April 2015 | Baltimore Beacon

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Fitness guru shares her message

APRIL 2015

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PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER MYERS

By Carol Sorgen Lynne Brick had no idea while working as a shock trauma nurse that 30 years later she and her husband, Victor, would be household names in the fitness industry.

“It was the furthest thing from our minds,” said the soon-to-be-60-year-old, who now makes her home in both Timonium and Florida.

While she was pursuing her nursing career, Victor was a recreation director, physed teacher and coach.

“We knew that he didn’t want to be a rec director forever,” said Brick, “but we had no plan, and certainly not to have our own business together. But we had faith and trust that our path would be made clear.”

That path was revealed when Victor asked Lynne to teach exercise to one of his weight loss classes at the Bel Air Athletic Club. “When he was confronted with a room full of ladies in leotards, he wasn’t quite sure what to do,” Brick recalled with a laugh.

A lifelong dancer, she put together a class for the group. “The first exercise class I ever took was the one I taught!” she said. And seemingly the next thing the couple knew, “business was booming.”

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Building a fitness empire They moved on to the Greenspring Racquet Club, and in 1985, had the opportunity to buy the Padonia Fitness Center, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

From that one center, the couple has expanded to going-on 35 clubs in Maryland (including Brick Bodies, Lynne Brick’s, and Planet Fitness franchises in Baltimore), as well as locations in Florida and Nashville.

Brick will be the keynote speaker at WomentFest, an annual event coordinated by the Howard County Office on Aging, on April 25 in Cooksville.

“We got in at the beginning of the fitness movement,” said Brick, explaining how the growing consumer interest in health and wellness fueled their growth.

“People thought getting fit might be a fad, but obviously it’s here to stay.”

That doesn’t mean the fitness industry has remained static, Brick said. She, Vic-

L E I S U R E & T R AV E L Over the last 30 years, Lynne Brick and her husband Victor turned their interest in dance and fitness into a chain of successful fitness clubs, including Brick Bodies, Lynne Brick’s and Planet Fitness franchises. Brick will be the keynote speaker at Howard County's 7th annual WomenFest on April 25 in Cooksville.

tor, and now their daughter Vicki, who is CEO of Brick Bodies (their son, John, is working for a San Francisco-based technology start-up), follow the trends and make sure their clubs and their offerings — from equipment to classes — are state-of-the-art.

This includes warm water pools and aqua yoga for those with arthritis, mind-body programs such as yoga, and personal strength and cardio training and boxing.

“To be in the game, you need great facilities and great programs, and customer service that exceeds expectations,” said Brick.

“You have to make sure your customers never get bored, and have enough options to keep them excited and motivated.”

As a former nurse, Brick is especially gratified to see that the medical community

has embraced the notion of fitness, extolling its health benefits. Brick said that she was always interested in merging movement and medicine, but now it has become “mainstream” to control your health.

“There are things you can’t control, such as healthcare costs,” she acknowledged. “But you can control your need to spend money on healthcare (by reducing your risk for developing serious illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease).”

Bouncing back from illness Brick herself ran into a — well — brick wall, when no amount of fitness classes helped her avoid a brain tumor that struck See FITNESS GURU, page 5

A hike through the English Lake District’s poetic landscape; plus, a visit to Peter Rabbit’s House page 19

FITNESS & HEALTH 4 k Cold remedies can make you sick k Botox has many other uses LAW & MONEY 17 k Best retirement investing moves k Part D’s shrinking doughnut hole ARTS & STYLE 22 k A fun and kooky Addams Family ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

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APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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A future for print?

We’ve learned that 49 percent of you reguSometimes it seems to me like the march of “progress” is so enamored of the bright, larly turn to the Internet “for information.”

But when we asked what would shiny future that it too readily be your preferred medium for jettisons the best of the past. reading an article longer than a This particularly feels like the few paragraphs, 75 percent precase regarding the way many ferred printed publications to have dismissed the world of any type of screen. print in the face of today’s What’s more interesting is ever-changing digital devices. that recent studies have found Now, I’m no troglodyte. I use that it’s not only us 50+ types a computer and an Android who feel this way. Surprisingsmartphone all day long, and appreciate the many things I ly, most of today’s college students and other “digital nacan do with them. I also have FROM THE tives” say they strongly prefer an iPad (which I consider a PUBLISHER work of art, and use mostly for By Stuart P. Rosenthal reading in print to reading on screens, for both pleasure and Skyping).

But when it comes to reading? Well, learning purposes.

Yes, you read that correctly. In fact, accordthat’s another matter. To really get a sense of the day’s news, or to enjoy a well-written ing to a Pew study of reading in America, the feature article, or to absorb the insights of age group that was most likely to have a read an intriguing author, there’s nothing like a a book in print (not an ebook) in the past year was 18- to 29-year-olds (73 percent), with 50newspaper, magazine or book.

I think I’m probably preaching to the to 64-year-olds close behind (71 percent).

With the far higher use of digital dechoir, here. We’ve conducted a number of reader surveys and found Beacon readers vices by young people compared with strongly agree with me. After all, the vast older adults, how can we explain this?

Naomi Baron, a professor at American majority of you are reading this paper in its physical, printed version right now, University, interviewed hundreds of colthough we are readily available online and lege students in America, Germany, Japan through our mobile app. and Slovakia for her recent book, Words

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Onscreen: The Fate of Reading in a Digital World. Her surveys reveal that they find comprehension far superior with printed books than on screens.

Not only is it easier to take notes and find your place after a break, but it’s easier to focus, to measure your progress, and to read carefully.

The constant distractions offered by Internet-connected devices make it nearly impossible to concentrate on learning, Baron was told time and again. “Over 92 percent...said they concentrate best when reading a hard copy,” she wrote in the Washington Post.

Now as for readership of news, the news is less sanguine. In a recent opinion piece in The Hill, Washington-based political pollster Mark Mellman recently lamented the scant attention younger people pay to national and international news stories.

He noted a Pew study found that only 5 percent of Americans under 30 “claimed to actually follow political/Washington news ‘very closely.’ Those 65 and older were five times more likely to do so.”

Older Americans were also “three times more likely to follow news about local government than those under 30.”

He attributed this to the fact that most

young people do not enjoy following the news, and tend to gather knowledge of world affairs only incidentally (and briefly) on Internet sites such as Facebook.

Furthermore, true “news consumers generally spend very little time on Internet news sites,” Mellman reported. A McKinsey study traced the vast majority of news consumption (92 percent) to TV, radio and newspapers, and only 8 percent to smartphones, tablets and computers.

Will the younger generations’ strong preference for printed books someday translate into readership of newspapers and more interest in current events? Mellman isn’t optimistic.

“As members of each generation aged between 2004 and 2012, Pew reported little change in the amount of time they spent following news. Older people remained substantial news consumers, while the young continued to be far less attentive,” he wrote.

There seems to be a pattern here.

What’s of most concern to people, they read in print, whatever their age.

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: First, congratulations on your great paper. Second, “From the Publisher” is what I read first.

I should have written the above years

ago, but am now writing to comment on “Should we spend it all?” (March “From the Publisher”).

