July 2021 | Baltimore Beacon

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Shop knits community together

In discussing her craft Salzman gets into a rhythm, weaving a tapestry of facts.

“During World War II, people would send spy code in knitted things. Women would get secret information and relay it through the knots and stitches.”

Raglan, she noted, was named for the Earl of Raglan, who lost his arm in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and had his tailor design a jacket with a wide underarm to make

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2021

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How to find affordable housing in Baltimore

By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any resources to help seniors find and pay for senior apartments? My aunt, who’s 75 years old, needs to find a new place to live but has very little money. What can you tell me?

Searching Sarah Dear Sarah, Finding affordable housing options for older adults can be difficult, depending on where your aunt lives. Apartments for retirees are a good option, and you’ll be happy to know that there are a number of government programs that can help out financially.

Here are some tips that can help you and your aunt find a low-income senior apartment that fits her budget and lifestyle:

Start with HUD There are several different government programs available today that can help individuals who qualify to locate and pay for housing, including: Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8): This program allows you to find the housing you want. The government provides the amount allowed by your voucher to the landlord each month.

Privately owned subsidized housing: HUD helps some apartment owners offer reduced rents to low-income tenants.

Public Housing: These communities are generally apartment buildings or complexes that are overseen by a city or county public housing agency, and are available to low-income families, the elderly and those with disabilities.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit: This program provides housing to low-income families and includes rents that don’t exceed a fixed amount.

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly: This initiative helps seniors and the disabled. It offers housing for individuals who are able to live mostly on their own but need assistance with certain daily tasks like cleaning and cooking.

For more information about these programs and to locate apartments in your aunt’s area that may offer them, visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rental assistance page at HUD.gov/topics/rental_assistance.

You can also search for low-income housing at senior living sites like After55.com and SeniorHousingNet.com.

If you or your aunt don’t have internet access or have troubling maneuvering the internet, you can also locate nearby affordable housing options by calling your local housing authority; call 1-800-955-2232 to get your local number. The Housing Authority of Baltimore City’s number is (410) 396-3232, and Baltimore County’s number is (410) 853-8900.

If your aunt lives in a location that spans multiple counties, check with the housing authority in each one to compare.

How to choose If you or your aunt find several apartment choices that fall within her budget, she should consider what’s important to her. She may want housing that’s close to family, religious organizations, senior cen-

Located adjacent to the Cockeysville Senior Center, Warren Place Senior Apartments offers affordable housing to people over age 62 — and their pets.

CREDIT

History of fiber arts

PHOTO BY AARON LEVIN

By Dan Collins What do Olympic diver Tom Daley, actors David Arquette and Ryan Reynolds and author Michelle Obama have in common?

Here’s a hint: It has a connection to World War II espionage, botany, veterinary medicine, and the way a medieval shepherd might score the odd groat.

Still wondering? Let’s toss in the Crimean War, the Battle of Waterloo, the Tour de France and a few Neanderthals.

If you answered “What is knitting?” you’re ready for the Jeopardy Tournament of Champions.

Like the colorful collection above, Melissa Salzman, 44, and Jayne Trentanove, 63, owner and employee respectively of the Lovelyarns shop in Hampden, are enthusiastic devotees and historians of the fiber arts.

“People come for the yarn and come back for the camaraderie,” Salzman said.

A native of Baltimore who earned her college arts degree in North Carolina, Salzman came to Lovelyarns as a part-time employee, teaching classes and working a few hours a week.

When the owner decided to retire, Salzman and her husband, artist David Showalter (“he fixes things when we break them, but he doesn’t knit”), purchased the business in 2017.

“I wanted a safe place where people would explore their own creative journeys and not feel limited by traditional ideas of ‘what is knitting,’ to have fun with different fibers,” Salzman said.

Entering her shop, located at 3610 Falls Road, one encounters “an explosion of rainbows: knitted and crochet samples, pieces by local artisans, homemade bags and jewelry, stickers, buttons, Amigurumi [Japanese art of knitting small, stuffed toy creatures], and yarn to make whatever you want — it’s an adult playground,” she said.

I N S I D E …

Weinberg Place, built in 1967 with U.S. Housing and Urban Development funds, is a beloved senior housing complex in Northwest Baltimore.

ters, or places she visits regularly, like grocery stores, parks or gyms.

Or, if she has a disabling condition, it may be critical for her to find a living space that has easy access to important services like senior transportation and healthcare centers.

Local options Here in Baltimore, St. Mary’s Roland View Towers are two affordable high-rise apartment buildings in Roland Park and Hampden. Utilities are included in the rent of efficiencies, one-bedroom and two-Bedroom Apartments, and the property includes a salon, library and reception desk.

Heritage Run at Stadium Place, located on the grounds of historic Memorial Stadium, offers affordable rental rates. A pool, clubhouse and meal service are available.

Warren Place Senior Apartments, located next to the Cockeysville Senior Center, has one-bedroom apartments for those 62 and up. Residents are welcome to use the game room or stroll the landscaped grounds.

Catholic Charities Senior Services has 24 affordable locations in Maryland, including the 25-acre Jenkins Senior Living Community in southwest Baltimore.

Weinberg Place in Northwest Baltimore offers studio and one-bedroom apartments for adults 62 and over. Its shuttle service to grocery stores, game room and communal eating program are popular benefits. In fact, Weinberg Senior Living operates nine other properties located in the Baltimore area.

Virginia Towers Apartments, located in Towson, has pet-friendly apartments for people over age 62, along with free parking and hot water and perks like a computer room on site.

If you see a property named Park View, it’s part of the Enterprise Residential family. Managing more than 80 affordable housing communities, Enterprise Residential is “a leader in the affordable housing industry throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia,” according to its website. [Ed. Note: All of these communities advertise in the Beacon and are listed on page B-5.]

What to look for In your housing search, keep an eye out for extra fees that may be applied to everyday items, or perks you normally wouldn’t think about, such as laundry service, parking or pets.

You should also make sure the apartment is in good condition, and then scout out the neighborhood. Ask yourself if the community is clean and well maintained and if there is any debris or messy landscaping. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, follow up with questions before your aunt signs a rental contract.

Margaret Foster contributed to this article.

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.

SEE SPECIAL INSERT Housing & Homecare Options following page 12

L E I S U R E & T R AV E L

At the Lovelyarns shop in Hampden, employee Jayne Trentanove, left, and owner Melissa Salzman, right, host classes for new or experienced knitters or crocheters.

“People come for the yarn and come back for the camaraderie,” said Salzman, a Baltimore native.

it easier to dress himself. And the cardigan was named for the seventh Earl of Cardigan, who infamously led the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. Lovelyarns employee Trentanove offered another history lesson: “Back in medieval times, only men were allowed to sell their knitted items. Women could only knit for their families, but were not allowed by law to make money from their craft. So when people say, ‘That’s only for women,’ I can get a bit testy.”

As for the Neanderthal connection to yarn, Trentanove cites an artifact discovered in the South of France, announced last year.

French archeologists found the world’s oldest string of yarn or cord, which our Neanderthal ancestors made by twisting to-

Urban cowboys meet culture in the Canadian West; plus, ditch the hotel and stay in a treehouse, Conestoga wagon or houseboat page 16

gether natural fibers from tree bark. The yarn was dated to 41,000 to 52,000 years ago.

All skill levels welcome Salzman noted that most who enter her store are “traditional hand-knitters,” interested in making gifts like baby blankets, sweaters, garments and socks, while “people from the Maryland Institute College of Art may be developing a texture or color concept piece,” she said.

Regardless of skill level, most people can find a sense of peace when they concentrate on knitting or crocheting, Salzman said.

“With the pandemic…if you’re staring at a screen all day, why not do something See LOVELYARNS, page 20

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Guest columnist While our publisher is on a brief sabbatiTragically, vulnerable nursing home resical, in lieu of our regular “From the Pub- dents suffered the most. While, overall, lisher” column we will be havabout 1 percent of those diaging guest writers. This month’s nosed with coronavirus died, guest column is written by about one of every six nursing Howard Gleckman, a senior home residents who caught fellow at The Urban Institute the virus passed away. and president of the Jewish And keep in mind that these Council for the Aging of death rates represented only Greater Washington. He is the those who died directly from author of Caring for Our Parthe disease. Many more likely ents. succumbed to loneliness and We are beginning to see depression that were directly what may be the end of the LESSONS caused by the COVID-19 lockworst pandemic in a century. LEARNED downs in facilities and by selfMany of us are visiting By Howard Gleckman isolation of those living in the friends again. We are seeing community. children and grandchildren — and parents What can we do to make sure this never and grandparents — for the first time in happens again? Here are a few possible somore than a year. lutions: But the scars remain. COVID-19 has illuBuild a support system for as many minated the deep flaws in the way we care older adults as possible to live at home. for older adults. The question now is: How Not everyone will be able to stay at home will we respond to these painful lessons? as they age, but many can.

In Maryland, 87 percent of those who I’ve estimated that as many as 20 perdied from COVID-19 were age 60 or older. cent of those living in nursing homes have More than half were 80-plus. It was the no clinical need for skilled nursing care. same story in Virginia, where 90 percent They are there because that is where Medof those who died from COVID-19 were icaid pays and because they lack those over 60. supports for remaining home.

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Congress has increased the federal contribution to Medicaid’s home-based care program for frail older adults and younger people with disabilities by nearly $12 billion for the next year. And the Biden Administration wants to raise the federal payment by another $400 billion over eight years.

These dramatic increases promise to make Medicaid home care far more robust. But individual states will decide how to spend the money. And they have varied widely in how they use Medicaid longterm care dollars.

For instance, Maryland covers about 44,000 people in its home-based Medicaid program, while Virginia covers about 51,000. Maryland spends an average of about $44,000 annually on each enrollee while Virginia spends about $34,000.

However, Maryland focuses two-thirds of its spending on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Virginia, by contrast, spends four-fifths of its Medicaid home care dollars on seniors and other adults with physical disabilities.

And boosting Medicaid will help only some frail older adults. Many seniors will never be poor enough to qualify for Medicaid yet cannot afford the staggering costs of long-term care. For example, in Maryland and Northern Virginia, home care aides cost $25 or more an hour, or at least $100 a day for a four-hour shift.

For those families, we need to build a robust infrastructure of care, including more home-delivered meals, transportation, adult day care, case management services, and caregiver training and respite care.

Without those services, many people will have no choice but to move to a facility.

For those who do live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, we must vastly improve infection control.

Keep in mind that COVID-19 was not the first deadly virus to rage through senior communities. Every year, thousands of residents die from seasonal flu.

Staff need to be better trained and better paid. They need masks, gloves, and other personal protection equipment.

They need access to rapid and accurate testing, and they need to be encouraged to be vaccinated.

Finally, there is a growing body of evidence that under-staffed facilities were more likely to suffer outbreaks of COVID19. Thus, we need to increase staffing levels and reduce turnover.

All of this will cost money and will require state and local governments to give priority to the needs of older adults.

[The Beacon encourages readers to contact their elected representatives via phone, letter and/or email and express their views on this matter. Politicians don’t typically receive a lot of correspondence on current issues from voters. Your contact will have an effect.]

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 info@thebeaconnewspapers.com.

Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

Dear Editor: I am a faithful reader of your newspaper and appreciate it very much. Several years ago, I returned home to the U.S. after living and working as an international teacher for 40-plus years. We had a very hard time adjusting to living back in the U.S. We also had just recently retired, and this is where I found your newspaper so invaluable. It was very informative and helpful in our readjustment.

I also find the articles inspirational at times, as was the case with the latest monthly column from the publisher, Mr. Rosenthal. He talked about how he is taking a break to pursue his music. He said he didn’t know where it would lead, but that one should follow their dreams. I wish him all the best in his endeavor.

Kay Kruk Via email Dear Editor: At the end of your guest column in June, you asked for advice for aging well. I am now 82 and worked until I was 75. Then I volunteered for the National Park Service for six years.

My advice: Keep the body healthy with exercise and good food. Stop smoking; stop all

alcohol, which can affect medications; get on a low-fat diet; lose weight; exercise daily or 25+ days a month. No matter the pain of joints, stiffness of joints, KEEP MOVING! Settling down will only take years off your life.

Think of your future like you have been born again, and enjoy every day. Keep moving, follow a good healthy diet — lots of veggies, fruit, and grains. Take as few pain pills as possible; be strong and work through pain, and keep moving.

Encourage the aged. Help others, young and old.

John W. Gorman Alexandria, VA Dear Editor: Reading the guest column in the June issue, one feels like having a fireside chat with you and with your grandparents. The story simply flows out of your mouth and forces one to re-live the very lives you are telling. When your grandmother told you, “That’s just how it was,” one could imagine the miserable war situation that engulfed the European continent and the whole world. Keep on writing the guest column.

Hungtak Lee Woodstock, MD

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2021

Health Fitness &

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HEART BOOSTER Fiber isn’t only good for your gut; it maintains cardiac health, too HEAR, HEAR If you have hearing loss, there’s hope.

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Volunteer for a UMD clinical trial

Prescriptions to cure loneliness abound

By Lindsey Tanner and Martha Irvine The stranger’s call came when Dianne Green needed it most.

Alone in the Chicago home where she’d raised four kids, Green had never felt lonelier. She was grieving recently deceased relatives and too fearful of COVID-19 to see her grandkids and great-grandbabies.

Then, one day last spring, her cell phone lit up.

The cheerful voice on the line was Janine Blezien, a nurse from a Chicago hospital’s “friendly caller” program, created during the pandemic to help lonely older adults cope with isolation. Blezien, 57, lives just six miles from Green.

“She wasn’t scripted. She seemed like she was genuinely caring,” said Green, 68, a retired dispatcher for the city’s water department. The two women started talking often and became friends without ever setting eyes on each other.

“I called her my angel.”

Rampant loneliness existed long before COVID-19, and experts believe it’s now worse. Evidence suggests it can damage health and shorten lives as much as obesi-

ty and smoking.

In addition to psychological distress, some studies suggest loneliness may cause physical changes including inflammation and elevated stress hormones that may tighten blood vessels and increase blood pressure.

Yet loneliness as a public health issue “has kind of been swept under the rug,” said Dr. Ada Stewart, president of the American Association of Family Physicians. There’s no formal medical diagnosis and no mandate to screen for it.

“Now the pandemic has unveiled it,” Stewart said. “This is real.”

than 75. Rates were highest in countries including the United States that prize individual success over collectivism.

The true impact from the pandemic has yet to be seen.

