October 2015 | Howard County Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

The Howard County

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More than 30,000 readers throughout Howard County

Secretary off to a running start

All in the family It was during Kramer’s second four-year

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGING

By Carol Sorgen During her eight years as a state senator, Rona Kramer’s efforts on behalf of Maryland’s older residents garnered not only the gratitude of those she served, but also the attention of her fellow legislators from both sides of the aisle. During Governor Robert Ehrlich’s administration, she came to know the thenSecretary of Appointments, Larry Hogan. So it wasn’t completely out of the blue when, after last year’s election, then-Governor-elect Hogan called Kramer and asked if she would be interested in serving in his new administration. “I was honored,” said Kramer, and she accepted — after making a request. Offered one position, Kramer said she replied that “my preference would be to serve our seniors,” whereupon the Governor appointed her Secretary of Aging, a member of his cabinet and head of the state’s Department of Aging. Despite the difference in their political affiliations — Kramer, 60, is a lifelong Democrat and Hogan is a Republican — Kramer said she has no qualms about serving in the Governor’s cabinet. “He has made clear that his administration is not going to be about politics, but about making important changes that will strengthen Maryland and bring our spending in line with our revenues,” Kramer said. “I agree completely with those goals.” One of Kramer’s primary goals as Secretary is to keep Maryland’s aging population as healthy as possible for as long as possible, so that their need for services will come later in life. “That will improve both individual quality of life as well as the State’s fiscal health,” she said. When it comes to promoting a healthy lifestyle, Kramer practices what she preaches. For years, in her business office, she has used a treadmill desk, walking as she works. Even when not, she stands as often as possible, since the latest health research indicates that what is now referred to as “sitting disease” is responsible for numerous serious health conditions that can lead to early mortality.

FREE

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

Why the Balkans, now at peace, are worth a visit; plus, unusual ways to enjoy fall foliage, and discounts on hotels, flights and more for older travelers page 36

ARTS & STYLE Rona Kramer, former Maryland state senator and a Democrat, now serves as Maryland’s Secretary of Aging in the cabinet of Republican Governor Larry Hogan. An attorney and businesswoman, Kramer brings a variety of skills to the state’s Department of Aging, which she heads.

term in the Senate that she became particularly involved with issues affecting Maryland’s older residents, working closely with her brother, Ben Kramer, who serves as a delegate in the Maryland House. “One of my brother’s main focuses was the protection of our state’s seniors,” said Kramer. Working as a team — she sponsoring bills in the senate and he in the house of delegates — they were responsible for passing numerous pieces of legislation, ranging from prevention of financial exploitation to protecting older adults in nursing homes and assisted living communities. “My brother and I worked together very successfully and made a great team,” said Kramer, adding that her brother continues to serve in the House and to work on legis-

lation to protect seniors. The Kramers have politics in their blood. Their father, Sidney Kramer, served as Montgomery County Executive from 1986 to 1990, and as a Maryland state senator from 1978 to 1986. A lifelong resident of Montgomery County, Kramer received her undergraduate degree in law enforcement from the University of Maryland and a law degree from the University of Baltimore in 1979. After joining the Maryland Bar and working briefly in a private firm practice, she joined her family’s commercial real estate business, Kramer Enterprises, as senior vice president and general counsel. See KRAMER, page 34

Fall plays focus on three American eras; plus, who knew Audrey Hepburn was a woman of simple tastes? page 42 TECHNOLOGY k Innovative ways to stop pain k Links and apps to explore

FITNESS & HEALTH 10 k Poor sleep linked to dementia risk k Chronic fatigue not all in your head THE SENIOR CONNECTION 21 k Newsletter for Howard County seniors LAW & MONEY 29 k Earn dividends every month ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

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Get expos-ed in October While the month of May is known as U.S. Older Americans Month, the month of October is the metro area’s Month of 50+Expos. Over a 12-day period this October, there will be 5 days of entertaining and informative events within easy driving distance of Howard County residents who are over 50 or love someone who is.

this month’s Senior Connection pull-out section in the center of this issue. The expo runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $1 (new this year), and there is a free shuttle bus from parking areas near Sears at the Columbia Mall.

Beacon Expos

The Beacon is proud to present our 16th annual In Columbia 50+Expos, taking place at loFirst, on Friday, Oct. 16, is FROM THE cations in Maryland and Virthe Howard County 50Plus PUBLISHER ginia. And, unlike the other Expo, taking place at Wilde By Stuart P. Rosenthal regional Expos, these occur Lake High School in Columon the weekends, for those of bia. you who may work or are Thousands attend the event each year, otherwise occupied during the week. to speak with representatives of over 150 On Sunday, October 18, our 50+Expo organizations and businesses who exhibit will be at the Silver Spring Civic Center in and provide free information and give- downtown Silver Spring from noon until 4 aways. p.m. There are also speakers on a variety of As at the other expos around the region, topics, all day entertainment, flu vaccines, you can obtain health screenings and a flu health screenings and more. shot, pick up information from (and ask For detailed information about all the questions of) dozens of government agenexcitement that awaits you this year, see cies and nonprofit organizations, and visit

Beacon The Howard County

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of Howard County, Md. and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Md., Greater Washington DC, and Greater Palm Springs, Calif. Subscriptions are available via third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. Maryland residents add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. • Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • Associate Publisher..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President, Operations........Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory • Advertising Representatives ........Doug Hallock, ................................................ Steve Levin, Jill Joseph • Editorial Assistant ........................Rebekah Sewell

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (410) 248-9101 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial and advertising is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 47 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

booths of area businesses providing services and products of special interest to older adults and their families. Many of them will also be offering free giveaways and holding prize drawings. And we will have live entertainment and door prizes as well. Microsoft will be offering an opportunity to learn to use its Surface tablet device in our computer education lab, and our keynote speaker, Tammy Darvish, will be speaking about mid-life career change. Our N. Virginia expo takes place the following Sunday, October 25, again from noon to 4 p.m., on the third level of Ballston Mall (near the movie theatre) in Arlington, Va. Almost everything from our Silver Spring Expo will be found at our Ballston event: nonprofit and government resources, businesses, entertainment, health screenings, etc. Our keynote speaker there, however, will be Gail Sheehy, journalist, lecturer and best-selling author of 17 books, including Passages — named by the Library of Congress as one of the 10 most influential books of our times. Sheehy will be speaking about her latest book, a memoir called Daring: My Passages. She will also speak about her new Daring Project, for which she is interviewing women from around the country about their most daring moments and where they led.

In Baltimore Last, but not least, the Baltimore County Department of Aging presents its annual two-day extravaganza at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium towards the end of the month. The Baby Boomer and Senior Expo will take place Wednesday, October 28 (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Thursday, October 29 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at the Cow Palace on the fairgrounds. There will be hundreds of exhibitors, numerous speakers and exercise demonstrations, vaccinations and health screenings, an art fair, an employment fair, and a Veteran Resource Muster, with resources and referrals for veterans wanting to know more about their benefits. Entertainment includes music for dancing as well as for listening, including the Mahoney Brothers, who will be impersonating the Beatles, Neil Diamond, Elvis, Elton John and more on Oct. 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. Admission is $2; free with your donation of two cans of nonperishable food. For more information, see their ad in this issue. So much to see and do in October! I hope you will look for the Beacon at all these events, and I invite you to visit one (or both) of our own 50+Expos this year. If you do, please come up to me to say hello.

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 e-mail to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: I just read with interest and concern your latest editorial in the Beacon (“Fairness in research,” September). Why Big Pharma’s research efforts for Alzheimer’s drugs have been so disappointing [may have to do with air pollution]. While coarse pollution particles seldom make it past our upper lungs, fine and ultrafine particles can travel from our nostrils along neural pathways directly into our brains. Once there, they can wreak a special havoc that appears to kick off or accelerate the downward spiral of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Autopsies of the brains of people who lived in highly contaminated areas have turned up traces of pollution and corresponding brain trauma. And among those still living,

epidemiologists have recorded elevated rates of brain disease and accelerated mental decline. Maryland ranked #36 in air quality in the nation, specifically for “Average exposure of the general public to particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less in size.” The greatest source is traffic congestion and, specifically, old diesel engines. Add sleep deprivation from excessive noise pollution and commercial-industrialemissions from venues like Merriweather to this mix, and baby boomers are in for an increasingly tough time. Thank you for all you do for seniors in your own life and in our communities. Laura A. Mueller C.H.O.R.D.S.: Community Health Over-Rides Destructive Sound Ellicott City

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Say you saw it in the Beacon

Technology &

Innovations Many options for alleviating chronic pain By Gina Roberts-Grey Lenore Beetar of Woodbridge, Va., 89, wasn’t ready to slow down. The former Rockette high-kicked her way to an extremely active life raising her children, interacting with friends, and rarely resting in the same place for very long. But in December 2014, a tumble down the stairs she described as “a beautiful somersault” resulted in a fracture in her neck. The subsequent pain threatened the otherwise vibrant and vital woman’s mobility and independent lifestyle. A high threshold for pain, and the pride of not wanting others to worry about her, caused Beetar to try to hide her discomfort. But family members noticed a change

in her activity levels and pressed her for information. When they learned of her accident, they took action, seeking medical attention from an orthopedic surgeon. The recommended therapy was surgery; however, her age made that a difficult option for repairing the fracture. So instead of becoming one of the 100 million Americans living with chronic pain, she opted for kyphoplasty — an innovative treatment that essentially “glued” her fractured spine back together. Dr. Dan Kendall., a pain management specialist at National Spine & Pain Centers in McLean, Va., made a small incision in Beetar’s back to realign her vertebrae and inject a medical-grade cement-like material

that fuses the bones back together. Within 36 hours, Beetar resumed her normal hobbies and activities.

Multiple pain treatment options Pain management specialists are trained to evaluate, diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of pain, including acute, chronic, degenerative, even arthritic, musculoskeletal and joint pain. In addition to being on the leading edge of managing complex pain medication regimes, they partner with patients, their primary care providers and orthopedic surgeons to explore non-surgical or minimally invasive techniques for lasting pain relief. That partnership was the difference be-

tween Barbara Johnson, 66, being isolated in her house due to pain and living an active life. “I have four herniated discs; three bulging and lying on a nerve in a pocket below the spine,” she said. Pain that started in her back and radiated down her legs left Johnson unable to walk without a cane or by holding onto furniture around the house. “I was trapped in my house. I was a prisoner to my pain, and that was horrible,” she said. Unable to perform basic tasks — like shopping for groceries, let alone enjoying a lunch out with friends or travel as she once did — Johnson grew desperate for

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Technology & Innovations | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Beacon Links & Apps By Barbara Ruben

Make and save money You’ve probably gotten emails screaming, “Make $1,000 a week working from home” or “Become a secret shopper.” It’s likely most of these are scams. But there are some legitimate companies that pay people to work in their pajamas in their living room or evaluate grocery store shelves as a mystery shopper. How do you find them? The website the Penny Hoarder has

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

done the research and helps people find real ways to make a little extra cash, as well as save money on cell phone service, credit cards and more. www.thepennyhoarder.com

middle school students. In her latest episode, she shares tips on accessorizing your wardrobe. http://hooplaha.com Sample Darla video: bit.ly/world_of_darla

Put a smile on your face

Personally tailored health assistance

According to the website HooplaHa, its mission is, “to make people smile as much as possible.” The site shares good news and inspirational stories, cute pictures and touching music. It also includes series of short web videos, including “The Wonderful World of Darla,” about a 77-year-old who says she’s proud to be called an eccentric. She plays in a kazoo and steel drum band, attends a belly dance class, and teaches Alzheimer’s awareness to

When Michael Arbitman lost his eyesight to a rare disease, his first question was “Now what do I do”? His family and friends looked online for answers to this question. Millions of results came up, some of them relevant, but most of them were for window blinds. It took him years to find out such useful facts as that Walmart and his local supermarket would give him a personal shopper to help him, or to discover sites that would help him find doctors, restaurants, software, cell phones and more. So Arbitman and a par tner created Imuneek.com (pronounced “I’munique”) to help connect people, organizations, doctors and support groups with news, events, hash tags and articles specific to particular medical conditions or disabilities, physical or mental. Users create accounts and sign in to connect with others who have the same condition and to locate assistance. Because the site is a start-up, he is soliciting donations on the site, but it is available to use for free. www.imuneek.com

Time travel to the 1930s and ‘40s Dig around on the Library of Congress website and you will find so many fascinating things. Case in point: the photograph collection of the Farm Security Administration, Office of War Information. The 175,000 black and white photos you can view form an extensive pictorial record of American life between 1935 and 1944. They document the waning days of

the Depression and the years leading up to World War II, including many photos of everyday life in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Far less extensive is the collection of rarer color photos from the period, but there are still 1,600 of them available. www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/fsa/

Report parking scofflaws It can be aggravating when able-bodied people park in spaces marked for people with disabilities. When you see a vehicle parked illegally in a handicap accessible space, launch the Parking Mobility app, take three photos and hit submit. The app will alert your city in less than two minutes, and the authorities will handle the matter. You can also share, find and suggest accessible parking locations anywhere in the world. Simply tap the map pin and you can quickly see that parking location’s details, including number of spots, rear or side accessibility, cost, etc. Parking Mobility app is available for iPhone and Android. Free.

Lost and found The GPS Phone Tracker uses your iPhone to see where your friends and family are in your city or across the globe when they too register for the app. The app is especially helpful for finding loved ones if they get lost. It maps their movements for the prior 24 hours, and can locate anyone within an accuracy of 30 feet. You can also attach photos to see various users you have linked with. GPS Phone Tracker, iPhone, free Do you have a favorite website or app that has made your life easier, helped you learn something new, or is just plain fun? Share it with the Beacon, and we may feature it in this column. Send a link or the name of the app, along with a short description, to info@thebeaconnewspapers.com

BEACON BITS

Sept 23+

LEARN HOW TO TWEET Howard Community College is offering introductory Twitter class-

es on Wednesdays, Sept. 23 through Oct. 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Gateway Campus, 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr., Columbia. Participants should bring a laptop computer, tablet or smart phone to class. Fee is $59. For more information, visit www.howardcc.edu/ConEd or call (443) 518-1700.

Ongoing

FREE ONLINE TECH COURSES The Howard County Library System is the first in the state to offer customers free access to lynda.com, an online education

portal with 3,600 courses focusing on technical skills, creative techniques and business strategies. To create an account, library patrons can go to lynda.com, click “log in,” select the organizational login tab, enter hclibrary.org and click the “go” button. Users will be prompted to enter their library card number and pin.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

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FREE OUTDOOR WI-FI IN ELLICOTT CITY provide free outdoor Wi-Fi, part of a larger plan to expand Wi-Fi

across the county. The Wi-Fi coverage will serve Main Street between the Baltimore County Line and Fels Lane. Because of the large amount of stone and brick construction in the historic district, the Wi-Fi signals will not be reliable indoors, and will not replace other business and residential services.

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❏ Fall Prevention Study (see ad on page 18) ❏ Parkinson’s Singing Study (see article on page 18)

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Health Study Volunteers

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❏ Alta at Regency Crest (see ad on page 14) ❏ Brooke Grove (see ads on pages 13 & 48) ❏ Brightview (see ad on page 3) ❏ Charlestown/Erickson Living (see ad on page 1) ❏ Country Gardens (see ad on page 34) ❏ Gatherings at Quarry Place (see ad on page 11) ❏ Heartlands (see ad on page 20) ❏ Homecrest House (see ad on page 35) ❏ Homewood at Willow Ponds (see ad on page 15) ❏ Ivy Manor Normandy (see ad on page 33) ❏ Park View at Colonial Landing (see ad on page 34) ❏ Park View at Columbia (see ad on page 34) ❏ Park View at Ellicott City (see ad on page 34) ❏ Park View at Emerson (see ad on page 34) ❏ Shriner Court (see ad on page 19) ❏ Somerford Place (see ad on page 20)

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Main Street in Ellicott City will become the first community to

Housing Communities

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Ongoing

For free materials on housing communities and health studies, just complete and clip this coupon and mail or fax it to the Beacon.