See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 12

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Health Fitness &

LUNG CANCER SCREENING Long-time smokers should consider a CT screening to catch early cancer BOTOX’S OTHER BENEFITS The FDA has approved Botox to treat overactive bladder, migraines and more ONE AND DONE Anti-tumor drugs are being evaluated after only one dose to find what works DON’T BE SHORTCHANGED You may not be getting enough of four essential nutrients. How to fix that

Some cold remedies can make you sicker It’s handy to walk into a drugstore for an over-the-counter cold remedy, but some of the ingredients may cause adverse reactions.

“I think people underestimate these medications because you can get them without a prescription. But they are still medications that can interact with other drugs and interfere with existing health problems,” said Laura Carr, a pharmacist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

It’s crucial to read the active ingredient list of any OTC medication you consider taking, and talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you’re not sure how it may affect you.

Carr recommends that older adults pay close attention to the following: Decongestants: pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, Sudafed PE Nasal Decongestant) How they help: Decongestants narrow the blood vessels, which can help reduce inflammation in your nasal passages and provide relief.

The risk: They can increase your blood pressure. Decongestants are also stimulants, which can increase your heart rate or cause anxiety or insomnia.

The drugs aren’t recommended for people

with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or angina. Prolonged use of OTC decongestant nasal sprays can lead to greater swelling than you experienced initially.

What to do: “Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using them, as older adults can be more sensitive to the effects of these medicines,” said Carr.

Acetaminophen: Tylenol or generics How it helps: Acetaminophen relieves pain and reduces fevers.

The risk: Too much acetaminophen can be toxic to your liver, and alcohol can increase the toxicity. “Too much” is generally defined as more than 3,000 to 4,000 milligrams per day.

Acetaminophen is a frequent ingredient in many pain relievers and cold remedies, and taking more than one cold remedy may mean you’re taking too much acetaminophen.

What to do: “Do not take more than the recommended dose listed on the product.

For example, if you have a cold remedy with 325 mg. per tablet, you shouldn’t take more than 10 pills in a day,” said Carr. “And don’t take high doses for several days.

That’s also been shown to harm your liver.”

If you’re taking a combination drug, check the ingredients for acetaminophen.

If it’s listed, don’t take separate acetaminophen pills to relieve pain, including prescription pain relievers.

And don’t drink alcohol while taking acetaminophen.

Antihistamines: diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Unisom Sleep Gels), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), and doxylamine (Unisom) How they help: Antihistamines decrease the production of histamine, a substance that leads to a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing. They also have a sedative effect and are frequently found in nighttime cold remedies to help you sleep.

The risk: Older adults don’t metabolize this medication well.

“If you take it at night, you might still feel groggy and confused in the morning, which can lead to falls and injuries. Then if you take more of the medication, there’s an accumulation that makes the confusion and sedation even worse,” said Carr.

Antihistamines can also cause the retention of urine in the bladder, which can lead to urinary tract infections.

What to do: “Avoid medications with antihistamines, unless your doctor gives you

approval to take them,” Carr said. Most nighttime cold or pain remedies contain an antihistamine, so be sure to check the list of ingredients.

Combination medicines: Dayquil, Nyquil, Tylenol Cold and Flu, Advil Cold and Sinus, or any cold remedy that treats more than one symptom How they help: For convenience, these have two to four medications in one dose, such as a painkiller (acetaminophen, ibuprofen), a cough suppressant (dextromethorphan), and a decongestant (phenylephrine).

The risk: You may not need all of the medications. “Treating symptoms you don’t have exposes you to medicine you don’t need, and that puts you at risk for possible side effects unnecessarily,” said Carr.

What to do: Look at the ingredient lists of potential OTC cold remedies, and make sure you select the one that treats only your symptoms and has only ingredients that are safe for you to use.

If you’re unsure which combination product is right for you, make sure you ask a pharmacist or your doctor for advice.

— Harvard Health Letter © 2015. President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed

by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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So how does a fitness guru stay fit?

By practicing what she preaches. Brick has a varied routine of yoga, Qi Dong, cardio, and intensity interval training (just ramp up by several levels whatever you’re doing — walking, running, elliptical — for 30 seconds every 1 or 2 minutes). “You can do anything for 30 seconds!” she pointed out.

“The objective is to be efficient and effective, and to alter your fitness routine between yang activities (which are higher intensity) and yin (which are more relaxing),” she said.

By working out where her club members can see her, Brick not only is taking care of her own health, but serving as a role model.

“Fitness isn’t a fad,” she said. “It’s a lifestyle.”

Brick will be speaking at WomenFest on “Build Your Healthy Tomorrow, Today!” on April 25 at 1:30 p.m. at the Gary J. Arthur Community Center in Glenwood, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville. Admission and parking are free.

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her in 2001. She is fine now, but admits that such a life-altering experience made her “stop and pause.”

“You learn to cherish every moment and appreciate all your blessings,” she said. Her own recovery further inspired her to help other people realize they can alter their own world. “I realized once again that I wanted to establish a legacy,” she said.

To that end, the Bricks are establishing the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation to create long-term research opportunities that will explore the relationship between exercise and mental health.

“Exercise can be part of the recovery process, especially in mood disorders such as anxiety and depression,” said Brick, who is also a motivational speaker and author.

She also has earned a certificate in health and wellness coaching from the Maryland University of Integrative Health, and is currently pursuing a degree in nutrition science as well.

“I want to constantly grow, learn and inspire,” she said.

While both Lynne and Victor are still actively involved with the clubs, they are more behind the scenes these days than “front of house.”

She substitute teaches now and then,

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but otherwise, “coaches the coaches” (she has conducted training workshops for fitness professionals in more than 25 countries), and plays a creative, visionary role.

The couple sees themselves pulling out of day-to-day operations within the next five years, but “we’ll always be involved in some way.”

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Health Shorts Is canola oil toxic? No, but...

There are all sorts of rumors about canola oil — so let’s sort fact from fiction.

First, you may have heard that canola oil contains high levels of the toxic compound erucic acid. Not true.

“The rapeseed plant that canola oil was originally derived from does contain high levels of erucic acid, but it’s been bred out of the canola plant we get our oil from today, so levels are very low and not harmful. The FDA regulates how much is allowed (no more than 2 percent),” said Libby Mills, a registered dietician and a

spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

In the late 1960s, traditional plant breeding methods — not biotechnology — were used to rid rapeseed of its undesirable qualities, and canola was born. Today, most of our canola oil is genetically modified, which adds a certain creep factor for some people.

Truth is, there’s no hard evidence that genetically modified foods (GMOs) like canola oil cause adverse health effects in humans, but there’s also no good research proving that they don’t. The FDA doesn’t independently test GMOs; rather, they rely on reports from the manufacturer when clearing them for public consumption. So if you’re concerned about GMOs, buy organic.

Then there’s the claim that canola oil is processed using dangerous chemicals.

APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

There’s a kernel of truth here. Canola — like many oils — is extracted using hexane, which is dangerous (it’s flammable).

That said, the final oil is essentially hexane-free, and there’s no solid evidence to suggest this method of processing is bad for your health.

There’s also some truth to the idea that cooking with canola can be toxic. But there’s no need to rid your pantry of it.

When canola oil is heated to high temperatures (think: frying), especially for a long time, linoleic acid (a healthy fatty acid also in corn, safflower and soybean oils) gets broken down into a compound called HNE, which has been linked to heart and liver disease and neurological problems.

HNE becomes particularly concentrated when canola oil hits its smoke point or is reheated. “There’s no research on what amount of HNE is harmful, but it’s preva-

lent in packaged and restaurant foods — especially fried foods,” said Mills.