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who has called loneliness a public health crisis, points out that much of the world, including the U.S., “was struggling with remarkably high levels of loneliness before COVID-19.

“The pandemic has shed new light on this struggle and reminded us of an unmistakable truth: We need each other,” he said in an emailed statement.

A public health crisis

Other countries test solutions

Just a month before a global pandemic was declared, a National Academies report showed that one-third of U.S. adults aged 45 and up were lonely. Surveys have surprisingly found higher rates in younger adults.

A British online survey in 2018 of more than 55,000 people in 237 countries found that loneliness affected 40% of young adults, compared with 27% of those older

Facing troubling loneliness statistics, the United Kingdom in 2018 created a parliament position called the minister of loneliness, believed to be the world’s first.

In February, after a rash of suicides, Japan appointed the second.

The UK’s current minister, Baroness Diana Barran, says the pandemic has kept her busier than ever.

“I have quite a wide portfolio of respon-

sibilities, but I think I get probably 8 or 10 times as much correspondence on loneliness as I get on anything else,” she said.

Some of the solutions they’re trying: Mental health support via texting for young people, “garden gate” visits by volunteers offering socially distanced conversation outside older folks’ homes, and a campaign encouraging people to wear yellow socks to highlight loneliness in teens and young adults.

Unique ‘prescriptions’ Some doctors have gone as far as writing prescriptions for loneliness. There’s no recommended medicine, so they’ve gotten creative.

Evelyn Shaw’s physician knew the widowed grandmother had been holed up in her New York City apartment, too frightened to venture out. She hadn’t seen her close-knit family in person for months.

So the doctor wrote her patient a prescription that said simply: “You are allowed to hug your granddaughter.”

See LONELINESS, page 4

Learning to live well with ‘long-haul’ illness

By Jennifer Crystal, Harvard Health Blog When we get an acute illness like the flu or a cold, we feel sick for a week or two and then get back to our usual lives. This is how illness is “supposed” to go.

But what happens when illness doesn’t fit this bill? What do patients with chronic conditions like diabetes or multiple sclerosis, or with persistent symptoms of Lyme disease or long-haul COVID-19, do when they can’t go back to their normal lives?

Having suffered from the latter two — tick-borne illnesses that have plagued me for two decades, and a case of COVID-19 that took four months to shake — I’ve learned a few lessons about living with persistent illness.

through years of intense treatment, all I could talk about was getting back on track.

I even threw a big “back to life” party when I finally achieved remission. Then I went right back to the high-functioning lifestyle I’d always known.

Three months later, I relapsed. It took another couple of years of treatment to get well enough to attend graduate school, socialize, exercise and work. The journey wasn’t linear, and I had to pace myself to have more good days than bad.

I realized I couldn’t just wipe my hands of my illnesses. These persistent infections were coming with me, and not only did I have to accept them, I had to learn to move forward with them in a way that honored my needs but didn’t let them run my life.

Reframe your mindset The most important — and hardest — lesson I’ve learned is that with debilitating, persistent conditions, there is no going back. I got sick at age 25. I had been working full-time, living an active lifestyle, burning the candle at both ends. Suddenly, the candle was gone. While I was bedridden

Recognize your needs Our bodies are good at telling us what they need: food, sleep, down time. We’re not always good at listening to these messages, however, because we live busy lives and sometimes can’t or don’t want to make time to take care of ourselves. When you have a

persistent illness, ignoring your body’s needs becomes harder, if not impossible, and the consequences are more severe.

I’ve learned that I have to pace myself physically and neurologically, stopping activity before I get tired so my symptoms don’t flare. I have to rest in the early afternoon. I must stick to a particular diet, stay on low-dose medications, and do regular adjunct therapies in order to maintain my health. Now, after recovering from COVID19, I also need to be conscious of residual lung inflammation.

At first, I saw these needs as limitations.

They take up time and energy and prevent me from living a normal life. But when I reframed my thinking, I realized that I’ve simply created a new normal that works in the context of my illnesses. Everyone, sick or healthy, has needs. Acknowledging and respecting them can be frustrating in the short term, but allows us to live better in the long term.

your needs, you can plan other parts of your life accordingly. Your health must come first, but it isn’t the only important aspect of your life, even when you have a persistent, debilitating illness.

I had to shift my thinking from feeling anxious and embarrassed by what I couldn’t do, to optimizing what I can. I can’t work a traditional 9-to-5 job anymore, but I can write and teach on a more flexible schedule. I can’t go for an all-day hike (and might not want to anyway, due to ticks!), but I can enjoy a morning of kayaking.

Ask yourself what skills you have to offer, and what innovative opportunities might put them to good use? What activities do you miss, and how can you do them in an adaptive way? If that’s not possible, what’s a new activity you could explore?

Hope for the future, but live in the present Learning to live well with a persistent illness does not mean resigning yourself

Think outside the box Once you figure out how to best meet

See LONG HAUL, page 5

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JULY 2021 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Fiber helps your gut and protects your heart

By Carolyn Williams As part of a healthy diet, fiber is a nutrient most associated with keeping the digestive tract regular and — thanks to the marketing on the oatmeal container — lowering cholesterol.

But fiber’s role in the body goes way beyond regularity, and one of fiber’s most important roles stems from the influence that gut health has on heart health. To put it simply, a healthier gut means a healthier heart.

According to research, a healthy gut has a protective effect on the heart by influencing factors that cause and contribute to heart disease.

Here are four ways that eating fiber protects your heart: 1. Lowers cholesterol in multiple ways Foods with soluble fiber (such as oats)

have demonstrated ability to lower levels of LDL cholesterol — the type of cholesterol we want less of — when eaten consistently and regularly. Soluble fiber attaches to bile, a cholesterol-based compound that assists in digesting fats, and both the fiber and bile are later excreted. The body then uses circulating lipids (fats) to form new bile molecules, lowering total and LDL cholesterol.

But in addition to that, research now suggests that gut bacteria also influence blood lipid levels. In fact, bacteria in healthy guts play a role in lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

2. Prevents inflammation Gut health plays a key role in the inflammatory process. The mechanism works like this: A healthy gut creates a protective barrier in the intestines, allowing nutrients to pass into the bloodstream but blocking

out many inflammatory compounds in food. When these good bacteria are disrupted or become unbalanced, this barrier isn’t as effective and starts to “leak,” allowing those compounds into the body.

Because most chronic conditions are driven by inflammation, promoting gut health with a healthy, fiber-rich diet is key for preventing heart disease as well as a host of other lifestyle-related conditions.

3. Lowers blood pressure Fiber can’t be digested, but good bacteria in the gut can ferment some fibers in the colon. The fermentation process produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). These SCFA provide energy and nutrients for the bacteria, and research suggests that SCFA production can also lower blood pressure.

In fact, eating a high-fiber diet is even considered a treatment for hypertension by some health professionals, since in-

Loneliness

along with her granddaughter has received a COVID-19 vaccine.

“We all want to be able to gather with the people we love and our friends. We want to go back to normalcy.”

Well Being Trust. Some people may still fear interaction, and Miller said programs to help will be needed more than ever.

In Chicago, the friendly caller program initially targeted seniors but will expand to primary care and pediatric practices, and will continue even when the pandemic subsides, said social worker Eve Escalante, manager of program innovation at Rush University Medical Center.

University of Texas researchers tested a similar friendly caller program with adults involved in a Meals on Wheels program.

They found meaningful improvements in loneliness, anxiety and depression after four weeks. Several health centers have contacted the researchers to learn how to launch similar programs.

Even health insurers are paying attention. Last fall, Humana Inc. posted an online loneliness screening tool for doctors

From page 3 The hug “was magical. It was surreal.

We just held onto each other, and we cried,” Shaw said. Her daughter filmed the moment in a video that was posted on Twitter last month and went viral.

“We don’t want to live lonely and alone and terrified and afraid,” said Shaw, who

Friendly calls and screening tools Of course, loneliness won’t vanish even when the pandemic ends, said psychologist Benjamin Miller, a health policy analyst with

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Make new friends

creasing fiber intake is the best way to increase SCFA production.

4. Helps you lose belly fat Consuming a high-fiber diet is associated with less abdominal fat. This is important since people who carry extra weight in their abdominal area are at higher risk for developing heart disease.

Increasing daily fiber can help with weight loss by slowing down the digestive process to provide a feeling of fullness and satiety. And it can also increase the number and diversity of good bacteria to reduce inflammation, which is also now considered an underlying driver of obesity.

The takeaway The gut-heart connection is a new area of research with lots of unknowns. Until See FIBER, page 6

and included links for referrals to programs to help affected patients, some free and others covered by its health plans.

The insurer also created a “Far From Alone” campaign for older adults, with online links to free virtual programs, including exercise classes, cooking lessons and howto courses on gardening and journaling.

In Chicago, vaccination allowed Dianne Green and Janine Blezien to meet briefly in person recently for the first time.

Amid hugs, tears and laughter, they seemed like old friends.

“Dianne helps me as much as I help her,” Blezien said.

Now Green is considering becoming a volunteer for the friendly caller program, an idea that thrills Blezien.

“Dianne,” she said, “has so much to offer the world.”

—AP

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but I haven’t given up hope for a cure, and am always striving to find ways to make my life even better.

I can’t control what my illnesses do, but I can control how I handle them. And that makes life a little brighter. © 2021 Harvard University. Distributed

by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

treatment if a loved one encourages them to do so: Roughly 6 in 10 said that they would likely seek help if either their spouse/partner (59%) or child (61%) asked them to.

This spring, ASHA’s consumer affiliate, the National Association for Hearing and Speech Action, launched a public service announcement campaign called “Act Now on Hearing” to encourage the public to take action on their hearing difficulties by visiting a certified audiologist for a hearing evaluation.

Visit ActNowonHearing.com to learn the signs of hearing loss or search for a certified audiologist. Or call ASHA at 1800-638-8255 or by TTY at (301) 296-5650.

★

to it. In my case, I’m able to do more each year, even though I sometimes have short setbacks. I change medications. I try new therapies.

I manage my illnesses as they are now,

The poll, conducted by YouGov in March 2021, found the following: —80% of Americans say maintaining their hearing health is extremely important or very important to their quality of life.

—Yet only 2 in 10 (20%) adults have had a hearing test in the past 5 years, compared with roughly 6 in 10 (61%) who have had their vision tested.

—More than half (51%) of all adults reported having hearing problems, but only 11% of those respondents have sought treatment.

—More than three-quarters (78%) of those with hearing problems have had these difficulties for 1 or more years —

I N F O R M AT I O N

From page 3

Results of the survey

and over one third (35%) have had trouble for 5 or more years.

—42% of Americans understand that mild hearing loss can impact a person’s life or daily functioning. Yet more than half of those with untreated hearing problems (56%) say that they would be unlikely to treat it unless it was “severe.”

—64% say they would be “much more” or “more” likely to seek treatment for hearing difficulties if they knew it could help lower the risk of developing dementia later in life.

—44% of employed adults worry that hearing loss would reduce their effectiveness at work — and 37% worry that it could hurt their ability to remain employed.

—People are much more likely to seek

I N F O R M AT I O N

Long haul

more,” said A. Lynn Williams, PhD, ASHA president.

“There are effective treatment options that can enable adults with hearing loss to live fuller and more satisfying lives.”

F R E E

By Margaret Foster About 48 million Americans have some form of hearing loss, whether from illness, military service or too many loud concerts.

Worldwide, 1 in 4 people will experience hearing loss by 2050, according to the World Health Organization’s first World Report on Hearing, released this year.

In May, the American Speech-LanguageHearing Association (ASHA) announced that its recent poll of 2,500 adults showed a “disconnect between the high value that Americans say they place on their hearing and their low willingness to be treated for any hearing loss,” according to a statement.

That’s a problem because hearing loss can affect our health.

“We know, and are consistently learning more, about how untreated hearing loss can not only impact a person’s quality of life and mental health, but that it can also be associated with cognitive decline, dementia, preventable hospitalizations and

6

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JULY 2021 — BALTIMORE BEACON

What to do about chronically itchy skin The average person is estimated to you’re among the lucky, the itchy sensation scratch an itch on their body about a hun- will clear up with those. dred times a day, and that is But what if it doesn’t? considered pretty normal.

The misery of chronic itchy But what if you have a sensations and an accompanychronic itch? The scratching ing painful rash could baffle could be nonstop, and you you and your practitioners for could scratch yourself to the weeks, sometimes months or point of bleeding, risking inyears! fection.

Today I’ll cover a few condiItching is one of those tions that cause itch, along symptoms that will drive you with my suggestions for treatmad unless you get to the ment. Please ask your doctor DEAR root cause and treat it. This PHARMACIST about what’s right for you. can be the most difficult part. By Suzy Cohen Unfortunately, digging deep Tinea Versicolor isn’t what happens at first when This common fungal infecyou show up at the doctor’s office with an tion results in discolored patches of skin itchy rash. You likely will have to go to the that are lighter or darker than surroundpharmacy to pick up a steroid, such as a ing skin. Since this is caused by a fungus, Medrol Dose pack, and some Benadryl. If you will need to eliminate refined sugar in

your diet because that feeds fungus.

You could rub some coconut oil on the area since that is an easily accessible natural anti-fungal. If it’s all over your body, you could take a shower and use a selenium sulfide body wash (like Selsun Blue) or buy a soap containing zinc pyrithione.

Hot Tub Folliculitis This is sometimes also called Pool Folliculitis, and the rash can cause itchy, red and tender bumps that contain pus. You can get this from a swimming pool or whirlpool that looks like it has perfectly, clean water because the causative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa will survive in water that’s been chlorinated! Treatments usually include silver-containing creams or gels. Some people try compresses with distilled vinegar. In serious cases, an antibiotic will be prescribed.

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This type of itch is difficult to diagnose because there is no presentation of a rash or bump, scaly skin or anything! The itching is caused by damage to the nervous system. You can change your shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, bedding and clothing, and the itch will stay with you.

One of the most promising treatments for neuropathic itch are the JAK inhibitor drugs. One in particular is Xelganz (tofacitinib). I researched to find a natural JAK inhibitor, and it appears that thymoquinone might be helpful. Black Seed oil supplements are rich in that compound.

[Ed. Note: Other common causes of itching include allergies and bedbugs, so try to rule those out, too.]

In closing, I will refer you to the work of Dr. Brian S. Kim, who can be found on Twitter as @itchdoctor. Dr. Kim has done pioneering research on the topic of itch.

This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement.

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe.

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From page 4

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This is an immune-driven condition that causes itchiness in a recurring fashion due to the rise in progesterone with every menstrual cycle. Managing hormones and suppressing the immune response may help this.

