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VOL.30, NO.10

A local podcasting pioneer

OCTOBER 2018

I N S I D E …

PHOTO BY GRETCHEN VOGELZANG

By Barbara Ruben In 2014, Paul Vogelzang found himself packing up his desk at computer technology company Oracle as part of a company layoff. “That was a shock to the system in every way,” said Vogelzang, who lives in Reston, Va. “At 58, it was tough to get a job, particularly in the technology sector, which apparently wants to have a younger workforce. It was a rough kind of divorce, in the sense I had never gone through something like that.” He proceeded to interview for 75 to 100 jobs without an offer, despite his years of experience in digital marketing and podcasting. The interviews were often conducted by managers half his age, some asking inscrutable questions, unlike ones he recalled when he applied to jobs in the past. “For example, I was asked, ‘What’s your favorite cake?’ I answered that I liked chocolate cake, but I think I was supposed to answer in some other, deeper way. Perhaps make connections between how cake is a good tool with which to engage people and…I really don’t know...,” he trailed off. But not one to become bitter, Vogelzang (whose name means “birdsong” by the way) decided to parlay that experience into amusing posts on LinkedIn about his forays into the job market. “It was a time I felt I needed to pivot. I wasn’t getting any jobs, and writing about this unpleasant job search experience was exciting to me. People were beginning to pay attention to the problems facing older workers. “I thought, ‘I have this background in podcasting. Why don’t I start my own one?’” he recalled. Podcasts are audio or video interviews and lectures that can be accessed via computer or mobile devices, usually for free, and often as part of a series. The name is derived from the Apple iPod, which first enabled millions of people to lis-

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SEE SPECIAL INSERT Housing & Homecare Options following page 26

LEISURE & TRAVEL

Paul Vogelzang records his popular podcast, the “Not Old — Better” show, from a studio in his home in Reston, Va. He’s interviewed such celebrities as Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise, and produces regular segments on fitness and aging, with some garnering more than 300,000 listeners.

ten to music and a variety of interesting programs through a digital device. The name “podcast” (short for iPod broadcast) stuck and is now used for any such digital file.

cast, the “Not Old — Better Show,” which now has hundreds of thousands of listeners. He typically produces two or three episodes a week, all geared toward older adults. Recent episodes touch on such diverse

Delaware’s mansions, gardens and more; plus, shopping and dining in Israel’s ancient port city of Jaffa page 36 TECHNOLOGY 6 k Are electric cars in your future? FITNESS & HEALTH 10 k A broad genetic risk test k The coffee and cancer question

A show for “better” adults Thus began the idea for Vogelzang’s pod-

See PODCASTER, page 44

LAW & MONEY k Weathering a downturn k Pull these out of your wallet

SPOTLIGHT ON AGING k Newsletter for D.C. seniors

ARTS & STYLE k Rocking with Rod Stewart

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Lack of trust — Part II Last month, I wrote about the disturbing other needs of government at the time, and state of Social Security and Medicare. replaced with federal government IOUs to I noted that an additional, itself: Special interest-earning unbudgeted-for $416 bilTreasury bonds — misleadinglion must be paid out of this ly labeled “Trust Funds” — year’s federal budget in order that are now ostensibly being to meet the needs of Social “cashed in” to cover current exSecurity and Medicare benecess costs. ficiaries this year. But the money to redeem Those programs are supthose bonds comes out of curposed to be funded each year rent taxpayer revenues (and out of the payroll taxes paid by government deficit borrowevery working American. Ining), putting a huge strain on deed, for some decades, such FROM THE future budgets and generations payroll taxes far exceeded the PUBLISHER for years and years to come. By Stuart P. Rosenthal annual costs of the programs. (See my September column at Now, however, between the rising costs of healthcare (thanks in part to www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com/a-lack-ofthe development of life-extending cures that trust-fund if you want a fuller explanation.) cost a huge sum) and the rapidly retiring This month, I promised to address why baby boomer generation, this (and future) we find ourselves in this situation, and years’ costs far exceed the revenues. what we can do about it. I explained last month that the excess In a nutshell, we find ourselves in this revenues of past decades were spent on situation because most of our elected rep-

Correction: In the “Celebration of the Arts” insert in our September issue, we mistakenly referred to the gallery where winners’ artworks will be displayed from Nov. 28 to Dec. 19 as the Pepco E Street Gallery. The correct name of the gallery is the Pepco Edison Place Gallery. The address given, 702 8th St, NW, Washington, D.C., was correct. We apologize for the error.

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

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (301) 949-9766 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 10th of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 15th of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 51 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

resentatives in Congress like their jobs and want to be reelected. With House incumbents up for reelection every two years and senators every six, the incentives are incredibly strong to please their constituents in the short run by lowering taxes and increasing spending whenever possible, thereby boosting the federal deficit and kicking the can of its repayment down the road to future Congresses and generations. There does not seem to be any effective mechanism in our political system for holding those we elect currently accountable for the long-term damage their actions will inevitably bring about. Voters don’t think that way, and few campaign ads address the issue. And even to the extent we occasionally “throw the bums out,” their replacements have exactly the same incentives to keep doing the same thing, and usually do. There are many well-known ways to address the financial problems facing Social Security and Medicare. Here are a few of the ones that could — individually or together — solve the problems: — Raise payroll tax rates by 2 or 3 percent. This would raise costs for all employers and reduce take-home pay for all workers, but would probably eliminate the estimated shortfall for both programs well into the future. — Raise the level of income on which Social Security taxes are imposed (the “earnings cap”). The maximum income subject to the tax is currently $128,400, meaning high earners are not taxed on the balance of their incomes. This cap could be raised faster (it’s pegged to inflation) or eliminated. In the latter case, this alone would eliminate close to 90 percent of the Social Security shortfall. — Raise the age at which people qualify for Social Security. On average, we are living longer, so perhaps it makes sense to retire later. Not only would people have more

years of wages to live off of, they would pay additional payroll taxes and collect fewer benefits overall. This assumes, of course, that employers will be willing to keep or hire older adults, which is another issue... — Change the Social Security cost-of-living-adjustment formula so beneficiaries receive lower increases with inflation. To see a simulation of how these and other adjustments would affect the longterm financial health of Social Security, see bit.ly/SocialSecuritySimulator. As you can see, each solution involves a certain amount of sacrifice from one group or another. My view is that it doesn’t seem fair to impose all the costs on any one constituency, and it isn’t fair to impose additional costs on current retirees, since they are no longer in a position to plan ahead to cope with the changes. But I don’t see any reason why we can’t share the pain broadly among those of us still working and not on the verge of retirement. Congress could, if its members chose, enact all of the above (and a number of other adjustments I haven’t described) in small amounts over time. It could gradually raise the payroll tax rate, earnings cap, and age of retirement, and reduce COLAs starting some years out in a way that protects current retirees. Everyone would suffer a bit, but we would all be in this together, and the longterm health of our retirement programs would no longer be an issue. If you agree this is a sensible solution, there’s only one way to bring it about. Talk to your elected representatives and let them know this is something you want, and that you won’t vote them out of office if they act accordingly. The power is in your hands. Don’t forget to vote on November 6.

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: The Montgomery County Council is currently considering passage of Expedited Bill 13-18, Taxicabs – Transportation Services Improvement Fund. The county’s Commission on People with Disabilities opposes it for the following reasons: A surcharge was placed on Transportation Network Companies (e.g., Uber, Lyft, etc.) for rides originating in Montgomery County, with the funds directly intended to address the shortage of accessible car services for residents with disabilities. The surcharge was meant to assure accessible taxi service in Montgomery County, so critical for the wellbeing of residents who deal with mobility difficulties. But the Bill proposes using the rev-

enues collected for “any transportation purpose in the County.” This is not just “an oversight,” but would codify the immoral misappropriation of monies that were intended to protect residents who require accessible transportation to allow them to thrive in our county. The callous use of this fund as a general transportation fund is wrong and morally reprehensible. The fund was intended as a lifeline to serve our most vulnerable. This fund could help defray the cost of the transition to having all taxis in the County be accessible by 2025. The fund should used to frontload the costs of retrofitting vehicles, and to increase See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 49

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Our 50+ Expo Exhibitors to date: Exhibitors 40Plus of Greater Washington AARP Maryland AARP Virginia Anatomy Gifts Registry Arlington Aging & Disability Services Arlington County Office of Senior Adult Programs Bath Fitter Cabot Creamery Cooperative CareFirst MedPlus Center for Vein Restoration Chesapeake Urology Associates ClearCaption Comcast/Xfinity Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County Consumer Voice, The Crystal Insurance Group Design for Life Edward Jones Fairfax Area Agency on Aging Fairfax County Government Cable Channel 16

Community Partners 40 Plus of Greater Washington AAA Atrium Classic Assisted Living Aarondale Retirement Community Alexandria Adult Day Service Center Arbor Crest of Silver Spring Arden Courts of Fair Oaks Arl. Co. – Community Arts Arl. Co. – Langston Brown Sr Ctr Arl. Co. Office of Sr Adult-PR Arl. Co. Parks & Rec PR Dir Arl. Co. Sr Commun Outreach Arl. Co.. Madison Senior Center Arl. Co. Arlington Mill Sr Center Arl. Co. Aurora Hills Sr Ctr Arl. Co. Lee Center-Sr Prog Arl. Co. Aurora Hills Sr Center Arlington Agency on Aging Arlington Co. Arligton Mill Sr Ctr Arlington Jazzercize ArtStream Bannockburn Community Club Bedford Court Activity & Vol Coord Bethany House Bowie Senior Center Bykota Senior Center Camp Springs Senior Center Capitol Hill Villages Carol's Care Assisted Living

Fairfax Memorial Park Fiarfax County Fire and Rescue Fidelity Direct Mortgage Garden of Remembrance GeoLuxe Travel Hearing Health USA Herbology Holy Cross Health Hospice Caring Inderjeet Jumani, Long and Foster Realtors Jewish Council for the Aging Kaiser Permanente Kennedy Center, The Kitchen Saver Layhill Center by Vita HealthCare LeafFilter Gutter Protection Lesner Hearing Center Long & Foster (The Roberts Team) Manor Care Maryland Insurance Administration MD Relay Metropolitan Washington Ear Montgomery County Aging & Disability Services

Montgomery County Board of Elections Montgomery County Cancer Crusade Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Montgomery County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection Montgomery County Police Montgomery County Police/Keeping People Safe Montgomery County Resource Fair Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office Montgomery County Stroke Association Montgomery County Volunteer Center/RSVP Montgomery Hospice No. Va. Resource Center Deaf & Hard of Hearing Peace of Mind Solutions

Prevention of Blindness Society Re:Cognition Health Richard Byrd Library (Fairfax) Shady Grove Center by Vita HealthCare Seabury Resources for the Aging Senior Connections Sleep Number Bed Sommerset Retirement Community U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Vamoose Bus Virginia Cancer Specialists Virginia Relay Virtual Physical Visionary Eye Doctors Walper Travel

Charles E. Smith Life Communities Chesterbrook Residences City of Rockville Senior Center Cleveland & Woodley Park Village Complete Care Solutions, LLC Culpepper Garden Senior Center Dayspring Senior Home Diamond Home Health Care, Inc Dupont Circle Village Dupont Park Adventist Apartments Evelyn Cole Sr Center Foggy Bottom West End Village Forest Glen Apartments Fountains at Washington House Franklin Apartments Gardens of Traville Glover Park Village Grace Presbyterian Church Graceful Care, Inc Greenbelt Rec Services Greenbelt Senior Services Hedin House Apartments Hollin Hall Senior Center Holy Cross Senior Source Hunters Woods Fellowship House Kingstowne Ctr for Active Adults Lake Anne Fellowship House Lake Ridge Fellowship House Langley Park Senior Center Laurel-Beltsville Senior Center Leisure World

Lewinsville Adult Day Health Lewinsville Senior Center Lighthouse Healthcare Inc Lincolnia Senior Center Maplewood Park Place Metropolitan Washington Ear Mo. Co. Long Branch Sr Center Mo. Co. Damascus Senior Center Mo. Co. Holiday Park Sr Center Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Montgomery County Volunteer Center Montgomery Parks-MNCPPC Northwest Neighbors Village Oaks at Olde Towne Oaks Senior Apartment Community OASIS c/o Macy's Office of Consumer Protection Paul Spring Retirement Community Pimmit Hills Senior Center Presbyterian Meeting House Providence Senior Center Regency Care of Arlington Seabury at Friendship Terrace Shepherd's Center of Annandale/ Springfield

Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna Sibley Senior Association South County Senior Center Springvale Terrace St. Martin de Porres Senior Center Sunrise at Bluemont Park Sunrise at Montgomery Village Sunrise of Arlington Synergy Home Care The Crossings at Chantilly The Fairfax Thoreau Place Town Center Apartments Victory Court Vienna Baptist Church Virginia Hospital Center Wah Luck House Wakefield Senior Center Walter Reed Senior Center

Limited space remains. To exhibit, call Alan at 301-949-9766

Ask your community to bring a bus to the Expo! Call 301-949-9766

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Technology &

Innovations Are electric cars ready for prime time yet? miles. My destination: a charging station nine miles away. Electric-car early adopters are now shaking their heads at my plight and saying, “Well, duh, Dave. You’ve got to plan ahead.” But that’s exactly my point: Who does that? Gasoline-powered cars, hybrids included, require only a modicum of attention to keep them fueled. In most areas, gas stations are abundant, and the refueling experience is as consistent as grabbing fast food. You can pick the station based on the quality of the gas, or whether they sell lottery tickets inside. When was the last time you pulled up to See ELECTRIC CARS, page 9

PHOTO COURTESY OF VOLKSWAGON

By David Muhlbaum I recall two moments distinctly from my recent drive in a Volkswagen e-Golf, an allelectric car. The first was marveling at how this vehicle’s instantly available torque made it the best car I’d ever found for the cut-and-thrust of city driving. The second came only 80 miles or so later, as I was feather-footing the same car in the right lane of a divided highway, windows fogged because the air-conditioning was disabled, with a dashboard full of warning messages (including an illuminated turtle to let me know that all that zip I had enjoyed was gone). Most critically, the car’s range gauge indicated it had juice to go only 10 more

The Volkswagon e-Golf is an entirely electric (battery powered) vehicle, requiring it to be plugged in and recharged about every 150 miles. Unlike hybrids, no gas engine kicks in when power is low.

SMOOTH MOVE SEMINAR

“RIGHTSIZING YOUR LIFE” A free seminar presented by Eric Stewart, senior real estate specialist with Long & Foster and host of a weeky radio show on WMAL 105.9 FM

Tuesday, OCTOBER 23 • 11 A.m.-12:30 p.m. check-in & Hors d’oeuvres at 10:30 a.m. Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center 18131 Slade School Road • Sandy Spring, MD 20860

During this engaging presentation, you’ll explore a variety of retirement living options and discover how you can have P.E.A.C.E. when deciding if you prefer to age in place or move to a continuing care retirement community. You’ll also learn about the local real estate market and gain insights on preparation, market timing and how to sell your home for top dollar.

RSVP to Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org by Sunday, October 21.

❏ Ashby Ponds (See ads on pages 1, B-7, B-10) ❏ Beverly Assisted Living (See ad on page 18) ❏ Chesterbrook Residences (See ads on pages B-10, B-14) ❏ Crossings, The (See ad on page 10) ❏ Culpepper Garden (See ad on page 32) ❏ Falcons Landing (See ads on pages B-5, B-18) ❏ Greenspring (See ads on pages 1, B-7, B-15) ❏ Gum Springs Glen (See ad on page 31) ❏ Herndon Harbor House (See ad on page 31) ❏ Lockwood House (See ad on page 31) ❏ Potomac Place (See ad on page 31) ❏ Shenandoah Senior Living (See ad on page B-7) ❏ Sommerset (See ad on page B-6, B-17) ❏ Potomac Place (See ad on page 31) ❏ Vinson Hall (See ad on page B-2, B-18) ❏ Waltonwood (See ad on page B-3, B-18)

Clinical Trials ❏ GESTALT Study (See ad on page 23) ❏ Healthy Research Volunteers (See ad on page 22) ❏ Hearing Research Study (See ad on page 22) ❏ Hope for Alzheimer’s Study (See ad on page 22) ❏ Memory & Exercise Study (See ad on page 21) ❏ Opiate Study (See ad on page 20) ❏ Speech Comprehension Study (See ad on page 23)

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Please mail this form to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 or fax to (301) 949-8966 WB10/18

You may also return this with the housing info coupon on page B-11.

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Virginia

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❏ Alfred House (See ad on page 25) ❏ Aspenwood Senior Living (See ads on pages B-10 & B-13) ❏ Brooke Grove (See ads on pages 6, 13, B-10, B-15, B-20, 52) ❏ Charles E. Smith Life Communities (See ad on page 14) ❏ Charter House (See ad on page 32) ❏ Churchill Senior Living (See ad on page 24) ❏ Covenant Village (See ad on page B-10 ,31) ❏ Emerson House (See ads on pages B-15, 31) ❏ Five Star Premier Residences (See ad on page 12) ❏ Gardens of Traville (See ads on pages 25) ❏ Homecrest House (See ads on pages B-8, B-18) ❏ Homewood (See ad on page 9) ❏ Kensington Park (See ads on pages B-4, B-17) ❏ Landing of Silver Spring, The (See ad on page B-6) ❏ Landow House (See ad on page B-15) ❏ Park View Bladensburg (See ad on page B-19) ❏ Park View Columbia (See ad on page B-19) ❏ Park View Emerson (See ad on page B-19) ❏ Park View Laurel (See ad on page B-19) ❏ Riderwood (See ad on page 1, B-7, B-17) ❏ Springvale Terrace (See ads on pages B-3, B-18) ❏ The Sanctuary (See ad on page 14) ❏ The Village at Rockville (See ad on page B-15, B-16)

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FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★

www.varelay.org | 866-894-4116 (Voice) | 866-246-9300 (TTY)

❏ Chevy Chase House (see ads on pages B-8, B-18) ❏ Friendship Terrace (see ads on pages B-10, B-14)

★

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e-commerce sites such as Amazon.com, look for the three P’s: Place. Check the manufacturer’s website to find a list of authorized third-party distributors. If the seller’s name isn’t on it, chances are the website is selling fakes. You can also check sellers’ authenticity by contacting them directly. If they don’t get back to you, the phone number is out of service, or you can’t understand the response, don’t give them your business. Packaging. Legitimate brands spend a lot of money on packaging. If the product’s listing states that there’s no packaging available with the item, that should be a warning sign that the item is a fake. Price. Be skeptical of an extremely low price. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Other red flags include extra-long shipping times, no established return policy, and suspicious reviews in the feedback section of the website. If the reviews are nearly identical, unabashedly positive and contain a lot of misspellings, they probably aren’t legitimate. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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By Ilya Kneppelhout Online shopping could be hazardous to your wealth — and your health. An investigation by the Government Accountability Office, a federal watchdog agency, found that many products sold by third-party sellers on popular websites such as Amazon.com and Walmart.com were counterfeit — and dangerous — and were often a total waste of money. Cheap, substandard phone chargers could electrocute users, the GAO said, and bogus cosmetics have contained mercury, lead and other hazardous substances. Other frequently counterfeited items included batteries, travel mugs, contact lenses and toothpaste. “Counterfeiting is not a victimless crime. It kills people,” said Bob Barchiesi, president of the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition, a nonprofit industry group. Counterfeiters have designed products that closely resemble the genuine items, making it increasingly difficult to spot fakes. Still, there are ways to protect yourself. Your safest bet is to buy directly from the manufacturer’s website and pay a little more. If you’re a bargain shopper, the item you want is out of stock, or it’s only available on

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Some online bargains too good to be true

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Age-Friendly Montgomery “I’m inviting you to enjoy our County’s resources and programs.” County Executive Ike Leggett

Safety Tips for Fire Prevention and Crime Prevention “Smoke Alarms 101”

Common Crimes Victimizing Seniors

1. Do Smoke Alarms expire? Yes! Smoke alarms are an essential part of your fire prevention strategy and need to be replaced EVERY 10 years from the date of manufacture printed on the back of the smoke alarm.

1. Financial Scams Committed Over the Telephone: Studies show that most fraudulent telemarketer calls are placed to older customers.

2. How do I know what type of smoke alarms I need? Smoke alarm requirements are based on the Code requirements when the house was built. As a result, it is critical to know when your home was built to determine the type of smoke alarms required. Residential code requirements can be found at www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe. Important: it is never acceptable to remove required hardwired smoke alarms and replace with any type of batteryonly smoke alarm. 3. Where do I install them? As a general rule, smoke alarms should be installed inside bedrooms, on every level of your home (including the basement) and outside sleeping areas. For the best protection, smoke alarms should be interconnected. Interconnected alarms can quickly alert you to a fire since when one sounds, they all sound. 4. Plan your escape around your abilities. If possible, identify two ways out of every room. You may have less than three minutes to get out of your home if there is a fire. It is important to have an escape plan before a fire occurs, so everyone is prepared and ready to act. 5. Think about your needs. If you need to use a wheelchair or a walker, make sure you can get to them easily and get out quickly. If you wear hearing aids or eyeglasses, put them next to your bed while you are sleeping. Have a phone near the bed so you can call for help in the event of an emergency.

2. Home Improvement Scams: These include driveway repaving and roof repair as well as tree repair and landscaping. 3. Pickpocket/Purse Snatch: One or more suspects distract victim and quickly remove a wallet or purse.

What You Can Do: 1. Be skeptical of offers that come over the phone or in person from someone you don’t know. You can decline to listen. Don’t hesitate to hang up on a telemarketer. 2. Be wary of workers who just show up asking for work, even if they say they are working in your neighborhood. 3. Don’t give out personal information to someone you don’t know. Don’t let yourself be pressured into giving money, making a verbal agreement, or signing a written contract. 4. Keep your wallet in your front pocket, or in a closed purse. Keep your purse in front of you at all times. An open purse is an easy target for a thief. Never be embarrassed to report being a victim. Call 9-1-1 for a crime in progress and 301-279-8000 if a crime is discovered after the fact.

• Aging & Disability Resource Line 240-777-3000

• 3-1-1 or 240-777-0311 for County programs and services; 9-1-1 for emergency • www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior

• “Seniors Today” airs on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. on Comcast/RCN 6, Verizon 30

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Electric cars From page 6 a filling station where none of the pumps worked? Or the nozzle didn’t fit your car? Or there was only one pump, and the guy ahead of you needed four hours to fill up? As I sought to recharge my loaner electric, all of those things happened to me, triggering a condition the industry calls range anxiety. It felt more like range panic. The e-Golf I drove is a battery electric vehicle (BEV). It had an electric motor where a gasoline engine would be and a battery instead of a fuel tank. So, no plug, no go. BEVs sit at one extreme of the range of power choices for cars. At the other end are internal combustion vehicles that only burn fuel (what we used to just call cars). In between are hybrids that have both electric motors and gas engines, which help charge the batteries and propel the car (think Toyota Prius). There are also plug-in hybrids with big batteries. If you charge them up at an outlet, the cars will run on electricity alone for a number of miles before their gas engines kick in.

The future of driving? Electric cars have many merits. Besides quick acceleration, and the potential for lower operating costs (because they don’t need gas), they don’t pollute from the tailpipe. That’s why big money is being thrown at electric cars around the world. China, in particular, subsidizes them heavily because it wants to meet rising consumer demand for cars and improve its cities’ often-dismal air quality. Not surprisingly, a lot of studies point to many more electric cars in the global future. But is one in your future? That is, will you buy a battery electric as your next vehicle? I doubt it. Sure, there are always the early adopters,

who have the commitment and money to make a statement (looking at you, Tesla bros, with your vanity tags saying “ENVT 1,” “4GET GAS” and such). However, if your driving habits take you more than, say, 150 miles from home more than a few times a year, it’s hard to see a true electric working out as your primary vehicle, given the primitive state of the recharging architecture. My wife’s cousins, Alex Horowitz and Emily Diamond-Falk, are about as green as they come. But even they didn’t go fully electric for their first car. “As a one-car household, an all-electric would have covered 90 percent of our driving,” Emily explained. “But that last 10 percent matters, too.” They opted for a Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid. On longer trips, such as the 650-mile drives they take to visit her mom in Michigan, the gas engine kicks in, saving them the hunt for a charger.

Are they cost-effective? That said, BEVs do work for some people. Got a predictable commute and room for a charger at home? You could save money because electrics are inherently more efficient than gas cars at turning energy into motion. Take my e-Golf: Running it 100 miles would cost about $3.60 for the electricity. For a gas-burning Golf, it would cost $10.50 in gasoline. While the manufacturer’s suggested retail price on the e-Golf is substantially higher than the gas model, a $7,500 federal tax credit is currently available. Another electric cost-saver: Lower maintenance costs, starting with no oil changes. Those savings might cover a few car rentals if you need a car with the range for a proper road trip. What about Tesla? The cars are impressive, sure, with mind-blowing acceleration

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

and range well over 200 miles. But, for now, they’re very, very costly. In case you’re wondering whether I reached the charger or had to call for a flatbed to haul away a now-useless car (remember, a friend can’t bring you a can of electrons), I’m proud to say that I made it. The destination was Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia, where my ChargePoint app said there were eight charging plugs in the daily garage, some of which were available. That was technically true: When I crawled into the parking garage, several of the chargers (analogous to pumps) were

ready to deliver juice, as the last customers’ cars were fully charged. But those cars were all still in the parking spots, with their owners off to Dubuque — or Dubai. With the e-Golf’s last few watts, I blocked a few of them in, unplugged one of the space hogs and made the charging cord stretch out to the aisle. I hooked up for my “free” electricity — enough charge to make it home — and fell into fitful sleep in the driver’s seat. I then had to pay $17 to get out of the garage. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Health Fitness &

NO MORE MONTHLY EXAMS Regular breast self-exams are being replaced with general self-awareness A GAP IN MEDIGAP Two medigap insurance plans are being phased out BEYOND NORMAL MEMORY LOSS Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) affects decision making and language UNLOCKING AGING’S SECRETS Healthy participants are needed in a paid study examining the aging process

Multi-gene test may identify risks earlier By Lauran Neergaard You know your cholesterol and your blood pressure levels. But your heart gene score? Researchers say a new way of analyzing genetic test data may one day help identify people at high risk of a youthful heart attack in time to help. Today, gene testing mostly focuses on rare mutations in one or a few genes, like those that cause cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease, or the BRCA gene responsible for a small fraction of breast cancer. It is less useful for some of the most common diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes, because they are influenced by vast numbers of genes-gone-wrong working together in complicated ways.

But recently, researchers have reported a new way to measure millions of small genetic variations that can add up to cause harm, letting them calculate someone’s inherited risk for the most common form of heart disease and four other serious disorders. The potential cardiac impact: They estimated that up to 25 million Americans may have triple the average person’s risk for coronary artery disease even if they haven’t yet developed warning signs like high cholesterol. “What I foresee is, in five years, each person will know this risk number, this ‘polygenic risk score,’ similar to the way each person knows his or her cholesterol,” said Dr. Sekar Kathiresan, who led the re-

search team from the Broad Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Interpreting risk scores If the approach pans out and doctors adopt it, a bad score wouldn’t mean you’d get a disease, just that your genetic makeup increases the chance. It would be one more piece of information in deciding care. For example, when the researchers tested the system using a DNA database from Britain, fewer than 1 percent of people with the lowest risk scores were diagnosed with coronary artery disease, compared to 11 percent of people with the highest risk score.

