without major surgery. Doctors are even testing ways to treat high blood pressure with some of these new approaches. All rely on catheters — hollow tubes that let doctors burn away and reshape heart tissue or correct defects. They are inserted into the body through small holes and threaded through blood vessels.

“This is the replacement for the surgeon’s knife. Instead of opening the chest, we’re able to put catheters in through the leg, sometimes through the arm,” said Dr. Spencer King of St. Joseph’s Heart and Vascular Institute in Atlanta. “Many patients after having this kind of procedure can go home in a day or two” rather than staying in the hospital while a big wound heals, he said. It may lead to cheaper treatment, although the initial cost of the novel devices often offsets the savings from shorter hospital stays.

Safer for frailer patients Not everyone can have catheter treatment, and some promising devices have hit snags in testing. Others on the market now are so new that it will take several years to see if their results last as long as the benefits from surgery do. But already, these procedures have allowed many people too old or frail for an operation to get help for problems that otherwise would likely kill them.

“You can do these on 90-year-old patients,” King said. These methods also offer an option for people who cannot tolerate long-term use of blood thinners or other drugs to manage their conditions, or who don’t get enough help from these medicines and are getting worse. “It’s opened up a whole new field,” said Dr. Hadley Wilson, cardiology chief at Carolinas HealthCare System in Charlotte. “We can hopefully treat more patients more definitively, with better results.” For patients, this is a crucial point: Make sure you are evaluated by a “heart team” that includes a surgeon as well as other specialists who do less invasive treatments. Many patients now get whatever treatment is offered by whatever specialist they are sent to, and those specialists sometimes are rivals.

New fixes Here are some common problems and newer treatments for them:

Heart valves. Millions of people have leaky heart valves. Each year, more than 100,000 people in the United States alone have surgery for them. A common one is the aortic valve, the heart’s main gate. It can stiffen and narrow, making the heart strain to push blood through it. Without a valve replacement operation, half of these patients die within two years, yet many are too weak to undergo one. “Essentially, this was a death sentence,” said Dr. John Harold, a Los Angeles heart specialist who is president of the College of Cardiology. That changed just over a year ago, when Edwards Lifesciences Corp. won approval to sell an artificial aortic valve flexible and small enough to fit into a catheter and be wedged inside the bad one. At first it was just for inoperable patients. Last fall, use was expanded to include people able to have surgery but at See HEART REPAIR, page 7

Forgetfulness can have multiple causes By Dr. Daniel Pendrick Worried that you’re getting more forgetful as you age? Ironically, worry itself can trigger memory slips. It might take a conversation with your doctor to pinpoint the cause of your memory lapses — especially if the change is sudden or uncharacteristic. “If it’s worse than it was a few months ago, or somebody is asking you about it, that would definitely be something to see a doctor about,” said Dr. Anne Fabiny, chief of geriatrics at Cambridge Health Alliance and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Some ordinary reasons If you consult a medical reference on possible causes of memory loss, you’ll find an assortment of possibilities — from brain tumors and infections to syphilis and migraine headaches. But hiding among them are a few ordinary causes worth serious consideration: 1. Alcohol Having more than the recommended number of daily drinks can contribute to memory loss. For men, the recommended

limit is no more than two standard drinks per day, defined as 1.5 ounces (1 shot glass) of 80-proof spirits, a 5-ounce serving of table wine, or a 12-ounce serving of beer. The limit for women is one drink per day. 2. Medications Tranquilizers, certain antidepressants and some blood pressure drugs can affect memory by causing sedation or confusion, which interfere with your ability to pay close attention to new things. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you suspect that a new medication is taking the edge off your memory. 3. Thyroid disorder Faltering thyroid hormone levels could affect memory, as well as cause sleep disturbance and depression, both of which contribute to memory slips. Although thyroid function is usually not the cause, your doctor may want to rule it out. 4. Stress and anxiety For older adults, disturbances in mood are among the most common causes of memory problems. The cause of the problem could be an illness in the family — or something with more positive overtones,

like moving to a new home. In either case, the new life stressor can make it harder for you to keep on top of things. Stress and anxiety affect memory because they make it harder for you to concentrate and lock new information and skills into memory. You may end up forgetting something simply because you were not really paying attention or had too much on your mind. 5. Depression The symptoms of depression often include forgetfulness. Most people think of depression as a stifling sadness, lack of drive, and lessening of pleasure in things that you ordinarily enjoyed. But the signs can change with aging. “Depression in older people often presents with physical symptoms,” Fabiny explained. “People don’t come in and say they are really depressed. They say my shoulder hurts, I have a headache, I have stomach pains, I don’t sleep very well.” 6. Sleep deprivation Lack of restful, high-quality sleep is perhaps the greatest unappreciated cause of memory slips. Sleeplessness can become more of an issue with aging.

“Older adults spend less time in the deep stages of sleep, which are the most restful,” Fabiny said. “As a result, they may not feel as rested upon awakening in the morning because they haven’t slept well.” Lack of restful sleep can also trigger mood changes. Anxiety is one possibility. “It’s not uncommon for people to become anxious because they can’t sleep, or to not sleep well because they are anxious,” Fabiny said. “Both can leave you in the same place.”

When to seek help If you think you are sleep deprived, see a doctor about it. Don’t succumb to the myth that older people need fewer hours of slumber, Fabiny said. “If you were a 9-hour-a-night sleeper when you were 29, you will still be when you are 79. But sleep quality may change with aging,” he said. You may wake more often, for example, and find it more difficult to get back to sleep. It can also help your memory to give your brain a break. “As you get older, it See FORGETFULNESS, page 5

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may become more difficult to maintain a high level of attention for several things at once,” Fabiny said. “Dividing your attention can definitely cause you to think you are having memory problems.” Finally, remember that fatigue that interferes with memory — and life in general — is not normal. Inadequately treated pain, sleep disorders, or low thyroid hormone levels in your blood could be at the

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root of a pooped-out and forgetful demeanor. “If you are feeling fatigued or lacking in energy, it’s important to have a conversation with your doctor,” Fabiny said. “It’s possible that an existing medical problem needs more attention or that an evaluation for a new condition is warranted.” — Harvard Men’s Health Watch © 2013 President and fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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Implanted device relieves GERD for good By Dr. C. Daniel Smith Dear Mayo Clinic: I saw a story on the news about magnets being used to treat patients with GERD. Is this treatment safe? How does it work? I’ve taken prescription drugs for GERD for years and would love to not need it anymore. Answer: The treatment you heard about is a new therapy now available for people with persistent gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. It involves placing around the lower end of the esophagus a device that looks like a bracelet and is made up of magnetic beads. The device allows food to pass into the stomach, but prevents acid and other digestive juices in the stomach from getting

up into the esophagus. Normally a ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter, located at the bottom of the esophagus and the top of the stomach, stays closed when you’re not eating. This keeps the acid that’s in your stomach out of your esophagus. If those muscles become weak or relax when they shouldn’t, acid can work its way into the esophagus. This acid reflux leads to the painful burning and regurgitation symptoms known as heartburn. The combination of acid reflux with heartburn, when they last over time, is GERD.

When drugs don’t help In the past, treatment for GERD has relied mainly on medicine to reduce stomach

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acid. But that’s not always effective in controlling the disorder. This new treatment is intended for people whose GERD symptoms continue to flare up even when they take a daily dose of medication. Effective control of GERD is important because, if left untreated, excessive acid can damage the esophagus and lead to a precancerous condition known as Barrett’s esophagus and, eventually, to esophageal cancer. The purpose of putting the bracelet device around the esophagus is to reinforce the lower esophageal sphincter. The device is placed in the same area as that ring of muscle. The magnetic force between each bead holds the bracelet snug around the esophagus.

How it works When a person implanted with this device swallows food, pressure within the esophagus pushes the food down. When the food reaches the bracelet of magnetic beads, the pressure causes the magnetic force between each bead to lessen. The bracelet then pops open, food passes into the stomach, and the magnetic force pulls the bracelet closed again. Surgery to implant the device usually lasts one to two hours. The procedure is minimally invasive and typically requires only an overnight hospital stay. Recovery takes about a week.

Some individuals report difficulty swallowing with the device in place. But for most people, that fades over time. The bracelet is designed to be a permanent solution for GERD. So unless there are problems, it is not removed. A recent study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, followed 100 people who had this treatment for three years. Ninety-two of the people in the study reported fewer GERD symptoms. Eighty-seven percent of the study participants were able to completely stop using acid-lowering medications, and 94 percent reported being satisfied with the treatment. In March 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the device for treatment of GERD in the United States. If you have GERD and daily antacid is not enough to control your symptoms, this treatment may be a good fit for you. Talk to your doctor or contact a physician who specializes in GERD to learn more. — C. Daniel Smith, M.D., Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. To submit a question, write to medicaledge@mayo.edu. For health information, visit www.mayoclinic.com. © 2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

Heart repair From page 4 high risk of complications. Catheter-based treatments for other valves also are in testing. One for the mitral valve — Abbott Laboratories’ MitraClip — had a mixed review by federal Food and Drug Administration advisers recently; whether it will win FDA approval is unclear. It is already sold in Europe. Heart rhythm problems. Catheters can contain tools to burn off or “ablate” bits of heart tissue that cause abnormal signals that control the heartbeat. This used to be done only for some serious or relatively rare problems, or during surgery if a patient was already having an operation for another heart issue. Now catheter ablation is being used for the most common rhythm problem — atrial fibrillation — which plagues about 3 million Americans and 15 million people worldwide. The upper chambers of the heart quiver or beat too fast or too slow. That lets blood pool in a small pouch off one of these chambers. Clots can form in the pouch and travel to the brain, causing a stroke. Ablation addresses the underlying rhythm problem. To address the stroke risk from pooled blood, several novel devices aim to plug or seal off the pouch. Only one has approval in the U.S. now — SentreHeart Inc.’s Lariat, a tiny lasso to cinch the pouch shut. It uses two catheters that act like chopsticks. One goes through a blood vessel and into the pouch to help guide placement of the device, which is contained in a second catheter poked under the ribs to the outside of the heart. A loop is released to circle the top of the pouch where it meets the heart, sealing off the pouch. Heart defects. Some people have a hole in a heart wall called an atrial septal defect that causes abnormal blood flow. St.

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Jude Medical Inc.’s Amplatzer is a fabricmesh patch threaded through catheters to plug the hole. The patch is also being tested for a more common defect — PFO, a hole that results when the heart wall doesn’t seal the way it should after birth. This can raise the risk of stroke. In two new studies, the device did not meet the main goal of lowering the risk of repeat strokes in people who had already suffered one, but some doctors were encouraged by other results. Clogged arteries. The original catheter-based treatment — balloon angioplasty — is still used hundreds of thousands of times each year in the U.S. alone. A Japanese company, Terumo Corp., is one of the leaders of a new way to do it that is easier on patients — through a catheter in the arm rather than the groin. Newer stents that prop arteries open and then dissolve over time, aimed at reducing the risk of blood clots, are also in

late-stage testing. High blood pressure. About 75 million Americans and 1 billion people worldwide have high blood pressure — a major risk factor for heart attacks. Researchers are testing a possible long-term fix for dangerously high pressure that can’t be controlled with multiple medications. It uses a catheter and radio waves to zap

nerves, located near the kidneys, which fuel high blood pressure. At least one device is approved in Europe and several companies are testing devices in the United States. “We’re very excited about this,” said Harold, the cardiology college’s president. It offers hope to “essentially cure high blood pressure.” — AP

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Health Shorts Fix your knee with PT, not surgery You might not want to rush into knee surgery. Physical therapy can be just as good for a common injury and at far less cost and risk, the most rigorous study to compare these treatments concludes. Therapy didn’t always help, and some people wound up having surgery for the problem, called a torn meniscus. But those who stuck with therapy had improved as much at six months and one year later as those who were given arthroscopic surgery right away, researchers found.

“Both are very good choices. It would be quite reasonable to try physical therapy first because the chances are good that you’ll do quite well,” said one study leader, Dr. Jeffrey Katz, a joint specialist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Results were published online by the New England Journal of Medicine. A meniscus is one of the crescentshaped cartilage discs that cushion the knee. About one-third of people over 50 have a tear in one, and arthritis makes this more likely. Usually the tear doesn’t cause symptoms, but it can be painful. When that happens, it’s tough to tell if the pain is from the tear or the arthritis — or whether surgery is needed or will help. Nearly half a million knee surgeries for a torn meniscus are done each year in the U.S.

M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

The new federally funded study compared surgery with a less drastic option. Researchers at seven major universities and orthopedic surgery centers around the U.S. assigned 351 people with arthritis and meniscus tears to get either surgery or physical therapy. The therapy was nine sessions on average, plus exercises to do at home, which experts say is key to success. After six months, both groups had similar rates of functional improvement. Pain scores also were similar. Thirty percent of patients assigned to physical therapy wound up having surgery before the six months was up, often because they felt therapy wasn’t helping them. Yet they ended up the same as those who got surgery right away, as well as the rest of the physical therapy group who stuck with it and avoided having an operation. — AP

Time for another whooping cough vaccine You might have assumed that you no longer need to be vaccinated for diseases that normally strike in childhood, including pertussis, or whooping cough. Yet a study published in the December 2012 journal Clinical Infectious Diseases underscores the need for older adults to also get vaccinated, as rates of this disease have risen in all age groups. When researchers in Australia looked at a database of pertussis records, they found that the incidence of this disease was about 30 percent higher in women — and older adults who are infected are more likely to need hospitalization. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the actual number of

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Heart-lung machines safe for older adults One of the scariest parts of bypass surgery — having your heart stopped and going on a heart-lung machine while doctors fix your clogged arteries — is safe even in those 75 and older and doesn’t cause mental decline as many people have feared, two landmark studies show. Bypass surgery is one of the most common operations in the world. There is great debate about the best way to do it, and patients often are given a choice. Usually doctors stop the heart to make it easier to connect new blood vessels to make detours around blocked ones. But some patients later complain of “pumphead” — mental decline thought to be from the heart-lung machines used to pump their blood while their hearts could not. So surgeons started doing “off-pump” bypasses on beating hearts. Nearly one quarter of bypasses are done this way now. But that brought a new complaint: Results on the blood vessels seemed not as good. The new studies were aimed at testing all these factors in a rigorous way to see which method was best. Dr. Andre Lamy of Canada’s McMaster University led a study of 4,752 people in 19 countries. They were randomly assigned to have bypasses with See HEALTH SHORTS, page 9

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

Causes and treatments for loss of voice By Dr. Dale Ekbom Dear Mayo Clinic: My 55-year-old brother-in-law has developed a vocal cord palsy out of the blue. What can cause this, and what can be done to restore his voice? Answer: Vocal cord palsy, more commonly called vocal cord paralysis, happens when vocal cord muscles become paralyzed. This condition comes from a disruption in the nerve impulses to the voice box, or larynx. There are a variety of possible causes, including injury, stroke, tumors and infections. Treatment depends on how severe the symptoms are and how long they last. Your vocal cords are inside your voice box, located in the throat between the base

of your tongue and the top of your windpipe, or trachea. The vocal cords are two folds made up of muscle and soft tissue that act like a gate between your airway and mouth. When you breathe, your vocal cords open. When you speak, they come together and vibrate, creating the sound of your voice. In most cases of vocal cord paralysis, only one vocal cord is paralyzed. The result is often hoarseness with a breathy quality to the voice. Vocal cord paralysis can make swallowing difficult. Some people with this disorder feel a need to clear their throat frequently. They also may need to stop and take a breath often while they speak.

Health shorts

these patients in Germany. Again, the methods proved equally safe and effective a year later. — AP

From page 8 or without the use of heart pumps. After one year, there were no big differences in the rates of death, heart attack, stroke or kidney failure in the two groups. Slightly more people who had bypasses without a heart-lung machine needed a follow-up procedure to open clogged arteries, but the difference was so small it could have occurred by chance alone. Mental sharpness and quality of life also was similar in the two groups. That suggests that whatever decline people experience is temporary or a result of anesthesia or something other than the way the operations were done, said Dr. Timothy Gardner, a surgeon and an American Heart Association spokesman. That was true even in people 75 or older, a group most worried about going on a heart-lung machine. The second study tested the two bypass methods in 2,539 of

Many possible causes Many health problems can lead to vocal cord paralysis. The most common cause is a viral infection. Also common is injury to the nerve as a result of surgery, such as thyroidectomy or an operation on the chest or mediastinum (the space behind the breast bone or sternum). Tumors in the chest or neck can also affect the nerve to the larynx and vocal cord. In many cases, though, it can be hard for doctors to pinpoint the exact cause of vocal cord paralysis. For some people with the disorder, vocal cord paralysis may go away on its own. Other people who have mild symptoms may choose not to have treatment.

When symptoms are more severe, treatment usually is needed.

Therapy, maybe surgery As a first step, voice therapy may be useful. The therapy typically includes exercises that improve breath control during speech, protect the airway during swallowing, and prevent tension in muscles around the paralyzed vocal cord. If a person’s voice is very breathy and weak, voice therapy may not provide any benefit. Surgery is often necessary to improve the voice. This involves repositioning the paralyzed vocal cord to bring it closer to See VOCAL CORDS, page 10

ECG? There’s an app for that People with heart disease will soon be able to provide vital information about their heart rhythm to their healthcare provider without making a visit to the doctor’s office. Last December, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a mobile electrocardiogram (ECG) device that attaches to an iPhone 4 or 5. To record an ECG, the user simply presses the fingers of both hands onto the electrode pads. The information is analyzed by an app, then transmitted digitally for storage on the company’s website, where it can be accessed by a doctor. — Harvard Heart Letter

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M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Give high protein, whole grain quinoa a try By Jessie Price By now you’ve probably tasted quinoa, and probably even know how to pronounce it (“keen-wah”). Maybe you’ve come to love it because it’s a healthy whole grain and cooks up in

just 20 minutes, or because it has a lovely nutty taste and delicate popping texture. But are you quinoa-savvy? Here are facts about quinoa nutrition, rinsing and cooking quinoa, and how to use quinoa flour and quinoa flakes:

Quinoa is a quick-cooking, gluten-free whole grain (actually a pseudo wholegrain, because it’s cooked like a whole grain but is the seed of a beet relative). Quinoa grows in a rainbow of colors, but the most commonly available are red, black and white. Taste and nutrition are similar among the colors. White quinoa tends to cook up fluffier, while red quinoa and black quinoa have a crunchier texture and the grains don’t stick together as much.

Protein powerhouse Quinoa is nutritionally renowned for its protein content. While it does have a decent amount, it’s not actually the amount of protein that’s so impressive. Instead it’s the type of protein. Quinoa has the perfect balance of all nine amino acids essential for human nu-

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trition. This type of complete protein is rarely found in plant foods, though common in meats. Quinoa also offers a good dose of fiber and iron. There are 111 calories in each 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa. Conventional wisdom has it that you need to rinse quinoa before cooking. Why? Quinoa seeds are coated with saponin, a bitter substance that protects the seeds from predators. However, most quinoa sold in the U.S. is pre-rinsed so there’s no need to do this. If you want to be cautious, go ahead and give it a rinse: Put the quinoa in a bowl, cover it with water, swish it around and then drain it in a fine-mesh sieve.

How to cook quinoa If you can cook rice, you can cook quinoa. Here’s the simplest way to prepare it: Combine 1 cup quinoa with 2 cups water (or broth) in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving. When it’s cooked, quinoa will look slightly translucent and the white “string,” which is actually part of the hull, will be visible. See QUINOA, page 13

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the middle of the voice box, which allows the other vocal cord to make closer contact with the paralyzed cord when speaking or swallowing. The repositioning may be accomplished with an injection of a substance that bulks up the vocal cord. Or an implant may be used to reposition the vocal cord. If a large gap remains between the vocal cords that makes speaking difficult, it may be necessary to surgically reposition the back part of the vocal cord, called the arytenoid cartilage. Another option is to replace the damaged nerve with a healthy nerve from a different area of the neck. It can take as long as six months before a new nerve starts working. Some doctors combine this surgery with a bulk injection. It is important for those affected with vocal cord paralysis to talk with a doctor who has experience treating this disorder. A thorough review of possible causes, as well as a comprehensive evaluation of a person’s medical history and symptoms, can help the care team create a treatment plan that best fits that individual’s situation. — Dale Ekbom, M.D., Laryngology and Voice Disorders, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. © 2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

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Healthy aging From page 1 Those entering the BLSA must be at least 20 years old and commit to spending two to three days at NIA every two to three years for intensive testing — on everything from cardiovascular health to personality. “At the end of this visit, they do a survey and the most important complaint is that they do not have enough time to go to the bathroom because we test them constantly,” he joked. “Up to about 10 years ago, almost everything we knew about aging was coming from the BLSA,” Ferrucci, said. “In the last 10 to 15 years, there has been a groundswell of interest, as many other people are starting to study aging.”

The BLSA has documented some sweeping discoveries about older adults, including the concept that there is no chronological timetable of aging; everyone ages differently. Also, while people’s bodies change as they age, a number of disorders that typically occur in old age are a result of disease processes, not normal aging as had previously been thought. Ferrucci said a few of the most important findings from the study are the following: • The development of the glucose tolerance test to diagnose diabetes was due to the BLSA. • The study discovered that artery stiffness is a strong predictor for cardiovascular disease. • In autopsies of some of the study patients, their brains showed all the hallmarks of severe Alzheimer’s, yet they were able to

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M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

function normally with no signs of dementia. (Those in the study are encouraged to agree to an autopsy, but it is not required.) “If we could understand why some people escape the devastation of Alzheimer’s, that would be a very good way to develop new treatment strategies,” Ferrucci said. • The decline in strength during aging is much more severe than the decline in muscle mass indicates. “Not only do the muscles become smaller, their quality seems to decline. If we could understand the biological process, we could implement strategies that would allow us to prevent muscle decline and some of the disability that occurs with aging,” he said. • People maintain the same personality for their whole lives. “There are some stereotypes that people become more vicious and grumpy as they age, but BLSA data show this is actually not the case…When change in personality occurs, it usually indicates there is some pathologic problem, some disease is occurring,” Ferrucci said.

Aging ideally Intrigued by the fact that some of the older study participants remain healthy while others don’t, Ferrucci began the IDEAL study two years ago. “What we’ve realized is that being a centenarian is not what people really want. What people want is to be long-lived [and] to live those lives as fully and joyfully as possible. The real outcome everyone wants is to be old and healthy — to live many years, but not have disease or disability.” The IDEAL study is now recruiting participants age 80 or older who can walk a quarter mile unassisted, have no severe memory problems, and have no major medical conditions. These healthy agers will be compared with ones in the BLSA who have had more problems as they’ve grown older. Only

about one-tenth of one percent of the population fits the criteria for the IDEAL study, Ferrucci said. There are currently about 70 patients in the study, primarily from the Baltimore and Washington areas. Participants must spend two to three days at NIA each year for a battery of tests — including six hours of cognitive testing and an MRI of the brain, as well as testing of walking ability, vision, hearing, personality and more. As he approaches 60, Ferrucci is applying his decades of research to his own life. His wife and two children in their 20s live in Italy, and he said he plans to be around for his grandchildren and beyond. He follows a Mediterranean diet, including fruit and yogurt for breakfast; a lot of vegetables, nuts, fish and olive oil; a small amount of carbohydrates; and wine several times a week. Ferrucci runs three to five miles several times a week and insists on getting at least six to six and one-half hours of sleep a night. And he’s preparing for a time when he’s older. Worried he won’t be able to run for too many more years, Ferrucci is taking up tennis as an alternative, less intensive exercise. He also believes it’s important to cultivate interests and social interaction. He’s honing his art skills, noting his mother painted while she was in her 90s. He’s also trying to learn as much as he can from the patients in his studies. “Friday is the best day of the week for me because I go to the clinic and talk with the patients. I’ve learned about mobility problems, about their everyday worries and concerns,” he said “Unless you see them, unless you talk to them personally, your awareness of them as individuals and not just numbers is just not there.” To find out more about the IDEAL study, call toll free 1-855-80-IDEAL (43325) or email IDEAL@westat.com.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

When a stranger falls, what’s your duty? On a nice spring afternoon, best and walked away. as I walked in a busy suburb, I Did I handle this incident was thinking about the importhe right way? tant things in life (baseball A piece of me thinks yes — and blues music). if the only question is whether Suddenly, I was face to face the man had the right to make with what could have been all decisions about his own a disaster. Twenty feet away, a health. man tripped on a jagged piece I was a stranger. I have no of sidewalk. He went down medical training. I’m my HOW I SEE IT onto his right hip, hard. brother’s keeper, but not my By Bob Levey I scurried over to him and brother’s overlord. offered him some help. I noBut a bigger piece of me ticed that the man was at least 80, perhaps thinks I swung and missed. older. He was obviously dazed, and he wasThe clues were all there — dizziness, n’t capable of getting up on his own. disorientation, advanced age. Should I He gave me both of his hands. I braced have insisted that the man go to the emermyself and pulled. Slowly, he rose and was gency room? able to stand, unsteadily. And if you think the answer is yes, what He was breathing hard, but he was not would have given me — a total stranger — bleeding, and he was not complaining of the right to make that decision? Or is this pain. He hadn’t hit his head. He probably hadn’t broken anything. I asked if he was OK. “I think so,” he said. “Do you feel dizzy?” I asked. “Yes,” he said. I urged him to lean against the wall of the nearby Chinese carry-out until he felt better. He did so. I asked if he wanted an ambulance. “Oh, no, no,” the man said. “But I do get dizzy a lot,” he offered. That sent my warning bells into a higher octave. I asked the man if he takes medication that might cause dizziness. “I take eight pills every morning,” he replied — sort of answering my question, but sort of not. I asked again if he wanted me to call 911. He waved me off. So I wished him the

Quinoa From page 10 One cup dry quinoa yields 3 cups cooked or 6 (1/2-cup) servings. Keep in mind how fluffy quinoa gets when you’re putting it into soups. Don’t add too much or you’ll find all your liquid has disappeared. Want to go beyond basic quinoa? Here’s what to look for next: quinoa flakes, which are a lot like rolled oats and can be used similarly. There’s also quinoa flour, a great option for baking, especially gluten-free baking. Look for both products in wellstocked supermarkets or natural-foods stores. Wondering how to make your own quinoa flour? Grind white quinoa in a clean coffee grinder until it’s a fine powder. It won’t be quite as fine as what you get in the store, but it will work in recipes for cookies and bars where a really fine texture is not necessary. EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com. © 2013 EatingWell, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

what any caring fellow citizen could and should do, regardless? I’ve floated this story past many people. Reactions are all over the map. I’ve been lectured by several friends about minding my own business. “If some-

one says he’s OK, then as far as you’re concerned, he’s OK,” said one. “I don’t care if he was 80 years old. He’s a big boy. It’s his decision.” Another friend wanted to fit me out for a See BOB LEVEY, page 15

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Bob Levey From page 13 halo. “It was great of you to ask him all those questions,” this friend said. “Most people would have crossed the street rather than get involved.” Still another friend thought that the man’s age was a clear signal for me to do more. “What if it had been a relative of yours?,” this friend asked. “When you’re 80, you’re not playing with a 52-card deck any more. You need all the help you can get. You were that help. Shame on you for not calling 911 right away.” Then there was the friend who raised legal issues. “If you had called 911, you would have had to give your name,” this friend said. “Then you might have been sued for violating the man’s privacy. Or you might have been billed for the ambulance.” When I called this friend an alarmist, he said: “I never do anything that could lead to legal action, no matter who I might be helping.” Was the situation more difficult because the man wasn’t bleeding, or because he apparently hadn’t broken any bones? I shouldn’t have looked at it that way. Any doctor will tell you that falls at age 80

are ver y dangerous, because they can cause internal bleeding. Also, older people are much more apt to break hips and legs, even if no break is immediately apparent. At the same time, this wasn’t a car accident, a shooting or a fistfight. I’m a big boy, too. Given that the man wasn’t unconscious or delirious, I decided to back my judgment. One friend had an especially interesting take on the story. He thought I would have called 911 if the victim had been a woman. He thought a male code was operating here, regardless of the man’s age — if one guy tells another guy that he’s tough enough to handle something, the first guy is inclined to accept that. I wasn’t conscious of any hormonal subplots, but....maybe. Another friend thought that I should have asked the man if he lived nearby, or had a relative he wanted me to call. “Then you wouldn’t have had to choose between playing God and washing your hands of it.” A nice notion — but sometimes you don’t think of everything in a moment of stress. And one friend made me laugh, despite the seriousness of the issue. “Just be glad that you still have enough strength to lift an adult male off the deck by yourself,” he

BEACON BITS

May 19

said. The best news of all: No nearby hospital reported any admissions of any 80-something men later that day. Even so, I think I could and should have done more. Better-safe-than-sorry is in the language for a reason.