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Cooksville. Call (410) 313-5440 for more information

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on Friday, Sept. 18 and Tuesday, Oct. 13. The center is located at 2400 Route 97,

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class to bring you up to speed on Apple devices. The next classes are at 10 a.m.

★

Join Glenwood 50+ Center member Mike Vecera for an ongoing

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iPAD AND iPHONE CLASS

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Sept. 18+

FREE INFORMATION

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BEACON BITS

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I N F O R M AT I O N

Having access to and knowledge about a diverse number of treatment options sets pain management specialists apart from primary care physicians. “Those physicians do a great job, but because pain is all we treat, we’re able to prevent acute pain from an injury from becoming lifelong chronic pain. We can pinpoint a diagnosis beyond ‘back pain’ to use options like radiofrequency neurotomy or spinal cord stimulation to treat the problem, instead of

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Innovative treatments

procedures essential to their pain relief and healing. Perhaps that is the reason these therapies are on the rise among professional athletes, but also increasingly considered by the average pain patient, too. And these pain treatments aren’t just for injuries. Whittenberg said pain caused by “getting older” or “tired joints” shouldn’t be brushed aside. “Along with various treatments, pain management can help people with arthritis discover new and different forms of jointfriendly activity that promotes fitness and enjoyment without pain.” Before beginning any new pain treatment, consult your regular physician and get a second opinion to get a fuller picture of what options might be best for you, and to consider any drawbacks to the procedure.

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relief. “I slept in a recliner for six months because I couldn’t lie down in my bed,” she said. Intense bouts of blinding pain had Johnson taking several trips to the emergency department in search of relief. Her orthopedic surgeon also prescribed several combinations of pain killers and tried to dull the pain with steroid injections. “I didn’t like the drugged feeling pain pills caused,” Johnson said. She also wasn’t ready to have the back surgery her doctor recommended. “I have some health issues that could complicate surgery, and I was also concerned about spending a week in the hospital and several more in rehab.” A friend suggested Johnson consult Dr. Beverly Whittenberg, a Washington, D.C. pain management specialist. After a detailed consultation and history, Johnson received radiofrequency neurotomy — an outpatient procedure that delivers special radiofrequen-

only masking or dulling it with steroid injections and pain killers,” Whittenberg said. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) utilizes a small implanted device that transmits mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord to disrupt nerves’ ability to send pain signals through your body. Based on their pain levels and tolerance, patients can easily control the intensity and frequency of the impulses with a remote control. Among the most innovative advancements in pain management is the use of regenerative medicine therapies that stimulate your body’s own natural healing mechanisms using your own platelets and growth factors. In spite of these procedures being considered experimental and not covered by insurance, many patients consider these

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From page 5

cy needles along inflamed nerves responsible for chronic pain, with thermal energy applied to the nerve until it is deadened. “The good news is, treatment of pain can be precise and specialized,” said Whittenberg. “As a pain management specialist, I routinely use an array of innovative treatments to successfully treat pain and return people to their lives. And, these procedures are often covered by insurance and Medicare.” “I’m back to traveling and going to lunch. I’m a functioning human being again,” Johnson said.

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Chronic pain

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Health Fitness &

NEW BRAIN FINDING Recently discovered lymphatic system in the brain inspires new thinking WEIGHT-LOSS COUNSELING Counseling before and after weight-loss surgery leads to better results NATURAL PAIN RELIEF Ginger and other alternatives to ibuprofen help quell joint pain safely MUSIC THERAPY Parkinson’s patients needed for a study on singing and voice problems

Better sleep may lower Alzheimer’s risk By Lauran Neergaard To sleep, perchance to... ward off Alzheimer’s? New research suggests poor sleep may increase people’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease by spurring a brain-clogging gunk that, in turn, further interrupts shut-eye. Disrupted sleep may be one of the missing pieces in explaining how a hallmark of Alzheimer’s — a sticky protein called betaamyloid — starts its damage long before people have trouble with memory, researchers reported at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference recently. “It’s very clear that sleep disruption is an underappreciated factor,” said Dr. Matthew Walker of the University of California, Berkeley, who presented data linking amyloid levels with people’s sleep and memory performance. “It’s a new player on the scene that increases risk of Alzheimer’s disease.”

Sleep problems are treatable. A key next question is whether improving sleep can make a difference in protecting seniors’ brains. “Sleep is a modifiable factor. It’s a new treatment target,” Walker said. Enough sleep is important for good health generally — seven to eight hours a night are recommended for adults. When it comes to the brain, scientists have long known that people who don’t get enough sleep have trouble learning and focusing. And anyone who’s cared for someone with dementia knows the nightly wandering and other sleep disturbances that patients often suffer, long thought to be a consequence of the dying brain cells.

Preventing memories The new research suggests that sleep problems actually interact with some of

the disease processes involved in Alzheimer’s, and that those toxic proteins in turn affect the deep sleep that’s so important for memory formation. “It may be a vicious cycle,” said Dr. Miroslaw Mackiewicz of the National Institute on Aging, who wasn’t part of the new work. Walker’s team gave PET scans to 26 cognitively healthy volunteers in their 70s to measure build-up of that gunky amyloid. They were given words to memorize, and their brain waves were measured as they slept overnight. The more amyloid people harbored in a particular brain region, the less deep sleep they got — and the more they forgot overnight, Walker said. Their memories weren’t transferred properly from the brain’s short-term memory bank into

longer-term storage. What’s the risk over time? Two sleep studies tracked nearly 6,000 people over five years, and found those who had poor sleep quality — they tossed and turned and had a hard time falling asleep — were more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment: early memory problems that sometimes lead to Alzheimer’s, said Dr. Kristine Yaffe of the University of California, San Francisco.

Sleep apnea doubles risk Sleep apnea — brief interruptions of breathing that repeatedly awaken people without them realizing — caused a nearly two-fold increase in that risk, Yaffe said. She recommended that people at risk of Alzheimer’s be screened for sleep disorSee BETTER SLEEP, page 11

Chronic fatigue isn’t only in your head Researchers at the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health have identified distinct immune changes in patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome — known medically as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) or systemic exertion intolerance disease. The findings could help improve diagnosis and identify treatment options for the disabling disorder, in which symptoms range from extreme fatigue and difficulty concentrating to headaches and muscle pain. These immune signatures represent the first robust physical evidence that ME/CFS is a biological illness as opposed to a psychological disorder, as well as the first evidence that the disease has distinct stages. Results appear online in the new journal from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science Advances. With funding to support studies of immune and infectious mechanisms of disease from the Chronic Fatigue Initiative of the Hutchins Family Foundation, the researchers used immunoassay testing methods to determine the levels of 51 immune biomarkers in blood plasma samples collected through two multicenter studies. They represented a total of 298 ME/CFS patients and 348 healthy controls. They found specific patterns in patients

who’d had the disease for three years or less that were not present in controls or in patients who’d had CFS for more than three years. Short-duration patients had increased amounts of many different types of immune molecules called cytokines.

Associated with viral illnesses The association was unusually strong with a cytokine called interferon gamma that’s been linked to the fatigue that follows infection with many viruses, including the Epstein-Barr virus (the cause of infectious mononucleosis). Cytokine levels were not explained by symptom severity. “We now have evidence confirming what millions of people with this disease already know — that ME/CFS isn’t psychological,” said lead author Mady Hornig, M.D., director of translational research at the Center for Infection and Immunity and associate professor of epidemiology at Columbia’s Mailman School. “Our results should accelerate the process of establishing the diagnosis after individuals first fall ill, as well as discovery of new treatment strategies focusing on these early blood markers.” There are already human monoclonal antibodies on the market that can dampen levels of a cytokine called interleukin-17A, which is among those the study shows

were elevated in early-stage patients. Before any drugs can be tested in a clinical trial, Dr. Hornig and colleagues hope to replicate the current, cross-sectional results in a longitudinal study that follows patients for a year to see how cytokine levels, including interleukin-17A, differ within individual patients over time, depending on how long they have had the disease.

Immune response won’t stop The study supports the idea that ME/CFS may reflect an infectious “hit-and-run” event. Patients often report getting sick, sometimes from something as common as infectious mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus), and never fully recovering. The current research suggests that these infections throw a wrench in the immune system’s ability to quiet itself after the acute infection. People don’t return to a homeostatic balance; their immune response becomes like a car stuck in high gear. “It appears that ME/CFS patients are flush with cytokines until around the three-year mark, at which point the immune system shows evidence of exhaustion and cytokine levels drop,” said Dr. Hornig. “Early diagnosis may provide unique opportunities for treatment that likely differ from those that would be appropriate in later phases of the illness.”

The investigators went to great lengths to carefully screen participants to make sure they had the disease. The researchers also recruited greater numbers of patients whose diagnosis was of relatively recent onset. Patients’ stress levels were standardized as well. Before each blood draw, patients were asked to complete standardized paperwork, in part to engender fatigue. The scientists also controlled for factors known to affect the immune system, including the time of day, season and geographic location where the samples were taken, as well as age, gender and ethnicity/race. “This study delivers what has eluded us for so long: unequivocal evidence of immunological dysfunction in ME/CFS and diagnostic biomarkers for the disease,” said Dr. Lipkin, senior author of the current study and the John Snow Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia’s Mailman School. “The question we are trying to address in a parallel microbiome project is what triggers this dysfunction.” WhatDoctorsKnow is a magazine devoted to up-to-the minute information on health issues from physicians, major hospitals and clinics, universities and health care agencies across the U.S. Online at www.whatdoctorsknow.com. © 2015 Whatdoctorsknow.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

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Better sleep From page 10 ders, especially apnea, for which there are effective treatments. “There’s a lot of evidence that we need to pay more attention” to sleep in seniors, she said. Animal studies give clues to the biology behind these changes. Dr. David Holtzman of Washington University in St. Louis reported a series of mice experiments that found amyloid production is highest during waking hours and lowest during deep sleep. Depriving mice of sleep spurred toxic amyloid build-up and, intriguingly, once those deposits began, the mice stayed awake longer on their own. Holtzman also checked Alzheimer’s other bad actor — the protein tau that forms tangles in the brain — and found the same effect on deep sleep. Another hint came a few years ago, when University of Rochester scientists reported that the brain uses sleep to flush out toxic debris. They injected mice brains with amyloid and watched it clear faster while they slept. The work comes as researchers hunt ways to prevent a coming wave of Alzheimer’s as the population ages, driven by the baby boomer generation that begins turning 70 next year. More than 5 million Americans already have Alzheimer’s, a num-

ber expected to more than double by 2050. Changes that lead to Alzheimer’s can begin 20 years before memory lapses, and scientists are studying drugs in people at high risk in hopes of finding preventive treatment. But so far, lifestyle changes are the main recommendation, and starting early seems important. Yaffe also reported that younger adults who get little physical activity have worse cognitive functioning by middle age. In Sweden, Karolinska Institute researchers tracked down seniors’ long-ago report cards to find that school performance at age 9 or 10 predicted who was already building a better “cognitive reserve” to guard against later-in-life decline. “There are lots of risk factors we might be able to change. Sleep is one,” said Alzheimer’s Association chief science officer Maria Carrillo. Together, she said, the new research emphasizes how “sleep is critical as we age.” — AP

BEACON BITS

Sept. 29

ALL ABOUT EYE DISEASES

The Bain Center’s low-vision group will host a lecture titled “The ABC’s of Age-related Eye Disease” with ophthalmologist Dr. Vanessa Lima from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29. The Bain Center is located at 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia. Call Elaine at (410) 313-7213 to register by Sept. 22.

Oct. 5+

“ROCK YOUR JEANS” WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE

An eight-week training program sponsored by the Columbia Association to inspire people to drop two jean sizes in less than two months kicks off on Monday, Oct. 5 and runs through Saturday, Nov. 28. The program, which is set up for two-person teams, will be offered at the Columbia Association’s three fitness facilities: Columbia Athletic Club, 5435 Beaverkill Rd., Harper’s Choice; Columbia Gym, 6151 Daylong Ln., River Hill; and Supreme Sports Club, 7080 Deepage Dr., in east Columbia. Fees begin at $299 for Columbia Association Package Plan Plus members, to $399 for nonmembers. Registration is available online at ColumbiaAssociation.org/RockYourJeans, by emailing Jennifer.Medillin@ColumbiaAssociation.org or by visiting the Columbia Athletic Club, Columbia Gym, or Supreme Sports Club.

Take a vacation without leaving your community.

BEACON BITS

Sept. 26

DROP OFF UNNEEDED MEDS FOR DISPOSAL

HC DrugFree is partnering with the Howard County Police Department for National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to pills and liquid medications, needles, syringes and EpiPens can also be dropped off. A special collection site for the day is at the HC DrugFree office in the Wilde Lake Village Center, 10400 Cross Fox Ln., Columbia. Unwanted medications can also be taken to one of three permanent drop off locations open daily year-round. Go to www.hcdrugfree.org/drug-take-backday for a list of the permanent collection sites. For more information, call (443) 325-0040.

Sept. 17

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

The next meeting of the Man 2 Man Prostate Support group will be held on Thursday, Sept. 17 from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. at the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia. The group meets the third Thursday of each month, from September through June. For more information, email the facilitator, Gary Scher, at gscher@howardcountymd.gov or call (202) 253-1025.

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Health Shorts Lymphatic system found in the brain Finnish researchers report a surprising finding that challenges current anatomy textbook knowledge: Linings of the brain have a lymphatic vessel network that has direct connections to the systemic lymphatic network elsewhere in the body.