“There are things you can do to lower the risk,” Kathiresan said — the usual advice about diet, exercise, cholesterol medication and not smoking helps. On the flip side, a low-risk score “doesn’t give you a free pass,” he added. An unhealthy lifestyle could overwhelm the protection of good genes. The scoring system also can predict an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, breast cancer, and an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, the team reported in the journal Nature Genetics — noting that next steps include learning what might likewise lower those risks. See GENE TEST, page 12

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Coffee and the ‘cancer-causing’ chemical Q: As I coffee lover, I have been happy to read about its health benefits. However, I am a bit disturbed by the suggestion that one of its ingredients causes cancer. What’s your opinion? A: Indeed, the news on coffee is mostly good. This includes the results of a recent study that found coffee drinkers live longer, a conclusion that held up even for heavy coffee consumption (eight or more cups of coffee each day), and regardless of whether the coffee was caffeinated or not. And longevity was linked to coffee consumption regardless of what type of caffeine metabolism genes you carry. The authors concluded that the health benefits of coffee go beyond caffeine. I suspect your question is related to an effort in California to require a notification to coffee consumers of a possible link to cancer. Here’s the reason: in 1986, California passed Proposition 65, which requires businesses to provide a warning label when exposing any consumer to any item on a long list of potentially harmful chemicals. Acrylamide is on that list, and coffee contains acrylamide — a chemical produced during the roasting process. Nothing has changed in our understanding regarding the potential side effects of coffee, or its benefits.

Many studies have explored whether there is a potential link between drinking coffee and cancer. None has convincingly linked acrylamide in coffee (or coffee in general) to one’s risk of cancer, and there is plenty of research. The amount of acrylamide in coffee varies, and is quite small compared to amounts found to cause cancer in animals. In addition, there are other sources of acrylamide exposure no one is making a fuss over, including bread, potato chips and breakfast cereals. It’s also found in cigarettes. While future research could find a link between coffee and cancer, there’s no particular reason to expect that to happen. In the meantime, if you are worried about acrylamide, you can limit your exposure to it by not smoking and by eating less fried, burnt or charred foods. Also avoid coffee substitutes and instant coffee, which contain higher amounts of acrylamide than regular coffee. Perhaps we will discover ways of reducing or even eliminating acrylamide in the coffee roasting process. But it’s not clear that changing how coffee is roasted will actually improve your health. As is so often the case with potentially carcinogenic toxins, we’ll need additional research to determine whether the amount of acrylamide in coffee and other foods and

drinks matters a little, a lot, or not at all. Robert H. Shmerling, M.D., is Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health in-

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Gene test From page 10

Not a complex technique Finding your score doesn’t require the most sophisticated type of genetic testing. Instead, Kathiresan can calculate risk scores for those five diseases — eventually maybe more — simply by reanalyzing the kind of raw data people receive after sending a cheek swab to companies like 23andMe. A geneticist who specializes in cardiovascular disease, he hopes to open a website where people can send in such data to learn their heart risk as part of continuing research. Kathiresan and co-author Dr. Amit Khera, a Mass General cardiologist, are co-inventors on a patent application for the system. Other scientists and companies have long sought ways to measure risk from

multiple, additive gene effects — the “poly” in polygenic — and Myriad Genetics has begun selling a type of polygenic test for breast cancer risk. But specialists in heart disease and genetics who weren’t involved with the research called the new findings exciting because of their scope. “The results should be eye-opening for cardiologists,” said Dr. Charles C. Hong, director of cardiovascular research at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “The only disappointment is that this score applies only to those with European ancestry, so I wonder if similar scores are in the works for the large majority of the world population that is not white.” Hong pointed to a friend who recently died of a massive heart attack despite being a super-fit marathon runner who’d never smoked. It was the kind of puzzling

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

death that doctors have long hoped that a better understanding of genetics could help to prevent. “Most of the variation in disease risk comes from an enormous number of very tiny effects” in genes, agreed Stanford University genetics professor Jonathan Pritchard. “This is the first time polygenic scores have really been shown to reach the level of precision where they can have an impact” on patient health. First, the Boston-based team combed previous studies that mapped the DNA of

large numbers of people, looking for links to the five diseases — not outright mutations but minor misspellings in the genetic code. Each variation alone would have only a tiny effect on health. They developed a computerized system that analyzed how those effects add up, and tested it using DNA and medical records from 400,000 people stored in Britain’s UK Biobank. Scores more than three times the average person’s risk were deemed high. — AP

BEACON BITS

Oct. 30

FUTURE OF EYE RESEARCH

National Eye Institute (NEI) and the Leisure World Lions Club present “The Future of Eye Research” on Tuesday, Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to noon. Learn about groundbreaking vision research progress that could preserve or restore your sight. Join internationally-recognized researcher Dr. Wai Wong as he discusses the impact of regenerative medicine, and how NEI is using it to research sight-saving treatments, reduce blindness, and improve quality of life. Dr. Suleiman Alibhai will introduce Dr. Wong and discuss the advent of new technologies that complement medical research. The talk takes place at Leisure World Clubhouse Two, 3300 N. Leisure World Blvd., Silver Spring, Md. For more information, call the Low Vision Center at (301) 951-1225.

Oct. 24

BRAIN HEALTH PROGRAM

AARP Chapter 284 will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 1:15 p.m. at the Arlington County Central Library first floor auditorium. The program will be “The Five Pillars of Brain Health.” The library is located at 1015 N Quincy St., Arlington, Va. For more information, call Jim Morris at (703) 819-5631.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

october 2018

UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTS at Brooke Grove retirement village

As experts 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 seminars and events will be held at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, located at 18131 Slade School Road on the Brooke Grove Retirement Village campus, unless otherwise noted. Please register with Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org.

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Do you still need to do breast self-exams? Dear Mayo Clinic: I’m confused about breast self-exams. I’m 45 years old, and I remember being told to do self-exams monthly. At one point, my healthcare provider even gave me a laminated card to put in the shower that showed the correct technique. Now it seems self-exams aren’t talked about much anymore. Are we still supposed to do them? Answer: You are correct that the role of breast self-exams has changed. While de-

tailed breast self-exams no longer are recommended as part of formal screening for breast cancer, it is still important for you to know how your breasts usually look and feel. That way, if anything changes, you will be more likely to notice the difference. Breast self-awareness can help you become more familiar with your own breasts, so you understand what’s normal for you. In the past, healthcare providers often recommended that women do breast selfexams regularly using a step-by-step ap-

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proach to detect signs of breast cancer. Although breast self-exams seemed like a good way for women to find breast cancer in its early stages, research showed that those self-exams triggered more breast tests and biopsies being done that came back with normal findings (sometimes called false positives) in women who did breast self-exams, compared to women who did not do the exams. Now, instead of using detailed selfexams as part of a formal breast cancer screening process, healthcare providers recommend breast self-awareness, so that women become familiar with the normal look and feel of their breasts. That way, if you notice a change in your breast, such as a lump or bump that seems out of the ordinary to you, you can tell your healthcare provider about it. From there, the two of you can decide if any further investigation is needed.

Get clinical exams, mammograms Although it is a good idea for you to be aware of the typical look and feel of your breasts, keep in mind that breast self-awareness can’t replace a clinical breast exam conducted by your healthcare provider. And breast self-awareness should not replace screening mammograms or other breast cancer screening tests that your

healthcare provider recommends. Mammograms continue to play a key role in early breast cancer detection and have been shown to help decrease breast cancer deaths. Screening mammograms often can detect breast changes in women who have no new noticeable breast abnormalities or any other signs or symptoms of cancer. The goal of these screening mammograms is to detect cancer in its earliest stage, before you’d be able to notice any changes. Take time to talk to your healthcare provider about the approach to breast cancer screening that’s right for you. Factors that can make a difference in that approach include your age, medical background and family history, among others. Discuss the benefits, risks and limitations of screening tools, such as mammograms, and decide together what is best for your situation. — Karthik Ghosh, M.D., Breast Diagnostic Clinic, 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) © 2018 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Medicare to phase out two medigap plans By Kimberly Lankford I understand that medigap Plan F is going away in 2020. I’ve had Plan F for years. Does that mean I have to pick a new plan? Answer: No, you don’t need to switch plans. Medicare supplement policies (also known as medigap plans), which help cover Medicare’s co-payments, deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs, currently come in 10 standardized plans. They are identified by letters A through D, F, G, and K through N, and are sold by various companies. Every plan with the same letter designation provides the same coverage, even though premiums can vary by company. Medigap Plan F and Plan C can’t be sold to newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries after January 1, 2020, but current beneficiaries can keep their plans. This change is part of a 2015 law that prohibits medigap plans that cover the deductible for Part B (medical insurance) from being sold to new Medicare enrollees starting in 2020. The hope is that people will be more careful about using medical care if they have to pay a deductible, even if it’s small (the Part B deductible is $183 in 2018). Plan F and Plan C cover the Part B deductible.

Try Plan G instead New Medicare enrollees who like the coverage of Plan F (which is currently the most popular plan) should consider Plan G, which provides most of the same coverage but doesn’t include the Part B deductible. In 2018, the average premium for Plan F nationally is $2,204 per year, while the average Plan G costs $1,786, according to Weiss Ratings Medigap. Premiums can be higher or lower depending on your state, and they can also vary from company to company. Many state insurance departments post lists of the premiums for each company’s medigap policies sold in their state. For more information about what each letter plan covers, see How to Compare Medigap Policies at www.Medicare.gov. People who are currently in Plan F can remain in the plan, but they should keep an eye out for changes to premiums in the future, when new enrollees will no longer be in the risk pool. However, it can be difficult to switch plans after you first enroll. Medigap insurers in most states can reject you for coverage or charge more because of preexisting conditions if more than six months have passed after you signed up for Part B (although some states may pass special consumer protections for people who currently have Plan F).

REVIVED. READY.

For more information about the current rules, see the Kaiser Family Foundation’s study on the topic, “Medigap Enrollment and Consumer Protections Vary Across States,”

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Learning early to revere elders in Japan In one of my earliest columns published Teens respect elders in the Beacon, “A Pal Because of a Pen,” I “Many teens go through a rebellious discussed the benefits of havphase,” Sakiko admitted, ing a pen pal. When one of my chuckling, “but I feel like close friends, Sakiko Miyazawhen it comes to the elderly ki, moved to Japan from the they take a step back. U.S., I decided to take my own “The unconscious action advice, and for two years have [of treating our elders with rebeen keeping in touch with spect] has been ingrained into her via email. us from a young age as we From comparing school watch our parents and others days, to discussing summer in our community. So, doing plans, to swapping book recomthings out of respect for the mendations, our correspon- GENERATIONS elderly is almost in our blood.” TOGETHER dence has been a blast. A perfect example of this By Alexis Bentz One topic that we have par“unconscious action” is one ticularly enjoyed exploring is that is outrageously simple one of the most significant differences she and yet has a profound impact on the eldnoticed between Japan and the United ers in the community: giving up one’s seat States: the way that older adults are viewed on public transportation for use by an in society. I recently interviewed her to older adult. learn more about this cultural distinction. “What I love about Japan is that in public In a country that is as technologically transportation, there are actually sections on and medically advanced as Japan, individu- the bus or train designated for the elderly,” als are able to live exceptionally long lives. Sakiko said. “Younger people can sit there, In fact, Japan has one of the highest life ex- but if an elderly person enters the train, we pectancy rates in the world. In large part, will stand up for them to sit. It creates a culthis contributes to Japan’s notoriety for re- ture of not just respect, but kindness.” specting their elders. Another reason for Teens in particular, according to Sakiko, this cultural value is Japan’s rich history. are enthusiastic about showing respect for “Japan,” Sakiko explained, “has a really their elders. “On the public transportation interesting history because it has been in- system, teenagers will go out of their way to fluenced by so many countries over hun- ensure that the elderly have a seat. I knew dreds of years. It has been influenced that [practice] existed since I was little, but I heavily by China, and in China, respect for don’t think I ever appreciated how much it the elderly is viewed as something all chil- meant to the people on the trains until I dren should have.” moved to Japan after living in the U.S.” This emphasis on respect for older adults Besides random interactions both literhas thus become integrated into the Japan- ally and figuratively on the street, Japanese ese culture. It continues to manifest itself teens have ample occasions to connect today, for example, in Japanese teenagers, with seniors in their communities. “For exwho view the elderly as wise and experi- ample, some schools visit elderly homes, enced. and the teens involved are passionate

about showing that they care,” she said.

Strong family ties, too In addition to the platonic bonds between teens and elders in Japanese society, the familial bonds between grandparent and grandchild are strong. “Japanese grandchildren are often very close to their grandparents, sometimes even closer than to their parents!” Sakiko revealed, laughing. “Parents tell you what to do, but grandparents’ rules are a little looser…kids will sometimes suck up to their grandparents to get something like an ice cream.” Sharing one of her personal experiences with her grandparents, Sakiko remembered fondly: “Whenever I go to visit my grandparents’ house, I play the piano for them.

“Playing for them has become a tradition, seeing that my maternal grandparents love music and have passed that love down to me. I always enjoy seeing them; they have all these stories and values, and we’ve created our own culture within our family.” This family culture is quite common in Japan. It is almost universal in Japan for families to get together during the holidays and celebrate. Many times, adult children will move to Tokyo to work, but then come back home for New Years to spend time with their elderly parents. Another example: “It could be as simple as me holding the door for [an elder]. They are really appreciative and say ‘thank you,’ and See REVERED IN JAPAN, page 18

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

When memory loss should be a concern By Howard LeWine Q: I have become a bit more forgetful. I read about something called mild cognitive impairment. How do

you know if you have it? A: Everyone has the occasional bout of forgetfulness, whether it’s misplacing your keys or blanking out on a name. But if

BEACON BITS

Oct. 16+

SLEEP AND WOMEN’S HEALTH CONFERENCE

The National Institutes of Health presents a research conference on sleep and women’s health on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 16 and 17 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Ruth L. Kirschstein Auditorium at Natcher Conference Center at NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Md. Admission is free and the conference is open to the public, but registration is required. For more information or to register, visit http://bit.ly/NIHWomensSleepConference.

Oct. 9

ASK THE NUTRITIONIST

Hope Connections for Cancer Support offers “Ask the Nutritionist” on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 8401 Corporate Dr., Landover, Md. from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Ask nutritionist Leslie Jefferson from Giant Foods questions about nutrition to help you on your journey. RSVP required at (301) 634-7500.

these episodes become frequent or interfere with daily life, you may have mild cognitive impairment, or MCI. But MCI can be tough to identify. MCI falls somewhere between the natural cognitive decline that happens with aging and the more serious signs of Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. Despite some cognitive deficits, people with MCI can still engage in their usual daily routine and perform the functions needed to live independently. MCI is categorized into two major types. The first is known as amnestic MCI and refers to problems with memory — such as forgetting recent information and details of conversations, or misplacing personal items like your glasses. The second category, nonamnestic MCI, involves changes in areas other than memory — such as attention and concentration, executive function (the group of abilities that includes planning, multitasking, and decision making), language skills (like finding words or choosing the right ones), and visual skills (like finding your way around locations or understanding where things are in space). MCI is tough to pinpoint because people often shrug off the mental lapses as annoying signs of aging. Also, not everyone experiences the same number of symptoms

or the same severity. People may have a deficit in only one area — for instance, only memory or executive function — called single-domain MCI, or mild deficits in several areas, called multi-domain MCI. Being honest about your memory lapses is always the first step to identifying MCI. If you’re not sure if your memory is a problem, ask friends or family for an honest assessment, or ask them to look out for memory changes you might not notice. If you or someone else suspects a problem, your doctor can perform in-office cognitive tests to check for MCI. If you are diagnosed with MCI, that doesn’t mean you’re automatically on the fast track to dementia. In fact, many people will not progress to more severe problems. While there is no single proven method for preventing or slowing MCI, people can reduce their risk of cognitive decline by getting regular exercise, eating a Mediterranean style diet, and remaining socially engaged. Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, =visit www.health.harvard.edu. © 2018 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed By Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Revered in Japan

trast similarities and differences between the attitudes toward and societal values regarding older adults in American and Japanese culture, as well as look into how the elderly are viewed in other countries. Maybe even plan a trip to Japan to see for yourself! Bentz is an 11th-grade student at Thomas Wootton High School in Rockville, Md.

From page 17 it’s just our own really special moment. It makes you feel good because you know that you did something to make someone’s day.” Have your own special moment with a teenage friend. You can compare and con-

Caring for your aging parent or loved one? It’s not all up to you. Call us. 240-777-3000 ADS@ MontgomeryCountyMD.gov

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Distinguishing Alzheimer’s from dementia Dear Savvy Senior: What’s the dif ference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia? My aunt has dementia, but they don’t know if she has Alzheimer’s disease, which is very confusing to me. Trying To Understand Dear Trying: Many people use the words “Alzheimer’s disease” and “dementia” interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. In fact, you can have a form of dementia that is completely unrelated to Alzheimer’s disease. Here’s what you should know. Dementia is a general term for a set of symptoms that includes memory loss, impaired communication skills, a decline in reasoning, and changes in behavior. It most commonly strikes elderly people,

and used to be referred to as senility. Alzheimer’s disease is a specific illness that is the most common cause of dementia. Though many diseases can cause dementia, Alzheimer’s — which affects 5.7 million Americans today — accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases, which is why you often hear the terms used interchangeably. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, such as vascular dementia, which is the second most common cause, accounting for about 10 percent of dementia cases. Vascular dementia is caused by a stroke or poor blood flow to the brain. Other degenerative disorders that can cause dementia include Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Frontotemporal dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Chronic

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Nov. 17

GRIEF SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES

Chesapeake Life Center’s Hope Full Holidays workshops help adults grieving a loss get through the holidays. This year it will be open to children 6 years and older. The new family-centered workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17 in the nonprofit’s offices at 9500 Medical Center Dr., Suite 250, Largo, Md. As different age groups experience grief differently, the program will include time apart for kids, teens and adults, as well as time together as a family, so they can honor and share memories of their loved one. There also will be cookies and craft activities alongside the grief session led by counselors. The cost for the family workshop is $15 per family. Registration is required and can be completed by calling 1-888-501-7077 or emailing griefinfo@chesapeakelifecenter.org.

Oct. 19

DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS PROGRAM

Montgomery College and the Alzheimer’s Association present Caregivers’ Café D on Friday, Oct. 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in room 125 SC on the Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee St. Henry Nash will speak about legal and financial matters affecting people living with Alzheimer’s disease and/or dementia. This workshop is for caregivers of people living with these diseases. For more information or to reserve a seat, contact Debbie Juneja at (240) 567-5678 or email debbie.juneja@montgomerycollege.edu.

Less This More This

Nexus Montgomery is a partnership among the six hospitals

in Montgomery County, that connects people with services to help them remain healthy and independent. Learn More at NexusMontgomery.org

Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), Huntington’s disease and Korsakoff Syndrome. Some patients may also have more than one form of dementia, known as mixed dementia.

Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells, but the symptoms can vary depending See DEMENTIA TYPES, page 20

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Dementia types From page 19 on the cause. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease, protein fragments or plaques that accumulate in the space between nerve cells, and twisted tangles of another protein that build up inside cells, appear to cause the damage. In Alzheimer’s disease, dementia gets progressively worse to the point where patients cannot carry out daily activities and cannot speak, respond to their environment, swallow or walk. Although some treatments may temporarily ease symptoms, the downward progression of disease continues and it is not curable. But some forms of dementia are reversible, which is why it’s important to be evaluated by a physician early on. Vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems,

brain tumors, depression, excessive alcohol use, medication side effects and certain infectious diseases can cause reversible forms of dementia. Another treatable form of dementia is a condition known as normal pressure hydrocephalus, which is caused by a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain that can be relieved by surgically implanting a shunt to drain off excess fluid. This type of dementia is often preceded or accompanied by difficulty walking and incontinence. To learn more about the different types of dementia, including the symptoms, risks, causes and treatments, visit the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org/dementia. Send your questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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Oct. 9

LIVING WITH PARKINSON’S Though there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, individuals can

live a full and happy life. Join Melinda Gren, PT, DPT and Bri Howard, BSW, of Virginian Home Health for an educational discussion on how to take the best care of yourself or a loved one after a diagnosis of Parkinson’s on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 11:30 a.m. at Lee Senior Center, 5722 Lee Hwy., Arlington, Va. Admission and parking is free. For more information or to register, call (703) 228-0555.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Health Studies Page

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Study on healthy aging seeks volunteers By Barbara Ruben Two years ago, the National Institute on Aging launched the GESTALT study, which stands for the Genetic and Epigenetic Signatures of Translational Aging Laboratory Testing study. The study takes one of the first largescale, long-term looks at why aging progresses as it does — and how to help more people take advantage of ways to improve quality of life as they age. The GESTALT study is looking at biomarkers in blood and tissue that can help scientists understand diseases and signs of aging, such as why muscles shrink, skin wrinkles and memory declines. It is an offshoot of the long-running Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging (BLSA), which has mapped out many of the changes people experience as they get older. Dr. Luigi Ferrucci, scientific director of the National Institute on Aging, leads both the BLSA and the GESTALT study. The first participants have been part of the study for two years, and he’s recruiting for more generally healthy adults age 20 and older (there is no upper age limit) to participate for 10 years or more so changes can be tracked over time. Study visits last two days every two years and offer substantial compensation. Researchers are looking at the process of aging on a cellular level, using white blood cells taken in samples from participants. Until recent advances in technology, there wasn’t a way to capture as many cells as are necessary for the study. Using a process called cytapheresis, blood will be removed through a needle in the vein of one arm and run through a machine that separates out the white blood cells. The blood will be returned through a needle in a vein of the other arm, and white blood cells will be regenerated by the body in a few days.

Surprising early findings The cells under study have already yielded some surprising information, Ferrucci said. “What we’ve seen so far is absolutely amazing. We thought we would see a really small biological change. But we’ve found that the body basically reconstructs itself over time,” he said. There are changes in gene expression, or characteristics, that are “massive and unexpected,” Ferrucci said. “We are finding that aging is really a series of reconstructions. Changes occur to maintain health. The body adapts to the stress of aging and preserves its ability to function.” Furthermore, analysis of muscle cells has found that the way they grow and maintain strength “changes dramatically with aging.” The study found muscle gene

variants that are protective in some people and that occur only in older age.

To take part in the study Those interested in the study will first make a short visit to the National Institute on Aging at Baltimore’s Harbor Hospital to make sure they qualify. If they do, they will return to the center for two full days of testing, including an overnight stay. In addition to cytapheresis, which takes about two hours, those in the study will have skin and muscle biopsies (where very small tissue samples, about the size of grain of rice, will be taken). The muscle biopsy was something that made people initially wary of participating,

Ferucci said, but those already in the study have had no difficulty. “It’s much easier than they thought. There have been no complications, and one person even ran 10 miles the next day,” he said. Additionally, participants will have a physical exam, treadmill, strength and balance tests, several MRIs, and cognitive tests. They will have additional blood tests that look at DNA and RNA. They will return every two years to repeat the tests, although cytapheresis will be done only every four years. In between, they may be contacted by researchers about their ongoing health. Participants will also be required to wear Fitbits to track physical activity in an

objective way rather than self-reporting it.

Healthy adults sought To participate, adults must weigh at least 110 pounds and have a body mass index below 30. They must agree that their genetic samples can be collected, studied and stored. They must be able to perform daily selfcare without assistance, walk independently for at least 400 meters without assistance, and be able to perform normal activities of daily living without shortness of breath (walking or climbing stairs) or other severe symptoms. See GESTALT STUDY, page 22

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Health Shorts Monthly shot can prevent chronic migraines U.S. regulators recently approved the first drug designed to prevent chronic migraines.

The Food and Drug Administration’s action clears the monthly shot Aimovig (AIM’-oh-vig) for sale. It’s the first in a new class of long-acting drugs for preventing migraines. Three other shots are expected to win approval by next year, and several pills for preventing migraines are being tested. Current prevention treatments include pills originally developed for epilepsy and other conditions, as well as the wrinkle re-

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

ducer Botox. But many patients abandon them because they don’t help much or cause serious side effects. Amgen Inc. of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Swiss drug giant Novartis AG developed Aimovig. Injected monthly just under the skin using a pen like device, the drug will cost $6,900 per year without insurance. Migraines can cause disabling symptoms: throbbing headaches, nausea and vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. About 10 million Americans get them frequently. They’re most common in people in their 30s, mostly women, and can last for several hours or even days. In one study, patients given Aimovig saw their migraine days cut from eight to four a month, on average. Those who got dummy shots had a reduction of two. Each patient group had similar minor side effects, mostly colds and respiratory infections. Some patients saw their migraines com-

pletely eliminated, said Sean Harper, Amgen’s research director. Aimovig and the migraine drugs in development target a substance called CGRP whose levels spike in the blood during a migraine, triggering symptoms. The long-term safety of Aimovig, also known as erenumab, hasn’t been tested, and Amgen plans to track outcomes in women who become pregnant while taking it.

GESTALT study

(requiring treatment), myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, pacemaker, stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIA). • A history of diabetes (requiring any medical treatment other than diet and exercise) • Any cancer in the last 10 years, except for locally limited basal cell cancer • A history of kidney or liver disease • HIV, Hepatitis B or C, or high blood pressure • Been certified as legally blind Participants will be paid $1,600 to $1,700 for the first two-day testing session, and then $2,000 for each two-day testing visit every two years. To learn more, call (410) 350-3941 or 1800-225-2572, ext. 3941, or email NiaStudiesRecruitment@mail.nih.gov.

From page 21

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Because researchers are looking for healthy individuals, at least at the outset of the study, there are a number of conditions that will preclude participation. Participants cannot have: • Any history of drug use • Genetic diseases such as sickle cell, hemochromatosis (iron overload), cystic fibrosis or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (connective tissue disorder). • Autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, myasthenia gravis or rheumatoid arthritis. • Cognitive impairment based on mental status screening tests • A history of cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease, including angina

Looser rules for gene therapy studies U.S. health officials are eliminating special regulations for gene therapy experiments, saying that what was once exotic science is quickly becoming an established form of medical care with no exSee HEALTH SHORTS, page 23

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Health shorts From page 22 traordinary risks. A special National Institutes of Health oversight panel will no longer review all gene therapy applications, and will instead take on a broader advisory role, according to changes proposed recently. The Food and Drug Administration will vet gene therapy experiments and products as it does with other treatments and drugs. It’s an extraordinary milestone for a field that has produced only a few approved treatments so far. And not all experts agree that it doesn’t still need special precautions. With gene editing and other frontiers looming, “this is not the right time to be making any moves based on the idea that we know what the risks are,” said Stanford bioethicist Mildred Cho. Gene therapy aims to attack the root cause of a problem by deleting, adding or altering DNA, the chemical code of life, rather than just treating symptoms that result from a genetic flaw. When it was first proposed, there were so many safety worries and scientific unknowns that the NIH created a panel of independent scientists, called the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee, or RAC, to assess each experiment and potential risks to patients. The risks were underscored in 1999, when a teen’s death in a gene experiment put a chill on the field. Since then, much has been learned about safety, and last year the FDA approved the nation’s first gene therapies, for cancer and an inherited form of blindness. It’s time to let the FDA review gene therapy proposals on its own without duplicating regulatory efforts, the NIH’s director, Dr. Francis Collins, and FDA chief Dr. Scott Gottlieb wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine. The proposed changes will go into effect after a public comment period, which ends Oct. 16. To learn more about the regulations or submit comments, go to http://bit.ly/gene-regulations.