In the meantime, whenever I walk past that Chinese carryout, I’m careful to step over the jagged piece of sidewalk. Bettersafe-than-sorry applies to people who are still south of 80, too. Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

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GETTING FROM HERE TO THERE On Sunday, May 19, from noon to 4 p.m., Asbury Methodist

Village will host “Driving and Beyond...Getting From Here to There, a Symposium

Two Campuses - Many Choices

and Mobility Resource Fair for Older Adults and Their Families.” The free program explores both driver safety and transportation resources. It takes place at Asbury’s Rosborough Center, 301 Odendhal Ave., Gaithersburg, Md. Space is limited; RSVP requested. Call 1-877-926-8300 or go to http://aarp.cvent.com/mddriversymposium.

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M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Breast cancer radiation may harm hearts By Marilynn Marchione Women treated with radiation for breast cancer are more likely to develop heart problems later, even with the lower doses

used today, new research suggests. The risk comes from any amount of radiation, starts five years after treatment, and lasts for decades, doctors in the UK found.

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Patients shouldn’t panic — radiation has improved cancer survival, and that is the top priority, doctors say. The chance of suffering a radiation-induced heart problem is fairly small. For example, 4 to 5 of every 100 women who are 50 years old and free of heart risks will develop a major cardiac problem by age 80, and radiation treatment would add one more case, the research suggests. Women can do a lot to cut their risk by keeping their weight, cholesterol and blood pressure under control. Still, the study reveals that the potential harm from radiation runs deeper than many medical experts may have realized, especially for women who already have cardiac risk factors such as diabetes. And it comes amid greater awareness of overtreatment — that many women are being treated for cancers that would never prove fatal, leading to trouble down the road such as heart disease.

Arteries and more affected

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Some chemotherapy drugs are known to harm the heart muscle, but the new study shows radiation can hurt arteries, making them prone to harden and clog and cause a heart attack. Women who receive both treatments have both types of risk. The study “will raise the antenna” about the need to do more to prevent this, said Dr. David Slosky, a cardiologist at Vanderbilt University, one of the growing number

of medical centers with special “cardio-oncology” programs for cancer survivors. With today’s lower radiation doses, “it is less of a problem, but it is not going away,” he said. The artery-related problems that the study tracked may be just the most visible of many risks because radiation also can cause valve, rhythm and other heart troubles, said Dr. Javid Moslehi. He is co-director of the cardio-oncology program at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Like cancer, heart disease develops after “a number of strikes that go against you,” such as high cholesterol, he said. “The radiation is just another hit.” He wrote in an editorial that appears with the study in the New England Journal of Medicine. British government agencies and private foundations paid for the research. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women — more than a million cases are diagnosed each year worldwide. When it’s confined to the breast, most women get surgery to remove the lump, followed by several weeks of radiation to kill any lingering cancer cells and sometimes hormone or chemotherapy. What heart disease risks come from what specific doses isn’t known. The new study, led by Dr. Sarah Darby of the University of Oxford in England, sought to measure that. It involved 2,168 breast cancer patients See RADIATION, page 18

BEACON BITS

May 13

ASK ABOUT YOUR BACK PAIN

Inova Alexandria Hospital presents “Latest Treatments for Back Pain” on Monday, May 13 at 7 p.m. Dr. Corey Wallach will discuss solutions and answer questions about back pain at the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library at 5005 Duke St., Alexandria, Va. For more information, call 1855-694-6882 or visit www.inova.org/AskTheExpert.

May 30

HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR

The White Oak Senior Center is hosting its First Annual Health & Wellness Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 30 — National Senior Fitness Day. There will be speakers, demonstrations, entertainment and a variety of vendors tailored to the interests of the senior community. For inquiries, call (240) 777-6944.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

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Radiation From page 16 from Sweden and Denmark diagnosed between 1958 and 2001 and treated with radiation. They included 963 women who suffered a heart attack, needed an artery-opening procedure or died of heart artery-related caus-

M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

es in the years after their radiation treatment. The other 1,205 were similar patients who did not develop these heart problems. Researchers compared the women’s radiation exposures using gray units, a measure of how much is absorbed by the body. They used hospital records and treatment plans to figure how many gray units actually reached each woman’s heart and one ar-

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tery often involved in heart attacks. Most women treated today get doses that result in 1 to 5 gray units reaching the heart — more if the cancer is in the left breast. Patients in the study got an average of five gray units; the doses ranged from 1 to 28. The risk of a heart attack, need for an artery-opening procedure, or dying of heart disease rose about 7 percent per gray unit and no “safe” level was seen. The risk started to rise within five years of treatment and continued for at least 20 years.

Minimizing your risk Don’t forgo radiation if it’s recommended because it is lifesaving, and doctors increasingly have ways to shield the heart from exposure, said Dr. Bruce Haffty, associate director of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey and president-elect of ASTRO, the American Society for Radiation Oncology. “Whatever cardiac risks may be there, they are outweighed by the cancer benefit,” he said.

Your New Lifestyle Begins Here

Some centers have special tables that women lie on face-down with holes for the breast to hang through. That allows radiation to be delivered just to that tissue rather than the wider chest area that gets irradiated when a woman lies face-up on a table. Women need to tell any doctor treating them about radiation they have received in the past. It may mean they should avoid diagnostic tests that use radiation and instead have ultrasounds and MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, whenever possible, Slosky said. Some places are starting to use electronic medical records to track radiation exposure over a patient’s lifetime, so the cumulative dose is known regardless of who ordered what test and when. “I’d like to have a personal record like a personal dosimeter” for each patient, Slosky said. “Then you’d know” what risks they face and what tests are safe for them in the future. — AP

BEACON BITS

May 20

ENHANCE YOUR LOW VISION At the monthly

Dupont Circle Village Live and Learn Seminar, Dr. Rajiv Luthra, of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, will outline ways to accommodate low vision in daily activities. The program will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Monday, May 20 in Studio A at The Studio Theatre at 1501 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.

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FFFN-&$.O>(F+(%><$0>,>%?N'<E Call the community nearest you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour or email seniorliving@sheltergrp.com. Professionally managed by The Shelter Group. www.thesheltergroup.com

For reservations, contact Linda Harsh at (202) 234-2567 or lindajkh@mac.com. Cost is free for Village members and $10 for nonmembers.

May 8+

INDEPENDENT LIVING PROJECT Fairfax County is

offering a free six-week program that includes a gentle exercise program to improve strength and balance, presentations on county services, a healthy cooking demonstration, and advice on how to manage your healthcare and prescriptions. Led by professional social workers, the group meets at the Centreville Regional Library at 14200 St. Germain Dr., Centreville, Va., from May 8 to June 12 on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/independent.htm or call (703) 324-7210, TTY 711. For more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

Health Studies Page

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Memory study seeks variety of volunteers Howard University Hospital’s Division of Geriatrics and is leading the study. Howard researchers are seeking people age 55 to 90 who are in good general health besides their memory problems.

Several scans Participants will be given several brain scans during the study. Brain scans show scientists how the brain’s structure and function change as Alzheimer’s disease starts and progresses. Those enrolled in the study will undergo MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) scans to examine the structure of the brain and two types of PET (positron emission tomography) scans, including FDG-PET, which measures glucose metabolism in the brain, and PET using a radioactive compound that measures brain beta-amyloid. Abnormal amounts of this protein in the brain and another protein called tau are the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. Participants must also agree to undergo at least one lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to collect spinal fluid for study. Biomarkers in spinal fluid can reveal other changes that could, for example, identify which patients with mild cognitive impairment will develop Alzheimer’s. Scientists will also look at levels of beta-amyloid and tau in the spinal fluid. Participants are given copies of their scans only if there is a “significant clinical finding,” Obisesan said. They can then follow up with their doctor.

Qualifying for the study Participants will need a study partner (such as a family member or friend) to accompany them to clinical visits for the study. Those in the study cannot have any

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other neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis. They also cannot have pacemakers, artificial heart valves, metal fragments or other implants that might interfere with the scans. Those with major depression or schizophrenia also cannot participate. The study lasts for four years, during

which time participants will make 10 visits to Howard University Hospital. Participants are paid $200, plus an extra $100 after undergoing the lumbar puncture. Their study partners receive $150. For more information, or to volunteer, call Saba Wolday at (202) 865-7895 or email swolday@howard.edu.

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE NEUROIMAGING INITIATIVE A LANDMARK RESEARCH STUDY SPONSORED BY NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH This study looks to help predict and monitor the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease using: FDG-PET imaging scans MRI scans Amyloid PET imaging scans Biomarkers from the collection and testing of blood and cerebrospinal fluid ▲ ▲▲▲

By Barbara Ruben Doctors know that minor memory problems, known as mild cognitive impairment, as well as early Alzheimer’s disease often progress to more serious difficulties. But they are still detangling what changes in the brain take place that lead to worsening memory and how to predict when these changes might occur. To better understand how this decline happens, researchers at Howard University Hospital are participating in an NIHfunded study that uses brain imaging tests to look for answers. They will then use this information to help develop better methods for early detection and monitoring of memory-robbing diseases. This is the third phase of the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, which began in 2004. Participation in the study has been expanded to include those with mild Alzheimer’s disease. The initial phases included only those with mild cognitive impairment or concerns about their memory. The study is also looking for participants without cognitive or memory problems because researchers want to better understand the entire spectrum of Alzheimer’s disease as it evolves from normal aging through very mild symptoms, to mild cognitive impairment, to dementia. “The Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) study is helping the scientific community to unmask the face of Alzheimer’s disease by enabling early diagnosis, monitoring of disease progression, and finding targets for drug treatment. “It is the most monumental study of our time on Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Thomas O. Obisesan, who is chief of

NO STUDY DRUG IS USED IN THIS RESEARCH The study needs volunteers who: • Are between 55 and 90 years of age • Are fluent in English or Spanish • Either have a diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s disease, MCI, or are cognitively normal • Are in good general health • Are willing and able to undergo in-clinic assessments, memory testing and other test procedures • Have a study partner - a friend or relative who can accompany the volunteer to all clinic visits Participants cannot be involved in other clinical trials while in this study. Participant’s health will be closely monitored by a team of doctors and nurses. Participants will receive compensation for their time and costs incurred for travel, parking and meals.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Saba Wolday, M. Sc. Howard University Hospital Swolday@howard.edu Phone: (202) 865-7895 • (202) 865-3776 Fax: (202)865-4923

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M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Ways to eat healthy and exercise safely Q: What exactly is a “plant-based diet”? I get confused about what people are specifically recommending when they talk about this. A: In general, there’s a good chance when you hear the phrase “plant-based diet,” it means that the majority of what you eat comes from plant foods — vegetables, fruits, grain products, beans, nuts and seeds. Some people or groups really mean a vegetarian diet (with no meat or poultry), or even a vegan diet (with no animal products at all). A predominantly plant-based diet — whether or not it’s vegetarian — is at the heart of nutrition recommendations to promote overall health and reduce cancer

risk. This allows us to get plenty of the plant foods that supply dietary fiber and antioxidant nutrients and phytochemicals, while more easily managing our weight as we fill up on foods that are not very concentrated in calories. With such a diet, if someone chooses to include meat, fish or dairy products, these foods play a supporting, rather than starring, role. Although highly processed foods like chips, crackers and pastries may technically be plant-based, these foods won’t provide the health benefits we get from whole and minimally processed foods and can lead to eating more calories than you need. So, choose a balanced, predominantly

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whole-foods, plant-based diet to help you five pounds to seven pounds). But with the reach and maintain a healthy weight. heavier weight, go back to doing only Q: Is it OK to keep doing eight “reps” of the exercise. the same strength-training Gradually work your way up routine all the time? I don’t to 15 reps before you add know if I’m making progress weight again. any more. If you’ve been using elastic A: First, kudos to you for inbands or body weight for your cluding strength training as strength training, use the part of your physical activity. same approach: increase the Aerobic exercise (like walknumber of times you do the ing) is not enough all on its exercise up to 15, and then adown to maintain the muscle vance to a more challenging that adults otherwise tend to NUTRITION way to do the exercise. WISE lose as we get older. Another tip for avoiding or By Karen Collins, However, if you keep doing dealing with a strength-trainexactly the same strength- MS, RD, CDM ing plateau is to try different training exercises without types of exercises, using muschanging or advancing them in some way, cles in slightly different ways. you can reach a strength-training plateau, Also key to maximizing the results of and you don’t get as much benefit from the your strength training is to rest affected time you’re putting in as you could. muscles two days between strength exerThe American Council on Exercise cise workouts. Muscle is built during the (ACE) says it’s best to keep challenging time off after strength training. If you get ourselves, first by gradually increasing the back to it too soon after your last workout, number of “reps” (repetitions, or how you don’t give your body enough chance many times you do a specific move) start- to rebuild. ing at 8 and working up to 15. That makes The American Institute for Cancer Reone “set” of an exercise, and people may do search offers a Nutrition Hotline, 1-800from one to three “sets” of each exercise. 843-8114, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday Once you can comfortably do an exer- through Friday. This free service allows you cise 15 times in a row, try a more challeng- to ask questions about diet, nutrition and ing version of the exercise. If you’re using cancer. A registered dietitian will return free weights or a Nautilus-type machine, your call, usually within three business days. ACE recommends increasing the amount Courtesy of the American Institute for of weight by five percent. Cancer Research. Questions for this column If you use very light weights, go to the may be sent to “Nutrition Wise,” 1759 R St. next heavier weight load (for example, NW Washington, DC 20009. Collins cannot from two pounds to three pounds, or from respond to questions personally.

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Simple Cyprus chicken kebobs with mint The minty dressing makes these delightful kebobs even more special. Easy to prepare, tasty and full of nutritional goodness, the kebobs are the perfect dish to kick off the summer season. These kebobs were inspired by the wonderful eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus, which has long been a crossing point between Europe, Asia and Africa. It’s not surprising, then, that Cypriot cuisine is a unique blend of many influences. Marinating the chicken ensures flavorful and juicy kebobs. The blend of extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, mustard, oregano, garlic and parsley produces the perfect marinade. Pureed mint and peas give the side dressing an attractive pastel green base. Mint is plentiful during summer and has health protective phytochemicals. Peas, one of summer’s first crops, lend a light earthy quality and healthy fiber to the dressing. Protective garlic, a hint of cumin, and refreshing lemon juice round out this summer dressing. You can get a jumpstart on this great dish by marinating the chicken overnight. Then simply assemble the kebobs the following day and cook, either on the grill or in the oven. Serve the kebobs with a garden salad dressed with a basic vinaigrette. To add a side of seasoned black beans, sauté some finely chopped green onions and diced tomato along with minced garlic. Mix this with cooked beans and heat through. The result is a healthy, colorful and appetizing meal.

Whisk together marinade ingredients and set aside 1 tablespoon for basting later. In shallow dish, cover chicken with marinade until well coated. Cover and marinate in refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Using four kebob skewers, arrange 3 pieces of chicken and 2 pieces each of zucchini, pepper and tomatoes per skewer. For easier grilling, start and end each skewer with chicken. To grill: Coat grill lightly with oil to prevent sticking. Place skewers on mediumhot grill. Turn frequently and brush with reserved marinade. Cook for 18-25 minutes or until juices run clean. Cooking time will depend on size of chicken pieces and temperature. To bake in the oven: Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Place skewers on shallow baking dish on center rack. Bake 10 minutes. Baste and turn over, baste and bake

for additional 10-15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. While kebobs cook, place dressing ingredients in food processor or blender. Puree and set aside. After kebobs are done, let stand 5 min-

utes. Serve with dressing on the side. Makes 4 servings. Per ser ving: 195 calories, 8 g. total fat (>1 g. saturated fat), 10 g. carbohydrate, 21 g. protein, 3 g. dietary fiber, 105 mg. sodium. — American Institute for Cancer Research

Cyprus Chicken Kebobs Marinade 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar 1 tsp. Dijon mustard (spicy brown may be substituted) ½ tsp. dried oregano 2 cloves garlic minced 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Kebobs 12 oz. chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cut into 12 even pieces 1 zucchini, cut into 8 slices 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 8 pieces 8 cherry tomatoes 4 kebob skewers Dressing 12 fresh mint leaves 1 cup frozen peas, cooked 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced ¼ tsp. cumin Juice of one lemon

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Pearl can’t wait to get started every morning at Ring House. Because here, the facts of everyday life don’t create limits to activity and independence. Pearl has formed abiding friendships with her neighbors, with whom she lives, eats and kibbitzes. She participates in an unparalleled schedule of social programs, with choices from creative writing to yoga, frequent outings to the Kennedy Center and shopping. And our chefs prepare a delicious kosher breakfast and dinner every day. Pearl is surrounded by gracious amenities: a sunny pavilion, expansive lobby, intimate card

rooms, convenient beauty salon, computer stations and fitness center. The medical and therapeutic services on our Rockville campus are among the best in the nation. Choose from studio, one- or twobedroom apartments, many remarkably affordable, with fresh new kitchens, individual washer-dryers, and walk-in showers. Call today, and find out how you can wake up to a fresh start and a new beginning every morning.

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Fitness & Health | Say you saw it in the Beacon

M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Reducing medicine side effects naturally Dear Pharmacist: As a pharmacist for 23 years, I’ve I keep having to stop my blood pres- watched my customers endure uncomfortsure medications because of able side effects while trying side effects — mainly fato control blood pressure tigue, dizziness and leg with various medications. cramps. Please help me Fortunately, there are affordsolve this problem, or recable solutions that should bring ommend different medicine. relief and allow you to stay on —A.P.: your medication more comfortDear A.P.: ably. I’ve categorized the inforThis is a great question, esmation based on medication pecially since high blood prescategory. Discuss everything sure (a.k.a. hypertension) now with your physician. DEAR affects one in every three AmerBeta blockers. As implied PHARMACIST ican adults. That’s a staggering by their name, these drugs By Suzy Cohen 78 million people, and the Amerblock “beta” receptors on ican Heart Association says this cells of your heart, arteries number will continue escalating. and all over, causing symptoms head to Please don’t stop your medicine “cold toe. Two of the most popular beta blockers turkey” because there can be backlash. are atenolol and propranolol. Rather, ask your doctor if it’s better to A common side effect of beta blockers is wean slowly. vivid dreaming or nightmares. That also

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happens to people who become deficient in melatonin, a sleep-promoting compound you make in your brain. Guess what? Beta blockers suppress melatonin levels, shown in 1999 by a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. CoQ10 is also depleted, which may cause chronic fatigue, depression, restless legs or cramps. Beta blockers are what I call “drug muggers” of melatonin and CoQ10. Hence, restoring levels may be your side effect solution. Take CoQ10 in the morning (it’s energizing) and melatonin at bedtime. Diuretics. These include loop, thiazide and sulfonamide diuretics. They cause you to urinate more fluid, reducing pressure in your ‘pipeline.’ Furosemide and HCTZ are popular ones. This drug category causes side effects of fatigue, weakness and leg cramps, twitches or muscle spasms. It happens due to the loss of an important mineral or electrolyte from all that excessive urination; it’s often magnesium or potassium loss. CoQ10 is also reduced. The side effect solution includes potassium, CoQ10 and a magnesium supplement. Also coconut water, which restores electrolytes. ACE Inhibitors and Angiotensin II

Receptor Blockers. Medications in these two categories ultimately dilate blood vessels, thus reducing pressure. Enalapril and losartan are examples. A common side effect is dizziness. It can be caused by the sheer drop in blood pressure, so try taking your medicine at night so you can sleep through the wooziness. Get up very slowly in them morning to avoid feeling faint, sometimes termed “orthostatic hypotension.” Body aches and pains are common side effects, too. That’s because these medication categories are drug muggers of magnesium. You become deficient. Try magnesium malate (or aspartate) about 300 mg. taken twice daily, or whatever your practitioner says. I have helped millions of people feel well again by restoring the right vitamins and minerals when medications rob your body of what it needs. More can be found in my best-selling book, Drug Muggers, available on my website. 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 the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit www.dearpharmacist.com.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO CHANGE LIVES The District of Columbia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

seeks interested individuals to serve as ombudsman volunteers in long-term care facilities. Ombudsman volunteers serve as advocates for residents of nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and community-living facilities, protecting residents’ rights and promoting the highest possible quality of care. For more information, contact Genesis Cachedon at (202) 434-2037 or gcachedon@aarp.org.

Ongoing

SEE THE GIBSON GIRL The Library of Congress presents “The Gibson Girl’s America,” an exhibition of 24 drawings and works that depict the famous

Gibson Girl image created by Charles Dana Gibson. It will also trace the impact of women on modern America. This presentation is free and open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday through August 17 in the Graphic Arts Galleries on the ground level of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building at 1st St. SE, Washington, D.C.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

When Mom’s bequest comes with strings

See special pull-out section after page 26.

Senior Nutrition Hotline Wednesdays 9 am - 11 am 240-777-1100

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Speak with a Registered Dietitian about your food, nutrition and diet concerns.

and leave town! Actually, all you can do is tell her quietly that you and her husband never did anything, and you hope that she’ll feel better in the future. She’ll have to work through her own feelings, but it will take time. © Helen Oxenberg, 2013. Questions to be considered for this column may be sent to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. You may also email the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

Dear I: She obviously was insecure and angry at him while he was alive, but probably never confronted him. Now she’s angry at him for dying, but she can’t confront him anymore. The anger has to go somewhere, and there you are. Also, you’re single, and she hasn’t come to terms with that new status yet. And you’re also reminding her that she’s single now. Wow! Everything’s your fault — pack up

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Dear Solutions: Dear Solutions: My brother is an irresponsible gamAs soon as my friend walks into my bler. He’s always in debt house, she heads for the and in and out of jobs, even kitchen and the refrigerathough he’s very smart and tor. How do I stop this has good skills. without embarrassing her? When our mother died last — Stella month, she left both of us the Dear Stella: same amount of money, but Put out some snacks that put his share in my name. she’ll run into on the way to She spelled out specifically the fridge. Tell her everything that I was to be in charge of in the refrigerator is calculathis money, pay his reasoned as part of your diet because able bills, and give him an al- SOLUTIONS that’s the only way you can By Helen Oxenberg, lowance just for food, etc. keep yourself from overeating. Now he’s furious at me MSW, ACSW But you’d better not gain any and wants me to just turn weight, or the fridge will beover the whole amount to him because come community property again! it’s “his life and he’ll do what he wants Dear Solutions: with it.” What should I do? I’m caught in a strange situation. I — Molly live in a housing complex with both Dear Molly: singles and married couples. He’s right. It’s his life, and he can do I was friendly with one married couwhat he wants with it. ple, and the husband just died. I tried But it’s his mother’s money, and she to reach out to his wife to tell her that could do what she wanted with it, too. if she wants to go to a movie, have dinTell him you feel bound to honor her ner, or just feel she needs to talk, I’m wishes. However, see if you can make a there for her. deal with him. If he will join Gamblers I was shocked when she answered Anonymous or go for some other help and me with anger, saying she knows that make a real effort to recover, then you can her husband was always attracted to portion out larger amounts of money as me, and she doesn’t want to see me belong as he stays away from gambling. cause it reminds her of this. I know he This is a tough call, but try to help him was attracted to me, but we never acrealize that his mother was trying to have knowledged it or did anything about it. him taken care of at the same time that she We move in the same circles, and I refused to support his habit. You should don’t know how to handle this. do the same. —I

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M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE ON AGING

Spotlight On Aging VOLUME XXIV, ISSUE 5

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

May 2013

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE By John M. Thompson, Ph.D., FAAMA In this month’s edition of “Spotlight on Aging,” I would like to discuss hospital discharge planning. This is a very important topic for patients and their family members and friends who are seeking home and community-based services for them upon discharge from a hospital. This topic “hits home” for me as my twin brother, James, was recently in a hospital. Last month, James, who is an assistant principal at a middle school in Columbia, S.C., traveled to Lansing, Mich. to recruit new teachers for his school district. After arriving at Lansing Capital Region International Airport, a hotel shuttle service (which will remain nameless) transported James to the hotel. En route to the hotel, the driver failed to stop at a red light and collided with a vehicle. James sustained a concussion, lacerated chin, three broken ribs, a punctured lung, sprained ankle, and a lacerated knee from the collision. It was very unfortunate that James was involved in the collision, and for him to be in an unfamiliar place added to my family’s distress. We wanted James home as quickly as possible! In our attempt to communicate with James, we learned that it was very difficult speaking with him because he was heavily sedated with pain medication. To further complicate matters, we were not in communication with his healthcare providers, who could have answered many of our questions concerning his condition, the expected length of hospital stay, and his treatment plan post discharge. It was a long 72 hours of searching for answers! After three days, James was discharged from the hospital, and the doctor advised him to stay at a hotel for a week. The rationale was that because of the high altitudes in an airplane, it was unsafe for him to fly as he could experience a collapsed lung. However, the attending physician in Michigan told him that he should be able to fly in one week. I spoke with two excellent physicians, Dr. Saul Levin and Dr. Brian Amy

with the District of Columbia Department of Health. They advised that James should not fly even after a week, as it takes at least a month or so for his lung to heal from the injury. (This is why it is so important to obtain second and third opinions!) As I reflect on James’s experience, I see that we have a very fragmented healthcare system that is not so user friendly to an average person. The physicians and other healthcare providers delivered high quality patient care during James’s stay in the hospital. However, the fragmentation became evident upon discharge, when James became the coordinator of his own care. He must now take the initiative to see his primary care physician in South Carolina, who will assist him with getting additional healthcare services, such as rehabilitation and occupational therapy. Unlike James, seniors and persons with disabilities who lack insurance coverage experience an even more fragmented system. Even those seniors and persons with disabilities who do not know how to access services upon discharge from a hospital are left to their own devices to figure it out. Hospital patients and their family and friends should not have to struggle with planning their discharge experience. The District of Columbia Office on Aging (DCOA) can assist patients through advocacy and assistance with accessing home and community-based services upon discharge from the hospital. DCOA’s Hospital Discharge Planning Program started in 2009 as a pilot project with five partnering hospitals, and expanded its partnership by 2011 to include 12 hospitals. These hospitals, including family and friends, can refer patients to DCOA for enrollment in the Hospital Discharge Planning Program. In fully implementing this program, DCOA has also fostered relationships with numerous community-based service providers to meet the holistic needs of See EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, page 26

Executive Director John M. Thompson, Ph.D., poses with newlyweds Memory and Geraldine Griffin. Memory Griffin, 90, and Geraldine Griffin, 89, were married on June 30, 2012. Mr. Griffin, a native of Fairmont, N.C., said this is his first marriage. Residents of Ward 1, the two met at the Shiloh Baptist Church Senior Program.