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Lymphatic circulation forms a network that covers almost the whole body and is especially important to the clearance of fluids from tissues as well as for immune defense mechanisms. Until now, the central nervous system was considered not to be part of the lymphatic system. “We were stunned to find such an extensive network in connection to the brain. This incredible finding completely changes our understanding of how to brain is cleared of excess fluid, and gives a chance to look at brain diseases from a completely new angle,” said Aleksanteri Aspelund, a researcher at

the Wihuri Research Institute and the University of Helsinki. The findings were published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine. Researchers say that lymphatic clearance of the brain is important in many neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. How did the lymphatic vessels manage to escape notice until now? “Lymphatic vessels are collapsed structures, and if one does not know how to look for them, they cannot be found. Although we had already found the vessels, it took some time to develop good imaging methods to visualize these vessels, said medical student Salli Antila, who has also been working with the project. — University of Helsinki

Stomach-filling balloon for weight loss Federal health regulators have approved an inflatable medical balloon that aids weight loss by filling up space in the stomach. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared Reshape Medical's balloon as another option for millions of obese Americans who have been unable to lose weight via more traditional methods. The balloon is inserted into the stomach using an endoscope and then filled with

saline solution. Patients are sedated during the procedure, which takes less than 30 minutes, according to an FDA release. The FDA previously approved another balloon device for weight loss, but it was withdrawn in 1992 due to a safety issue. “The new device aims to address the design failings of the earlier device,” said FDA spokeswoman Deborah Kotz, in an emailed statement. The balloon is approved for obese adults with a BMI between 30 and 40 who have at least one complicating condition and have been unable to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. In company trials, patients treated with the balloon lost about 7 percent of their total body weight over six months, compared with 3.3 percent weight loss in patients who didn't get the balloon. But six months after the devices' removal, patients in the balloon group regained about onethird of the weight they had lost. The effect seen with the balloon is smaller than that associated with gastric banding — a stomach-shrinking technique that limits food intake, but can cause esophagus irritation, infection and vomiting, in some cases. Patients can lose as much as 17 percent of their total body weight with banding devices, such as the LAP-Band, although about 20 percent of patients regain nearly all the weight within three years. More effective is gastric bypass surgery, a See HEALTH SHORTS, page 15

Special Reader Offer By Sam Potter

IF YOU suffer from low back pain and sciatica you are one of over 30 million adults in the US with this often crippling spinal condition. Shooting, stabbing and burning pains from the low back, sometimes with additional pain through the buttocks and down the legs are all symptoms of a pinched nerves often called “sciatica.” In severe cases, it can lead to muscle wasting, numbness and constant tingling down to the tip of the toes. Left untreated, the intense pain can rapidly wear you down and drain the joy out of life. That is, until now... Recent advances in the treatment of sciatica and lower back pain have led to the development and huge success of Non-Surgical ReConstructive Spinal Care. The excellent results of this treatment have been published in major medical journals. With success rates as high as 90%, some back surgeons are recommending their patients try this treatment first before having back surgery. In Ellicott City, you can try NonSurgical Re- Constructive Spinal Care at World Class Chiropractic the office of low back pain and sciatica relief expert Dr. Steve Silverston. Dr. Steve and his team of trained spinal care specialists have helped over 2,000 patients find relief from their agonising back pain and sciatica. According to Dr. Steve, “We use a combination of ultra-advanced

Breakthrough Relief for Back Pain and Sciatica

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help readers find relief from their persistent back and sciatic pain. All you have to do to receive a thorough diagnostic examination and a comprehensive easy to understand report on your state of health is call (410)461.3435. Mention this article (CODE: 95TB2) and you can schedule your evaluation and consultation exam with Dr. Steve for JUST $95, this includes comprehensive X-Rays of your spine. But hurry, due to obvious reasons - this is a time limited offer - with only 100 reader consultations available at this exclusively discounted rate. My advice, don’t suffer a moment longer. Find out if Non-Surgical ReConstructive Spinal Care can help you, book a consultation with Dr. Steve and his team now by calling (410)461-3435, they are waiting to take your call today. They actually treat the cause of your health problem, not just your symptoms. That’s why hundreds of grateful patients tell them “You gave me back my life!” Over the years, they’ve treated thousands of patients with back problems and sciatica. The vast majority of them have enjoyed superior, lasting relief. In fact, many

who’ve suffered and have tried other remedies have told them they gave them back their lives! Call them now and get a full thorough examination and comprehensive X-Rays to pinpoint the cause of your problem for just $95, elsewhere the normal cost of such an exam can range from $195—$495. Don’t suffer from the pain and immobility any longer. Discover the natural treatment that can eliminate the cause of your problem and give you the safe, lasting relief you deserve. Call them now, (410)461-3435 and cut out or tear off this valuable article now and take it to your appointment. You’ll be entitled to a comprehensive examination to diagnose the cause of your problem – and you’ll be on your way to safe, lasting relief! Don’t delay your important diagnosis and treatment another moment! You can even call on the weekend and leave a message on their answering machine to secure your spot as they promise to return all calls; and during the week they are very busy, so if they don’t pick up straight away do leave a message. For obvious reasons they can’t help everyone at this reduced price, so please call soon to secure your special opportunity.

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

October 2015

UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTS at Brooke Grove retirement village

As an expert in senior care and memory support, Brooke Grove Retirement Village is pleased to offer seminars and events that promote physical, spiritual and mental well-being. All seminarss and will be held at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation Center, a d events vee ts wil ilitation ti andd Nursing ur located Road on the Brooke G Grove Retirement Village Campus. te aat 18131 Slade School oo R m us Please register with Toni D Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org. 38 Rightsizing Seminar: What to do with your stuff October 1, 2-3 p.m.

Assisted living open house October 8, 10 a.m. -12 noon

Gain tips and ideas for efficiently sorting through the contents of your home to prepare for your next move. A simple decisionmaking model will help you decide what to gift, sell, donate, recycle or throw away. FREE. Register by September 29.

Explore our residential-style homes and gardens. Discover our innovative approach and programs designed to stimulate memory. Meet our staff, trained in assisting those with Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and memory loss. Enjoy our 220-acre campus and live-in pets. FREE. RSVP by October 5.

Living Well Seminar: Keeping seniors safe October 7, 6:30-8 p.m.

Support for the Caregiver Seminar: When is it time to ask for help? October 13, 2-3 p.m.

Explore physical safety issues such as home safety, safe shopping habits and emergency preparedness. Light complimentary dinner at 6:30 p.m. Seminar begins at 7 p.m. FREE. Register by October 5.

Learn to recognize when the time has arrived to ask for help and explore the many ways in which to find proper support. FREE. Register by October 12.

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 301-260-2320 www.bgf.org

Independent living assisted living rehabilitation long-term care memory support

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Counseling for weight-loss surgery can help By Karen Grothe Dear Mayo Clinic: I decided to have bariatric surgery, but was told that I first need to go through counseling. What will those sessions involve, and would counseling really improve my chances of the surgery being successful? Answer: Before you have weight-loss surgery, it’s important to understand what to expect and to prepare yourself, physically and mentally, for what’s ahead. Working

with a counselor for several months prior to the procedure can help set you up for long-term success following surgery. “Bariatric surgery” is a broad term used to describe all types of weight-loss surgery — including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, placement of an adjustable gastric band, and a procedure known as a duodenal switch, among others. Although the techniques used in each vary, all are considered major procedures that carry serious risks and have side ef-

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October Meeting

fects. Going through counseling beforehand can help determine if having such surgery is the best choice for you. Weight-loss surgery changes the body’s anatomy and biology in a way that helps people lose weight. In many ways, however, the long-term outcome of any bariatric surgery depends less on those changes than it does on changes in a person’s behaviors and lifestyle.

Counseling before surgery In preparation for surgery, you’ll work with a counselor who specializes in helping people prepare for weight-loss surgery. He or she can identify and assess risk factors that could make it hard for you to make the lifestyle changes you need to in order to lose weight and keep it off long-term. In most cases, the sessions before surgery include a weight-loss component. In fact, many insurance companies now require a medical weight-loss program before they’ll approve payment for bariatric surgery. For many people, difficulty managing their weight is the result of problematic eating or activity habits — like skipping meals or evening snacking. Working with a counselor can help you change such habits, decrease emotional eating, self-monitor your eating and activity patterns, and find ways to stay motivated for healthy lifestyle changes. Counseling sessions before surgery also can help improve mood, manage substance use, and teach stress management techniques so you’re better equipped to handle the surgery and maintain a healthy lifestyle afterward. Counseling sessions before bariatric surgery may be conducted one-on-one, or you may be part of a group preparing for surgery together. Many people find group sessions quite useful, giving them an op-

portunity to connect with others facing similar circumstances and share ideas.

Follow-up support Some healthcare organizations, including Mayo Clinic, offer follow-up counseling sessions to help keep people on track after bariatric surgery, as well as to catch any problems or complications that arise. These sessions would also provide an opportunity for you to learn more about support services and healthy living resources in your community. Research shows that about 70 to 80 percent of people who have bariatric surgery are successful at losing weight and keeping it off for five years after gastric bypass surgery. However, the stress and busyness of life can sometimes make long-term weight loss difficult. Over time, you may notice that you’re slipping back into eating and lifestyle habits that are not healthy. Staying in touch with your healthcare providers after surgery, or seeking help if you start to notice that you’re reverting to old habits, can help refocus your efforts and keep you healthy. For many people, working with a counselor before and after bariatric surgery is extremely helpful. Talk to your healthcare provider about counseling options. Going through this process can be an excellent way to set the stage for weight-loss success. — Karen Grothe, Ph.D., Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to MayoClinicQ&A @mayo.edu. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org. © 2015 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2015 Time: 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Location: Ellicott City Health and Rehabilitation Center 3000 North Ridge Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043

Topic: Technology for Older Adults Speaker(s): Representative(s) from Health Trends

Go to www.cogsmd.org for more information Or learn more by calling (410) 997-0610. Thank you to our 2015 Executive Members PLaTinuM MeMbeRS Howard County General Hospital – A Member of Johns Hopkins Medicine The Beacon Newspapers GOLD MeMbeRS Being There Senior Care, LLC • Howard County Oﬃce on Aging SiLveR MeMbeRS Brooke Grove Retirement Village • Deborah L. Herman, CPA Ellicott City Healthcare Center • Home Call of Maryland • Oasis Senior Advisors The Bob Lucido Team of Keller Williams Select Realtors

bROnze MeMbeRS Brighton Gardens of Columbia • Earl Wilkinson, M.D. (ENT) • Gentiva Health Services Homewatch Caregivers • Integrace Copper Ridge • Lighthouse Senior Living at Ellicott City Paladin Advisor Group • Professional Healthcare Resources, Inc.

PaTROn MeMbeRS Alzheimer’s Association – Greater MD Chapter • Freedom Mobility • Genesis SelectCare Home Instead Senior Care • Home With You Senior Care, LLC Ivy Manor Normandy, Inc. • Let’s Move, LLC • Luba Services, Inc. • Neighbor Ride, Inc. New Life Assisted Living • Right At Home In-Home Care & Assistance • Visiting Angels

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

Health shorts From page 12 permanent procedure in which a small pouch is stapled off from the rest of the stomach and connected to the small intestine. Studies of that technique show patients typically lose about 30 percent of their weight. [For more on this topic, see "Counseling for weight-loss surgery can help" on page 14.] — AP

Stronger warnings for pain relievers Federal health regulators are bolstering warning labels for popular pain relievers, adding information about the risk of heart attack and stroke in the short term. The changes apply to prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammator y dr ugs, or NSAIDs, including arthritis treatments like Celebrex. The agency said it plans similar changes to over-the-counter drugs in the same class, such as Advil and Motrin. Language on the pills currently warns that they can increase the risk of heart-related problems if used long term.

However, the FDA's new warning states that heart attacks and strokes can occur in the first few weeks of taking the drugs. The agency also warns that the risks increase with higher doses of the drugs. The updates are based on an FDA review of recent studies and recommendations by outside advisers. “In general, patients with heart disease or risk factors for it have a greater likelihood of heart attack or stroke,” the agency noted in the announcement. The labeling change is the latest step in the FDA's ongoing safety review of the drugs, which stretches back to 2004. That's when Merck & Co Inc. pulled its blockbuster pain reliever Vioxx off the market because of links to heart attack and stroke. In 2005, the agency added boxed warnings to all prescription NSAIDS, including Pfizer's Celebrex and high-dose versions of ibuprofen and naproxen. Celebrex is the only drug from the same class as Vioxx that remains on the market. Prescription NSAIDs are generally used for long-term chronic pain conditions like arthritis. The agency also added similar warnings to lower-dose, over-the-counter NSAIDs like Aleve and Advil. Those drugs currently warn

patients to take the lowest dose possible for as short a period as possible. They are not intended to be used for pain longer than 10 days, according to their labels.

[For more on this topic, see our Dear Pharmacist column, "Natural joint pain relief, without ibuprofen," on page 17.] — AP

BEACON BITS

Sept. 14+

AUDITIONS FOR FABULOUS 50+ PLAYERS Auditions for the Fabulous 50+ Players production of With Love

from Broadway will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14 and Monday, Sept. 21 at the Howard County Center for the Arts, 8510 High Ridge Rd., Ellicott City. The show will be performed at county senior centers in November and December. The troupe is open to anyone age 50 or older, with singers, actors and dancers ranging in experience from novice to professional. For more information, call (410) 313-2787 or email info@hocoarts.org.

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.” — J. Fitzgerald, VA

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

Natural joint pain relief, without ibuprofen Many people have aches and pains that cause of pain, and even if you can’t, I still require ibuprofen, and no one would be- recommend natural inflammation fighters grudge you for taking this pill over NSAIDS (nonsteroidal for an acute migraine or seanti-inflammatory drugs) like vere pre-menstrual cramps. ibuprofen. I’ve been asked if I believe According to Medline Plus, in ibuprofen and I do, but only “NSAIDs such as ibuprofen for occasional use. I’ve even may cause ulcers, bleeding or recommended a 200 mg. holes in the stomach or intestablet of ibuprofen be taken tine. These problems may dealong with a cup of coffee (to velop at any time during treatenhance effect). But that’s ment, may happen without only for a select type of warning symptoms, and may DEAR headache pain, or for mild cause death. PHARMACIST post-operative pain. “The risk may be higher for By Suzy Cohen Sounds crazy but combinpeople who take NSAIDs for a ing caffeine with ibuprofen long time, are older in age, can provide pain relief better than the have poor health, or who drink three or ibuprofen alone. A recent article dis- more alcoholic drinks per day while taking cussing this was just published in The ibuprofen. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews “If you experience any of the following (July 2015). symptoms, stop taking ibuprofen and call But I definitely don’t recommend chron- your doctor: stomach pain, heartburn, ic, daily intake of ibuprofen because a) it vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee masks the pain, and b) it can be harmful grounds, blood in the stool, or black and long term. It’s better to find the underlying tarry stools.”

BEACON BITS

Sept. 19

FREE AQUA FUSION 101 CLASS

A free class on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 3:45 p.m. features Aqua Fusion, combining elements of Pilates, barre, yoga and tai chi. It will be held at Haven on the Lake, 10275 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. Preregistration required by calling (410) 715-3020. For more details, visit HavenontheLake.org/Haven101.

Sept. 24

EXPLORE LAKE KITTAMAQUNDI

The Columbia Association’s program Exploring Columbia by Foot will focus on “enhancing human connectivity as Columbia grows” in a walk along Lake Kittamaqundi scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24 at 10 a.m., beginning at the People Tree at Lakefront Plaza, 10221 Wincopin Circle. Registration is encouraged by emailing Open.Space@ColumbiaAssociation.org or calling (410) 312-6330.

Safer alternatives exist NSAIDs reduce inflammation by suppressing an enzyme in your body called cyclooxygenase-2 or COX-2. But they also inadvertently block COX-1 enzyme, which is needed for a healthy stomach lining. This is why NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen and others can cause gastritis, and even a bleeding ulcer. Here are two safer choices for you: Boswella: It’s also known as frankincense, and it’s a 5-LOX (5-lipoxygenase) inhibitor. This reduces leukotrienes which are involved in inflammation, asthma and allergies. Another compound in boswellia, called incensole acetate, blocks NF-Kappa B, which would otherwise pour out tons of pain-causing cytokines. This compound acts like an anti-anxiety and antidepressant pill. Boswellia also reduces interferon gamma (IFN-g), another pro-inflammatory cytokine. Honestly, boswellia is kind of awesome! Ginger: We know this helps with nau-

sea and vomiting, but it’s also a strong antiinflammatory herb, capable of reducing pain-causing compounds such as TNF , COX 2 (just like Celebrex), and 5-LOX. As an added benefit, compounds in ginger target and kill H. pylori, the bug most famous for stomach ulcers, but also involved in rheumatoid arthritis. Hyaluronic acid: I am not referring to injectable Restylane or Juvederm for wrinkles! I’m referring to natural supplements of this, which can “lube” your joints. Arthritic joints are often extremely deficient in hyaluronic acid, which makes the cartilage less squishy. Supplements may help. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

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Health Studies Page

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Can singing help Parkinson’s patients? The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Peabody Institute have joined forces in a new initiative, called the Johns Hopkins Center for Music and Medicine. The mission of the new center is to bring music and medicine together for two purposes: to involve music and rhythm in the treatment of illness, and to improve the

health of musicians worldwide. The center is co-directed by Dr. Alexander Pantelyat, assistant professor of neurology at the School of Medicine, and Dr. Serap Bastepe-Gray, director of the Peabody Institute guitar ensemble program. The center’s participating faculty from multiple departments in the School of

Seeking Men and Women The University of Maryland & Veterans Aﬀairs of Baltimore are conducting a research study to better understand balance & prevent falls as we age. With your participation you will receive: • Health evaluation • Balance, step, strength, and/or ﬂexibility exercises • Compensation for your time

For information, please call the baltimore va/university of Maryland Gerontology Recruitment Phone Line

410-605-7179 Mention code: LiFT *You must be at least 65 years old and in good health *Participants will be seen at the Baltimore VA Medical Center and University of Maryland School of Medicine for approximately 41 visits for 1 to 4 hours of time per visit

Medicine and Peabody Institute seek to achieve their goals in several ways: • by developing music and rhythmbased interventions that improve quality of life and help slow the course of a number of diseases — including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, stroke and autism, • by working to discover and treat the underlying causes of disorders affecting musicians, and • by exploring neural mechanisms underlying the perception of music in health and disease.