Weight-loss drug safe for heart For the first time, a drug has been shown to help people lose weight and keep it off for several years without raising their risk for heart problems — a safety milestone that may encourage wider use to help curb the obesity epidemic. The drug, Belviq, has been sold in the United States since 2013, and is the first of several new weight-loss medicines to complete a long-term heart safety study now required by federal regulators to stay on the market.

To subscribe, see page 49.

“Patients and their doctors have been nervous about using drugs to treat obesity and for good reason. There’s a history of these drugs having serious complications,” said study leader Dr. Erin Bohula of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. With this study, Belviq has been convincingly shown safe for the heart, she said. Although Belviq did not raise heart risks, it didn’t lower them either, as many had hoped it would. The weight loss it produced was fairly modest — after 40 months, Belviq users had shed 9 pounds, twice as much as those on dummy pills. It may be that weight loss alone is not enough to lower heart risks, or that there needs to be more to do that, some doctors said. Belviq is an appetite suppressant that works by stimulating brain chemicals to give a feeling of fullness. It costs roughly $220 to $290 a month in the United States. Researchers tested it in a study of

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

12,000 people who were either obese or overweight with heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure or cholesterol. They were given Belviq or dummy pills to take twice a day, and offered lifestyle and diet advice. At one year, 39 percent on Belviq and 17 percent on dummy pills had lost at least 5 percent of their starting weight. After

about three years, 6 percent of each group had suffered a heart-related problem or death. Fewer people on Belviq developed diabetes — 8.5 percent versus 10.3 percent on dummy pills. Several previous studies also found the drug effective for weight loss. — AP

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Did you know these benefits of prunes? Almost everyone knows what prunes are for: They help you get going! Your parents probably kept them in the kitchen and offered them to you when you were a constipated kid. Prunes are, of course, just dried plums. They’re fruits of the tree species Prunus domestica, hence the name. More recently, for purely marketing reasons, they have begun to be called “dried plums,” which offers greater mass appeal. Honestly, which name sounds more palatable? What they couldn’t change was how shriveled up and sticky these guys are when you eat them! But don’t let that hinder you, because prunes have been scientifically proven to help soften stools and in-

duce a laxative type effect due to their sorbitol content. Filtered prune juice will not work as well because the actual fruit provides the fiber, and filtered juice does not. Do prunes have other medicinal benefits? Yes, and surprisingly important ones too!

Stronger bones Prunes have been shown in multiple studies to prevent, and even reverse, bone loss in post-menopausal women. They’re good for those with osteoporosis! Prunes work by suppressing the rate of bone turnover. In fact, prominent researchers wrote an article in the British Journal of Nutrition saying they have come to the conclusion that prunes are “the

most effective fruit in both preventing and reversing bone loss.”

or you’ll get diarrhea! One warning: If your constipation is due to opiate usage (such as oxyLower blood pressure codone or hydrocodone), then A placebo-controlled trial out you’ll need an OTC medication of Pakistan showed that eating such as MiraLAX. Prunes are just one serving of prunes each fine, but will not be enough! day could significantly lower If your constipation is secblood pressure in hypertensive ondary to hypothyroidism, patients. Those who ate the pr unes will also not be prunes had a reduction in both enough. You will need thytheir systolic and diastolic roid medication. I have writblood pressure (top and botten about this extensively at DEAR tom numbers). my website. PHARMACIST Enjoy prunes on a salad, By Suzy Cohen Better memory? with yogurt or cottage cheese, Eating prunes might also or just eat them whole. help preserve your brain. In an animal Recipes can be found everywhere, inmodel study, feeding rodents an extract of cluding on my website where I also have a plums helped to maintain their cognitive longer version of this article posted. function. Not only was their memory recall If you simply can’t stand prunes, fresh improved, there was less formation of beta plums are a great alternative, when availamyloid plaques, which are found in pa- able. Plums contain the same anthotients with Alzheimer’s and may turn out cyanins that prunes do, and they are even to cause the disease. juicier. Even if everything is “moving right along” This information is opinion only. It is not in your life, consider adding prunes to your intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condiet if only to help you with blood pressure dition. Consult with your doctor before using regulation, bone health and memory. any new drug or supplement. It’s mind-blowing to think such a simple Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist thing could help so much. As a pharma- and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist cist, I see no risk to this, and only benefit. and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To But of course, don’t eat too many prunes contact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

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CONTRIBUTE YOUR SKILLS

Montgomery County RSVP needs volunteers to staff their network of 55+ volunteers who fill many needs in the county. The group will help match you to the ideal opportunity for your skills and provide complimentary automobile, liability and injury insurance. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/MontgomeryCountyRSVP.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Even better than keeping your mouth shut Dear Solutions: they tried to please us because they were I see my daughter (a corporate some- afraid of abandonment (by us). Now we try thing or other) and my sonto please them because weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in-law (a lawyer) spending afraid of abandonment (by more and more money on them). their children instead of You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really have to spending more and more confront them. They are so time with them as theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re caught up in their lifestyle growing, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m worried. that they would probably find The children think everyit impossible to change thing is coming to them, and things. that money is the only imporWhat you can do, however, tant thing to strive for. Of is become a different kind of course, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not striving SOLUTIONS role model for your grandchilsince they are getting every- By Helen Oxenberg, dren. Take them with you MSW, ACSW thing handed to them. sometime when you volunteer Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m retired, and I volunteer at the nursing home. Show some time at a nursing home because we them that good feelings can come from were always taught to pay attention to helping others even if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get paid people less fortunate. But I think the par- for it. ents today donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t teach this anymore â&#x20AC;&#x201D; If they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to strive for money, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re too busy. perhaps you can help them see value in Part of me wants to say something to striving to earn a position where they can my daughter and son-in-law, but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t effect change and plan for better ways to want to cause conflict or disturb the help less fortunate people. You raised your peace. I keep being caught up saying to daughter, so she probably has some of myself, â&#x20AC;&#x153;donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t,â&#x20AC;? these values stored inside her. and more of the same. My guess is that she and your son-in-law â&#x20AC;&#x201D; All of the Above will appreciate two things: One is youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Dear All of the Above: not criticizing them or telling them how to You certainly are caught up â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in the live. Two is youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re enriching their chilgeneration gap and in your own fears of drenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives and giving them another, valuabandonment. able and exciting perspective on life. As life goes on, the roles spin round and Dear Solutions: round. When our own children were small, I have two good friends who are also

friends of each other. Lately though, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had a disagreement, and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re constantly arguing about it. The trouble is that after they finish arguing, each one turns to me individually. They call me, tell me what the other one said, and say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say anything to her, but what do you think?â&#x20AC;? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m caught in the middle, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m trying to give each one advice to help them patch it up, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s becoming really muddled. As soon as I point out whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wrong in the way itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handled, I feel a chill coming at me. How to handle this? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Anne Dear Anne: Keep it up, and that chill may become a deep freeze! In ancient times, if a king didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like the message, he would kill the messenger. In your situation, that would translate today into losing both your friends. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll probably patch things up, trot off together

and leave you behind. Why? Because what each one really wants is not your opinion but your support. They want you to become their ally. You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be an ally to one without alienating the other, so try not to hear a secret no matter how tempting. The best thing you can do is remove yourself from the middle. Tell them, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m leaving for China until you settle this.â&#x20AC;? Actually, you can tell each one that you are a friend to each, but this is their quarrel, and you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get involved. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see them separately or together, but they own the quarrel, and in order to remain their friend you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t accept any shares in it. Good luck. ÂŠ Helen Oxenberg, 2018. Questions to be considered for this column may be sent to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. You may also email the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

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Oct. 15

ARE YOU LIVING ALONE?

Sibley Memorial Hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Widowed Persons Outreach (WPO) presents â&#x20AC;&#x153;Living Aloneâ&#x20AC;? on Monday, Oct. 15 at noon in Room 5 of building A at Sibley, 5255 Loughboro Rd. NW, Washington, D.C. Admission is free. For more information, call (202) 537-4942 or email Marti Bailey at mbaile35@jhmi.edu.

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Many benefit from living near colleges By Rebekah Alcalde Gail Lelyveld didn’t know how close she would be to American University when she moved to Friendship Terrace, a retirement community in the Tenleytown area of Washington, D.C., in 2016. When she discovered it was only a mile and a half away, she was pleasantly surprised. “I thought, ‘Oh, I’ll be walking that mile and a half anyway,’” she said. Fortunately, Friendship Terrace also offers a community shuttle she can take there when the weather’s not so fine. American University houses Washington, D.C.’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), an educational program offering noncredit courses without assignments or grades to adults over the age of 50. (There are also OLLI programs at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md.) AU’s OLLI program has more than 1,000 members and over 90 study groups each semester. The school provides members a series of lectures on a variety of topics, ranging from art, music and literature, to public policy, economics, politics, astrophysics and more. Lelyveld had been an active volunteer in various organizations for many years when a melanoma diagnosis forced her to slow down. “I had to quit my volunteer things

because some of them required a lot of energy,” she said regretfully. But she didn’t want to just sit around. “I decided it would be better doing something where I was responsible for myself,” she said. “A catalog from OLLI came for me in the mail — I guess I’d signed up for it — and I hadn’t realized how close it was. I thought, if I found something, I would go. And I found three courses I wanted to take.” Like Lelyveld, many boomers and retirees are finding that living near a university or community college offers them the possibility of lifelong learning and engagement. There is even an official term for this. A University-Based Retirement Community (UBRC), is one situated near (sometimes even on) a college campus, where residents can benefit from the school’s faculty, amenities and opportunities for intergenerational engagement. It’s an increasingly popular choice. The UBRC term was coined by Andrew Carle, the founder of George Mason University’s senior housing administration, and its model makes sense. Residents are naturally close to a wealth of classes and activities, frequently tuition-free or for discounted rates, and they get to experience the hustle and bustle of a busy college campus full of young, educated people. The benefits are so attractive, some-

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times people are tempted to overdo it. Lelyveld immediately fell in love with her classes and almost took “too, too many” at first. But she found the coursework interesting and very challenging. Among her favorites have been courses on “The Supreme Court,” “Virginia Wolf” and “Understanding Cancer.” Another class discussed the basic ideas of, and differences between, Hamilton and Jefferson. After taking so many classes, Lelyveld said she feels more energized, and has had a chance to return to her volunteering roots. She’s been helping OLLI prepare their news mailings, does administrative work, and reads poetry for a group that gathers books for prisoners. In fact, she said one of her favorite parts of being on campus is hearing about all the “good works that are happening in the area.”

Benefits go in both directions Another model is one where a university sends students to a nearby community to both teach and learn. Though not as close to campus as other schools, Collington, a continuing care retirement community in Bowie, Md., recently hosted two graduate students in music from the University of Maryland, offering them free room and board in exchange for concerts and other musical programs. The students regularly interacted with the residents and taught them about music, becoming close with many of them. Student Samantha Flores bonded quickly with some of the female residents, who even drove her to campus for class when they discovered she didn’t own a car. She also played a requested song at another resident’s funeral after he passed. “I came here thinking I was going to teach them, but I really think they taught

me,” Flores said in an interview with The New York Times. Linda Burgin, 74, lives in Potomac and travels a short 15 minutes to Montgomery College’s campus in Rockville, Md. so she can take classes and help other older adults head back to school as well. A retired teacher and regional coordinator for a high school exchange program, Burgin has always been interested in continuing education. She’s been drawn to take classes like “Constitutional Law,” “Archaeology,” and various history classes, including “Comparison of Revolutions.” She’s also taken courses on drawing and sketching, politics and decision making. “Because of the number of courses I have taken,” Burgin said, she now serves on the volunteer Advising Committee with the college’s Lifelong Learning Institute, which offers continuing education for older adults (though technically adults of any age may sign up). The institute is run by the school’s Workforce Development & Continuing Education department in Gaithersburg, Md., but the classes are offered at a variety of locations, including at Montgomery College campuses in Germantown and Takoma Park, Md. Adults 60 and older can even qualify for free tuition, though they are responsible for any extra fees and need to register online during the final three days of registration. As part of her role on the advising committee, Burgin does her best to help the program spread the word. “How do we get the news out? Lots of ways — catalogs, word of mouth, community newsletters, emails, open houses. Having a good reputation is a big help,” she explained. See COLLEGES, page B-4

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Get schooled on classes in the D.C. area By Rebekah Alcalde Yearning to take classes again? There are numerous free or low-cost options for continuing education in the Washington Metropolitan area. From archaeology to politics, here are a few to look into. George Mason University Audit Program George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., enables those 60 and older who have lived in Virginia for at least one year to audit classes tuition-free. Students may enroll in up to three courses of their choice per semester. Sitting in on the course is free, though you are responsible for additional course fees, such as those for labs. To take the course for credit, students would need to provide proof of their income, which cannot exceed $23,850 per year, to qualify for free tuition. George Washington University Audit Program George Washington University in Washington, D.C. also has an audit program, which is available to GWU alumni of all ages and to those 60 and older who live in neighborhoods surrounding the school’s Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses (ZIP codes 20037 and 20006). Professors have to approve of the student’s audit before registration, so email

or ask them on the first day of class. Alumni under 60 pay $125 to register ($65 for alumni and local residents 60 and older). For more information, visit https://alumni.gwu.edu/course-audit, email alumniaudit@gwu.edu, or call (202) 994-1972. Georgetown University Senior Citizen Auditor Program Students 65 and older may audit classes at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Students can sit in on undergraduate level courses (course numbers 400 and lower), which are available as long as there is space. Students take lecture-style coursework and do not submit materials for grading. Registration costs $50 per class, and students should attend the first day of class to get approval to audit, then send the application and $50 to the school. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/GeorgetownAuditProgram or call (202) 687-8700. Lifelong Learning Institute Montgomery College Montgomery College is a community college with campuses in Germantown, Rockville and Takoma Park, Md. Their Lifelong Learning Institute offers classes in archaeology, art and history, career and employment, current events, literature and writing, film, personal achieve-

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ment, home and garden and more. Adults 60 and older qualify for free tuition, though they are responsible for any extra fees. If under 60, students pay per class, with tuition beginning around $20. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/ MCLifelongLearning or call (240) 5675188. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute American University The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is a nonprofit corporation at American University in Washington, D.C., which provides continuing education classes and activities for its members. Their motto is that “curiosity never dies” and that learning is a lifelong process that never ends. Operating like a small liberal arts col-

lege, OLLI offers courses in literature, poetry, art, music, economics, politics, astrophysics and health and wellness classes. There are also many 90-minute study groups available, where you can attend or lead topics of interest. There are no grades or tests — just group learning. Membership fees of $300 per semester (or $550 for the fall and spring semesters) allows participation in up to three groups at once. For more information, visit www.olli-dc.org/home, or call (202) 8954860. University of Maryland Golden ID Program University of Maryland’s Golden IdentiSee CLASSES, page B-4

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

has an incredibly wide variety of courses. The classes are small and intimate, and the instruction is outstanding,” she said.

From page B-2 The experience has been gratifying, and she hopes more area seniors take advantage of the program. “Lifelong Learning

Affordable classes Stephanie Knight (who asked that her

BEACON BITS

Oct. 20+

KENSINGTON HOLIDAY WALK

The Seneca Valley Sugarloafers Volksmarch Club presents a seasonal Kensington Fall Colors and Holiday Lights walk that is available from Saturday, Oct. 20 through Sunday, Dec. 30. The trails are two 10km loops and two 5km loops that take walkers through Historic Kensington, Antique Row and up to the Mormon Temple Visitor’s Center to view annual holiday light decorations and displays in December. The trails also include a walk through Garrett Park and along Rock Creek Park’s hiker/biker trail to enjoy the fall foliage. Trails are on sidewalks, paved roadway shoulders and asphalt hiker/biker trail. Register for the walk in the “Walk Box” at the Customer Service desk at the Safeway, 10541 Connecticut Ave., Kensington, Md. The walk is free. For more information, contact Maribeth Evans at (301) 787-5410 or email evansm0612@gmail.com.

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real name not be used), 70, moved into Culpepper Garden retirement community in Arlington, Va. in 2015, and immediately began looking for reasonably priced classes to help maintain her teaching credentials. “I don’t want to lose them,” she explained. After all, “I worked so hard to get them.” Knight spent much of her youth teaching the children of migrant workers in the Monterey Peninsula in California, putting her dual immersion credentials in English and Spanish to good use. Though she has been interested in the private colleges in the area, the cost has always deterred her from taking classes. Thankfully, Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) offers affordable courses for people wanting to continue their education. To maintain her immersion credential, Knight said she was required to take six units of classes she’s never taken before — a challenge she was excited to meet. Since then, she’s mostly taken history

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classes at NOVA’s campus in Alexandria, Va., including several semesters of “Western Civilization.” She loved it so much that “when the semester ended, I didn’t want to stop,” she said. Knight ended up retaking “American History” for fun, eventually completing “African History” as well. A big part of the appeal for Knight is keeping her engaged and “being around young people,” she said. It’s also helped sharpen her computer skills. “A lot of the students don’t take notes. They will sit there and type on their laptops, or they take photos of important things with their smartphones,” she laughed. “I’ve definitely upgraded my technology skills, like using Power Point to give presentations.” Culpepper Garden also has partnerships with nearby Marymount University, and with George Washington University, which has a Virginia campus. For example, nursing students from Marymount often go to the community during their public health course to teach the residents about topics like managing high blood pressure and how to get a better night’s sleep, Marymount also offered a volunteer-led, eight-week course on fall prevention. Resident Dee Bevins participated in the program and even decided to incorporate some of the movements in the class on music and movement she teaches at Culpepper. GW’s doctoral program in psychology also has candidates working with Culpepper residents who want to attend free, voluntary counseling Knight says she has been most impressed by NOVA’s professors, almost all of whom have doctorates in their field. “I’ve taken so many courses now I’m running out of history,” she joked. “I might need to take something else.” She even has plans to someday get a master’s degree from George Mason University — “just for fun.”

Classes From page B-3

THE MAN WHO KNOWS

SAT OCT 13

3:00 PM Silver Creek Middle School 3701 Saul Road Kensington, MD 20895 For more information contact Betsy Davis at 301-946-7700 or bdavis@kensingtonsl.com

fication Card allows access to students 60 years of age and older who are retired, legal residents of Maryland to a wide variety of courses on campus. Students register on a space-available basis for a maximum of three classes. The card also includes use of the libraries and other nonacademic services. Students are responsible for application fees, and tuition is waived, though there is a part-time undergraduate student fee of $62.50 per semester. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/UMDGoldenID or call (301) 314-8385. University of District of Columbia, free senior tuition The University of the District of Columbia offers free tuition for D.C. residents age 65 and older. Students may take two classes per semester for free, as long as space is available. Students 65 and over who are seeking a degree also qualify for 50 percent off tuition. For more information, visit http://bit.ly /UDCSeniorTuition or call (202) 2746697.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

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Housing Notes By Barbara Ruben and Rebekah Alcalde

New, affordable church-based community The Sanctuary, an affordable senior housing community on the campus of the Mount Jezreel Baptist Church in Silver Spring, Md., opened last summer. The 75unit independent living community includes 12 units set aside for low-income older veterans, as well as apartments for seniors at a variety of income levels. The $18.6 million Sanctuary includes one-bedroom apartments with one bathroom, and two-bedroom apartments with either one or two baths. Apartment sizes range from 600 to 1,000 square feet. The smoke-free building has a green and sustainable design and construction, and features common spaces that include a library and sitting room, community space, party kitchen, wellness suite, fitness center, porch and patio. There is also a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s room and tot lot for visiting

grandchildren to enjoy. To learn more, see www.thesanctuaryatmountjezreel.com or call (301) 242-9609.

Remodeling completed at Chevy Chase House Chevy Chase House, in N.W. Washington, D.C., recently completed a $12 million renovation to update the assisted living community. Constructed in 1929 as an apartment building, Chevy Chase Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spacious apartments offer luxury senior living accommodations in one of DCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most exciting, amenity-rich neighborhoods. Chevy Chase House was acquired by Bethesda-based Meridian Senior Living, LLC in 2016. Meridian was recently named the 18th largest seniors housing operator in the U.S. by the American Seniors Housing Association. Meridian engaged award-winning interior design and construction teams to modernize the historic building, restoring its grandeur while introducing state-of-the art building systems and functionality. In addition to a complete overhaul of mechanical, electrical and plumbing sys-

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

tems, the renovation created community and wellness spaces where residents can enjoy tailored exercise programs, 5-star dining and group activities. Updated amenities include a dedicated physician office, a new library with computer stations, a salon and spa, and a gourmet coffee bar. Resident accommodations feature bathrooms with renovated fixtures, flooring and ADA-compliant accessories; kitchenettes with stainless steel appliances, new cabinetry and countertops; digital, resident-controlled heating and air conditioning; and resident-controlled windows and blinds. Chevy Chase House is located at 5420 Connecticut Ave. NW, in Washington, D.C. For more information, call (202) 686-5504.

Eldercare firm celebrates anniversary Almost 30 years ago, Debra (Debbie) Levy founded Debra Levy Eldercare Associates (DLEA) with the intention of helping older adults and individuals with disabilities by utilizing the experience the gained from her long career in geriatric care management. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now one of the oldest â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aging Life Careâ&#x20AC;? management practices in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s care managers meet with their clients at home, evaluate their unique

needs, and help arrange for the best care to maintain their safety, independence, dignity and the highest quality of life. Unfortunately, in 2012, Levy was forced to stop working after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. The staff rallied together to provide support for her and her family, but she passed away shortly thereafter. Since Levy founded the company as a family-owned and operated business, it was important to DLEA to remain so and to continue honoring her memory and service. Long-time Director of Care Management Susy Murphy led the effort to assist Levyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family, and eventually took over ownership of the company. The company has continued to grow, adding staff and new and expanded programs, including Debbieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Angels, a concierge companion service that helps their clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; social engagement, and WellSenior, which helps seniors who live alone plan for their future care needs. For Murphy, reaching their 30th anniversary has been emotional and especially gratifying. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel incredibly blessed by the amazing talent and dedication that every one of our staff brings to the work we do, and so proud to lead this Aging Life Care Management practice, which continues the legacy that Debbie started thirty years ago,â&#x20AC;? she said. To learn more, see https://care-manager.com or call (301) 593-5285.

Assisted Living and Memory Care with a whole lotta heart.

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re invited to our Lunch & Learn! Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a brand new assisted living and memory care community opening early 2019. Join us at our upcoming Lunch & Learn to meet the team, learn about our move-in incentives, enjoy a complimentary lunch, and enter a rÂ&#x192;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021; drawing!

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Use care if giving your home to children By Tracy Craig A house is typically one of the most valuable assets someone owns, both financially and sentimentally. It makes sense, then, that out of love and generosity, many parents want to give their houses to their children during their lives or pass them down as an inheritance. It’s difficult to imagine that giving your child your family home could backfire, but it might — especially if you do not understand all the pitfalls and benefits. Passing on a home can be a complicated matter, and doing it at the wrong time, in the wrong way, or for the wrong reasons can have significant consequences for both parents and children.

Understanding Medicaid A primary reason someone might think about transferring their house to a family member has to do with Medicaid. Nursing home costs continue to rise, and many people want to be able to qualify for government benefits without having to spend down most of their assets. In addition, they don’t want to worry that their home may be forced to be sold after they pass away (through a process called estate recovery) to cover the cost of the Medicaid benefits they received. To begin, it is important to understand that Medicaid is different from Medicare

(even though sometimes people mistakenly believe the two are interchangeable). Medicare is a federal entitlement program that provides health insurance for people over the age of 65, regardless of how much money they have. Medicaid, on the other hand, is a federal health insurance program for the elderly, disabled and poor that, among other things, will pay for long-term skilled nursing home care for individuals in need. Generally speaking, people must be below certain quite restrictive income and asset limits to qualify for Medicaid. In simple terms, once most of your assets are gone, Medicaid will kick in to pay for nursing home care. However, a primary residence with $572,000 of equity in 2018 (or up to $828,000 of equity in certain states that opted for an increased amount available under federal law) is considered a noncountable asset. This means that it is possible to own a home and still qualify for the government to pay for nursing home care under Medicaid.

sets that people are allowed to own and still receive Medicaid benefits, the right to recover benefits from the estate (typically from the sale of the house) is what people mean when they’ve heard that the state will take the home. (Note that no recovery efforts can be made until after the death of the recipient’s spouse.) Those worried about estate recovery sometimes consider giving the home away prior to the time they believe they will need nursing home care. But misunderstandings about Medicaid’s complex laws can result in serious consequences. Before transferring any assets, it’s crucial to understand about the “look-back period” and how it affects Medicaid eligibility. When you apply for Medicaid, any gifts

or asset transfers made within five years are subject to penalties. In other words, giving away assets can disqualify you from receiving Medicaid. Under the current rules, Medicaid benefits are denied if people have given away assets within 60 months of the date of application. This critical time is known as the “look-back period.” Consequently, it is important to trust that you are healthy enough to stay out of a nursing home for at least five years from when you give away your house (or any other assets). Planning must be done long before any need arises.

See GIFT YOUR HOME, page B-8

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Gift your home From page B-7

Ways to transfer property But keep in mind, the look-back period isn’t the only thing to consider if you want to gift away your family home. The way you set up the transfer of your property is extremely important and also fraught with unforeseen consequences — whether it’s an outright deed, a deed with life estate, or to an irrevocable trust. Here’s a brief review of the pros and cons of each: Outright deed: Giving away your home can be as simple as executing a deed transferring ownership to someone else, such as your child. This is straight-forward and relatively inexpensive to accomplish. However, if the person to whom you gift your house gets sued, divorced or declares

bankruptcy, the house can be lost. And, if you arranged to continue to live in the house, that right could be lost as well. Another potential problem is that the people you give away your house to could disagree over how to manage the house, and family fights could ensue. Deed with life estate: You can also execute a deed transferring ownership, but if you include a life estate in the deed, your right to live in the house for the rest of your life cannot be taken away. While a life estate can solve some of the above issues, the part of the house you’ve given away — known as the remainder interest — is still vulnerable to creditors and divorce, and to fights among the new owners. In addition, in some states, the life estate may be subject to estate recovery. Irrevocable trust: You can also transfer your house to an irrevocable trust. An

D N A ING S ON R G EN IAL MATI P O PECINFOR S FOR L

L CA

Your Day Awaits. Step inside the newly renovated Chevy Chase House,

where friendships are made and memories are shared. It’s where social activities fill the days and new restaurants, the historic Avalon Theatre and boutique shopping are just next door. When extra care is needed, let us help make the transition to maintenance-free living easy.