Neuropathic itch

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research offers more insight, we do know that eating plenty of fiber-rich foods is one of the best ways to support gut health.

Most of us need to get more fiber in each day. Fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains are the best sources of dietary fiber, providing a mix of soluble and insoluble fiber, so look for ways to sneak more of them into meals and snacks.

EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life.

Online at www.eatingwell.com. © 2021 Meredith Corporation. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Make a difference in your community by volunteering your time through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Baltimore County. No experience necessary. To find volunteer opportunities for people age 55 and up throughout Baltimore County, call (410) 8873101 or email volunteers@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2021

7

Savory galette makes a great lunch or dinner

Corn, Tomato and Bacon Galette Serves 6 All-purpose flour (for sprinkling on counter) 1 pie dough (make your own or use 1 round store-bought) 3 slices bacon (standard, turkey or vegetarian) 1 cup frozen corn, thawed and patted dry 1 cup (6 ounces) cherry tomatoes, halved ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (2 ounces) 1 garlic clove, peeled and minced

¼ teaspoon salt ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (1/2 ounce) 1 large egg, cracked into bowl and lightly beaten with fork 1 scallion, dark green part only, sliced thin 1. Adjust the oven rack to the lower/middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. If using homemade pie dough, sprinkle flour over a clean counter. Place dough on floured counter and sprinkle dough with a little extra flour. Use a rolling pin to roll dough into a 12-inch circle, rotating the dough and reflouring the counter in between rolls. (Store-bought dough is already rolled out.)

3. Gently transfer the dough to the parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover the baking sheet loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate while making the filling.

4. Line a microwave-safe plate with two paper towels and place the bacon on top.

Top with two more paper towels. Microwave until the bacon is crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the plate from the microwave. Let bacon cool.

5. In a large bowl, use a rubber spatula to stir together corn, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, garlic and salt.

6. Remove the baking sheet from the re-

PHOTO BY DANIEL J. VAN ACKERE, TNS

By America’s Test Kitchen A galette is like a pie, except the crust is only on the bottom and the sides and it’s a totally free-form dish. No pie plate here!

A good galette has a crust that is nice and crisp. But the filling can create a problem. Most veggies are filled with water, which can make the crust wet. The solution? We put a layer of grated Parmesan cheese on the bottom of the galette before adding the filling. This creates a (delicious!) barrier against any excess water.

If you don’t want to make the dough yourself, feel free to use a store-bought dough. Also, it’s important to bake the galette right after assembling it. Don’t let it sit around and get soggy!

frigerator and discard the plastic. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly over the dough, leaving a 2-inch border around the edge.

Use a rubber spatula to spread the corntomato mixture over the Parmesan. Crumble cooked bacon over top.

7. Fold a 2-inch border of dough up and over the edge of the filling. Continue folding, overlapping folds of dough every 2 inches, until you get all the way around the galette. Use a pastry brush to paint dough with a beaten egg.

8. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake until the dough is golden brown,

45 to 50 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack. Let the galette cool on baking sheet for 15 minutes. Transfer the galette to cutting board. Sprinkle scallion greens over the filling. Slice into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature.

For 25 years, confident cooks in the know have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 athome recipe testers. See more online at americastestkitchen.com/TCA. © 2021 America’s Test Kitchen. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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JULY 2021 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Choose the healthiest canned foods sardines, tuna, salmon or mackerel, canned fish is super affordable and healthy.

By Jessica Ball Whether you’re trying to eat healthy on a budget or consolidate trips to the grocery store, canned foods are pantry essentials. If you know what to look for, canned foods can make for nutritious additions to meals and snacks. As a bonus, canned foods are typically much cheaper and last longer than their fresh or frozen counterparts. Here are a few of the best healthy canned foods to keep on hand:

Canned beans Beans are versatile and packed with protein, fiber and nutrients. For the price, they are one of the best-value foods in the grocery store. Whip canned chickpeas into hummus or tuck black beans into vegetarian tacos. White beans make a great addition to veggie soup.

When buying beans, be sure to keep an eye on the sodium content and choose “no salt added” versions when you can.

Canned fish Fish is one of the healthiest foods around but can also be one of the priciest. Canned fish is an easy way to get all of the nutrition at a fraction of the price. Whether you fancy

Canned diced tomatoes While fresh tomatoes can be delicious,

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they have a limited growing season in most areas. For the rest of the year when “fresh” tomatoes are out of season, try canned diced tomatoes. They are useful for a variety of dishes beyond pasta sauce, from curries to soup. Choose “no salt added” or lowsodium versions when you can.

Canned coconut milk If you are looking for a super-affordable, creamy flavor additive that is vegan- and vegetarian-friendly, coconut milk is for you. Try adding it to smoothies, curries and fish stews to feel like you’re transported to the tropics. As a bonus, it’s dairy-free, and it lasts much longer than refrigerated coconut milk.

Canned pumpkin If you think canned pumpkin is just for the fall, think again. It’s packed with vitamin A and fiber and can add a great earthy flavor to many dishes. You can turn it into soup or use it to make a pasta sauce. Left with half a can after you make a recipe?

There are several delicious and creative ways to use up canned pumpkin, like adding it to oatmeal or even hummus.

Canned corn Though it has taken some heat in the anti-carb era, corn has a lot going for it.

Canned corn has only 60 calories per halfcup and 2 grams of fiber. It is also loaded with B vitamins, iron and potassium that can help with vision and heart health.

Canned corn is versatile and can help you add veggies to everything from salads to stews. As with many other canned veggies, watch the added sodium.

Canned beets Beets may help lower blood pressure, boost athletic performance and fight inflammation, but they aren’t always the easiest to prepare. Buying canned beets allows you to enjoy their flavor and nutrition in a fraction of the time and for a fraction of the price. Toss them in a salad for a colorful addition.

Jessica Ball, M.S., is a registered dietician.

EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at eatingwell.com. © 2021 Meredith Corporation. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

To subscribe online, see page 22.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2021

9

How dairy stacks up to plant-based beverages predominantly healthy, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

Comparing protein content, dairy milk wins with a little over 8 grams per cup, and soy milk is close behind with about 7 grams per cup. Traditional almond milk lags behind with just 1 gram per cup. Of note, some newer nut milk varieties have added pea protein.

When considering calcium, dairy milk naturally has about 300 milligrams per cup, and dairy products generally are considered the best absorbed source of calcium. Many soy or almond milks are fortified with calcium to at least match the amount of calcium in dairy milk. That said, your body may not absorb all of the calcium in soy milk, since soy contains a natural compound (phytate) that inhibits calcium absorption.

And then there are added sugars. Unflavored white dairy milk and unsweetened soy and almond milk contain no added sugars.

However, for some, the taste of unsweetened soy or almond milk can be an issue.

You may find 4 to more than 20 grams of added sugars in a sweetened — or fla-

By Alexandra Butterbrodt Dear Mayo Clinic: Since I was a kid, I’ve been drinking milk with breakfast and dinner as my primar y beverage. But looking in the grocer y store coolers these days, there are so many options other than cow’s milk. Are plant-based milks like soy or almond milk healthier options?

A: Dairy (cow’s) milk and plant-based beverages like soy and almond milks all can be healthy choices. However, the nutritional differences vary widely, depending on the type of product and the brand.

Generally, by reviewing the nutritional information — focus on fat content, protein, calcium and the amount of added sugars — you can determine the right beverage for you.

Fat content is important because the American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat to no more than 7% of calories in your overall diet. Skim milk has negligible amounts of fat, but the amounts of cholesterol-raising saturated fat increase with 1%, 2% or whole milk.

Soy and almond milks contain about 2 to 4 grams of fat per cup, but those fats are

vored — beverage. Checking the nutrition facts label is the best way to find a taste you like with minimal added sugars.

Remember, unflavored white dairy milk will have sugar listed on the label, but it is lactose, which is naturally occurring milk sugar.

Unsweetened soy milk most resembles dairy milk In summary, it’s tough to beat dairy milk for balanced nutrition — with nonfat skim milk the best choice for most adults.

Still, not everyone can tolerate dairy milk, and some may prefer to avoid animal products — or simply want to mix in something different.

Unsweetened soy milk is the closest match nutritionally, plus you get a few

grams of healthy fats that you won’t get from skim milk.

Almond milk — while not unhealthy — is less nutrient-dense, especially in terms of its limited protein content. With soy or almond milk, check the nutrition facts labels for adequate calcium and minimal added sugars.

—Alexandra (Alex) Butterbrodt, R.D., Endocrinology/Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. Email a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org. © 2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Health Studies

JULY 2021 — BALTIMORE BEACON

INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Stroke survivors can help future recovery

By Margaret Foster A stroke can be permanently debilitating. Every year, of the nearly 800,000 Americans who have a stroke, only 10% make a full recovery, according to the American Stroke Association. In fact, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death,

according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are studying stroke survivors in the hopes that they can help people recover more completely. This summer, several clinical trials are recruit-

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ing people who have had a stroke as well as healthy older adults.

“The research that we have ongoing is generally focused on getting people to a higher level of physical functioning after the stroke,” said Dr. Kelly Westlake, Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science.

“Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in the older population,” Westlake said. “As we learn more and more about the mechanisms that can potentially promote functional recovery, it is critical that we develop and evaluate rehabilitation interventions that target these important recovery processes.”

Most of the university’s studies require at least one in-person visit to the Veterans Administration Medical Center or School of Medicine in downtown Baltimore (free parking is available). One study, however, is web-based and can be done entirely from home. Studies run from a couple of visits to up to 12 weeks in length. Participants need not be veterans.

Most people who have had a stroke are eligible for at least one of the ongoing studies, regardless of their level of impairment, or time after stroke. Older adults without strokes are also needed in some studies that are evaluating the general effects of the interventions in older populations before testing in a stroke population.

“We always encourage any interested in-

dividuals with a stroke or their caregivers to contact us early, even before formal rehabilitation services have ended, so that we can find a study match as soon as possible and avoid delays in treatment,” she said. “Some of our studies include patients within the first few months after stroke, while others include individuals who are six months or more post-stroke.”

Studies include robot-assisted rehabilitation, more One 12-week study will look at how well protein supplements and resistance training improve strength and balance in stroke survivors. “This study aims to improve physical function, quality of life and overall wellness and decrease fatigue,” according to researchers.

Another clinical trial will use robots to rehabilitate arms or legs. A third study, which lasts about two months, will train stroke survivors to transfer their weight carefully while walking. “The information collected will guide future interventions aimed at improving walking speed in stroke,” according to the study protocol.

“All the studies are trying to develop more effective rehabilitation protocols in order to improve the functional outcomes after stroke,” Westlake said.

If you or a loved one has had a stroke, or if you’re a healthy adult who wants to participate in a clinical trial, call (301) 8732363.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2021

11

Low- and regular-dose aspirin safe, effective

By Marilynn Marchione Thousands of heart disease patients recently enrolled themselves in an unusual study that required them to track their health online as they took low- or regularstrength aspirin. The study concludes that both doses seem equally safe and effective for preventing additional heart problems and strokes.

But there’s a big caveat: People had such a strong preference for the lower dose that it’s unclear if the results can establish that the treatments are truly equivalent, some independent experts said. Half who were told to take the higher dose took the lower one instead — or quit using aspirin altogether.

“Patients basically decided for themselves” what they wanted to take because they bought the aspirin on their own, said Dr. Salim Virani, a cardiologist at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston who had no role in the study.

Still, the results show there’s little reason to take the higher dose, 325 milligrams, which many doctors assumed would work better than 81-milligram “baby aspirin,” he said.

Results were published in May by the New England Journal of Medicine and discussed at an American College of Cardiology conference.

Aspirin helps prevent blood clots, but it’s not recommended for healthy people who have not yet developed heart disease because it carries a risk of bleeding. Its benefits are clear, though, for folks who already have had a heart attack, bypass surgery or clogged arteries requiring a stent.

But the best dose isn’t known, and the study aimed to compare the doses in a real-world setting. The study was funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, created under the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to help patients make informed decisions about health care.

How the study worked About 15,000 people received invitations to join through the mail, email or a phone call and enrolled on a website where they returned every three to six months for follow-up. A network of participating health centers supplied medical information on participants from their electronic records and insurance claims.

The participants were randomly assigned to take low- or regular-dose aspirin, which they bought over the counter. Nearly all were taking aspirin before the study began, and 85% were already on a low dose; therefore, “it was an uphill task right from the get-go” to get people to use the dose they were told, Virani said.

After roughly two years, about 7% of each group had died or been hospitalized for a heart attack or a stroke. Safety results also were similar — less than 1% had major bleeding requiring hospitalization and a transfusion.

Nearly 41% of those assigned to take the higher dose switched at some point to the lower one, and that high rate “could have obscured a true difference” in safety or effectiveness, Colin Baigent, a medical scientist at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, wrote in a commentary

in the medical journal.

One study leader, Dr. Schuyler Jones of Duke University, said the study still provides valuable guidance. If patients are taking low-dose aspirin now, “staying on that dose instead of switching is the right choice,” he said.

People doing well on 325 milligrams now may want to continue on that and should talk with their doctors if they have any concerns.

For new patients, “in general, we’re

going to recommend starting the low dose,” Jones said.

Virani said people must remember that aspirin is a medicine and that even though it’s sold over the counter, patients shouldn’t make decisions on its use by themselves.

“Don’t change the dose or stop without talking to someone,” he warned. “This is important, especially for a therapy like aspirin.”

—AP

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

RETHINK YOUR JOB SEARCH Are you looking for a new job? Do you want to find an employer

seeking to hire experienced professionals 50 and over? AARP’s job board provides listings searchable by location with special designations for companies seeking veterans and companies committed to hiring people 50 and over. Visit jobs.aarp.org to learn more.

BEACON BITS

July 2

LUNCH BUNCH Have plans for lunch? Check out Jewish Community Services’ vir-

tual get-togethers for people age 55+. Drop in for a chat. Bring a friend or make new ones. The free group, which is open to the public, meets every first and third Wednesday at noon. For more information, visit jcsbalt.org/good-company or contact Rozi Rice at rrice@jcsbaltimore.org or (410) 843-7325.

TECH PROBLEMS SOLVED AT HOME, AFFORDABLY Do you need help setting up or fixing your computer, tablet, phone, printers, or Wi-Fi? Do you need advice and instruction on choosing and using software and apps?

We come to you for all this and more!