Voice problems in Parkinson’s Several studies are already recruiting participants, including the Parkinsonics trial for voice-related and quality of life outcomes in Parkinson disease. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. It affects at least 1 million people in the United States (5 million people worldwide), most commonly striking people 60 and older. Because the general population is aging and there are no current medications to prevent Parkinson’s, its prevalence is predicted to skyrocket over the next 30 years. While the classic symptoms of the condition include tremor, loss of fine motor coordination, muscle stiffness and walking/balance difficulty, patients often experience significant impairment in their quality of life due to a number of other symptoms. Speech volume and clarity are frequent-

ly impaired, limiting and frustrating communication, and adding to what is frequently a growing sense of isolation from others and the world at large. The established intervention for voice impairment in Parkinson’s disease is called the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment — an intensive speech therapy program that requires a significant initial time commitment. Furthermore, the exercises learned in this program must be practiced continuously in order to maintain benefit, and many patients find it difficult to motivate themselves to continue performing the exercises as the disease progresses. Choir-based singing involves exercising the muscles involved in speech production, and the establishment of Parkinson disease choirs around the world in recent years suggests that patients are deriving some benefits from choir singing. However, several existing trials intended to assess the effects of singing on voice quality in Parkinson’s disease have been inconclusive and limited by several design flaws.

Study seeks volunteers The Johns Hopkins Parkinsonics trial, led by Pantelyat, aims to study the effects of group singing on voice, movement, mood, memory, and both voice-related and overall quality of life. Because it is important to control for the social interaction aspect of group singing See PARKINSON’S, page 19

BEACON BITS

Oct. 2

COUNTRY SINGER AT RAILROAD BENEFIT

Country singer Maggie Thorn will perform at a benefit for the B&O Museum on Friday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. at the St. Paul Catholic Church Dohony Hall, 3755 St. Paul St., Ellicott City. Proceeds from ticket sales will go toward funding the museum’s restoration of the Ellicott City Station’s 1927 caboose. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. To purchase advance tickets, visit www.borail.org or call the B&O Railroad Museum Store at (410) 752-2490.

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

Parkinson’s From page 18 (that is, to evaluate whether any benefits derived from singing relate to the singing itself, as opposed to the social interaction of being in a group setting), the trial will include a control group that will not sing, but rather will participate in a facilitated discussion of topics relevant to Parkinson disease.

Approximately 20 participants with Parkinson’s disease will take part in 12 weekly choir rehearsals, each lasting about one hour. At the same time, about 20 participants will meet for the support group discussion. The participants will then switch groups and participate in the other part of the study for a total of 24 weeks. Before starting the trial — and at six other times during the 48-week study —

BEACON BITS

Oct. 28

HOWIE AWARD NOMINATIONS The Howard County Arts Council is seeking nominees for its annu-

participants will be asked to complete tests of speech, movement and function, as well as self-report about mood, efficacy of participating in the choir and support group, and quality of life. In the choral music part of the study, after an initial orientation, patients will participate in weekly rehearsals leading up to a group performance. Choir participants do not need to be able to read music or have any prior musical experience. Audio recordings will be provided, so participants will be able to learn the music entirely by ear. The choir will sing a variety of music —

including American standards, folk, blues, pop songs and group requests. The study is currently recruiting up to 40 patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic (unknown origin) Parkinson’s disease. Caregivers are welcome to attend. The location and timing of the weekly rehearsals have not yet been determined, but rehearsal space will be accessible with easy parking and near public transportation. For information, contact Becky Dunlop, RN, research coordinator, at rdunlop@ jhmi.edu or (410) 955-8795, or Aathman Swaminathan, research assistant at aswamin2@jhmi.edu.

al recognition of individuals and businesses that have made significant contributions to the arts in Howard County. Nomination forms are available at www.hocoarts.org, by calling (410) 313-2787, or by visiting the council headquarters at the Howard County Center for the Arts, 8510 High Ridge Rd., Ellicott City. The nomination deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 28. The awards will be present-

Discover Great Senior Living at our Aﬀordable Community

ed at the Celebration of the Arts in Howard County next March.

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Feathers and Fur” at the Artists’ Gallery in Columbia. A reception for the artists will be held on Oct. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. The gallery, located in the American City

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Building at 10227 Wincopin Circle, is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.artistsgallerycolumbia.com or call (410) 749-8249.

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screen. The “buttons” on the screen are easy to see and easy to understand. All you do is touch one of them, from the Web, Email, Calendar to Games– you name it… and a new screen opens up. It’s so easy to use you won’t have to ask your children or grandchildren for help. Until now, the very people who could benefit most from E-mail and the Internet are the ones that have had the hardest time accessing it. Now, thanks to the WOW Computer, countless older Americans are discovering the wonderful world of the Internet every day. Isn’t it time you took part? Call now, and a patient, knowledgeable product expert will tell you how you can try it in your home for 30 days. If you are not totally satisfied, simply return it within 30 days for a refund of the product purchase price. Call today.

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

The

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Senior

NEWS and EVENTS from the Howard County Office on Aging

Connection

Department of Citizen Services

A Message from

Allan H. Kittleman Howard County Executive

ver the past year, we have been involved with planning to accommodate the growth of the older adult population in Howard County over the next 20 years. A vision has emerged of an age-friendly community where older adults comfortably age in place and residents of all ages have the resources they need to grow, thrive and live with dignity. Achieving this vision will take the collective efforts of committed individuals, organizations and businesses throughout the community. The 50+EXPO, coordinated by the Office on Aging each year in October, is a great example of how public and private partners, government, nonprofit, business and faith organizations are already working together to create an environment that is relevant across the lifespan of all Howard County citizens. Whether you need assistance now for yourself or an aging relative, or want to investigate options for the future, you are likely to find the resources you need at the 50+EXPO. I hope to see you there!

A Message from

Starr P. Sowers Administrator, Office on Aging

t is hard to believe that this is the 17th annual 50+EXPO! What we designed and created so many years ago has become a tremendously popular community event for all ages. Over the years, we have welcomed many new public and private sector partners, and we will continue to build new collaborations as we build an age-friendly community together. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the hard work and commitment of the Office on Aging staff, the generous support of our sponsors, and the enthusiasm of our volunteers. This year, the 50+EXPO features 168 exhibitors and vendors, making it easier for you to find the information and resources you need to meet today’s needs and prepare for tomorrow’s challenges. While you are there, be sure to pick up a free copy of the new 2016 Howard County Resource Guide. For the full event schedule, visit us at www.howardcountyaging.org/50plusexpo.

Volume 5, No. 10 • October 2015

Explore Age-Friendly Community Options at the 50+EXPO Join us at the 50+EXPO on Friday, October 16, at Wilde Lake High School as we explore ways to make Howard County a healthy, vital and welcoming community for all ages. Begin your day listening to a keynote address by Nancy Z. Henkin, Ph.D., founder and former executive director of the Intergenerational Center at Temple University, who will share her perspective on creating a community for all ages, one which views aging as a lifelong journey rather than a time–related event.

NEW! $1.00 ADMISSION FEE TO EXPO REMINDER NOTICE — The $1 admission fee will be collected as you board the free 50+EXPO shuttle bus at The Mall in Columbia (or at the door). All proceeds will benefit the Vivian L. Reid Community Fund to provide emergency financial assistance to older adults in Howard County. Recognizing generational commonalities and differences, Dr. Henkin envisions a community based on a sense of collective rather than individual responsibility for the health and well-being of individuals of all ages. Strong social networks, opportunities for community engagement and lifelong learning, housing and transportation options that address changing needs, high-quality support services, and a physical environment that promotes healthy living are all characteristics of an age-friendly community. Building on Dr. Henkin’s theme of an age-friendly community, more than 168 vendors and exhibitors will be onsite at the 50+EXPO to share information about local programs, products and services which are readily available to help you live a healthy and vital life in Howard County today and plan for the years to come. New this year, the Focus on Fitness area will help you identify options to boost your physical health, based on your individual needs. To assess your current fitness level, you will complete a series of basic activities — such as getting up from a chair, lifting and stretching — to measure strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance. The free testing is performed by Certified Fitness Instructors and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Each participant will receive an individualized Continued on next page

The Senior Connection

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New! Office on Aging 2016 Resource Guide The 2016 edition of Howard’s County’s Resource Guide will make its debut at the 50+EXPO. All attendees will receive a copy of the 2016 Resource Guide AND a FREE re-useable tote bag! Additional copies of the Resource Guide are available at the Howard County Office on Aging, any of our 50+ centers, and libraries. Or, call Maryland Access Point at 410-313-5980 to have one sent to you. Visit the Office on Aging booth on MAIN STREET at the 50+EXPO to learn more about the many services and assistance offered by Maryland Access Point (MAP).

Do You Enjoying Meeting New People or Trying New Things? Be a Howard County Volunteer! Register online today! The Howard County Office on Aging has launched a new volunteer website, www.hocovolunteer.org, which lists all current volunteer opportunities within the Office on Aging, as well as others throughout Howard County. If you are interested in volunteering, please take a moment to register on the site. Once you register, you will have access to all current volunteer opportunities for the Howard County Department of Citizen Services and the Office on Aging, as well as Howard County Recreation and Parks, and Howard County’s Office of Community Sustainability. You’ll also be able to track your volunteer hours online as you complete an assignment. Visit www.hocovolunteer.org to register today!

CONSUMER PROTECTION We’ve got you covered.

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Age-Friendly Options at 50+EXPO Continued from previous page fitness report and information about opportunities to stay active at Howard County’s 50+ Centers. A series of 50 minute seminars will also be offered throughout the day, focusing on topics from financial fitness and consumer education to personal safety and stress reduction. Here is an overview to help you plan your day: Don’t Get Scammed • 2nd floor, Room 220, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Rebecca Bowman, Administrator, Howard County Office of Consumer Affairs, will discuss how to avoid becoming a victim of a scam, whether on the phone, at your door, online or at the store. Be On Guard, It’s Not Hard • 2nd floor, Room 222, 11 a.m. Lt. Troy Bailey of the Howard County Police Department will show you how to be more aware of your surroundings and how to protect yourself if the need arises. So Hard to Discard! • 2nd floor, Room 222, 1 p.m. Learn why people have difficulty letting go of their possessions and develop a plan to reduce the clutter in your home, with help from Elspeth Bell, licensed psychologist, of Elspeth Bell, Ph.D., LLC. Remembering When • 2nd floor, Room 237, noon Brian Proctor, master firefighter/paramedic and public education specialist with Howard County Fire & Rescue shares practical fire safety and fall prevention tips. Financial Sense and Legal Basics: What to Consider When Planning For Retirement • 2nd floor, Room 237, 2 p.m. Discover retirement planning strategies from a financial and legal perspective with Michael W. Davis, ESQ, managing partner and attorney, Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC, and Rosa Scharf, senior vice president, Howard Bank. Caregiving: From Stress to Success • 2nd floor, Room 238, noon Explore how communication and behaviors can work together to result in a successful caregiving experience, and learn how to make time for yourself as a caregiver; led by Yolanda Wright, MSW, LCSW, early stage and support group coordinator, Alzheimer’s Association. Stress: What’s the Alternative? • 2nd floor, Room 238, 2 p.m. Learn skills to let stress and tension become your best teachers for living well, with Jade Connelly-Duggan, M.Ac., L.Ac., Director, WisdomWell Family Acupuncture and Wellness. Round out your day at the EXPO by enjoying one of the many entertainment options in the 50+ Café while you grab a quick, healthy lunch, or check out one of two free performances by the Capitol Steps at noon and 2 p.m. in the James Rouse Theatre.

For a full schedule of the day’s activities, visit us online at www.howardcountyaging.org/50plusexpo.

The Senior Connection is published monthly by the Howard County Department of Citizen Services and the Office on Aging. This publication is available in alternate formats upon request. To join our subscriber list, email seniorconnection@howardcountymd.gov

Take Advantage of US Before Someone Takes Advantage of YOU!

Howard County Office on Aging, 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr., Columbia, MD 21046 410-313-6410 (VOICE/RELAY) • www.howardcountyaging.org

Howard County Office of Consumer Affairs

Kim Higdon Henry, Senior Connection Editor kahenry@howardcountymd.gov

410-313-6420 • consumer@howardcountymd.gov

www.howardcountymd.gov/consumer

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Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the Howard County Office on Aging or by the publisher.

The Senior Connection

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

Say you saw it in the Beacon

New for 2015!

1 Admission Fee

All Proceeds Benefit the

Vivian Reid Community Fund for Older Adults

Don’t Miss the 17th Annual 50+EXPO!

Friday, October 16 • 9 AM - 4 PM Wilde Lake High School 5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia, MD KEYNOTE Nancy Z. Henkin, Ph.D., founder of the Intergenerational Center at Temple University:

IMPORTANT PARKING NOTICE:

Creating a Community for All Ages

Attendees must use the FREE COURTESY SHUTTLE at The Mall in Columbia (by Sears) for 50+EXPO PARKING.

ONLY

PLUS • • • • • • • •

ACCESSIBLE PARKING ON-SITE AT THE 50+EXPO! 410-313-6410 (VOICE/RELAY) www.howardcountyaging.org

160+ Exhibitors NEW! Focus on Fitness Evaluations All Day Entertainment in 50+Café Two Shows by The Capitol Steps Seven Educational Seminars Free Flu Vaccines Free Health Screenings Raffles and Prize Drawings

The Vivian Reid Community Fund provides emergency financial assistance to older adults and adults with disabilities in Howard County who have essential needs not covered by Medicare and Medical Assistance. These funds can mean the difference between food and heat or rent and medications. Donations to the Reid Fund qualify as deductible contributions under Section 170 (c) (1) of the IRS Code. If you need accommodations to attend, contact Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-313-5980 or map@howardcountymd.gov

Sign up NOW to receive your FRIEND of the 50+EXPO! gift package! For EACH $20 donation, you will receive one FREE admission to the EXPO; a “Friends” recognition badge; one RESERVED seat for “The Capitol Steps”on Friday, October 16, and be entered into an exclusive “Friends ONLY” grand prize drawing! !"#$%&'($)&*$+&,-'#$.&/")0$1%23!$&"$456"57$89:;$.&</(=6-$>-)!,-0$?'@7$And$B&&'7$.&</(=6-7$C?$A;DE8

I want to be a Friend of the EXPO and have enclosed my check/cash for ____ FRIENDS @ $20/ea. = $ _______ PLEASE INDICATE # of TICKETS: _______ 12:00 noon show

OR _______ 2:00 p.m. show

Check this box if you do NOT want to receive tickets for the show. NAME

___________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

STREET ADDRESS

PHONE

_____________________________

____________________________________________

CITY

_________________ STATE _______ ZIP __________

Check this box if you do NOT wish to have your name published as a contributor. Note: If your “Friends” donation is received after October 3, pick up your Capitol Steps tickets at the theatre on the day of the show.