Schedule a Visit: (202) 798-7498 5420 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20015 www.meridiansenior.com/chevychasehouse Everyone Deserves a Great Life! A MERIDIAN SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

irrevocable trust provides protection for the house from the creditors and divorces of the beneficiaries of the trust (other than you — and in some states you can be a limited beneficiary of the trust). In addition, the trust can dictate how the house will be dealt with after you pass. For example, should one child have the right to live there for a period of time? Should any child have the right of first refusal to buy the house? Should the house be sold to a third party? These provisions can ensure that fights among your children about what to do with the house after your death are kept at bay. But while a trust addresses many issues, it is also much more expensive and complex, easily costing thousands of dollars to implement.

Possible tax downsides Capital gains taxes are generally owed when you sell an asset that is worth more than you paid for it. However, individuals can generally exempt up to $250,000 from capital gains taxes upon the sale of a primary residence if they occupy the house as their primary residence for two of the five years prior to the sale. Couples can generally exempt up to $500,000. So, if your home increases in value you might not need to pay capital gains taxes when you sell. But if you give your house to your children, and they do not live there as their

primary residence, they will not be eligible for this exemption upon a sale. They would need to pay capital gains taxes on the increased value. Proper planning can help minimize or eliminate this result. Also important is that if you retain certain ownership rights in your house (such as a life estate or possibly through an irrevocable trust), then when you die, the tax basis of the house becomes its fair market value at death. This is known as the step-up in basis rule, and it’s important when it comes time for your children to sell the home. This rule eliminates any capital gains taxes your children might otherwise need to pay upon the sale of the house after you die. Needless to say, there are many things to consider before deciding whether or not to give away your house. Tax issues and the complex timing rules for Medicaid can make giving away your house tricky, but with careful thought and planning there are strategies that make it possible to accomplish your goals. Because rules can vary from state to state, it makes sense to consult with a local attorney or estate planning expert before deciding. That way you can pass along your most valued asset to future generations in the best way possible, and avoid unpleasant consequences. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Oct. 20

CHARITY BAZAAR

The Woman’s Club of Arlington will hold its annual bazaar on Sat. Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the club house, 700 S. Buchanan St., Arlington, Va. The bazaar features crafts, jewelry, beauty products, unique gifts, White House Ornaments, bake sale, café, and raffles. Proceeds will go to local and international charities plus the Wakefield High School Scholarship Fund. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call (703) 553-5800 or email Womansclubarlington@gmail.com.

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Devices let you grow vegetables indoors By Tracee M. Herbaugh You don’t need a green thumb to grow vegetables indoors. On the contrary, there are plenty of indoor greenhouses that take the work out of growing plants — from the amount of water they get to the right dosage of light. One of these indoor greenhouses (referred to as “automated growing systems”) was created by six engineering students at Rice University. Aside from planting the seeds, the greenhouse does pretty much everything. It’s about the size of a small bookshelf and operates anywhere indoors. “We didn’t want it to take up too much space in an apartment,” said Harrison Lin, a student who worked on the project. He said they wanted to “make it not intrusive, but it could still grow a useful amount of plants.”

Nearly maintenance-free There are push buttons on the device to designate how much light and water the plants get, and to determine the temperature inside it. If you’re feeling extremely handsoff, there are three pre-set options: leafy greens, roots and herbs. Select what you’re growing, plant it, and go about your business. “In the most ideal circumstance, you plant your seeds, put on the correct settings and walk away until it’s ready to harvest,” said Jack Kaplan, another student on the team.

Most indoor growing systems are hydroponic, meaning plants are planted in water mixed with mineral nutrients. But this one uses a soil trough for planting. LED bulbs provide the plants with the redblue spectrum of light they need in order to grow. The only maintenance is refilling the water tank every three weeks. The students built three of these indoor greenhouses as a senior project. They were installed at the HSB Living Lab, a residential research facility at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. AeroGarden, majority-owned by Scotts Miracle-Gro and the Hawthorne Gardening Company, is another automated in-home growing system. Unlike the student’s version, it’s currently available for purchase. The automated, hydroponic systems range in size and price point. The smallest retails for $99 and holds three plants, while the largest sells for nearly $700 and grows 24. Sales have grown over 20 percent year over year since 2013, and last year’s sales grew by more than 30 percent, according to company numbers. Growing food indoors, often in small spaces like city apartments, has become popular. Apartment dwellers have less room for a traditional garden, but still want fresh veggies. In 2017, indoor gardening was listed as a

popular trend in a report by Garden Media Group, a marketing group that tracks industry. Businesses are noticing the expanded interest in at-home gardening.

Automatic watering Automated systems take the guesswork out of gardening, said Clydette Alsup-Egbers, an associate professor of plant science at Missouri State University. The biggest reason that indoor plants die, she said, is over-watering. If an automated system is used, that risk is eliminated. “People who are new to growing don’t know what they’re doing,” she said. “A kit makes them feel more confident.” Automating everything is what commercial greenhouses have done for years, said Julie Bare, an estate gardener at Meadowbrook Farm, located in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and owned by the Pennsylvania

Horticultural Society. Bare helps grow some of the hundreds of plants on display in the renowned Philadelphia Flower Show. To do this, greenhouses are necessary; the show is held annually in March, which means short days and cold temperatures. Still, even the most seasoned gardener can run into problems with indoor vegetables. A few years ago, George Rebeiro Brooks, Jr., a retired mechanical engineer, tried growing lettuce in pots inside at his home in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. Brooks, who owns Green Hollow Orchards, has grown apples, tomatoes and other plants for local farmers markets for more than 45 years. But his indoor lettuce turned out limp, not crispy. “It’s just my guess, but I think it didn’t have the right air circulation indoors to make it toughen up,” he said. — AP

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

AMERICAN WOMEN ARTISTS

Have you heard of Cecilia Beaux, Elizabeth Nourse or Mary Cassatt? They were admired and recognized as leading artists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Art historian Joan Hart will compare and contrast the paintings of this trio who are memorable for advancing the status of American women in the arts, on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 1:30 p.m. at Lee Senior Center, 5722 Lee Hwy., Arlington, Va. Admission is $6, but parking is free. For more information or to register, call (703) 228-0555.

The Village at Rockville presents

2018 Dementia Education Series

These events are part of a series of six events focused on caring for individuals with dementia.

October 9, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. I Navigating the Mid to Late Stages of Dementia (Without Falling Overboard) - Jennifer L. FitzPatrick, MSW, LCSW-C, Jenerations Health Education, Inc. No CEU Credits Available

November 6, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. I Promises in Caregiving: Why You Shouldn’t Make Them and How to Undo Them - Jennifer L. FitzPatrick, MSW, LCSW-C, Jenerations Health Education, Inc. No CEU Credits Available

Space is limited.

RSVP to

The Village at Rockville

sflowerswilliams@thevillageatrockville.org

A National Lutheran Community

Learn more and view more events in this dementia series at www.thevillageatrockville.org/events

9701 Veirs Drive Rockville, MD 20850

301-424-9560

Light refreshments will be served.

The Village at Rockville is sponsored by National Lutheran Communities & Services, a faith-based, !"#$!%#&%!'"()* *+"%,(!$("-.(/01 2.3*413(56"-.%1 (7-6%4-(* (8).%*419(+.%0* 2(&.!&3.(!$(133(:.3*.$+;(

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ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Chesterbrook Residences 703-531-0781

Seabury at FRIENDSHIP TERRACE 202-244-7400

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

4201 Butterworth Place NW Washington, DC 20016 www.Friendshipterrace.org

At Chesterbrook Residences, you will be able to live with dignity, grace and security, close to the people and places you love in a comfortable, neighborhood setting. We offer an active assisted-living lifestyle for those 62 and over. A variety of one- and two-bedroom floor plans are available. Enjoy our community living room with fireplace, beautiful views, and chef-prepared meals in our gracious main dining room. Rehab services are available 5 days a week, offering physical, occupational and speech therapy, most of which are covered by Medicare Part B. We also have an on-site wellness center with visiting physician and podiatrist. We are a mixed-income nonprofit, so our rates are affordable and all inclusive.

Active, affordable senior living close to stores, restaurants, transportation and entertainment can be found at Seabury at Friendship Terrace! Located in a quiet, tree-lined northwest Washington neighborhood, Friendship Terrace is just two blocks from the Tenleytown Metro station. The community offers affordable senior living with subsidy assistance to those who are eligible, as well as exciting on-site events including performances, lectures, holiday observances, socials, and more. A rooftop deck, greenhouse, library, lounges, and a dining room overlooking an outdoor courtyard are highlights of the community. Your new home awaits. Remarkable value! Unbeatable location! Call for your tour today!

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

INDEPENDENT/ASSISTED LIVING

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-260-2320

Aspenwood Senior Living (301) 598-6424

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

14400 Homecrest Road Silver Spring, MD 20906 www.aspenwoodseniorliving.com

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

Welcome to Aspenwood Senior Living, where you will find comfort, flexibility, security and choice in a delightful setting with every convenience at your fingertips. Imagine the luxury of a spacious apartment, coupled with fine dining, a full range of favorite programs, friendly neighbors and a caring staff. In addition, as your needs change, Aspenwood offers a variety of services to meet your healthcare and social desires. Since 1989 Aspenwood Senior Living has been the premier choice for Independent and Assisted Living to many seniors and their families. The wonderful rhythm of life here sets us apart from other communities, but the wealth of service options makes us a leader in the senior housing industry.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Ashby Ponds 1-877-664-5445 21170 Ashby Ponds Boulevard Ashburn, VA 20147 EricksonLiving.com If you haven’t driven by Ashby Ponds in Loudoun County lately, you may be surprised at how much the community has grown. High demand for their all-inclusive senior lifestyle prompted Ashby Ponds to add exciting new amenities and hundreds of stylish new apartment homes to their 132-acre Ashburn campus. Few seniors-only communities offer so many benefits! Ashby Ponds boasts five restaurants, two fitness centers, a glorious all-season pool, a salon, day spa, and even a fully staffed on-site medical center. It’s no wonder they’re the area’s most sought-after address for active retirement living. Call 1-877-664-5445 for a free brochure!

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

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FREE HOUSING AND OTHER INFORMATION For free information from advertisers in this special section, check off those that interest you and mail this entire page to the Beacon. Please do not request info if you are not interested. All replies have an equal chance to win. To be eligible for Brigadoon tickets, your reply must arrive by October 24, 2018.

HOUSING COMMUNITIES: WASHINGTON, DC ❑ Chevy Chase House . . . . . . . .B-8 & B-18 ❑ Friendship Terrace . . . . . . .B-10 & B-14

MARYLAND ❑ Aspenwood . . . . .B-10 & B-13 ❑ Brooke Grove Retirement Village . .B-10, B-15 & B-20 ❑ Covenant Village . . . . . . .B-10 ❑ Emerson House . . . . . . . .B-15 ❑ Homecrest House .B-8 & B-18 ❑ Kensington Park . .B-4 & B-17

❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Landing of Silver Spring, TheB-6 Landow House . . . . . . . . . .B-15 Park View Bladensburg . . .B-19 Park View Columbia . . . . .B-19 Park View Emerson . . . . . .B-19 Park View Laurel . . . . . . . .B-19 Riderwood . . . . . .B-7 & B-17 Springvale Terrace .B-3 & B-18 Village at Rockville . . .B-9, B-15, B-16

VIRGINIA ❑ Ashby Ponds . . . . .B-7 & B-10 ❑ Chesterbrook Residences . . . .B-10 & B-14 ❑ Falcons Landing . .B-5 & B-18

❑ Greenspring . . . . .B-7 & B-15 ❑ Overture Fair Ridge . . . . . . . . .B-3 & B-17 ❑ Shenandoah Senior Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-7 ❑ Sommerset . . . . . . .B-6, B-17 ❑ Vinson Hall . . . . . . . .B-2, B-18 ❑ Waltonwood . . . . . . .B-3, B-18

HOME CARE/CARE MANAGEMENT SERVICES: ❑ Best Senior Care . . . . . . .B-13 ❑ Debra Levy Eldercare . . . . .B-2

Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this entire coupon to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227. You may also include the free info coupon on page 5 of the Beacon. One entry per household please. Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________E-mail_______________________________________________ City _______________________________________________________ State ______________________ Zip ____________________ Phone (day) _______________________________________________ (eve) ________________________________________________ Please provide your telephone number and e-mail address so we may contact you promptly if you win the drawing.

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

A passion for helping those with dementia By Rebekah Alcalde Elaine Rose’s husband had already been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) — a rare group of brain disorders caused by progressive nerve loss in the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain — when she knew that she could no longer care for him on her own. He’d been exhibiting “quirkier” behavior for a while, and it was getting difficult to provide him the best quality of life without any help. After a quick tour of Arden Courts in Kensington, Md., she was second guessing herself about moving him to a memory care community. “I felt guilty. Like I hadn’t suffered enough,” she explained. It was the community’s marketing coordinator Linda Ryan who helped convince her “it was time.” Within a few days, Rose had moved her husband into the memory care community. “It saved my life,” said Rose. Her husband lived there happily for the final five years of his life. Though Ryan was simply doing her job, it was her passion, knowledge and care that inspired Rose to listen and accept the help she needed. And it wasn’t the only time Ryan helped her. When Rose was looking for a support group for FTD, something that didn’t really exist at the time, the marketing director took it upon herself to facilitate the creation of one. Ryan got permission to start a group at Arden Courts, brought in speakers, and found a social worker, Miriam Buckley, who ended up co-coordinating the group with Rose. “[Ryan] pours herself into all of this,” said Rose. “Helping people. Getting word out and educating [about dementia].” Despite all the fanfare from her friend, Ryan says she just wants to spread aware-

ness about the true nature of dementia — that it is progressive, there are varying levels of it, and that individuals with dementia are still living, functioning people. “Some people write off Alzheimer’s and dementia patients like they aren’t ‘there’ anymore. But dementia does not have to be so sad,” she explained. “I want our residents to have a blast. It’s so much more than just filling a bed for me.” After a rewarding 12 years at Arden Courts, Ryan is both sad and excited to be stepping down and retiring, though she isn’t done working to advance dementia care. She’ll take on a position as a part-time programming assistant at Friends Club, a men’s support group for those in early stages of dementia. “I’ll be talking to the guys, telling stories, engaging them,” she said.

In Rose’s case, she knew that caregivers of loved ones with FTD have a very different experience from those with other types of dementia. “FTD is a disease that hits people in their 50s and 60s. Their families are young, and their needs are very different than just taking care of an elderly person,” she explained. But the work is tiring. Alongside her regular marketing duties, Ryan networks, gives talks, facilitates relevant programs and engages the residents — even taking walks with some of them at night to keep them company. Some might argue her role is more expansive than a marketing director, with some even confusing her for a social worker. “I’m just very passionate about demen-

tia care, and [believe] that people with dementia can have a high quality of life,” she said. The long hours can be tough, though. “I don’t know how to do my job in 8 hours [a day]. I can’t. I went on vacation, and came back and felt fantastic. But in a few days, I was tired again. That’s when I knew it was time [to retire],” she explained. In retirement, Ryan will continue to serve on the speaker’s bureau for Montgomery County’s branch of Dementia Friendly America, a national network of communities, organizations and individuals trying to ensure local communities are equipped to support people living with dementia. See LINDA RYAN, page B-14

FAL L I N LOV E WI TH ASPENWO O D.

Why she cares Ryan had been working as a sales trainer for Xerox for 23 years when her mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She went home to visit her in New Jersey, and the family decided to move her into a dementia care community. Though prepared for the worst, her mom thrived there. “She really loved it,” said Ryan. She spent a few months there getting her mom settled, and the experience was enough to convince her to change fields. Ryan briefly took a position with a Sunrise community before being recruited by Arden Courts in Potomac, Md. She eventually moved to the Kensington location, and she’s been there ever since. At Arden Courts, Ryan has made it her mission to understand all the nuances of dementia, and to help others understand and obtain the resources they need to help themselves.

FALL IN LOVE WITH OUR PERMANENT SAVINGS! INTRODUCING OUR NEW, LOWER PRICING ON MONTHLY RENTALS

14400 Homecrest Road Silver Spring, MD 20906

301-598-6424

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• Companionship, Meal Assistance, Medication Reminders, Personal Hygiene Assistance, Grocery Shopping, and much more • A family company: You will always speak directly with our owner • Only highly qualified and experienced caregivers • Fully licensed, bonded, and insured

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Fall is the best time to move in to Aspenwood Senior Living! Discover how our new pricing can provide you or your loved one the service you expect, and the lifestyle you deserve, at an affordable rate – no matter what season it is.

Call 301-598-6424 to schedule your personalized tour today! www.AspenwoodSeniorLiving.com I NDEPENDENT L I V I NG • ASSI STED L I V I NG AR EA’S O NLY I NDEPENDENC E PLU S ©2018 Five Star Senior Living

Pet Friendly

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Reasons to retire to Williamsburg, Va.

Williamsburg stats Population: 15,000 What $300,000 will buy: 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome with landscaped patio Best place to exercise: Virginia Capital Trail 5-star hospital (as rated by Medicare): Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center Ralph and Debbie Abrams (age 68 and 67) searched for years, from South Carolina to Delaware, to find a place to retire. They moved to the Williamsburg area in

2011, where their property taxes are onethird of what they paid when they lived in New Jersey. The city is dominated by Colonial Williamsburg and William & Mary, the nation’s second-oldest university, whose campus features a broad array of towering trees, from oaks and elms to pines and magnolias.

PHOTO BY WILLIAM SILVER

By Eileen Ambrose Mention Williamsburg and most people think of Colonial Williamsburg, where actors in period garb depict life in 18th-century Virginia. But Williamsburg is more than tricorn hats. The city of about 15,000 offers the ease of small-town living and, as home to William & Mary, the cultural activities of a college town. For a quick big-city fix or change of scenery, residents are only about an hour’s drive from Virginia Beach or Richmond, the state capital, and they’re about three hours from North Carolina’s Outer Banks. It’s also one of 10 small or midsize cities Kiplinger’s found that offer first-class healthcare.

Free entertainment The university offers plenty of entertainment and cultural options. Those age 60 and older can audit classes free. Art lovers can catch an exhibit at the Muscarelle Museum of Art or a performance by the theater and dance department. You can take in free summer concerts weekly on the lawn outside a Colonial Williamsburg museum, or attend an artsand-music festival on the second Sunday of most months along Prince George Street downtown. Merchants Square, nestled between the university and Colonial Williamsburg, is ideal for people-watching while you sit at one of the outdoor restaurants or sip wine outside the Williamsburg Winery. For activities just outside the city, drive the 23-mile tree-lined Colonial Parkway, which connects Williamsburg and the historic cities of Jamestown and Yorktown. For exercise, hike one of the many

Williamsburg can be good option for retirement, offering affordable housing, good healthcare and the resources of the College of William & Mary, the nation’s secondoldest college, shown here.

trails, or ride a bike along the scenic Capital Trail — a pedestrian-and-bike trail connecting Jamestown and Richmond. Many retirees settle in one of three major amenity-filled golf course communities — Ford’s Colony, Governor’s Land or Kingsmill Resort, all in adjacent James City County, according to Kimber Smith, president of the Williamsburg Area Association of Realtors. Single-family detached homes start at about $400,000, but some houses on the James River in Kingsmill and Governor’s Land can run $1 million to $3 million or

even higher, Smith said. Retirees can also find condos and townhouses — including in the New Town development, just outside the city limits — ranging from about $250,000 to $400,000. Two- and three-bedroom rentals run from $1,200 to $2,500 a month. Virginia is tax-friendly for retirees. The commonwealth doesn’t tax Social Security benefits, and residents 65 and older can deduct up to $12,000 per person in income. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Linda Ryan

with dementia, and that the interchange can be beneficial to them as well. “If you see someone struggling to pay at a grocery store — their money confusing them — people stand in line and just get mad,” she said. “If they just took a breath and helped her out, the world would be a better place.”

From page B-13

The Fun ! e r e H s t r a St You might say that Friendship Terrace residents rock around the clock... and the block! With a full calendar of activities scheduled inside our community (such as exercise classes, concerts, fascinating lectures, holiday parties, and more), there is always fun to be found! !"# $# %$&# !"# '()*+# ,!'# +*-# +!.'/0# "-1(%-'+1# 2$'# 3'%# 1*!44(')/# restaurants, and entertainment within walking distance. And with the Tenleytown Metro stop just two blocks away, residents can enjoy the endless opportunities found throughout Washington, DC.

She is especially passionate about educating people to understand that people “live with” dementia; they don’t “suffer from it.” She also says it’s important how a person approaches and speaks to those

Live Local. You shop local, so why not live local, too? Unlike many communities that are part of a nationwide chain, Chesterbrook is a local, not-for-profit community sponsored by two area Presbyterian churches and a Jewish temple. Decisions are made with our residents in mind. There is only one Chesterbrook Residences. Call today 703-531-0781 to schedule your tour.

Experience the fun for yourself! Call 202-244-7400 (TRS 711) to schedule a visit. Assisted Living Community

FriendshipTerrace.org 1-800-643-3769 DC RELAY SERVICE • 1-800-643-3768 TTY 4201 Butterworth Place, NW, Washington, DC 20016

2030 Westmoreland Street | Falls Church 703-531-0781 | chesterbrookres.org Coordinated Services Management, Inc.—Professional Management of Retirement Communities since 1981.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

Greenspring 1-877-589-9570

Landow House (301) 816-5050

7410 Spring Village Drive Springﬁeld, VA 22150 EricksonLiving.com

1799 E. Jeﬀerson Street Rockville, MD 20852 www.smithlifecommunities.org/ residences/landow-house/

For almost 20 years, active seniors have chosen Greenspring in Springfield as their new address for vibrant, maintenance-free living. The 58-acre campus boasts a wide variety of stylish apartment homes; three amenity-packed clubhouses; and an unparalleled health and wellness program exclusively for older adults. Residents can age in place with confidence, knowing that assisted living, memory care, and nursing care are available right on campus if they need extra support in the years to come. Most importantly, Greenspring’s inclusive Monthly Service Package and 90% Refundable Entrance Deposit* make this lifestyle affordable for most retired homeowners. Call 1-877-589-9570 for a free brochure! *As per the Residence and Care Agreement.

ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-260-2320 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org This community hums with warm-hearted camaraderie and a zest for life shared by residents and staff alike. Experience all that makes assisted living at Brooke Grove extraordinary. Cozy, homelike dwellings with easy access to beautiful courtyards and walking paths. Caring staff trained in using memory support techniques, building independence and lifting self-esteem. Innovative LIFE® Enrichment Programming with meaningful activities and off-site adventures. Visit us to see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after continuing care retirement communities in the state. Living here is simply different … because what surrounds you really matters.

From daily assistance to onsite physician services, Landow House – our assisted living residence at Charles E. Smith Life Communities – enables you or your loved one to enjoy meaningful experiences each and every day. We offer lifestyle and leisure programming specializing in music, creative engagement and wellness; transportation to shopping and cultural events, and a continuum of care on-campus – including our top-ranked Post-Acute Care Center. Respite care programs are also available. Landow House is a Music & Memory certified community and a top vote-getter in Bethesda Magazine's Awards. Call for a tour, and move in today to experience Landow House.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

The Village at Rockville 301-368-8427 9701 Veirs Drive Rockville, MD 20850 www.thevillageatrockville.org One universal truth is the desire for health and happiness. It is the seed from which all else grows. The Village at Rockville offers a continuum of care based on a culture of kindness, hospitality, and respect. It is a legacy of compassion, where a staff professional is also a trusted friend, working collaboratively to provide personalized care and opportunities for growth and enrichment. It is a community where neighbors support each other — where the quality of care is elevated because of the people who care. It is a place where one can feel rooted, loved, and happy. Contact us today to learn more about of offerings including independent living, assisted living, long-term care, memory care and short-term rehabilitation.

REHABILITATION

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

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

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Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-260-2320 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org Imagine an extraordinary staff and the best therapies and equipment — in a beautiful environment that rejuvenates and restores. Physical therapy spaces bathed in sunlight. The quiet comfort of a garden walk or relaxing massage. Imagine getting back to the activities that matter to you. Our new, state-of-the-art rehab addition at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center offers innovative therapy services for seniors, including NeuroGym® Technologies mobility training, the Korebalance system and much more. Visit us to see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after continuing-care retirement communities in the state. Rehab here is simply different… because what surrounds you really matters.

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Away during the winter? Prep your house By Mary Kane As the temperature drops and months of cold weather loom ahead, snowbirds pack up for warmer climates, anticipating sunny days free of freezing ice, snow shoveling and other winter worries. But if you’re not careful to prepare your home before you travel thousands of miles to your warmer destination, that escape won’t be so carefree. “You just don’t know what can happen when you are away,” said Jack Luber, executive director of the National Home Watch Association, which represents companies that perform scheduled inspections of unoccupied homes. “Water heaters and pipes can spring leaks, and the smallest leak that goes undiscovered can cause a flood. Sometimes it’s just horrible.” Closing up your home involves everything from setting timers for inside lights, to letting a trusted neighbor know how to reach you. Create a checklist, like the packing list you prepare for a trip. Include

hands-on tasks such as replacing furnace filters and setting temperature controls. Decide what kind of high-tech monitoring would work best for you, and review your homeowner’s insurance to be sure you are adequately covered. Consider hiring a home watch service. And try not to put everything off until the last minute.

draining the pipes. Also, pour a little olive oil into the garbage disposal so it won’t rust. Empty and turn off the ice maker in your freezer — it could leak if the power goes out, said Rebecca Anderson, coowner of Seasons Home Watch, in Mound, Minn., a service that visits properties for absent homeowners. Read more tips on her blog at seasonshomewatch.com.

Security and safety issues Begin with the basics — simple things you can do yourself, said Luber. Ask a friendly neighbor to park his or her car in your driveway occasionally. Make sure timers turn lights on at different times, and in different parts of the house. “There are a lot of telltale signs when a house is empty,” Luber said. “You don’t want anything to give that impression.” For winterizing, use insulated covers for outside spigots. Install alarms inside to alert you if the temperature drops too low. Consider shutting off the water and

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Insurance concerns Check with your insurance agent. If you’re gone for just the seasonal months, your current policy likely will be fine. But for a longer absence you want to be sure you are adequately covered at both your primary and vacation residences, said Elaine Montgomery-Baisden, chief underwriting officer for personal insurance at Travelers. Coverage for unoccupied property varies by policy, and you may have to pay a surcharge for your unoccupied home. Tell your agent if you have someone housesitting or regularly checking on your house, because that could reduce your costs. Hire someone to clear snow from your sidewalks and driveway, to lessen the likelihood of someone falling and filing a claim, she said. (Get more tips at travelers.com/resources.)