— EatingWell

How to find 5-star dialysis Medicare is adding a visual tool to help kidney patients compare the quality of dialysis centers: Star ratings.

Medicare’s online Dialysis Facility Compare already included quality information, such as whether patient death and hospitalization rates were higher than expected.

But it said that information wasn’t always easy for patients to understand.

Medicare has now added an extra rating category, giving a facility one to five stars See HEALTH SHORTS, page 7

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Health shorts From page 6 based on some of those quality measurements, as it has long rated nursing homes About 430,000 people in the U.S. are on dialysis, according to the National Kidney Foundation. There are different types of dialysis, but the most common is being hooked to a blood-filtering machine in a dialysis center three days a week. Many people choose a facility close to home or one recommended by their kidney specialist.

The star ratings provide additional information, but they’re not the only thing to consider, said Dr. Kate Goodrich, Medicare’s quality measurement director.

Low-scoring facilities should consider the rating an incentive to improve, she said — especially if, as Medicare officials hope, patients ask about quality measures.

For example, specialists agree that a catheter placed into a vein usually should be for short-term dialysis access, because longer use risks infection. Yet Medicare’s data shows wide variation in how many patients retain catheters for 90 days or more.

Goodrich called that a target for improvement, and something patients should discuss with their health providers.

— AP

many, but let’s get to the truth.

About 60 percent of women will experience this common malady (and the painful, frequent and sometimes urgent urination that goes with it) over their lifetimes.

At the top of the UTI “myth list” is the widely held belief that drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry supplements can prevent and treat UTIs. “There is an active ingredient in cranberries that can prevent adherence of bacteria to the bladder wall, particularly E. coli,” said urologist Courtenay Moore.

“But most of the studies have shown that juice and supplements don’t have enough of this active ingredient, A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs), to prevent bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract.”

Overall, clinical studies on the efficacy of cranberry juices and extracts for the prevention of UTIs are conflicting. In 2012, the Cochrane Data Base identified 24 studies comparing cranberry products (juice

or extracts) to control or alternative treatments.

The review found that, compared with placebo, cranberry products did not significantly reduce the occurrence of UTIs. The effectiveness of cranberry was not significantly different to antibiotics for women.

Also, because supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it’s not known how much of the active ingredient each product contains.

Therefore, many of the products may not have enough of the active ingredient to be effective.

Moore said she’s heard all of the myths about how to prevent or treat UTIs — drinking lots of water, urinating after sex, avoiding tight-fitting pants, and staying away from hot tubs, bubble baths and tampons. None of these beliefs is supported by any scientific data, she said.

On the other hand, here are three things that Moore said women should do

to help prevent UTIs: 1. Take precautions to prevent UTIs after sexual activity.

“Frequency of sexual activity is strongly correlated with UTIs,” Moore said, and multiple partners and a history of sexuallytransmitted diseases put you at the greatest risk. If you’re prone to recurrent UTIs, Dr. Moore advises against using spermicides or barrier contraceptives (like a diaphragm), and will often recommend a single dose of an oral antibiotic be taken before or after sex.

2. Develop good bowel habits. Urinary tract infections are caused when bacteria from the rectum strays into the vagina, she said. That most commonly happens when you have constipation or diarrhea, so do what you can to stay regular.

3. Balance “good” bacteria with bad. For women with recurrent UTIs, Dr. Moore often uses oral or vaginal probiotics, also known as “good” bacteria.

— What Doctors Know

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Myths and facts about UTI treatments The myths about preventing and treating a urinary tract infection (UTI) are

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APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Should you be screened for lung cancer?

By Dr. Stephen Cassivi Dear Mayo Clinic: At my last physical, my doctor suggested that I should be screened for lung cancer. I used to smoke about a pack of cigarettes a day, but I quit 12 years ago.

I’m 63 now and in good health. Is screening really necessar y for me?

What does it involve?

Answer: Screening programs are used to find lung cancer at an early stage, when it’s more likely to be successfully treated. In general, screening is recommended for people at higher risk of developing lung cancer.

That often includes people like you, who smoked heavily at some point in their lives.

Lung cancer is currently the No.1 cancer killer in the United States. More peo-

ple die in the U.S. each year from lung cancer than from colon, breast and prostate cancer combined.

But studies have shown that a properly organized screening program can reduce the number of people who die from lung cancer by 20 percent.

smoked a pack a day or more for 20 years or longer and who also have another factor that raises their risk of lung cancer. Those factors may include a family history of lung cancer; having emphysema or another lung disorder; having undergone radiation treatment; or a previous cancer diagnosis in another part of the body.

Who should be screened?

In particular, a research study called the National Lung Screening Trial found that three specific segments of the population benefit the most from screening. The first group includes people who’ve had lung cancer before. The second group is people who smoked a pack or more of cigarettes a day for 30 years or longer.

The third group includes people who

CT screening Lung cancer screening programs use an imaging exam called low-dose computerized tomography, or CT, which scans the lungs to look for lung cancer. Getting a CT scan involves a medical appointment that lasts about an hour, although the actual scan usually takes less than a minute.

A low-dose CT scan is a painless procedure, similar to getting an X-ray. The detailed images of the lungs and surrounding structures created during the scan are generated by a computer and reviewed by a radiologist — a doctor who specializes in diagnosing conditions with imaging tests.

Using CT scans to screen for lung can-

cer is important because these scans can reveal lung cancers long before they cause symptoms or show up on a chest X-ray.

A CT scan can spot cancers as small as a grain of rice. That’s significant because survival after lung cancer treatment is directly related to the stage at which the cancer is first found.

When lung cancer is identified at a very early stage with a screening CT scan, the cancer often can be cured with surgery. In addition, treatment for early stage lung cancer often can be done using minimallyinvasive techniques.

Quitting smoking was an excellent decision — perhaps the best healthcare decision you will make in your life. Stopping smoking dramatically lowers the risk for many health problems and increases overall health and well-being.

— Stephen Cassivi, M.D., Thoracic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. © 2015 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2015

9

Botox has many uses beyond cosmetic You’ve no doubt witnessed the effect of Botox in the unfurrowed brows of celebrities. But Botox’s applications are more than skin deep; the drug has a role in treating disorders that range from migraine headaches to incontinence.

“Botox is a first-line treatment only for dystonia, or uncontrolled muscle contractions. But for other conditions, it can be quite effective for patients who have exhausted other possibilities,” said Dr. Bonnie Hersh, clinical instructor in neurology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Hersh uses Botox to treat patients with chronic migraine, upper limb spasticity, and excessive sweating.

Botox is a trade name for botulinum toxin A — a substance secreted by the bacteria responsible for botulism, a foodborne illness that causes paralysis and sometimes death. When diluted, however, botulinum toxin is a useful muscle relaxant.

In 1989, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved botulinum toxin for treating crossed eyes.

Next came approval for smoothing facial lines, which made Botox a household word.

Since then, Botox and newer brands of botulinum toxin — Dysport, Xeomin, and Myobloc — have been approved for several medical conditions, and are used off

label to treat many others.

Botox injections are given during an office visit. The doctor identifies the targeted muscle, numbs the injection site, and inserts a thin needle into the muscle. The number of injections, concentration of Botox, and side effects depend on the condition being treated.

Botox often takes three to five days to begin working and two to three weeks to reach peak effectiveness. It lasts about three months, so injections usually need to be repeated several times a year.