The Capital City Links announced the 2013 Sage Senior awardees at its annual Alice Bowie Coleman Senior Citizens Luncheon. Executive Director John Thompson is pictured with honoree Bernard Gibson, chapter president Claudia McKoin and honoree Selma Dillard. The third honoree, Ellen Odellas Van Edwards, is not pictured. The award recipients were honored for their passion for public service, actively sharing their talents, making a difference, and because they serve as role models of vibrant and purposeful living.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; M AY 2 0 1 3

D.C. OFFICE

AGING NEWSLETTER

Salute to D.C. Centenarians Mayor Vincent C. Gray greeted 25 centenarians who were honored at the 27th Annual Salute to DC Centenarians, held Tuesday, April 9 at the Washington Plaza Hotel. Each of the honorees was presented with a medallion to celebrate their 100 or more years of living. The oldest honoree present was Elizabeth Lee, who is 106 years old. Daisy Bivins, also 106, cut the ceremo-

nial bir thday cake on behalf of the honorees. The luncheon featured the reading of short biographical sketches of each honoree, read by the Master of Ceremonies Jerry Phillips. Honorees included a concert pianist, a corporal of the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Army Corps and several government workers and teachers. The guests were treated to music

from a live band and tunes from a barbershop quartet. The Office on Aging registered nearly 200 residents who were age 100 or older; many of the residents have remained in private homes. The event was presented by the D.C. Office on Aging and Family Matters of Greater Washington. To view photos from the event, visit the DCOA website at www.dcoa.dc.gov.

Elizabeth Lee - 106

0 10 a e rs y

Daisy Bivens - 106

Alyce Dixon - 105

Claricia Cummings - 104

Eleanor Valentine - 104

Mabel Harvey - 104

Lonnie Quick - 103

Mary Parsons - 103

Minnie Carter - 103

Rozalia Simmons - 103

Alma Matthews - 102

Mary Whitman - 102

Rayfield Griffin- 102

Aline Miles - 101

Flora Mitchell - 101

Geneva Perry - 101

George Boggess - 101

Kelso Stewart - 101

Lois Showell - 101

Marie Johnson - 101

Carletha West - 100

Mary Meyer - 100

Milton Scandrett - 100

Rosa Rutledge - 100

Theresa Johnson - 100

M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

D.C. OFFICE

AGING NEWSLETTER

Community Calendar May events 6th and 13th • 6 to 7:30 p.m. Iona Senior Services and the Alzheimer’s Association present “Living with Late Stage Alzheimer’s for Caregivers.” Topics covered include communication, physical changes, changes in the caregiver’s role, legal plans and end-of-life issues. Registration is required. Call 202-8959448. Iona is located at 4125 Albemarle St. NW.

7th and 21st • 12:30 to 2 p.m. Join Iona Senior Services’ new caregiver support group for spouses and partners. The group is for people who provide care and support to their spouse or partner who has a chronic or acute illness. You'll be able to share your experiences, get support, learn caregiver tips and connect with helpful resources. The group meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month. There is no fee, but donations are appreciated. Call 202-895-9448 and press 4 to register. Iona is located at 4125 Albemarle St. NW.

8th • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join Gail Snider, information and referral specialist at the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, as she shares her

Executive director From page 24 the patient, as the patient transitions back into the community during post-hospitalization. The following provides a snapshot of the Hospital Discharge Planning process. Pre-discharge: The Transition Care Specialist reviews referrals from the hospital, and schedules a time to meet with the patient and/or his caregivers in the hospital or at DCOA to identify unmet needs and coordinate services prior to discharge. The Transition Care Specialist often participates in the interdisciplinary team within the hospital. Post-discharge: The Transition Care Specialist contacts the patient within 48 hours fol-

journey with vision loss through her multimedia arts endeavors. The event takes place at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library Access Services Division, Room 215, 901 G St. NW. To reserve lunch, call 202-7272142.

500 K St., N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002 202-724-5622 • www.dcoa.dc.gov John M. Thompson, Ph.D., FAAMA Executive Director Darlene Nowlin, Editor Selma Dillard Photographer The D.C. Office on Aging does not discriminate against anyone based on actual or perceived: race, color, religion, nation-

View the video “An Age for Justice,” about elder abuse and neglect, at the Ft. Lincoln 3 Senior Nutrition Site, 3298 Ft. Lincoln Dr. NE. Contact Vivian Grayton at 202529-8701 for more information.

23rd • 4 to 8 p.m.

9th • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. “Enhancing the Health and Safety of Older Americans” at Washington Seniors Wellness Center will feature a workshop and health fair. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. The Wellness Center is located at 3001 Alabama Ave. SE. For more information, call the ERFSC KEEN Seniors Program at 202-534-4880.

The East River Family Strengthening Collaborative, Inc. KEEN Seniors Program presents “The East River Swing: A Ward 7 Prom for Seniors.” For more information and tickets, contact Robin Gantt or Chicquita Bryant at 202-534-4880.

Ongoing 9th, 16th and 23rd • 11 a.m. Ft. Lincoln 1 Senior Nutrition Site will host a diabetes education seminar series presented by Providence Hospital. It will take place at 2855 Bladensburg Rd. NE. Contact Vivian Grayton at 202-529-8701 for more information.

17th • 5 to 8 p.m.

Seabury’s Ward 5 Aging Services emergency food pantry is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Food is free to Ward 5 residents 60 and older on a case-by-case basis. The food pantry is located at 2900 Newton St. NE. Contact Vivian Grayton at 202-529-8701 for more information.

The annual meeting of the East River Family Strengthening Collaborative, Inc. will be held at the Washington Seniors Wellness Center, 3001 Alabama Ave. SE. For more information, call 202-397-7300.

lowing discharge to conduct a re-assessment and identify any new needs. Most post-discharge communication is via telephone, but in some cases may consist of a home visit. Follow-up: The Transition Care Specialist follows up with the patient 30 days following discharge to discuss and address any emerging needs, coordinate any additional needed community-based services, and conduct a quality assurance survey. If you or someone you know is going into a hospital for a planned surgery or is in an emergency situation, do not hesitate to contact DCOA at 202-724-5622. Our Transition Care Specialist looks forward in assisting with bringing your loved one home and securing the necessary resources for a successful recovery.

SPOTLIGHT ON AGING Spotlight On Aging is published by the Information Office of the D.C. Office on Aging for D.C. senior residents. Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the D.C. Office on Aging or by the publisher.

22nd • 11 a.m.

al origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, source of income, and place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subjected to disciplinary action.

The Office on Aging is in partnership with the

Consumer Alert CITY AGENCY INFORMS CONSUMERS ABOUT WATER LINE COVERAGE The District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) advises residents to be careful of solicitations to buy coverage for repairs on the water lines that run between the main city water lines and their homes. DISB suggests that D.C. residents: • Read the service contract very carefully and make sure you understand it, especially the exclusions. DO NOT purchase over the phone without seeing everything in writing. • Go over your homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure it doesn’t already provide this coverage. Contact your insurance company or agent and ask how the coverage would work with your policy. • Make sure the company has a reasonable cancellation policy in case you change your mind about purchasing the coverage.

District of Columbia Recycling Program.

• Check that the company selling this optional coverage is accredited

with the Better Business Bureau. Local authorities and consumers across the country have expressed concerns about deceptive solicitations for this product that make it seem like the solicitation comes from a local utility or government, or that leads people to believe the coverage is mandatory. Water line coverage is not required by the District of Columbia or any local utility. One company mailing solicitations to District residents has, without admitting guilt, settled deceptive marketing allegations with authorities in Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio and Massachusetts. Finally, these contracts are not insurance products regulated by the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking. If you have questions or complaints about these solicitations, please call the District of Columbia’s Office of the Attorney General’s consumer protection hotline at (202) 442-9828 or the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs at (202) 442-4400.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION

Say you saw it in the Beacon

B-1

B-2

Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

How to make your home aging-friendly By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior: My husband and I are both in our 60s and are interested in making some modest changes to our home to make it more practical as we age, but aren’t sure what to do. What resources can you recommend to help us figure this out? Homebodies Dear Homebodies: Most people, like you and your husband, want to stay living in their own home. But being able to do so often depends on how easy it will be to get around the house if you develop physical limitations. Here are some helpful resources you can turn to, to get an idea of what types of improvements you should make that will make your home safer and more convenient as you grow older.

Get informed A good first step in making your house aging-friendly is to do a home assessment. Go through your house, room by room as if you’ve never set foot in it before, looking for problem areas like potential tripping or slipping hazards, and areas that are hard to access. To help you with this, there are various organizations that offer published lists of questions to ask, and things to look for to identify problems. The Fall Prevention Center of Excellence (see www.homemods.org), for example, offers a number of online checklists including one called “How Well Does Your Home Meet Your Needs?” You can obtain it directly at www.homeneedschecklist.org. Or download and print off the National Caregivers Library “Home Modification Checklist” at www.caregiverslibrary.org —

click on “Checklists & Forms,” then on “Housing” to get there. AARP also has an excellent resource called “The AARP Home Fit Guide” that provides a checklist and tips to keep your home safe and livable as you age. You can access it at www.homefitguide.org, or if you’re an AARP member, call 1-888-6872277 and ask them to mail you a free copy.

Personalized advice If you want more personalized help, consider getting a professional in-home assessment with an occupational therapist. An occupational therapist, or OT, can evaluate the challenges and shortcomings of your home, make modification recommendations, and refer you to products and services to help you make improvements. Ask your doctor for a referral to an OT in your area. Your local Area Agency on Aging can

Lively senior living with lots of laughter, purpose and joy.

also help you find nearby therapists. (See box on page B-2 or call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 for contact information.) 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 the physical upgrades to the home. Another good option is to contact a builder who’s a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS). He or she can suggest ways to modify your home that will fit your needs and budget. To find one, go to the National Association of Home Builders website at www.nahb.org/hireacaps where you can search by state and zip code.

Home modifications ideas There are dozens of small, simple things See AGING IN PLACE, page B-4

Area Agencies on Aging for the Washington area include: Maryland Montgomery County Area Agency on Aging Aging and Disability Resource Unit (240) 777-3000 Prince George's County Department of Family Services Aging Services Division (301) 265-8450

Virginia Alexandria Office of Aging & Adult Services (703) 746.5692

W E L C O M E TO T H E

R E S I D E N C E S AT T H O M A S

CIRCLE.

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Arlington Agency on Aging (703) 228-1700 Fairfax Area Agency on Aging (703) 324-5411

Washington D.C. D.C. Office on Aging (202) 724-5622

Call us at 202-626-5761 or visit www.ThomasCircle.com.

1330 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW | WASHINGTON, DC 20005

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B-3

A primer on continuing care communities Imagine hunting for a new home, making high-stakes healthcare decisions, and negotiating a complex business deal — all at the same time. That’s the challenge facing those considering a move to a continuing-care retirement community. These communities, known as CCRCs, typically offer independent-living units as well as assisted-living and skilled-nursing facilities, allowing them to serve everyone from active newcomers to older residents requiring round-the-clock care. Seniors move in to enjoy amenities such as libraries, golf courses and posh dining rooms while they’re healthy, and to receive excellent skilled-nursing care if they fall ill. When all the pieces fall into place, that’s exactly what happens. But finding a CCRC that fits your vision of a financially secure retirement may require some hard-nosed negotiation with the facility’s management and detailed analysis of the development’s finances. You’ll need to assess your ability to pay monthly fees that may rise faster than inflation. And with the typical CCRC charging six-figure entrance fees, you’ll need to understand the size of any refund that you or your heirs may receive if you decide to move or when you die. Some CCRCs may be struggling with financial challenges. Amid the housing

downturn, many CCRCs saw occupancy rates drop because prospective residents had trouble selling their homes. Many also offer a growing array of complex contract types, offering residents a number of options, but calling for the eye of an attorney.

Decoding contract options Traditionally, CCRCs offered “life care” or type A contracts, which typically involve high entrance fees but limit future cost increases for long-term care services. By prepaying for long-term care, residents are limiting their risks if care costs skyrocket. While these contracts are still common, many CCRCs also offer other options. These include “modified” or type B contracts, which typically have lower entrance fees but include only a limited amount of assisted living and nursing care in the initial fee. This contract potentially requires residents to shoulder higher fees as their care needs increase. Fee-for-service, or type C, contracts may have lower entrance fees than type A or B contracts but require residents to pay for care at the market rate when they need services. The choice of contract can depend on your ability to absorb future cost increases, health status and risk tolerance. With a type A contract, “If you prepay all that

medical care and die within the first few years in the community, you would have been better off with fee-for-service,” said James Ciprich, wealth manager at RegentAtlantic Capital, in Morristown, N.J.

Fees and finances No matter what type of contract you’re considering, ask for a breakdown of all fees and a history of past fee increases — and understand what you’re getting for those fees. An entrance fee is a one-time, upfront charge that usually doesn’t buy you ownership interest in a CCRC apartment. Instead, it allows you to occupy the unit, and typically guarantees you access to longterm care at the facility. Monthly fees,

meanwhile, may cover meals, housekeeping, maintenance and activities, along with some or all healthcare services. Plan on monthly fees increasing at least 4 to 6 percent annually while you’re in the independent-living unit — and potentially steeper increases for assisted-living or skilled-nursing stays. Many CCRCs say they have a “benevolent fund” to assist residents who run out of money. The question is: “For how long and in what circumstances?” said Doris Hawks, an elder law attorney in Los Altos, Cal. The details should be spelled out in the contract. Check recent annual reports for See CCRCS, page B-4

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CCRCs From page B-3 details on the benevolent fund. Given the growing needs of an aging community, these funds can run dry. Also review CCRC agreements for provisions governing discharge from the facility. Facilities may attempt to discharge residents if they run out of money or develop above-average care needs, said Eric Carlson, directing attorney at the National Senior Citizens Law Center. Check for specific circumstances that might justify the facility forcing out a resident, Carlson said. “Look out for fuzzy language,” he said, such as involuntary discharges being allowed for “good cause.” With CCRCs eager to fill empty units, there is often room to negotiate fees and other contract provisions. For example, you might negotiate to pay half of the entrance fee now and half in a year. Another bargaining chip is a refund of entrance fees, which may be paid to you if you move out or to your estate if you die.

Aging in place From page B-2 you can do to make your home more userfriendly as you age, such as securing throw rugs with double-sided tape to avoid tripping, installing brighter full-spectrum bulbs in existing light fixtures to improve

Besides reviewing the contract provisions, prospective residents should examine the facility’s financial strength. Even the ritziest CCRCs can have financial problems. If a CCRC is forced into bankruptcy, residents may be considered unsecured creditors and could lose any refundable entrance fees. Or the facility may be bought out of bankruptcy by a new owner, result-

ing in service changes and other upheaval for residents. Ask the CCRC for its audited financial statements, and seek help in evaluating them from a financial adviser. Some red flags: expenses that are greater than operating income, or liabilities that exceed assets. CARF International, which provides accreditation to CCRCs, has a consumer guide to understanding CCRC finances at www.carf.org. The facility’s occupancy rate is another key measure of its viability. Occupancy below 85 percent “can be a cause for concern, unless it’s in a newer community that’s filling up,” said Stephen Maag, director of residential communities at LeadingAge, an association of nonprofit senior care providers. Prospective residents should examine the CCRC’s ownership structure, since problems at a parent company can mean problems for residents. In a 2010 review of CCRCs, the U.S. Senate Aging Committee found that parent organizations are “repre-

visibility, and adding grab bars to the bathroom for support. There are also a number of bigger, more extensive projects like installing a stair-lift or elevator for multi-floor access, and replacing the tub with a walk-in shower for easier entry and exit. To get a list of more aging-friendly

home improvement ideas and illustrations, see the National Aging in Place Council website at www.ageinplace.org — click on “Practical Advice” then on “Making Your Home Senior Friendly.” Another good resource that’s loaded with tips and universal design ideas is the AARP Guide to Revitalizing Your Home. It’s

Contracts can include such provisions as promising to refund a set percentage of the entrance fee or saying the refundable portion will decline over a certain number of years. The refund is often contingent on your unit being occupied by a new resident — which may mean long refund delays when the housing market is in the doldrums. If you’re confident in your choice of CCRC and refundability is not that important to you, you might negotiate to waive your right to a refund after a short period in exchange for a lower entrance fee.

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sented by a complex organizational maze” of for-profit and nonprofit entities. Some residents of both for-profit and nonprofit CCRCs are concerned about how the organization uses residents’ fees, said Katherine Pearson, a law professor at Penn State’s Dickinson School of Law who studies CCRCs. A parent organization may control how money is used across its operations, leaving CCRC residents wondering if their fees are really going toward services at their own facility. If the CCRC has a large parent company, speak with management and residents, and check out its annual report for details on its activities and future plans.

Care and lifestyle considerations The fact that CCRCs offer multiple levels of care within a single community is a key selling point. But transitions between those levels of care can be a major source of tension between residents and providers. See CCRCS, page B-5

available in book stores nationwide as well as online at sites like Amazon.com for around $16. 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.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

CCRCs From page B-4 Residents may feel pressured to move from one level of care to another, such as when a facility says it cannot deliver the required care in an independent-living unit, lawyers say. That may mean leaving a longtime home in the independent-living unit and being separated from a spouse — resulting in higher fees for a couple occupying two units. Some CCRCs have an appeals process for residents who are transferred involuntarily. Before signing a contract, ask about the

process for transferring to the next level of care. Prospective residents can push to have their own physician involved in the decision, said Henry Carpenter, an elder law attorney in Yardley, Pa. Also ask about the rules on hiring your own care providers, in addition to those offered by the CCRC. Many CCRCs mandate that residents who need more than a set number of hours of care per day transfer to assisted living, said Susan Ann Silverstein, senior attorney at AARP Foundation Litigation. Another key question: Will an assistedliving or skilled-nursing bed be available when you need it? CCRCs are often built in phases, starting with independent-living

BEACON BITS

May 15

AGING SUMMIT

Kensington Park senior living community presents an “Elements of Aging Summit” featuring Dr. Harry Gill of Axis Healthcare, nurse Mary Mulligan of Senior Helpers, and Susan Finn of National Capital Alzheimer’s Association on Wednesday, May 15 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Refreshments served. Kensington Park is located at 3620 Littledale Rd., Kensington, Md. RSVP to Barbara at (301) 946-7700.

May 19

ALL ABOUT THE WAR OF 1812

Learn about the War of 1812 and the history that was made in Maryland. “The War in Our Back Yard” is a free event and will take place on Sunday, May 19 at 1 p.m. at 10701 Livingston Rd., Fort Washington, Md. This event is presented by the Harmony Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. For inquiries, contact HarmonyHallDAR@gmail.com or visit http://rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mdhhcdar/Harmony_Hall.html

units for the healthy new residents. In some cases, residents need skillednursing facilities that aren’t even built yet. In other cases, CCRCs will admit people from outside the community to the nursing facility. Ask about the process for moving to a nearby facility if the nursing facility fills up and how any extra cost would be covered. To get a sense of what life is really like at a CCRC, make several unannounced visits and have a few random meals there. You may find a lively, collegial community — or something that more resembles your worst memories of grade-school bullying. Talk to current residents about their activities and their relationships with each other as well as with management and staff. While many CCRC residents say they’ve noticed an uptick in the age of incoming residents, that may or may not say anything about the community’s activities.

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Richard Waite of Brandywine, Pa., an 88year-old former insurance company executive, has lived in a CCRC for about 12 years and said, “I’m busier here right now than I was when I was working for the corporation.” In addition to his regular bridge and poker games, Waite serves on the resident advisory council and finance committee. His negotiations with management on behalf of residents have dealt with everything from a refurbishing charge for fixing up vacant units to the amount of credits residents receive for unused meals on their meal plan, he said. “I’ve been a very strong advocate of residents’ rights,” he said. “The corporation has asked me at times to cool it a bit.” Excerpted from Kiplinger’s Retirement Report. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc. © 2013 The Kiplinger Washington Editors

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Keeping clutter from taking over your life By Fiona Morrissey. By June 2008, the number of people with personal computers worldwide hit the one billion mark. With the PC it was hoped that there would be less paper accumulation in the home. I have seen no evidence of this in my work as a professional organizer. The trouble is that new technology doesn’t always displace old technology. For instance, not everyone likes to read the news online. A friend of mine who owns a laptop and a regular computer still hoards newspapers. He keeps a three-foot stack on top of his dog’s crate. Recently, he has started to store his papers inside the crate, so poor Fido has to sleep somewhere else. Excess paper is unsightly, takes forever to go though, and is adept at concealing items you actually need. In enough quantities, paper presents a fire hazard, and it also attracts a special kind of flying cockroach.

What to keep or pitch There are two sorts of paper: Paper you need to keep for good, and paper you don’t. Important examples of the first kind are active insurance policies (car, disability, health, life, long term care, umbrella), adoption and naturalization papers, birth, marriage, death certificates and divorce decrees, military/veterans records and discharge papers, passports, Social Security cards, stock and bond certificates, your will and general powers of attorney. Paper that you don’t need falls into two distinct groups. The first group is paper that was necessary at one stage in your life but no longer is. Obsolete insurance policies, for example, instruction manuals for things you replaced long ago, and old car registrations — it still surprises me how many of my clients hang on to car registrations when they no longer own the vehicles in question.

This group also includes bank statements/checkbook registers, charitable contributions, childcare expenses, medical expenses, mortgage interest records, nonreimbursed business expenses, self-employment income/expenses, tax returns and tax forms 1099-B, 1099-DIV, 1099-G, 1099-INT, 1099-MISC, 1099-R and W-2. You do not need any of these provided they are six years old or older. If they are less than that, you hold onto them for now.

Magazines, recipes, books The second group of paper that you don’t need is the tricky one. This group takes only a short time to accumulate and, if you’re not careful, will soon have the run of your house. I’m refering to those leaning towers of newspapers, newsletters, magazines, clippings and catalogs. If you haven’t looked at them by now, kick ‘em out. (Except for the Beacon, of course.) Like all clutter, paper clutter has a mind of its own. So no matter how fascinating, informative or crucial these leaning towers pretend to be, remind yourself that they are one of the reasons you keep apologizing for your home when friends visit. Loose recipes are another scourge. One of my clients had 27 recipes for cheesecake stuffed inside an old jar of Hellmann’s Mayonnaise. I finally convinced her that she didn’t have enough years in her life to make all those cheesecakes. Books that you’ve never had time to read, or have read and won’t read again, belong to this categor y too. Earlier I warned you about paper and flying cockroaches, but also be aware that the glue from bookbindings contain a special starch that these creatures enjoy snacking on.

Question your clutter You may have heard it said, “Leap and the net will appear.” However when you’re grappling with paper, a leap is a very long distance indeed. I recommend short hops. Set aside a certain amount of time — about half an hour — and begin with the clutter you find most offensive. If it’s a pile of magazines, begin with that. Pick up a publication and before it has a chance to beguile you into keeping it, start firing questions: What’s so special about you? Do you contain vital information that I cannot get anywhere else? You have lived on this chair rent-free for three years. How would it benefit me to keep you any longer? Are you one of the reasons I feel depressed whenever I walk in my door? When you’re done, continue with the pile until the time is up. Persistence is the key thing here. Half an hour every day until that ugly pile has gone. Then do the next one. As Winston Churchill said, “Never, never, never give up.” The payoff is that you will become better and faster at throwing out paper that doesn’t matter, you will grow more confident at disposing of non-paper clutter, and you will develop a greater sense of what it is that makes you feel truly alive. A neighbor of mine told me recently, “After I took the plunge and cancelled all my subscription magazines, I discovered what I’ve been wanting to do all along — sit on my deck and listen to the birds!” Fiona Morrissey is a professional organizer in Silver Spring, Md. For more information, see www.happyroomsbyfiona.com or call (301) 593-4026.