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The Senior Connection

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Saturday, November 14, 2015 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Strategies Support Success

aregiving is sometimes a choice, but more often it is suddenly thrust on individuals who may be unprepared to handle the role. Yet, the love, concern and 24/7 dedication of caregivers is unmatched by other professions. The Office on Aging’s 4th Annual Caregiver Conference, coming up in November, is an occasion to not only celebrate the hard work and sacrifices made every day by Howard County’s informal, unpaid caregivers, but also to provide attendees with fresh information, a broad range of resources, ongoing support as well as the opportunity for fun and respite. This year’s conference, “The Caregiver Journey: Strategies, Support, Success” will be held Saturday, November 14, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel. Open to all, the conference will include a variety of educational sessions and stress reducing activities, including:

North Laurel Community Center

Palliative Care – Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses, which focuses on providing patients with relief from symptoms and stress. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care is a partnership of patient, specialists and family. The presenter will provide an overview of this focused type of care and its benefits for caregivers and their loved ones. Coping with Loss and Grief – This session will examine how loss and the accompanying emotions impact the grieving process. The conference cost is $10 per person, which includes continental breakfast, lunch and respite care. For more information or to register, call 410-313-5980 (voice/relay) or visit us online at www.howardcountyaging.org.

Keynote Presentation Taking Care of the Caregiver presented by Barbara Catlin, M.Ac. Care partners generally provide for others but often forget to pay attention to themselves. Ms. Catlin will speak on the critical importance of caregivers taking the time to nurture themselves, and will provide useful tips and exercises. Educational Sessions Caregiving Basics – The goal of this session is to provide an understanding of the potential impacts that family caregivers might experience during the “newness” of being a care provider. Legal 101 – Learn about the different types of Powers of Attorney; Advance Directives; Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) or MOLST orders; and Guardianship. This is a basic overview, and is not meant to provide individual legal advice. Managing Someone Else’s Money – This session will help you understand the in’s and out’s of safely managing someone else’s money or property. Managing Challenging Behaviors – Having to deal with challenging behaviors can increase caregiver stress and reduce quality of life. This session will offer insight into the reasons for these behaviors and practical advice for dealing with them. Relationship Changes between the Caregiver/Care Recipient – Explore how relationship changes can affect the care partner and learn about balancing the relationships in your life with your role as a family caregiver. Activities for Individuals with Cognitive Issues – A Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) will provide practical exercises for care partners to try with a loved one to encourage cognitive stimulation and engagement. Alternate Long Term Care Living Options – This practical discussion of the alternatives for long-term living will cover everything from hiring in-home help, to moving into a nursing home, and the potential costs of each alternative.

9411 Whiskey Bottom Road Laurel, MD 20723

A PRESENTATION OF THE

HOWARD COUNTY DEPARTMENT

OFFICE ON AGING

Strategies Support Success REGISTER NOW! Howard County 4th Annual Caregiver Conference

Saturday, November 14, 2015 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM North Laurel Community Center 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel, MD 20723 $10/person • Partial Scholarships Available Continental Breakfast and Lunch Provided • FREE On-Site Respite Provided Register in one of three convenient ways: • Online at https://apm.activecommunities.com/howardcounty/Activity_Search/49989 • At your local Howard County 50+ Center • Contact Maryland Access Point 410-313-5980 (VOICE/RELAY) or map@howardcountymd.gov

Registration deadline for conference and respite is Friday, November 6 If you need this document in an alternative format or need accommodations to attend this event, contact Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-313-5980 or map@howardcountymd.gov

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

The Senior Connection

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Beware of Scammers Hiding in Plain Sight By Rebecca G. Bowman, Administrator, Howard County Office of Consumer Affairs

o you trust people more if they’re like you, or a part of your community? Scammers bet that you do. Every day, they take advantage of the trust you have in people with whom you identify. When someone in a group uses their membership in that group to scam another member, it’s called “affinity fraud.” Affinity fraud often happens to members of religious, ethnic, or school groups. Are you willing to hear more about a “deal” if a member of your church asks you to? Or take advice from someone who speaks your same language? Affinity fraud is especially hard to prevent if the victims don’t have the knowledge or language ability to get help. Some tend to avoid reporting fraud to law enforcement or feel pressure to resolve community problems internally.

What should you do when someone you know tells you about a “great” deal? Take your time and check it out. Don’t agree to any deal that requires you to act now, and no matter who makes the offer, do your homework. Look up the company online and search for consumer complaints. Consider whether the deal is really good for you. Don’t buy the hype. If you are promised guaranteed results (e.g. the promise of legal immigration status) or told that an investment is “risk-free,” the deal is probably a scam. Get it in writing. Don’t part with your money until you have a written agreement, have read all of the terms, and are sure everything you were told is included. Report it. The Howard County Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) can help you separate fact from fiction, and in some cases can help you recover money you’ve lost. Call OCA at 410-313-6420 (voice/ relay) or e-mail us at: consumer@howardcountymd.gov.

October is National Residents’ Rights Month

ctober is National Residents’ Rights Month, a national effort to celebrate, honor, educate, and protect those living in long-term care homes and their families. !"#$%&'(")$*!+,-"+./"0123/"$!"456!578"9$!5:;/'<")&'/" Ombudsman Program is honored to celebrate Residents’ Rights Month with our wonderful residents. ;./"=>?@"+./</-"“CARE Matters” highlights the importance $1"/!8*'6!5"A*&B6+,"3&'/"1$'"&BBC";./"0123/"$!"456!578" Ombudsman staff strives to empower residents to help themselves, encourages an awareness of dignity and respect, and recognizes the value of each individual resident. ;.'$*5.$*+"03+$D/'-"8+&11"</<D/'8"%6BB"E686+"B$!5:+/'<"3&'/" facilities in Howard County to distribute educational and informative materials in celebration of CARE Matters 2015. F$'"<$'/"6!1$'<&+6$!-"3&BB"G?>:H?H:IG=H"JE$63/K'/B&,LC"

MEDICARE Open Enrollment October 15 through December 7, 2015 In addition to our regular schedule, take advantage of these special enrollment events!

Fire Prevention Month 2015:

Hear the Beep Where You Sleep!

By Appointment Only. Call 410-313-7392. Tuesday, October 20 • 9:00 a.m. - noon Glenwood 50+Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville 21723

Friday, October 23 • 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Ellicott City 50+ Center, 9401 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City 21042

Howard County’s Department of Fire and Rescue Services provides fire and life safety education to all residents through Project: S.A.F.E. (Smoke Alarms for Everyone) to focus attention on smoke alarm education and installation. Each year, fires in the County result in property loss and damage as well as injury and/ or death. The majority of these losses come from homes without smoke alarms or those with nonfunctioning smoke alarms. Don’t wait until it’s too late, test your

smoke alarms today or call your local fire station for assistance. For more information, visit us online at www.hcdfrs.org or call 410-313-6000.

Wednesday, October 28 • 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Elkridge 50+ Center, 6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge 21075

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS. Contact us for help. • • • • • •

Information and Counseling Prescription Drug Plans Supplemental Policies New to Medicare Fraud and Abuse Help with Costs

TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

410-313-7392 (VOICE RELAY) /

FOR A COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF ENROLLMENT EVENTS

www.howardcountyaging.org/SHIP If you need accommodations to attend, contact Maryland Access Point at 410-313-5980 or map@howardcountymd.gov at least one week in advance.

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The Senior Connection

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

START LIVING WELL TODAY!

ON THE

MOVE – Notes and News MultiService Center Moves Offices Temporarily !"#MultiService Center#$##%%&&#'()!*+,-.+#/01234#5(67"0#8&98:#$# !()#-";<.7(7*0=#;.1"2#*-)#.>?@")#(#>"A#2..7)#2.A+#-.#Suite G, while 7"+.1(-*.+)#-.#-!"*7#<"7;(+"+-#.>?@")#(7"#@.;<0"-"23#B.7#C6")-*.+)# about the availability of individual services during the transition, call DE&F:E:F&88&#G1.*@"H7"0(=I#-.#7"(@!#@"+-"7#)-(>>#267*+,#+.7;(0#J6)*+"))# hours or email mscinfo@howardcountymd.gov.

DSS Announces New Evening Hours

!"#Howard County Department of Social Services#GKLLI#(++.6+@"2#(# @!(+,"#*+#-!"*7#)@!"260"#.>#"1"+*+,#!.67)3# !"#.>?@"#$#9E8E#M.06;J*(# N(-"A(=#K7*1"4#M.06;J*(#$#A*00#+.A#J"#open until 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month. For additional information, contact -!";#(-#DE&FO98FO9&&#G1.*@"H7"0(=I3

DIABETES and other CHRONIC CONDITIONS CAN be managed with our 6-week Living Well program!

Living Well: Take Charge of Your Health Celebration Church 6080 Foreland Garth Columbia, MD 21045

Six Mondays October 5 - November 9 6:00 – 8:30 PM $

28 includes all materials

Contact: WENDY FARTHING wfarthing@howardcountymd.gov

410-313-3506 (VOICE/RELAY)

How to be a GREAT Grandparent P#0.-#!()#@!(+,"2#*+#<(7"+-*+,#)*+@"#,7(+2<(7"+-)#A"7"#<(7"+-)Q# 5"(7+#-!"#0(-")-#7")"(7@!#J()"2#*+>.7;(-*.+#-.#J(0(+@"#=.67# tried and true skills with current best practices. K*)@6))#=.67#7.0"#()#(#,7(+2<(7"+-#1"7)6)#J"*+,#-!"#<(7"+-3#

www.howardcountyaging.org

K*)@.1"7#A(=)#-.#)(>",6(72#=.67#!.;"#>.7#*+>(+-)#(+2# toddlers and gather important resources to help support your children in their new role as parents.

Thursday, October 29 • 6:30 - 8:15 p.m. Bain 50+ Center 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia, MD 21044

FREE, but space is limited and pre-registration is required!

Ingrid Gleysteen, PROGRAM COORDINATOR 410-313-7461 • igleysteen@howardcountymd.gov PET EVALUATIONS First Wednesday of Each Month Bain 50+ Center 5470 Ruth Keeton Way Columbia 21044 Remaining 2015 Evaluation Dates

OCT. 7 • NOV. 4 • DEC. 2

or by phone at 410-313-1440 (voice/relay). www.howardcountyaging.org

JOIN US TODAY! Cycle2Health is a non-competitive, peer-led, bicycling club for adults of all ages and abilities! !!VARIOUS LOCATIONS !!DAYTIME

TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION

HOURS !!WEEKDAY RIDES

www.howardcountyaging.org/cycle2health Contact Jennifer Lee, Program Coodinator 410-313-5940 or jlee@howardcountymd.gov This is a recreational opportunity program for participants to experience the benefits of exercise while exploring the natural beauty and sights of Howard County. Registration is required to ride in the C2H Program. An annual $10 fee will be collected at the time of registration, applicable to the spring through fall riding season. Rides vary in length and difficulty. If you need this information in an alternate format, contact Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-313-5980 or map@howardcountymd.gov

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

The Senior Connection

Say you saw it in the Beacon

The Art of Aging Presented by Marcella Wilding, Ph.D. and SeniorsTogether facilitators

What will your later years bring? !"#$%&''$'&()$*+),$*,$-)."/-$*($0*12 The Art of Aging !"#$#%&'()*%+,(-'.+*$ -'-/ 0'!-'#(1"$"2' happiness, clarifying new growth tasks, minimizing memory loss, and more. Don’t miss this unique opportunity for +""( 3+"4'2,+5.04'!"#'"(5'$"-$20.'.0,+/20'6(&"+.('!"#' -7!%%'2,+/*'#$- /--$+"'+"'.+*$ -'-/ 0'!-',(%!3+"-0$*-4'' happiness, and freedom in the aging process.

Are You Mourning the Loss of a Loved One?

Light refreshments served. REGISTRATION DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 24!

A support group to help you explore life beyond grief. Nominal fee applies.

Thursdays, October 1, 8 and 15 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Thursdays, Oct. 22 thru Dec. 10 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Bain 50+ Center

5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia

TO REGISTER, CONTACT

TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION

BEREAVEMENT GROUP NOW FORMING

Elaine Widom • 410-313-7353 (VOICE/RELAY)

Karen Hull • 410-313-7466 (VOICE/RELAY)

For more information: Karen Hull khull@howardcountymd.gov

khull@howardcountymd.gov

The Howard County Office on Aging invites you to a

THANKSGIVING

PROJECT

CELEBRATION!

Giving Thanks

THE

LUNCHEON & DANCE

Featuring Special Performances by the Retro Rockets and Love Story Duo!

Wednesday, November 18, 2015 Ten Oaks Ballroom

2015

Holiday

HOWARD COUNTY OFFICE ON AGING is

collecting donated items for low-income seniors who reside in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and in the community. The WISH LIST includes items for both adult men and women, such as blankets/throws, stamps/stationery, puzzle books, scarves, pajamas, toiletries, etc. Monetary donations are also accepted.

5000 Signal Bell Lane, Clarksville 21029 DOORS OPEN 10:30 A.M.

LUNCH 12:00 NOON

Tickets on Sale at all Howard County 50+ Centers $13/person PLEASE BRING NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS FOR THE HOWARD COUNTY FOOD BANK FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL

410-313-5440 (VOICE/RELAY) If you need need accommodations to attend, contact Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-313-5980 (voice/relay) or map@howardcountymd.gov.

www.howardcountyaging.org

Drop off your donations by December 4 at any Howard County 50+ Center or the Howard County Office on Aging 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr., Suite 200, Columbia, MD 21046 FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Nicole Baptiste-Patterson 410-313-6423 (VOICE/RELAY) or via email to npatterson@howardcountymd.gov If you need this information in an alternate format, contact Maryland Access Point at 410-313-5980 or map@howardcountymd.gov

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

The Senior Connection

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

October 2015 Calendar of Events Don’t miss these exciting programs and services at one of the dynamic Howard County Office on Aging 50+ Centers near you!

Bain 50+ Center Friday, Oct. 9 • 11 a.m. to noon — MAKE YOUR OWN MUSIC VIDEO Learn the new hit song and dance craze that’s sweeping the country. Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) has fans old and young posting videos of themselves dancing to the popular song. Register at 410-313-7213.

Tuesday, Oct. 13 • 10:30 to 11 a.m. — SAVE ENERGY, SAVE MONEY BGE’s Chanel Rhoads-Reed will discuss low- and no-cost ways to save energy; BGE’s Smart Energy Savers Program; and the Quick Home Energy Check-up. FREE; register at 410-313-7213.

Tuesday, Oct. 20 • 11 a.m. to noon — MEET AUTHOR HEBER BOULAND Heber Bouland will discuss “The Last Trolley Stop,” his memoir about growing up in the Great Depression. FREE; register at 410-313-7213.

Ellicott City 50+ Center Thursday, Oct. 8 • 5 to 7 p.m. — PAINTING TOGETHER ART RECEPTION View an exhibition of fine art by the talented members of our Painting Together group, and and a reception. Details at 410-313-1400.

Thursday & Friday, Oct. 29-30 — ELLICOTT CITY 50+ CENTER COUNCIL BAKE SALE No tricks, just lots of treats at this bake sale – gobble up some goodies or take home delicious, eerie edibles. (Baked goods donations accepted on October 29 and 30 only). Thank you for your support!

Friday, Oct. 30 • 10:30 a.m. — MORNING BINGO

Tuesday, Oct. 13 • 10 to 11 a.m. — COME COLOR WITH US

Join us for Bingo, sponsored by the Ellicott City 50+ Center Council, with a grand prize provided by Heartlands Senior Living. $4, plus lunch donation; to reserve lunch, call 410-313-1400 by October 23.

Try your hand at an expert level coloring book. FREE; materials provided. Whether you’re inside the lines or out, it’s your creation!

Glenwood 50+ Center

Wednesday, Oct. 21 • 1 p.m. — ESTATE PLANNING AND ELDER LAW

Thursday, Oct. 1 • 10 a.m. — FALL GARDENING WITH CARRIE ENGEL

East Columbia 50+ Center

Attorney Stephen R. Elville leads a discussion covering the essentials of estate planning and elder law, with plenty of time for participant questions. FREE; register at 410-313-7680.

Wednesday, Oct. 21 • 10 to 11:30 a.m. — TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR EMOTIONAL WELLNESS Emotional wellness is just as important as our physical health. Learn about emotional wellness as we age and how to stay healthy. FREE; register at 410-313-7680.