FDA-approved uses Most insurers cover Botox injections given for the following conditions: 1. Overactive bladder and urge incontinence. Botox reduces episodes of incontinence in people for whom oral incontinence drugs don’t work.

2. Chronic migraine headache.

Botox is approved for treating people who endure severe, frequent migraines. It doesn’t prevent migraines, but may reduce their number and duration.

3. Upper limb spasticity (dystonia).

Elbows, wrists, or fingers often contract uncontrollably as a result of cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, brain trauma or spinal cord injury. Botox may relax muscles enough to enable people to do basic

activities like washing and dressing.

4. Cervical dystonia. Uncontrollable contractions in neck muscles can force the head into awkward and uncomfortable positions. Botox, Dysport, Xeomin and Myobloc are approved for treating cervical dystonia. They relax the neck muscles enough to return the head to a more normal position.

5. Excessive underarm perspiration. When even the strongest antiperspirants don’t work, Botox can alleviate heavy sweating by blocking the nerve signals that stimulate sweat glands.

6. Strabismus (crossed eyes). People with strabismus have uncoordinated eye movements, often resulting in double

vision and poor depth perception. Botox relaxes the muscles that pull the eyeballs out of alignment.

7. Blepharospasm. Botox and Xeomin are approved for treating uncontrolled contractions of eyelid muscles that cause rapid blinking and may even clamp the eyes shut.

Off-label uses Doctors can prescribe an FDA-approved drug for almost any purpose. Botulinum toxin is used off label to treat conditions as varied as teeth grinding, tennis elbow and pelvic pain.

See BOTOX, page 11

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Health Studies Page

APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Reducing challenging dementia behavior

By Carol Sorgen More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease — a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative condition that, together with related dementias, indirectly affects close to 15 million family caregivers.

One of the most significant and frequently occurring challenges when it comes to caring for someone with demen-

tia is disabling agitation. It is associated with increased healthcare costs, reduced quality of life, increased burden on the caregiver, acceleration of the disease, and necessity for placement in a nursing home.

Medication may not help Typically, treatment involves medication, but this is only modestly effective, poses serious risks to the patient (includ-

ing the possibility of death), and may not reduce family distress.

The Center for Innovative Care in Aging at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing is currently conducting a clinical trial to evaluate ways of helping families address the challenging behaviors of persons with dementia who are living at home.

To take part in the study, you must be living with and caring for a person with dementia; planning to live in the same area for the next seven months; be at least 21 years old; be managing one or more challenging behaviors (including agitation, anger, anxiety, irritability, pacing, refusing needed help, or asking questions over and over); and be able to speak and understand English.

Home visits Prospective participants will be interviewed first by telephone and then in their home. If researchers determine that the study is right for you and the person you care for, and you agree to participate, then you both will be assigned at random to one

of two groups that will receive up to eight home visits.

Those assigned to Group A will take part in the Tailored Activity Program, and will learn how to engage a person with dementia in activities that interest them, as well as ways to handle stress associated with caregiving.

Participants in Group B, the Home Safety and Education Program, will learn how to make the home safe for the person with dementia and how to be an effective healthcare advocate.

Follow-up interviews with families will be conducted at three and six months in the home, and then a brief telephone call will be conducted to ask families to evaluate their experiences in the study.

Researchers hope that this study will yield various strategies that can help families, and which do not rely on medications to manage behavioral symptoms of dementia.

There is no charge to participate, and families will receive up to $45 for completing the three home interviews. For more information, call (443) 287-4595.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

SERVE HOME-BOUND SENIORS

The Home Team is a community-based volunteer program serving homebound Baltimore County residents 60 years of age or older who lack social supports and are at risk of social isolation. Eligible clients are matched with a volunteer who provides friendly in-home and telephone visits. For more information, call (410) 887-4141.

Mar. 21

AFRICAN AMERICAN FESTIVAL

Celebrate African American Culture with performances, art activities and storytelling at the Walters Museum on Saturday, March 21. Admission is free. The Walters is located at 600 N. Charles St. and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, see www.thewalters.org or call (410) 547-9000.

Ongoing

AARP NEEDS VOLUNTEERS AARP Maryland State Office needs volunteers for a variety of opportunities. For more information, visit www.aarp.org or call (410) 895-7614.

Want to Prevent Falls in the Elderly?

Seeking Men and Women to participate in a research study at the University of Maryland & Veterans Affairs of Baltimore to better understand balance and the prevention of falls in aging individuals.

You will receive:

• Health evaluation • Balance, step, strength, and/or flexibility exercises • Compensation for your time If interested call: 410-605-7179 & Mention code: LIFT at Baltimore VA/University of Maryland Gerontology Recruitment Line *You must be at least 65 years old and in good health *Participants will be seen at the Baltimore VA Medical Center and University of Maryland School of Medicine *You will attend approximately 41 visits for 1 to 4 hours each per visit

CALL TODAY!

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2015

11

Studying anti-tumor drugs after one dose

By Marilynn Marchione Lori Simons took the bright orange pill at 3 a.m. Eight hours later, doctors sliced into her brain, looking for signs that the drug was working.

She is taking part in one of the most unusual cancer experiments in the nation.

With special permission from the Food and Drug Administration and multiple drug companies, an Arizona hospital is testing medicines very early in development and never tried on brain tumors before.

Within a day of getting a single dose of one of these drugs, patients have their tumors removed and checked to see if the medicine had any effect. If it did, they can stay on an experimental drug that otherwise would not be available to them. If it did not, they can try something else, months sooner than they normally would find out that a drug had failed to help.

Quick action crucial “They don’t lose any time,” said Dr.

Botox From page 9 But off-label use isn’t likely to be covered by health insurance. Botox costs around $600 a treatment, and medical and pharmacy fees will be added to the bill.

In 2013, Diane Rehm received the National Humanities Medal, cited “for her probing interviews with pundits, poets and presidents.” Rehm, host of a weekday program on National Public Radio, said her interviews would have ended long ago if not for Botox.

Rehm has spasmodic dysphonia, in which the vocal cords clamp together, making it difficult to force air through

Nader Sanai, the doctor leading the study at Phoenix’s Barrow Neurological Institute.

Time is everything for people with glioblastoma, the most common and deadly type of brain tumor — the kind that killed Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy in 2009. Even when surgeons think they got it all, the cancer usually grows back and proves fatal. The few drugs available to treat these tumors have little effect — median survival is about 14 months.

“We’ve had an endless string of failures” to find better ones, Sanai said.

His study is for people whose cancer came back. Doctors use a stored sample from the original tumor to see if its growth is driven by any genes or pathways targeted by one of the experimental drugs in development. If so, they give the patient a single dose of the new drug before surgery to remove the new tumor.

Then, the tumor tissue is examined under a microscope to see if the drug had its intended effect on the genes or pathways.

them. In 1998, after six years of futile attempts to get a diagnosis, Rehm found a medical team who identified her condition and suggested Botox treatment. Within a month, she could speak easily again.

Her listeners have become accustomed to Rehm’s absences after each Botox treatment, when her vocal cords are too relaxed to produce sustainable speech. But it’s a trade-off she’s happy to make.

“These treatments saved my career,” she said.

— Harvard Women’s Health Watch © 2015. President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM The Baltimore County Department of Aging needs ombudsman

volunteers to visit nursing home and assisted living facilities to advocate for the needs of residents and to promote their rights and quality of life. For more information, call (410) 887-4200.