Jo Moorman, 65, and her husband, Brice, 56, have a house near Scottsdale, Ariz., and a condo outside Minneapolis. When they leave the condo for a seven-month stay in Arizona, they “de-insure” an unused car left behind in Minnesota on their agent’s advice, saving several hundred dollars, Jo said. Check with your insurer on how to safely pare back coverage temporarily. The Moormans use the Internet to monitor their homes with cameras, their smartphones and their computers. The couple even added space heaters that they can control remotely in their condo after they got a text in Arizona from their Minnesota alarm system that the condo temperature had fallen, which turned out to be the result of a furnace malfunction. The couple also hired Anderson’s home watch firm to inspect their home on a regular basis as an additional backup, Jo said. Anderson collects junk mail, runs hot water, flushes toilets and more. Prices to hire a home watch firm depend on the size of a home and its location, but generally run about $50 per visit, and services often offer visits once every two weeks or so. You can find a service at nationalhomewatchassociation.org. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Decluttering frees space, lifts the soul By Beth Brophy You don’t need to be facing retirement or a move to decide it’s time to create more breathing room in your life. The practice is liberating at any age, according to Virginia Onufer, 52, of Chevy Chase, Md., a writer who works from home. Recently, Onufer, with the help of a professional organizer, cleared her 1,800square-foot house of 30 tall kitchen bags stuffed with kitchen equipment, Christmas decorations, linens and clothing. “Acknowledging that outer order contributes to inner calm gives me the commitment to keep going,” Onufer said. With her daughters away at school, she and her husband are contemplating a house move, and they don’t want to bring their unneeded stuff along. While a professional organizer can be expensive, Onufer said hiring one saved her time and aggravation. Ellen Delap, president of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals, said that many professional organizers will cart off your items at the end of a session, help you donate and sell items, and “give you a gentle push to get rid of more.” About half of Delap’s clients at Professional-Organizer.com, based in Kingwood, Tex., are 50 or older. Professionals also supply stamina. “Most people can declutter on their own for [only] an hour or two before running out of steam. It involves a lot of decisionmaking,” Delap said. Costs vary by region and job, but hourly fees typically range from $75 to $150, said Delap, who charges $225 for three hours. Lisa Mark, of The Time Butler in Los Altos, Calif., charges $125 an hour, and $50 to $75 an hour for her assistants. She says 80 percent of her clients are 50 or older, and most of those are 55 to 70.

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INDEPENDENT/ASSISTED LIVING/MEMORY CARE

Kensington Park 301-946-7700 3620 Littledale Road Kensington, MD 20895 www.kensingtonparkseniorliving.com

Divide and conquer For a typical home, decluttering takes at least 10 to 20 hours. Mark estimates that a three-bedroom, 1,600-square-foot house with an average amount of clutter will take five to 10 sessions lasting three to six hours each. Delap, who works in three-hour chunks, said a closet may take two sessions, while a garage may take three or four sessions. Many organizers start by dividing items by category, starting with big objects, such as exercise equipment and furniture, to gain momentum. Small sentimental items, such as letters and photos, take a long time to sort through and should be done last. It helps to envision the end result, such as closets you can open without an avalanche. “There’s a lot of guilt in throwing out unused stuff, but take the lesson from it,” Onufer said. “I threw away a lot of clothing I bought in outlets. Lesson: I want fewer, lovelier things.” She and her daughters each have a clear plastic “memory box” to preserve the most important mementos, such as report cards, art projects and letters. If you are decluttering by yourself, Mark advises setting a timer for 20 to 30 minutes. Decluttering gets easier every time “because it’s reinforcing, and you realize you don’t miss what’s gone,” Onufer said. Among the many rewards of decluttering is clearing out mental space. “Clutter is delayed decisions. How does that serve your life goals?” said Mark. After a good session, “a client will often tell me she feels like she lost 100 pounds. There’s a mental weight to clutter. Without it, you can focus on whatever is most meaningful to you.” All contents © 2018, The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Friendship and fun. Activities and companionship. Family and support. You'll find it all at Kensington Park, a senior living community that features Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care on one beautiful campus. The variety of lifestyle options makes it easy for residents to live the way they want and need in an environment that reflects deep understanding of seniors. Independent Living offers a lively calendar of events, a sophisticated dining experience and cocktail hours. Assisted Living provides enhanced care programs that include a full spectrum of clinical support and end-of-life care. Three levels of Memory Care address challenges unique to each phase of progressive change. Please call us at 301-946-7700.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Sommerset Retirement 703-450-6411 22355 Providence Village Drive Sterling, VA 20164 www.Sommersetretirement.com At Sommerset Retirement Community, located in the heart of Sterling, Virginia, you’ll experience exceptional independent living at its best, with a comfortable, fulfilling, secure and active lifestyle. Sommerset’s unique amenities include restaurant style dining, housekeeping, 24-hour front desk personnel and private transportation. Enjoy the convenience of being just minutes from medical services, shopping, banking and entertainment. For two years in a row now, Sommerset has been voted by the readers of Virginia Living Magazine as one of the best retirement communities in Northern Virginia! Call us or visit our website to request more information or to schedule your tour and complimentary lunch. CREDIT

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Riderwood 1-877-742-4390 3140 Graceﬁeld Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 EricksonLiving.com

Professional organizers can help declutter and free up space, from closets to the kitchen to the garage.

How to find the right retirement lifestyle for you With so many senior living options available, how do you determine the best fit for your lifestyle, finances, and future? Riderwood, the premier continuing care retirement community in Silver Spring, offers this advice: Find a community that helps you stay active. At Riderwood, you’ll enjoy a wealth of amenities and 100-plus clubs, classes, and activities. Get the most value for your money. Many people are surprised by all that’s included at Riderwood, such as maintenance, most utilities, and flexible meal plans. Plan ahead for future needs. With continuing care at Riderwood, you’ll have access to multiple levels of support should you ever need it. To learn more, call 1-877-742-4390 or visit RiderwoodCommunity.com.

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Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

INDEPENDENT/ASSISTED/MEMORY CARE

Waltonwood Ashburn 571-982-6318 44141 Russell Branch Parkway Ashburn, VA 20147 www.Waltonwood.com Social opportunities and luxury amenities await you at Waltonwood Ashburn, a brand new community from Singh Development with independent living, assisted living and memory care communities. Our broad range of amenities includes a spa, saltwater therapy pool (independent living only), fitness and wellness center, movie theatre, cafe, convenience store and more. Enjoy chef-prepared meals in our elegant dining room, plus personal help services and courtesy transportation. You will love our beautifully appointed and spacious studio, 1- and 2-bedroom apartment homes. Independent living, assisted living and memory care are NOW OPEN! Visit us for tours 7 days a week and take advantage of brand new, luxury senior living.

LIFE PLAN COMMUNITY

Falcons Landing 703-293-5054 20522 Falcons Landing Circle Potomac Falls, VA 20165 www.FalconsLanding.org Common Bonds and Extraordinary Living is what you find when you move to Falcons Landing! Nestled near the Potomac River in scenic Loudoun County, Falcons Landing is a vibrant hub for residents who have retired from work, but not from life! The Johnson Center and West Falls Center at Falcons Landing offer an array of health services, including comprehensive nursing care, rehabilitation and medical care, short-and-long-term stays, and other routine and specialty services conveniently located on campus. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing your loved ones are being cared for 24 hours a day.

INDEPENDENT/ASSISTED LIVING

Chevy Chase House (202) 686-5504 5420 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20015 www.meridiansenior.com/chevychasehouse

Visit our beautifully renovated community and tour our luxury residences! Our residents enjoy a wealth of social opportunities and enriching activities. Updated, full-sized accommodations provide an easy transition from homeownership to luxury senior living. You’ll find all-inclusive amenities, bright living spaces, a full social calendar and a dedicated staff … everything you need and desire to live life to the fullest. From your luxurious new home at Chevy Chase House, you'll experience premier city living with all of its benefits. Your day awaits. Call or visit Chevy Chase House today. Take a tour and enjoy lunch on us!

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

INDEPENDENT & PERSONAL CARE COMMUNITIES

B’nai B’rith Homecrest House 301-244-3579 14508 Homecrest Road Silver Spring, MD 20906 www.homecresthouse.org Homecrest House is a non-profit, affordable, subsidized community offering two options: Independent & Personal Care Services. PERSONAL CARE offers: assistance with bathing, daily meals, weekly housekeeping & laundry services with optional medication administration. Homecrest is nestled on 10 beautiful acres & neighbors with Leisure World. Residents may qualify approximately 30% of their adjusted income for rent & may qualify for personal care subsidies. Homecrest offers a full array of amenities, activities & scheduled weekday van service. Call Princetta at 301-244-3579 for a personalized tour or visit us at www.homecresthouse.org.

INDEPENDENT/PERSONAL CARE/ASSISTED LIVING

Seabury at Springvale Terrace 301-587-0190 8505 Springvale Road Silver Spring, MD 20910 www.springvaleterrace.org Discover Seabury at Springvale Terrace, inside and out? Our Assisted Living offers a lifestyle you will love! Affordable value, that can only be found at our community, providing wonderful care, exercise, music, art, a host of daily activities and social events, as well as special entertainment for all residents. Enjoy the benefits of Independent Living just steps away from downtown Silver Spring. Within blocks, you will have access to the Silver Spring Civic Center, Library, AFI Silver, Whole Foods, CVS pharmacy, movie theaters, shopping, restaurants, and more! Come take a fresh look at Seabury at Springvale Terrace. Assisted Living apartments are available now, but space is limited. Call to schedule your visit today.

LIFE PLAN COMMUNITY

Vinson Hall Retirement Community 703-536-4344 6251 Old Dominion Drive McLean, VA 22101 www.vinsonhall.org Celebrate the tradition at Vinson Hall Retirement Community! We're located in McLean, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. and its surrounding suburbs. We are an active, vibrant senior living community, offering independent living, assisted living, nursing care, and memory support residences — all located on 20 acres in a suburban setting. Residents are encouraged to live life “their way.” Visit our website to learn more: www.vinsonhall.org.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

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Smart storage strategies for small kitchens By Kim Cook Urban kitchens are typically tiny, presenting storage challenges. So for city dwellers, adaptability comes in handy in the kitchen. And for food storage, there’s also the frequent problem of unwelcome houseguests, like mice or bugs. Luckily, there’s a lot of great gear to keep perishables and pantry goods organized and protected, much of it pretty stylish too. Alex Weibel, senior food editor at Rachael Ray Every Day magazine, spends a lot of time cooking and developing recipes in her tiny kitchen in Brooklyn, New York. When her cookbooks began to buckle her cabinetry, she realized it was time to thin out her collection. “I moved my aspirational cookbooks to shelves outside the kitchen,” she said. And then she used the same approach with everything else. “Anything not vital to daily activity doesn’t belong on kitchen shelves,” she said. “I disguise visible pantry storage in attractive vessels, like vintage Pyrex containers that are easily stackable. And I live by the ‘first in, first out’ mantra I learned in culinary school, strategically positioning perishables in the front so they get used first.”

Carve out new storage spaces Weibel went to Home Depot for a large wire shelf to mount on an empty wall, and stows her hundreds of spice containers on it. “Now my spices are easily accessible, and look charming,” she said. You can also mount metal-lidded jars under cabinetry by affixing a strong magnetic strip. Yamazaki Home’s under-cabinet white metal storage shelf is a handy place for resealable bags or tea towels. Rolling chef’s tables or carts with wooden tops provide more surface and storage in tiny kitchens with limited counter space. The cart’s shelves and baskets can house

BEACON BITS

Oct. 9

55+ TRANSPORTATION EXPO

Montgomery County Recreation presents a 55+ Transportation Expo, a free event featuring CarFit appointments, AARP Smart DriverTEK, Google Maps seminars, Q&A panels, an information fair, and ridesharing app demonstrations, on Tuesday, Oct. 9 from 9 a.m.

hand mixers or other small appliances. Don’t forget about the inside of cabinet doors. A short curtain rod attached to the inside of a cabinet can hold small tools on ring clips; put a peel ‘n’ stick cork panel behind it for a message board. A larger rod under the sink can stow spray bottles, paper towels and trash bag rolls. Lowe’s spokesman Matt Michaels has a pro tip for keeping the fridge functioning well: “Clean door seals regularly with soap and water.” He said dirt and grime can prevent a tight seal, so the fridge doesn’t stay cold. “Test your seals by sliding a piece of paper in the closed fridge door; if it falls out, it’s time to replace them.”

Containing your containers For countertops or cabinets, consider a system of matching containers that stack

and stow seamlessly together. Rubbermaid’s Brilliance storage set, made of BPA-proof plastic, is leak-proof, air-tight and stain-resistant, with sturdy latches. Vents allow for microwaving, and the pieces not only stack but are freezer and dishwasher safe. There’s also a system for produce, called FreshWorks. Its containers have trays in the bottom and a vent on the lid that keep moisture away and increase airflow to keep fruits and vegetables from spoiling too quickly in the fridge. Glasslock’s Slimline low-profile lidded set is made of tempered microwave-safe glass. And the Pyrex sets can go straight from fridge to oven. Identify all the containers using erasable food storage labels. Target has a set of sleek stainless steel canisters for cereals, pasta or baking essentials. A steel rack stowed in a cabinet

will hold pot lids, pie pans, and baking and roasting sheets more efficiently than stacking. There’s also a collection of glass storage cylinders with decorative stained wood tops. Pest removal and prevention services may be provided by landlords, or you can try some non-chemical methods, like those Katie Voytasek, of LA Best Pest Control, posts on http://www.forrent.com. As soon as you bring food home, for instance, transfer it out of its paper, cardboard or Styrofoam packaging and into pest-proof receptacles. Cleaning is key to keeping a small urban kitchen prep-ready and pest-free. Attend to dishes and counters right away. That includes the dishwasher. If it’s got dirty dishes in it for too long, roaches and ants will find their way in. — AP

We Turn Addresses

into homes

MOST COMMUNITIE S ARE 62 AND BETTER

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

The Greens at Hammonds Lane: 410-636-1141 Park View at Furnace Branch: 410-761-4150 Park View at Severna Park: 410-544-3411

Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673 Park View at Rosedale: 410-866-1886 Park View at Taylor: 410-663-0363 Park View at Towson: 410-828-7185 Park View at Woodlawn: 410-281-1120

BALTIMORE CITY Ednor Apartments I: 410-243-0180 Ednor Apartments II: 410-243-4301 The Greens at Irvington Mews: 410-644-4487 Park Heights Place: 410-578-3445 Park View at Ashland Terrace: 410-276-6440 Park View at Coldspring: 410-542-4400

EASTERN SHORE Park View at Easton: 410-770-3070

HARFORD COUNTY Park View at Bel Air: 410-893-0064 Park View at Box Hill: 410-515-6115

BALTIMORE COUNTY Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344 Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660 Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888 The Greens at English Counsul: 410-789-3000 The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100 The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000 The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988 Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464 Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665 Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375

HOWARD COUNTY Park View at Colonial Landing: 410-796-4399 Park View at Columbia: 410-381-1118 Park View at Ellicott City: 410-203-9501 Park View at Ellicott City: II 410-203-2096 Park View at Emerson: 301-483-3322 Park View at Snowden River: 410-290-0384

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY Park View at Bladensburg: 301-699-9785 • 55 & Better Park View at Laurel: 301-490-1526 Park View at Laurel II: 301-490-9730

to 4 p.m. Admission is free, but registration is required for CarFit and AARP events (not other events). This event takes place at Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring, Md. For more informa-

Call the community nearest you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour. www.rhomecommunities.com

tion, call (240) 777-8085.

MOST COMMUNITIES ARE PET-FRIENDLY

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PULL OUT & KEEP THIS SECTION

Housing Options

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

DIFFERENT

... because what surrounds you really matters.

tuesday, October 16, 2018 10:30 A.M. – 12:30 p.m. The meadows assisted living • 1635 hickory knoll road • Sandy Spring, MD 20860

For nearly 70 years, Brooke Grove Retirement Village has built a history of excellence in Montgomery County. Explore our residential-style homes, gardens and secure walking paths. Discover our innovative approach and programs including those designed to stimulate memory. Meet our staff, trained in assisting those with Alzheimer’s and memory loss. Enjoy our 220-acre campus and our live-in pets.

Please register with Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org by October 14.

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 301-260-2320 or 301-924-2811

www.bgf.org

Independent living assisted living rehabilitation memory support long-term care

ASSISTED LIVING OPEN HOUSE

simply

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money Law &

GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR Consider a fee-only financial adviser, whose recommendations won’t be swayed by commissions THIN OUT YOUR WALLET Play it safe: don’t keep Social Security cards, checks or spare keys in your wallet MORE COSTLY MEDICARE Higher income Medicare recipients pay much more for Medicare. Learn some strategies for limiting the costs

How to weather a downturn in retirement By Liz Weston The older the current bull market gets, the more stories you’re likely to read about how this is an awful time to retire. Yes, we’re due for a correction that trims 20 percent or more from stock values. That

could be a big problem for people taking withdrawals from investment portfolios, since market losses early in retirement increase the chances of running short of money. The answer isn’t to cower in fear, but to

How long will bull market continue? By Alex Veiga The current bull market for U.S. stocks is now the longest of all time. How much longer might it last? Strong corporate earnings growth and a resilient U.S. economy bolstered by a solid job market and consumer confidence set the stage for the market to continue the upward trajectory it’s been on for more than nine years, experts say. Even rising interest rates are not likely to derail the bull. Data show the S&P 500 typically notches gains during periods when rates are rising. Missing for now are signs that the U.S. economy is speeding toward a recession. “Bull markets don’t die of old age, they die of fright,’’ said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist for CFRA. “What bull markets are most afraid of is recession.’’ The S&P 500, the market’s benchmark index, has gained 323 percent since bottoming out in March 2009 during the

Great Recession, according to FactSet. The bull market stumbled at times during its run, most recently in February, when the S&P 500 fell 10 percent from its January all-time high. It would take a 20 percent tumble to usher in a bear market. At this point, the usual indicators of a possible recession — big declines in U.S. housing starts, consumer confidence and company earnings — are not flashing warning signs. For now, the trends that have helped steer the market higher remain. Most of the companies in the S&P 500 reported earnings and revenue this year that exceeded Wall Street’s expectations. And despite the uncertainty over global trade tensions, the U.S. economy is on solid ground. Helped by tax cuts, it clocked in at an annual pace of 4.1 percent growth from April through June, the fastest quarterly expansion since 2014.

plan for the inevitable downturns. Financial planners say the following actions can help make your money last.

Make sure you’re diversified Stocks have quadrupled since March 9, 2009, the beginning of the current bull market. Meanwhile, returns on bonds and cash remain low. Investors who haven’t regularly rebalanced back to a target mix of stocks, bonds and cash probably have way too much of their portfolios in stocks. The time to rebal-

ance is now, before markets start bucking and making it harder to think rationally. The right asset allocation depends on your income needs and risk tolerance, among other factors. But many financial planners recommend having a few years’ worth of withdrawals in safer investments to mitigate the urge to sell when stocks fall. Certified financial planner Lawrence Heller of Melville, New York, uses the “bucket’’ strategy to avoid selling in down See MARKET DOWNTURN, page 28

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Market downturn From page 27 markets. Heller typically has clients keep one to three years’ worth of expenses in cash, plus seven to nine years’ worth in bonds, giving them 10 years before they would have to sell any stocks. “That should be enough time to ride out a correction,’’ Heller said. Near-retirees who use target date funds or computerized robo-advisors to invest for retirement don’t have to worry about regular rebalancing — that’s done automatically. But they may want to consider switching to a more conservative mix if stocks make up over half of their portfolios.

How much to withdraw? Historically, retirees could minimize the risk of running out of money by withdraw-

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

ing 4 percent of their portfolios in the first year of retirement and increasing the withdrawal amount by the inflation rate each year after that. This approach, pioneered by financial planner and researcher Bill Bengen, became known as the “4 percent rule.’’ Some researchers worry that the rule might not work in extended periods of low returns. One alternative is to start withdrawals at about 3 percent. Another approach is to forgo inflation adjustments in bad years. Derek Tharp, a researcher with financial planning site Kitces.com, found that retirees could start at an initial 4.5 percent withdrawal rate if they were willing to trim their spending by 3 percent — which is equivalent to the average inflation adjustment — after years when their portfolios lose money. “You don’t actually cut your spending. You just don’t increase it for inflation,’’ said

certified financial planner Michael Kitces. Reducing expenses trims the amount that retirees must take from their portfolios during bad markets. That’s why Melissa Sotudeh, a certified financial planner in Rockville, Md., recommends paying off debt before retirement. She also suggests clients maximize Social Security checks. Benefits increase by about 7 to 8 percent for each year people put off starting Social Security after age 62. The more guaranteed income people have, the less they may have to lean on their portfolios.

Finding additional income Ideally, retirees would have enough guaranteed income from Social Security and pensions to cover all of their basic expenses, such as housing, food, utilities, transportation, taxes and insurance, said Wade Pfau, professor of retirement income at the American College of Financial Services. If they don’t, they may be able to create

more guaranteed income using fixed annuities or reverse mortgages, said Pfau, author of How Much Can I Spend in Retirement? Fixed annuities allow buyers to pay a lump sum to an insurance company, typically in exchange for monthly payments that can last a lifetime. Reverse mortgages give people age 62 and older access to their equity through lump sums, lines of credit, or monthly payments. And the borrowed money doesn’t have to be paid back until the owner sells, dies or moves out. Covering expenses with guaranteed income actually can free retirees to take more risk with their investment portfolios, which over time can give them better returns and more money to spend or leave to their kids, Pfau said. “They’ll be able to invest more aggressively and still sleep at night because they don’t need that money to fund their day-today retirement expenses,’’ he said. — NerdWallet via AP

BEACON BITS

Oct. 26

RICHMOND DAYTRIP

Get away to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond to enjoy the 14th Fine Arts & Flowers exhibit, which features dazzling floral design interpretations of masterpieces from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, on Friday, Oct. 26. Have a light lunch at the museum and end the day with tea at the Jefferson Hotel. Trip departs Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Greenspring Rd., Alexandria, Va. at 9 a.m. and arrives back at approximately 6 p.m. The cancelation deadline is Friday, Oct. 12. The trip costs $106, which includes motor coach, exhibit tour and full English tea. For more information or to register, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes (code 290 493 4101) or call (703) 642-51731.

The Career Gateway! features small classes, 30 hours of intensive training over two weeks, a long-term mentor, and valuable take-home materials This hands-on, five-day course will help you: • turbocharge your resume • hone your interviewing skills • learn how to network

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Optional employment-related tech classes available.

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WHERE: 12320 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD 20852 FEE: $75 FOR MORE INFORMATION

Call (301) 255-4215 or e-mail Career.Gateway@AccessJCA.org Funded by Montgomery County Aging & Disability Services, e Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, and the Jewish Council for the Aging.®

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Ongoing

DRIVING AND SHOPPING VOLUNTEES

Fairfax County is seeking volunteer grocery shopper assistants and medical appointment drivers to help older adults run errands and get to their medical appointments. For more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/older-adults and click on volunteer solutions.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

How to find ‘advice-only’ financial advisers By Liz Weston If you want money advice you can trust, your best bet is to hire a fee-only financial planner. The trick is finding a planner who’s willing to be hired for a reasonable fee. Fee-only planners don’t accept commissions or kickbacks from companies whose investments their clients buy. Instead, they are paid solely by client fees. Most use an “assets under management” model, where they manage their clients’ investments and charge an annual fee of about 1 percent. To make the math work, these financial planners usually require people to have hundreds of thousands of dollars to invest. Otherwise the advisers would reap too little from their fees to justify the hours spent creating financial plans. This is obviously a problem for people who don’t have enough assets. It also can be a problem for those who do, since the advisers collect their fees year in and year out, regardless of how much advice they’re actually dispensing. Plus, not everyone wants or needs an adviser to invest their money. It’s even becoming a problem for the planners themselves. A client with a small portfolio may have more complex needs, and require more time, than one with a

larger portfolio, but the fees won’t reflect that. Plus, what these planners are technically charging for — investment management — can be had for much less from robo-advisers. These digital investment services use computer algorithms to invest, and typically charge one-quarter of one percent. Planners are essentially giving away the valuable part of what they do, the financial advice, while charging premium prices for the commodity that a machine can essentially do for much less. Advisers increasingly are recognizing the flaws in this approach and some are exploring alternatives, such as charging flat monthly or quarterly fees, said financial journalist Bob Veres, owner of Inside Information, a site for advisers.

Where to go for advice If you’re looking for financial advice that’s not based on the size of your portfolio, here are a few places to check, and what you can expect to pay. XY Planning Network. This is a network of financial planners who typically focus on clients in Generations X and Y, or millennials, who don’t have a lot of assets to invest. There’s no age limit, though, and some of the planners specialize in helping

baby boomers as well. Advisers must be certified financial planners, or CFPs; swear to uphold a fiduciary client-first standard, which means they put their clients’ interests first; and offer flat monthly fees (although they may offer other options, including hourly or assets-under-management fees). Monthly fees are typically $100 to $200, with some planners requiring an initial or setup fee of $1,000 to $2,000. Garrett Planning Network. Planner Sheryl Garrett’s network represents planners willing to charge by the hour, although many also manage assets for a fee. Members are either certified financial planners or on track to get the designation. Or they’re certified public accountants

who have the personal financial specialist credential, which is similar to the CFP. Garrett also requires its planners to be fiduciaries. Hourly fees usually range from $150 to $300. A consultation focused on one subject, such as a portfolio review, may take two or three hours. A comprehensive financial plan that covers taxes, insurance, estate planning, college planning and other relevant topics could require 20 hours or more. Advice-Only Financial. Financial blogger Harry Sit started his service to connect people with fee-only advisers who just charge for advice and don’t accept asset See FINANCIAL ADVISERS, page 31

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Nine things to never keep in your wallet You and your hard-earned savings have finally made it to retirement. Why risk losing anything if your wallet goes missing or is stolen? With every new bank slip that bulges from the seams, your personal information is getting less and less safe. With just your name and Social Security number, identity thieves can open new credit accounts and make costly purchases in your name. If they can get their hands on (and doctor) a government-issued photo ID of yours, they

can do even more damage, including opening new bank accounts. These days, con artists are even profiting from tax return fraud and healthcare fraud, all with stolen IDs. We talked with consumer protection advocates to identify the nine things retirees should purge from their wallets immediately. And when you’re finished, take a moment to photocopy everything you’ve left inside your wallet, front and back. Stash the copies in a secure location. The last thing you want to be wondering as you’re reporting a stolen

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wallet is, “What exactly did I have in there?” Social Security card. Whether you’ve already started collecting Social Security or soon will, it’s good to know where your Social Security card is located. Just don’t locate it in your wallet. Your nine-digit Social Security number is all a savvy ID thief needs to open new credit card accounts or take out loans in your name. ID-theft experts say your Social Security card is the absolute worst item to carry around. Once you’ve removed your card, look for anything else that may contain your SSN — or your spouse’s or children’s Social Security numbers (some of us stow those away, too). Since December 2005, states can no longer display your Social Security number on newly issued driver’s licenses, state ID cards and motor-vehicle registrations. Some of us old-timers may still have an older photo ID, plus some states issue motorvehicle licenses for 10-year periods. What to do? Request a new card prior to the expiration date. There might be an additional fee, but it’s worth it to protect your identity. Password cheat sheet. The average American uses at least seven different passwords. Ideally, each of those passwords should be a unique combination of letters, numbers and symbols, and you should change them regularly. Is it any wonder we

need help keeping track of them all? However, carrying your ATM card’s PIN number and a collection of passwords (especially those for online access to banking and investment accounts) on a scrap of paper in your wallet is a prescription for financial disaster. If you have to keep passwords jotted down somewhere, keep them in a locked box in your house. Or consider a password management service, such as LastPass that will store all of your passwords behind one master login — the only password you’ll need to remember. Family plans start at $4 per month. [For more about passwords, see “Secure passwords with less headache,” March Beacon.] Spare keys. It’s old-school, we know: keeping a spare key in your wallet (or under a doormat). But a lost wallet containing your home address and a spare key is an invitation for burglars to do far more harm than just opening a credit card in your name. Don’t put your property and family at risk. And even if your home isn’t robbed after losing a spare key, you’ll likely spend $100 or more in locksmith fees to change the locks for peace of mind. And speaking of keys, be careful what you hand to the valet while out and about enjoying your retirement, warned Adam See WALLET, page 33

BEACON BITS

Oct. 29

HIRING A CONTRACTOR

When home improvements require a contractor, do you know your options and what questions to ask? Jeanine Finch from Arlington County’s Consumer Protection Office will detail important items to be aware of on Monday, Oct. 29 at noon at Lee Senior Center, 5722 Lee Highway. Bring a list of questions. Admission and parking are free. For more information or to register, call (703) 228-0555.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Medicare surcharges for richer recipients By Rachel L. Sheedy A big question every year at open enrollment for employer health insurance is how much will the premium rise? That doesn’t change once you’re on Medicare — Part B and Part D premiums typically increase each year. But with Medicare there’s added anxiety: Your income can shoot premiums through the roof. The government sets four Medicare surcharge tiers for 2018, based on a beneficiary’s income. As income rises above $85,000 for singles and $170,000 for joint filers, Part B and Part D costs begin a steep climb. For example, the standard monthly Part B premium of $134 per beneficiary jumps to $187.50, plus a $13 surcharge for Part D, for singles with modified adjusted gross income between $85,001 and $107,000. The income range for joint filers is $170,001 to $214,000. At the highest tier, which kicks in once income tops $160,000 for singles and $320,000 for joint filers, the monthly Medicare Part B premium runs $428.60 per beneficiary with a $74.80 surcharge for Part D. A silver lining: If your income spikes in

just one year, the surcharge is added to your premiums for only one year, not permanently, said Neil Krishnaswamy, a financial planner for Exencial Wealth Advisors. If income falls the next year, the surcharge falls off in the corresponding year. It’s important to note that the surcharge can also be waived because of a qualifying life-changing event, such as retirement, as many people continue to work at 65 and older, but are on Medicare (find details at socialsecurity.gov). But there’s no waiver for hefty income, even if it’s just a one-time event. Instead, because the surcharges are based on your tax return from two years prior, avoiding the surcharges requires advance planning. Those enrolling in Medicare at 65 need to start reviewing their tax situation through the lens of Medicare surcharges at age 63, if not sooner. The surcharges “can be hard to eliminate, but you can mitigate it,” said Gil Charney, director of the Tax Institute at H&R Block.