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Preparing parents for a caregiver at home By Francine Parnes Wanted: licensed caregiver, to provide full-time, at-home care for elderly parents guaranteed to balk over a complete stranger invading the privacy of their home. Indeed, who ever thought their home would double as a caregiver’s workplace? People 65 or older increasingly are being persuaded, cajoled and otherwise prevailed upon by their children to open their doors to paid caregivers, whose presence redefines their home. In some cases, the health aides are welcomed and become part of the family. In others, seniors may see them as intruders, and lash out or curse while getting bathed or fed. Most older adults say they prefer staying at home to moving into a community or in with relatives or friends, according to a recent AARP survey. Home seems to offer familiarity, privacy, independence. In some cases, people stay put because they can’t sell their house. But spending the golden years at home often means adapting both home and mindset to accommodate live-in caregivers. The initial hurdle is psychological. “Once we got my dear, sweet mother-inlaw in her 80s past the first battle — ‘I don’t need any help, I am doing just fine’ — she still didn’t want caregivers in her house who weren’t part of her family,” said Cheryl Phillips, a San Francisco-based doctor specializing in geriatrics, and past

president of the American Geriatrics Society. “How many of us would want someone we don’t know — and may not like — living in our space, creating a very intimate relationship not based on our choices?” she asked. “Do the health aides get to watch your TV? Can they park their car in your garage? Can their kids visit? Each point may get negotiated.” Experts offer these tips for ushering in an aide with minimum stress: • Introduce the health aide into the home gradually, in shorter shifts, advised Dr. Eric Rackow, a professor at New York University School of Medicine and president/CEO of Senior Bridge, an organization that manages at-home care. Be prepared, he said, for the older person to struggle at first with this new reality: “Not only is someone sharing my home, but whether it’s four hours or eight or 24 hours a day, I’m dependent on a ‘stranger.’” • Don’t forget that aides have their own lives, too. “To demonstrate concern for an aide,” said Rackow, “consider showing her where she can comfortably put her personal things, and offer to add some foods that she might enjoy to the shopping list — especially if the aide will be working long days or living in.” • Track the older person’s important possessions. “I encourage seniors to think of their aide like anyone else coming to your home

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to provide a service,” said Shellie Williams, a doctor specializing in geriatrics at the University of Chicago Medical Center. “You should not leave out in open sight cash or sensitive legal, financial or medical information, or credit cards.” Of course, verify identity before admitting a stranger into your home, Williams said. • Establish ground rules. As Williams puts it, “This is your home,” not the caregiver’s. Remember: “Aides are employees; we hire them to provide care,” said Debra Greenberg, a psychiatric senior social worker in geriatrics at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. “Becoming a part of the home may set up an unrealistic ex-

pectation if we think of aides as surrogate family.” Lines do blur: Some families bond with caregivers, breaking bread over dinner. But don’t lose sight of the work relationship, agreed Marki Flannery, president of Partners in Care, an affiliate of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York. “You don’t just want someone ‘nice.’ You want someone who has been trained in the many safety and care skills needed to provide the client with the best possible care,” she said. “Don’t hire someone you think is going to be a good friend, but rather hire someone who is trained to act like a guest in the client’s home — friendly but professional,” Flannery said. —AP

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M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Redecorate your home simply, affordably By Anne D’Innocenzio With the housing recovery gaining steam, Americans have more incentives to paint up, touch up and otherwise redecorate their homes. But there’s no need to spend a fortune. From finding treasures on eBay to taking advantage of new offerings at department stores and discounters, there are plenty of ways to make your home more stylish on the cheap. “There’s no excuse for an undecorated home on any budget,” said Candace Corlett, president of WSL Strategic Retail, a retail consultancy. “Home has as much retail selection as fashion. And you can get a lot of buys.”

Where to shop Walmart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, has this year expanded its assortment of window treatments like blinds, and is also bolstering offerings on rugs, decorative pillows, bathroom accessories and patio furniture. Under the discounter’s Better Homes & Gardens brand, decorative pillows range from $11.97 to $13.97. Meanwhile, Target Corp., known for its cheap, chic home designs, has launched a full line for the new store brand called Threshold, which offers a variety of goods from dinnerware sets to sheets and towels. And J.C Penney Co. is counting on a newly revamped home area that opened in April that houses new brands like Jonathan Adler, Sir Terence Conran, and

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Bodum. Michael Graves, who ended his 13-year partnership with Target last year and is known for his stylish tea kettles, is also joining Penney this spring.

Six decorating tips Do your homework: First, create a budget and search around to get inspiration. To get ideas, attend open houses to see how other people are decorating their homes. You can also find how-to videos and decorating blogs on such sites as HSN, HomeGoods, Lowe’s and Home Depot. There are fewer home decor magazines than there used to be. But you can always flip through catalogs from stores such as Ballard Designs to get some tips. Also, experts encourage you to do broad searches on the Web. EBay just launched a new technology called Feed that allows you to personalize your searches based on your style, like mod 1960s. “It’s all about getting unexpected things,” said Chris Benz, an American fashion designer who is collaborating with eBay on various fashion collections. He said he has furnished his apartment and office with eclectic eBay finds like vintage Italian turquoise pottery pieces. Pick and choose: Study your space and figure out what pieces of furniture you’ll be using more. So if you spend a lot of time in your living room, you may want to spend more on a sofa and an entertainment center that would house your flatscreen TV and books.

It’s like investing in good shoes or a handbag, said Pallavi Naidu, vice president of merchandising and product development at Atlanta-based Ballard Designs. Spending more on items that get lots of use means they will last longer and give you more satisfaction. Improvise: You don’t need the real thing. If you don’t have money to spend on a granite backsplash for your kitchen, turn to peel-and-stick wall tiles. Not sure if you want to invest in a carpet? An area rug could cost less and accomplish the same thing. Repurpose pieces: Shop in flea markets and even your mother’s attic to find pieces that could be reinvented as useful home decor items. And think beyond the original purpose: WSL’s Corlett said that old sewing machines or leather-trimmed luggage can be used as tables. Check out financing deals: If you’re strapped and need to stagger payments, instead of charging all at once on your credit card, check out financing deals from various retailers. Most furniture stores have some kind of interest-free financing deal going most of the time. Just remember to keep up with the monthly payments or else you will wind up paying heavy-duty interest and sometimes extra fees. When in doubt, paint: Often, just a fresh coat of paint will make all the difference in a room. “Painting is one of the affordable ways to change the decor,” Corlett said. — AP

For free information, return the form on page B-11.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; M AY 2 0 1 3

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

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301-941-8040 www.qpmgmt.com Professionally managed by Quantum Real Estate Management LLC T/A Quantum Property Management

M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Good reasons to downsize in retirement By Emily Brandon One of the quickest ways to stretch your retirement budget is to shrink your housing costs. Moving into a smaller house, condo, or apartment can also reduce your taxes, utility bills and home maintenance costs. Here are other reasons to consider downsizing in retirement: Boost your nest egg. Cutting your housing costs is a quick way to increase your retirement savings. “Having less money locked up in your housing frees up more money to invest or just for your lifestyle,” said Kathy Hankard, a certified financial planner. “If you’re deciding just by the numbers, it’s pretty much a nobrainer to downsize.” For example, if you moved from a $300,000 home with a paid-off mortgage into a $150,000 condo, you could add $100,000 or more to your nest egg, after transaction costs. Lower your cost of living. For retirees who still have a mortgage or pay rent, moving into more compact quarters in your current town or relocating to a lowcost locale can lower one of your biggest monthly expenses. Ideally the smaller space would also cost less to heat, furnish and maintain. Slimming housing costs will produce far greater results than skipping coffee and clipping coupons. Aim for a town that balances a low cost of living with amenities such as high-quality healthcare and plenty of fun, affordable activities. Reduce taxes. Inexpensive housing has the added bonus of smaller property tax bills. “I have clients who have saved a couple of thousand dollars per year because they have moved from an urban area with a high property tax to an area with a lower property tax that doesn’t assess seniors for school taxes,” said Micah Porter, a certified financial planner. Taxes can vary considerably by location. Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming have no state income tax. New Hampshire and Tennessee tax dividend and interest income only. “If you anticipate earning income in retirement, being able to forgo that state income tax could save you thousands of dollars as well,” said Porter. Five states levy no sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon. Also look for state and local tax breaks specifically for seniors who reach certain ages. Less upkeep. Ron and Jean Mirabile, both 67, traded in a three-story townhouse with a basement in Cromwell, Conn., for a three-bedroom apartment with a lake view in Port Charlotte, Fla. The couple was looking for a change of scenery and housing that required less upkeep when they retired in 2008. “If something breaks, I call the office and the maintenance man comes and fixes it,” said Jean, a former proofreader. Ron, a

retired dentist who makes wooden fishing lures as a hobby, no longer needs to travel to fish. “I can take one pole and lure and go out in the backyard and fish for bass,” he said. “The best things in Florida are free: The weather, the beach, and the scenery.” Slash utility bills. Cozier quarters may also result in lower heating and cooling expenses and a smaller homeowner’s insurance bill. “A smaller space should save you money on utilities,” said Porter. Ask for copies of the previous owner or tenant’s utility bills to determine approximate monthly expenses. Increase flexibility. Some retirees go back to renting in retirement. “Renting makes a lot of sense because there is more flexibility,” said Hankard. “Most people would rather do other things with their time and money, unless they are really in love with their home.” Renters can try out a few retirement locations. Sometimes priorities also shift throughout retirement. For example, immediately upon retirement, you might want to move to the Sunbelt or travel. But after a few years, you might want to move closer to your children and grandchildren. More amenities. First-time home buyers are often concerned about space for children and living in a good school district. But retirees need to think about whether their home will continue to be convenient as they age. “As you get older, those stairs are not going to be your friend,” cautioned Julie Schatz, a certified financial planner. Seniors may want to consider a single-level home and proximity to family and friends who can help with household tasks. If you have any type of health problem, it is essential to live near a medical facility. Art and Barb Thomas, 80 and 76, of Lawrence, Kan., have downsized twice. The former college professor and middle school teacher sold their home and moved into a three-bedroom, two-bathroom town house shortly before retiring in 1994. “Things like lawn care and snow removal are taken care of for us,” said Art. “Neither of us like outside work, and it just relieves you of a lot of responsibilities that you don’t want to do.” The couple then relocated to a two-bedroom unit in a retirement community in February 2010 that provides assisted living and healthcare services. “We see this as an insurance policy for the future, and it relieves our children from the responsibility of having to figure out what to do with us,” Art said. When children and grandchildren come to visit, the couple pays for a hotel room. Said Art: “We have found that in many ways, it is just as inexpensive to buy a hotel room for a few nights as it is to maintain more space.” U.S. News & World Report

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

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FREE HOUSING AND OTHER INFORMATION For free information from advertisers in this special section, check off those that interest you and mail this entire page to the Beacon. Please do not request info if you are not interested. All replies will have an equal chance to win.

HOUSING COMMUNITIES: MARYLAND ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Brooke Grove . . . . .B-13 & B-20 Charlotte Hall . . . . . . . . . . .B-15 Collington . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-17 Council House . . . . . . . . . . .B-3 Covenant House . . . . . . . . .B-10 Emerson House . . .B-10 & B-17 Fox Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5 Homecrest House . . .B-8 & B-16 Kensington Park . . . . . . . . . .B-3 Oaks at Olde Towne . .B-6 & B-17 Mrs. Phillipines Home . . . . B-10 Quantum Affordable Apts. . .B-10 Riderwood Assisted Living . .B-18 Riderwood Independent Living . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4 & B-13

❑ Solana . . . . . . . . . .B-12 & B-19 ❑ Springvale Terrace . . . . . . .B-14 ❑ Village at Rockville . .B-5 & B-16

HOME CARE SERVICES ❑ Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . .B-7 ❑ Caregivers Home Health . . . .B-7 ❑ Options for Senior America . .B-15

VIRGINIA ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Ashby Ponds . . . . . .B-4 & B-16 Chesterbrook . . . . . . . . . . . .B-8 The Fairmont . . . . . . . . . . . .B-8 Greenspring . . . . . . .B-4 & B-12 Quantum Affordable Apts. . .B-10 Sommerset . . . . . .B-12 & B-19 The Sylvestery . . . . . . . . . .B-18 Vinson Hall . . . . . .B-13 & B-18

WASHINGTON, DC ❑ Friendship Terrace . . . . . . .B-19 ❑ Residences at Thomas Circle . . . . . . . . . . . B-2 & B-17 ❑ St. Mary’s Court . . . . . . . . .B-14

NURSING/ REHABILITATION ❑ Arleigh Burke Pavilion . . . .B-18 ❑ Charlotte Hall . . . . . . . . . . .B-15 ❑ Woodbine Nursing & Rehab B-14

MISCELLANEOUS ❑ Custom Senior Living Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-13 ❑ Dan Kugler’s Design . . . . . . .B-9 ❑ New LifeStyles . . . . . . . . . . .B-6 ❑ Pack-N-Move . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4 ❑ Weichert Realtors/ Stan Moffson . . . . . . . . . . . .B-6

Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this entire coupon to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227. You may also include the free info coupon on page 5 and the survey on page 52. One entry of each coupon per household please. Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________E-mail_______________________________________________ City _______________________________________________________ State ______________________ Zip ____________________ Phone (day) _______________________________________________ (eve) ________________________________________________ TB 5/13

Please provide your telephone number and e-mail address so we may contact you promptly if you win the drawing.

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INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Sommerset 703-450-6411 22366 Providence Village Dr. Sterling, VA 20164 www.sommersetretirement.com Your Search is Over for Premier Retirement Living! At Sommerset Retirement Community, located in the heart of Sterling, Virginia, you’ll experience exceptional independent living at its best, with a comfortable, fulfilling, secure and active lifestyle. Our residents enjoy the privacy of home, without the burdens of home ownership. Sommerset has been the residence of choice for many senior adults. Sommerset’s unique amenities include restaurant style dining, housekeeping, 24-hour front desk personnel, private transportation, and a calendar full of exciting and fun activities. Sommerset’s central location gives you the convenience of being just minutes from medical services, shopping, banking and entertainment. Call us or visit our website to request more information or schedule your tour and complimentary lunch. Sommerset Retirement Community, retirement living at its best.

ASSISTED LIVING

The Solana Olney 301-570-2611 2611 Olney-Sandy Spring Road Olney, MD 20832 www.brookdaleliving.com/solana-olney.aspx The Solana® Olney, in Olney, Maryland, provides Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care options for seniors. Our community offers residents an intellectually stimulating, physically invigorating and emotionally fulfilling life. Those who desire to retain their independence but do not require the skilled nursing care provided in nursing homes will appreciate our friendly staff’s assistance with activities of daily living. We also provide speciallydesigned programs and care for those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia-related illnesses. At The Solana Olney, you and your loved one will enjoy a stylish, comfortable and inviting community environment to share with neighbors and friends, along with all the features and amenities needed to enhance your personal lifestyle. We invite you to call to learn more.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Greenspring 703-913-1200 or 1-800-788-0811 7410 Spring Village Drive Springﬁeld, VA 22150 EricksonLiving.com Situated in beautiful Springfield, Greenspring is the perfect place to enjoy an active lifestyle now, with added peace of mind for the future. Everything you need is right on campus, including continuing care services, should your health needs ever change. Greenspring is supported by the nation’s largest integrated health and wellness system for seniors. Nestled on 108 acres and bordered on three sides by wooded parkland, Greenspring is home to more than 2,000 residents. A refundable deposit guarantees there is no financial risk, and the monthly service package includes utilities, maintenance, and flexible dining plans you can use in any of the four on-site restaurants. On-site amenities include restaurants; stores; medical center with full time physicians; an all-season swimming pool; a fitness center with full-time trainers; barber shop and hair salon; bank; and a full-time, interfaith pastoral staff.

M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Keys to thinking about reverse mortgages By Alex Veiga Reverse mortgages represent an alluring proposition for seniors: Stay in your own home while the bank pays you either a lump sum or a stream of payments to help supplement your retirement income. For some, that arrangement can help bring peace of mind. Others will scoff at the hefty fees and restrictions involved. And in many cases, alternative options, such as using one’s home as collateral for a loan from a family member, might be a better fit. Types of reverse mortgages vary, but generally, a reverse mortgage allows homeowners age 62 or older to borrow against their home’s equity. They can opt for a lump sum, line of credit or regular payments, and don’t have to pay a monthly mortgage. The homeowner retains title and must pay insurance and property taxes while living there. The loan and fees are due once all parties listed on the deed die, or the home is vacated for 12 straight months. The home is usually sold, and the proceeds from the sale are used to pay off the loan, plus interest and fees. The interest on the loan balance is typically calculated monthly and accrues over time. So, if you elect to receive regular payouts, for example, the amount you owe, plus interest, grows. When the loan is repaid, the lender also collects all the compounded interest. Here are some tips experts recommend when considering whether to get a reverse mortgage: 1. Put it off Even though homeowners can qualify for a reverse mortgage as early as age 62, experts suggest putting it off as long as possible. The longer you wait, the more you can borrow against your equity. You also stand to save more money on interest if you put off the timing of the loan or when you start receiving payments. Since, the longer the loan period, the more interest adds up. Another consideration: the sooner you start depleting your home equity, the greater the chance that you may not have enough to meet your needs when you’re older, said Noreen Perrotta, finance editor at Consumer Reports. “The troubling trend now is that people are taking reverse mortgages as soon as

they’re qualified to do so,” she said. “Life expectancy being what it is, if you’re tapping your home equity at 62, you have to wonder what’s going to be left at 82.” While reverse mortgages are intended to supplement retirement income, many borrowers are opting to take out loans at younger ages. That could increase the risk that they will go broke later in life, according to a report issued last year by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). 2. Understand reverse mortgage types Reverse mortgages generally fall into three categories, Home Equity Conversion Mortgages, or HECMs, which are backed by the federal government; proprietary reverse mortgages, which are essentially private loans; and, single-purpose reverse mortgages, which come with restrictions as to what you can spend the money on. By far, the more commonly available reverse mortgages today are the HECMs. That’s because, as with other types of home loans, the government has become the main purchaser of reverse mortgages since the housing collapse. Lenders approved by the Federal Housing Administration offer HECMs, which makes the loans widely available. Borrowers don’t have to meet any income, credit or medical criteria to qualify, and are free to use the funds any way they please. The Federal Trade Commission said most homeowners with a low or moderate income can qualify for the single-purpose loans, which also are the least expensive. But they may not be available in all areas. 3. Evaluate fees and interest rates Reverse mortgages involve a slew of fees, such as costs for closing and servicing the loan, origination fees, a premium for mortgage insurance (in the case of federally backed loans), and, of course, the interest rate. For HECMs, origination fees can range from 2.1 percent to 8.3 percent of the loan amount, depending on the home’s loan-tovalue ratio. Mortgage insurance premiums on HECMs are charged monthly and based on an annual rate of 1.25 percent of the loan balance. See REVERSE MORTGAGE, page B-13

BEACON BITS

May 18

5K+ VOLKSMARCH WALK The Seneca Valley Sugarloafers Volksmarch Club is sponsoring a

Garrett Park/Kensington Walk on Saturday, May 18. This free 10 km. walk (with a 5 km. option) is suitable for wheelchairs. The walk begins and ends at the Safeway located at 10541 Connecticut Ave., Kensington, Md. Registration is between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Race must be completed by 2 p.m. For more information, contact Carolyn Thurber at (301) 926-0915 or cbthurber@verizon.net.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

Reverse mortgage From page B-12 Like regular home loans, reverse mortgages can come with a fixed interest rate or one that’s adjustable, meaning it can rise or fall over time. ARMs also can potentially lessen the amount of equity available to the borrower, because more of the equity could end up going toward interest. In the case of a HECM, the borrower is required to meet with a counselor from an independent housing agency who must explain how much the loan will cost, as well as possible alternatives, according to the FTC. You can find a counselor in your area by calling 1-800-569-4287 or visiting www.hud.gov/counseling. 4. Avoid lump sum payout Generally, reverse mortgages that come with a fixed interest rate require the borrower to take the lump sum payout, and some 70 percent of reverse mortgage borrowers opt for the one-time payment, according to the CFPB. That option makes sense for borrowers who want to get as much of their money as they can at once. Many borrowers who opt for the one-time payment do so as a way to refinance traditional mortgages or make another large purchase. But it puts them in a position where they have to manage that money, while continuing to pay their property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, upkeep on the home and other costs. And if they should run out of money, they could lose the home to foreclosure. Some 9.4 percent of reverse mortgage borrowers are at risk of foreclosure because they haven’t paid taxes and insurance, according to a report by the CFPB. Also, if you don’t need all the money at once, you end up paying more interest than you’re earning. A better option for those looking for a steady stream of income is to take a credit line, suggests Jack Guttentag, professor of

finance emeritus at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and operator of mortgage information website MTGprofessor.com. Such an option is available only as an adjustable-rate loan, but borrowers can elect to draw on the credit line only as needed, preserving their home equity. In contrast, borrowers who take the lump sum payout can end up paying more than 5 percent in fees, Guttentag said. “And where are you going to invest today to earn more than 5 percent?” he asked. 5. Consider healthcare needs If a borrower becomes ill and has to be moved to an assisted living facility for more than 12 months, their reverse mortgage will come due, because reverse mortgages require borrowers to live in their home. In the case where a borrower’s spouse has yet to turn 62, should the borrower become ill and leave the property for more than 12 months or die, the loan also would come due. 6. Explore alternatives Homeowners should investigate whether there are any alternatives available before borrowing against the equity in their home, particularly if they’re weighing drawing funds soon after they meet the minimum age requirement. “If you have to tap it at that early age, you might be better off selling the home,” Perrotta said. The advantage of selling a home is you can draw all the equity you have built up. In a reverse mortgage, you only get a portion of that, because you have to cover the fees and interest costs. Of course, if you sell your home, you have to find and pay for a new place to live. Some options include moving into a smaller, more affordable home. Another option: Selling the property to relatives and then renting it back from them so the property stays in the family. — AP

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CONTINUING CARE & MEMORY SUPPORT

Brooke Grove 301-260-2320 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org This community hums with warmhearted camaraderie and a zest for living shared by residents and staff alike—in independent living, assisted living, memory support, rehabilitative care and nursing care. Experience all that makes Brooke Grove different. Beautifully designed residences in a truly picturesque setting. Unique LIFE® enrichment programming and choices to satisfy every palate. Unsurpassed continuing care and innovative memory support care. Come for a visit and see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after continuing care retirement communities in the state and how living here is simply different … because what surrounds you really matters.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Riderwood 301-495-5700 3140 Graceﬁeld Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 EricksonLiving.com Ideally located in Silver Spring, Riderwood offers maintenance-free retirement living combined with a vibrant lifestyle―all in a beautiful, private community. Without the worries of a house and yard, you can spend more time pursuing your passions. Travel, volunteer, take a college class and explore some of Riderwood’s many clubs and interest groups. Multiple campus restaurants offer a variety of delicious dining options, while 24-hour security offers protection and peace of mind. Enjoy the stability of predictable monthly expenses and look forward to a healthy future with our full continuum of health care and wellness services.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Vinson Hall Retirement Community 703-536-4344 6251 Old Dominion Drive McLean, VA 22101 www.vinsonhall.org Our not-for-profit, continuing care retirement community enhances the lives of our residents through person-centered care and services while fostering dignity, security and friendship. As an innovative not-for-profit community, we attract leaders in the field of aging who design research and pilot new initiatives and technology to help improve the lives of our residents and seniors everywhere. Vinson Hall provides independent living to commissioned military officers and their immediate family. Everyone is welcome at Arleigh Burke Pavilion, where we provide assisted living, skilled nursing and private pay nursing care services, and at The Sylvestery, where we offer assisted living care for those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

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M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Some of the best urban areas for retirees Do you want to remain in an urban environment when you retire? Many retirees want to live in a city where their money stretches far, but they can retain a high quality of life. The financial tool website NerdWallet examined factors that are important to seniors, including affordability, social life, weather and walkability. It then calculated the best urban retirement cities based on six main questions: 1. Can you afford to live there? The cost of living index is included to determine if the city is affordable for retirees on a fixed income. The average cost of living index is 100 across all U.S. cities. 2. Can you afford help if and when you need it? The cost of assisted living varies widely across cities, so the calculation includes the costs of homemaker services. Homemaker services include basic household assistance such as shopping, laundry, personal hygiene and meal preparation, allowing older individuals to

live in their own homes as they age. 3. Is healthcare affordable? NerdWallet assessed the relative cost of healthcare through the cost of a doctor’s visit. 4. Can you have an active social life? To assess whether seniors can have a peer group and active social life in these cities, we included the percentage of the population over 65. 5. Is the weather warm? Many seniors prefer to move to sunny locales, so we incorporated cities with a high average annual temperature. 6. Is the city walkable? We assessed how easy it is to live without a car through the Walk Score of each city.

The top 10 cities 1. Miami, Fla. It’s no wonder Miami is a popular retirement destination — a full 16 percent of the city is over 65 years old, and the average temperature is a sunny 76.7 °F. Beaches abound in Miami, making this scenic desti-

Efficiency & One-Bedroom Units A NON-PROFIT FACILITY DESIGNED for seniors 62 years of age or older or individuals with accessibility needs. Located in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood near Metro, the Kennedy Center and GWU Hospital.

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nation the perfect retirement spot, and it’s easy to avoid driving in this walkable city. Miami has fun yearly festivals as well, including Calle Ocho Festival and Carnaval Miami. 2. El Paso, Texas El Paso has extremely low-cost assisted living services, making the city very affordable for seniors. The warm weather and high proportion of the population over 65 ensures that seniors can have an active social life, too. El Paso also has great dining, theater venues and museums, so the city offers plenty of entertainment. 3. Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville has a fairly low cost of living and very low healthcare costs, and although Jacksonville’s assisted living costs are on the high side, the warm weather makes up for it. The city center is home to the Jacksonville Landing and Jacksonville Riverwalks, popular dining and shopping venues. 4. Tampa, Fla. Tampa has it all. The city is affordable, warm and has a large population of seniors. Full of museums, parks, zoos and major sports teams, the city has something for everyone. 5. Memphis, Tenn. The low cost of living in Memphis can be enticing to seniors on a fixed income, and the warm weather doesn’t hurt, either. The city has social events as well, including the month-long Memphis in May celebration, Africa in April, and the Memphis Italian Festival. There are also several film festivals in Memphis for movie buffs. 6. Oklahoma City, Okla. Oklahoma City is a full 10 percent cheaper than the average U.S. city, and al-

though the city is not as warm as some other options, almost 12 percent of the population is over 65, giving seniors plenty of peers. Oklahoma City has a rich arts culture. Seniors can find art at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, ballet at the Oklahoma City Ballet, and theatre at the Stage Center for the Performing Arts. 7. San Antonio, Texas San Antonio’s hot weather is a plus for seniors, and the city is affordable as well. The city has plenty of fun activities and attractions as well, including the Spanish Missions, the Alamo and the River Walk. 8. Louisville, Ky. Louisville is very senior-friendly, with a high population of seniors and a low cost of living. Plus, the city has plenty of fun events, including the Kentucky Derby, the Humana Festival, and Abbey Road on the River, a large Beatles festival. 9. Tucson, Az. Tucson is warm and affordable, making it a great city in which to retire. With some of the best Mexican restaurants in the country, the city has a lot of offer retirees. Tucson often holds public fairs and festivals, and the Tucson Folk Festival is one of the biggest free festivals in the country. 10. Nashville, Tenn. Nashville is very affordable, with a high percentage of seniors in the population. Country music lovers will feel welcome in this city, with its Country Music Hall of Fame and regular concerts from top performers, and seniors can take classes at nearby Vanderbilt University as well. See chart on facing page for all the relevant data.