So far, the study has tested one drug from AstraZeneca PLC in four patients. Another drug, from Novartis, will be added soon.

“We’re trying to develop a portfolio of these” so there are many possible drugs available for new patients under a single “umbrella” study, Sanai said.

It is called a “phase zero” clinical trial

because it comes before the usual threephase experiments to determine a drug’s safety, ideal dose and effectiveness.

Saving time and money “We view this as a great thing, as someSee ANTI-TUMOR DRUGS, page 13

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APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

A supplement that may strengthen bones Many of you take bisphosphonate drugs for bone loss (Fosamax, Actonel and the like), and you write to me with complaints.

Lawyers handle cases now due to the reports of catastrophic reactions like osteonecrosis of the jaw or femur fractures.

It’s a terrible irony.

Here’s another idea. Nobiletin. This is different from strontium, which I’ve written about before. Nobiletin is a powerful “polymethoxylated” flavonoid that comes from the white stringy fiber and peel of citrus fruits (the “pith”). You probably spit that out, throw it away or put it in your compost pile don’t you?

ly over the last 10 to 15 years. It positively impacts cholesterol and reduces inflammation — great news for those struggling with atherosclerosis and heart disease, or those of you on statin anti-cholesterol drugs.

Nobiletin also blocks the NF kappaB pathway, which induces pain. Nobiletin has anti-cancer activity, confers brain protection, and even improved symptoms of Alzheimer’s in an animal model.

Since I’m already on a tangent, I’ll also tell you that adolescents and adults dealing with acne may benefit from nobiletin because it blocks sebum production.

May block osteoporosis Many potential benefits Nobiletin has been researched extensive-

Now, let me circle back to your skeleton. Bone loss in humans occurs as the re-

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sult of the interaction of two processes that bone health. Scientists used rodents that had are always occurring in our bodies: the their ovaries removed (which causes estrobreaking down of old bone, gen deficiency). Nobiletin was and the building of new bone. given, and it stopped the proEither your bone cells fail to gression of osteoporosis. Not make sufficient new bone, or only that, it significantly reyou break down old bone too stored bone mass in severely quickly. There needs to be a osteroporotic critters! steady balance.

How, you wonder? This natTwo major players affect ural citrus-derived antioxidant the process of bone building. suppressed pathways responOne is inflammation and the sible for inflammation, namely other is estrogen. Chronic low the COX2, NF-kappa B, and DEAR grade inflammation and/or PHARMACIST prostaglandin pathways. too little estrogen can con- By Suzy Cohen By no means am I saying an tribute to osteoporosis. orange a day will keep the hip Research published in the fracture away! But regular Journal of Pharmacological Science showed See STRENGTHEN BONES, page 14 very promising evidence of nobiletin on

Letter to editor From page 2 You needn’t worry about the (we) taxpayers — anyone who disburses his fortune to his heirs should caution them to not spend it, but to invest it all in inflationproof U.S. Series I Bonds.

Should the elder need to enter Medicaid, the state and federal government can, and now will, examine all financial

records, bank accounts, checking accounts, etc. and hold recipients of any gifts on transfers accountable and responsible for medical bills equal to that amount. And this reach goes back eight years.

I laugh and cry and ridicule our politicians for their public life, but their staff are usually capable and efficient!

Dick Stein Timonium

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2015

13

Simple ways to avoid nutritional shortfall

By Karen Collins When scientists observe that lots of people don’t meet their needs for particular nutrients, they are dubbed “shortfall nutrients.”

Here are four essential nutrients most likely to be insufficient in your diet, based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and simple strategies on how to fill those gaps:

1. Potassium promotes blood pressure control.

Since almost everyone exceeds recommended limits on sodium consumption, dietary potassium’s role in countering harmful effects of excess sodium is especially valuable.

Potassium may protect the heart and bones in other ways, too. Yet only three

percent of Americans get the 4,700 milligrams recommended daily for everyone age 14 and up.

Boost intake by adding more fruits, vegetables and beans. Bananas and citrus aren’t the only fruits rich in potassium; other allstars include avocado, kiwi and melon.

Tip: Steam or saute potassium-loaded dark green leafy veggies (like spinach,

kale and turnip greens) so potassium doesn’t leach out into cooking water.

2. Dietary fiber helps prevent constipation and lowers risk of colon cancer.

What’s more, fiber may play multiple roles in promoting heart health. So it’s a real concern that only five percent of Amer-

Anti-tumor drugs

The Arizona study gives a way to check that, because the tumor is removed right after the first dose is given. And if the drug does not work in any or few of the people who get it, the study could spare others a futile treatment, and limit the time and money a drug company invests.

“If you’re going to fail, you want to fail early and fail fast before you put thousands of patients into randomized trials,” Doroshow said.

The experimental drug did not appear to help Simons, a 55-year-old former pharmacist from Gold Canyon, an hour’s drive east of Phoenix. Doctors decided to try an older drug, Temodar, after her surgery in late October.

“The real interest in these kind of trials is not necessarily putting patients on these drugs, but keeping them off drugs that aren’t going to work,” said Sanai, who

treated Simons.

The patient said she had no regrets about participating.

“It’s a revolutionary trial. I think it will open up a pathway for many other drugs to be studied in this manner,” Simons said. “I go into this with no motive for me. It’s just for the future, people who have cancer like

I do, and see what kind of treatments they can have.”

For more information on treatment options for brain cancer from the National Cancer Institute, see http://1.usa.gov/ZqXBlz. American Cancer Society information can be found at http://bit.ly/UJMhZG. — AP

From page 11 thing that will produce better drugs that have greater chance of working,” said Dr. Richard Pazdur, cancer drug chief at the FDA. “Cost potentially will go down and certainly time will go down” for companies testing new drugs this way and patients seeking something that will help, he said.

Finding treatments for brain tumors is “a huge unmet medical need” that justifies trying a new approach, Pazdur said.

Dr. James Doroshow was involved in the only previous studies like this, done at the National Cancer Institute.

In the past, “if you had a new drug, you’d give it to a patient, you’d measure the blood levels, but very rarely would you have a way to know whether the presumed method of action was working in the patient,” he said.

Dr. Goldman is currently investigating and treating patients with Lower Extremity symptoms attributed to FIBROMYALGIA. Many may have relief, without medication or therapy, within 1-2 weeks.

Most people with foot or leg symptoms (arthritic, aching, burning, or cramping), even those who have had other treatments including surgery of the foot (or back) can be helped, usually in 1 or 2 visits.

Many people with Difficulty Standing or Walking attributed to Arthritis, Spinal Stenosis, Neuropathy, Poor Circulation or Poor Balance can be helped quickly without medication. If I cannot help you, I will refer you to another specialist.

H ELP F ORYOUR F EET.C OM

See NUTRITION WISE, page 14

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Nutrition wise From page 13 icans meet their daily recommended target, which is 25 grams for women (nonpregnant, non-lactating) 19-50 years of age, 21 g. for women 50 years and above, 38 g. for men 19-50 years, and 30 g. for men 50 years and above.

Boost intake by replacing most refined grains with whole grains — including

bread, cereal, pasta and rice. Swap dried beans for half or more of the meat in a casserole, stew or pasta dish.

Tip: Choose canned beans with no added salt; otherwise, rinsing in a sieve or colander reduces sodium by 40 percent.