Financial advisers

said Rebecca Wiggins, executive director of the association, which grants both credentials. Others are employed by the military, credit unions or other organizations, and offer their services for free or at reduced charge, she said. These counselors or coaches focus on issues relevant to middle- and lower-income Americans, including budgeting, debt management and retirement planning. “The main thing is that these professionals are affordable, unbiased, and highly trained,” Wiggins said. “Their focus is on the needs of the clients, and establishing healthy financial management.” Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner, and author of “Your Credit Score.” Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com. — Nerdwallet via AP

From page 29 management fees. Sit’s concern is that advisers who do both will be tempted to push people toward asset management, since it’s more lucrative. Sit charges $200 to help people find fiduciary CFPs who are either local or, if none are available, willing to work remotely. The planners typically charge $100 to $400 an hour. Association for Financial Counseling & Education. Not every tax return requires a CPA and not every financial situation requires a CFP. An accredited financial counselor or financial fitness coach can be a more affordable alternative. Coaches and counselors in private practice typically charge $100 to $150 an hour, although many work on a sliding scale,

See MEDICARE, page 32

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Medicare From page 31

Rein in your income The key is to pay attention to “modified adjusted gross income” (MAGI) — that is AGI plus tax-exempt interest. Moving money into municipal bonds won’t help, because that tax-exempt interest counts for this purpose. But utilizing Roth accounts can go a long way, because tax-free Roth distributions are ignored. “It gives you more breathing room and flexibility to be able to draw on a Roth,” said Charney. Tapping a Roth for a new roof,

for instance, won’t send Medicare premiums sky high. Consider making Roth conversions over a number of years. The more traditional IRA money converted to a Roth IRA, the lower your taxable required minimum distributions from the traditional IRA will be. Another arrow in the quiver to manage RMDs: the qualified charitable distribution. The QCD counts toward your annual RMD but isn’t recognized as income, so it stays out of the Medicare surcharge formula. “It will help drive down modified AGI,” said David Levi, senior managing director of CBIZ MHM. Traditional IRA owners age 70 1/2 or

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

older can directly transfer up to $100,000 from the IRA to a charity each year. If capital gains are boosting your income, try harvesting losses from your portfolio. Capital losses reduce MAGI by offsetting capital gains, and excess capital losses can offset up to $3,000 of other income. Check whether bunching income could help mitigate surcharge pain. You might “take enough cash to straddle two years, to get hit with the surcharge for one year and then save yourself from the surcharge the next year,” said Bob Waskiewicz, a certified public accountant at Wescott Financial Advisory Group.

Excluding home sale profits Bunching could particularly be handy if you have a one-time spike in income, say, from the sale of a home. But note that

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while home-sale profit can tip you into Medicare surcharges, two speed bumps can help you steer clear. Homeowners can qualify for a home-sale profit exclusion of $250,000 if single or $500,000 if married filing jointly. And owners can increase the home’s basis by tallying up the costs of home improvements. Only any excess profit is included in MAGI. Estate planning can also help. Leaving a home or stock to heirs might make more sense than selling it for a sizable capital gain. Heirs receive a step-up in basis on the value of an inherited home or stock on the date you die. Tax on the appreciation up to that time is avoided. That’s frosting on the cake as it also helps you avoid Medicare surcharges now. © 2018, Kiplinger. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Ongoing

FREE CLASSES FOR CAREERS

Connect.DC is partnering with Byte Back, a digital literacy nonprofit, to provide free computer training to District of Columbia residents to help them find jobs. There are three levels of computer classes, including basics, Microsoft Office programs for administrative positions, and computer certifications for students interested in seeking IT careers. Classes are available at area libraries, nonprofits and other locations. For more information, call (202) 529-3395.

Oct. 12

COMPUTER TUTORING

Kensington Park Library offers free computer tutoring on Friday, Oct. 12 at 1:30 p.m. Need assistance? A volunteer tutor is available to assist with printing, scanning, copying and other computer needs. The library is located at 4201 Knowles Ave., Kensington, Md. For more information, call (240) 773-9515.

Oct. 19

TECH HELP

Lorton Library offers free one-on-one computer tutoring and technology help on Friday, Oct. 19 in designated slots from noon to 1 p.m. The tutor can help with basic computer skills, navigating the Internet and use of eReaders. Lorton Library is located at 2124 Richmond Pkwy., Lorton, Va. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/TechTutoringLortonOct19.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Wallet From page 30 Levin, chairman and cofounder of Identity Theft 911. “Remember that every time you stop and hand your key to a valet, depending on what’s in the glove box [or trunk], you are making yourself vulnerable.” For example, your vehicle registration and insurance cards contain your address, and potential thieves know you’re not home. Paper checks. If you’re still occasionally writing paper checks, like some of us, that’s not going to end in retirement. However, know this: Blank checks in your wallet are an obvious risk — an easy way for thieves to quickly withdraw money from your checking account. But even a lost check you’ve already filled out can lead to financial loss, perhaps long after you’ve canceled and forgotten about it. With the routing number and account number on your check, anybody could attempt to transfer funds from your account electronically. Only carry paper checks when you will absolutely need them. And leave the checkbook at home, bringing only the exact number of checks you anticipate needing that day. Passport. If you’re planning a lot of international travel in retirement, note this: A government-issued passport, including a wallet-size passport card, opens up a world of possibilities for a con artist.

Instead, keep only your driver’s license or other personal ID in your wallet while traveling inside the United States. When you’re overseas, carry a photocopy of your passport and leave the original in a hotel lockbox. Multiple credit cards. Although you shouldn’t ditch credit cards altogether (those who regularly carry a card tend to have higher credit scores than those who don’t), consider a lighter load. After all, the more cards you carry, the more you’ll have to cancel if your wallet is lost or stolen. We recommend carrying a single card for unplanned purchases or emergencies, plus perhaps an additional rewards card on days when you expect to buy eligible gas or groceries. Maintain a list, someplace other than your wallet, with all the contact numbers for your credit cards. The phone numbers are typically listed on the backs of cards, but that won’t do you much good when your wallet is nowhere to be found. Call immediately if your cards go missing. Birth certificate. A birth certificate itself won’t get ID thieves very far. However, “birth certificates could be used in correlation with other types of fraudulent IDs,” said Junker of the Identity Theft Resource Center. “Once you have those components, you can do the same things you could with a passport or a Social Security card.” Multiple receipts. Since 2003, businesses have not been allowed to print anything containing your credit or debit card’s

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expiration date or more than the last five digits of your credit card number. Still, a crafty ID thief can use the limited credit card info and merchant information on receipts to phish for your remaining numbers. Clear receipts out of your wallet nightly, shredding the ones you don’t need. But for receipts you save, keep them safe by going digital. An app such as Shoeboxed lets you create and categorize digital copies of your receipts and business cards. Plans start at $15 per month. Medicare card. Retirees, double check your Medicare card, too. If it was issued

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before April 2015, it has your Social Security number on it. A law signed in April 2015 requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to remove SSNs from Medicare cards, and most residents in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia should have received new cards early this summer. Photocopy your Medicare card (front and back) and carry the copy with you instead of your real card. Keep your real Medicare card in a safe place at home. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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VOLUME XXIX, ISSUE 10

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

October 2018

Second Annual D.C. Brain Games

By Laura Newland Executive Director, D.C. Office on Aging Last month, I had the opportunity to join the Kojo Nnamdi Show as a panelist to discuss “Aging in Place without Breaking the Bank” on WAMU 88.5FM. I hope you had the opportunity to listen to this great conversation with experts from government, private, and nonprofit sectors on how residents can live where they choose as they age. This is a topic that I get to discuss often — every day, in fact — in my role at the DC Office on Aging. Whether it’s with you in the community, with college students interested in professions related to aging, or a panel of experts, knowing that this Administration is deeply committed to engaging individuals from all walks of life, all ages, and all backgrounds in how we can age well, where and how we choose, makes me proud to be a resident of this city. Mayor Muriel Bowser has made it clear that D.C. is a city for everyone, whether you’ve been here for five minutes, or five generations. Through her Age-Friendly initiatives, every government agency is committed to making D.C. a city that works for you at every age, and every stage of your life. Sometimes that means that programs like Safe at Home, which has made close to 1,600 D.C. homes safer and more accessible, are helping you stay in your own home. Sometimes it means that your neighbor, who assists with errands or your day-to-day household needs, is making it a little easier to be a part of your community. Mayor Bowser knows that to make D.C. the best city in the world to age, we need to be a government that supports the community in supporting each other. And this is especially important today. I’m sure all of you know that the Arthur Capper Senior Apartment building was destroyed by a devastating fire last month. We are so incredibly thankful for the first responders’ quick action, the U.S. Marine Corps, the residents nearby, and the social workers who were all instrumental in making sure our seniors made it out safely, and for those who have been providing care for them during this difficult time. While we are so grateful that our residents are safe, we know it will be a long road to recovery. If you are interested in making a donation, you can do so through the Capitol Hill Community Foundation’s Arthur Capper Seniors Recovery Fund at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/128159. Be sure to select “Arthur Capper Seniors Recovery Fund” as your designation. In the days, weeks and months ahead, we are 100 percent focused on working with all of our displaced senior residents in securing permanent housing. Let’s continue to work together, to support each other, and look for ways that we can make the lives of our neighbors, friends and families a little easier. If you missed the radio program discussion, I encourage you to listen online at www.thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2018-09-17/ or visit us at www.dcoa.dc.gov for a link to the show.

The Cerebrals from the Hayes Senior Wellness Center won the DCOA Brain Games competition for a second year.

The Genevieve Johnson Senior Day Care Program won Phase 1 of this year's Brain Games.

The D.C. Office on Aging Second Annual Brain Games Championships were held last month with teams from each ward of the city and two adult day programs, competing at the University of the District of Columbia Student Center. The categories for this year’s event were American History, Cultural History, D.C. Trivia, Destinations & Locations, General Health, Name That Decade, Slogans and Sports. Downtown Cluster’s Geriatric Day Care competed against Genevieve Johnson Senior Day Care Program to see who could clear the D.C. Brain Games board first. After a round of play, Genevieve Johnson was declared the winner of DCOA Brain Games Phase 1. The following teams won in their re-

spective wards for the opportunity to compete in the championship: The Thinkers (Ward 1); Old Aces (Ward 2); The Quizzlers (Ward 3); The Untouchables (Ward 4); Model Cities (Ward 5); Team Cerebral (Ward 6); The Blue Jays (Ward 7); and The 3rd Wonder (Ward 8). Advancing to the semi-finals were Wards 5, 3, 2 and 6 in one round of play. After the qualifying round, Ward 5 Model Cities won for the opportunity to beat the defending champions, the Ward 6 Cerebrals. During a Speed Round, the Cerebrals pulled off another victory. The Ward 6 Team Cerebrals will reign for another year as the D.C. Office on Aging Brain Games Winner! Congratulations to all of the competing teams.

Spotlight on Aging

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Get Involved Wednesday, Oct. 3 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 11

Thursday, Oct. 18

Wednesday, Oct. 24

D.C. Seniors Real Property Tax Workshops Office of Tax & Revenue in collaboration with D.C. Office on Aging Open to all D.C. seniors 65 & up Model Cities Senior Wellness Center 1901 Evarts St. NE – Ward 5

9:30 – 11:30 a.m. D.C. Seniors Real Property Tax Workshops Office of Tax & Revenue in collaboration with D.C. Office on Aging Open to all D.C. seniors 65 & up Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center 3531 Georgia Ave.– Ward 1

9:30 – 11:30 a.m. D.C. Seniors Real Property Tax Workshops Office of Tax & Revenue in collaboration with D.C. Office on Aging Open to all D.C. seniors 65 & up Washington Seniors Wellness Center 3001 Alabama Ave. SE – Ward 7

Wednesday, Oct. 10

Wednesday, Oct. 17

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. D.C. Retired Educators Business Meeting & D.C Office on Aging-sponsored 7th Annual Community Health & Resource Fair Open to the public from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. only Nineteenth Street Baptist Church 4606 16th St. NW – Ward 8

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. D.C. Seniors Real Property Tax Workshops Office of Tax & Revenue in collaboration with D.C. Office on Aging Open to all D.C. seniors 65 & up Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center 324 Kennedy St. NW – Ward 4

9:30 – 11:30 a.m. D.C. Seniors Real Property Tax Workshops Office of Tax & Revenue in collaboration with D.C. Office on Aging Open to all D.C. seniors 65 & up University of the District of Columbia – Institute of Gerontology 4200 Connecticut Ave. NW - Ward 3 Building 44, Room A03

Ms. Senior D.C.

Ms. Senior DC Phyllis Jordan has been very active in the community, and recently served as an award presenter for the Mayor’s Arts Awards presented by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities at the Lincoln Theater. She will be representing the District at the Ms. Senior America Pageant from October 14 to 19 in Atlantic City, NJ. We wish her the best, and know she will bring home the crown!

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

500 K St. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002 202-724-5626 www.dcoa.dc.gov

Executive Director Laura Newland

Editor Darlene Nowlin

Photographer Selma Dillard

The D.C. Office on Aging does not discriminate against anyone based on actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, source of income, and place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subjected to disciplinary action.

The Office on Aging is in partnership with the District of Columbia Recycling Program.

Tuesday, Oct. 23 10 a.m. – noon D.C. Seniors Real Property Tax Workshops Office of Tax & Revenue in collaboration with D.C. Office on Aging Open to all D.C. seniors 65 & up Hayes Senior Wellness Center 500 K St. NE – Ward 6

Tuesday, Oct. 30 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. D.C. Seniors Real Property Tax Workshops Office of Tax & Revenue in collaboration with D.C. Office on Aging Open to all D.C. seniors 65 & up Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center 3500 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. SE – Ward 8

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Travel Leisure &

Jaffa, an ancient town just south of Tel Aviv, features varied cuisine and the port that Jonah used. See story on page 38.

Delaware’s’ mansions, gardens and more The du Pont legacy The main story and primary reason the area is such a tourist magnet has to do with the saga of the du Pont family. The tale began in 1800, when Pierre Samuel du Pont, the son of a Parisian watchmaker, immigrated to the United States. One of his sons established a gunpowder mill near Wilmington. Over time, the company grew into the world’s largest manufacturer of black powder, which was used in munitions and construction projects. From that beginning, the du Ponts evolved into one of the wealthiest family empires in the country. Fortunately, for those of us not lucky enough to be descendants, a family trait was a willingness to share their good fortune with others. As a result, the destination is rich in world-class museums and renowned gardens, touches of both history and present-day hip, pastoral countryside and vestiges of colonial towns. A good place to begin is where the story of the du Ponts in America did. The Hagley Museum and Library features the restored original gunpowder mills, the Eleutherian Mills ancestral estate, where five generations of du Ponts resided, gardens, and the village where workers lived. The charming residence itself would be well worth a visit for the antique furnishings, artwork and memorabilia collected by family members. Buildings on Workers’ Hill provide a

PHOTO BY DANIEL TRAUB

By Victor Block Some members of the large, wealthy family lived in a 175-room mansion set amid 1,000 acres of magnificent gardens, sprawling woodlands and splashing fountains. Others made their home in a chateau modeled after the palace where Marie Antoinette once hung out. Not far away, workers who toiled in the business that affluent dynasty was creating resided in more modest quarters. They included multi-unit houses that today provide accommodations for visitors to the area. This contrast between members of the du Pont family who settled in and around Wilmington, Del., at the turn of the 19th century, and those who worked in the gunpowder mills they founded, is one of many diversities that characterize the area today. They offer visitors an inviting potpourri that appeals to a wide array of interests and preferences. Are flowers your forte? Does a penchant for the past turn you on? Are you an art and antique adherent? These are among a long list of attractions that greet visitors to Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley, which is named for the river that runs from southeastern Pennsylvania to northern Delaware. Because the destination is only about a twohour drive from Washington, it’s a welcome and wonderful place for a mini-vacation, weekend visit or even a day trip.

PHOTO BY LES KIPP

The 77-room Nemours Estate is surrounded by statuary in its elaborate gardens. This statue, “Achievement,” was designed by French sculptor Henri Crenier, and is gilded with 23-karat gold leaf.

The fountains at Longwood Gardens feature 1,700 fountain jets and streams that are lit at night. The gardens include more than 1,000 acres of outdoor flora as well as a four-acre greenhouse.

glimpse of life for the mill employees. They include homes once occupied by the factory foreman and bookkeeper, and a Sunday School for children. A modest garden filled with the kinds of vegetables factory families grew for food contrasts starkly with the elaborate ornamental plantings at du Pont family homes. The twoacre spread in front of the Eleutherian Mills mansion included more than 100 varieties of fruit trees along with alternating beds of flowers and vegetables.

Nemours, Winterthur and Longwood The 77-room Nemours Estate was modeled after Le Petit Trianon — a chateau built on the grounds of Versailles during the reign of King Louis XV for his mistress and later occupied by Queen Marie Antoinette. The Delaware version was constructed by Alfred I. du Pont, the great-great-grandson of Pierre, for his second wife Alicia. The mansion cum museum is crammed with precious antiques, artwork and hints of the lavish lifestyle that was lived there. The sumptuous setting is enhanced by acres of formal gardens, colonnades, sunken pools and statuary that surround the house. They include greenhouses, a maze garden, and imported gates covered with 23 karat gold leaf.

The 175-room mansion known as Winterthur, another du Pont family estate, displays a collection of more than 90,000 antiques in stunning interiors. The house sits in a setting of forests and fields, rolling hills and babbling brooks, all of which provide a naturalistic backdrop for the gardens that present a year-round explosion of color. More than 1,000 acres of outdoor plantings and a four-acre indoor conservatory make Longwood Gardens one of the premier botanical destinations in the world, Adding coloration to the scene are spectacular displays of illuminated fountains. Technicolor streams of water rise and fall, spin and twirl, and at times even burst into flames in a precisely choreographed show.

Art, history and ghosts As unique and inviting as everything related to the du Pont story is, that represents just a small slice of what awaits visitors to the area. For example, along with grand mansions that double as museums, other collections focus on topics as diverse as art, history and civil rights. The Brandywine Valley inspired generations of Wyeth family artists, whose creations are displayed at various locations. The Brandywine River Museum is See DELAWARE, page 37

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Delaware From page 36 renowned for its collection of works by N.C., Andrew and Jamie Wyeth. The houses and studios where N.C. and Andrew lived and painted are open to the public. So many artists still work in the area that both Wilmington and Kennett Square, a tiny nearby community, host monthly gallery events. The region also boasts intriguing chapters of history. A replica of the Kalmar Nyckel, the tall ship that brought Swedish settlers to the New World in 1638, is available for tours and hands-on sailing excursions. The John Dickerson Plantation was the boyhood home of one of the country’s founding fathers. He penned the phrase “United we stand, divided we fall,” and was a delegate to the Continental Congress and a drafter of the U.S. Constitution. The plantation is one of seven sites located in the First State National Historical Park, which extends the length of the state. Others include the forest where Native Americans and early European settlers lived; the site of Fort Christina, where colonists aboard the Kalmar Nyckel and another ship first landed and built a fortress and community, and Old Swedes Church, which was constructed in 1698 and is the oldest in America still used for worship. Fort Delaware, which occupies colorfully named Pea Patch Island, was built in 1815 to protect the Wilmington and Philadelphia harbors. It was destroyed by fire and rebuilt prior to the Civil War, at which time it was converted to a prisoner of war camp. At one time, it held some 12,500 Confederate soldiers who had been captured at Gettysburg. While guided tours, Civil War enactors and other scheduled programs provide interesting information, I came across half-hidden gems that added a very personal touch to life at the fort when it was in active use.

Among them: Seasonal ghost tours introduce spirits that some believe haunt the site. A children’s alphabet learning book includes the letters H for “Hard-tack you scarcely can gnaw” and R for “Retreat, may you never be there.” A cook book from the time, which made me glad my Army service was more recent, included recipes for eel soup and calves feet (“Boil three hours”). Another story traces parts of the role and journey of African-Americans. Cultural achievements of Delaware-born AfricanAmericans are recalled and celebrated at the Delaware History Museum. The Delaware segment of the Underground Railroad, which escaped slaves followed on their journey to freedom, includes pathways and sites associated with Harriet Tubman, Quaker abolitionists, and others who risked much to provide assistance. An impressive and moving statue of Tubman looks out over the park. The Wilmington Riverfront attracts people who stop to read the historical plaques, strollers and joggers, and others drawn by the selection of places to eat. Nearby is a sign at the dock from which the small ferry boat departs for Pea Patch Island and Fort Delaware. It reads, “Prepare to enter the past.” That comment applies equally to much that awaits visitors to Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

tranquil setting of landscaped walkways, gentle terraces and attractive gardens. The Inn’s 28 rooms and suites are located in separate buildings that originally served as apartments for workers. They’re lush with 19th century antiques and reproductions that set a scene of casual elegance and add to the sense of traveling back in time. Room rates begin at $192, and discounts and packages are available. For more information, call (800) 269-2473 or visit montchanin.com. An equally inviting alternative are the nine distinct properties — ranging from mansion and manor house to farmhouse and historic inn — that comprise Brandywine Valley Bed & Breakfasts. One is a dwelling house dating to 1714, one served as a safe haven of the Underground Railroad, and another offers outdoor amenities including a fully-stocked pond, tennis court and putting green. For more infor-

mation, see www.bvbb.com. As for dining, colorfully named Krazy Kat’s restaurant at the Inn at Montchanin Village, which occupies a converted blacksmith’s shop, specializes in fresh seasonal ingredients like butter-poached lobster ($18) and crispy duck breast ($19). Succulent sides (all $8) include “exotic mushrooms” and maple-scented sweet potatoes. A favorite with locals is Buckley’s Tavern, a 19th-century house, former stagecoach stop and toll gate. Among “comfort cuisine” it offers (so identified on the menu) are meatloaf and chicken pot pie (each $19.95), shrimp and grits ($24.95), and a long list of sandwiches. For more information, call (302) 656-9776 or go to www.buckleystavern.com. For information about Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley, call (800) 489-6664 or see www.visitwilmingtonde.com.

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Given the rich history of the area, it’s not surprising that visitors have a choice of accommodations that relate chapters of that interesting story. The Inn at Montchanin Village traces its lineage back to the 18th century, when a tiny settlement grew on a small plot of land at the intersection of three roads that are believed to have followed Native American trails. The hamlet that evolved from that modest beginning now includes 21 lovingly restored structures sprawled across a

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Visiting Israel’s ancient port city of Jaffa

Street markets and cafes In and around Jaffa’s famous flea market, Shuk Hapishpeshim, are streets dotted with cafes. On one of my visits, I sat in an alley and munched on Shaffa Bar’s shakshuka, poached eggs baked in tomato sauce, while chickens clucked on the roof of a building down the street. Cafe Puaa has comfy, chic but mismatched furniture, and will sell you the plates you eat off (nearly everything is for sale). Its menu is packed with the vegetable dishes that Israeli cuisine is known for. After settling into a couch in the alley in

front of the restaurant, I had a deconstructed sabich — a breakfast sandwich of Iraqi origin made of fried eggplant and hard-boiled egg that’s a popular Israeli street food. (Try a regular sabich too, at Sabich Hasharon, a small storefront in Tel Aviv that specializes in them.) The market itself, surrounded by Yefet, Beit Eshel and Yehuda Margoza streets, is a paradise for those itching to debate trash versus treasure. Across several alleys, vendors spread wares on the ground and stack them in stalls. There are antiques, furniture, clothing, trinkets, coins. On Friday mornings and summer Tuesdays, a pop-up market of crafts and jewelry gets added to the mix. In the afternoon, a party erupts in the outdoor bars. But don’t forget hummus. In Jaffa, you can’t eat enough hummus, the chickpea puree that’s a bedrock meal in Israel. There’s Ali Caravan’s famous spot on HaDolphin Street, worth waiting in line for. Another crowded hummus disher is Ha’Asli on Yefet Street, cacophonous with families, workers and tourists, all seeking the platters of hummus, labne, kebab and salads delivered to tables minutes after ordering. You can watch the bakers at work at Abulafia, a popular bakery that stacks breads and other treasures in blue tile-lined glass

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By Tali Arbel Just south of Tel Aviv’s glass towers and concrete houses are the white stone buildings of Jaffa, the ancient port town. Jaffa has existed for thousands of years, but today it is one unified city with Tel Aviv, which was founded in 1909. Both Jews and Arabs live in Jaffa, and that’s reflected in the flavors of the neighborhood. Visitors will find a luxury hotel, the Setai, built out of a Crusader fortress that was later a prison and police station. Trendy cafes, galleries, bars and boutiques line narrow streets, intersecting with Jaffa’s well-known Arab hummus spots and bakeries, along with mosques, churches and synagogues.