Return the coupon on page B-11 for free information with no obligation.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

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The top 10 cities for retirement Rank

City

Overall cost of living index

Annual cost of in-home homemaker services

Cost of a doctor’s visit

Percentage of population over 65

Average annual temperature (°F)

Walkability Score

Overall score for retirees

Miami, FL

108.1

$36,608

$107

16.0%

76.7

67.0

El Paso, TX

94.6

$30,316

$74

11.2%

64.7

64.6

Jacksonville, FL

95.7

$40,040

$67

10.9%

60.9

Tampa, FL

92.2

$41,756

$85

11.0%

73.1

59.9

Memphis, TN

85.6

$37,752

$75

10.3%

62.4

58.2

Oklahoma City, OK

90.5

$38,896

$85

11.8%

60.1

56.4

San Antonio, TX

87.7

$40,040

$98

10.4%

68.7

56.0

Louisville, KY

91.6

$40,040

$83

12.6%

55.6

Tucson, AZ

93.8

$43,998

$100

11.9%

68.7

54.8

Nashville, TN

87.7

$38,896

$79

10.2%

58.9

54.6

Scoring Methodology: Each city’s overall score for retirees was calculated from the following measures: 1. Cost of living index from ACCRA Cost of Living Index, compiled by the Council for Community and Economic Research, www.coli.org 2. Annual cost of in-home homemaker services from the Genworth 2012 Cost of Care Survey 3. Cost of a doctor’s visit from ACCRA Cost of Living Index. Price reported is the

general practitioner average charge for an established adult patient. 4. Percentage of the population over 65 from the U.S. Census 5. Average annual temperature from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 6. Walkability score from Walk Score, www.walkscore.com Note: Fifty of the most populous cities were included in this analysis.

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CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

The Village at Rockville 301-424-9560 9701 Veirs Drive Rockville, MD 20850-3462 www.thevillageatrockville.org At The Village at Rockville, our goal is to create assisted living that makes people more independent, not less. In beautiful private suites, residents will enjoy pampered comfort and just the right amount of help they need, under the watchful eyes of licensed nurses, available 24/7. Additionally, residents can bring their own furniture for a truly personalized new home, but, if needed, we can provide a bed, pillows, a bedside stand, a chest of drawers and a lamp. Our assisted living residences come with a generous package of services and amenities included: • Delicious dining, with three meals and snacks daily • Weekly housekeeping • Utilities • Laundry facilities • Maintenance and repair • Local transportation within a 10-mile radius • Stimulating programs for learning and enjoyment Call today for a tour!

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Ashby Ponds 703-723-1999 or 1-800-564-0155 21170 Ashby Ponds Boulevard Ashburn, VA 20147 EricksonLiving.com Ashby Ponds in Ashburn offers maintenance-free retirement living combined with a vibrant lifestyle--all in a beautiful, private and gated community. Without the worries of a house and yard, you can spend more time pursuing your passions. Travel, volunteer, take a college class and explore some of Ashby Ponds many clubs and interest groups. Campus restaurants offer a variety of delicious dining options, while security offers protection and peace of mind. Enjoy the stability of predictable monthly expenses and look forward to a healthy future with our health care and wellness services. Whatever your passions in life, you’ll find the freedom and opportunity to follow them at Ashby Ponds. Continuing Care at Ashby Ponds is under construction and opens in 2014 featuring assisted living, nursing care, post-acute rehabilitation, and memory care.

INDEPENDENT & PERSONAL CARE COMMUNITIES

B’nai B’rith Homecrest House 301-598-4000 14508 Homecrest Road Silver Spring, MD 20906 www.homecresthouse.org Homecrest House is a non-profit, affordable subsidized community offering two options: independent and personal care services. PERSONAL CARE offers: assistance with bathing, daily meals, weekly housekeeping and laundry services with optional medication administration. Homecrest is nestled on ten beautiful acres with its own pond and neighbors Leisure World. Qualified residents pay approximately 30% of their adjusted income for rent, and may qualify for care subsidies. Homecrest offers a full array of activities both in-house and around the metro area via our van service. Our computer lab, beauty shop, exercise room, library and social halls are just a few amenities our residents enjoy at Homecrest House. Call today for a personalized tour or visit us on the web at www.homecresthouse.org.

M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Housing Notes By Rebekah Sewell

Therapeutic massage at Homecrest House Homecrest House, a senior community in Silver Spring, Md., has been given a grant to assist with medication and therapeutic expenses from the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. The grant will help provide services to residents of the Edwards Building, which offers its services to low-income seniors who need assistance with personal care. Homecrest House will use the grant to fund both medical costs and its introduction of therapeutic massage, which will be provided by Family & Nursing Care. Massage can alleviate pain related to diabetes, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. The technique can also enhance sleeping ability, reduce stiffness and improve circulation. For more information, contact Maria Karavangelos at (301) 598-4000, ext. 79.

Charles E. Smith opens memory care building The Cohen-Rosen House for memory care has recently opened at the Charles E. Smith Life Communities to aid those with dementia and other forms of memory loss. The building houses 18 residents in private studio apartments, each with an accessible shower and restroom. Other benefits include access to a media center, a massage room, and a memory tech space where staff assist residents with computer technology. Axis Healthcare Group, affiliated with Suburban Hospital, provides comprehensive mental health services onsite. For more information about the CohenRosen House, contact Sandy Levin at (301) 816-5050.

New affordable housing options Victory Housing, the housing develop-

ment branch of the Archdiocese of Washington that seeks to create affordable housing with social services for seniors, opened a new community last year and plans to finish another new one this summer. Both are open to residents of all faiths. Victory Square, for those age 55 and older, was completed last year in the Parkside neighborhood in Northeast Washington, D.C. The community features wellness and fitness centers, a library, beauty salon, coffee bar, controlled entry access, activities and gated parking. Residents have a choice between one- or two-bedroom apartments. Each room has a breakfast bar and an emergency call system. Victory Square is currently full. For inquiries, call (202) 388-3288 or e-mail manager321@habitatamerica.com. Under construction now is Victory Court, a community for those 62 and older located in Rockville, Md. Residents may choose between one- and two-bedroom apartments that include in-room washer/dryers. The community features a library, cafe, arts and crafts center, a wellness and fitness center, a billiards room, a walkout terrace, and a patio. Construction is scheduled to be completed in early August. Applications are now being accepted. Victory Court is currently 72 percent leased. For inquiries, call (301) 294-1111 or email info@victorycourt.com.

Fire safety for seniors Older adults have a higher risk of firerelated injury or death than any other age group. Those 65 and over are twice as likely to die in a home fire as the average person. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) offers a Fire Safety for Older Adults Comprehensive Toolkit, which includes safety tip sheets that provide information about fire hazards related to cooking, heating and electrical equipment. These are the major causes of home fires. Also included are tip sheets about smoke alarms and escape planning in the event of an emergency. The materials are available at bit.ly/firesafetyforolderadults. ESFI can be reached at (703) 841-3229.

BEACON BITS

May 10

SHOW YOUR STUFF AT TRIVIA DAY COMPETITION On Friday, May 10 from noon to 2 p.m., the Seniors in Action!

group will host Trivia Day. Come and challenge fellow seniors (55+) at the general knowledge quiz. This program is free to Seniors in Action! members or $5 per nonmember. Event takes place at Stedwick Community Center, 10401 Stedwick Rd., Montgomery Village, Md. For more information, including how to pre-register, call Elijah Davis at (301) 948-0110, ext. 2367 or edavis@mvf.org.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

Pay off the mortgage? Maybe not By Jane Bennett Clark Retiring your home loan makes sense if your stomach churns at the idea of making payments into old age, or you aren’t confident that you can get a return on your money that beats your mortgage rate. But moving heaven and earth to write that last check may not be the best use of your resources. Before you decide, follow these five steps. Pay off consumer debt. Given today’s interest rates, you’re probably paying less than 5 percent on your mortgage, compared with, say, 13 percent on credit card balances. Paying credit card debt gives you an instant return on your money equal to the rate on your cards — and you can continue to deduct the interest on your mortgage. Fuel retirement accounts. The remaining few years before retirement represent your last chance to stash money in tax-advantaged retirement accounts. You’ll waste that opportunity by not maxing out your accounts. In 2013, you can sock away $23,000 in a 401(k) and $6,500 in an IRA if you’re 50 or older. An even worse idea is withdrawing money from your IRA to pay off the mortgage. With a traditional IRA, you’ll owe tax on the distribution, plus a 10-percent penalty if you take a withdrawal before you’re 59 1/2. Keep a reser ve fund. Even if you don’t plan to touch retirement savings to pay off the mortgage, be sure to have enough in your emergency fund to cover

six months of living costs; otherwise, you could end up tapping retirement accounts anyway. Also be mindful that you’ll need income in retirement to cover other expenses. Draining investments to pay off the mortgage could leave you house-rich and cashpoor. Weigh return versus risk. If you’re paying 4 percent on your mortgage and you have nonretirement cash accounts earning less than 1 percent, retire the mortgage. But if you think you can earn, say, 6 percent on your investments and your mortgage costs 4 percent, keep the mortgage and let your investments grow — assuming you won’t kick yourself if your investment return takes a dive. Stay flexible. You could refinance to a shorter-term mortgage, saving thousands of dollars in interest. The downside: You would incur closing costs and could also lock yourself into a higher monthly payment, depending on your current interest rate. Consider prepaying your current mortgage each month instead. And if your finances hit a rough patch, you can revert to the lower payment. Jane Bennett Clark is a senior editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. Send your questions and comments to moneypower@kiplinger.com. Kiplinger’s has a new service to pinpoint the ideal time to claim Social Security to maximize benefits. Visit http://kiplinger.socialsecuritysolutions.com. © 2013 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

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SENIOR APARTMENT COMMUNITY

The Oaks at Olde Towne 301-495-5700 9 Chestnut Street Gaithersburg, MD 20877 The atmosphere at The Oaks at Oldetowne is filled with gracious living. Here, you will appreciate not having to worry about maintenance chores. At the same time, you can take advantage of nearby shops, library, banks, and postal services as well scheduled trips on the Oaks at Oldetowne mini bus. Downtown Gaithersburg and the historical attractions of the area are just minutes away. Enjoy carefree leisure living at The Oaks at Olde Towne, an affordable senior apartment community for persons 62 or better. Call today for your tour!

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

The Residences at Thomas Circle (202) 626-5761 1330 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20005 www.ThomasCircle.com The Residences at Thomas Circles is an exceptional senior living community located in the heart of the district in Washington, DC. Here, residents enjoy a stimulating lifestyle filled with activities and entertainment as well as the company of a diverse group of interesting people. The excellent location means residents can easily visit area attractions, museums, theater, special events and more via the Metro or a short walk. In addition to independent living, The Residences at Thomas Circle is the only in-town senior living community to offer an on-site continuum of health services: assisted living, skilled nursing, and rehabilitative or memory care. Ask about our new respite program, Circle Stays: special spring savings in assisted living and memory care. Visit www.ThomasCircle to learn more or call 202.628.3844.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Emerson House 301-779-6196 5999 Emerson Street Bladensburg, MD 20710 Emerson House Apartments is conveniently located on Emerson Street, just off of Rt. 450 and 57th Ave in Bladensburg, Md. A quaint residential setting, just minutes from neighborhood shopping, the community is convenient to Prince George's Hospital, a local library, public transportation and parks. Activities within Emerson House include: exercise classes, a Wii bowling league, arts and crafts classes, bingo, movie night, parties, bus trips and much more. Emerson House is a nine story, community designed for today’s seniors (62 and older). Our 220 one-bedroom units offer Section 8 rent subsidy for low- to moderate-income households. Please call today to request an application or make an appointment to tour our community. 301-779-6196. Monday – Friday 8:30 to 5:00.

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Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Considering an addition? Be prepared

Do your research Like all remodeling projects, adding on to your home starts with planning and research. In surveys of Consumer Reports readers who have remodeled their homes, “the thing they wish they had done is spent more time upfront,” said Celia Kuperszmid-Lehrman, deputy home editor at the magazine. Make detailed notes about the basics you want, and a separate list of special things — maybe skylights or a fireplace — that you’d love to include but can live without. “There is almost always a conflict between what you can afford and what you want,” said Bill Harbrecht, a retired con-

tractor from Florida who shares his knowledge at Remodeling4Dumbells.com. Basics such as “foundation, framing, basic electric and heating are built-in costs and there is no way around them. Many are governed by building codes and cannot be changed to make them less expensive,” Harbrecht said. But “you do have control over everything else, and everything else encompasses hundreds of choices, each one more or less expensive than the other.” Be sure to plan a large enough addition, he said, because scrimping on space may leave you unsatisfied with the finished product. But also consider how the value and size of your home compares with others in the neighborhood. “You don’t want to go crazy beyond what’s common in your neighborhood,” said Kuperszmid-Lehrman, because building too big can make it harder to recoup the money when you eventually sell. Do research at local stores to decide what you like — particular appliances, types of flooring, etc. — and what it costs. This legwork makes you more informed when interviewing contractors, and helps create a budget. Knowing exactly what you want will help you avoid expensive changes once the job is underway. Work up a realistic budget, KuperszmidLehrman said, leaving room for cost overruns of 5 to 10 percent. When budgeting, consider whether you’ll need to live else-

where while work is being done. Look into financing in advance, said Mark Donovan, founder of the DIY website HomeAdditionPlus.com. Don’t wait until you’ve signed a contract to confirm how you’ll pay for it. Once you know what you want, ask friends and neighbors to recommend contractors.

Conduct extensive interviews You can commission plans from an architect before interviewing contractors, or work with “design/build” contractors who create plans for their work. If the addition isn’t elaborate, you also can buy software to design your own plans. Software can cost up to several hundred dollars, Donovan said, but “that’s what an architect would charge you for one hour.” When interviewing contractors, make sure all decision-makers are present. Come prepared with questions, and ask for clarification of details. Once you have several bids, be sure you’re comparing apples to apples. Low bids may not offer the same services or quality items as higher ones, so ask for specifics. Carter’s proposals are carefully organized, and include numerous documents detailing every aspect of the job. “Look at how the bid was presented,” he said, because the effort put into the proposal may give a sense of the effort that will go into the finished job.

Look for someone who is experienced in the specific type of work you’re planning, and perhaps is certified in that area. Does the contractor point out potential difficulties up front or promise that the job will be totally smooth sailing? Ask about things like downtime while they wait for supplies. Get references from former customers, and “don’t just say, ‘Did you like the guy?’” said Kuperszmid-Lehrman. Ask how the job went and whether there were any surprises. Ideally, visit former customers’ homes to see the work.

Get everything in writing “A lot of people get bids, and by then they’re already so tired of the process” that they just jump in and get started, Carter said. But it’s vital to move slowly and carefully when signing contracts. Don’t assume details are implied. Outline everything on paper — from which materials will be used to how clean the worksite will be at the end of each day. Agree in writing on an estimated time frame and overall estimate of costs. But accept that contractors can’t predict the weather, and things like frayed wiring or termites may be discovered when walls are opened. Once the project is underway, stay in written communication. Phone messages can cause confusion, said Carter, so he prefers email updates, with everyone copied in. —AP

Mom has peace of mind—and so do I. with Extended Care at Riderwood. When the people you love need care, Riderwood in Silver Spring is here with compassionate Extended Care in a beautiful setting. Thanks to a team of full-time doctors and specialists and a licensed nurse on-site 24/7, Mom can continue to live a vibrant lifestyle with the support she needs. Your loved one doesn’t have to be a current Riderwood resident to come to our Extended Care neighborhood. Call 301-355-2293 today for your free brochure.

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By Melissa Rayworth Ask William Carter about expanding your home, and he’s going to be blunt: It will be expensive. It will be messy. And it will take time. “This is a very taxing process,” said Carter, who has renovated homes in California for three decades and has served as board chairman of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (www.nari.org). “You’re probably going to make 1,500 to 2,000 decisions before this project is completed.” But, he said, if you plan carefully and trust your instincts, you can “end up with a quality project, and everyone will be friends afterwards.”

Independent Living t Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation Assisted Living t Memory Care t Nursing Care t Respite Care

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

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Condominium ownership makes comeback By Patricia Mertz Esswein Condos have traditionally attracted firsttime buyers who are ready to own but don’t want the upkeep required by a single-family detached home with a yard. They also appeal to empty-nesters and retirees who want to trade a house and yard for convenience and, sometimes, coddling in a luxury high-rise. But condo ownership has its downside. Because the association of owners shares responsibility for the building’s exterior and common areas, you pay a monthly fee in addition to the mortgage payment, and you could be liable for special assessments to cover unexpected repairs.

Fewer condos available And today you face new challenges: limited selection and tight mortgage financing. In many cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando and Seattle, the selection of condos for sale is limited. Across the U.S., the number of existing condos for sale has fallen by just over half since 2010, according to the National Association of Realtors. Plus, buyers at the entry level may still be competing with investors for the best bargains. Competition for move-up properties is more muted because many buyers in those markets must sell another home first.

Looking for new construction? Most developers don’t need to offer incentives to attract buyers now. Developers offer the best prices before they’ve sold half of the project’s units — but the earlier you buy, the greater your risk that the project will never get off the ground. You may also get a better deal when a developer wants to get rid of the last few units. You may find some of the best prospects in buildings that are just a few years old — units that were updated and remodeled during the boom can offer great value. However, the owners associations of some new buildings may still be struggling with legal problems left over from the developer, dealing with structural or mechanical problems that took time to emerge, or trying to establish a working condo board.

More mortgage requirements To get a mortgage for a condo, you have to jump through more hoops than for a single-family home. Not only must you qualify for financing, but the building where you buy must qualify, too, by meeting criteria established by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. When you apply for a conforming mortgage guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (which require a minimum down payment of 5 to 10 percent), your prospec-

tive lender will perform a risk assessment of the condo association and may overlay even more-stringent requirements of its own on top of Fannie and Freddie’s.

Faces of Friendship !"#$%&%'()#*%+(%,-.#$*/".01%&%+"(23"+% &%4(25*%6##5%75($#888%92+%&%7'%$#)#-%75($#:; !"#$ %&#'&!%&(!)*+,-'.! !"#$!%&'"#%(!')*+*,' -#(&. !$'/#&0'0! '1!234!$'-!&'1# $"!

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JOIN US ON THE ISLAND OF SOLANA! A Tropical Celebration & Expo at The Solana® Olney!

Join us at The Solana Olney on May 25 and escape to our very own “tropical paradise.” You’ll enjoy live island music, wine tasting and Caribbean food. We’ll also have face painting, a “bounce house,” cartoon caricatures and more, so bring the whole family! The Olney Theatre Center, churches, banks, realtors and other local vendors will be on-hand with booths and special presentations. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet new friends and experience the exceptional lifestyle we offer at The Solana Olney. Make plans now to be here for this fun and festive event.

SATURDAY, MAY 25 • 11 A.M. TO 2 P.M. Complimentary admission & refreshments

Reservations and Information: Call 1-888-694-1669 by May 17.

Assisted Living Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care

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2611 Olney Sandy Spring Road Olney, MD 20832 www.brookdaleliving.com "#$% &%'% ()*#+* )+, -. /0012# 345567"/(6376839 .".

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Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

INDEPENDENT LIVING

SIMPLY

DIFFERENT

You’ll see it as soon as you turn onto our scenic drive through lush pastures and hardwood forest. You’ll hear it in the birdsong, breeze and peaceful absence of city noise. You’ll feel it in the friendly manner of people who thrive in a gracious quality of life. This community hums with warmhearted camaraderie and a zest for living shared by residents and staff alike—in independent living, assisted living, memory support, rehabilitative care and nursing care.

because what surrounds you really matters.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Careers Volunteers &

Did you (or someone you know) change careers, start a business or go back to school after retirement? Please share your story. Email info@theBeaconNewspapers.com or call Barbara at (301) 949-9766.

New insurance options for retired workers By Eleanor Laise As employers continue to drop retirees from group health plans, new alternatives are emerging that may ease their pain. A growing number of employers are making cash contributions to individual accounts that help retired workers pay for insurance they shop for themselves. New private exchanges are helping retirees select their own health plans. And when health benefits evaporate in an employer’s bankruptcy, recent rule changes make it easier for some early retirees to use an obscure tax credit that covers nearly 75 percent of their insurance premiums. Still, the new approaches also bring challenges. Fixed employer contributions may not buy as much coverage as people received in their old group plans. And retirees who’ve long depended on an employer’s plan may feel overwhelmed by the task of shopping for their own insurance. Many people have paid attention to their insurance choices only once a year at open enrollment, but “now the consumer experience is coming to health insurance,” said Nate Purpura, director of consumer information at eHealthInsurance.com. Consumers will have to be well informed, he said, and “become much more conscious of costs.” The changes may be most daunting for retirees younger than 65 who’ve been receiving employer benefits, since those benefits generally play a more central role in their health coverage. Traditionally, workers whose benefits extended into retirement could maintain their group coverage after retiring early. After age 65, any employer benefits play a more secondar y role, supplementing Medicare coverage.

Fewer offer retiree benefits

The shift to exchanges

Although employers have been trimming retiree health benefits for years, retirees can expect more cuts in the near future. Almost 30 percent of companies sponsoring retiree medical plans say they’re very likely to terminate programs for retirees older than 65 by 2015, and almost 20 percent say they’re very likely to make the move for retirees younger than 65, according to consulting firm Towers Watson. And many public-sector employers, which up until now have tended to maintain health benefits for retirees, are likely to accelerate cutbacks as they confront fiscal problems, said Paul Fronstin, director of the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s health research and education program. Those who still enjoy group health benefits from a former employer are likely to see higher premiums, stricter eligibility requirements or reduced benefits. The healthcare overhaul law carries benefits for early retirees. The law establishes new state-based exchanges where individuals who lack coverage can shop for insurance, and it provides tax credits to defray premium costs for people who meet income qualifications. It also prevents insurers from denying coverage based on preexisting conditions. The exchanges are scheduled to be up and running in 2014. By creating a friendlier insurance market for pre-Medicare retirees, however, the law could also prompt more employers to stop sponsoring retiree health plans. Many employers may see little reason to continue offering group coverage to retirees younger than 65 when affordable coverage is available through the state exchanges, benefits experts say.

A growing group of employers are now looking to private exchanges to help their retirees find coverage. Whereas many companies traditionally have sponsored supplemental group plans that fill in gaps in Medicare coverage for retirees older than 65, some large employers are now contracting with private exchanges — essentially insurance marketplaces — that help these retirees choose Medicare Advantage or Medicare supplemental and Part D prescriptiondrug plans. Employers typically cover at least part of the cost by contributing a set amount to a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), through which retirees are reim-

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bursed tax-free for premiums and other qualified medical expenses. As with defined-contribution 401(k) plans, employers that offer HRAs get fixed, predictable costs, and retirees face greater risks and responsibilities. Among the concerns: whether the employer’s contribution will buy the same level of coverage previously provided by the employer, and whether those contributions will keep pace with rising costs, Fronstin said. Many employers in years to come are likely to set up HRAs for retirees younger than 65 and tell them to go shop on new state and private exchanges. Nearly twoSee HEALTH INSURANCE, page 28

Annual Employment Expo in May Are you looking for a job or hoping to brush up on your job-searching skills? Meet with dozens of recruiters and take seminars on resume writing and online job applications at the JCA 50+ Employment Expo on Friday, May 17. The annual expo, presented by the Jewish Council for the Aging, will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Marriott Bethesda North Hotel and Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Rd., Bethesda, Md. The Marriott is located a block from the White Flint Metro stop on the Red Line. Employers looking for new hires at the expo will include nonprofits, government agencies, and companies in healthcare,

retail, technology and more. A wide selection of community resources will also be present with information. The employment expo includes seminars on changing careers, online applications and looking for jobs online. There will also be information on job training as well as resume assistance and critiques. Veteran TV news broadcaster and ABC7/WJLA-TV anchor Maureen Bunyan will be the keynote speaker. In recent years, 3,000 or more job seekers have attended the event. For more information, see the program and schedule appearing in this issue of the Beacon, starting on page 29.

Independent Living for Adults 62 and Older Efficiencies from $435

One-Bedrooms from $524

with minimum $1566 monthly income & security deposit

with minimum $1886 monthly income & security deposit

• On-site manager • Utilities included • Wall-to-wall carpeting • Security access control • Elevators • Across the street from Rock Creek Village shopping center • Metrobus service is easily accessible

14635 Bauer Drive Rockville, MD 20853

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Volunteers & Careers | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Health insurance From page 27 thirds of employers say they’ll consider directing pre-Medicare retirees to an exchange sometime after this year, according to a survey by consultant Aon Hewitt.

Tax credits and COBRA In many employer bankruptcies, retiree health benefits quickly fall by the wayside. But a growing number of early retirees whose former employers have gone bankrupt are finding ways to take advantage of a generous tax credit that helps pay for

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M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

health insurance. The Health Coverage Tax Credit covers 72.5 percent of insurance premiums for people age 55 to 64 who are in a qualifying health plan and receive pension benefits from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., the federal agency that often takes over the pension plans of bankrupt companies. Although the credit has been around since 2002, up until 2009 for many retirees the procedure to access it “was unbelievably complicated,” often requiring an IRS private letter ruling, said Dean Gloster, a San Francisco lawyer who specializes in setting up plans that qualify for the credit. But Congress made the tax credit more accessible in 2009, in part by allowing bankruptcy courts to authorize special taxexempt trusts known as Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Associations (VEBAs), whose benefits are eligible for the tax credit. Several industry-wide VEBAs have been established in recent years that allow auto, steel and airline company retirees to get the tax credit. The retirees generally pay their 27.5 percent share of premiums each month, the IRS pays the remaining 72.5 percent, and an administrator collects the payments and forwards them to the insurers. The VEBAs typically provide dental and vision coverage as well as medical benefits. Tens of thousands of retirees who are eligible for the credit aren’t enrolled to re-

ceive it — and they probably don’t even know it exists, said Cathy Cone, managing partner at Cone Insurance Group, in Houston, Texas, which established the new industry-wide VEBAs. Retirees can go to www.conebenefits.com for more information. To be sure, many early retirees have no access to tax credits or employer contributions of any kind. If you worked for a company with 20 or more employees, you may have access to COBRA, which typically allows you to continue your employer’s coverage for 18 months after retirement. Another option for early retirees is a short-term policy that can bridge the gap until you’re eligible for Medicare. These are bare-bones policies that generally don’t cover preexisting conditions, and that won’t change in 2014. You might also consider a high-deductible health plan coupled with a health savings account, where you can set aside money tax free to pay for healthcare expenses. (For more on HSAs, go to www.treasury.gov and type “HSA” in the search engine.) You can compare short-term, HSA-compatible and other plans using online marketplaces such as eHealthInsurance.com. Or find an insurance broker in your area at www.nahu.org. © 2013, Kiplinger. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

ATTENTION: Adults 50+ WANT TO REFRESH OR ADVANCE YOUR COMPUTER SKILLS? COMPUTER CLASSES by JCA SeniorTech are designed just for you! JCA SeniorTech offers computer training in the Greater Washington D.C. area. Beginning to advanced classes will be held in May, June, July and August, 2013 in Virginia and Maryland.