Elkridge 50+ Center Wednesday, Oct. 21 • 11 a.m. to noon — DR. DAN Join Dr. Dan Storch, Certified Psychiatrist in Geriatrics, for a discussion of “Attitude and Motivations and Keys to Happiness.” FREE; register at 410-313-5192.

Thursday, Oct. 22 • 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — HISTORY OF ELKRIDGE SERIES Learn new facts about the history of Elkridge as the informative series continues, led by Park Ranger Ed Johnson. FREE; register at 410-313-5192.

Carrie Engel, local television star, will share her tips and secrets for fall garden success. FREE; details at 410-313-5440.

Friday, Oct. 2 • 10 a.m. — THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS Jimmie White leads a discussion on the science behind happiness. FREE; details at 410-313-5440.

Tuesdays, Oct. 6 and Nov. 17 • 1 p.m. — TRASH TO TREASURE Learn how to make natural cold processed soaps and soy wine bottles this month, then how to package your creations in November. $15; register in advance at 410-313-5440.

North Laurel 50+ Center Friday, Oct. 23 • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — TOUR OF FALL BUS TRIP Enjoy a scenic ride in Frederick and have lunch at a local restaurant. $45 plus lunch. Sponsored by the North Laurel Senior Council; register no later than October 1 at 410-313-0380.

Friday, Oct. 23 • 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. — COLORS OF FALL BALLET

Friday, Oct. 30 • 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. — HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY

Come see Ballet Mobile, Inc. a Columbia-based ballet troupe that combines movement, music and mental imagery in ways that touch the heart and lifts the spirit. FREE; register at 410-313-0380.

Enjoy games, entertainment and a ghoulishly delicious catered lunch. Call 410-313-4930 for reservations.

Wednesday, Oct. 28 • 11 a.m. to noon — FALL CLASSICAL CONCERT Join Candlelight Concert Society for a morning of classical music featuring a String Trio of Cello, Violin and Viola. Hot tea and cider will be served. FREE; donations welcome. Register at 410-313-0380.

FOR A FULL LISTING OF EVENTS at our 50+ Centers this month, visit: www.howardcountyaging.org/50pluscenters To request accommodations to participate, call Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-313-5980 (voice/relay) one week in advance.

HOWARD COUNTY 50+ CENTERS

SENIOR CENTER PLUS SITES

Bain 50+ Center.........................5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia .........410-313-7213

Ellicott City Senior Center Plus .....................................................................410-313-1425 Glenwood Senior Center Plus .......................................................................410-313-5442 North Laurel Senior Center Plus ...................................................................410-313-7218

East Columbia 50+ Center .........6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia ...........410-313-7680 Elkridge 50+ Center ...................6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge...........410-313-5192 Ellicott City 50+ Center ..............9401 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City ............410-313-1400 Glenwood 50+ Center ................2400 Route 97, Cooksville ....................410-313-5440 Longwood 50+ Center ...............6150 Foreland Garth, Columbia ............410-313-7217 North Laurel 50+ Center ............9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel .........410-313-0380

www.howardcountyaging.org

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money Law &

COLLECT YOUR OWN LIFE INSURANCE You may be able to pocket part of the payout from your life insurance while you’re still alive, but understand all the costs

AVOIDING PROBATE Brokerage accounts typically pass through your will when you die, but there are ways to avoid probate

Earn dividends every month of the year Jeffrey R. Kosnett A regular paycheck isn’t the only way to ensure a steady flow of income. Whether you are already retired or simply planning ahead for retirement, by carefully selecting stocks that pay dividends on the right schedule, you can build a portfolio that guarantees you cash every month. Here are a dozen great stocks that do just that. January: Occidental Petroleum Yield: 4.1 percent 52-week high: $104.48, 52-week low: $67.30; 5-year dividend growth rate: 16.9 percent Last dividend increases: 12.5 percent in February 2014 and 4.2 percent in October 2014 Also pays in: April, July, October Occidental Petroleum (OXY) is primarily a domestic oil and gas producer, with much of its exploration in California and in shale formations in Texas and North Dakota. It differs from some other large oil companies in that it doesn’t have a lowprofit refining and marketing business. It also said, emphatically, in its investor presentations that increasing its dividend is a higher priority than making acquisitions, buying back stock or piling up reserves. February: Realty Income Yield: 4.7 percent 52-week high: $55.54, 52-week low: $40.56; 5-year dividend growth rate: 5.7 percent Last dividend increase: 0.3 percent in March 2015 Also pays in: Every month This real estate investment trust pioneered the strategy of buying or building

free-standing drugstores, restaurants, cinemas, fitness centers and similar buildings and leasing them to familiar chains, which pay the rent, maintenance and taxes. Realty Income (O) pays dividends every month and raises the rate several times a year, though slowly and usually by small amounts. The REIT is safe and consistent, with more than 500 consecutive monthly dividends to its credit. March: Intel Yield 2.9 percent 52-week high: $37.90; 52-week low: $25.74; 5-year dividend growth rate: 8.8 percent Last dividend increase: 6.7 percent in January 2015 Also pays in: June, September, December Intel (INTC), which makes semiconductors and processors, is one of tech’s most committed dividend-payers. Intel is fighting slowing growth in sales of desktop and laptop computers — its largest sources of sales and profits — and as it makes inroads into smartphones and tablets, its cash flow will grow and higher dividends should follow. April: McCormick Yield 2.1 percent 52-week high: $78.70; 52-week low: $64.92; 5-year dividend growth rate: 9.0 percent Last dividend increase: 8.1 percent in November 2014 Also pays in: January, October, December The world’s leading maker of spices and flavorings, McCormick (MKC) grows steadily in part by taking over competitors’ brands

and introducing American favorites to the rest of the world. Its profit margin is more than twice that of the meatpackers whose steaks and chops star in McCormick’s recipes. Plus, the company has little debt. May: Procter & Gamble Yield 3.2 percent 52-week high: $93.89; 52-week low: $77.29; 5-year dividend growth rate: 6.6 percent Last dividend increase: 3.0 percent in April 2015 Also pays in: August, November, February Procter & Gamble (PG) is the archetypal solid, predictable, low-stress growth stock. It is so huge that a single-digit dividend growth rate may be all you can expect — but that’s good enough considering that it usually yields more than 3 percent. June: WisdomTree MidCap ETF Yield 2.3 percent 52-week high: $87.34; 52-week low: $73.63; 5-year dividend growth rate: 26.6 percent Last dividend increase: 17.3 percent in March 2015 Also pays in: Every month Smaller and mid-sized companies have joined the rush to pay higher dividends, and WisdomTree MidCap ETF (DON) is a convenient way to sample 400 of them — spanning the economy from utilities to REITs to energy to retail. The fund pays dividends each month, joining Realty Income as 12-time payers in this model portfolio. July: Kimberly-Clark Yield 3.2 percent

52-week high: $119.01; 52-week low: $99.23; 5-year dividend growth rate: 5.9 percent Last dividend increase: 4.8 percent in February 2015 Also pays in: October, January, April The maker of Kleenex, Huggies and Scott paper products resembles Procter & Gamble in that it makes familiar household products and sells them in more than 100 countries. Kimberly-Clark (KMB) has raised dividends every year since the early 1970s, and aims to maintain a higher dividend yield than most other industrial and consumer-product companies. August: Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Yield 4.7 percent 52-week high: $38.58; 52-week low: $31.39 5-year dividend growth rate: 30.6 percent; Last dividend increase: 8.6 percent in January 2015 Also pays in: November, February, May Potash is fertilizer, and this Canadian firm could be spreading it on its dividends to produce bigger and higher checks for investors’ pockets. Five years ago Potash (POT) paid 1 cent a quarter. Now the dividend is 38 cents, four times a year. The world doesn’t have many sources of this essential resource, and while the price can swing like any mineral, the dividend is secure. September: Johnson & Johnson Yield 3.0 percent 52-week high: $109.49; 52-week low: $95.10; 5-year dividend growth rate: 6.8 percent See DIVIDENDS, page 31

Medicare premiums may spike for some By Martha Lynn Craver Retirees, adjust your budget: Doubledigit price hikes for Medicare Part B premiums are likely coming next year. The actual rates for Part B (which covers the costs of doctor visits and outpatient care) will be announced in October and take effect Jan. 1. The boost may be 15 percent for all participants, or a whopping 52 percent for some, depending on whether Social Security recipients see a cost-of-living raise for 2016. The trustees of Social Security recently projected there will be no cost-of-living ad-

justment (COLA) at the end of this year. It would mark only the third year without an increase since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975. Things could change before the end of the year. Program economists are constantly crunching numbers to track fluctuating prices. But if there’s no adjustment for 2016, some people will face dramatically higher Medicare Part B premiums. Why is that? For about 70 percent of beneficiaries, premium increases cannot ex-

ceed the dollar amount of their Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. Because no COLA is currently expected for 2016, increased costs of outpatient coverage would have to be spread among the remaining 30 percent of beneficiaries, who include: • those who enroll in Part B in 2016, • people who don’t have their premiums deducted from Social Security payments, • individuals with annual incomes above $85,000, • and people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.

For the last group, known as “dual eligibles,” Part B premiums are paid by the state where they live. Medicare beneficiaries in all these groups would see their premium bills jump to $159.30 a month — an increase of about 52 percent — unless the Obama administration takes steps to lessen the pain. That’s possible, but not certain. © 2015 the Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. With additional reporting from AP.

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

Should you sell your life insurance policy? By Eleanor Laise A growing number of seniors are looking to sell their life insurance policies to investors. But there is significant risk for older people getting involved in these “life settlement” transactions — whether they are selling their policy or investing in those of others. In a life settlement, a policyholder sells his policy in exchange for a lump-sum cash payment. The buyer makes all the future premium payments and gets the death benefit when the insured person dies. For seniors who find their policy is no longer needed or affordable, a life settlement can be a better option than letting the policy lapse. But a life settlement will bring the seller just a small fraction of his policy’s face value. All too often, insurance experts say, seniors agree to life settlements without exploring alternatives that could bring far greater value to themselves or their beneficiaries. Life settlements are also a gamble for investors. If the insured lives much longer than expected, the investor’s return will plunge. Lawsuits filed in recent months by the Securities and Exchange Commission accuse some investment firms of misleading investors about life settlements’ risks. In one case, a firm allegedly told customers that life settlements were “guaranteed” and as safe as certificates of deposit, while in fact life settlements offer no guarantees. Although life settlements can make sense in certain situations, for both sellers and investors, “there are so many ways of being taken advantage of,” said Glenn

Dividends From page 29 Last dividend increase: 7.1 percent in April 2015 Also pays in: December, March, June A blue-chip cash machine with a great group of global health businesses, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) grows just enough to raise dividends between 5 and 10 percent a year, while the shares almost never misbehave. This is the way the stock market is supposed to work for patient, loyal investors. October: Automatic Data Processing Yield 2.3 percent 52-week high: $90.23; 52-week low: $67.12; 5-year dividend growth rate: 7.6 percent Last dividend increase: 2.1 percent in April 2014 Also pays in: January, April, July Automatic Data Processing (ADP) is a giant payroll processor and also administers employee-benefits programs. It also profits by investing money it holds for employers before paychecks are cashed and deposited, so even a small rise in interest rates would make it richer. ADP is a financial fortress with $2 billion of its own cash and little debt. November: General Dynamics Yield 2.0 percent 52-week high: $146.13; 52-week low:

Daily, a fee-only insurance adviser in New York City. The life-settlement industry said it’s providing a better alternative to seniors who often let policies lapse or continue paying premiums they can’t afford. [It also allows a policy holder to obtain cash from an asset they otherwise cannot access while alive, except by borrowing against it.]

Costs of sale add up If you are over 65 and have a life insurance policy with a death benefit of more than $100,000, you may be a candidate for a life settlement. You can go to a life-settlement broker, who will solicit bids from multiple buyers. Or you can go to a life-settlement “provider” — a company that buys policies either for its own investment purposes or to sell to third-party investors. The provider will review your medical records and get life-expectancy estimates before making a bid. You can find licensed brokers and providers at www.lisa.org. But before selling a policy, you should understand the costs and complexities of life settlements. The amount of cash you can receive depends on your remaining life expectancy, your policy’s annual premiums and death benefit, the rate of return the buyer demands, and other factors. Sellers typically receive more than the policy’s cash surrender value but far less than the death benefit. The gross purchase price — before deducting taxes, commissions and other transaction costs — is often 10 percent to 25 percent of the $111.08; 5-year dividend growth rate: 10.4 percent Last dividend increase: 11.2 percent in March 2015 Also pays in: February, May, August A defense industry powerhouse, General Dynamics (GD) also makes private jet planes and offers information-technology management services. Cuts in the military budget (whether rumored or actual) haven’t stopped it from raising dividends briskly every year. December: American Electric Power Yield 3.7 percent 52-week high: $65.38 ; 52-week low: $49.06; 5-year dividend growth rate: 4.8 percent Last dividend increase: 6.0 percent in October 2014 Also pays in: March, June, September American Electric Power (AEP) is one of the safest traditional regulated utility stocks because the chain operates in 11 states, which spreads the risk from storms and other controversies. AEP also pays a reasonable 59 percent of its earnings as dividends, which gives it scope to raise the payment even in slow years and makes the chance of cuts extremely low. All contents © 2015 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

death benefit. And transaction costs can consume a big chunk of the gross purchase price — often 10 percent to 20 percent, Daily said. The broker’s commission can be as much as 4 to 6 percent of the policy’s face value. The provider also collects a fee, which is generally not disclosed to the seller. What’s more, with a life settlement, “there’s a tremendous loss of tax advantage,” said Scott Witt, a fee-only insurance adviser in New Berlin, Wis.

If you hold on to the policy, your beneficiaries get the death benefit tax-free. In a life settlement, the seller must pay tax on at least a portion of the amount he receives, and the buyer also owes tax on the death benefit — another factor that pushes the offer price lower. Still, life settlements can make sense for some seniors. One of Daily’s clients, a 74year-old woman, has a policy with a face See LIFE SETTLEMENTS, page 32

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Life settlements

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

(find links to nine advisers at www.glenndaily.com).

From page 31 value of about $500,000. Because of her relatively short life expectancy of about five years, Daily estimates that the gross price she can receive in a life settlement is unusually high — about $250,000. After deducting transaction costs and taxes, she might pocket roughly $180,000. Since the client needs money now, a life settlement makes sense for her, Daily said. To determine whether a life settlement is a good option for you, ask a fee-only insurance adviser to help value your policy

Other options to consider If your policy has become unaffordable, ask your beneficiaries to take over the premium payments, said John Skar, an actuary who works with Daily. A whole life insurance policy is “a valuable family estate asset that you’re getting rid of [through a life settlement] for pennies on the dollar.” Ask if you can borrow against your policy, or if the policy can be revised so that no future premiums are owed and the death benefit is reduced. People with short re-

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maining life expectancies may be eligible for accelerated death benefits. If you no longer need the policy, some community foundations and large charitable organizations may be willing to accept donations of life insurance. Also, keep an eye on a new charitable alternative that aims to smooth the process of donating an insurance policy. Insuring a Better World Fund (www.iabwf.org), launched last year, pools all donated policies and pays the premiums. As death benefits roll in, it makes pro rata distributions to the charities named by the donors. The donor receives a tax deduction for the fair market value of the policy.

Investing can be risky For older investors who are pitched life settlements as investments, the best policy is to stay away. In some cases, a person in-

BEACON BITS

Oct. 13

• Serving Md. & Washington D.C. since 2000 without any increase in prices!

SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY A BGE representative will share information at a free program on

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vests in a single policy. More often policies are pooled into life-settlement funds. Investors’ returns depend on the accuracy of life-expectancy estimates, and “it doesn’t take very many [people] who dramatically outlive life expectancy to really put a crimp in your returns,” Witt said. In addition, insurers may refuse to pay death benefits if they suspect that a policy was initiated by an investor, rather than the insured person. In these “stranger-originated life insurance” arrangements, investors pay seniors to buy life insurance and then turn the policies over to investors. Without examining every policy in a fund, it can be hard for investors to be sure they’re avoiding such situations. All contents © 2015 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

energy conservation, including low cost and no cost ways of saving energy, as well as BGE’s Smart Energy Savers Program, including the Quick Home Energy Check-up. Each individual who attends the presentation will receive an information packet and a small giveaway. The program takes place at the Bain Center on

(301) 854-9038 or 1 (866) 728-4663 (toll free) call for your FREE information package

Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The Bain Center is located at 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia. For more information, call (410) 313-7213.

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FRVEEENTe

EOpen to thIC BL PU

COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION WITH CO-HOST HOWARD COUNTY GOVERNMENT PRESENT:

BforEST ZONING PRACTICES

LARGE PLANNED COMMUNITIES

Wednesday, October 28/7PM Slayton House / Wilde Lake Village Center / 10400 Cross Fox Lane / Columbia, MD 21044

Speaker Don Elliott is a nationally-recognized zoning and planning expert and Director with Clairon Associates, a national land use consulting firm. This event is part of CA’s Community Building Speakers. Registration is appreciated at ZoningSpeakerSeries.EventBrite.com . For more information, call 410-715-3166.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

Bypass probate for brokerage accounts By Kimberly Lankford Q: I need to designate a beneficiary for my brokerage account. Is a transferon-death account a better option than adding a joint owner to my account or including the account in my will? A: Life insurance, IRAs, 401(k) plans and other retirement accounts pass directly to the beneficiaries you designate outside of your will. Brokerage accounts, on the other hand, generally pass to your beneficiaries through your will and must go through probate first, which can be time-consuming, public and expensive in some states. A transfer on death (TOD) registration is a way to designate beneficiaries for your brokerage account so the money will pass directly to them and avoid probate. If you add a joint owner, that person will inherit the account outside of probate but can also change the investments and access the money while you’re alive. Joint accounts are also subject to the claims of both owners’ creditors. With a TOD, you maintain total control over the account and can change the beneficiary designation at any time.

TODs trump wills A TOD makes it very clear who inherits

the account, rather than the account becoming one of many assets passed through your will. “It can avoid disputes,” said Gerri Walsh, senior vice president of investor education for Finra (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority), an independent regulator for securities firms. “If you have the account set up with a designated beneficiary, that trumps whatever is in the will.” However, if you want to split your estate among several beneficiaries, you may want to transfer the account through your will instead. Say you have three children and want to leave them equal shares of your estate. You could make one the TOD beneficiary of your brokerage account and leave comparable amounts of money to the other children. But if the brokerage account increases or decreases in value before you die, that child could end up inheriting a very different amount than the siblings. With a will, on the other hand, you can split up the total assets equally.

When to use trusts If you have more complicated wishes — such as if you want your heirs to use the money for a particular purpose or not to receive the funds until a certain time — you may want to set up a trust instead, said

BEACON BITS

Oct. 5+

FREE ESTATE PLANNING CLASS Byron E, Macfarlane, Howard County Register of Wills, will outline

types of estates and documents needed, the role of the personal representative, inheritance and estate taxes, and other facets of estate planning in a free class on Monday, Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. at the Gateway Campus of Howard Community College, 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr., Columbia. Space is limited and registration is required. For more information and to register, call (443) 518-4972.

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Eleanor Blayney, a certified financial planner and consumer advocate for the CFP Board. Contact your brokerage firm if you’d like to set up a TOD designation for your account. Most states have similar TOD rules (Louisiana and Texas do not offer this option). If you move to another state, ask your brokerage firm if you need to make any changes. For more information about TOD designations and other ways to transfer your

brokerage account to your beneficiaries, see Finra’s investor alert Plan for “Transition: What You Should Know About the Transfer of Brokerage Account Assets on Death” at http://bit.ly/brokerage_transfer. For more information about estate planning options, see “8 Smart Estate Planning Steps to Die the Right Way” at http://bit.ly/ estate_planning_steps. All contents © 2015 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Kramer From page 1 Throughout her business career, Kramer has always been active in community affairs, serving in the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and as a board member of many organizations, including Holy Cross Health, the Maryland College of Art and Design, and the Montgomery County Friends of the Library. “I was always aware of what was happening in Montgomery County from both a business and a legislative standpoint,” Kramer said. And though it had never been a goal of hers to hold public office, when a Maryland Senate seat became available in 2002, Kramer decided to run for it. “I disagreed with the philosophies of the two gentlemen already in the race,” she said, “and I was raised to believe that I had

no right to complain if I didn’t get involved.” Kramer won that election and the next one. During her tenure, in addition to her work on behalf of the aging, she was a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee, chaired the Joint Committee on Pensions, and served on more than fourteen subcommittees, including Health and Human Services, Public Safety, Transportation and the Environment, and Capital Budget. “I had the opportunity to see everything the state was involved in,” Kramer said. It would help prepare her for her next major assignment.

Improvements from day one As Secretary of Aging, Kramer is concerned that while Maryland’s older population is growing dramatically, the Department’s funds — which come from the state as well as the Federal Older Americans

ALL COMMUNITIES ARE SMOKE-FREE

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Act — are basically stagnant. To wit: the 2015 budget was $51,874,423, while the 2016 allowance calls for only a slight increase to $52,149,990. “Funds are not increasing, so we have to operate more efficiently if we’re going to serve growing numbers of people,” Kramer said. The Department’s funds are mostly passed through to the state’s 19 Area Agencies on Aging (known as AAAs), which are supervised by the Secretary and her staff. The AAAs use Department funds to carry out most government programs for older adults in their territory: transportation, meals, senior centers, subsidized assisted living, information and referral, etc. Within days of arriving at the Department, Kramer found a glaring inefficiency in that process that needed to be addressed. Each year, every AAA must submit a detailed plan to the Department of Aging indicating what programs they will be operating for the coming year, and how every dollar will be spent. Until a AAA’s plan is approved, state and federal funds are not released to be spent. The problem, Kramer discovered, is that these plans have traditionally been prepared and submitted for review during the

first quarter of the fiscal year, which starts July 1, and have typically not been finalized until just before the second quarter begins. As a result, AAAs have been squeezed for funds throughout the first months of every fiscal year, frequently needing to borrow money to pay salaries and manage operations. The stress and inconvenience affects not only AAA staff but all the local nonprofits and seniors who rely on the programs. So, within days of arriving at her new office, Kramer announced that this had to change at once. Adjusting the schedule so that AAA plans were to be submitted during the last quarter of the preceding fiscal year was “one of the first things I knew we needed to tackle.” While it meant an immediate and radical shift in planning for all 19 AAAs, they recognized the immense benefits that would come from having their funds ready at the start of a new year, so everyone stepped up to the plate. “We did it successfully,” she reported with satisfaction. “All plans were completed by June 30,” so funds were available the day the new fiscal year started. It was a bold stroke on Kramer’s part, and one that immediately telegraphed throughSee KRAMER, page 35

BEACON BITS

Sept. 24

MONEY-SAVING ADVICE

Spend a little time with specialists for information on programs to help pay for Medicare costs and how to protect yourself from fraud. Get your Medicare card laminated for free just for stopping by. The event at the N. Laurel 50+ Center is presented by Maryland Access Point (MAP) & State Health Insurance Program (SHIP). The center is located at 9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel. For more information, call (410) 313-0380.

YOU R

New

L I F E S T Y LE BEGINS HERE

A PA RT M E NT HOMES FOR THOSE 62 AND BETTER

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

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Furnace Branch 410-761-4150

Easton 410-770-3070

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HARFORD COUNTY

BALTIMORE CITY

Bel Air 410-893-0064

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HOWARD COUNTY

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Colonial Landing 410-796-4399

Catonsville 410-719-9464

Columbia 410-381-1118

Dundalk 410-288-5483

Ellicott City 410-203-9501

Fullerton 410-663-0665

Ellicott City II 410-203-2096

Miramar Landing 410-391-8375

Emerson 301-483-3322

Randallstown 410-655-5673

Snowden River 410-290-0384

Rosedale 410-866-1886 Taylor 410-663-0363

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY 55 AND BETTER!

Bladensburg 301-699-9785

Towson 410-828-7185

Laurel 301-490-1526

Woodlawn 410-281-1120

Laurel II 301-490-9730

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www.ParkViewSeniorLiving.com Call the community nearest you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour or email parkviewliving@sheltergrp.com. Professionally managed by The Shelter Group. www.thesheltergroup.com

Ongoing

ONLINE SCAM ALERTS

AARP is offering a scam alert service to help seniors and their families protect themselves from online scams. To learn more, visit aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

Kramer From page 34 out the state that this was a Secretary who both understood and meant business.

Volunteers needed Since funds for increased numbers of staff people are not forthcoming, Kramer hopes to broaden the State’s volunteer base. “I’d like to have an ‘army of individuals’ with many skill levels who can provide a range of direct and consultative services,”

she said. “I’d like all of us to think of how we can use our time, and would like to create a volunteer commission that would include individuals representing different areas, such as the medical and legal fields, to name just a few.” Those interested in volunteering with the Department of Aging may call (410) 767-1100 and leave their name and contact information. A work group to explore various volunteer programs and services is being formed this summer. “I’d love to hear people’s ideas,” Kramer said. Since her confirmation by the State Sen-

Kramer legislative clout Rona and Ben Kramer’s tenure in the Maryland state legislature resulted in a number of pieces of legislation that help older adults in the state. Here are some highlights of the laws they helped pass: • Financial Exploitation of the Elderly, which made Maryland the only state in the nation to criminalize the use of “undue influence” to take money and other assets from senior residents; • Financial Abuse-Bank Reporting Act, which requires employees of banks and credit unions to report suspected financial elder abuse to adult protective services or law enforcement; • Silver Alert, the statewide system that provides for the rapid dissemination of information regarding a missing person who suffers from a cognitive impairment; • Electric Utilities-Service Restoration to Special Medical Needs Facilities, which allows Maryland to track the frequency and duration of electric power outages to hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and congregate housing for senior citizens; • Reverse Mortgage Homeowners

Protection Act, which made Maryland one of the only states in the nation to establish strict provisions governing reverse mortgage loans and protecting senior homeowners from being financially exploited; • Assisted Living and Nursing Home Residents Protection Act of 2010, which requires the Sexual Offender Advisory Board to review policy and procedures relating to convicted sex offenders who reside or are employed in Maryland’s nursing homes and assisted living facilities; • Insurance Providers — Use of Senior or Retiree Credential or Designation, which created a legitimate educational and training standard for insurance agents who represent themselves as specialists in senior or retirement investing, for the sale of annuities, life insurance or health insurance; and • Wire Transfer Business — Protection of Elder Adults Against Financial Abuse, which requires money transmitters (Western Union, MoneyGram, etc.) to provide training materials to their agents on how to recognize financial abuse and financial exploitation of older adults.

ate this past March, Kramer has been working closely with aging advocates and professionals throughout the state, meeting with regional and jurisdictional groups, nonprofit organizations, senior residences, and members of the business community. From her new perspective as Secretary of Aging, Kramer believes that Maryland compares favorably with other states in its efforts to provide for its aging population. “The state partners with so many volunteers, nonprofit groups and private organizations,” she said. “Everyone has the same goal — to support Maryland’s senior citizens.”

Kramer also feels fortunate that her staff — most of whom were already on board when she became Secretary — are so dedicated to the mission of the Department. “They’ve made my job much easier,” she said. Despite the learning curve of the new position, the hectic schedule, and her daily round-trip commute from Montgomery County to the state’s offices in downtown Baltimore, Kramer — single, and the mother of two grown daughters — said she looks forward to getting to work each day. “It’s fascinating, challenging and exciting!” she said.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

FREE ENGLISH CLASSES

City of Hope Church is offering free English classes for speakers of other languages on Wednesday evenings from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. at the church in the lower level of Stonehouse Community Center at the Long Reach Village Center, 8775 Cloudleap Ct., Columbia. Students may enroll at any time in beginning, intermediate or advanced instruction. Classes are free, but there is a cost of $25 for textbooks. To learn more about the program, contact Stephanie Aldrich at mcneillsj1@gmailcom.

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Rejoicing In the Given, Even In the Midst of What Isn’t Given October 17, Cost: $60 per person

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More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Travel Leisure &

View fall foliage from a new vantage point, such as a balloon, river raft or covered wagon. See story on page 38.

Balkans, now at peace, are worth a visit They also served as reminders that, not long ago, bitter warfare raged in the region. But the only shooting we did was with our cameras, and taking pictures of scenery as dramatic as that which surrounded us, the results had to be outstanding. Forest-clad countryside lies in the shadow of craggy mountain peaks. Ancient walled cities and tiny hillside towns are rich with life and allure. Mother Nature displays her handiwork in scenic gems that include inviting beaches, stunning coastal scenery, and cascading waterfalls that compete in beauty if not size with Niagara. The pre-departure Information I received referred to the trip as “Crossroads of the Adriatic,” and to the four compact countries on the itinerary — Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Slovenia – as “multicultural lands of forgotten beauty.” We did not visit Serbia and Macedonia, which were also once part of Yugoslavia. The tiny sizes of our destinations — the four together have a total area about equal to New York State – made traveling between them convenient. At the same time that similarities became evident, so did differences based in part upon divergent ethnicities and cultures.

Tiny but diverse lands

Dubrovnik and Zagreb

Border checkpoints through which my trip group passed reminded us that we were traveling between independent nations.

Major cities, as well as charming towns and villages, are among the attractions. Dubrovnik, which clings to a narrow

PHOTO BY VICTOR BLOCK

By Victor Block As I strolled along ancient ramparts that encircled the small medieval city, the view changed with each twist and turn. On one side was a labyrinth of narrow streets lined by tile-roofed stone buildings. In the other direction were stunning views of the Adriatic Sea. Not very far away, the setting was very different. In an area about the size of Connecticut, I traveled through a varied terrain of rugged mountains, deep canyons and inviting beaches. And mountain villages, rolling meadows, and a city that ranks high on many a traveler’s favorites list greet visitors to an adjacent country that shares a history with its neighbors. Few trips I have enjoyed anywhere included as much diversity and diversion as my “Crossroads of the Adriatic” tour with Overseas Adventure Travel. Crisscrossing four miniscule countries that once were part of Yugoslavia, I delved into intriguing chapters of history, cultures and religions, oohed and aahed at a kaleidoscope of magnificent scenery, and checked out local life in both tiny towns and magnificent cities.

PHOTO BY VICTOR BLOCK

The Old Bridge in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina was originally built in the mid-16th century. After it was destroyed in the Bosnian War 20 years ago, this exact replica of the historic bridge was built.

Ban Jelacic Square in Croatia’s capital of Zagreb is a gathering spot for locals. Zagreb’s history dates to Roman times, and today the city has a population of about 800,000.

stretch of land at the southern tip of Croatia, is one of the most prominent tourist resorts of the Mediterranean. It doesn’t take long to understand why. Its Old Town neighborhood exudes a Middle Ages atmosphere from when it rivaled Venice in wealth and power. A number of palaces and other prominent landmarks date back to that golden era. The main feature is ancient fortified walls that encircle the city, set off by a series of turrets and towers. Walking along the top of the fortification provides dramatic views of the architectural treasures in the Old Town, and an understanding why Dubrovnik is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Zagreb, the capital of independent Croatia since 1991, has been a cultural center since the Middle Ages and boasts an inviting array of museums. A number of them are perched in the hilly, historical Upper Town, which visitors may reach on foot or by a 55-second ride in what’s said to be the shortest funicular in the world. The pedestrian-friendly Lower Town has inviting squares and parks. The center of action is Ban Jelacic Square, where locals gather to stroll, socialize and sip refreshments at outdoor cafes. Despite the appeals of Croatia’s major

cities, it was the capital of tiny Slovenia that became the new favorite European metropolis of many in my tour group. Ljubljana (pronounced Loo-blee-AH-na) is a bustling urban center with broad promenades and inviting pedestrian walkways. A section of stone wall, statues and mosaics are among reminders that this was the site of a Roman town dating to the year 14 C.E. Overlooking the setting from a hilltop is Ljubljana Castle, which dates back to the early 12th century and was reconstructed following an earthquake in 1511.