Boats float in the port of Jaffa, an ancient city of white stone buildings that is part of Tel Aviv. Its narrow streets are lined with boutiques, cafes and a flea market.

cases by the sidewalk. Jaffa’s food offerings also stretch beyond the Mediterranean. Inside Tash and Tasha’s romantic, stone-walled interior are delicious dips, dumplings and breads from Georgia (the country, not the U.S. state). Milk, a coffee shop with limited seating, has expensive coffee and pretty pastries.

Group cooking lessons Those interested in learning how to cook Arab food can take a class with a local. Myasser Seri has for years been hosting tutorials in her small kitchen. She can put together a multi-course meal for your group to cook, or you can suggest dishes you’d like to try. Among the dishes we made were maqluba, a mound of rice or bulgur and vegetables inverted onto a plate; meatballs cooked in a sauce of tahini and yogurt; the parsleyand-bulgur salad, tabbouleh; and the Arabic dessert knafe. Her version had thin shreds of pastry and nuts cooked in butter, sugar and lemon. Seri also introduced us to what she called the “Arabic Parmesan’’ — yogurt that had been dried in the sun to a rockhard lump. She grated the block into a powder whose sharp, savory tang did indeed recall Parmesan cheese, and added it to a

salad of fried eggplant and thin-chopped celery. Prices for her lessons vary per person according to group size. See www.facebook.com/myassar.seri.

The port that Jonah used One of Jaffa’s most popular spots for tourists is the old port. Vessels have set sail here since ancient times; it’s even mentioned in the Biblical story of Jonah, referred to as “Joppa,’’ where Jonah embarked on the journey that led to his fateful encounter with a big fish — or, in some versions of the story, a whale. The port is still used by local fishermen, but it also offers seafood restaurants, shops and entertainment. There’s plenty to eat and to buy in Jaffa. But one of the best things to do there is simply wander and take in the contrasts. Doors set in old stone walls are catnip for Instagrammers; turn the corner, and there’s a block of modern apartment buildings. Galleries abound, but the streets create their own art. To lear n more about Jaf fa, go to https://new.goisrael.com/article/178. The least expensive roundtrip airfare from the Washington area in early November is $808 on Turkish Airlines departing from Dulles.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

Beware of travel insurance from airlines “Flyer Beware” is the heading of a new re- include limited medical and other miscellaneous benefits. port on travel insurance, but that’s different from “Don’t Buy.” Although some writers Limited coverage have picked up on the report as Typical policy prices avera recommendation to avoid age about 6 1/2 percent of the travel insurance, generally, that ticket price for domestic trips really isn’t the case. and 7 percent for international Instead, the report focuses trips. Those typical policies are on the insurance policies that very restrictive in the range of airlines and online travel “covered reasons” included, agencies (OTA) offer automeaning that claims have a matically during the buying TRAVEL TIPS high likelihood of denial. process for air tickets. The report clearly states its By Ed Perkins The report was compiled by reason for the “Beware” headthe office of Sen. Edward J. Markey (D- ing. It notes, “A search of third-party travel Mass.), and what it really says is that those insurance comparison websites such as policies — typically offered as an “opt in, Squaremouth.com or Insuremytrip.com opt out” choice after you’ve selected a flight shows the wide availability of similarly — may not be a good buy. They are often priced policies with more robust and flexioverpriced, more restrictive, or both, than ble coverage.” The idea of insurance isn’t a the traditional travel insurance you can buy “beware” situation; it’s the price and coverthrough a third-party insurance agency. age of the policies the airlines and OTAs The Markey report noted that the typi- sell that need a close look. cal airline and OTA booking system is In examining the reports results, I strongly biased to encourage travelers to found that the benefits the opt-in policies buy the insurance as part of the booking offered were likely to be adequate to meet process. You’ve seen those pages as you the needs of most travelers. But I also conscroll through the process: In effect, they firmed the report’s finding that third-party say “you really should buy this insurance” policies generally provide better coverage and “you take a big risk by declining it.” at lower prices that range from four to six Among 16 largest U.S. airlines and percent of total trip costs. OTAs, only Southwest does not offer such Thus, the real takeaway from the Markey insurance. Presumably, that’s because report is not that you shouldn’t buy travel inSouthwest travelers don’t need it: South- surance at all. Instead, the primary concluwest travelers can cancel or change a tick- sion is that you probably shouldn’t buy the et without paying the punitive fees the travel insurance your airline or OTA pitches other airlines charge. during the booking process. Instead, find a Among the other 15 outlets, 14 sell simi- better deal through a third-party agency. lar policies from either Allianz or AIG insurance. Typically, those policies are If you’re 70 or older more-or-less standard trip-cancellation, The main exception to this conclusion is trip-interruption bundled policies that also for travelers age 70 or over. Prices for most

third-party travel insurance policies increase with increasing age — and they increase very rapidly above age 70. I spoke with representatives of both AIG and Allianz, and both assured me that the policies sold through airlines and OTAs do not include any maximum age cutoff. The insurance situation is yet another instance of airlines’ shooting themselves in the foot. There’s a reason airlines assess outrageous ticket change fees, starting at $200 for the big airlines and going well over $500 for some tickets: Those fees act to minimize use of cheap nonrefundable tickets by business travelers, and that’s actually good for leisure travelers. But they also create real pain-points for

the few leisure travelers who suddenly have to cancel a trip, while they’re already stressed by an illness or accident in the family. Because airlines stonewall those customer complaints, consumers turn to Congress for relief — which, if enacted, would result in massive whining by the airlines. Instead of whining, they could develop cancellation-only insurance — based strictly on medical reasons and with lenient exclusions — that would sell for low enough prices that consumers could blame only themselves for costly cancellations. Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. Also, check out Ed’s new rail travel website at www.rail-guru.com. © 2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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Style Arts &

Read about aging with panache in recent books, including one that outlines Justice Ginsbergâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workout routine. See reviews on facing page.

Hair and there with rocker Rod Stewart longevity in the music business, what he thinks of the #MeToo movement, and how he maintains his signature hairstyle. AP: That hair is just amazing. How do you keep it up? Stewart: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pretty good, isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it? I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know. I think Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve just been lucky, you know, with the hair. It gets a lot of manipulation, you know, because I always have to keep it (up). When Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m doing a show, I have to go and dry it. ...I cut it every two weeks. No, but other than that, I just think Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m lucky. AP: You move pretty well onstage for a guy in his 70s... Stewart: Soccer has always been a passion of mine. You know, I played it, read about it, watched it all my life. And I still play a little bit. And I do work out a lot, I must admit. And that keeps me fit for onstage. How long can I go on? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the million-dollar question. You know, I enjoy it. I get excited about it, and as long as that exists, I think I can carry on for another three weeks (laughs). AP: Your two sons were onstage with you at your Madison Square Garden show recently. Do you always take them on the road?

SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO

By John Carucci More than 50 years into his career, Rod Stewart shows no sign of slowing down. When heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not on tour, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s busy at home chasing his two young sons, Aiden and Alastair, around the yard. Last month he released his 30th studio album, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blood Red Roses.â&#x20AC;? While known for writing sultry songs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tonightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)â&#x20AC;? to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re In My Heart (The Final Acclaim)â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Stewartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also not afraid to tackle social issues. In 1976, he broke new ground with â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Killing of Georgie (Part I and II),â&#x20AC;? about his friend who was killed because of his sexual identity. Stewart dismisses the idea that he was courageous for writing the first mainstream pop song to deal with gay bashing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a true story, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s much easier to write about the truth,â&#x20AC;? Stewart said about the iconic song. The 73-year old crooner gets serious again with his new albumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first single, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t I,â&#x20AC;? which deals with teenage substance abuse from the parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective. In an interview with the Associated Press, the Grammy-winning singer discussed his

At 73, Rod Stewart has a full concert tour schedule, and his young sons sometimes accompany him. His 30th album was released last month.

Stewart: They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come on the stage every night. Only when theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on tour with me in the summer. And they pester me. The older one is getting a bit too old for it now. But the young one loves it.

But having younger kids, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got eight kids altogether, certainly does keep you on your toes. And they, especially the youngest See ROD STEWART, page 41

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Books offer advice on aging gracefully It’s autumn, the season that has long been Bader Ginsburg. used as a metaphor for the onset of age. So Complete with meticulous instructions it’s a good time to review books and hand-drawn illustrations, that show us how to enrich the The RBG Workout provides a golden years emotionally, physstep-by-step guide to a oneically and mentally, and suggest hour twice-weekly workout ways to confront the challenges that is suitable for seniors, of aging. Reaching our senior even octogenarians like Jusyears should be a clarion call tice Ginsburg. for renewal, not a knell for lost The exercises are geared toyouth. ward strengthening muscles as The RBG Workout: How well as enhancing flexibility, She Stays Strong…and balance and mobility — all vital You Can Too!, by Bryant THE for older people who wish to live Johnson, illustrations by BIBLIOPHILE independently. By Dinah Rokach Patrick Welsh, 128 pages, The workout consists of a Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, five-minute warm-up followed hardcover, 2017. by rotations and stretches, then strength, balBryant Johnson, certified personal ance and basic functional exercises ending trainer and U.S. District Court clerk, has with a cooldown. At-home suggestions are inpublished the workout routine he’s devel- cluded for those who are not working out at a oped for Supreme Court Justice Ruth gym. Easier alternatives are provided for

some of the exercises. Johnson helpfully provides substitutes for gym equipment. He lists items to be found at home, or inexpensive substitutes that can be easily purchased. Johnson, a veteran and Sergeant First Class in the Army Reserves, is a resident of Washington, DC. The book is entertaining, the commentary droll, the illustrations whimsical. It makes the very idea of working out fun. Aging Famously: Follow Those You Admire to Living Long and Well, by Elizabeth Meade Howard, 350 pages, Jefferson Park Press paperback, 2017. Elizabeth Meade Howard, of Charlottesville, Va., has compiled a book of thoughtful profiles of senior achievers who have thrived with grace, dignity and a healthy mental outlook. They are about equally divided between male and female. Many have been wid-

owed, some live alone. But they are all busy in the creative arts, literature, politics and other fields that keep them occupied and moving forward with enthusiasm towards the goals they have set. Howard tells the story of her own father’s tenacious hold to life, and his wide-ranging interest in the world around him. When he died at age 90, she found comfort in meeting others who reached old age with gusto. In the following decade, she set about interviewing them, mostly in person, and writing short biographies about their purposeful lives, their past achievements, future goals, and what drives them to continue the pursuit of excellence well into old age. Reading these sensitive and well-written portrayals of the more than thirty seniors who are older than four score and ten is heartwarming and informative.

Rod Stewart

lot of women throwing themselves at us in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and they were good old times, really great times. But you know, the #MeToo movement is long overdue. But I must admit I’ve never had trouble, you know, entertaining women. I’ve always enjoyed the chase, actually. I’d never thrown myself on any woman. You know, I enjoyed romance and then the chase.

AP: Do you ever look back and go, “Wow, what a career?” Stewart: Every day. Every day. I never take it for granted. I really don’t. You know, it’s just the best job in the world. I know that’s an old cliché, but it really is. (President Donald) Trump thinks he’s got a good job. I’ve really got a great job. Online: www.rodstewart.com — AP

From page 40 one, he’s just so cute. He amuses me all day long. It makes me smile. And that’s longevity in itself, I think being able to smile all day. AP: You’ve always been a fan of the ladies, do you consider yourself a — Stewart: Sex symbol? Now I hate that word....I never purposely went out to attract the opposite sex. I mean, it just comes with the music, you know, the music is very sensuous and vibrant. So, if I do something suggestive onstage it’s merely by accident. AP: “The Killing of Georgie” was bold for its time. Do you feel it helped change attitudes in some small way? Stewart: Yeah, yeah, you’re right. It was actually banned by the BBC when it first came out. But the most interesting thing

about “Georgie” is, I bump into a lot of people, gay men who say, “You know when ‘The Killing of Georgie’ came out, it really helped me through my breaking out and feeling proud about who I am.” And that means a lot to me. AP: The industry has changed. Is it no longer sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll? Stewart: Obviously, I’m not, you know, sweet 16 anymore, and there are things I have to preserve, namely my voice. I really have to look after that. So, as I said, I was never really a druggytype person because I played football [soccer], and I was always getting up in the morning playing football. And so that side hasn’t changed a great deal for me. AP: But things are changing, especially with the #MeToo movement. Stewart: Well, that’s true. There were a

See BOOK REVIEWS, page 43

75-year-old Alex’s life dramatically changes when he meets Georgie in this tender and funny play

Take your family on an unforgettable adventure! A World Premiere co-commission with New York City’s Children’s Theatre

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Rachmaninoﬀ’s Piano Concerto No. 3 Carlos Miguel Prieto, conductor Denis Kozhukhin, piano Copland: El Salón México @!+<"!)2),A:%72!),%B,)+#0/,%=,>%? Revueltas: La noche de los Mayas

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Britten’s War Requiem Gianandrea Noseda, conductor Karina Flores, soprano Ian Bostridge, tenor Matthias Goerne, baritone The Choral Arts Society of Washington: Scott Tucker, Artistic Director Children’s Chorus of Washington: Margaret Nomura Clark, Artistic Director Britten: War Requiem

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Groups call (202) 416-8400

David M. Rubenstein is the Presenting Underwriter of the NSO. The NSO Music Director Chair is generously endowed by Vicki and Roger Sant.

The Blue Series is sponsored by United Technologies Corporation.

Celebrating iconic musical moments from favorite 8C"$%0#C#!$#-%,9#0%/<#%C!$/%-#+!-#DMoana, Zootopia, Big Hero 6, Frozen, Bolt, and more—this "#C,-2+%E,.0)#;%F#!/.0#$%.)F,0(#//!GC#%8C"%+C24$% with scores performed live by the NSO.

Nov. 23–25

Oct. 4: AfterWords free post-performance discussion Oct. 6: ForeWords free pre-concert talk at 6:45

(202) 467-4600

Steven Reineke, conductor

!"##$ !%&#'(1$$ Gather with friends beforehand over continental breakfast items available for purchase in our casual roof-level KC Café!

For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales H,I%J'+#%!/%KLMLN%OPQRSTOM The October 4-6 Gianandrea Noseda Season concert week is sponsored by Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather.

AARP is the Presenting Sponsor of the NSO Pops Season.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Book review From page 41 Many of her subjects live in nearby Virginia, others are celebrities who are Aging Famously. For all who are looking for role models on how to successfully navigate old age, this book will give you many examples. Happiness Is a Choice You Make: Lessons from a Year Among the Oldest Old, by John Leland, 256 pages, Sarah Crichton Books, hardcover, 2018. Follow a year in the lives of six men and women age 85 and older as chronicled by New York Times’ reporter John Leland. All of them may live in the New York area, but their stories hold universal appeal. Unlike the profiles in Howard’s book (above), these individuals could be our own neighbors and friends. They are not famous, and must cope with the bureaucratic healthcare system, family estrangements, housing hardships and nursing challenges faced by those with limited resources and aging bodies. Yet in many ways, they are presented as more real and loveable than the famous and accomplished — relatable and full of foibles, candid in their thoughts, and enjoying more simple pleasures. What keeps them going? Living with purpose, showing gratitude, accepting death, and choosing happiness. That is Le-

land’s conclusion bolstered by his subjects and the research studies he cites. Happiness Is a Choice You Make — it’s a state of mind rather than an objective measure of one’s experiences, Leland shows. These aged elders, as he calls them, have extracted happiness through the lens with which they have viewed their lives and enjoyed their longevity: finding happiness where others might see misery, taking each new day as a blessing, putting past disappointments in perspective, forgetting the bad, and keeping positive memories alive. Longevity Decoded: The 7 Keys to Healthy Aging, by Stephen C. Schimpff, M.D., 202 pages, Squire Publishing paperback, 2018. Physician Stephen Schimpff is Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center and its former CEO. Citing the latest research, Schimpff provides readers with a systematic approach to living a long and active life. He distills the latest scientific discoveries into seven keys that should open a door to an old age that is free of — or at least delays the onset of — chronic illness and frailty. The seven keys he identifies are: eating the right foods, exercising, managing stress, getting sufficient sleep, eliminating smoking, staying intellectually challenged, and being socially connected. Longevity Decoded encourages us to fol-

low the good doctor’s prescription no matter our age. The deleterious effects of harmful behavior can be reversed, and it’s never too late to start. These hopeful and helpful words are ac-

companied by easy-to-understand suggestions that are specific in nature and not overly onerous to follow. Schimpff writes eloquently about the positive aspects of old age that should be embraced by all.

BEACON BITS

Oct. 12+

OKTOBERFEST CONCERT

Folger Consort presents a series of concerts, “Oktoberfest: Early Music of Germany,” on Friday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 13 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE, Washington, D.C. Tickets cost $42 ($25 partial view), with discounts available at (202) 544-7077 or www.folger.edu/consort.

Oct. 19+

HENRY V

Faction of Fools Theatre Company presents Henry V by William Shakespeare, on stage Friday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Nov. 11 at Gallaudet University’s Elstad Auditorium, 800 Florida Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. Shows take place on Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $12 to $22. For more information or to get tickets, visit www.factionoffools.org or call 1-866-710-8942. You can also get tickets at the door.

Oct. 5+

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

The Arlington Players presents Victor Hugo’s masterpiece The Hunchback of Notre Dame, on stage Friday, Oct. 5 through Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Thomas Jefferson Community Theater, 125 S Old Glebe Rd., Arlington, Va. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 p.m. The Oct. 13 performance will be ASL interpreted. Senior ticket price for those 65+ is $22 (regular tickets cost $25). For more information and tickets, visit www.thearlingtonplayers.org.

BEACON BITS

Oct. 15+

ACCESSIBLE ART EXHIBITS “Just Us” programs at the National Gallery of Art provide interac-

tive, discussion-based experiences in the galleries for people with early-stage memory loss and their care partners. Participants will explore two to three works of art during the 90-minute program. This program takes place on the first and

“

A GUT-BUSTING HIT!”

third Mondays of the month, including Oct. 15, Nov. 5 and 19 and Dec. 3 and 17 from 2 to 3 p.m. Space is limited, and registration is required. For more informa-

PHOTOS BY MATTHEW MURPHY

tion, call (202) 842-6905.

“HILARIOUS! NONSTOP PANDEMONIUM.”

December 18, 2018–January 6, 2019 Kennedy-Center.org (202) 467-4600

Theater at the Kennedy Center is made possible by

Groups call (202) 416-8400 or email groupsales@kennedy-center.org

Kennedy Center Theater Season Sponsor

Groups receive up to 25% oﬀ!

For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales !"#$%&'#()#*+,+-#./0123.,

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Podcaster From page 1 topics as genealogy, artificial intelligence, how the ride-sharing service Lyft helps older riders, and how the Beacon newspaper got started. Vogelzang also regularly interviews book authors and celebrities. Singer Judy Collins had been on Vogelzang’s initial wish list of interviews, and he was excited to interview her just three months after “Not Old — Better” got off the ground in 2015. Last summer, he landed interviews with star Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarry when the movie Mission Impossible — Fallout was released. This spring, he talked with Ron Howard, about his role directing the movie Solo: A Star Wars Story. “[Howard] was on his cell phone in his car,” Vogelzang related. “You can hear that. It’s not the highest fidelity interview. Then in the middle he said, ‘I’ve got to go,’ and I thought that’s that, I’ll never hear

from him again. But he called me back from a cocktail party, and you can hear it going on in the background, too.” His favorite interview? That would be “Weird Al” Yankovic, whom he interviewed two years ago at Wolf Trap. Yankovic has parodied other singers for more than 30 years, with his versions sometimes gaining more popularity than the originals. “As much as I am immersed in the technology, I still really value the connection that comes with interviewing and meeting guests on the show,” he said. Each week, he also produces a segment called “Fitness Friday,” with topics ranging from tips on how to start exercising, to the best hikes around the Beltway area.

Teaming up with the feds Vogelzang’s first foray into podcasting came at the U.S. Treasury Department. In 2001, back in the infancy of the Internet, he worked on the department’s website. But after 9/11, there was a significant

BEACON BITS

Oct. 22

POETRY OPEN MIC

There will be a poetry open mic on Monday, Oct. 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 South Park Ave., Chevy Chase, Md. Poets Rosemary Winslow and Pamela Murray Winters will read from their work, and an open mic will follow. The evening starts with classical guitar by Michael C. Davis and includes refreshments. Admission is free. For more information, call (301) 656-2797.

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

shift in the government’s use of technology and in his role. Vogelzang was instrumental in the creation and promotion of a new site, TreasuryDirect.gov, which first enabled the public to buy Savings Bonds and T-bills directly. He was sent throughout the U.S. and internationally to promote the new service. “I started traveling with and recording the Treasury Secretary and other department heads giving speeches. We’d then post those on our website. “That basically turned into the very first Treasury podcast. In that sense, I was early in the world of podcasting,” he said. Thanks to that experience, Vogelzang has ties to a number of other government agencies, which he approached to offer interviews on his “Not Old” podcast. For example, he’s interviewed Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at NIH, several times. Fauci is perhaps best well known for helping develop the AIDS vaccine. Vogelzang similarly interviews a number of the speakers participating in the Smithsonian Associates educational programs. More than 300,000 listeners tuned in to his interview with best-selling author Jodi Piccoult, who was one of their featured speakers. “With over 750 programs offered annually, our events cover the full scope of the humanities, sciences and arts,” said Lauren Lyons, Smithsonian Associates spokesperson. “And it is apparent in his interviews that Paul is genuinely interested in and enthusiastic about so many of the subjects we cover. “He has a unique ability to guide the conversations with Smithsonian Associates guest speakers so his audience can learn the most from their stories. I’ve also heard from many of our speakers how much they have enjoyed being a part of

the show,” Lyons added.

Successful early podcasts Another early success in the podcast arena for Vogelzang involved his work with his wife Gretchen to create the first podcast for moms featured on iTunes, called MommyCast. The podcast, hosted by Gretchen and another mom, ran for seven years, garnering a number of sponsors, a video edition, and even a Latina version. He and Gretchen have two sons, ages 25 and 19. In addition to her MommyCast work, Gretchen, a dancer and choreographer, is the founder and owner of the Greater Washington Dance Center in Reston. Despite spending nearly full-time conducting and managing his podcasts, Vogelzang doesn’t make a living from “Not Old — Better” (though he is exploring partnering with sponsors and advertisers). Rather, he earns money from voiceover work, speeches, and teaching others how to create podcasts. He plans to continue with “Not Old — Better” indefinitely. “I’m proud of this show. It’s important to my generation. “It’s not my personal soapbox, in the sense that I have a particular or political statement to make. But I’m pleased to offer this platform to a variety of people who have meaningful things to say. I think that’s important in this day and age,” he said. “I like to talk to anybody and everybody, and I think a lot of people have really great stories to tell.” Find more than 200 past episodes of “Not Old — Better” at https://notold-better.com. The podcasts can also be accessed through Spotify, SoundCloud, Vimeo, YouTube and other such services. “Not Old — Better” is also available as a free app at the iTunes and Google Play stores.

‘Great Performances in the Neighborhood’ Rockville Little Theatre presents

Rockville Musical Theatre presents

Diary of Anne Frank

Brigadoon

6 performances | Sept. 28-Oct. 7; 8 Performances | Oct. 26-Nov. 11; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets: $20-22. Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets: $23-25. Group rates also available. Heart of Maryland Chorus presents

A Funky Franky Fable Sunday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. Tickets: $7-15.

Theatre F. Scott Fitzgerald

Tickets Online: www.rockvillemd.gov/theatre Box Office: 240-314-8690

AT RO C K VI L L E C I VI C C E NTE R PA R K

Rockville Civic Center Park • 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, MD

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Behind enemy lines are hearts just like yours.

Silent Night November 10–25 Eisenhower Theater Music by Kevin Puts Libretto by Mark Campbell

Kennedy-Center.org

Groups call (202) 416-8400

For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales !"#$%&'#()#*+,+-#./0123.,

WNO acknowledges the longstanding generosity of Life Chairman Mrs. Eugene B. Casey.

WNO’s Presenting Sponsor

(202) 467-4600

Major support for WNO is provided by Jacqueline Badger Mars. David M. Rubenstein is the Presenting Underwriter of WNO.

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Too old to cause trouble, or so they think If you’re a cheapskate like me, you’ve figured out that the only way to save money on airfares these days is to fly early in the day. Very early. Like before roosters limber up their vocal cords. So there was Your Hero one recent morning — the sun wasn’t up yet — grinding his way through the security checkpoint at a local airport. The clock on the wall said 5:20 a.m. It

was hardly the time or the setting for an unusual, memorable incident. But as I crept through the line — yes, there was one, even at that hour — a young TSA employee (he could have been my grandson) marched up to me and said: “Sir, are you 75?” I’m not usually witty at 5-something in the morning, but I replied: “No, but I’m working on it.”

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 48 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

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ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: OOMPH ENACT SUNKEN IGUANA Answer: After not being called safe, the baseball player was -- OUTSPOKEN

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Great guffaws resulted from about 15 of don’t need to delay everyone else needlessmy fellow cheapskates, who had overheard. ly if the profile and the pattern are clear.” The supervisor anticipated Of course, my truthful, mirthful my next question very neatly. answer didn’t exempt me from “If you’re wondering why we taking off my shoes and half of don’t exempt babies who are the rest of what I was wearing. I too young to walk, that’s easy,” did so without complaint. he said. “A terrorist who really But the conversation that folmeans business will stop at lowed was anything but routine. nothing. He might use an infant I sought out a TSA supervito smuggle explosives through sor and asked him to explain our stations.” the are-you-75 question. He But the elderly seem to told me that new-ish rules at HOW I SEE IT have hit a plateau in their lives, airports now exempt 75ers By Bob Levey the man told me. “They aren’t from having to take off shoes and jackets, regardless of gender, citizen- as likely to hold radical views. They aren’t as likely to want to harm random people.” ship or anything else. So far, he said, the rule has met with a “So you’re essentially saying that no one combination of yawns and smiles — yawns who’s 75 is a threat?,” I said. from younger folks, smiles from oldsters “Only to himself,” said the supervisor. That brought a guffaw from me. But who are no longer inconvenienced. Have any oldsters asked to be treated also a question: the same as everyone else? “Not as far as I “Why 75? Why not 74? Or 73.6?” The TSA supervisor — who looked know,” the supervisor said. Have any oldsters expressed resentwide awake, by the way — said that it was based on academic research that TSA had ment at a government that thinks they’re too old to cause trouble? “Not that I know commissioned. Evidently no one 75 or over had ever hi- of,” the supervisor said. Have any younger people asked to be jacked a plane or tried to conceal explosives in his shoes. So TSA decided that exempted, too? “Every single day,” the supervisor told me. past would be prologue. “One guy we had here a few months “But you’re talking about an entire population,” I pointed out to the supervisor. ago, he couldn’t have been more than 30. “There’s just as much variation among oldies He was screaming about equal rights and as there is among millennials. OK, maybe not reverse age discrimination. Guess what we in terms of terrorism. But can you really be found in his bag? A loaded gun.” It was getting close to flight time. I sure that everyone that age is on the level?” The supervisor said no, of course not. thanked the supervisor and jerked my bag But that’s why even 75-and-overs go onto my shoulder. “Hey, you did that pretty easily,” he said. through the basic security check. “We’re not saying that 75-and-over get a “You must be young.” “I’m not 75 yet,” I replied. “But I’m getfree ride,” the supervisor said. “We’re saying that we’re playing the percentages. We ting closer by the day.”