• Windows-based classes taught by expert instructors • MS Office and social media classes offered • Assisted practice labs available • Hands-on coaching • Pre-registration required • Prices range from $15 to $80 per course For more information, or to reserve your space now, contact us:

HELP OTHERS BY DRIVING

Fairfax County needs volunteers to drive older adults to weekly health and wellness programs. If interested, contact Fairfax County’s Volunteer Solutions at (703) 324-5406, TTY (703) 449-1186 or email VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Ongoing

GIVE NEW LIFE TO OLD MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Old or unused instruments collecting dust? Opera NOVA offers a way to give new life to old instruments and help those who are less fortunate. Old instruments will be donated to those who cannot afford their own. All instruments are accepted, including drums, clarinets and violins. Any recorders donated will be sent to an orphanage in Haiti. If you are interested in donating, please contact Miriam Miller at (703) 536-7557 or mcdm1@verizon.net. For more information, see www.operaguildnova.org.

Ongoing

HELP THOSE IN PAIN

Interested in making a different in peoples’ lives? The Pain Connection — Chronic Pain Outreach Center, Inc. is looking for compassionate volunteers to assist them in providing information, training and therapy to those in pain, their families, and healthcare providers. Volunteers are either member outreach workers who communicate with members, or mental or medical health professional who may lead support groups. If interested, contact Pain Connection online at www.painconnection.org/contact.html.

Email seniortech@accessjca.org

Call (240) 395-0916

Ongoing

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. SeniorTech is open to people of all faiths and from walks of life and is a service of the Jewish Council for the Aging. ®

Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA)® www.AccessJCA.org

GIVE THEM A BREAK! CAREGIVERS, THAT IS

Fairfax County needs Respite Care Volunteers throughout the county to give family caregivers of frail older adults a well-deserved break. Volunteers visit and oversee the safety of an older adult for a few hours each month. Volunteers are matched with families in or near their own neighborhoods. Support and training is provided. Contact Kristin Martin at (703) 324-7577, TTY 711, or Kristin.Martin@fairfaxcounty.gov. Find more information on this and other services at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; M AY 2 0 1 3

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Volunteers & Careers

50+ 30

Volunteers & Careers | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

10:00 a.m.

M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS GRAND BALLROOM FOYER Welcome by David Gamse, CEO of JCA - Jewish Council for the Aging Opening Ceremony by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and other dignitaries

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

GRAND BALLROOM D & E Meet Employer Recruiters – Meet representatives and obtain information about job opportunities from local employers. Informational Resources – Obtain information designed for mature workers on consumer issues, taxes, additional career training and more. Volunteer Agencies – Learn about volunteer opportunities at local non-profits where you can try out a new job, build your resumé and use your skills while helping people in need.

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

BALLROOMS F & G Resume Place – Review your resume one-on-one with a professional who will advise you regarding layout, completeness, consistency, relevance and word choices – 15 minutes per person.

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

BALLROOM H Internet Café (no food served) Need to apply for a job online or just want to learn the basics of searching for a job online? Computer coaches will assist you on one of ten computers.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

WHITE FLINT (Lower Level) Keynote Speaker: Maureen Bunyan, Broadcaster and Primary Anchor for ABC7/WJLA-TV

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. &

BALLROOMS B, C, Great Falls, Middlebrook, Oakley,

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Linden Oaks & Timberlawn

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

EMPLOYERS & RESOURCES

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Volunteers & Careers

PARTIAL LIST

Please go to www.AccessJCA.org for an updated list. Early Bird Registrants as of April 25, 2013. Bank RESOURCES Congressional EMPLOYERS AARP Foundation Cotton Tree Nursing Agency A Wider Circle 40 Plus of Greater Washington CVS / Caremark Aflac Ameriprise Financial Educational Systems Federal Alignstaffing Arts for the Aging Credit Union Ambit Energy DC Central Kitchen Family & Nursing Care Athena Consulting LLC Insurance Driving Moms & Dads Farmers Group Avon USA Law, LLC Graduate School Hammond Belcan Corporation Home Improvements For Fall Business Bright Horizons Family Solutions Infinity & Concierge Prevention Services, LLC Cabi Clothing Jewish Council for the Aging Leaf Guard Care For You Jewish LegalShield Social Service Cartridge on Wheels Agency Kangen Water LMS Recruiting Korean Community Service Center LTLCS Services Lifelong Learning Institute, Manpower of Human Maryland Workforce Dev. & Continung Ed. / Dept. Montgomery College Resources Casino Literacy Council of Montgomery Maryland Live Mass Mutual County of Greater Maryland Insurance Administration Washington County Aging & Montgomery County Government Montgomery County Montgomery Disability Services Motionsoft Inc. Executive Montgomery County Public National Older Worker Career will open Ike Leggett 2013 Expo Center Libraries the AD Montgomery County Volunteer Nerium “There Center / RSVP America for Senior are Options a lot of eager Montgomery County Recreation Peace Corps representing jobseekers a wide Department Premier Designs array of skills and SCORE Qiagen Insurance backgrounds – that is the Program Senior Health Safeway Inc. most exciting part.” (SHIP) Sandy Spring Bank Administration Social Security Sibley Memorial Hospital Connection The Senior Silpada Designs The Transition Network Social Scientific Systems Top Banana The Beacon Life Ministries, United Captal Inc. Way of the National Transforming Area Ultimate Staffing Vamoose Bus / Senior Encore Viridian Energy Westat – National Institute Weichert Realtors on Aging IF YOU AND WOULD ARE AN EMPLOYER LIKE TO RECRUIT AT THIS EVENT, AT 301.255.4209 or MGORDON@ACCESSJCA.ORG CONTACT MICKI GORDON FREE BOOTH SPACE. FOR

50+ 32

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MAP OF EXPO

Job Seekers Need Not Pre-Register

Employers Tables to the right, Community Resources Tables to the left

JCA suggests that you bring 5 copies of your resumĂŠ. Come dressed to impress!

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money Law &

SCOOTING AWAY Power wheelchair and scooter sales are drawing government scrutiny as many who don’t need them buy the Medicare-subsidized mobility devices LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP If you’re returning to the stock market, buy into stocks gradually, and consider hybrid investments, like target date and balanced funds

A way to higher returns at moderate risk Readers continue to ask how they can idends on their common stock without payinvest without a great deal of ing the interest due on the prerisk and still obtain reasonferred stock. able income. Preferred stock prices genI have often pointed out that erally fluctuate based on their dividend yield, credit rating investors who need income and maturity date (where apcannot expect high income plicable). Increased interest from investing in Treasury rates generally will depress bills, money-market instruthe value of preferred stock, ments and short-term savings since investors could puraccounts. Such investments chase new issues of preferred preserve capital but do not stock and bonds at higher inkeep up with inflation. THE SAVINGS terest rates. Also, if a corporaAlternatives that provide GAME tion’s financial condition or more income include real-es- By Elliot Raphaelson prospects deteriorate, the tate investment trusts (REITs), Treasury inflation-protected se- value of its outstanding securities will fall. Corporations that issue preferred stock curities (TIPS), intermediate-term bonds, master limited partnerships (MLPs) and are those that require substantial capital. high dividend common stocks. These pro- Most issuers are financial institutions, utilvide more income than the most conserva- ities and communications companies. tive investments, but they are certainly are Not all of these companies have stellar not risk-free. credit ratings. As a result, there is not a large supply of high-quality preferred. For that Consider preferred stock reason, in order to minimize risks, investors Another alternative is preferred stocks. should consider buying a diversified portfoThese are more like bonds than a common lio of preferred stocks through ETFs rather stock. They are hybrid securities with than purchasing individual company shares. characteristics of both bonds and equities. Preferred stocks pay a fixed interest, gen- Advantages and disadvantages erally at a higher rate than bonds issued by An advantage of preferred stocks is that the same company. The current yield of pre- they have a low correlation to other fixedferred stocks is about 6 percent. Corpora- price securities such as TIPS, REITs and tions issuing preferred stock cannot pay div- MLPs.

A major disadvantage, according to Josh Peters, equity strategist of Morningstar, is the risk of recall. Most issues may be recalled within five years. If interest rates go down, the issuer will likely recall the stock. Another disadvantage is there is no guarantee you will receive the price you paid for the stock. With individual bond purchases, at maturity, you will receive the face value of the bond back. Corporate bonds have maturity dates; most preferred stocks do not. Another disadvantage is the lack of an active market. When you do decide to sell, there may be a large gap between the bid and ask price for an individual security. That is another reason to buy preferred stocks in an ETF. The price of preferred stock will generally not increase when the income of the corporation increases. Income growth will benefit common stock holders. You do not purchase preferred stock in order to obtain capital growth.

Some recommendations Abby Woodham, an analyst at Morningstar, recommends ETF iShares S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index (PFF), indicating it has the lowest expense ratio of the ETFs at 0.48 percent. Over the last five years, the fund returned an average of 5.5 percent. The return for the last year was 18.2 percent. The current yield is approxi-

mately 6 percent. If you hold your account outside of a retirement account, you should consider the tax implications. For example, some preferred stock dividends are qualified, which means that they are taxed at no more than 20 percent. If the dividends are not qualified, the marginal tax rate can be as high as 39.6 percent. Woodham points out that the PowerShares Financial Preferred (PGF) ETF produces 100 percent qualified income. Its expense ratio is 0.66 percent, higher than iShares EFT; however, if you hold the shares in a non-retirement account, the PowerShares ETF may provide a higher return due to tax savings. Too many investors still invest too much in money-market instruments and savings accounts. You have to accept some risk to get high income. I do not recommend that a significant portion of your fixed income portfolio should be in preferred stocks. However, if a significant part of your portfolio is currently earning less than 1 percent, consider adding a preferred stock ETF to your fixed-income portfolio. You should earn close to 6 percent without a great deal of risk. Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at elliotraph@gmail.com. © 2013 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Small-cap foreign funds beat the market By Mark Jewell An annual scorecard of mutual fund performance is in, and it’s generating more of the negative headlines that fund managers have become accustomed to in recent years. The key finding: Two-thirds of managed U.S. stock funds failed to beat the market in 2012, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. For all their stock-picking skills, the vast majority of managers couldn’t claim an edge over low-cost index funds and exchangetraded funds that seek to match the market. It was the sixth time in the last 10 years that average annual returns of managed funds fell short of the market’s overall performance. Faced with such persistently disappointing results, it’s understandable that an investor might consider giving up

and rely exclusively on index funds. But look deeper into the latest annual scorecard, and there’s a positive takeaway for investors. Funds specializing in stocks of small foreign companies have beaten their market benchmark year after year. In 2012, 85 percent of this small group of funds posted larger returns than an S&P index of stocks from foreign developed countries. Returns for the five-dozen funds in the international small-cap category averaged 21.7 percent, compared with 15.4 percent for the index.

An ongoing trend It wasn’t a one-year fluke: Ninety percent outperformed over three years, and 79 percent over five years.

Those results are far better than the long-term numbers for other stock fund categories, suggesting that international small-cap is the go-to category for marketbeating fund performance. “It’s kind of like an overlooked child,” said Aye Soe, an S&P Dow Jones Indices researcher who authored the company’s latest scorecard. “There are lots of opportunities there, and active managers can find them.” Stocks of small companies based overseas generate less attention from investment managers and stock analysts than the big U.S. names in the Standard & Poor’s 500 index. That under-the-radar status creates greater opportunity to find stocks that are underpriced relative to their earnings potential. That’s reflected in the wide variations in

returns among small-cap international stocks. The gap between the best and worst performers is typically larger than in other market segments. “That creates more opportunity for active managers to add value,” Soe said.

Some winning picks A couple examples of top-rated smallcap international funds, and stocks that have generated strong recent returns: Franklin International Small Cap Growth (FINAX) found a gem in Jumbo SA, which was recently the fund’s third-largest holding. Shares of the Greece-based retailer of children’s products have surged 43 percent See BEAT THE MARKET, page 34

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M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Scooter sales draw government scrutiny By Matthew Perrone TV ads show smiling seniors enjoying an “active” lifestyle on a motorized scooter — taking in the sights at the Grand Canyon, fishing on a pier, and high-fiving their grandchildren at a baseball game. The commercials, which promise freedom and independence to people with limited mobility, have driven the nearly $1 billion U.S. market for power wheelchairs and scooters. But the spots by the industry’s two leading companies, the Scooter Store and Hov-

eround, also have drawn scrutiny from critics who say they convince some seniors that they need a scooter to get around when they don’t. Members of Congress say the ads lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in unnecessary spending by Medicare, which is only supposed to pay for scooters as a medical necessity for people who are unable to use a cane, walker or regular wheelchair.

Beat the market

holding and the stock has more than doubled over the past five years. One word of caution: Investors who don’t have the stomach for volatile returns might want to avoid international smallcap funds. Sharp ups and downs are more likely with foreign stocks than with the U.S. market, especially among small-caps.

From page 33 over the past 12 months. For Invesco International Small Company (IEGAX), a key contributor has been Total Energy Services Trust. The Canadian energy services company is a longtime

Bilking Medicare Government inspectors say up to 80 per-

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cent of the scooters and power wheelchairs Medicare buys go to people who don’t meet the requirements. And doctors say more than money is at stake: Those who use scooters unnecessarily can become sedentary, which can exacerbate obesity and other disorders. “Patients have been brainwashed by the Scooter Store,” said Dr. Barbara MessingerRapport, director of geriatric medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. “What they’re implying is that you can use these scooters to leave the house, to socialize, to get to bingo.”

The scooter controversy — which has escalated with a recent raid by federal authorities on the Scooter Store’s headquarters in New Braunfels, Texas — underscores the influence TV ads can have on medical decisions. Like their peers in the drug industry, scooter companies say direct-to-consumer advertising educates patients about their medical options. But critics argue that the scooter spots are little more than sales

But for consistency in generating market-beating returns, international smallcap funds stand out. Last year, just two out of 13 categories of managed U.S. stock funds posted average returns better than their market benchmarks. The two: funds specializing in large-cap growth stocks, and funds investing in property-owning real estate investment trusts. But going back over three and five years, the vast majority of funds in both categories failed to beat the market. Among managed U.S. stock funds last year, 66 percent failed to beat a broad measure of the market, the Standard & Poor’s Composite 1500. Although that may sound bad, it’s a marked improvement from the 84 percent that underperformed in 2011. The last year that a majority of managed funds beat the market was in 2009. Such poor numbers are a key reason why investors have been pulling their money out of managed funds in recent years. Among all U.S. stock funds — the majority of them managed funds, rather than index products — withdrawals have exceeded deposits for six years in a row. Last year, investors withdrew a net $95

billion from managed large-cap stock funds, according to Morningstar. In contrast, a net $61 billion was deposited into large-cap index mutual funds and ETFs.

See SCOOTER SALES, page 35

Other standout funds Despite the overall performance numbers, there have been standout managed funds in recent years. Consider the top diversified U.S. stock funds of last year: Legg Mason Capital Management Opportunity (LMOPX) returned 39.6 percent and Fairholme Fund (FAIRX) gained 35.8 percent. Those results were more than double the 16 percent total return for the S&P 500. What’s more, a small minority of funds have delivered market-beating returns over periods of 10 years or longer. And Soe notes that several fund managers successfully executed defensive strategies in 2008, limiting their losses in a year when stocks plunged 38 percent amid the financial crisis. “Just because a majority of active managers underperform doesn’t mean active management is completely dead,” Soe said. “It really depends on market conditions, and how skilled those managers are at taking advantage of those conditions.” — AP

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

Scooter sales

that delivers the device to the patient and then submits the paperwork to Medicare for payment. Medicare pays about 80 percent of that cost, which can range from $1,500 to $3,500. The remainder is often picked up by supplemental insurance or the government-funded Medicaid program for low-income and disabled Americans. The process can help immobile seniors get equipment that improves their lives. Ernest Tornabell of Boynton Beach, Fla., received a scooter from Pride, a smaller manufacturer, through Medicare about six years ago. Tornabell, 73, suffers from obesity, diabetes and lung disease and said he used to never leave his house. Now, using the scooter he can walk his dog, go to the grocery store and run other errands. “I couldn’t really get out and do anything before. Now I have a lot more mobility,” said Tornabell, whose doctor recommended that he get the device. But Dr. Stephen Peake, medical director for the insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield in Tennessee, said doctors can often be as uninformed about the appropriate role of scooters as patients. “I talk to a lot of physicians about this subject ... and they don’t understand that you can’t get a power mobility device so mom can go to the park with the family,” Peake said in testimony before the Senate Committee on Aging last year. One reason for the confusion? Doctors say scooter companies are just as aggressive with health professionals as they are in marketing to their patients. Dr. Jerome Epplin of Litchfield, Ill., who also testified before the Senate, estimates that only about one of every 10 patients who ask him for a scooter actually needs one. But he said that sales representatives from some scooter companies put pressure on him by accompanying patients to his office. The effect is coercive, he said.

From page 34 pitches that cause patients to pressure doctors to prescribe unnecessary equipment. The Scooter Store and Hoveround, both privately held companies that together make up about 70 percent of the U.S. market for scooters, spent more than $180 million on TV, radio and print advertising in 2011, up 20 percent from 2008, according to advertising tracker Kantar Media. Their ads often include language that the scooters can be paid for by Medicare or other insurance: “Nine out of ten people got them for little or no cost,” states one Hoveround ad. Hoveround did not respond to a half-dozen requests for comment. The Scooter Store, the nation’s biggest seller of scooters, said that most people who contact the company after seeing the ads do not ultimately receive a scooter. “The fact that 87 percent of the persons who seek power mobility products from the Scooter Store under their Medicare benefits are disqualified by the company’s screening process is powerful evidence of the company’s commitment to ensuring that only legitimate claims are submitted to Medicare,” the company said in a statement.

Doctors at fault, too Insurance executives say doctors who don’t understand when Medicare is supposed to pay for scooters are partly to blame for unnecessary purchases. Scooters — which are larger than power wheelchairs and often include a handlebar for steering — are covered by Medicare if they are prescribed by a doctor who has completed an evaluation showing that a patient is unable to function at home without a device. The doctor fills out a lengthy prescription form and sends it to a scooter supplier

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The program has been criticized by the Scooter Store’s executives, who say that contractors are too strict in their reviews, rejecting payments for power chairs that are genuinely needed. The reduced payments are hurting the company, which was founded in 1991. The Scooter Store has spent nearly $1 million lobbying Congress over the last two years, almost exclusively focused on the Medicare review program. In March, the Scooter Store notified most of its 1,800 employees that their jobs were being eliminated. Federal authorities have declined to speak about the raid, but scooter industry critics in Congress praised the action. “This raid is a welcome step toward cracking down on waste and fraud in Medicare,” said Blumenthal, the Connecticut senator. “I have urged action to stop abusive overpayments for such devices — costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and preying on seniors with deceptive sales pitches.” — AP

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In recent months, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and other members of the Senate Aging Committee have pushed Medicare to recover the millions of dollars spent on unnecessary scooters each year. Those purchases totaled about $500 million in 2011, the latest year available, according to a report by the Department of Health and Human Services’ inspector general. Medicare, which said that it does not have control over how companies market the scooters, launched a pilot program designed to reduce wasteful spending on scooters. Under the program, government contractors in seven states review patients’ medical documentation to make sure they need a wheelchair or scooter before approving payments for a device. The program is being tested in a small number of states — including Florida, California and New York — because the government must pay contractors extra to review additional paperwork.

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How to return (wisely) to the stock market By Anne Kates Smith How you re-enter the stock market matters, especially if you’ve taken a hiatus. Even if you’re anxious to get back in the

game, you’ll want to buy into stocks gradually. Investing a set amount periodically, a strategy called dollar-cost averaging, helps

BEACON BITS

May 7

BUSINESSES: LEARN ABOUT THE 50+ MARKET On Tuesday, May 7, the Senior Market Committee will present “Booming Business: One-Third of the Market — What’s Your 50+

Strategy?” Jody Holtzman, senior vice president of thought leadership at AARP, will speak about the senior market. The event will take place at Maggiano’s Little Italy at 5333 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. The event beings with registration at 7:30 a.m. and ends with networking at 9:50 a.m. Cost is $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers. To register, visit www.bccchamber.org.

you psych yourself into sticking to your investment plan. It lowers the average pershare cost of your stock holdings by ensuring that you buy more shares when prices are down and fewer shares when they’re richly priced. You also might want to let a trusted advisor help you figure out how much of which assets to own. Hybrid funds, which include target-date funds and balanced funds, toggle between stocks, bonds and money markets, within set parameters. Industry giants Fidelity, T. Rowe Price and Vanguard offer target-date funds. We have a slight preference for the Price and Vanguard funds. Price’s funds have the most aggressive mix, and Vanguard’s the most conservative. A good one-stop balanced fund worth considering is Vanguard Star (symbol VGSTX), a diversified mix of other Vanguard funds that invest in bonds as well as U.S. and foreign stocks. FPA Crescent (FPACX), a member of the Kiplinger 25, owns everything from stocks and bonds to preferred shares, convertible securities and bank loans, a mix that does well in both up and down years. For super-skittish investors, financial planner George Kiraly, Jr., at LodeStar Advisory Group, in Short Hills, N.J., favors Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund (VWINX). The fund, which holds about one-third of its assets in stocks and the rest in high-quality bonds, lost only 10 percent in 2008 and has returned nearly 8 percent annualized over the past decade. If wild swings in the market wreak

havoc with your financial fortitude, focus on low-volatility investing. By sidestepping big market swings, you won’t just sleep better, you may even beat the market in the long run. That’s because large losses often cost investors more than big gains can make up. Research coauthored by Brendan Bradley, director of managed volatility strategies at Boston-based Acadian Asset Management, shows that from 1968 through 2012, a portfolio of low-volatility stocks would have returned 11.2 percent annualized, compared with 9.5 percent for the S&P 500. You’ll find scads of low-volatility stocks among the household names on your shelves (think General Mills, Clorox and Johnson & Johnson). Make sure the stock’s “beta” (a measure of how a stock’s price moves relative to the overall market), is below the market’s beta of 1. You can find this information on investing sites such as Yahoo Finance, The easiest way to buy low-volatility stocks is with one of a new crop of exchange-traded funds, such as PowerShares S&P 500 Low Volatility Portfolio (SPLV). Anne Kates Smith is a senior editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. Send your questions and comments to moneypower@kiplinger.com. For more on this and similar money topics, visit www.Kiplinger.com. © 2013 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

BEACON BITS

May 9

MARYLAND LEGISLATIVE ISSUES B’nai Israel Congregation’s Hazak group will present speaker Ben

Kramer of the Maryland House of Delegates District 19 on Thursday, May 9. The meeting begins at 12:30 p.m. at 6301 Montrose Rd., Rockville, Md. This is a free event. Bring a dairy lunch; refreshments will be served. For more information, call Jo at (301) 881-6550.

May 21

HOW TO MAKE A LIVING WILL Learn more about, and get expert answers on, living wills and other advance care directives on Tuesday, May 21 from noon to

1:30 p.m. at the Fountains at Washington House, 5100 Fillmore Ave., Alexandria, Va. Guest speaker attorney Gene D. Robinson III will answer questions, as well as explain the important distinction between appointing your own power of attorney in advance and having a guardian appointed for you during a crisis. Attendance is free. To reserve a seat, call 1-877-254-9840 by Friday, May 17.

May 8

LONG-TERM CARE BASICS Senior Services of Alexandria’s May speaker will focus on longterm care and what everyone needs to know. The program is on

Wednesday, May 8 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Beth El Hebrew Congregation, 3830 Seminary Rd., Alexandria, Va. Registration required. To register and for more information, visit www.seniorservicesalex.org or call the Senior Resource Center at (703) 836-4414, ext 13.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

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Say you saw it in the Beacon

Travel

Leisure &

Tired of schlepping your bags? Airlines and services will deliver them to you — for a price. See story on page 42.

The Western wonders of Scottsdale, Ariz. cowboy hats, boots and everything worn between them. Of course, where there were cowboys there usually were Native Americans, and their influence also remains strong. One shop alone, the River Trading Post, sells Native American art and artifacts created by people from more than 50 tribal nations.