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12

Fitness & Health | Subscribe online! See how on p. 22

JULY 2021 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2021

SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION

Say you saw it in the Beacon

B-1

How to find affordable housing in Baltimore

By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any resources to help seniors find and pay for senior apartments? My aunt, who’s 75 years old, needs to find a new place to live but has very little money. What can you tell me?

Searching Sarah Dear Sarah, Finding affordable housing options for older adults can be difficult, depending on where your aunt lives. Apartments for retirees are a good option, and you’ll be happy to know that there are a number of government programs that can help out financially.

Here are some tips that can help you and your aunt find a low-income senior apartment that fits her budget and lifestyle:

Start with HUD There are several different government programs available today that can help individuals who qualify to locate and pay for housing, including: Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8): This program allows you to find the housing you want. The government provides the amount allowed by your voucher to the landlord each month.

Privately owned subsidized housing: HUD helps some apartment owners offer reduced rents to low-income tenants.

Public Housing: These communities are generally apartment buildings or complexes that are overseen by a city or county public housing agency, and are available to low-income families, the elderly and those with disabilities.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit: This program provides housing to low-in-

come families and includes rents that don’t exceed a fixed amount.

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly: This initiative helps seniors and the disabled. It offers housing for individuals who are able to live mostly on their own but need assistance with certain daily tasks like cleaning and cooking.

For more information about these programs and to locate apartments in your aunt’s area that may offer them, visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rental assistance page at HUD.gov/topics/rental_assistance.

You can also search for low-income housing at senior living sites like After55.com and SeniorHousingNet.com.

If you or your aunt don’t have internet access or have troubling maneuvering the internet, you can also locate nearby affordable housing options by calling your local housing authority; call 1-800-955-2232 to get your local number. The Housing Authority of Baltimore City’s number is (410) 396-3232, and Baltimore County’s number is (410) 853-8900.

If your aunt lives in a location that spans multiple counties, check with the housing authority in each one to compare.

How to choose If you or your aunt find several apartment choices that fall within her budget, she should consider what’s important to her. She may want housing that’s close to family, religious organizations, senior centers, or places she visits regularly, like grocery stores, parks or gyms.

Or, if she has a disabling condition, it may be critical for her to find a living space that

Located adjacent to the Cockeysville Senior Center, Warren Place Senior Apartments offers affordable housing to people over age 62 — and their pets.

Weinberg Place, built in 1967 with U.S. Housing and Urban Development funds, is a beloved senior housing complex in Northwest Baltimore.

has easy access to important services like senior transportation and healthcare centers.

Local options Here in Baltimore, St. Mary’s Roland View Towers are two affordable high-rise apartment buildings in Roland Park and Hampden. Utilities are included in the rent of efficiencies, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, and the property includes a salon, library and reception desk.

Heritage Run at Stadium Place, located on the grounds of historic Memorial Stadium, offers affordable rental rates. A pool, clubhouse and meal service are available.

Warren Place Senior Apartments, located next to the Cockeysville Senior Center, has one-bedroom apartments for those 62 and up. Residents are welcome to use the game room or stroll the landscaped grounds.

Catholic Charities Senior Services has 24 affordable locations in Maryland, including the 25-acre Jenkins Senior Living Community in southwest Baltimore.

Weinberg Place in Northwest Baltimore offers studio and one-bedroom apartments for adults 62 and over. Its shuttle service to grocery stores, game room and communal eating program are popular benefits. In fact, Weinberg Senior Living operates nine other properties located in the Baltimore area.

Virginia Towers Apartments, located in Towson, has pet-friendly apartments for people over age 62, along with free parking

and hot water and perks like a computer room on site.

A waterfront affordable senior living community in the Inner Harbor, Christ Church Harbor Apartments has 288 units with great views. Rents are based on income.

If you see a property named Park View, it’s part of the Enterprise Residential family.

Managing more than 80 affordable housing communities, Enterprise Residential is “a leader in the affordable housing industry throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia,” according to its website. [Ed. Note: All of these communities advertise in the Beacon and are listed on the Free Information Coupon found on page 5 of this issue. ]

What to look for In your housing search, keep an eye out for extra fees that may be applied to everyday items, or perks you normally wouldn’t think about, such as laundry service, parking or pets.

You should also make sure the apartment is in good condition, and then scout out the neighborhood. Ask yourself if the community is clean and well maintained and if there is any debris or messy landscaping. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, follow up with questions before your aunt signs a rental contract.

Margaret Foster contributed to this article.

Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

B-2

Housing Options | Subscribe online! See how on p. 22

JULY 2021 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Plan ahead to pay for long-term care

By Martha Steger Nancy Wright Beasley, a Virginia retiree, is years away from living in a retirement community or needing long-term care, but every year she funds a long-term

care insurance policy. It’s not only a sound investment; it gives Beasley peace of mind.

“My policy ensures I won’t become a financial burden on my children,” Beasley said.

“As I age, the coverage gives assurance I’ll

BEACON BITS

July 18+

WOMEN BEHAVING BADLY From July 18 to December 19, the Baltimore Museum of Art pres-

ents the exhibition “Women Behaving Badly: 400 Years of Power and Protest.”

Browse 75 prints, photographs and books dating from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. Reservations are required and can be made by visiting artbma.org. For more information about the exhibition, visit bit.ly/BMAExhibit or call (443) 573-1700.

have my needs met as long as I live, since I bought a policy with lifetime benefits.”

Most Americans over the age of 65 will need long-term care for daily activities such as dressing, bathing and eating. Relying on a spouse or family to help — especially in cases of chronic illness — often isn’t adequate.

The median retirement savings of $126,000 for those aged 65 to 74 can’t cover the more than $50,000 annual cost of a home health care aide or the $100,000plus price of a private room in a nursing home. And private insurance and Medicare don’t pay for assisted living or so-called “custodial” expenses.

Fortunately, long-term care insurance presents a viable option. Paying a monthly premium now can ensure coverage in later years.

As you prepare for your eventual longterm care needs, it is important to identify not only the best policy for you but also the ideal skilled nursing facility.

Useful websites that rate facilities

The Charter Difference:

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WE THE HUMAN SPIRIT.

The websites Medicare.gov and CMS.gov provide comparisons of nursing facilities based on annual evaluations. Visitors can search by location, type of facility (including dialysis centers and home-health services), or the names and locations of facilities. (Note: Medicare regulates clinicalnursing facilities but not assisted-living centers. For those, go to the department of

human services website. For Baltimore City, visit dhs.maryland.gov/localoffices/ baltimore-city; for Baltimore County, visit dhs.maryland.gov/local-offices/baltimorecounty.)

U.S. News & World Report offers helpful costs, ratings and reviews at health.usnews.com from residents and their loved ones as well as staff at skilled-nursing facilities. Its website redirects its visitors to many other sites, such as verywellhealth.com, for ratings.

At each redirection, though, be aware of potential conflicts of interest. The site may receive a commission on the products recommended.

“Third-party rankings [outside of CMS and CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities] vary greatly in their criteria and depth of knowledge of senior living communities and levels of living,” said Lindsay Hutter, spokesperson for Goodwin House, which has assisted-living and clinical-nursing facilities in Alexandria and Bailey’s Crossroads.

Get help finding the best facilities If researching facilities on your own proves overwhelming, expert guidance is available: A local long-term care consulting company can help. Long-term care See LONG-TERM CARE, page B-3

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2021

Long-term care From page B-2 consultants will tour a facility with the family. More importantly, they’re familiar with facilities that aren’t widely known or publicized, such as personal-care homes, which are licensed but are smaller than most clinical-nursing facilities.

Linda Carruthers, with Long-Term Care Consultants in Richmond, advises anyone considering a facility seek the assistance of a professional who is usually independent of specific insurance policies and facilities but doesn’t necessarily charge consumers a fee.

Rating long-term care insurance policies While ratings exist for assisted-living and long-term care facilities, they’re nonexistent for insurance policies that might help pay for them. One way to research different policies is to hire a certified financial planner to help; the other is to compare policies on your own.

“If you determine an insurance policy is the right solution … check the financial strength of the insurance company [via] ‘strength’ measures [A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s], then check … their claim-paying history,” said Adam Rex, a

certified financial planner with Cornerstone Financial Services.

As a starting point, Rex recommends the website aaltci.org for consolidated information on various insurance carriers.

But the site can be biased, he points out, since it touts members of its organization, the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.

“It pays to compare,” Rex said. “Indexes have found that rates for virtually identical coverage could vary by over 110 percent.

The yearly savings can be substantial.”

No insurance company will pay for assisted-living accommodations, but that doesn’t mean you can’t live in assisted living on your own dime and take advantage of some long-term-care insurance-policy provisions.

As you research ways to pay for assisted living, it’s worth considering life insurance or an annuity with long-term-care benefits, which allows money not used for care to be left to heirs. A down payment is typically required. Your policy’s professional consultant can help you determine which type of policy best suits your needs.

Patience, planning ahead Once you have a long-term care policy, keep in mind that more is involved in filing claims than simply filling out insurance

‘Prudent financial sense’ Long-term care is inevitable for most of

BEACON BITS

July 22

ART HISTORY TRIVIA NIGHT Join the Walters Art Museum for a free virtual trivia night. The

focus will be summer and leisure in the Walters Art Museum collection, and the event will take place Thurs., July 22 from 5:30 to 6 p.m. on the museum’s Facebook and YouTube pages. For more information, visit thewalters.org/event/trivia-summer.

Aug. 5

BLACK MUSIC HISTORY Smithsonian Associates presents “A Change Is Gonna Come: How Black Music Powered the Civil Rights Movement,” a discussion

led by civil rights and Black music historian Leon Burnette. This virtual event bers). For more information or to register, visit bit.ly/MusicofCivilRights.

WRITERSLIVE!

Enoch Pratt Free Library hosts Writers LIVE! on Wed., June 30 from 7 to 8 p.m. with award-winning writer Sadeqa Johnson in conversation with Robert Jones Jr. about her newest book, The Yellow Wife.

Register for this free virtual event by visiting bit.ly/JohnsonandJones. Call (410) 396-5430 with questions.

June 25+

us. Preparing in advance can make paying for care easier for everyone involved.

According to Jesse Slome, director of the American Association of Long-Term Care Insurance, “It’s a 50-50 probability that someone getting long-term care insurance at age 65 will use their coverage. We insure our homes even though we know the risk of a house fire is far less than 50-50.

“The risk of needing care as we age is significantly high … and having some protection in place makes prudent financial sense.”

For more information about long-term care insurance policies, call (818) 597-3227 or visit aaltci.org.

takes place Thurs., Aug. 5 from 12 to 1:15 p.m. and costs $25 ($20 for mem-

BEACON BITS

June 30

company’s forms. Paperwork is the individual policyholder’s burden: Carruthers said she sometimes had to fax forms to four different departments in the same agency. Patience is necessary.

Be sure to give a copy of your LTC policy, along with a power-of-attorney and a medical directive, to a trusted family member or friend in case you can’t speak for yourself. Appoint a medical coordinator (perhaps your primary-care physician), who can manage your care and assess what’s needed.

“I love it here!

SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is taking place virtually this year from Fri., June 25 to Sun., June 27. Visit festival.si.edu for a full schedule of activities, including craft workshops, kitchen demonstrations, and story circles.

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Telephone-based information and referral service for older adults and caregivers.

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B-3

B-4

Housing Options | Subscribe online! See how on p. 22

JULY 2021 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Homebuyers willing to pay above asking price

By Alex Veiga The red-hot U.S. housing market is widening the gap between what a home is objectively worth and what eager buyers are willing to pay for it.

Fierce competition amid an ultra-low inventory of homes on the market is fueling bidding wars, prompting a growing share of would-be buyers to sweeten offers well above what sellers are asking. Home prices have rocketed to new highs and many homes are selling for more than their appraised value.

“This might be the most competitive housing market we’ve ever seen in the United States, at least in modern times,” said Jeff Tucker, a senior economist at Zillow.

The share of U.S. homes purchased

above their list price has been steadily rising since early last year after the housing market began to bounce back from a brief slowdown in the early weeks of the pandemic. An average of 20.3% of homes sold last year went for more than their list price, up from an average of 14.2% in 2019, according to data from Zillow.

Homebuyers appear no less eager to sweeten offers this year. An average of about 28% of homes sold above their list price in January and February.

The trend is apparent in the nation’s most expensive housing markets. Some 54.4% of homes in sold in San Francisco in February went for more than advertised, while 51.6% did in Seattle. Some 42.1% of homes sold above their list price in the sprawling metro-

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politan area spanning Los Angeles, Long Beach and Anaheim, California.

Still, even in less pricey housing markets, bidding wars are pushing up prices. Some 41.2% of homes sold in in February in Wichita, Kansas, went above the list price, and 60.5% did in Boise, Idaho, Zillow said.

While sales of previously occupied U.S. homes slowed in April for the third straight month, the dearth of properties on the market has kept prices climbing to new highs. The U.S. median home price in April surged 19.1% from a year earlier to a record $341,600, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Homes are being snapped up within days. Nearly 90% of homes sold in April were on the market for less than a month, according to the NAR.

Bidding wars inflate prices Meanwhile, buyers’ increasing willingness to outbid rivals is distorting the objective measure of home values.

In April, 19% of homes had their appraised value come in below the contract price, according to data from CoreLogic. In the same month the two previous years it was 8%.

“The frequency of buyers being willing

to pay more than the market data supports is increasing,” said Shawn Telford, chief appraiser at CoreLogic.

When a home purchase is being financed by a bank, the lender typically requires an appraisal to make sure the estimated value of the home matches the agreed-upon price. Appraisers determine the value of a property by looking at recent sales of comparable homes.

In cases when the appraised value comes in below the contract price, the buyer has to make up the difference between the sale price and the amount the bank is willing to lend.

Regardless of whether appraisals fall short of what buyers are willing to pay, the bidding war-fueled prices at which homes are currently selling will help set the benchmark for setting home values in coming years.

“The sale prices recorded now will certainly help anchor people’s ideas of, ‘OK, that’s just how much a home on this block costs, that’s how much it sold for last year,’” Tucker said. “I suspect sellers will begin to expect to receive that much if they go out and decide to sell their home next year.”

—AP

BEACON BITS

June 26

SIT AND STITCH

Join a virtual needlework group hosted by the Baltimore County Public Library. All skill levels are welcome to work on projects, ask questions or just gab. A valid email address is needed at registration to send a Zoom link to the program 30 minutes before scheduled start. Call your local library branch or sign up at bit.ly/sitandstitch.