3. Vitamin D is a challenge, since less than five percent of Americans have sufficient vitamin D in their diet to meet current recommendations for 600 International Units (IU) per day (800 IU for those age 70 or older).

BEACON BITS

Mar. 27

APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

WRITING WORKSHOPS

Find out how to get your work published at the Chesapeake Writing Workshops on Friday, March 27, at the Cockeysville Public Library, 9833 Greenside Dr. The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fees range from $129 to $188. For more information, visit www.chesapeakewritingworkshops.com or call (410) 887-7750.

Bone health has been the traditional target; now some research supports the potential to protect against cancer and other chronic diseases.

Boost intake with milk (dairy or soy) that’s fortified with vitamin D. Fish is also a key source, especially the types also rich in omega-3 fats, such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, rainbow trout and tuna.

Tip: Look for yogurt that is fortified with vitamin D, since yogurts that aren’t fortified contain very little.

4. Calcium is essential for bones, and seems to help lower risk of colon cancer.

Although less than 50 percent of Americans have diets that meet the Daily Value (DV) of 1,000 mg., excessive use of calcium supplements can go beyond filling the gap. Total intake beyond 2,000 mg. per day may damage kidneys and blood vessels.

Note that the body can only absorb 500

Strengthen bones From page 12 consumption of citrus fruits or pith-derived supplements might help, and can usually be taken with certain medications (not all).

Ask your doctor if it’s okay for you, and look online or at health food stores nationwide. It’s sold as Sytrinol, or as “citrus bioflavonoids.”

But note: I want you to be real careful, because some of the products contain “naringen,” a compound that comes from grapefruit and can dangerously spike your blood levels of medications.

My point is that self-treatment with natural dietary supplements — even wonderful ones — may not be right for you. Find yourself a holistic-minded practitioner to ask.

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

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist.

To contact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

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mg. of calcium at a time.

Boost intake by including dairy or calcium-fortified non-dairy (soy, rice or nut) milk and yogurt two or three times a day.

Dark green leafy vegetables are also high in calcium. The body absorbs more from kale, bok choy and broccoli than from spinach, however, because they have less oxalate binding up the calcium.

Tip: When buying tofu, choose types that are made with calcium.

Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC. 800-829-5384. www.EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2015 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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BEACON BITS

May 3+

HOUSE AND GARDEN PILGRIMAGE

The annual Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage returns for five weekends this spring from Sunday, May 3 through Saturday, May 30. A longstanding Maryland tradition, the Pilgrimage provides access to some of Maryland’s most noteworthy private properties. The 2015 tour includes 44 private homes, gardens, farms, wineries, churches and historic sites in five counties. They are St. Mary’s County (Sunday, May 3); Dorchester County (Saturday, May 9); Anne Arundel County (Saturday, May 16); Baltimore City/Roland Park (Sunday, May 17) and Washington County (Saturday, May 30). Advance tickets for each tour are $30 per person ($35 day-of). Catered lunches will be available on all tours. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.mhgp.org or call (410) 821-6933.

BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2015

SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION

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APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

How to evaluate a retirement community

By Adele Winters If you’re considering a move for yourself or a family member to an independent living retirement community, there are a number of criteria you should consider before making your final decision.

Among the most basic things to consider is the quality of the staff, facility and programming. Concern for residents’ safety is especially important.

Look for: • On-site amenities, such as a beauty shop, banking and postal services, trans-

portation, and a variety of meal programs.

• A varied calendar, with activities that are of interest to you, including religious services, if that is an important consideration.

• Staff (front desk, maintenance, housekeeping, food service, etc.) who are trained to notice changes in residents’ appearance, mobility, personality, etc.

• An alert system so that the management or social services office will be notified if mail has not been picked up, if a resident hasn’t been on time for a regularly scheduled activity, etc.

BEACON BITS

Mar. 25

WII BOWLING

Try your hand at virtual bowling via the Wii in the lounge of the Bykota Senior Center on Wednesday, March 25 from 10 to 11 a.m. All levels and beginners are welcome. The center is located at 611 Central Ave., Towson. For more information, call (410) 887-3094.

Is it your kind of place?

The physical environment of the facility is also an important consideration. Are the corridors too long; is the facility too fancy, too intimidating, too much like a hotel?

Some people prefer a homey, smaller setting, while others prefer a larger, more anonymous facility.

Look for unobtrusive supports — such as handrails in corridors, high, firm furniture in common areas, and low-pile carpeting to facilitate the use of walkers and wheelchairs.

Some other things to take note of include: • How many residents have their own cars?

• Is there bus transportation? A wheelchair lift? How far is it to the prospective resident’s family, physicians, grocery store, shopping center, church or synagogue, etc.?

• Are there intergenerational programs with nearby schools and day care centers?

• Is there a buddy system or welcoming

committee to help new residents become acclimated?

• Are pets permitted? This may be an issue if you have allergies, or are afraid of animals.

• Are there wellness services such as blood pressure checks, a mobile dentist, etc.?

• Are there housekeeping and laundry services?

• Are options available for adding services — such as meals, personal care, medication management — on an a la carte basis?

Try the food Food, and the social interactions that accompany community meals, are prime considerations for many. If the facility serves regular meals, try to make arrangements to join the residents for lunch or dinner. This will give you the opportunity to answer the following questions: • How is the food presented? How does it taste?

• How do the staff and residents interact?

• What is the behavior of the other residents like?

• How do the residents dress for meals?

• Is the atmosphere lively or quiet?

• Does the dining room have sound-absorbing materials such as drapes, acoustical tiles and table linens to help hearing-impaired residents enjoy the social interaction?

• Is the lighting too subdued or too strong?

• Are menus distributed in advance so that residents can select alternate entrees?

• Can meals be delivered to individual apartments? How often? How much does it cost?

• Does the admissions staff tell the dining room manager about new residents so tablemates can be matched by similar interests/backgrounds?

• Is there open or assigned seating?

• If a resident has a private duty aide, is the aide allowed in the dining room? (This would be a good time to ask the facility about their policy on private duty aides as well. For example, do residents have to use an in-house agency or registry?)

• Is there a monitoring mechanism in place so that someone is alerted if a resident misses a meal?

Once you’ve answered all these questions to your satisfaction, make an unannounced visit and ask random residents how they like the facility.

Even better, stop residents or their family members in the parking lot (where they are more free to talk openly) and ask about their experience.

On the cover: Jim and Kitty Bilenki took out a reverse mortgage on their long-time Pasadena home in case they needed extra cash. To learn more about reverse mortgages, see story on page B-4.

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Housing Options

BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2015

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To sell your home, give every room a role

By Kim Cook Many of us have one room in the house that doesn’t really have a job. Maybe we set it up with an air bed once in a while for guests, or shove out-of-season clothing boxes in there, or use it as a holding zone for stuff we’re not sure what to do with.

But when your house is on the market, every room has a role to play to make the sale. Next to fixing whatever’s broken, staging — decorating rooms in an inviting way to help people imagine living in them — is important. “The purpose of home staging is to draw the buyers into the house emotionally so they say, ‘Wow, we want to live here!’� said Melinda Bartling, a real-estate agent and home stager in Overland Park, Kansas. “Buyers must be able to see themselves living in the house, not questioning why it looks the way it does. For example, if you use your finished basement as a catch-all, buyers will wonder what’s wrong with the space.’’ New York-based real-estate agent Nathalie Clark’s motto is “minimalism with personality.’’ “The owner’s presence must be as discreet as possible, but the rooms have to feel inhabited and should clearly state their function,’’ she said.