“The quintessential American musical.” — HuﬀPost

GOLD STANDARD MUSICAL

ANYTHING GOES MUSIC AND LYRICS BY COLE PORTER ORIGINAL BOOK BY P. G. WODEHOUSE AND GUY BOLTON AND HOWARD LINDSAY AND RUSSEL CROUSE NEW BOOK BY TIMOTHY CROUSE AND JOHN WEIDMAN DIRECTED BY MOLLY SMITH | CHOREOGRAPHED BY PARKER ESSE MUSIC DIRECTION BY PAUL SPORTELLI

BEGINS NOVEMBER 2

ORDER TODAY! 202-488-3300 ARENASTAGE.ORG

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Coﬀee Concerts

he National Symphony Orchestra’s wildly popular !"##$ !%&#'()$!%$)#*#&($ Fridays return for another season! Join +!,'$-'.#%/)$-!'$&!"##$0%/$0$*0$&0'(#$ continental breakfast in the KC Café beginning at 9:30 a.m. before attending the 11:30 concert together!

Rachmaninoﬀ’s Piano Concerto No. 3

Baroque & Beyond Ton Koopman, conductor

Carlos Miguel Prieto, conductor Denis Kozhukhin, piano Copland: El Salón México Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 Revueltas: La noche de los Mayas

Rebel: Les élémens – Ouverture “Le Cahos” Rameau: Les Indes Galantes—Suite C.P.E. Bach: Symphony in G major Mozart: Serenata notturna Haydn: Symphony No. 83, “La Poule”

Nov. 16, 2018

Mar. 15, 2019

Tchaikovsky’s Fifth & Ax plays Mozart

Shaham & Mozart

Saint-Saëns’s “Organ” Symphony

John Storgårds, conductor Emanuel Ax, piano

Lionel Bringuier, conductor Gil Shaham, violin

V. Silvestrov: The Messenger Mozart: Piano Concerto No.17 Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5

Roussel: The Spider’s Feast—symphonic fragments Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5 Stravinsky: Petrushka

Oct. 5, 2018

Mar. 1, 2019

Kennedy-Center.org

Groups call (202) 416-8400

For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales 1!2$34&#$0($56768$9:;<=>97

The Blue Series is sponsored by United Technologies Corporation.

The October 4-6 Gianandrea Noseda Season concert week is sponsored by Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather.

The NSO Music Director Chair is generously endowed by Vicki and Roger Sant.

Franck: The Accursed Huntsman Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3, “Organ”

Apr. 26, 2019

(202) 467-4600 David M. Rubenstein is the Presenting Underwriter of the NSO.

Gianandrea Noseda, conductor Seong-Jin Cho, piano

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Dull Puzzle 1

ByStephen StephenSherr Sherr

46 49

48 54

Jumble answers on p. 46.

Scrabble answers on p. 46.

Across

67. Lyrical poem

1. Prepare mozzarella sticks 4. A Dirty pool 8. Communicate by texts 12. Ingredient in Edge Shave Gel for Sensitive Skin 13. Largest member of the dolphin family 14. Having a conniption 15. Target of Battleship 16. Homophone of pair and pare 17. Easy putt 18. Subject of “Curious Behavior: Yawning, Laughing, Hiccupping, and Beyond” 21. Rainbow shape 22. Cal. pages with pictures of ghosts 23. Fudge ___ (Turkey Hill flavor) 27. Gumbo near-necessity 29. Royal wedding-ware 30. iPhone’s operating system 31. Basic building block 36. Car trip game 37. Place for custom potatoes (or potato vodka) 38. Maker of slushy drinks, since 1958 39. Black tie galas, sometimes 44. Looooonnng time 45. Ready to give birth 46. “Our religion teaches ___ be intelligent (Malcolm X) 47. Carrier that may take off when pigs fly 49. Go-___ (mini-racer) 51. Pike’s Peak hazard 54. Trait of a dull puzzle (and this one) 57. Special committee 60. Pessimist of Wall Street 61. Frozen precipitation 62. “___, I hope there are tapes” (James Comey) 63. 1967 Grammy Lifetime Achievement honoree, Fitzgerald 64. Lodges 65. Spell H-O-R-S-E first 66. AAA map lines

Down 1. Elevator stop 2. They’re coming to perform at a town near you! 3. Mythical snowman 4. Criminal with no originality 5. Not slouching 6. Scurries away 7. Hindu dress 8. Apple dessert 9. Omelet bar option 10. Cash dispenser 11. Last in “FIRST” 12. Dancing Queen quartet 14. Start up the grill 19. Forsaken 20. Thermometer category 24. Acquisition, in Risk or Monopoly 25. Recluse 26. ___ Park, Colo. 28. The 18th item on a guard’s chain 29. German mister 31. Chops into cubes 32. ___ in the Dark 33. Get ___ (advance to the next round) 34. Schoolboy 35. Output from a witch’s cauldron 40. Foolishness 41. Stadium greenspace 42. Polar lights 43. Suffix for true believers 48. Battery plus side 49. Prepared to meet the new king, on Game of Thrones 50. ___ of Two Cities 52. Sheepish 53. Colgate’s alternative to paste 55. Ridesharing innovator 56. Distributer of 18 electoral votes 57. Every last bit 58. Scooby-___ 59. Day breaks, briefly

Answers on page 46.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Letters to editor From page 2

Say you saw it in the Beacon

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

the level of financial assistance to defray costs to owners. Liens on the vehicles could protect the vehicles from being taken out of the county. A much more robust financial incentive to drivers (with protection from owners not to boost rental fees, rental costs) is needed. A 50 cent per mile reimbursement for drivers to cover increased fuel cost of accessible vehicles should be offered. Further, a $10 pick-up reimbursement and a $10 drop off payment to drivers for any accessible ride should be offered as accessible rides are more time consuming. The fund is well financed by the TNC surcharges. Now, let’s not lose sight of the original purpose of the fund and let’s use the money to achieve that purpose. To do anything other would be a betrayal of those of us who worked so hard, and particularly a betrayal of our neediest. Seth Morgan, MD Chairman Commission on People with Disabilities

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

VOLUNTEER TO HELP SENIORS

We are Family DC, a senior outreach network, is looking for volunteers to serve in a number of capacities, including delivery drivers, visitors, household helpers, office workers and fundraisers. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/WeAreFamilyDCVolunteers.

BEACON BITS

Oct. 28

CHORAL CONCERT New Dominion Chorale is performing a concert called “Grant Us

Peace” at Saint Luke Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, in McLean, Va. on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 4 p.m., featuring soprano Annie Schwartz; tenor Benjamin Pattison; bass-baritone James Shaffran; and organist Paul Skevington. The concert will feature Gabriel Fauré’s “Requiem,” Felix Mendelssohn’s “Grant Us Peace,” and two works by Franz Schubert: “Psalm 23” and “Mass in G Major.” Tickets cost $35 for adults, $30 for seniors (62+), and $15 for students up to age 22. For more information, visit www.newdominion.org, or email president@newdominion.org or webmaster@newdominion.org.

Oct. 13

MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES Woodbridge Flute Choir presents a fall 2018 concert called “Music from the Movies” on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at

Westminster at Lake Ridge, 12191 Clipper Dr., Lake Ridge, Va. The concert will music from Jurassic Park, the tango from Scent of a Woman, “Happy” from Despicable Me 2, “Singin’ in the Rain,” “My Funny Valentine,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and more. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit https://woodbridgeflutechoir.org.

WB1018

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CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on page 51. CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment. EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

Caregivers SKILLED, LOVING CAREGIVER seeking full-time position providing care for the elderly or person with disabilities in their home. Has references. Call Monica, 301-646-2132. SENIOR HELPING HAND: A compassionate caregiver to provide non-medical daily living assistance for senior. Call Pam, 301-891-0001. “A” HOME HEALTH CARE — Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in. Flat rate for live-in care. 15 years’ experience. 240-533-6599. I WILL CARE FOR YOUR LOVED ONES night/day. Own transportation. Good references. Lots of experience. 301-502-2258. A LOVING, CARING, COMPASSIONATE, dependable and reliable caregiver with years of experience and references for your loved ones. Has experience with MS, Alzheimer’s, diabetics and other health problems. Please call 301-908-9134. CHEVY CHASE HOME CARE — reliable certified caregivers at time of illness, infirmity, loneliness. Personal assistance, ALL AGES, 4- to 24-hour shifts, homes, hospitals, nursing homes. MD, DC, No. VA. Tel.: 202-374-1240. www.ChChHomecare.com.

Computer Services PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call: David G at 301-642-4526. COMPUTER LESSONS — Personal Computer training at your home. Email, Internet, general computer use, Windows 10. Setup and train on all consumer electronics — Smartphone, Smart TV, tablet, digital cameras, GPS. Troubleshooting & setup new computers. Gentle & patient teacher. Since 1996. Call David, 301980-5840. COMPUTERTUTOR.

Financial DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3-Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1-844-855-7670. GOT AN OLDER CAR, VAN OR SUV? Do the humane thing. Donate it to the Humane Society. Call 1-844-230-2952.

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate LEISURE WORLD: PATIO HOME, corner lot, 3BR, 2FB, fully renovated kitchen and bathrooms w/ porcelain tile, combination master bedroom and bath, granite counters, Florida room, oak hardwood flooring and fresh paint throughout, new windows and vinyl siding, fireplace, garage, abundant storage, many extras. $396,500. 301-233-0093.

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate

Health

Personal Services

FOR RENT: GATED PREMIER COMMUNITY of Leisure World. Step inside this mid-rise Condominium/building to be surrounded by luxury all the way to your apartment. This lovely, spacious 1BR/1BA light-filled apt with glass-enclosed balcony is stunning. Rent includes highly sought after garage/parking. Feature: open floorplan with large formal dining room, tablespace kitchen with window, bedroom with window, walk-in closet, washer/dryer in unit, bath with both shower stall and bathtub, plenty of closets, close to elevator. Must see to appreciate this impressive unit. The community offers plenty of amenities including golf, swimming pools, gyms and restaurants. Gas/electric separate. No smoking, no pets. Available Oct. 2018. Call 301-312-3843.

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

HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE. LOOKING to clean houses. Good references and experience. Please call Vio, 301-706-6317.

RENTING SPACIOUS ONE BEDROOM with private bathroom for $740 per month including utilities. This is a single family home in a quiet neighborhood. 240-350-9392. IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO TAKE THE LEAP to a retirement community, try our newly announced Real Estate Partnership: Sue Heyman, Rick Winkler, and Sudha Baxter. Rely on our combined strengths: Top Weichert Producers, plus backgrounds in Teaching, Tax, and Business. We are located at the Leisure World Plaza Weichert Office and have personal knowledge of the Community from the investor and resident perspective. We will take you on a tour of the Community, show you floor plans, discuss campus amenities & offer how best to coordinate your move. We will set up an automated search for you, preview units, and contact you to arrange a showing when there is a match. We also offer exceptional service selling your current home. Call for your free Community booklet. You can see our current listings in this issue. Office 301-681-0550, Sue 301-580-5556, Rick 301-404-3105, Sudha 202-368-8536. LEISURE WORLD® — $154,900. 2 BR 2FB Warfield model, table space kitchen, separate dining room, separate laundry, utilities included in monthly condo fee. 1116 sq ft. Stan Mofffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® — $249,900. 2 BR + Den, 2 FB “K” with garage in the “Greens.” Table space kitchen, Separate dining room, step-in shower, enclosed balcony. 1520 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® — $259,000. 2 BR 2 FB “C” with garage in “Overlook.” Open table space kitchen, step-in Shower in master bath, enclosed balcony. 1090 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® — $84,000. 1 BR 1 FB Raleigh Coop, separate dining room, enclosed balcony, central air. 990 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463.

For Sale VOLKSWAGON BEETLE, 2015. One owner, 21,200 miles, 6 cylinder, auto, FWD, silver, excellent condition. $12,950. 703-405-6849. LEXUS, RX350, FWD, AUTO, 2008. Camera, sunroof, GPS, 157K, good condition, very clean. $8,900. 703-405-6849. BOOKS! SEE GREAT SELECTION of new non-fiction books! History, military, science, arts, nature, etc. Go to www.amazon.com/shops/billjen54. Click on book; look for “billjen54”. PIANO FOR SALE. DOWNSIZING, pick up, small piano for sale, excellent condition. $220. Available immediately. 301-598-0640, leave message. ONE CEMETERY PLOT AT PARKLAWN Memorial Gardens, Rockville, MD, for sale for $3,500. Located in the Garden of Eternal Life, close to Veirs Mill Road. Call 301-580-5980 for information. 1980 SCAN ROUND TO OVAL TEAK TABLE, $850. 1905 circa, painted, handcrafted secretary with dropdown desk, $375. 75 gallon aquarium with stand, accessories, fish. 301-869-2155.

IS STAYING WARM ALWAYS A CHALLENGE? Would you like to be in control of your own personal heat source? Thermal Hoop by Bodywarmer is guaranteed to warm you up in minutes. Thermal Hoop is highly recommended and used by medical professionals — especially ones in cold offices. The product has a one-year warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee! For more information, visit Thermalhoop.com or call 443-604-9410. Prices start as low as $39.95. STOP OVERPAYING for your prescriptions! SAVE! Call our licensed Canadian and International pharmacy, compare prices and get $25.00 OFF your first prescription! CALL 1-888-9817657 Promo Code CDC201725. DENTAL INSURANCE. Call Physicians Mutual Insurance Company for details. Not just a discount plan, real coverage for 350 procedures. 844-3661003 or http://www.dental50plus.com/320 Ad# 6118.

Home/Handyman Services JUNK REMOVAL: SAVE 20%! Donations, recycling, junk junked, plus get money back when we sell your stuff! 1-800-Junk-Refund. 240-2465405.

Legal Services WERE YOU AN INDUSTRIAL OR CONSTRUCTION TRADESMAN and recently diagnosed with lung cancer? You and your family may be entitled to a significant cash reward. Call 1-888-351-0312 for your risk free consultation. SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY? Up to $2,671/mo. (Based on paid-in amount.) Free evaluation! Call Bill Gordon & Associates. 1-866-9700779. Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington, D.C. Office: Broward Co. FL., member TX/NM Bar.

Miscellaneous ENJOY 100% GUARANTEED, DELIVERED to-the-door Omaha Steaks! Save 75% plus get 4 more Burgers & 4 more Kielbasa FREE! Order The Family Gourmet Buffet — ONLY $49.99. Call 1-844-302-3754, mention code 51689JCT or visit www.omahasteaks.com. SENIOR CITIZEN SEEKING senior guitar teacher. 301-879-9515.

Personals CUTE, ATTRACTIVE FEMALE, FIFTIES — Looking for single white male, fifties/early sixties, attractive, robust, medium/large build, reliable, warm-hearted, romantic. Enjoy dates, companionship, devoted relationship. If interested, call 240-418-4124, leave message/ph#.

Personal Services TURN YOUR SILVER AND OLD GOLD jewelry into cash and do something good for yourself. Gold 4 Good (8241 Georgia Ave., Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910) buys gold and silver jewelry, including broken pieces, all sterling silver, gold watches and gold and silver coins. I will come to your house and give you a free evaluation of what I can pay. If you decide to sell, I can buy your items at that time, but there is no obligation. Licensed with both Maryland and Montgomery County (lic. #2327). Call Bob, (240) 938-9694. Gold 4 Good pays an additional 5 percent to all sellers who are veterans of the US Army, Air Force, Navy or Marine Corps. And we extend the same courtesy to their spouses. We honor our servicemen (and their spouses). Gold 4 Good is a Maryland licensed precious metals dealership, not a pawnshop or private home based business.

6 BURIAL SITES FOR SALE in Fairfax Memorial Park, Fairfax, VA. Call Betty Olson at 703-978-4613 for information.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER. Kick off the new fall season with an organized and de-cluttered home! And learn how to stay organized. Liz, 228-332-0961 (licensed and insured).

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

NEED HOUSE CLEANING? Professional service at Affordable price! Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or one time. Call for a free estimate at 240-644-4289.

TV/Cable DIRECTV. CALL AND SWITCH NOW — Get NFL Sunday Ticket for FREE! Every Game. Every Sunday. CHOICE- All-Included Package. Over 185 Channels. $60/month (for 12 Months.) CALL 1- 888-572-4953. DISH Network. 190+ CHANNELS. FREE Install. FREE Hopper HD-DVR. $49.99/month (24 months) Add High Speed Internet - $14.95 (where avail.) CALL Today & SAVE 25%! 1-844560-5837. SPECTRUM TRIPLE PLAY! TV, Internet & Voice for $29.99 ea. 60 MB per second speed. No contract or commitment. More Channels. Faster Internet. Unlimited Voice. Call 1-888-366-7573.

Wanted CASH FOR RECORDS, CDs AND TAPES. Best price guaranteed. Free appraisals. All types of music, 33, 45, 78 & CDs. Call Steve 301646-5403. Will make house calls. MONEY, TIME TO SELL! Make the right choice. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. We buy jewelry, coins, silver, antiques, watches, gold, art, paper money, toys, bottles, comic books and records, etc. No middleman, no fees, no overhead means more money for your stuff. Give me a call, and let’s do business. 717-658-7954. TIRED OF POLISHING YOUR SILVER? Turn it into cash, which does not tarnish. I will come to your home and give you a free evaluation of what I can pay. I buy all gold and silver jewelry, including broken pieces, all sterling silver, gold and silver coins, gold watches, etc. I am licensed with both Maryland and Montgomery County (lic. #2327). If you decide to sell, I can buy your items at that time, but there is no obligation. Call Bob, Gold 4 Good, 8241 Georgia Ave., Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910, (240) 938-9694. Gold 4 Good pays an additional 5 percent to all sellers who are veterans of the US Army, Air Force, Navy or Marine Corps. And we extend the same courtesy to their spouses. We honor our servicemen (and their spouses). Gold 4 Good is a Maryland licensed precious metals dealership, not a pawnshop or private home based business. BUYING MILITARY MEMORABILIA WW2, WW1, Civil War uniforms, weapons, photos and items associated with US, German, Japanese or items of other Military History. DAVE, 240-4640958. GOLD, SILVER, ART, FOUNTAIN PENS, OLD TOYS, dolls, comic books, vintage men’s wrist watches, pocket watches, old violins, guitar, golf, baseball, sports equipment, memorabilia. Military firearms, knives. Tom, 240-4763441. FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS wanted by a serious, capable buyer. I am very well educated [law degree], knowledgeable [over 40 years in the antique business] and have the finances and wherewithal to handle virtually any situation. If you have a special item, collection or important estate, I would like to hear from you. I pay great prices for great things in all categories from Oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to classic cars. If it is wonderful, I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan, 301-279-8834. Thank you. STAMP COLLECTIONS, AUTOGRAPHS purchased/appraised – U.S., worldwide, covers, paper memorabilia. Stamps are my specialty – highest price paid! Appraisals. Phone Alex, 301309-3622. Stampex1@gmail.com. MILITARY ITEMS WANTED: Collector seeks to purchase military uniforms; flight jackets, patches, insignia, medals, etc. from the Civil War through Vietnam. Especially seeking U.S. Army Air Corps, USMC, Airborne, and German/Japanese/Italian items from WWII. ALSO BUYING old Boy Scout, Airline Items, Toys, Lighters. Call Dan, 202-841-3062. CASH FOR JEWELRY. Gold, silver, watches, sterling silver sets and items, costume, MD license # 5232421. Gary Roman. 301-520-0755.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Wanted CASH FOR ESTATES, PARTIAL ESTATES, DOWNSIZING. I buy a wide range of items. Buy-out/cleanup. Gary Roman, 301-5200755. LADY WHO LOVES FINE CHINA and crystal would like to buy yours. Especially interested in figurines and dishes by the following makers: Herend, Johnson Brothers, Lenox, Lladro, Meissen, Rosenthal, Royal Copenhagen, Shelley, Spode, Wedgwood, Baccarat, Lalique and Waterford stemware and miscellaneous. Bone China cups and saucers and quality dog and cat figurines. 301-785-1129. WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, Guitars, Banjos, Mandolins, etc. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack, 301- 279-2158. BUYING VINYL RECORDS from 1950 through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201. CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. Ask for Tom. Call anytime, 301654-8678 (reg. 883). COLLECTOR SEEKING: ANTIQUES, mid-century furniture, paintings, gold, silver items, quality jewelry, sewing, military, etc. One piece or estate. Cash paid and quick removal. Chris, 301-262-1299. WE PAY CASH FOR ANTIQUE FURNITURE, quality used furniture, early American art, pottery, silver, glassware, paintings, etc. Single items to entire estates. Call Reggie or Phyllis at DC 202-726-4427, MD 301-332-4697.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Wanted COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, knives, swords, bayonets, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars and countries. Also Lionel Toy Trains, and coin operated machines. Will pay top prices for my personal collection. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301910-0783. SEEKING FULL/SEALED BOTTLES of Vintage Bourbon and Rye. Do you have full/sealed vintage bottles of bourbon or rye collecting dust in your cabinet. Do any of your bottles have an old red or green tax strip? Call Alex, 443-223-7669. ESTATE LIQUIDATION & COLLECTIBLES: One call solves it all when you hire us to handle your estate liquidation, down-sizing and/or home cleanout. We sell your treasures, take care of charitable donations and provide junk removal. We also purchase partial estate contents/collections. Always buying antiques, jewelry, fine art, vintage toys, collectibles, advertising, sports memorabilia, military items, rare books, Mid-Century Modern furniture and more. Based in Silver Spring, we serve Montgomery County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Washington, D.C., NOVA and beyond. No home, barn or warehouse is too packed for us! Friendly, conscientious staff. Call Chris on cell, 202-731-9447. www.OrionsAttic.com.

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

BUYING OLD STERO/AUDIO COMPONENTS from 1930s-1980, speakers, receivers, amplifiers, turntables, etc., working or not, also interpreted in parts. 540-999-1486.

The Beacon, D.C. Classified Dept. P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227

Thanks for reading!

For information about display advertising, or to request a media kit, call (301) 949-9766.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Studies GESTALT Study .................................23 Healthy Research Volunteers ..............22 Hearing Research Study .....................22 Hope for Alzheimer’s Study................22 Memory & Exercise Study .................21 Opiate Study .......................................20 Speech Comprehension Study ............23

Computer/ Technology Help TechMedic4u ........................................9 Ur Geeks ...............................................9

Dental Services Friedman, Stephen, DDS ....................28 Oh, Judy, DDS ....................................15

Events Beacon 50+Expo ...............................4-5 Memory Loss Talk ..............................22

Financial Services Aetna/Inova.........................................11 Children’s National Hospital...............27 United Healthcare ...............................11

Funeral Services Going Home Cremation......................38

Government Services DC Office on Aging ......................34-35 Montgomery County Aging and Disability Services.......................8, 18

Home Health Care/Companion Services Ameristar Healthcare Services . . . . .18

Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-13 Debra Levy Eldercare . . . . . . . . . . .B-2 Options for Senior America ................30

Housing Alfred House.......................................25 Ashby Ponds .......................1, B-7, B-10 Aspenwood Sr. Living ...........B-10,B-13 Beverly Assisted Living ......................18 Brooke Grove Retirement Village...........6,13,B-10,B-15,B-20,52 Charles E. Smith Life Communities ............................14 Charter House .....................................32 Chesterbrook Residences .........................B-10, B-14 Chevy Chase House ................B-8, B-18 Churchill Senior Living ......................24 Covenant Village.......................B-10, 31 Crossings, The ....................................10 Culpepper Garden...............................32 Emerson House.........................B-15, 31 Falcons Landing .....................B-5, B-18 Five Star Premier Residences .............12 Friendship Terrace.................B-10, B-14 Gardens of Traville, The .....................25 Greenspring.........................1, B-7, B-15 Homecrest House....................B-8, B-18 Homewood............................................9 Kensington Park......................B-4, B-17 Landing of Silver Spring, The ..........................B-6 Landow House ................................B-15 Park View Apts. ..............................B-19 Potomac Place.....................................31 Quantum Property Mgmt........................31 R Homes Communities ......................B-19 Riderwood...........................1, B-7, B-17 Sanctuary, The.....................................14 Shenandoah Senior Living................B-7 Sommerset ..............................B-6, B-17 Springvale Terrace ..................B-3, B-18

The Village at Rockville................B-9, B-15, B-16 Vinson Hall .............................B-2, B-18 Waltonwood Ashburn .............B-3, B-18

Legal Services Farr Law Firm .....................................29 Law Offices of Lee Holdmann .................................27 Law Offices of Paul Riekhof ..............27

Medical/Health Herbology ...........................................17 Lesner Hearing....................................25 Medical Eye Center ............................22 Nexus Montgomery ............................19 Silver Spring Medical Center .............19 Virginia Relay .......................................7

Miscellaneous Beacon Silver Pages............................26 Career Gateway...................................28 MDDOT-RIDE ON .............................38 Senior Zone.........................................46 TheBeaconNewspapers.com...............26

Real Estate Long & Foster/ Eric Stewart................................20, 33 Weichert/Sue Heyman ........................24

Restaurants Original Pancake House......................33

Retail/Pawn/Auction CIRCA ............................................... 29 Easy Climber Elevator ....................B-12 Healthy Back Store .............................15 Marlo Furniture.....................................3 Quinn’s Auction Galleries...................30 Walk in Shower ...............................B-12 Zingo Chair.........................................16

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Brooke Grove..................................B-15 Manor Care Health Services...............19

Subscriptions Beacon Newspaper .............................49 Washington Jewish Week....................30

Theatre/ Entertainment Adventure Theatre ..............................41 Arena Stage.........................................46 Art Impact International .....................44 City of Rockville.................................39 Ford’s Theatre......................................43 F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre ..................44 Kennedy Center ................42, 43, 45, 47 Signature Theatre ................................41 Toby’s Dinner Theatre.........................40 US Navy Band ....................................40

Tour & Travel Eyre Travel..........................................39 Seven Lands & Sea Travel ..................37 Shillelaghs, The Travel Club...............37 Travel West Virginia............................37 Tripper Bus .........................................39

Voting DC Board of Elections........................17 Montgomery County Board of Elections ...........................12 Nancy Floren for County Executive.............................11 Pat O’Neill for Board of Education .........................15

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

DIFFERENT

because what surrounds you really matters.

Thursday, november 1 10 A.M. – 1 p.m. Westbrooke Clubhouse • 18310 Slade School Road • Sandy Spring, MD 20860

MAINTENANCE-FREE LIVING NEVER LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL

Sign up for one of two optional information sessions to be offered at 11:15 a.m. & 12:15 p.m. Discover the casual elegance and comfort of our independent living cottages. TOUR a cottage and MEET current residents. Explore Westbrooke Clubhouse, its restaurant and fitness center. Enjoy our 220-acre campus of lush pastures and hardwood forest.

Learn how to become a no-obligation priority list member, examine financial options and review the long-term benefits of a secure lifestyle with continuing care.

301-260-2320 or 301-924-2811

Please register with Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org by October 30.

www.bgf.org

Independent living assisted living rehabilitation l ta on memory support long-term care

INDEPENDENT LIVING OPEN HOUSE

simply