COMMUNITY HEALTH

June 23

FREE OUTDOOR OPERA

The Arch Social Club, a Black men’s organization founded in 1905, will host a free opera performance on its balcony this month. On Wed., June 23 at noon, stop by 2426 Pennsylvania Ave. in downtown Baltimore to watch performers from the Baltimore Concert Opera. The BCO and the Arch Social Club launch a new partnership to bring diverse communities together using opera as the bridge. For more information, call (443) 445-0226.

Ongoing Wise & Well Center for Healthy Living activities include: Fitness Classes

Visual & Culinary Arts

Health & Wellness Classes

Brain Health Series

Strength & Balance Programs

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FRAUD, ELDER ABUSE HOTLINES

If you or a loved one suspects financial fraud of an elder, call the Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360. If an elderly or vulnerable person in your family or in your community is being abused, neglected or exploited, call 1-800-91-PREVENT (1-800-917-7383). Tips: Don’t have phone conversations with strangers, don’t pay by wire transfer, and always pay by credit card.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2021

By Margaret Foster

ElderPlus provides free, all-inclusive help As Baltimore resident Tiffani Williams’ grandmother grew older, she had to help her pay bills, drive her to doctors’ appointments and much more. Then Williams heard about Hopkins ElderPlus, established almost 25 years ago. Providing all the services older adults need to stay healthy, ElderPlus is Maryland’s branch of the federal Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Soon Williams’ life and that of her grandmother rapidly improved.

“I saw how the depression started to lift from her. She was so full of life. To see that part of her start to glow and shine again — it lifted my spirits as well as hers,” Williams said.

“It was truly a blessing to step out of that authoritarian [caregiver] role. I was able to go back to being a granddaughter.

All those little nuances that we would bump heads on were taken away.”

Hopkins ElderPlus is a constellation of free support services, including adult day care and transportation. Participants can

get free rides to medical appointments and to the ElderPlus center, located at Johns Hopkins’ Bayview Medical Center.

Once they arrive at the center, they can eat free, healthy meals and see a primary care physician, occupational therapist or physical therapist. Social workers are available to help them pay bills or just talk. They can laugh with friends. They can receive free over-the-counter medications or prescriptions delivered to their door. And a homecare service is available, too.

“This can solve so many problems,” said Williams, now outreach manager for Hopkins ElderPlus. “This program alleviates a lot of things that are putting our seniors in the hospital prematurely.”

PACE is a nationwide federally funded program that operates in 30 states. The 272 PACE centers ser ve about 55,000 people, whose average age is 77 years old.

To be eligible, people must have an income of no more than $2,382 a month. In addition, their assets must amount to no more than $2,000, not including a house and car. Participants must live within the following ZIP codes: 21202, 21214, 21220, 21227, 21205, 21217, 21221, 21231, 21206, 21218, 21222, 21237, 21213, 21219, 21224 and 21052.

There is no waitlist for the program. To find out more about Hopkins ElderPlus, call (410) 550-7044.

Zen Apartments to open Imagine living on the same hallowed ground where the Orioles and Colts once played. This summer a new upscale apartment building will open on the former site of Memorial Stadium.

Zen Apartments at the Village Center at Stadium Place offers one- and two-bedroom luxury apartments for people over age 55. The property has a rooftop garden, fitness center, private event space and lounge, among other amenities. On the

ground floor is a Medstar rehab facility, nail salon and Dunkin Donuts.

“Zen was created to provide contemporarily designed apartment homes, beautifully appointed communal spaces, and the convenience of retail shops and services on the property,” said owner Kevin Johnson, CEO of Commercial Development, who created the vision for Zen. “I am proud to build Zen Apartments in my hometown and on the former site of historic Memorial Stadium.”

The property is managed by Habitat America. For more information, visit zenapartments.com or call (855) 852-8009.

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Housing News

B-5

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Listing your home in 2021? What to know

By Elizabeth Renter It’s a good time to be a home seller — homes are selling fast and for a premium — but that doesn’t mean you can jump into the market ill-prepared. Knowing what to expect can position you to make the most of this seller’s market.

Roughly 1 in 6 (17%) homeowners plan on selling their home in the next 18 months, according to a new NerdWallet survey conducted online by The Harris Poll among 2,127 homeowners. Those listings will be a welcome sight to buyers currently competing for a limited number of homes commanding top dollar.

The March survey found that this current market is playing a role in many of these home sellers’ motivations. In fact, 45% of those planning to sell in the next 18 months say recent changes to the housing market, including higher asking prices and lower inventory, have spurred them to

sell earlier than initially planned.

If you’re among the homeowners preparing to be on the favored side of this strong seller’s market, here’s what you need to know:

You may be able to skip presale home improvements In addition to cleaning your house for showings, preparing to sell your home often means doing minor (or major) repairs and upgrades. But homebuyers are stalking real estate listings and jumping on those that even get close to checking all the boxes, so sellers could likely save some money by limiting or forgoing expensive projects altogether.

More than 4 in 5 homeowners planning to sell in the next 18 months say they plan to spend roughly $2,000 on major repairs or renovations to make their home more appealing to potential buyers prior to sell-

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“You really can get away without doing renovations and minor repairs,” said Holden Lewis, NerdWallet mortgages expert.

“Unless the house has a major problem like a leaky roof, you’re probably better off selling as-is. Make it a priority to declutter and depersonalize the home so it’s easy for buyers to imagine themselves living there.

The buyers can fix it up and renovate it on their own dime and schedule.”

It will all move very quickly If you list your home in this market, there’s little question of the outcome. Barring any significant defaults or dramatic overpricing, you’ll sell your home. It will happen quickly, and you could receive multiple offers over listing price.

Nearly half (45%) of homeowners planning to sell in the next 18 months say recent changes to the housing market have spurred them to sell earlier than initially planned, according to the survey. Singlefamily homes are in high demand, so selling now means you’ll sell faster and for a higher price than you would under other conditions.

Existing homes are only on the market for an average of 20 days, according to the most recent data from the National Association of Realtors — that’s listed and under

contract in less than three weeks.

So be prepared to sell the moment you hang that “For Sale” sign. It’s ideal to have your next home already lined up, but that may be easier said than done.

You’ll face stiff competition shopping for a new home The very things that make it a good time to sell make it a tough time to buy a house. Just 10% of those planning to sell in the next 18 months say one of their primary motivations for selling is that they no longer want to be a homeowner, according to the survey. For the rest of these sellers, entering the crowded pool of homebuyers will present challenges.

Given the likely ease with which you’ll sell and the difficulty you might have finding a replacement home, it may make sense to be under contract on a purchase when or soon after your home hits the market.

“The trickiest part of navigating today’s market is finding a home to replace the one you’re selling,” Lewis says.

“You can make the buyer’s purchase contingent on your finding suitable housing. In other words, you can make your buyer wait. Normally, buyers are reluctant to accept that condition. But we’re in a seller’s market, and sellers make the rules.”

—AP

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Face it: Your kids don’t want your stuff

By T. Eric Reich I know I’m going to get a few calls about this article, but hear me out. We talk a lot about managing your estate and strategies for making the most of an inheritance, but what we don’t often talk about is what to do with your “stuff” and the realities that surround that.

When helping people with their estate planning, we obviously cover the big issues, such as IRA or retirement plan beneficiary info, wills, trusts, power of attorney and advance directives (or POLST). We review titling of the assets in your estate with your CPA or attorney. But what we often don’t talk about is what to do with all of your stuff.

The reality is that what you want to happen with your stuff is often not what your heirs want to do with it.

Let’s start with the big one, your house.

This is the one people balk at the most, but here goes: Your kids don’t want your house. I know you think they do, but they really don’t. In most cases, even when they do, it would be impractical for them to buy it anyway.

How are three kids going to “share” my house? There’s no way that’s going to work, even though the idea of them sharing a shore house sounds nice. The reality is that they likely can’t share it, and forcing them to do so will almost certainly lead to hard feelings. Somebody is going to get more use of it than the others, and that’s where the problems start.

If one of them wants to buy out the others, that’s fine — but what are the terms in which they can buy it? Do they get a “discount” because they are family? Doesn’t that hurt the others’ value for the same reason?

Vacation homes can be a burden Sometimes I hear that “I want them to have a place to go to in the summer.” I had a situation not long ago where a client really wanted a grandchild to have the beach house. Carrying the house was actually causing financial issues for her, but she didn’t want to give it up so she could pass it on. The heir lived out of state, but she really wanted them to have it.

Finally, I suggested we call the heir and ask if she wanted the beach house. The heir, as I suspected, loved the idea of a house at the Jersey Shore but didn’t really want it because they wouldn’t have time to ever visit it and the long-distance upkeep, maintenance, etc. would be added stress for them.

With this new information, my client decided to let the house go, live a far more comfortable retirement and leave to her heir what they really wanted, cash.

Collectibles and china Now for the smaller stuff. While your collection of Hummels, model trains or baseball cards is your hobby and passion, rarely does that continue to your heirs. If they don’t share your passion for those collectibles, they may be likely to sell them for less than their full value when they inherit them because they don’t fully understand their true value.

Lastly, your beautiful china. Understand that there are only so many sets of china that your kids or grandchildren can use.

Add to this the fact that younger generations don’t use china much at all compared to older generations, let alone five sets.

To make your estate transfer as easy as possible and with as few family scuffles as possible, address these issues now.

The bottom line and some practical tips If you aren’t sure how your heirs feel about inheriting your “stuff,” then the easiest course of action is simply to ask them.

I think you’ll be surprised with the answer.

Then get busy: Start selling. Sell items that you don’t need anymore that might have some value. Ebay and Etsy are great places to start, or heck, have a garage sale.

Donate things others could use. Goodwill and Salvation Army could do some good with your generosity, and dropping off your donations is like volunteering, which always feels good.

Make it fun. Going through your things bit by bit can be a shared activity with your loved ones. Think about all the conversations and memories you’ll share as you declutter.

Enjoy the results. Your house will feel bigger, and the weight on your shoulders will feel lighter. Your kids will thank you, too.

This article was written by and presents the views of Kiplinger's contributing adviser, not editorial staff. Check adviser records with the SEC or FINRA. T. Eric Reich, President of Reich Asset Management, LLC, is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional, holds a Certified Investment Management Analyst certification, and holds Chartered Life Underwriter® and Chartered Financial Consultant® designations.

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PHOTO BY DANIEL MEE

Money Law &

13

Which birthdays can affect your finances?

See story on page 14.

For better customer service, phone it in

By Laura McMullen When the pandemic began, Sean McAuliffe’s New York-based distribution company suffered financially. So, he set out to cut operating costs. He canceled a few services, and for more important ones, he contacted the providers to request deferred or lowered bills.

First, he emailed, only to receive unhelpful replies.

Then, he called — and every one of those same companies he had emailed agreed to temporarily pause or lower his bill. McAuliffe estimates that these conversations saved his company thousands of dollars, which helped prevent layoffs.

This technique can work on the individual level, too. If you’re willing to chat on the phone, you can save money and, often, time.

How a phone call can help Is the idea of talking to a real-life stranger on the phone about as appealing as waiting at the DMV or getting blood drawn? Join the club. In 2019, gadget trade-in website BankMyCell conducted an online survey of more than 1,200 millennials in the U.S. When asked if they sometimes feel they need to summon the courage to make a phone call, 81% of respondents said yes.

But if you can push yourself to pick up the phone, a call to customer service is often the best way to request a favor that will save you money. You can ask to have a bill lowered or deferred; a credit limit raised; an interest rate lowered; a fee waived; a service or booking canceled without penalty or just about anything else.

All it costs to ask is time and potential phone-call awkwardness. And the worst thing that can happen is the stranger on the other line says no. (But read on, and you’ll probably get them to negotiate.)

Phone calls are also the way to resolve errors, such as unwarranted late-payment fees or duplicate charges on a bill. Ira Rheingold, executive director at the National Association of Consumer Advocates, recommends regularly scrutinizing your bills for mistakes.

“Do not expect the company you’re dealing with to always be accurate,” he said.

“When things don’t look right, they’re probably not right, and you should follow up on it.”

Even if you’re not necessarily trying to save money, jumping on the phone may help you understand a nuanced money topic more quickly (and maybe more accurately) than spiraling down an online search hole.

Call your insurance agent if you don’t understand how your policy works or if a

certain something is covered, for example.

Call your credit card issuer to learn why you were rejected for a new card. Or call your health care provider’s billing office to identify head-scratcher charges.

How to prepare for the call Before picking up the phone, get clear on the outcome you want, said Stephanie Richman, certified financial planner and regional director of Northern California/East Bay at EP Wealth Advisors. Knowing this goal and clearly communicating it will help make for an efficient and effective conversation.

Also, consider the motivations and interests of the company you’re calling, she said. That will help you anticipate their questions, answer them and ultimately encourage the other person to help you. So, in practice, that may mean asking to defer this month’s water bill and explaining how you’ll be able to catch up on payments by your next due date.

Ahead of your call, gather relevant paperwork, such as a copy of the bill you’re asking about or your insurance card. And mention your history with this company.

Let the customer service rep know if you’ve been a loyal customer for a long time or if you’ve gone years without a late

charge. The company will likely be motivated to keep a customer like you around.

Finally, “be prepared to have patience,” Rheingold said. This call may take a while and, yes, become tedious or frustrating.

Set aside some distraction-free time when you’re feeling good, not when you’re irritable or hungry.

How to make the most of the call OK, you can articulate exactly what you want and have armed yourself with information (and maybe snacks). Time to dial.

Be kind to whoever picks up as you clearly state your request. When McAuliffe, the business owner, made his calls, he said he was simply honest with the service providers about what he needed.

“It was more about working together than trying to strong-arm them,” he said.

If the person on the other end denies your request, or if it seems like they’re sticking to a script, Rheingold recommends asking to speak to their supervisor. That person is probably in a better position to help.

“There’s nothing wrong with working your way up the food chain,” he said.

As you climb said chain, remember your manners. “You can ask for a supervisor in a nice way,” Richman said. “Assertive does not mean aggressive.”

—AP

What we can learn from the best investors most important factors was buying undervalBy Elliott Raphaelson Financial journalist William Green has ued securities. Not all of the experts invested in equities. Many were successwritten a great book, Richer, ful purchasing other investment Wiser, Happier: How the World’s vehicles. For example, Howard Greatest Investors Win in MarMarks specialized in depressed kets and Life, based on his inbonds and high-yield securities. depth interviews with the Another common theme is world’s most successful inthat most of the experts are “lonvestors. The book stands out ers.” They spend a lot of time because Green probes beyond reading by themselves. This inthe field of investing to find out cludes Warren Buffett and John how they have succeeded in Templeton. The most successful their lives generally.