Cowgirl for a day

PHOTO BY VICTOR BLOCK

Nor has the cowboy influence faded, as Fyllis learned while playing the role of a working cowgirl, at least for a few hours. She was a part-time student at the Arizona Cowboy College, which serves up a taste of life on the range without touristy frills. Most city slickers go through a two-day orientation followed by four days at a ranch rounding up cows, searching for missing steer, branding, vaccinating and doing other cowboy-like chores. Hearing that description prompted me to inquire, “And they pay for that?” The one-day introduction to life on the range that Fyllis attended included learning to clean hooves and groom and saddle Billie, the brown mare she was assigned. That was followed by instruction in riding on a Western saddle. As Fyllis and Billie circled a ring, Elaine Pawlowski, the ranch manager and teacher, shouted out reminders: “Heels down. Lighten up on the reins. Sink your butt into the saddle.” Later came a lesson in roping a wayward calf. Rather than a live animal, this exercise used a metal mini-cow on wheels which, after several errant tosses, my newly Westernized wife was able to ring several times in a row. The cowgirl experience ended with a The Arizona Cowboy College in Scottsdale imparts such ride over the rocky skills to visitors as rounding up cows, vaccinating livestock wasteland that surand branding. Here, Fyllis Hochman practices using a lasso rounds Scottsdale to rope a calf.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SCOTTSDALE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

By Victor Block Bejeweled women dressed in the latest fashions strolled into the likes of Gucci, Neiman Marcus and Tiffany intent on adding to their chic wardrobe and collection of costly adornments. Not far away, my wife Fyllis — wearing blue jeans, boots and a cowgirl hat — was learning to lasso cattle. My afternoon was spent exploring a rugged wilderness of giant cacti, towering mesas and vast stretches of barren landscape. There I discovered that what appeared to be a dry, dead desert actually is home to thousands of plants and animals that have adapted to life in searing temperatures and an almost complete lack of water. The first impression that Fyllis and I had during a visit to Scottsdale, Ariz., was the diversity of attractions in and around that small city. The shopping experience alone provided an introduction to the somethingfor-everyone variety. World famous top-of-the-line stores are neighbors to one-of-a-kind specialty shops and boutiques. And in a city whose slogan is “The West’s most Western town,” it’s no surprise to pass store after store selling

Outside Scottsdale, Ariz., hikers in the Sonoran Desert pass numerous types of cactus, including the towering saguaro, which is unique to that locale. Surprisingly, the desert is also home to 60 types of mammals, over 100 sorts of reptiles and 350 kinds of birds that have adapted to its hot, dry environment.

and nearby Phoenix, loping over sandy, rocky terrain past cacti in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Desert denizens The trail in the Sonoran Desert over which Fyllis rode, and the somewhat larger area that I had explored, represented just a sliver of that vast wilderness. It stretches through Arizona, California and northern Mexico, covering an expanse eight times the size of Maryland. Descriptions of the desert often include words like bleak and drab. Fyllis reported that her horseback ride passed through a monochromatic panorama of gray and tan, broken occasionally by the muted green of a cactus. For anyone who favors that kind of plant, Arizona and its Sonoran Desert are cactus heaven. The majestic saguaro (pronounced suh-WAHR-oh), the most familiar and identifiable kind, can grow to 50 feet and live as long as 200 years. They exist only in the Sonoran Desert, and the saguaro blossom is the official state flower. Numerous other species of cactus also have found the Sonora’s arid conditions to their liking. Their colorful names — like purple prickly pear, organ pipe and teddybear cholla — add to their appeal. One of many fascinating stories the desert has to tell is how both plant and animal life have adapted to its harsh environ-

ment. What appears to be a seemingly uninhabitable wasteland is home to some 60 mammals, 350 kinds of birds, over 100 types of reptile and even 30 species of fish. Their survival techniques are among nature’s more intriguing stories. For example, many cactus plants have a root system that grows outward rather than down in order to absorb surface moisture, and some have stems that expand to save rainwater for later use. The saguaro can store enough water to last as long as a year. Many animals sleep in shade during hot days and venture out to feed during the cooler nights. Some rabbits and other small mammals are able to survive primarily on water they get from what they eat. The Western Banded Gecko stashes away both food and water in its long tail for later use when needed.

More outdoorsy adventures The desert is also a treasure-trove of human history, ranging from prehistoric ruins and remnants of Native American life to abandoned mining encampments. A wide choice of alternatives awaits visitors interested in exploring this otherworldly setting. On land, that can mean hiking, biking, horseback rides, and offroad guided tours via Jeep, Hummer and See SCOTTSDALE, page 40

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Scottsdale From page 39 luxury SUV. Those who prefer to take to the air may choose a gentle hot-air balloon ride or clamber aboard an airplane, helicopter or even a seaplane for a flight that includes a lake landing. Some of the desert’s magic and magnificence is captured in several sanctuaries and museums that Fyllis and I took time to visit. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is a mini-wilderness that stretches over 21,000 acres and provides an excellent introduc-

M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

tion to the entire desert. It’s home to hundreds of types of plants and animals, as well as 60 miles of trails. Entering the more formally organized Desert Botanical Garden, Fyllis and I glanced around, looked at each other and exclaimed “Wow” in unison. Never had we realized there are so many, very different kinds of cactus, each quite beautiful in its own way. Five thematic loop trails meander through an amazingly varied collection of arid plants from deserts around the world. Each path focuses upon one topic, including plants of the Sonoran, desert wildflowers and conservation.

Villa Roma in the Catskills Tuesday-Friday, June 18-21 There’s a lot to see and do at the Villa Roma, or you can just relax and enjoy. This resort offers great food, spacious guest rooms, a full schedule of daily activities, indoor and outdoor pools, spa and workout facilities, nightly entertainment, and much more. You’ll also have the option to visit Monticello Casino & Raceway, the Museum at Bethel Woods (site of the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969), and other area attractions. $599 per person, double occupancy

Montreal and Quebec Sunday-Saturday, July 21-27

Experience the old-world charm of the French-Canadian Province of Quebec. In Montreal, you will stay in the cultural center, within walking distance of central city attractions, such as the famed Latin Quarter, Jacques Cartier Square, museums, and the Underground. In Quebec City, you will stay within an easy walk of the “old city,” where quaint shops and restaurants abound. In addition, you’ll have guided tours of both cities, a river cruise in Montreal, and visits to Montmorency Falls, the Ste.-Anne-deBeaupré Shrine, Notre-Dame Basilica, Olympic Park, and other area attractions. $1495 per person, double occupancy

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I found most interesting the exhibits of how people learned to live in the hostile environment. Native Americans learned to use a variety of plants, including cactus and mesquite, for food, medicine and other needs. Along the way, Fyllis and I paused at a grinding stone to pound mesquite beans into flour, a muscle-tiring exercise that gave us a new appreciation for storebought bread. We also stooped to step inside a roundhouse of the kind constructed by Native Americans who once inhabited this area. Additional reminders of the native residents are everywhere. A vast collection of Native American art and artifacts is the main feature at the world-class Heard Museum (based in Phoenix, and with a satellite location in North Scottsdale). The lovely sculpture and native plant garden at the Scottsdale site is a perfect place to relax and rest following a sightseeing excursion. The Pueblo Grande Museum and Archeological Park also is worth a stop and stroll. The complex sits atop remains of a village of the Hohokam people, who lived in the

area from about 450 to 1450 CE. They were the first to cultivate the land of the Sonoran Desert, using a vast system of irrigation ditches. Some of those trenches, and an excavated ball court, are still visible today. Reproductions of pit houses, mud and adobe-covered structures placed in a shallow depression, demonstrate how the dwellings provided insulation against the extremes of desert temperatures.

Old and new towns The neighborhoods in and around Scottsdale combine interesting historical tidbits with an array of shopping and recreational opportunities. The center of much action is the Old Town neighborhood. Located on the original site from which the community expanded, it‘s a hub of museums, historic structures, dining, night life and a shopper’s paradise. From cowboy wares to Native American jewelry to international brand-name handbags, any shopper who can’t find ways to spend money there just isn’t trying. See SCOTTSDALE, page 41

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

FREE BROCHURE ON FAIRFAX COUNTY TOURS

Fairfax County hosts a number of interesting and reasonably priced day tours and trips. To receive a free brochure, contact the Tours Program Coordinator at (703) 324-5220 and leave a voicemail with your name and address. To automatically receive a list of upcoming tours, email tours@fairfaxcounty.gov.

May 18

ELDERHOSTEL SEMINAR

Find out about all-inclusive travel programs offered by Elderhostel, Inc., a not-for-profit lifelong learning travel organization, at a free event on Saturday, May 18 at 11 a.m. at 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Va. Register online (starting May 4) at: https://va.evanced.info/fairfaxcounty/lib/eventcalendar.asp or call (703) 2563800. Event is titled “Road Scholar/Elderhostel” on the website.

May 23

WALKING TOUR OF ANNAPOLIS

A costumed guide will narrate and lead a two- to three-hour tour through the charming historic streets of Old Town Annapolis, the historic State Capitol, St. Johns College and the exteriors of famous mansions. Complete the day with a narrated cruise on the Harbor Queen. Lunch, on your own, in City Dock area. Buses for this Montgomery County Recreation Dept. trip depart from Olney Manor Park, 16601 Georgia Ave., Olney, Md. at 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, May 23 and return at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $60. For more details and to register (starting May 6), visit https://recweb.montgomerycountymd.gov/Activities/ActivitiesDetails.asp.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

Scottsdale From page 40 Old Town is also crammed with many of the city’s estimated 125 art galleries. Even the streets serve as an outdoor museum, with dozens of works — including a giant lizard, a metal rider astride a bucking horse and a number of less identifiable abstract sculptures — on display. Very different in atmosphere and appeal are tiny enclaves on the outskirts of Scottsdale. Cave Creek (population about 5,000) was settled in 1870 by miners and ranchers, and served as a stopping point for U.S. Cavalry troops. The town clings stubbornly and proudly to its Western heritage, as home to shops selling cowboy gear, several saloons and periodic rodeos. If Cave Creek keeps vestiges of the Old West alive, the adjacent village of appropriately named Carefree represents the present. It was built as a planned community of homes, some now valued at millions of dollars, which line streets with names like Easy, Tranquil, Ho and Hum. Locals describe this juxtaposition of Old and New West as the “home of cowboys and caviar.”

That same comfortable marriage of old with new, casual with chic is experienced everywhere. It’s common in and around Scottsdale to see men and women wearing jeans and Western hats strolling out of shops that would feel comfortable on New York’s Fifth Avenue or Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, laden down with high-end purchases. Some residents refer to a gourmet hamburger restaurant, where the parking lot often is packed with top-of-the-line automobiles, as “Burgers and Bentleys.” For Fyllis and me, this combination of upscale life with a laid-back attitude added to the charm and appeal of Scottsdale.

If you go Our stay at the Inn at Eagle Mountain turned out to be part of the Scottsdale experience. That boutique establishment, terraced in the foothills of the desert adjacent to a golf course, offers 50-mile views over Scottsdale, Phoenix and surrounding canyon terrain. Rooms come with a whirlpool tub, gas fireplace, and deck or patio from which to enjoy the surroundings.

Our Wild West Suite, one of six at the property, lived up to its name with touches like a saddle that doubles as a night table and lamps fashioned from horseshoes. Room rates during spring begin at $79 and drop even lower during the summer heat, and a number of packages are available. For more information call (800) 992-8083 or log onto www.innateaglemountain.com. When it came to dining, Fyllis and I chose to enjoy the local flavor by sticking to Western-themed restaurants. In Old Town, we sauntered through swinging doors into the appealingly kitschy Rusty Spur Saloon, where a fully dressed cowboy wannabe leaning on the bar turned out to be an aeronautical engineer. Food choices focus upon “Chuck Wagon” specials like a grilled chicken sandwich buried under a mountain of “fix-

ins” ($9), and “South of the Border” favorites like a combination plate of taco, tostada and tamale ($12). For more information, call (480) 425-7787 or log onto www.rustyspursaloon.com. The Pinnacle Peak Patio, which attracts mostly locals, is the kind of place where a man wearing a necktie will lose it to a pair of scissors. In a Western town setting, the restaurant specializes in cowboy-sized mesquite broiled steaks, chicken and ribs. Hungry carnivores are tempted by a one-pound T-bone steak accompanied by baked beans and salad ($22.95), or an entrée salad smothered by grilled steak slices ($15.95). For more information, call (480) 585-1599 or log onto www.pppatio.com. For more information about a visit to Scottsdale, call (800) 782-1117 or log onto www.experiencescottsdale.com.

BEACON BITS

May 19

PRODUCTIVE AGING AWARDS The annual Jewish Council for the Aging Productive Aging Award

Dinner takes place Sunday, May 19 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Rd., Rockville, Md. Among those to be honored are Doris and Richard Goodwin. Doris wrote Team of Rivals, the book that inspired the movie Lincoln. There will be a silent auction inspired by Doris’s writings, including tips, unique sports and movie memorabilia. Tickets, which may be partially tax deductible, are $300 each; table of 10 for $2,500. Register online at www.accessjca.org/article/10/upcoming-events or call Micki

Travel with us 4X & get the 5th ride FREE!

Gordon at (301) 255-4231.

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M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Airlines will schlep your bags for a price United Airlines is emulating rival Ameri- will be available at 190 domestic airports can in featuring a baggage-de“over the next few months.” Delivery service at your arrival livery service is available to adairport. dresses within a 100-mile radius Although you have to get of each airport, with expected your bags to the departure airbaggage arrival within four to port and check them by yoursix hours after your flight’s arself, when you arrive at your rival, depending on the disdestination airport, you hand tance. your bags over to a delivery The standard rate for delivrepresentative and go past the ery within a 40-mile radius is baggage claim to your hotel, $29.95 for one bag, $39.95 for office or other local destina- TRAVEL TIPS two, and $49.95 for three to tion, where a local service de- By Ed Perkins eight bags. Delivery beyond livers your bag. 40 miles is at extra cost deThe fine print: United says it already offers pending on distance. the service at Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, To arrange the service, indicate you Houston, Los Angeles and Orlando, and it want it either when you reserve or later,

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and a link on the airline’s website directs you to BagsVIP, the outfit that does the actual schlepping. American’s existing program is essentially identical. It’s currently available at 200 domestic airports. American adds that it’s available even on international flights from the nine Bahamian, Canadian and Irish airports where U.S. Customs provides pre-clearance. The price of the service is in addition to checked baggage fees, if any. Although American and United are the only two airlines I could find that feature this baggage delivery through their own websites, BagsVIP actually “partners” with AirTran, Alaska, Copa, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Virgin Atlantic and WestJet. You just have to arrange the pickup separately. It also offers similar services with several cruise lines, hotels, convention centers and other locations. For more information, log onto the BagsVIP website at www.maketraveleasier.com.

What about home pick-up? BagsVIP does not pick up baggage for your departure. If you want a completely “no hands” door-to-door pickup and delivery service, you need to go with one of the several outfits that offer this service. Options include Luggage Concierge (1800-288-9818, ww.luggageconcierge.com), Luggage Forward (1-866-416-7447, www.luggageforward.com), and Luggage Free (1800-361-6871, www.luggagefree.com). Each company (or a subcontractor) picks up your baggage wherever you designate, does all the paperwork necessary for shipment, arranges for delivery to a designated address at your destination, and tracks the shipment’s progress. All have websites where you can enter trip

and bag data for an immediate cost quote. All of the companies give you price options depending on how far ahead you can get your bags ready — delivery from overnight air to five days ground. Although the actual shipment is usually by UPS or FedEx, the baggage company makes all the arrangements.

Similar pricing Prices from all three are about the same. My standard test is for two medium suitcases (20 pounds each) from the SmarterTravelMedia office (02129) in Boston to Walt Disney World (32830) by the least expensive ground option. The lowest quote I found was $120 from Luggage Free, the same as two years ago. The others asked from $128 to $138. Overnight air was about triple those costs. This service is clearly more expensive than the airline deal of $39.95 for two suitcases. But if you fly an airline that charges for checked baggage, you’d save on those fees as well. That makes the door-to-door price not such a bad deal if you don’t mind either packing five days in advance or waiting five days for your stuff to arrive. Another option is to ship your stuff yourself by FedEx or UPS ground. Costs vary by weight and distance. A 20-pound package from a UPS Store near the Boston address to a hotel near Walt Disney World would cost about $25 for three-day delivery; more for a pick-up at an office or residence. All in all, whether you want to avoid schlepping just at your destination or at both origin and destination, someone will happily help you — for a fee. And given today’s airline checked-bag fees, the doorto-door option is looking better all the time. Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. © 2013 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Older adults throughout the region are reading the Beacon every month Shouldn’t your ad be here? For advertising rates, call Alan at (301) 949-9766 or email alan@thebeaconnewspapers.com

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Style

Arts &

Double Nickels Theater founder Antoinette Ford discusses storytelling — and the company’s unusual name. See story on page 46.

A live show for all those who love Lucy With a cast of 14, the show features the Cuban rhythms of “The Ricky Ricardo Orchestra” and live period commercials. Audience participation (and a few actors planted around the theater) add to the time machine ambiance. The show opened in Los Angeles in August 2011, and later played Chicago, doing well enough to justify the new national tour. The reviews have been generally positive, concentrating on the fun and period tone.

PHOTO BY JUSTIN BARBIN

By Michael Toscano Do you love Lucy? You know who I mean. Everyone loves and laughs at Lucy — the zany, flame-haired wife of Cuban bandleader Ricky Ricardo and friend of Fred and Ethel Mertz, their landlords. Who has not spent time at Lucy’s New York apartment, Ricky’s nightclub, or even at their country home in Connecticut? We’ve all been there and loved it. And that’s been the case for six decades now. A new show, I Love Lucy: Live on Stage, begins an 18-month national tour with performances at D.C.’s Warner Theatre the first two weeks of June. As the title suggests, this is a stage version of the ground-breaking sitcom that cemented star Lucille Ball’s place in television and cultural history. Directed and adapted for the stage by Rick Sparks, the production puts theatergoers into audience seats at the Desilu Studios in Hollywood for the filming of two episodes of the classic comedy, “I Love Lucy.” It’s 1952, and we’re treated to the mechanics of mounting the episodes “The Benefit” and “Lucy Gets Her Eyes Examined,” which are performed pretty much as they were broadcast and then re-run for 60 years.

Not an impersonation The show puts a substantial challenge on the shoulders of 37-year old Sirena Irwin, who portrayed Mrs. Ricardo in both of the previous productions. Not Miss Ball, mind you, but Mrs. Ricardo. The names Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz are never mentioned onstage, and audiences are treated only to what happens in the studio, not the personal lives of the iconic couple. It’s a recreation of an event, the filming of the show, rather than biography. Irwin is an actor, writer and film director, not a comedian, and sees her work as fully taking on a role rather than mere mimicry.

Photo of Nancy Opel with Jp Qualters, Harris Milgrim, Kyle Vaughn and Alex Puette by Carol Rosegg.

Joanna Daniels (left) and Sirena Irwin portray Ethel Mertz and Lucy Ricardo in I Love Lucy: Live on Stage, which recreates the making of two episodes of the TV classic. The stage show will start its national tour in this area, with performances at D.C.’s Warner Theater June 1 through 14.

“I’m not a Lucy Ricardo impersonator,” she explained by phone from her Los Angeles home while preparing to fly to D.C. for rehearsals at the end of April. “And they knew they were getting an actor who wasn’t that. I actually said to them, ‘I think

you should hire a Lucy impersonator.’ Irwin did not watch much TV growing up, and says she watches very little now, so she came to know the Ricardos and See I LOVE LUCY, page 44

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

I Love Lucy From page 43 Mertzes later than most of us did. She makes a conscious effort to go beyond copying Lucille Ball, concentrating on Lucy Ricardo. “When I first started, I was terrified,” Irwin said. “A lot of people are connected to that character and know her very well. I didn’t want to do a disservice to that.” Video of the show demonstrates that she eerily captures “Lucy’s” look at times, but it’s a daunting task to make an audience believe they are watching a fictional

character that is as familiar, dare I say “real,” to them as an old friend or even a family member. Much of what made the TV show so indelible is not the writing, or Desi Arnaz’s technological advances, such as making this the first sitcom to be filmed before a live audience and captured with three cameras. What has made it live on all these years, from generation to generation, is the magical chemistry of its star. And magic is usually impossible to recreate. “Obviously, I hope to bring the essence of Lucy to the stage, but we don’t want it to

M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

be cardboard-y. The thing that draws us to Lucy is that she’s real. She’s goofy, but she’s real. “I look at [my task] as how do I…capture the essence and the joy and the childlike quality that Lucy captured,” she said. The secret? It may be the familiar orange crown. “I usually finish the make-up process with the wig,” Irwin confided. “And that, to me, is the journey. I get there an hour-anda-half before the show, and it’s like going from me to Lucy Ricardo, and I love the symbolism of the last thing being her hair. It’s, ‘OK, she’s here.’”

Performance #279

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Irwin’s career has taken her from the stage (Love’s Labours Lost at the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival) to TV (“The Drew Carey Show,” “Entourage”) and even under the sea, as the supplier of female voices on Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob SquarePants.” She knows how ephemeral “funny” can be — that getting a laugh before a live audience requires precise discipline. And something else. “Timing,” she states firmly. “It comes down to half a second if you get a laugh or don’t get a laugh. If there’s a laugh we don’t get, I know it’s because the timing is off. And that’s a challenge night after night because we’re not computers. We’re human beings, and this is live.” Irwin has played the role 278 times before coming to D.C. So she has a feel for what works. Getting laughs from 1952 comedy with a 2013 audience is an issue to deal with, she acknowledges. I Love Lucy may be considered timeless, but humor has changed in sixty years. That show has its DNA based in the broad performance of vaudeville. Comedy now is faster-paced, often

drenched in irony. So there is a calculated “warm-up” period with “in-studio” interaction to acclimate audiences back to a gentler time. By the time “Lucy” and “Ricky” make their appearance, the audience is primed for them, and the response is immediate and resonant. Irwin plans to stay with the show for its entire 18-month run, working on writing film scripts when she has a few moments. Her husband and four-year-old son (sheltered from TV, he has seen SpongeBob only once, but can manage to sing the catchy theme song) will travel with her about half the time. Staying with a role for so long will be a new experience for her, but she says that by being so familiar with the material, she is able to live “in the moment” created onstage. Lucy lives on, live and in color now.

Tickets to the show I Love Lucy: Live on Stage runs a limited engagement June 1 to June 14 at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th St., NW in Washington, D.C. Show times are Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m.; and Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $40 to $75 and are available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. by visiting the Warner Theatre box office or calling (202) 783-4000. You may also call Ticketmaster at 800-551-7328 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Guests with special needs are invited to call the box office to arrange for assistance. For information about the show, visit www.ILoveLucyLive.com. For information about the theater, visit www.WarnerTheatreDC.com. Follow the show at www.facebook.com/ILoveLucyLiveOnStage. Michael Toscano is the Beacon’s theater critic.

Studio Theatre’s 4000 Miles extended to May 12 Studio Theatre has extended through May 12 the run of its critically acclaimed play 4000 Miles, about a young man reeling from a sudden tragedy during his crosscountry bike trek who seeks refuge in the Greenwich Village apartment of his grandmother. The play, reviewed in the April edition of the Beacon, was originally slated to close on April 28. In April, its playwright Amy Herzog was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in drama.

BEACON BITS

June 1+

EXPLORE MUSEUMS FOR FREE

May 18

FREE WORKSHOPS FOR WRITERS

On Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2, nine museums, including the Phillips Collection and the Textile Museum, will open their doors for free exploration. The 30th Annual Dupont Kalorama Museum Walk Weekend offers exhibitions and other events, including a neighborhood-wide scavenger hunt, period music, jazz and even a sheep shearing. Events will take place rain or shine. There will be a shuttle moving between locations. Please see individual museums for hours. For more information, visit www.dkmuseums.com.

40% special discount for The Beacon readers: $31.20* for one year of Washington Jewish Week *$33.07 with Maryland sales tax. New subscribers only.

www.washingtonjewishweek.com

Enjoy free workshops during this year’s Gaithersburg Book Festival from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. Choose from such topics as “Speed Speechwriting: 60 Minutes from Idea to Standing Ovation” and “Whodunit! How to Write a Mystery.” All Writer’s Center workshops will be limited to 20 participants, first-come, first-served. Register at the festival in the Writer’s Center Tent at 31 S. Summit Ave., Gaithersburg, Md. For more information and the schedule, visit http://gaithersburgbookfestival.org/gbf-programs/workshops.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

2012–2013 SEASON

“Genuine excitement and feeling…virtues that too many orchestra concerts lack these days.” —The Washington Post M AY / J U N E C O N C E R T S

Thibaudet

Saint-Saëns and MacMillan

Halls

Krzysztof Urbanski, conductor

Vaughan Williams’s “A London Symphony” Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano

Denk

Adams Conducts Adams John Adams, conductor Jeremy Denk, piano RESPIGHI: Fontane di Roma (Fountains of Rome) RAVEL: Piano Concerto ADAMS: City Noir THU., MAY 30 AT 7 | FRI., MAY 31 AT 8 SAT., JUN. 1 AT 8 AfterWords: Thu., May 30 performance followed by a free discussion with the artists and NSO Director of Artistic Planning Nigel Boon.

Matthew Halls, conductor David Hardy, cello

RAVEL: Le Tombeau de Couperin DUTILLEUX: Tout un monde lointain VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Symphony No. 2 “A London Symphony” THU., JUN. 13 AT 7 | FRI., JUN. 14 AT 8 SAT., JUN. 15 AT 8 AfterWords: Thu., June 13 performance followed by a free discussion with the artists and NSO Director of Artistic Planning Nigel Boon. The Red Series is sponsored by

GRIEG: Peer Gynt—Suite No. 1 MACMILLAN: Piano Concerto No. 3 “The Mysteries of Light” (Thu. Only) SAINT-SAËNS: Piano Concerto No. 5 “Egyptian” (Fri. & Sat. Only) LUTOSŁAWSKI: Concerto for Orchestra THU., JUN. 20 AT 7 | FRI., JUN. 21 AT 8 SAT., JUN. 22 AT 8 Organ Postlude: Thu., Jun. 20 performance followed by a minirecital to further illustrate the qualities and characteristics of the new Rubenstein Family Organ, free with purchase of concert ticket. The Blue Series is sponsored by

Dvorˇák’s Violin Concerto Jakub Hru˚ša, conductor Augustin Hadelich, violin Nadezda Serdyuk, mezzo-soprano The Washington Chorus, Julian Wachner, music director

MOZART: Symphony No. 25 DVORˇ ÁK: Violin Concerto PROKOFIEV: Alexander Nevsky THU., JUN. 6 AT 7 | FRI., JUN. 7 AT 8 SAT., JUN. 8 AT 8 The Blue Series is sponsored by Hadelich

Serdyuk

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Presenting Underwriters of the NSO David and Alice Rubenstein

(202) 467-4600 nationalsymphony.org

NSO Music Director Chair endowment Roger and Vicki Sant

Tickets also available at the Box Office Groups (202) 416-8400 | TTY (202) 416-8524

Presenting Sponsor of the NSO Classical Season NSO Media Partner: The Beacon Newspaper

The Kennedy Center welcomes patrons with disabilities.

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M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Oral history becomes performance art ries passed down from elders. In the 21st century, a D.C. theater group is drawing on the same ritual in order to help teach older and younger people how

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to better understand and communicate with each other. The multigenerational, multiracial Double Nickels Theatre Company produces performances in a style called “reminiscence theatre.” The genre helps to connect ages and cultures through older adults’ tales of their pivotal life points. Antoinette Ford, Double Nickels’ founder and president, based the concept for the theatre company on her own upbringing in a close-knit family of mixed generations and races. All members lived in the Philadelphia area and visited frequently, sharing stories that reinforced their bonds and provided perspective on each other. “I loved them dearly, and that was where my real education came from,” Ford said. A senior herself, forming Double Nickels allowed Ford to revisit the meaningful family connections of her earlier years. “I missed the stories, and I loved the memories.” The Double Nickels name stems from a slang term referring to the age of 55, when older adulthood is often considered to begin, Ford said.