Visiting villages Small in size but no less interesting are towns and villages scattered about the Balkans. While many have attractions worth exploring, several stand out in my mind. Karanac, a village of about 1,000 people in Croatia, exemplifies rural charm. It’s located in what’s known as the Bread Basket of Croatia. Grapes have been grown on the surrounding hills since Roman times. Another claim to fame is its multi-ethnic population of Croats, Serbs, Hungarians and Germans who live together in harmony. See BALKANS, page 37

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5

Balkans

medical supplies and small weapons.

From page 36

Beautiful beaches and lakes

Tiny Hum is little more than a dot on maps. A 2001 census counted 17 residents, but I was told that a mini-population explosion has increased the number to 25. Documents date the settlement to the early 12th century, and some houses are built into defensive walls that were constructed to protect the town. Mostar follows a stretch of the Neretva River in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and has a history as one of the most ethnically diverse towns in the region. Its attractions range from graceful 16th and 17th century mosques to crowded shop-lined streets. The Old Bridge over the river is one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks. Originally built by the Ottomans in the mid-16th century, the graceful stone span stood for more than 400 years before being destroyed during the Bosnian War. Visitors today see an exact replica. If any city may be said to share both a happy and tragic past, it is Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina. For several hundred years, it was a cultural and religious haven where Serbs, Croats, Turks, Muslims, Jews and others lived in harmony. That peaceful picture came to an end during the fierce ethnic fighting that followed the death of Marshal Tito and only ended in the 1990s. Visitors to Sarajevo receive stark reminders of the bitter warfare that took place when the city was surrounded and its mostly Bosnian population came under constant attack by Serbian forces. The most dramatic introduction is in the Tunnel of Life, a mile-long underground passage that residents began building in 1992. By the end of the siege, nearly four years later, men, women and even children had made more than five million trips through the low tunnel carrying food,

Very different and much happier settings are encountered at water-related attractions in the Balkan countries. For those seeking a sun-and-sand respite, Croatia has beautiful beaches along its southern Dalmatian Coast. More than 120 beaches line the short shoreline of Montenegro. More dramatic scenery awaits visitors to Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. Water that fills a line of 16 lakes separated by natural dams spills down hillsides in a series of cascades toward a river at the bottom. Adding to the portrait-like setting are the colors of the water — sky blue, emerald green, rock gray — that reflect the surroundings. Equally magnificent in a different way is Lake Bled in Slovenia. Overlooking the lake from a steep cliff is Bled Castle, which dates back to the early 12th century. On a small island in the lake, which may be reached in a pletna boat (the local version of a gondola), is a small but graceful 17th-century church. The little house of worship is a popular wedding venue, and a good luck tradition calls for the groom to carry his bride-to-be up the 98 stone steps to the building, and for the couple to make a wish and ring the bell so it will come true. By the time I pulled the bell rope, my wish had already come true. I was experiencing four intriguing countries that are small in size but large in terms of attractions and appeal.

If you go Overseas Adventure Travel lives up to its motto of “Learning and Discovery.” In addition to the must-see attractions of a destination, its itineraries include lesservisited but equally inviting places. In addition, guides have flexibility to alter plans in order to take advantage of unexpected opportunities that crop up.

BEACON BITS

Sept. 22

LINCOLN’S COTTAGE & LUNCH IN GEORGETOWN A Howard County Recreation & Parks bus tour to two historic

areas of Washington, D.C. leaves Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 9 a.m. and returns at 4 p.m. Cost: $59, with lunch on your own. To register or for more information, email viruss@howardcountymd.gov or call (410) 313-7279.

Oct. 4

SEE KINKY BOOTS IN BALTIMORE Howard County Recreation & Parks is scheduling a bus to a matinee of the Broadway hit Kinky Boots at the Hippodrome Theater in

Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 4. The bus leaves at 11 a.m. and returns at 4 p.m. The cost is $119 for transportation and the show. For more information or to reserve a seat, call (410) 313-7279 or email viruss@howaradcountymd.gov.

Oct. 8

ENJOY PHILLY ART AND LUNCH A visit to the Barnes Foundation art gallery, with lunch at Moshulu in Philadelphia, is planned for participants in a Howard

County Recreation & Parks outing on Wednesday, Oct. 14. The bus leaves at 8:15 a.m. and returns at 7:15 p.m. The fee is $125. To reserve a seat, email viruss@howaradcountymd.gov or call (410) 313-7279.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

On my trip, these included stopping at a tiny 18th-century church whose parish priest served blueberry strudel he had made, and accompanying a truffle hunter and his dog on a search for that prized fungus. For information about OAT trips throughout the world, call (800) 955-1925 or log onto oattravel.com. With learning and discovery, both accommodations and food become part of an OAT trip. We spent one night in a traditional century-old farm house in Karanac, meeting the resident livestock and enjoying a hearty homemade breakfast. We also stayed in a city hotel built adja-

cent to the remains of a 16th-century inn that once provided overnight shelter to caravan drivers. Our food discoveries focused on the specialties of wherever we happened to be. We became used to hearing our guide, Ivana, insist, “You can’t leave (name of town or area) without sampling the (gastronomic specialty).” Among treats for our taste buds were truffles that aficionados rate among the best in the world, Slovenian sausage, dietbusting Croatian custard cake and heartshaped gingerbread cookies, and locally made brandies just about everywhere.

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

New ways to encounter, enjoy fall foliage

Ballooning over New England The ride that the Kellys enjoyed is operated by aptly named Balloons Over New England, located in Vermont. The flight has been likened to an aerial nature walk that skims

over two river valleys and offers distant views of the Green Mountains. The treat for the eyes is followed by one for the taste buds, with a champagne, fruit and pastry repast. As with any excursion planned to view fall foliage, the peak period can change a bit from year to year. In Vermont, color usually begins in late September and lasts to mid-October. For more information, call Balloons Over New England at 1-800-788-5562 or log onto www.balloonsovernewengland.com. Rather than gliding gently over treetops, Mark and Marylee Sutherland alternated opportunities to enjoy vibrant color along river shorelines with frantic paddling as the raft in which they traveled shot through heart-stopping rapids. Trips offered by the Nantahala Outdoor Center in North Carolina and Tennessee pass through steep gorges and mountain backdrops that are blanketed with trees that burst into color during September. Those who prefer to view the foliage in a more leisurely way have a choice of less challenging rivers. For more information, call (828) 785-5082 or log onto www.noc.com. As avowed landlubbers, the Goodmans found a covered wagon ride at the Buena Vista Ski Area in Minnesota to be the perfect way to enjoy the fall colors. They jounced over a route that was traveled by Native Americans, early explorers and pioneers.

Activities at this year’s annual Fall Color Festival, Sept. 19 and 20, will include square dancing, blacksmith demonstrations and chainsaw carving. Wagon rides are available at any time with advance reservations. Call 1-800777-7958 or log onto www.bvskiarea.com. A variety of other conveyances awaits those seeking a new and different way to view foliage. The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad offers a chance to view not only foliage, but bald eagles as well. The four-hour ride, which leaves from Romney, W.V., uses vintage locomotives from the 1950s, and includes several open-air cars for optimal eagle spotting as the train passes prime habitat. The railroad also PHOTO COURTESY OF BALLOONS OVER NEW ENGLAND

By Victor Block As they gently sail above the treetops, Jill and Bill Kelly enjoy the scenery passing below their hot air balloon. The ride is very different for Mark and Marylee Sutherland as they help steer a rubber raft through a stretch of rock-strewn river and over a 12-foot-high waterfall. Meanwhile, Nancy and Victor Goodman travel at a much slower pace, in a horsedrawn covered wagon rolling along a high ridge that early explorers called the “top of the world.” These disparate experiences seem to have little in common, but all three couples share a common goal. They sought, and have found, new ways — and places — to enjoy the annual fall foliage show that is among Mother Nature’s most magnificent handiworks. “Leaf peepers” seeking to enjoy the annual Technicolor display have many more choices than a drive along a traffic-clogged road or a hike through the woods. They also can find surprising places around the country to take in the multihued spectacle, and imaginative ways of doing so.

The company Balloons Over New England offers aerial views of fall leaves in Vermont.

offers special 1½-hour fall foliage trips from Petersburg, W.V., on selected dates in October. See FALL FOLIAGE, page 40

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

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Your age can save you money on travel If you’re at least 60 years old, depending on where you are, you may qualify for a senior discount on many travel services. And AARP members age 50 or over can also get in on some of the deals.

cent system-wide discounts to people age 60 or over, in both coach and sleeper accommodations. But VIA Rail offers much bigger discounts every week on “Discount Tuesday” to travelers of any age. Air and train travel Eurostar “Chunnel” trains Over the last two decades, offer varying discounts if seniors have lost out almost you’re 60 or over. completely in scoring good BritRail, France, and severairline deals. Only two serious al other railpasses also offer deals are still offered: senior options. Although Southwest’s fares TRAVEL TIPS Those 60 or over enjoy disfor those 65 and older are high- By Ed Perkins counts on individual train ticker than its lowest “Wanna Get ets in Denmark, Finland, NorAway” advance-purchase fares, they’re way and Sweden. Some other European about half the price of the “Anytime” fares countries offer discounts up to 50 percent that are the only ones left after the cheapest to holders of rail-issued senior cards. disappear. Other countries limit senior discounts to British Airways offers discounted tick- local pensioners. And Japan does not offer ets to AARP members of $65 in economy, $130 in premium economy, and $400 in business class. Seniors can do pretty well on some train tickets: Amtrak offers 15 percent discounts on coach tickets, system wide, to those age 62 or over, excluding most tickets on the high-speed Acela trains. VIA Rail Canada routinely offers 10 per-

senior discounts on either tickets or passes.

Public transit Many U.S. transit agencies offer senior discounts, typically around 50 percent, to riders age 65 or over. Some accept a Medicare card as ID to buy senior tickets; others require that you first obtain an ID from the transit agency. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia offer the best deals: Local transit and suburban rail are free at all times, and regional rail in Eastern Pennsylvania costs only $1 per ride. Just show your Medicare card. Seniors don’t do as well outside the U.S. The big Canadian systems don’t seem to offer senior deals, nor do most of the big European and Asian transit systems.

Hotels and rental cars Many U.S. hotels offer discounts to cus-

tomers, usually 5 to 15 percent off regular rates, starting at age 50 for AARP members, and at varying ages for non-members. Anyage members of AAA and other organizations get similar discounts. But short-term promotional deals and “opaque” rates for travelers of any age often beat these modest senior discounts. Senior hotel discounts are rare in Asia and Europe, other than some from the big worldwide chains. One other problem: As far as I can tell, the big metasearch engines and OTAs do not find senior deals, so you have to book directly with the hotel chain’s website. The Avis/Budget/Payless group offers AARP members reductions of 5 to 25 percent on car rentals, plus reduced prices on some ancillary services and some insurance benefits. © 2015 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Oct. 17

A WILD TRIP

Nov. 1

FREE ORCHESTRA CONCERT

A day at the National Zoo in Washington, DC is planned for Saturday, Oct. 10, with a bus leaving at 9 a.m. and returning at 5 p.m. Children are welcome. Tickets are $49 per person. To reserve, call (410) 313-7279 or email viruss@howardcountyme.gov.

The Har Sinai congregation in Owings Mills is hosting a free concert with the Howard County Orchestra with the theme “Our Beautiful Planet” on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. at Har Sinai, 2905 Walnut Ave., Owings Mills. The concert includes “Earth Day Suite” by Vivian Adleberg Rudow, “William Tell Overture” by Gioachino Rossini, and Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” featuring violinist Jonathan Carney. For more information, email nrosenthal517@yahoo.com or call (410) 484-6284.

Sept. 18+

ROAD TO THE ARTS WEEKEND

Howard County Arts Council opens the 2015-16 gallery season with a weekend of gallery openings and receptions at eight galleries throughout the county. For a list of the events, see the Road to the Arts map at www.hocoarts.org or call (410) 313-2787.

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START A TEAM.

Howard County Walk | Saturday, September 26, 2015 Centennial Park, Columbia Registration 9 a.m. | Walk 10 a.m. alz.org/walk | 800.272.3900

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Fall foliage From page 38 Trains depart twice daily on Saturdays in September and daily in October, with a number of departures on Saturdays and Sundays. To learn more, call (304) 4240736 or see http://www.potomaceagle.info. Or how about a thrilling flight in a World War II-era open cockpit airplane that can carry two passengers? Training planes

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

and fighter aircraft fly low over rolling hills and California vineyards. Those who are adventurous and brave enough may ask the pilot to take them through aerobatic maneuvers. The color of grape vines at ground level don’t pack quite the visual wallop of a tree canopy, but the red and yellow leaves against a backdrop of green have a beauty all their own. For more information, call (707) 9382444 or log onto www.vintageaircaft.com. PHOTO COURTESY OF BUENA VISTA SKI AREA

One unusual way to explore fall foliage is by covered wagon at the Buena Vista Ski Area in Minnesota.

Zip lines and ski resorts It’s true that zip lines don’t go as high or fast as airplanes, but zipping though and above treetops clad in a coat of many colors can be just as rewarding. One place among many to enjoy this experience is the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, which has the largest stand of old-growth forest east of the Mississippi River. The kaleidoscope of autumn colors there lasts for several weeks, beginning in September at the highest elevations and moving down mountainsides into November. The diversity of trees adds to the spectrum of vibrant hues. Information is available from the Tennessee tourism office at 1-800462-8366 and www.tnvacation.com. While a number of ski resorts throughout the country operate their lifts during the foliage season, Snowmass in Colorado does most of them one better — and then some. There’s a reason the town it’s in is called Aspen. The trees of that name turn the 2.3 million acres of surrounding national forest a brilliant shade of gold. It’s no wonder that Travel + Leisure last year ranked it among America’s Best Towns for Fall Colors. More than 50 miles of hiking trails pass through groves of golden aspens. Jeep and horseback tours are available for those who would rather ride than walk, and a gondola carries bikers to a high perch from which they follow downhill or cross country trails to the bottom. Those who take the chair lift to its 11,000-foot top are rewarded with a

panoramic view of the rugged Elk Mountain range. For more information, call 1-800-6793151 or log onto www.gosnowmass.com. If, after considering the alternatives, you still prefer the tried and true ways of enjoying the changing leaves, you still might find some surprises. For example, how many people are aware that leaves of dogwood, maple and red alder trees in Oregon display a rainbow spectrum of color? An autumn hike in the Rogue River National Forest passes through old growth trees that provide a variety of fall shades, and the Santiam Pass Scenic Byway leads past waterfalls and a volcanic landscape set off by vibrant colors. For more information, call 1-800-5477842 or log onto www.traveloregon.com. When planning a leaf peeping driving getaway, would you be likely to head for Arkansas? Yet that state experiences a color extravaganza that begins in October in the northern Ozarks, moves slowly south and peaks in late October and early November. A favorite route is the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop (yes, in Arizona), which traverses nearly undeveloped mountain areas and tree-covered canyons. The Talimena National Scenic Byway, which winds along forested mountain tops in one of the highest ranges between the Appalachians and Rockies, offers a series of breathtaking panoramas. For more information, call (501) 6827777 or log onto www.arkansas.com.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

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Nourishing Mind, Body and Spirit

Wednesday, October 9, 2013 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, October 10, 2013 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Timonium Fairgrounds ADMISSION: $2 or two cans of non-perishable food.

Free Gift