THE SAVINGS investors are not afraid of buying This is especially interest- GAME when others are selling, and vice ing because some of those By Elliot Raphaelson versa. Many of these investors profiled experienced signifiare avid game players. Many cant problems during their careers. There were many lessons to be play bridge.

I found the chapter about Templeton learned from career setbacks. very instructive. He, George Soros and As far as success in the markets goes, Buffett shared one invaluable characteristhough, almost all the experts profiled touched on a common theme: that one of the tic: “the willingness to be lonely,” as Green

puts it. They take positions that others don’t think wise. “They have a conviction that a lot of people don’t have.”

When Templeton began his career, for example, the default wisdom of investment advisers was that Americans should invest exclusively in U.S. assets. Templeton took a different approach. After graduating from Oxford, he traveled the world, gaining an informational edge over investors who lacked his insatiable curiosity.

Most of the investors profiled in the book emphasize the importance of understanding probability. Most think very long term. Buffett and his partner Charlie Munger believe that when they finally select a company, it’s a lifetime investment.

The book presents a variety of opinions about diversification. Some of the experts are confident about having a small number of securities in their portfolio, while others, such as Joel Greenblatt, emphasize

the importance of having a large number.

Patience is a virtue in investing One of the most important lessons from the book is the importance of patience.

Too many investors monitor their portfolio value too frequently, making rash judgments based on price changes that don’t reflect long-term conditions.

In the first three or four months of 2020, when the stock market fell dramatically, some sold much or all of their equities at lower prices, and many of them have still not gone back into the market. In doing so, they missed a significant market rebound and now have a much lower allocation of equities.

Following Buffett’s philosophy, I sold no equities from my portfolio at that time, and I continued dollar-cost averaging because I expected that the market See INVESTING, page 15

14

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JULY 2021 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Birthdays that can affect your finances

By Liz Weston You hit a lot of milestone birthdays when you’re young. There’s your first birthday, of course, and at 13, you’re a teenager. At 16, you’re probably thinking about driving. At 18, you can vote; at 21, you can get into bars.

You reach milestones later in life as well, and many of them have to do with retirement. Knowing these age milestones can help you better prepare for life after work.

They include: Turning 50 It’s catch-up time! People 50 and older can contribute $6,500 more to their 401(k)s or 403(b)s each year, for a total contribution of up to $26,000 this year.

Those 50 and older who contribute to IRAs and Roth IRAs can throw in an additional

$1,000, for a total maximum annual contribution of $7,000.

Turning 55 Normally people have to pay a 10% federal penalty, along with income taxes, when they withdraw money from retirement accounts before age 59 ½. The penalty (but not the taxes) disappears on 401(k) and 403(b) withdrawals if you’re 55 or older when you quit, get fired or retire.

This “separated from service” rule applies during or after the year you turn 55.

Turning 59 ½ At this age you can take withdrawals from workplace plans or IRAs without penalty. Also, some 401(k) plans allow workers who are at least 59 ½ to do an “inservice” rollover, allowing you to move

Pikesville Senior Center Re-Opens!

Welcome back Pikesville! We ask that all persons interested in attending, register for membership as soon as possible.

After you have registered as a member, you may drop in to meet friends, socialize, and participate in classes as you did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it is free to join the Pikesville Senior Center, a donation of $15 affords you a subscription to “Time of Your Life Digest”, an important and informative publication from the Baltimore County Department of Aging.

The fitness center is now open and available by appointment only to all registered fitness center members who have submitted updated medical clearance and consent forms. A full list of activities, classes, and programs will be available for our members the week of July 6; the same week the Eating Together Meal Program will resume. Virtual programming will continue on a limited basis as well as the introduction of hybrid classes.

If you have any questions for us at the Pikesville Senior Center, please feel free to email us at pikesvillesc@baltimorecountymd.gov or call us at (410) 887-1245.

money into an IRA while still working and contributing to the 401(k). If you’re interested, check with your 401(k) plan provider or your human resources department to see if this option is available to you.

Turning 60 For most widows and widowers, age 60 is the earliest that they can begin Social Security survivor benefits. (Survivor benefits are available starting at age 50 for survivors living with a disability, or at any age if the survivor cares for the deceased spouse’s children who are under age 16 or disabled.)

Turning 62 This is the earliest age you can begin Social Security retirement or spousal benefits, but your checks will be permanently reduced if you start before your full retirement age, which ranges from 66 to 67.

Also, you’ll face an earnings test (see story on page 33) that reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn over a certain amount, which in 2021 is $18,960. The earnings test disappears once you reach full retirement age.

Turning 65 At 65, most Americans are eligible for Medicare, the government health care program. Typically, you’ll want to sign up in the seven months around your birthday — meaning the three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and the three months after. Delaying after that point can cause you to pay permanently increased premiums.

You can learn more at medicare.gov or by calling Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1800-633-4227) to request the “Medicare and You” handbook.

Turning 66 to 67 Full retirement age is 66 for people born between 1943 and 1954. The age rises two months for each birth year after that until it reaches 67 for people born in 1960 and later. Waiting at least until full retirement age to start Social Security benefits means you won’t have to settle for checks that have been reduced because you started early or because of earned income.

Turning 70 A juicy benefit awaits those who can delay the start of Social Security after full retirement age: Their benefit increases by 8% annually until it maxes out at age 70.

This not only means more money for the rest of your life, but if you’re the larger earner in a couple, it also maximizes the survivor benefit for your spouse.

Turning 72 Most retirement plan contributions reduce your taxes in the year you make them, and your account grows tax-deferred over the years. But eventually the government wants its cut. You’re required to start taking at least a minimum amount from most retirement plans beginning at age 72. (Required minimum distributions used to start at age 70 ½, but that’s been pushed back.)

There are a couple of exceptions: If you continue to work, you can wait until you retire to start minimum distributions from your 401(k) or 403(b). Minimum distributions are still required from traditional IRAs even if you’re working. If you have a Roth IRA, however, you won’t be required to start distributions at any age. If you leave the money to your heirs, though, they will have to start taking withdrawals.

—AP/NerdWallet

To subscribe, see page 22.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2021

15

What is the Social Security earnings test?

By Austin Powell More than half of Americans surveyed

by Voya Financial plan to work in retirement. If you share that plan, you may assume that you can easily combine paid employment with other sources of retirement income, such as your retirement savings and Social Security.

However, if you claim Social Security before your full retirement age — which is based on your year of birth — your benefits may be reduced through a mechanism known as the Social Security earnings test.

Essentially, this rule limits your benefits if your paid employment earnings exceed certain thresholds.

The good news is that once you reach full retirement age, the benefit amounts that were withheld due to the earnings test will be returned to you in future Social Security payments. However, that doesn’t help when you are trying to balance your budget

Investing From page 13 fall was temporary. Most investment experts also did not sell early and have been rewarded.

Very few of the experts Green profiled depend on leverage for their performance.

Some who did have been hurt. Bill Miller,

during the early years of retirement.

How the earnings test works The impact of the earnings test on your benefit can be broken down into three distinct phases. Each phase is based on your current age relative to your full retirement age.

Stage 1: You will not reach full retirement age in 2021: In this stage, you can earn as much as $18,960 a year from employment without affecting your Social Security benefits. There will be a $1 reduction in Social Security payments for every $2 of earnings over the $18,960 limit.

In the event of a reduction, Social Security withholds benefits in the form of whole payments at the beginning of the year. If Social Security withholds too much, that means money will be refunded in the next calendar year.

Stage 2: You will reach your full retirement age in 2021: If you will reach your full who had great success as chief investment officer of Legg Mason Capital Management, was burned badly in 2008 because of leverage. He has recovered, however, and is still widely admired.

You will find excellent investment advice and life advice from all of the other experts interviewed, including Jack Bogle, Peter Lynch, Ed Thorp, Will Danoff and

retirement age during 2021, the earnings test is much less restrictive. You can earn as much as $50,520 a year from employment without affecting your benefit. There will be $1 reduction for every $3 of earnings over the $50,520 limit.

Stage 3: You reached your full retirement age before 2021: If you have already reached your full retirement age before 2021, the earnings test doesn’t apply to your earnings. You are free to earn as much as you want while receiving your full benefit.

is known as your full benefit or primary insurance amount (PIA). If you claim Social Security before your full retirement age, your benefit is reduced. Similarly, if you claim after your full retirement age, your benefit is increased.

The earliest you can claim Social Security is age 62; the latest you can claim to receive the maximum potential benefit is 70.

Managing employment and Social Security benefits

The amount of your Social Security benefit depends on your earnings history and your age. Social Security benchmarks all benefits around the concept of full retirement age, which for those born between 1943 and 1960 is between ages 66 to 67.

At full retirement age you receive what

Ultimately, the Social Security earnings test does not affect the benefit you receive over the course of your retirement because Social Security will make up any benefit reductions later when you reach full retirement age.

For more information, contact the Social Security Administration office or visit ssa.gov. © 2021 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

many others.

One thing stands out: These experts have been successful because of continued hard work and courage in following their instincts. They are not easily influenced by the crowd. They are willing to buy undervalued securities when everyone else is selling, and they know when to take some profits.

Not only will you learn a great deal about investing and life lessons from this book, you will probably also find it captivating. Once I started reading it, I read it from cover to cover.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2021 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Social Security claiming primer

Your Initial Claim for Social Security Disability Was Denied. Now What?

By Aaron Moss, Esq. You were terribly disappointed that your claim for social security disability was denied at the initial application stage. You likely waited months for a decision, and you’re now wondering if you could have done something differently that would have gotten you a better result.

Don’t give up hope! Around 65% of initial claims are denied, many of which will eventually be approved at later stages of the application process.

If one’s disability application is denied, the Social Security Administration gives you 60 days from the date of the denial letter to file an appeal.

The appeal can be filed online. This is called a “request for reconsideration.”

It is important to note that, in almost all situations, it is better to appeal a decision than file a new application.

When you file an appeal, your claim will be reviewed by different examiners than those who assessed the initial denial.

It is important to review the initial denial to try to spot potential mistakes. For example, the initial examiners might have failed to consider all of the relevant medical evidence. Alternatively, there might have been a technical reason that the claim

was denied at the initial stage.

A claimant also might have additional medical evidence from treatment that occurred after the

initial claim for disability was filed. It is important to send the Social Security Administration updated medical records whenever possible.

A knowledgeable disability representative can help assess the reasons for an initial denial and determine the best path forward to try to get that decision reversed.

The reconsideration stage generally takes 3 to 6 months before you receive a decision. Unlike the

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JULY 2021 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Travel Leisure &

Stay in a Conestoga wagon, houseboat or historic house. See story on page 17.

Cowboys and culture on Canada’s plains

Walkable in all types of weather Calgary’s downtown is compact and easily walkable, with many shops and eateries along Stephen Avenue Mall.

The Plus 15 skywalk network makes

strolling around town comfortable even in inclement weather. Opened in 1970, the 11-mile network now includes about 60 enclosed bridges connecting downtown buildings.

After an 1886 fire incinerated most of the town’s wooden buildings, all buildings by law were made of sandstone, earning Calgary the moniker “Sandstone City.”

Many still stand.

The 62-foot Calgary Tower’s elevators whisk visitors to the top in only 62 seconds. There, you can sightsee on the observation deck’s glass floor, watch the city’s comings and goings below, or soak in broad vistas of the prairies, foothills and the Rocky Mountains. Built in just 24 days in 1968, the tower can withstand winds up to 100 miles per hour, partly because 60 percent of the building is underground.

Olympic Plaza, built for the 1988 winter Olympic games’ medal ceremonies, has plaques honoring the winners. Today, it’s a fair-weather setting for concerts and festivals, an ice rink in winter and a gathering place year-round.

The second floor of Jamieson Place is a mood booster with its skywalk-level garden and a 2,000-square-foot “living wall” that recalls a prairie landscape. The area sparkles with three hand-blown Dale Chihuly chandeliers of intricate, twisting tendrils and orbs that reflect the light in amber, green and blue — colors that suggest the prairie sky just before sunrise.

The 20-gallery Glenbow Museum, one of western Canada’s largest, chronicles

PHOTO BY COLIN WAY

By Glenda C. Booth In the middle of southern Alberta Canada’s vast prairie, multicultural urbanity meets cowboy country in Calgary. The outlaw Henry Longabaugh, better known as the Sundance Kid, himself once owned a saloon in one of its grand hotels.

Locals still brag that when the city hosted the 1988 winter Olympics, some Calgarians opened their homes to visitors from all over the world, and others cleaned up horse manure after the Western-themed opening ceremony.

But the city is perhaps best known for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, the annual Calgary Stampede. Celebrated every July since 1912, the stampede offers 10 days of high-octane rodeo competitions that draw cowboys and cowgirls from all around and 1.2 million fans in non-COVID times.

While the pandemic has dampened travel everywhere, “Calgary’s ‘giddy up’ never left, and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors back with our Western hospitality when it’s safe to do so,” said Tourism Calgary’s Nancy Jackson.

Located near five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Calgary is an intriguing, walkable historic city just an hour’s drive east of the Canadian Rockies.

PHOTO BY LEBLOND STUDIO INC.

Tourists can test-drive instruments and observe musicians in recording sessions at Studio Bell, the headquarters of Canada’s National Music Centre.

Outdoor square dances, carnival rides and rodeo performances transform the city of Calgary, Canada almost every July since 1912. The annual Calgary Stampede was cancelled for the first time last year but will take place July 9 to 18, 2021.

the history of the Canadian West — from the indigenous First Nations through pioneers to the oil boom.

Alberta has been the hub of Canada’s oil and gas production since oil was first struck here in 1914. Today, around 85 energy companies have their headquarters here. Oil and gas are “in Alberta’s veins,” according to one exhibit.

Other exhibits explore mineralogy, cattle ranching and railroading. The museum has the oldest known rock in the world, a tonalite gneiss, 3.9 billion years old (the Earth is believed to be 4.5 billion years old).

Throughout the Glenbow Museum, plaques provide the First Nations peoples’ perspective, for example, pointing out that Europeans brought both tools and diseases to North America.

Blackfoot, Sarcee and Stoney tribes lived for centuries along Alberta’s converging Bow and Elbow Rivers. A gallery is dedicated to the culture of the indigenous Blackfoot people.