Here are some ideas from stagers on what to do with an unused space:

Make it a closet Everyone wants good storage. Turn a potential shortcoming into a valuable feature by transforming a small room into a large closet or dressing room.

Install a shelving system. If money’s an issue, just outfit one long wall to achieve the purpose. Add a chair or ottoman and a large mirror, perhaps, so buyers can imagine a dressing room.

If your home is short on storage, consider outfitting an under-stair niche or other “dead’’ space with shelving, and stock the shelves with smart-looking boxes and bins.

But leave some empty space in a closet, too. “Closets filled with items other than clothes send the message there isn’t enough storage in the house,’’ said Bartling.

bedrooms be staged as bedrooms, because buyers usually want lots of those. But depending on your market, it may pay off to stage one of those rooms as a home office.

If you’ve got more than four bedrooms, Clark said, turn one into a home office. In a four-bedroom home, “use the room farthest from a bathroom,’’ she advised.

Add a desk, chair and lamp, and lay down a fresh new rug in either a chic neutral hue or a style-savvy pattern that ties it into neighboring rooms.

Make it a workout space Empty nesters often have basements that once were playrooms. Clark suggests converting a space like that into a cozy TV room or gym. “For a gym, you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment,’’ she said. “A bench, some neatly stacked weights, a few ropes or bands hung on pretty hooks, a mirror and a mat can all easily be arranged to create a powerful visual effect.’’ —AP

Make it creative Transform a bedroom with a tiny closet into creative workspace. Suggest a craft or art studio with a table and some neatly displayed materials.

Line up a series of identical bookshelves and make a small yet inviting library by adding a rug, a comfortable chair and a side table.

Make it an office

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APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Reverse mortgages let your home pay you

By Carol Sorgen Will and Doretta Ferrell have lived in their Glen Burnie home for the past 27 years. Now retired, the couple didn’t like making house payments but neither did they want to sell their home. A reverse mortgage obtained with the help of GSF Mortgage’s Lee Spencer in Pasadena turned out to be the answer.

“Now we have some extra money to do things around the house, like getting new hardwood floors and new windows,” they said.

A reverse mortgage is a financial tool that enables you to access the equity in your home without having to make any payments, explained Jay Rosenthal, a reverse mortgage specialist with Southern

Trust Mortgage in Owings Mills [no relation to the Beacon publisher]. “A reverse mortgage lets you use your home like a retirement account.”

The difference between a regular mortgage and a reverse mortgage is that with a conventional mortgage, you make monthly payments to the lender. With a reverse mortgage, on the other hand, you receive money from the lender, and usually don’t have to pay it back for as long as you live in your home. The loan is repaid when you die, sell your home, or when your home is no longer your primar y residence.

Also, while there are age restrictions on a reverse mortgage, there are no income limitations.

Reverse mortgage requirements It is not difficult to obtain a reverse mortgage, said Rosenthal, as long as you can demonstrate that you have adequate funds to pay property taxes and homeowner’s insurance. If there is a lien on the home, it must be paid off when the reverse mortgage closes.

How much you can borrow depends on your age (all borrowers must be at least 62), the appraised value of your home, and current interest rates.

The amount you receive is based on the age of the youngest borrower. In general, the older you are, the more equity you have in your home, and the less you owe on it, the more money you can get.

“The best scenario for getting a reverse mortgage,” said Rosenthal, “is that you plan on staying in your house for a significant period of time.”

There are many reasons why you might want to consider a reverse mortgage, according to Rosenthal, including paying off an existing mortgage, having funds to provide in-home medical care, or remodeling your home so that you can age in place.

“There are no restrictions on how you use the money, and it’s not considered taxable income,” said Rosenthal. (If you are on Medicaid, however, the money received from the reverse mortgage could increase your available assets to the point

where you would no longer qualify for Medicaid.)

You can choose to have the funds made available in a lump sum, through monthly payments, or via a line of credit that can be accessed as needed.

Estate concerns If you want to bequeath your home to your children with a significant amount of equity remaining, a reverse mortgage might not be for you, because after you die, your heirs will either have to pay off the mortgage or sell the house.

That concerned Jim and Kitty Bilenki, who have lived in their Pasadena home since 1972. The retired couple wanted to pay off their remaining mortgage, but also wanted to have a cash cushion available in case they needed it as they got older.

So the Bilenkis took out a reverse mortgage that let them retire the original mortgage, and provided them with some extra cash.

They plan to remain in their home as long as possible, and leave it to their son.

“But I didn’t want to saddle him with a debt after we’re gone, and I also want the house to stay in the family,” said Bilenki.

Since they don’t need the cash from the reverse mortgage at the moment, Spencer suggested to them that they begin paying See MORTGAGES, page B-5

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BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2015

REVERSE MORTGAGE SPECIALIST

GSF Mortgage, Lee Spencer 410-255-3217 4487 Mountain Road Pasadena, MD 21122 www.IntegrityLendingServices.com

Reverse mortgage specialist Lee Spencer has a 15-year track record of helping seniors improve the quality of their lives by leveraging the equity they have built in their homes. Lee’s clients refer her to their friends and family because she gives sound advice and takes great care to educate seniors and help them realize their goals. Lee offers in-home, no obligation consultations free of charge. Call Lee today at 410-255-2317 to schedule an appointment.

ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

Shangri-La Senior Living of Catonsville 410-744-8433 6348 Frederick Road Catonsville, MD 21228 www.ShangrilaSeniorLiving.com At Shangri-La Senior Living of Catonsville (previously Paradise Assisted Living), we combine comfortable living with compassionate, yet affordable care. From our comfortable interiors to our smiling residents and exceptional staff, there is an aura of warmth and caring that set us apart. Shangri-La of Catonsville offers three levels of assisted living care to our residents. In addition, we are happy to provide: spacious, private, and semi-private rooms; delicious meals and snacks with special diet requests available; daily assistance with bathing, dressing, and management of medications; daily offerings of social, educational and recreational activities; weekly religious services offered; housekeeping and laundry services; regular wellness visits by a licensed nurse; emergency call system with secured environment; hospice services; and respite, short-stay care.

Mortgages From page B-4 the reverse mortgage back now, knowing they always have the option of not making payments should a need arise.

“This way, if we don’t need the money, we can pay off the mortgage so my son won’t have to after we’re gone. But should an emergency come up, we have a cushion.”

Rosenthal said that the biggest drawback of reverse mortgages in the past was that any younger spouse who was not at least 62 was taken off the home’s title.

Since only persons on the title have the right to remain in the house for as long as they live, that meant if the older husband or wife died first, the surviving spouse would not be able to remain in the home unless they paid off the loan with available assets.

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“That [legal problem] has been addressed in the past year,” said Rosenthal, “so that as long as the surviving spouse remains in the house, the reverse mortgage is still in effect.”

Reverse mortgages can also be used by first-time homeowners or home buyers, said Rosenthal. [See sidebar for more on this option.]

Understand the rules If you’re considering a reverse mortgage, the Federal Trade Commission, one of the government’s consumer protection agencies, says to be aware that: • Lenders generally charge an origination fee, a mortgage insurance premium, and other closing costs.