More than nostalgia Older people who enjoy telling stories about their pasts are often pegged as “nostalgia buffs,” Ford said, when in fact they have significant current insight to share. “These people have something that they can tell you and they can teach you.” Such tales provide limitless content for Double Nickels’ theatrical productions, she said, and can help to connect people in ways that are often lost in the design of the modern world. Sparking conversations with topics of shared interest is key. “Because we are such a big country and we try to do so much,” she said, “the price is the loss of intimacy and the loss of real neighborhoods that those of us who are seniors still remember.” Productions mounted by the volunteerrun company generally involve eight to 10 stories performed for an audience averaging about 200 people of all ages. Three major shows are presented each year, along with occasional special events.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANTOINETTE FORD

By Connie George For many thousands of years, cultural storytelling traditions have united generations through the wisdom and oral histo-

Antoinette Ford founded the Double Nickels Theater Company to help older adults turn their life stories into performance art. Double Nickels is also starting a new program to introduce seniors to social media.

Smaller programs include a “Seniors Poetry Slam” and “The Elders Speak Salon,” where the oral histories presented are videotaped and saved for possible future use in larger shows. Roslyn Johnson, 44, is program manager for Double Nickels’ partnership with the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC), where some of the theatre company’s performances are held. “You never really know how talented people are until you give them a chance to showcase that talent,” she said. “It’s wonderful to be a part of an organization that encourages people to come out and share their memories. It gives them an opportunity to bridge some of the cross-generational gaps.” The volunteer performers come from throughout the Washington area and include residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home, who are also included in compilations of recorded stories. Floyd Parks, 66, serves as videographer for Double Nickels and is responsible for archiving the life stories told by the performing seniors. “I’m getting a perspective on how other people have lived and what they’ve done in their lives,” Parks said. “You can never reSee DOUBLE NICKELS page 47

BEACON BITS

May 18

SEE SHOWBOAT FOR FREE

May 10

FREE CHORAL CONCERT

While the musical Showboat runs at the Kennedy Center, Washington National Opera brings a free, live simulcast of this performance to Nationals Park on Saturday, May 18. Watch the show on high definition screens at M&M’s “Opera in the Outfield.” Gates open at 5 p.m., and the show begins at 7 p.m. Seating is limited; arrive early. For more information, see www.kennedy-center.org/wno/outreach/simulcast/.

Encore Chorale, the nation’s largest choral program for older adults, will present six Virginia Encore Chorales in a spring concert on Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Washington-Lee High School Auditorium located at 1301 N. Stafford St., Arlington, Va. These 175 singers, ages 55+, will perform a salute to American composers, including the music of Aaron Copeland, Stephen Foster, Linda Thompson, Andre Thomas, and a medley of songs by Ira and George Gershwin. No ticket or registration required. For more information, call (301) 261-5747.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

Double Nickels From page 46 ally know what a person has endured and what they’ve gone through” until someone tells you. At the 100th National Cherry Blossom Festival last year, 10 Double Nickels’ performers over the age of 90 presented life stories. Six of them were past the age of 100. Double Nickels performed in the 2013 festival this April as well. This Memorial Day weekend the group plans to collect stories from the Buffalo Soldiers Bikers Group, made up of AfricanAmerican Vietnam Vets motorcycle enthusiasts.

Reaching out In addition to its stage performances, the theatre company provides other means of expression for the seniors who participate in its programming. Original music, published reminiscences, and artistic renderings have also allowed creative outlets for sharing life histories. In a new effort to support inter-generational communication and understanding, Double Nickels launched a free program

to help teach the use of social media to older adults who can use the training to stay in touch more conveniently with younger family members and friends. “Seniors Going Social” is a new program at the Armed Forces Retirement Home and the Francis Gregory Library in Southeast Washington. New classes will begin in May. Over the course of a 20-week period, participants will learn to use basic social media programs such as Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Operation of smartphones, iPads and desktop computers will also be included in the training, and high school-age volunteers will work one-on-one with participants to provide additional tutorials. The theatre group is also taking to the airwaves with a television program on DCTV, the public programming channel. “Double Nickels: Act III” focuses on a wide range of ages and help broaden the mission of the organization by reaching out to the home audience. Plans are also afoot to take the program national after its DC launch has been established. The “Act III” portion of the TV program’s name reflects that the people represented are in their “third act” of life. “You

BEACON BITS

May 18

EXPERIENCE ASIAN HERITAGE

Celebrate Asian Heritage Month at the 8th Annual National Asian Heritage Festival — “Fiesta Asia.” This celebration is a multicultural street fair on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. along Pennsylvania Ave. NW between 3rd & 6th Sts., in Washington, D.C. Entertainment and activities include over eight hundred performers and seventy diverse groups from over twenty cultures locally, regionally and internationally. For more information, see www.asiaheritagefoundation.org.

May 14

HOW TO MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER

Learn about the types of home modifications and inexpensive devices that can help you and your loved ones maintain independence. “Making Life Easier: Gadgets, Gizmos and Home Modifications” will reveal tips on creating a safe and practical environment to live. This event takes place in the Sully Government Center at 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, Va., on Tuesday, May 14 from 3 to 4 p.m.

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know, you are still on your stage and it is the final act, which is usually the most exciting,” Ford explained. The show can also be viewed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/DoubleNickelsDC/feed. Producer Jerry Paris, 57, believes the new show is an opportunity to fill a void he sees existing in much of the reality TV genre. “Meaningful content can fill up the gaps that reality programs are usually not meeting,” he said. “Our mission is to provide meaningful content, particularly to seniors.” As the participating performers explore their own lives in the course of preparing to tell their stories, Paris said the relationship between performers and producers is one of shared benefit. “It’s kind of a symbiotic relationship in

that, as we are interviewing seniors for the program, we are helping them to recall their most important and meaningful moments.” Musician and vocalist Igwe Bandele, 58, is providing voice-over work and original music for the TV production. “To be able to work with seniors, to enlighten them and be enlightened by them” is the most rewarding aspect of his involvement in Double Nickels’ mission, he said. “It’s because of the history they carry with them — that’s where the wisdom comes from.” The Double Nickels Theatre Company office is at 1901 Mississippi Ave., SE, Suite 206, Washington D.C. For more information on the organization’s activities, and opportunities for volunteering and performing, call (843) 636-3863, email info@doublenickels.org, or visit www.doublenickels.org.

Historic Occoquan’s Spring

Arts and Crafts Show

Saturday, June 1st • 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday, June 2nd • 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Historic Streets Filled With Unique Crafters, Shops, Galleries, Food Vendors and Restaurants Rain Or Shine • Free Admission & Parking Continuous bus service ($4 round trip) from satellite parking. Children 13 and under ride free. I-95 to Exit 160. Follow Signs to Parking. For Details, Parking and Shuttle Bus Info call (703) 491-2168 or go to www.occoquancraftshow.com

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M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

FREE SIMULCAST! PRIZES! MUSIC! FUN!

Saturday, May 18 at 7 p.m. Nationals Park Gates open at 5 p.m. Register online at OperaInTheOutfield.org David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of WNO. M&M’S® Opera in the Outfield is brought to you by American Heritage Chocolate. M&M’S® Opera in the Outfield is presented in partnership with the Washington Nationals. This production is made possible through the generous support of Jacqueline Badger Mars. Major funding for Show Boat is also provided by the Adrienne Arsht Musical Theater Fund.

Arrive early for “pre-game” activities! Dance demonstrations by Gottaswing Meet M&M’S® Ms. Brown Living statue of Babe Ruth Costume dress-up trunk Face painting The Warner Bros. cartoon “What’s Opera, Doc?” Chances to win prizes, including tickets to Kennedy Center performances And more! M&M’S® Opera in the Outfield will take place rain or shine!

Additional support is provided by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Kennedy Center welcomes patrons with disabilities.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

Classifieds cont. from page 51. Wanted

Wanted

MILITARY ITEMS WANTED: Collector seeks to purchase military uniforms; flight jackets, patches, insignia, medals, etc. from the Civil War through Vietnam. Especially seeking U.S. Army Air Corps, USMC, Airborne, and German/Japanese/Italian items from WWII. ALSO BUYING old Boy Scout, Airline Items, Toys, Lighters. Call Dan (202) 841-3062.

STAMP COLLECTIONS, AUTOGRAPHS purchased/appraised – U.S., worldwide, covers, paper memorabilia. Stamps are my specialty – highest price paid! Appraisals. Phone Alex, 301-309-6637. Stampex1@gmail.com.

VINYL RECORDS WANTED from 1950 through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201. BUYING MILITARY MEMORABILIA WW2, WW1, Civil War uniforms, weapons, photos and items associated with US, German, Japanese or items of other Military History. DAVE 240-464-0958. CASH FOR ESTATE BUYOUTS, estate clean-outs, jewelry to furniture, one item or whole state. Free Estimate, Will Travel. 301520-0755. WANTED: ANTIQUE ELECTRONICS, engineers’ estates, Hi-Fi Stereo, huge old loudspeakers, ham radios, records, professional quality musical instruments, antique computers, scientific curiosities. 202-527-9501, vcvdc@msn.com.

WE BUY JUST ABOUT ANYTHING – Jewelry to coins, watches to tools, silver to toys, & clocks to artwork. Call Greg 717-6587954. No middle man, no wasted calls. Call me, talk to me, deal with me personally. One piece threw entire collections or whole & partial estates! Let me help you, give me a call 717-658-7954. FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS wanted by a serious, capable buyer. I am very well educated [law degree], knowledgeable [over 40 years in the antique business] and have the finances and wherewithal to handle virtually any situation. If you have a special item, collection or important estate, I would like to hear from you. I pay great prices for great things in all categories from Oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful, I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan 301-279-8834. Thank you.

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M AY 2 0 1 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Pop Quiz by Stephen Sherr

Across

Scrabble answers on p. 49.

1. Bobbing barker 5. Gift cards are a liability on its balance sheet 9. Selected answer (c), perhaps 14. Damsel in Distrito Federal (Mexico) 15. Henry V has V 16. In love (or, maybe, just concussed) 17. Multiple choice listing for the first question of the Pop Quiz 20. Cuban coins 21. Bar sign 22. Crude dude 23. The CIA made it disappear 25. Use a paper clip 28. Pop Quiz choices for question number 2 34. French toaster 35. Prepare onion rings 36. Lead voice actor in Pixar’s Up 37. Kick into high gear 38. “Every Kiss Begins With ___” 39. Grp. that tracks slugging percentage 41. The closest airport to the FAA’s HQ 42. Discharge, bodily 44. Part of a book jacket blurb 45. Chasm 46. Alternatives for question 3 51. Spanish dance 52. Irritant (to a princess) 53. Start to carte 55. Marvin of Motown 57. On one’s toes 61. Possibilities for the final question 65. Some symptoms 66. “Step ___!” 67. Number of songs on Thriller 68. Member of Islam’s largest branch 69. Highways and byways (abbrev.) 70. Gin flavoring

Down 1. Crackle’s pal 2. Irish reversal of 56 Down

Answers on p. 49.

3. Uninvited dinner guests 4. “Gilligan’s Island” landing spot 5. Airport shuttle, often 6. A cursor may target it 7. Hot and cold 8. Fancy ties 9. Night bird 10. Kettle companion 11. In jeopardy 12. One Pound of poetry 13. Battled against the gray 18. German foe in WWII 19. Golden Rule word 24. Nap seducer 26. Qatari, for example 27. Small cul-de-sacs 28. His .388 average in 1977 was the highest since 1941 29. Alpha’s bookend 30. Drainage region 31. Take in a sad movie 32. Sum up the story so far 33. Snare and steel, but not conga 38. “As-Seen-On-TV” co. 39. Univ. near Harvard 40. Belt or beltway 43. ___-cone 44. Having low density 47. Rules and ___ 48. One on a soapbox 49. Derriere 50. Raven’s claws 53. Pumps up 54. Beach party 56. Midwestern reversal of 2 Down 58. Like a Bond villain 59. Clinton’s Attorney General 60. Hammock holder 62. Place to stay when out 63. 21st century cop show 64. Tie-breaking rounds (abbrev.)

Answers on page 49.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 3

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; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; Volunteer Opportunities and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box at the right. 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.

Business & Employment Opportunities EXPERIENCED PHONE SALESPEOPLE to sell news services for 50-year-old company. Endorsed by Grant Professionals Association. Flexible weekday hours. Near Silver Spring Metro. 301-588-6380 x134.

Caregivers ASSISTED LIVING HOME – Compassionate, cost-effective, professional medical staff and in a home-like environment in Silver Spring. Maryland State Licensed. Transportation, recreation, shopping, and clinical support. Call 301-9444600. LOVING HOME CARE – “Care you can trust and afford.” Companionship, personal care, meals, housekeeping, shopping, appointments. Reliable, loving caregiver for Full/Part-time or Live-in. Flat rate for live-in care. Call: 301-490-1146. CAREGIVER – LOOKING FOR A LOVING, caring, compassionate, dependable and reliable one with years of experience and references for your elderly ones? Please call 301-908-9134. MATURE, EXPERIENCED CAREGIVER seeks position as live-in companion/assistant in elder household. Pref. Bethesda/Chevy Chase area near public transportation. 443-852-5557. COMPASSIONATE, DEPENDABLE, CARING, and Loving CNA is available for work immediately. Good references. Call Elizabeth 240701-5490.

Computer Services COMPUTER LESSONS – Personal Computer training at your home. Email, Internet, general computer use. Windows 8, Smartphone/tablet, digital camera. Learn at your own pace with gentle & patient tutor. We also troubleshoot problems & setup new computers. Teaching Seniors since 19 96. Senior Discount. Call David, 301-762-2570, COMPUTERTUTOR. PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call: D. Guisset at 301-642-4526.

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate LOOKING FOR A QUIET AND FRIENDLY WOMAN between the ages of 55-70 to share my lovely home in a quiet area of Silver Spring, MD. Must be strict vegetarian, non-smoker, and nondrinker. The rent is $600/month including utilities. Call Carol at 301-754-1289 between 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate LEISURE WORLD® - $279,000. 3BR 2FB 1HB “M” in Greens. Table space kitchen, separate Dining room. Large enclosed balcony. New paint and carpet. 1530 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $139,000. 3BR 2FB “Ellicott” model with table space kitchen, separate dining room, separate laundry room, ground level patio, lots of extras. 1340 sq ft., Stan Moffson, Weichert Realtors, 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $224,900. 2/3BR 2FB “Sherwood” model Patio home. End of group, custom reconfiguration with Great Room, tons of storage, enclosed patio, recent paint and carpet. 1400 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert Realtors, 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - RENTAL - $1,300. 2BR, 1-1/2BA “C” in “Greens.” New paint and carpet, move in ready. 950 sq ft, Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $99,000. Berkeley townhouse. 2BR 1full 2 half baths, freshly painted, new carpet, renovated and ready to move in. 1600 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $269,000. 2BR 2FB “K” in the “Greens.” Garage space. Updated kitchen with large pantry/storage closet, enclosed balcony, 1480 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert Realtors, 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $279,000. 3BR 2-1/2BA “LL” model in the “Greens”. 1st floor with enclosed balcony and extended patio, easy access to outside exit and walking paths, table space kitchen, separate dining room, move-in ready. 1593 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert Realtors, 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD RENT OR SELL – One Bedroom, Fairways South: Furnished or Unfurnished, Ground Floor on Golf Course. Doreen/Jeff 301-963-8303. LEISURE WORLD – RENTAL. $1,995/Mo. Lovely, spacious, remodeled, 3BR, 2FB, patio home w/2-car garage. Custom kitchen w/all new appliances, remodeled baths, new tiled floors & carpet throughout. Fenced patio. Incl. all utilities (exc. Phone and Internet) + cable + lawn care + LW amenities (golf, pools, gym, clubhouses, restaurants, more). Avail. 6/15. 301-598-3247 (showmt@hotmail.com). WE’LL BUY YOUR HOME Without the Hassles. Local Company in business since 2003. BBB Accredited. Call 877-948-3232 today for details. No Obligation or Fees. LOOKING TO TAKE THE LEAP? I’ll take you on a tour of the community, show you floor plans, discuss campus amenities, & offer how to best coordinate your move. I will preview units & contact you with a match. I also offer exceptional service selling your home. I’m a Seniors Specialist, Buyer Broker, Top 1% of Agents Nationwide, and a Leisure World resident! You can see my current listings on page 23. Contact me: 301-580-5556, SueHeyman@aol.com, www.SueHeyman.com, Weichert, Realtors. MONTGOMERY COUNTY HOMEOWNER? Sell your house fast – Any Condition! Call 301200-8353.

For Sale AAUW USED BOOK SALE – May 9/10 9am8pm. May 11 9am-4pm. Bag Day ($10). Asbury Methodist Village, Lost Knife and Odendhal Roads, Gaithersburg, MD. 301-840-1258. MILITARY MEMORABILIA – For Sale, WWI Machine Gun with magazine and “Dough Boy” helmet. Call Doris, 202-396-1034. CEMETERY PLOTS FOR SALE. 2 adjacent plots for sale located at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, 9500 Riggs Road, Adelphi, MD. Asking $5,000, includes Perpetual Care. Call 240-486-6205. VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE BOOK COLLECTORS WANTED. I have over 1,000 in my personal library for sale. All genres. Many antiques. Must be fair and reliable, since we both must make a profit. Must be willing and able to spend whatever time it takes for examination. May require references. Absolutely no dealers. Some first editions, some jackets, some signed, etc. Bobbie, 301-439-0833. PRIDE JAZZY SELECT 6 Ultra Power with charger unit. Power elevating pan seat with synergy cushion. Like new – never used. $1,900 or best offer. 410-465-5647.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 20th of each month. Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be included in the next month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a number where you can be reached in the event of a question. Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone or fax, nor do we accept credit cards. Private Party Text Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $15 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word. Business Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise. Each ad is $35 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word. Note: Each real estate listing counts as one business text ad. Send your classified ad with check or money order, payable to the Beacon, to:

The Beacon, D.C. Classified Dept. P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 For information about display advertising, or to request a media kit, call (301) 949-9766. For Sale

Volunteer Opportunities

AMIGO RD SCOOTER, batteries and charger. Model 31000. $300 or best offer. 410-465-5647.

COLUMBIA LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, a nonprofit organization serving people of all ages in the Washington metropolitan area who are blind and visually impaired, is recruiting adult volunteers to serve as Readers and Friendly Visitors. Participants in the Readers & Friendly Visitors program are adult volunteers who are matched one-on-one with blind or visually impaired adults. Volunteers arrange weekly meetings with clients at their homes to assist with activities, such as reading mail, grocery shopping or running errands. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact Jocelyn Hunter at 202-454-6422 or jhunter@clb.org to attend an upcoming orientation.

2 SALVADOR DALI woodblock prints from Dante’s Divine Comedy. Signed and framed. Asking $900 for the pair. Can email pictures if desired. Call Steve 410-913-1653.

Home/Handyman Services MICHAELS HAULING Clean-outs, scrap & debris removal yard waste, etc. Mulch, dirt & stone delivery, lite dump truck, 20’ trailer & bobcat. Fully insured. 240-388-1898. NEED HOUSING CLEANING? Professional service at an affordable rate! Weekly, bi-monthly, monthly, or one time. Call Fulvia for a free estimate. 240-644-4289. ABC CARPET Ship at home 703-398-6040. Carpet with pad install $1.99/sqft. Hardwood install $5.99/sqft. Laminate install $3.99/sqft. All include with material and labor.

Miscellaneous SMALL CAR WANTED! Looking for a smaller, well-kept, used car with low miles. Will give fair price. Negotiable. Must be looked over by family mechanic. Serious sellers only. Call Rebekah, 240-638-6727.

Personal Services

SHARE YOUR HOME, enhance your life, change the world. Seeking volunteer hosts for international exchange scholars on a highly selective U.S. State Department scholarship program. Retirees, empty-nesters, single adults welcome. High School students from Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia are chosen based on English language proficiency, leadership qualities, maturity and ability to adapt to a cultural environment. Students are provided with insurance coverage and a stipend for personal expenses. The commitment is for a few months to a full academic year (approximately 9 months). The rewards are priceless and lifelong. Interested in contributing to this effort? There are many ways to help! Contact Betsy at achostfamilies@gmail.com or 301-717-4641 to learn more about this volunteer opportunity.

JOB SEARCH and career transition assistance with a Princeton and Yale educated professional. 25 years experience in the Washington Metropolitan Area helping individuals to make rewarding career moves. Whether you are a high school student in search of a first job or the managing director of a prestigious law firm seeking to develop a second career, I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you. Very reasonable rates. Feel free to give me a call anything to discuss your situation in complete confidence. I look forward to speaking with you. Arthur C. Hamm (Art), ABetterCareer@comcast.net. Located at the juncture of Tuckerman Lane and Seven Locks Road in Potomac. Thank you! 301-351-5286.

HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES, ESTATES - Cash paid for antiques, estates. I’ve been in the antiques business for over 25 years. I live in Silver Spring and work in Bethesda. I’ve been selling on EBAY for over 15 years. I pay the most for your valuable treasures. Buying the following items: furniture, art, silver, gold, old coins, jewelry, wrist watches, military items including, guns, rifles, knifes, swords, medals, etc. also buying old toys, dolls, trains, books, tools, musical instruments, old sports items, memorabilia, gold, baseball, fishing, old photos, comic books, etc. Please call TOM at 240-476-3441, Thank you.

PARALEGAL – experienced in wills, trust, estate preparation and administration as well as other paper work, research and writing assignments. Call 1-301-565-2917. Will make house call.

STERLING SILVER will pay top dollar for your silver marked “Sterling”, “925” “800.” Please no silver plate. Want flatware, bowls, plates, candlesticks, etc. Call Richard 301-6460101.

ERRAND SERVICES available after 5pm and on weekends. Call 301-370-5161.

WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, MANDOLINS, ETC. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack (301) 279-2158.

PET SITTER. Experienced with dogs & cats. Temp or long-term. Can give meds. Montgomery Co., including Leisure World. Excellent references. Contact MaryBeth 240-558-4013, m.b.mason@comcast.net. WILL TYPE YOUR MEMOIRS, manuscripts, etc. For info and rates, call 703-671-1854. MOTHER WILL DRIVE you to your appointments, church, shopping and assist you. Honest, reliable. References. DC & Maryland. Bee 301949-4873. VAN MAN – For your driving needs. Shopping, appointments, pick-up and deliver – airport van. Call Mike 301-565-4051.

Wanted

CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. We make house calls. Ask for Tom. Call anytime 301-654-8678 or 301-654-0838. WE PAY CASH for antique furniture, quality used furniture, early American art, pottery, silver, glassware, paintings, etc. Single items to entire estates. Call Reggie or Phyllis at DC 202726-4427, MD 301-332-4697.

Classifieds cont. on p. 49

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“I Love Lucy” Live on Stage at the Warner Theatre About this survey: TWO LUCKY READERS will each win A PAIR OF TICKETS to “I Love Lucy” Live on Stage on June 6. The event takes place at the Warner Theater in Washington, DC. The drawing will be held on May 27.

To enter our random drawing, please complete in full and return the following survey to help us better understand and respond to your needs. As always, we keep your replies and personal information absolutely confidential. While some of these questions are sensitive, we assure you that your answers will not be associated with your name or shared with others.

Complete and mail this page to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. Or complete online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/513dc 1. How often do you read the Beacon?

❒ Every month ❒ Most months ❒ Occasionally ❒ This is the first time 2 Which sections of the Beacon do you generally read or skim? Please check all that apply:

❒ All ❒ Fitness & Health ❒ Law & Money ❒ Leisure & Travel ❒ Arts & Style ❒ Volunteers & Careers ❒ Housing Options 3. Where do you currently live?

❒ Single-family home ❒ Townhouse ❒ Condominium or apartment ❒ Group home ❒ Independent living retirement community ❒ Assisted living community ❒ Continuing care retirement community ❒ With family members ❒ Other (________________________________) 4. Do you own or rent your home?

❒ Own ❒ Rent ❒ Live with family 5a. Are you considering moving within the next 12 months?

❒ Yes ❒ No 5b. If yes, which of the following would you consider?

❒ Single-family home ❒ Townhouse ❒ Condominium or apartment ❒ Group home ❒ Independent living retirement community ❒ Assisted living community ❒ Continuing care retirement community ❒ With family ❒ Other (________________________________) 6. When do you next expect to buy a car?

❒ Next 90 days ❒ Within 6 months ❒ Within a year ❒ Over a year

7. Which of the following types of car would you consider purchasing? Please check all that apply.

b. What is your gender?

❒ New car ❒ Used car ❒ Leased car ❒ Luxury brand ❒ SUV ❒ Hybrid ❒ Sports car

c. Your approximate annual income from all sources:

❒ Male ❒ Female

❒ under $25,000 ❒ Between $25,000 - $49,999 8. Which of the following types of dental ❒ Between $50,000 - $99,999 work are you considering in the coming ❒ Over $100,000 12 months? Please check all that apply.

❒ Regular checkup and cleaning ❒ New dentures ❒ Dental Implants ❒ Cosmetic dental work (better smile, etc.) ❒ Periodontal work (gums) 9. Which of the following types of gambling do you enjoy? Please check all that apply, if any.

❒ Slot machines ❒ Roulette ❒ Poker ❒ Blackjack ❒ Craps ❒ Horse racing ❒ Auto racing 10. Where have you been to gamble in the past 3 years? Please check all that apply.

❒ Atlantic City ❒ Dover Downs ❒ Ocean Downs ❒ Charlestown Races & Slots ❒ Hollywood Perryville ❒ Maryland Live! ❒ Other (please list:_______________________________)

Please help us by answering the following somewhat personal questions. Your answers will be kept confidential and will not be associated with your name. We do not sell any information about our readers. a. What is your age?

❒ Under 50 ❒ Between 50 and 64 ❒ Between 65 and 75 ❒ Over 75

d. Your approximate net worth (including value of home, investments, personal property):

❒ under $100,000 ❒ between $100,000 - $249,999 ❒ between $250,000 - $499,999 ❒ between $500,000 – $1,000,000 ❒ Over $1,000,000 Please provide your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address so we may contact you if you win the ticket drawing. Name: Address: City/St/Zip: Phone: Email:

❒ Please check here if you would like e-mail notification of our annual 50+ Expo and occasional other events.

Please complete this page in full and mail to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 FEEL FREE TO INCLUDE IN THE SAME ENVELOPE OUR FREE INFORMATION COUPONS FOUND ON PAGES 5 & B-11.

YOU MAY ALSO ENTER THIS DRAWING ONLINE AT WWW.SURVEYMONKEY.COM/S/513DC