Another must-see is the city’s vibrant Chinatown and the Chinese Cultural Center, which is modeled after Beijing’s Temple of Heaven. Twenty percent of Canadians are Chinese, descended from immigrants who helped build the Canadian Pacific Railroad in the 1880s.

The center’s Chinese Artifact Museum has impressive replicas of the terracotta soldiers from a 247 B.C. imperial tomb discovered in Xian in 1974. Also on display is the first seismograph, invented in 132 C.E.

by Zhang Heng: The ball in a dragon’s mouth drops to a toad’s mouth during an earthquake.

Another exhibit on discrimination recounts the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act, which banned most Chinese people from immigrating to Canada until it was repealed in 1947.

Musical musings An especially intriguing attraction is Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, which welcomes visitors with its motto, “Everyone’s born to sing.” Visiting is as much an auditory tour as a visual one.

The center’s 2,000-piece collection tells the story of 450 years of Canadian music.

Artists use some of the center’s 200 instruments and recording studios, and visitors are invited to watch and listen.

One exhibit replicates a theater, where a professional organist makes a “great big sound” daily on a 600-pipe 1924 organ built

by Kimball Piano and Organ Company for See CALGARY, page 18

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2021

17

Stay in a treehouse, wagon or caboose

By Victor Block So you’d like to get away for a while without driving too far, but the idea of a cookie-cutter hotel doesn’t appeal. Fortunately there are enticing alternatives for a variety of preferences and pocketbooks, from treehouses to houseboats to museum-like houses that allow you to step into chapters of history.

It’s no surprise that treehouse accommodations exist in a state that’s virtually blanketed by forests. Those at Pinehaven in Beaver, West Virginia combine an introduction to unspoiled nature with welcome creature comforts, including a full bathroom, heat and air conditioning. A private hot tub is an added bonus. (For more information visit pinehaven.com.)

If you don’t mind driving a bit farther, you’ll find nine houses perched in trees at the unlikely named Mohicans Resort and Wedding Venue in Glenmont, Ohio. They can accommodate two to six guests, and facilities include both outdoor showers and full indoor bathrooms. Some structures were designed by a leading treehouse designer and featured in a Discovery Channel series (themohicans.net).

Rock to sleep on a houseboat There also are options for those who like accommodations that move with the

wind and waves. The houseboat Pisces, docked in downtown Philadelphia, can sleep six people. A kitchenette, roof deck and parking spot add to its appeal (sleepafloat.com).

Rather than being anchored, houseboats on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia are free to explore miles of unspoiled shoreline and hundreds of protected coves. This typically uncrowded body of water is a fisherman’s paradise and the site of numerous tournaments for anglers each year (houseboating.org).

Lock houses on the C&O Canal The past comes alive at seven historic lock houses that line the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which stretches 184 miles from Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland. The narrow waterway was constructed from 1828 to 1850 to enable cargo, primarily coal, to be transported in mule-drawn barges. A total of 74 locks were installed to deal with the 605-foot elevation change, and lock keepers and their families lived in houses adjacent to those structures.

Seven of the historic buildings have been equipped with period furnishings and are available to overnight guests. Each lockhouse is designed to relate a different time period in the canal’s history (canaltrust.org).

The C&O Canal passes near Frederick, Maryland, where another historic event took place. In 1863, John Greenleaf Whittier penned a poem about Barbara Fritchie in which she pleads with a Confederate general, “Shoot if you must this old gray head, but spare your country’s flag.”

Despite the fact that the incident described in the poem probably never occurred, it made Fritchie an instant heroine and part of American folklore. (It is true that she was a Union sympathizer and did have a flag.)

After the original early 19th-century house was destroyed in 1927, it was reconstructed using documents and photographs. Today, although it’s not open to the public, it’s possible to rent it to catch a glimpse of artifacts from Fritchie’s life. If you’re thinking of overnighting there, be forewarned that some people who say it’s haunted have claimed to have seen Barbara’s rocking chair moving on its own (stayinfrederick.com).

Conestoga wagon replicas In the 1700s and 1800s, canvas-topped Conestoga wagons were the primary cargo vehicles used to cross the Appalachian Mountains.

Some campgrounds include Conestoga reproductions among their campsites and

RV hookups. The Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Delaware Water Gap site in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, rents out a Conestoga wagon with a king-sized bed and bunk beds as well as three teepees.

Other members of the KOA chain also have Conestoga wagons and other different accommodations (koa.com).

Starting in the 1850s, Conestoga wagons were replaced by trains. Railroad buffs are likely to enjoy sleeping in renovated cabooses in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Fancy Gap, Virginia. They offer a kitchenette, private bath and other comforts, along with access to Jacuzzis in the depot (grassycreekcabooses.com).

A very different environment greets visitors to Cherry Hill, New Jersey, at the Feather Nest Inn. Its fantasy suites include a Natural Cave, which is decorated with reproductions of prehistoric cave paintings, faux animal skins and rock piles, a boatshaped bed, shipwreck salvage-like furniture and a waterfall in the Treasure Island room (feathernestinn.com).

Would-be campers might find that a Safari Tent pitched near the shore of Rehoboth Bay in Delaware meets their comfort level.

Queen-sized beds, a futon sofa, electricity and use of a golf cart transform a roughingSee OFFBEAT PLACES, page 18

18

Leisure & Travel | Subscribe online! See how on p. 22

Calgary From page 16 the silent movies, one of perhaps 600 in the world. Because it is a theater organ, the organist can use both hands and feet to make the sounds of a xylophone, glockenspiel, drums, marimba, chimes, wood

blocks, gongs, gunshots and a toy box.

One performer explained that he “pulls out all the stops,” or mechanical knobs, playing all the pipes at once. “That’s how Bach started each piece.”

If you go For travel planning, check ahead for cur-

BEACON BITS

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For more information and to create your will, visit freewill.com.

July 12

BALANCE BOOTCAMP

Improve your balance in this virtual workout presented by AARP. This free event takes place Mon., July 12 from 1 to 2 p.m. and is open to nonmembers. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/AARPBalanceBootcamp.

JULY 2021 — BALTIMORE BEACON

rent COVID-19 requirements. Roundtrip flights from Baltimore via Denver currently start at $525. For tourist information, go to visitcalgary.com.

The Calgary Stampede, July 9 to 18, is a 10day spectacular of professional athletes in high-dollar rodeo competitions, including bareback, saddle-bronc, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and barrel racing.

Rodeo tickets available for purchase have been situated to allow for current physical distancing requirements. For ticket inquiries, email tickets@calgarystampede.com.

Other highlights include First Nations dancing and drum competitions, livestock shows, midway rides, chuckwagon races, concerts and tasty treats like maple-glazed donuts and deep-fried, bacon-wrapped Reese’s cups.

Planners hope the Calgary Folk Music Festival, July 2 to 25, will be live (2020’s was virtual). Seventy Alberta artists will perform

on six daytime and two evening stages. Visit www.calgaryfolkfest.com/festival.

Through the Beltline Urban Murals Project (BUMP), artists have transformed Calgary into an open-air gallery with outdoor murals. During the BUMP Festival, August 6 to 29, the city is expected to pop with live DJs, music, food and self-guided mural tours. Visit yycbump.ca.

Set aside a couple of days to visit nearby Banff National Park, 100 miles west — a vast expanse of nature bursting with sublime scenery, glacier-fed lakes, 1,000 miles of trails and a gondola that takes adventurers to Sulphur Mountain’s summit.

A good “base camp” is the stunning, emerald green-turquoise Lake Louise, which has several lodging options, including the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Check banfflakelouise.com for accommodations.

Offbeat places

Lighthouse and keeper’s home on the shore of Chesapeake Bay, and several family-operated farms in Pennsylvania’s Amish country where guests may help with chores, interact with cows and other animals and enjoy farm-to-table meals (onlyinyourstate.com/west-virginia/thornymountain-wv, calvertmarinemuseum.com, painns.com).

From page 17 it experience into a memorable one (masseyslanding.com/accommodations).

Other unique overnight spots include a rustic 65-foot-tall fire tower with 360-degree views over West Virginia’s largest state forest; the 183-year-old Cove Point

BEACON BITS

July 16

VIRTUAL ARCHITECTURE TOUR Take a virtual tour of Baltimore’s municipal buildings led by Meg

Fielding, past president of the Baltimore Architecture Foundation. This free event takes place Fri., July 16 from 1 to 1:30 p.m. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/MunicipalBuildingsTour.

June 23+

THE LEGACY INTERVIEWS Every Wednesday at 4 p.m., from June 23 to September 8, the American Society on Aging presents The Legacy Interviews, host-

ed by Ken Dychtwald, PhD. The web series, sponsored by Age Wave, will feature conversations with experts in the fields of aging, health and social services.

Conversations delve into relevant topics such as ageism in the workplace, politics and media; how healthcare, financial and social services systems can better support older adults; and the opportunities and obligations of today’s and tomorrow’s elders. There is no cost for watching the conversations, but registration is required. For more information and to register, visit asaging.org/legacy-interviews.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2021

Style

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Arts &

Lovelyarns shop knits the community together. Our cover story continues on page 20.

Ellicott City poet publishes first book but also appears at open mic sessions in the Baltimore area as a performance poet.

“My stage or spoken-word name is ‘little pi,’ and that is an homage to my greatgrandmother and my mom, who used to call me ‘little pi,’” Ross said.

Ross said that the experiences of her ancestors influence her poetry. Unlike many Black Americans, she can trace her family’s history back to at least the mid-1800s, partly because of her family’s record-keeping.

“My great-great-grandmother provided a picture of the family to my grandfather’s mother because she did not want them to forget each other should they be sold back into slavery,” Ross said.

“I think about some of the … things that my ancestors have gone through, and that’s when I pull from that. And a lot of that tends to be my spoken pieces.”

Dancer, writer and mother Ross was born in Richmond, Virginia, and raised in the Takoma neighborhood of Northwest Washington, D.C. She danced with the Washington School of Ballet and attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, graduating early at age 16. She has a

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PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTI ROSS

By Susan Ahearn Patti Ross always wanted a career in the arts. Instead, she worked in journalism, business and technology and spent time raising a family. In the past decade, however, Ross, 59, began to focus on her writing again. Her debut chapbook of poems, St. Paul Street Provocations, is being published in July by Yellow Arrow Publishing of Baltimore.

Ross says the poems in St. Paul Street Provocations were inspired by the time she spent living in Baltimore on St. Paul and Lafayette Streets from mid-2010 to 2012.

She became friends with some of the homeless people and recovering drug addicts in the neighborhood.

“We started conversations. From those conversations came several of the poems,” she explained.

Ross said when she moved to what became known as the Station North area of Baltimore, she wasn’t planning on writing a book of poetry.

“I started writing when I was there. I didn’t think about a book at all; I was just sort of writing about what was happening.”

Ross not only writes poems for the page

degree in print journalism from American University, and also attended Carnegie Mellon University.

After college she worked for The Washington Times and the Rural America newspapers.

While working and raising her two daughters, Ross wasn’t writing poems for publication. But she did create personal poems for family occasions, she said, “an ode or an homage to an individual or whatever the celebration was… but nothing really published after my initial work in newspapers.”

When she took early retirement in 2020 to help care for an elderly aunt, Ross, by then divorced from Former journalist Patti Ross, who hosts openher husband of 25 years, knew she mic poetry nights, will publish her first book of wanted the next chapter of her life poetry this month. The poems in St. Paul Street Provocations, published by Yellow to focus on the arts.

“I didn’t know how or what it was Arrow Publishing, describe her experience going to be exactly, but I knew it living on St. Paul Street. would be involved in the arts. I think Ross, who describes herself as a “feminist the writing piece just took its natural warrior,” said her new book includes several course. And that’s really what my whole life poems about the female experience. had sort of been about prior to being a wife See POET, page 21 and mother,” she said.

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Lovelyarns From page 1 productive? People knit or crochet during Zoom meetings. They enjoy the satisfaction of making something with their own hands.

“It’s evidence that you existed…you have control over this item in your hand while the world outside is going crazy,” she said.

“Some doctors send people to us for stress relief or anxiety management,” Salzman added.

Loyal customers For Lovelyarns customer Abby Rammelkamp, 66, her connection to knitting

started early.

“I learned knit and purl stitches from my mother when I was nine or 10, and I made an endless scarf out of orange acrylic — it curled into a tube and now sits at the bottom of a landfill, where it will never biodegrade,” she explained with deadpan humor. In her 20s after graduate school, “sitting around unemployed waiting for a security clearance,” she took up knitting again.

“Knitting was my own world, and I was its deity…my knitting was the one thing that was completely under my control.

Knitting taught me a lot about color relationships and all kinds of mathematical concepts. I really love the problem solving.”

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 22 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

JULY 2021 — BALTIMORE BEACON

S H A W

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Rammelkamp found a second home at Lovelyarns when Salzman bought the store, she said.

“I found myself hanging out at Melissa’s back table every day, knitting and talking about anything and somehow I became part of the furniture. It was like ‘Cheers’ (the 80s TV comedy), with yarn instead of booze. Actually, there’s sometimes booze.

And always candy,” she added.

Summer is a busy season for fiber artists, due to the Tour de France.

In the concurrent Tour de Fleece, Salzman said, “hand spinners spin their own yarn during the cycling. It’s an international event we take part in, spinning for the entire tour. You challenge yourself to learn a new spinning technique while being social with other spinners and members of your ‘fiber tribe.’”

History and math, ovine health and ancient ancestors, medieval finance and military finery, hobbies of the rich and famous (Ryan Reynolds and the “knitterati”), races

— the fiber arts connects them all.

“Becoming a knitter is like traveling to a foreign country. We have our own language. ‘Stash’ equals your accumulated collection of yarn, and my favorite, S.A.B.L.E., means Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy,” Trentanove explained.

Lovelyarns specializes in hand-dyed yarn and fibers from local and regional vendors. It also hosts small classes in knitting, crochet, spinning and weaving for every skill level.

During the pandemic, Salzman set up an online store “with pictures and descriptions so people could shop safely form home,” she said.

Lovelyarns provides free local delivery, free shipping and curbside pickup.

“I’ve worked really hard to get craft supplies to anyone who wants them,” she said.

To learn more about Lovelyarns and its offerings, visit lovelyarns.com or call (410) 662-YARN (9276).

BEACON BITS

June+

THURSDAYS AT THE WALTERS The Walters Art Museum has reinstated Late Night Thursdays.

The museum is now open from 1 to 8 p.m. every Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Learn more and plan your visit at thewalters.org or call (410) 547-9000.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2021

Poet From page 19 “When I was doing this collection, I realized that…I do tend to write a lot from a woman’s perspective or a woman’s experience, and also about different women that I admire,” Ross said.

“As women, we know that none of what men have been able to accomplish could probably have been accomplished had there not been a woman behind them.”

Open mic nights in Ellicott City Ross established a series of open mic sessions known as EC Poetry & Prose at

the Syriana Café & Gallery in Ellicott City in 2019. “It started with a salon series… and it sort of became an open mic, and then we went into COVID,” said Ross.

During the pandemic, Ross, who is a board member of the Maryland Writers Association, created an online open mic opportunity for that organization called First Fridays.

“I try to feature a variety of different types of poets that write different things,” Ross said.

She appreciates the support she’s received from other poets.

“The poetry community in the DMV, honestly all over the world, is just absolute-

BEACON BITS

June 25+

SALON SERIES Enjoy opera at Wolf Trap without leaving the comforts of home.

Virtual performances can be streamed online Thursday and Friday

evenings in June and July at 7 p.m. Learn more at bit.ly/WolftrapOperaOnline.

July 9+

SUMMER THEATER RETURNS

BEACON BITS

June 29+

EAST ASIAN PAINTING SYMPOSIUM

Join curators, conservators, scientists and educators from the National Museum of Asian Art for a symposium on East Asian painting conservation. This virtual event explores the intersection of traditional practices and modern technology, providing diverse perspectives to enrich the discussion. Talks take place Tues., June 29, Wed., June 30 and Thurs., July 1 at 8:00 a.m. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/EastAsianArtSymposium.

ly wonderful. The poetry community, I think, is just really warm to me,” Ross said.

Ross said her success as a poet at this

stage of her life came as a surprise. “I would not have declared myself a poet, so I’m just so honored to have the recognition.”

Cars, boats, furniture, antiques, tools, appliances Everything and anything is sold on

The Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre is back and will be performing two shows this summer: Agatha Christie’s And Then

There Were None on various dates from July 9 through July 25 and Disney’s Moana Jr. on various dates from July 30 to Aug. 15. Shows will be performed at the Robert and Eleanor Romadka College Center in Essex. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/CICSummerTheatre or call the box office at (443) 840-2787

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Radio Flea Market Heard every Sunday, 7-8:00 a.m. on 680 WCBM

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JULY 2021 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Subscribe online! See how below

Crossword Puzzle

Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Wind Power 1

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71. Rapunzel requirement

1. Restroom region 6. Atlantic game fish 10. Samples cappuccinos 14. Neighborhood pal 15. ___ of your bee’s wax 16. Make a scarf 17. Convenient site for mass-vaccinations 18. “They are gaining on us; step ___” 19. Italian mountain, one of 16 worldwide “decade volcanoes” 20. Reach Friday afternoon 23. Eve, originally 24. Vegan’s protein source 25. Grain used for whiskey 26. Notes after dos 29. Patron saint of Norway 31. Rules and ___ 33. Number system with digits 0 to 7 35. Unsuccessful baseball game 37. Cash-out conveniences 40. Whimpered for attention 43. Divide M&M’s into their color components 44. Castaway’s landing spot 45. Get back one’s glow 46. Scarlet and maroon 48. Mine entrance 50. Emergency exit, on a keyboard 51. Participate in the Winter games 53. Start of Mr. Rogers’ theme song 55. Opera solo 57. Edited a dictionary while tipsy 63. Pond dweller 64. Start an orchard 65. Farewell, mademoiselle 66. Look sullen 67. Reveal secrets 68. Instrument played with vertical strings 69. NFL Primetime channel 70. Ohio’s Great Lake

1. Nobel-winning Pygmalion playwright 2. Donut shapes 3. “You got that right!”

4. Actress Blair or Hamilton 5. Play’s protagonist, probably 6. February missiles 7. Only RI and Del are smaller than it 8. Furlongs and fathoms 9. You can buy one on EquineNow.com 10. Distort data 11. Federally-funded road 12. Covered in conifers 13. Vampire killer 21. Hibachi helper 22. Part of the Great Seal of the United States 26. Ticket stub data 27. Reverberation 28. Agitating 30. “Behold; there it is!”

32. Mr. Kotter of Welcome Back, Kotter 34. Poker starter 36. Scamper away 38. Investment bank job applicants 39. Lip-___ (perform like Milli Vanilli) 41. Aversion 42. Museum holding 47. “___ I do that?”

49. Outrage 51. Stormwater filter 52. Lufthansa luggage limits 54. Look at with contempt 56. Right-hand man 58. ___ your keep 59. Sandwich seller 60. River to the Mediterranean 61. Snakelike fish 62. Superhero partners

Down

Answers on page 20.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2021

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; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on 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.

Caregivers THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME! Jamhuri Healthcare Services recognizes the importance of keeping seniors or adults with special needs, in their homes, rather than sending them to a skilled nursing facility. Our personal in-home care program is designed to implement non-medical tasks to meet the clients’ physical needs. Our home care aides provide a multitude of services for our clients, ranging from meal preparation & house cleaning to personal assistance & running errands. We are diligent in our staff & client pairings. We won’t put just anyone in your home or the home of your loved ones. Senior transportation services available 24/7. Call us toll-free at 1800-547-2851.visit us on the web: www.jamhuricares.com. send us a text at: 443-929-9769 MOBILE HAIR AND NAIL SERVICES - WE COME TO YOU. Professional Licensed Stylist.

Women and Men’s Services - All Hair Types.

Covid precautions practiced. Shampoo, Cuts, Sets, Color, Perms, Mens Cuts & Facial Grooming, Manicures & more. 410-415-1760 MOBILE HEARING AID SERVICES - Fully vaccinated, licensed hearing aid dispenser can deliver better hearing right to you at your kitchen table. Repairs and adjustments available for most manufacturers. Call or text 410299-2986 or visit www.hearrighthere.com for more information. In-network provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield.

SENIOR CARE IN YOUR OWN HOME. Your trusted neighborhood caregivers here to help you 24/7. Companionship, Personal & Respite Care, Housekeeping, Meal Prep, Medication Reminders. legacychevychase.com 240442-8486.

Financial

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

WESLEY FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts. Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019.

Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations.

Over 450 positive reviews. Call 855-626-8703.

All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month (for Baltimore and Howard County editions); by the 20th (for Washington and Richmond editions).

For Sale CEMETARY LOTS AND VAULTS - 2 side-byside lots in Dulaney Memorial Gardens (Holy Cross Garden). Sale price $5500. Call 410-561-0775 PUT ON YOUR TV EARS and hear TV with unmatched clarity. TV Ears Original were originally $129.95 - NOW WITH THIS SPECIAL OFFER are only $59.95 with code MCB59! Call 1-833-934-0843.

GENERAC STANDBY GENERATORS provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions.

1-866-964-8106.

Health MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTAL PLANS — Not Advantage Plans — See Any Doctor, Anywhere in the Country — No Copays — Premier Insurance — Low Premiums. Call Brendan at 410-325-6448 — 15 Years Experience.

PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-851-0949.

DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details!

1-844-366-1003 www.dental50plus.com/320 #6258.

LIFE ALERT. One press of a button sends help FAST, 24/7! At home and on the go. Mobile Pendant with GPS. FREE First Aid Kit (with subscription.)

CALL 240-847-6732 FREE Brochure.

MOBILEHELP, America’s Premier Mobile Medical Alert System. Whether You’re Home or Away. For Safety and Peace of Mind. No Long Term Contracts! Free Brochure! Call Today! 1240-650-9189

Home/Handyman Services T’s HAULING & MOVING I will move your possessions or haul them away. I clean out yards, basements, garages, houses, apartments, attics, etc. No job too small. Brush work. I can pick up furniture from stores. Friendly, reliable service with many references. Honest and hard working!

Call Tim at 443-690-6525 OR 410-889-3795.

Same day service most days! Like me on Facebook! @Tshaulingmoving. Check out my website WWW.TSHAULINGANDMOVING.COM

Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your ad: • $25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500. • $50 for 501-750 (maximum length). The website will calculate this for you.

Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number. • Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. • All ads are subject to publisher's discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.

To place your classified ad, visit ww.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds Home/Handyman Services

TV/Cable

CONTINENTAL MOVERS Local long distance. $80 x two men plus one hour drive $80 Moving - deliveries - pick ups - hauling - packing. Established since 1995. Cmora53607@msn.com www.continentalmovers.net 202-438-1489 — 301-340-0602.

DIRECTV for $69.99/mo for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Watch your favorite live sports, news & entertainment anywhere. One year of HBO Max FREE. Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Call for more details! (some restrictions apply) Call 1888-572-4953.

THE BATHROOM OF YOUR DREAMS for as little as $149/month! BCI Bath & Shower.

Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Limited Time Offer - FREE virtual in-home consultation now and SAVE 15%! Call Today! 1-855-653-0087.

Wanted TOY TRAILWAYS BUSES AND grocery store trucks. Tin, metal, or plastic. Must be in good condition no rust. Also any pictures of Baltimore bus companies. Call Wayne 410-807-5246.

Legal Services

WANTED OLD MOTORCYCLES: 1970’s & Older. Any condition good or bad. Buying AS IS paying CASH & PICKING UP. Kawasaki Norton Honda Triumph BMW Yamaha Harley BSA Suzuki Indian Etc. Call for CASH offer 1-800220-9683, website: www.wantedoldmotorcycles.com

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

BUYING VINYL RECORDS from 1950 to 1990. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae, Punk, Blues, and Disco. 33 1/3 LP’s, 45’s and some 78’s, Some Groups Of CD’s Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted.

Please call John, 301-596-6201.

Personal Services WORKOUT WITH RONDA ONLINE FROM HOME: Not ready or able to return to the gym?

No problem! Join Ronda for Chair Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yoga Stretch, Pilates, Strength Training w/ light weights and Relaxation/Meditation all from your own home for just $10 per class.

Packages and private lessons are also available.

Visit www.moxie.xyz/RondaBernstein for schedule and registration. Don’t see a time that works for you? Classes can be added by request. Certified Group Fitness Instructor since 1994.

MONEY, TIME TO SELL! CALL GREG, 1717-658-7954. We buy sterling silver flatware, jewelry, gold, silver, coins, watches, paper money, antiques, toys, bottles, comic books, records, pottery, art glass, vintage military and old sporting items (baseball, football and boxing) just about anything old. Make the right choice! You have something to sell give me a call. Greg 1-717-658-7954 COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: helmets, weapons, knives, swords, web gear, uniforms, etc, from all wars & countries. Also slots/pinball & other coin operated machines.

Top prices paid, Vaccinated & COVID Safe.

CALL FRED 301-910-0783.

Personals VERY PRETTY SINGLE WHITE LADY age 63 would like to meet single white gentleman age 63 or older. Call Patty 443-845-7802

TV/Cable

Thank you for reading the Beacon!

DISH NETWORK. $64.99 for 190 Channels!

Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/mo. (where available.) Switch & Get a FREE $100 Visa Gift Card. FREE Voice Remote. FREE HD DVR. FREE Streaming on ALL Devices. Call today!

1-844-560-5837.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Research Studies Diabetes Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Fall Prevention/HIPS Study . . . . . . . .10 Knee Pain Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 PEERS/Stress Study . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Stroke Survivors Study . . . . . . . . . . .11

Events Beacon 50+Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Funeral Services Cremation Society of Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 MacNabb Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . .14

Home Health Care/ Companion Services Dandelion Healthcare . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Heavenly Home Care . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4

23

Home Instead Senior Care . . . . . . . . . .8 Options for Senior America . . . . . . . .19

Warren Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Weinberg Senior Living . . . . . .B-7, B-8 Zen Apartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-6

Beacon Newspapers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

EAC Interior Design . . . . . . . . . . . .B-2

Government Services

Technology

Housing

Maryland Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Pikesville Senior Center . . . . . . . . . .14

Catholic Charities Senior Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-3 Charlestown/Erickson . . . . . . .B-3, B-7 Charter Senior Living . . . . . . . . . . .B-2 Christ Church Harbor Apts . . . . . . .B-5 Enterprise Residential . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Heritage Run at Stadium Place . . . . . .8 Noble Senior Living . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-6 Oak Crest/Erickson . . . . . . . . .B-3, B-7 Park View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 St. Mary’s Roland View Towers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Virginia Towers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Retail

BeaconSilverPages.com . . . . . . . . . . .21 Computer Doctors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 TechMedic4u . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Home Services

Perfect Sleep Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Perfect Walker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Radio Flea Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Zoomer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Keswick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4 Manor Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Subscriptions

Theater Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Travel Superior Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Volunteers & Careers Baltimore County Dept of Economic & Workforce Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

24

JULY 2021 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Subscribe online! See how on p. 22

Stand Up Straight and Feel Better Discover the Perfect WalkerTM, the better way to walk safely and more naturally It’s a cruel fact of life, as we age, gravity takes over. Our muscles droop, our bodies sag and the weight of the world seems to be planted squarely on our shoulders. We dread taking a fall, so we find ourselves walking less and less– and that only makes matters worse.

Old Way

NEW Better Way

Well, cheer up! There’s finally a product designed to enable us all to walk properly and stay on the go. It’s called the Perfect Walker, and it can truly change your life.

Traditional rollators and walkers simply aren’t designed well. They require you to hunch over and shuffle your feet when you walk.

This puts pressure on your back, neck, wrists and hands. Over time, this makes walking uncomfortable and can result in a variety of health issues. That’s all changed with the Perfect Walker. Its upright design and padded elbow rests enable you to distribute your weight across your arms and shoulders, not your hands and wrists, which helps reduce back, neck and wrist pain and discomfort. Its unique frame gives you plenty of room to step, and the oversized wheels help you glide across the floor. The height can be easily adjusted with the push of a button to fit anyone from 4’9” to over 6’2”. Once you’ve reached your destination you can use the hand brakes to gently slow down, and there’s even a handy seat with a storage compartment.

Plus the Perfect Walker includes Stand AssistTM handles which make standing from a sitting position simple and easy. Its sleek, lightweight design makes it easy to use indoors and out and it folds up for portability and storage.

FREE Utility Bag, Cane and Beverage Holders

Plus, now you can choose between royal blue or rich bronze

Perfect WalkerTM Call now Toll-Free 1-888-660-0809 Please mention promotion code 115263. © 2021 first STREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

84529

• Comfortable Seat • Stand-assist handles • Adjustable Backrest • Folds easily • Optimized Center of Gravity • Easy-brake Wheels

Why spend another day hunched over and shuffling along. Call now, and find out how you can try out a Perfect Walker for yourself... and start feeling better each and every day in your own home.