• The amount you owe on a reverse mortgage increases over time, as interest is See MORTGAGES, page B-6

ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

Atrium Village 888-840-2214 4730 Atrium Ct Owings Mills, MD 21117

Atrium Village is conveniently located on the Northwest side of Baltimore, just minutes from shopping, restaurants and entertainment. Our community offers a variety of lifestyle options to meet your needs, whether it’s independent living, assisted living, or memory care. Take advantage of our resort-style atmosphere and enjoy fine dining, stimulating programs, and diverse entertainment. Our dedicated staff will provide you with the best care 24 hours a day, while our unique Quiet Care and emergency response system will keep you healthy and safe. We take care of your housekeeping, laundry and transportation so that you can spend your free time doing the things you love to do. Come unretire at Atrium Village.

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715 Maiden Choice Lane Catonsville, MD 21228 www.ericksonliving.com What makes Charlestown different? Year after year, Charlestown continues to be Baltimore’s first choice for retirement living. Bigger is better. The 110-acre campus is home to a wealth of activities and amenities, including six restaurants. Yet, it retains the warmth of a small town. A charming location. Residents are surrounded by nature trails, mature trees, and stunning views of the historic Our Lady of the Angels Chapel. The value of experience. For 31 years, Charlestown has provided financial security with their Refundable Entrance Deposit* and Home for Life promise. Learn more. Call 410-988-4070 for your brochure, or schedule a visit. *Carefully read the Residence and Care Agreement for the conditions that must be satisfied before the Provider is required to pay the Entrance Deposit Refund.

Weinberg Senior Living provides quality, affordable apartments for people 62-plus and those younger than 62 with disabilities.

Our communities have been designed from the ground up to meet the needs of our residents and provide them the opportunity to live an active and social lifestyle. Our communities feature amenities such as libraries, community rooms and dining areas where residents may enjoy meals, group activities and visits with friends and family. Additionally, our communities offer a variety of floor plan designs, services and programs that support Weinberg Senior Living’s mission to help people age in place, gracefully.

Our staff members are friendly, supportive, professional and eager to assist residents. More than just employees, they enjoy what they do and take pride in the communities where they work.

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Mortgages From page B-5 charged on the outstanding balance and added to the amount you owe each month.

[However, you don’t have to pay this interest or balance as long as you continue to live in the home. The home will be sold after you move away or die to cover the debt.]

• Some reverse mortgages have fixed rates, but most have variable rates that are

likely to change with market conditions.

• Reverse mortgages can use up all or some of the equity in your home, and leave fewer assets for you and your heirs. Most reverse mortgages have a “nonrecourse” clause, which prevents you or your estate from owing more than the value of your home when the loan becomes due and the home is sold. Heirs can buy back the home at 95% of the appraised value if the loan amount has grown to more than the

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APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

value of the home.

• Because you retain title to your home, you are responsible for property taxes, insurance, utilities, fuel, maintenance and other expenses. If you don’t pay property taxes, carry homeowner’s insurance, or maintain the condition of your home, your loan may become due and payable. [People have lost their homes over this issue, so it’s important to always reserve enough money to cover these ongoing costs.]

• Interest on reverse mortgages is not deductible on income tax returns until the loan is paid off in part or whole.

Before applying for a reverse mortgage, you must meet with a trained counselor from an independent government-approved agency. Rosenthal advises that you include in these meetings anyone who would have any interest and/or expertise in your affairs, such as your children, an eldercare attorney, or financial advisor.

Buy a home with a reverse mortgage Chuck and Ellen Rooney originally set out to refinance the mortgage on their home in Decatur, Ga. But after talking with a reverse-mortgage adviser, the couple discovered that if they took a home-equity conversion mortgage (HECM) for purchase, they could buy a house closer to family without worrying about mortgage payments — as long as they came up with enough to cover about half the purchase price.

If, like the Rooneys, you’re 62 or older, you can use a HECM for purchase to help buy a new home (it must be your primary residence for at least half the year).

Lenders will determine the maximum payout, or principal limit, for which you’ll qualify based on the price of your new home (the lesser of the purchase price or appraised value, up to $625,500), your age and your spouse’s age, and the interest rate on the loan. (To get an estimate, use the reverse-mortgage calculator at www.mtgprofessor.com.)

With current interest rates, a HECM for purchase will pay for roughly half of the purchase price of the home for a 62-yearold, said Shelley Giordano, of Security 1 Lending. The older the homeowner and the lower the interest rate, the more you may get. You must cover the remainder of the purchase price from your own funds.

If you take the payout as a lump sum, you’ll incur a fixed rate of interest,

-

-

which recently hovered around 5 percent. Or you could reserve part of your payout as a line of credit with a variable rate that was recently 2.5 to 3 percent.

The interest tab accrues over the life of the loan, as does an annual mortgage insurance premium (1.25 percent of the outstanding loan balance) and any servicing fees. All are payable when the loan comes due.

At closing, you must pay the lender’s origination fee and closing costs, as well as an up-front mortgage insurance premium equal to 2.5 percent of the home’s purchase price. (If you take less than 60 percent of the maximum payout, the insurance premium falls to 0.5 percent.)

When the second spouse moves, dies or sells the home, the loan must be repaid — either the mortgage balance (including accrued charges) or 95 percent of the current appraised value of the property, whichever is less. Options include selling the home to pay the debt, covering it out of pocket, or simply handing the keys over to the lender.

Before you can shop for an HECM, you must be counseled about the program. Visit www.hud.gov and search for “Find an HECM Housing Counselor.”

To find lenders by state, visit www.reversemortgage.org.

– Patricia Mertz Esswein © 2015 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency.

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Housing Options

BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2015

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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 coupon to the Beacon. Please do not request info if you are not interested.

All replies will be entered into a random drawing to win a pair of tickets to 4000 Miles at Center Stage.

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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 found on page 5.

One entry per household please.

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INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

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Osprey Landing offers a variety of rancher and two-story detached home plans, from 1500 to 2500 square feet, with first floor master suites, up to 4 bedrooms, two-car garages, gourmet kitchens and options for expansion space, and more. Grand Opening prices are from the upper $300’s.

Skippers will appreciate the opportunity to lease a boat slip in the private community marina, and all residents enjoy the year-round splendor of Marley Creek. Hike or ride your bike on our nature trail. Launch your kayak, fish or cast your reel from our community pier. The choices for an active lifestyle are numerous!

Easily reached from Baltimore and points north and east via Routes 2 and 100, Osprey Landing is close to everything and everywhere you want to be.

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Heartlands at Ellicott City 410-461-9494 3004 North Ridge Road Ellicott City, MD 21043 Situated on 48 beautifully landscaped acres, Heartlands Senior Living Village at Ellicott City is a full-service, resort-style senior living community offering spacious and elegantly furnished independent living with multiple apartment options, including cottage/duplex living and assisted living apartments with kitchenettes, as well as outpatient rehabilitation services and respite/short stays – all in one location.

Our many exceptional services and amenities include restaurant-style dining, a wide range of social and recreational activities, indoor pool, fitness center, well-stocked library, 24-hour staff, full-service beauty salon/barber shop, game room, wireless Internet, comfortable sitting areas, weekly outings, laundry, and housekeeping. Heartlands has been providing service to families in the area for over 27 years.

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Due to overwhelming demand for maintenance-free retirement, Oak Crest is 99% sold out! Luckily, we have a few units available for immediate reservation. OUR BEST VALUE! The Brighton — our best-selling one bedroom apartment home — is available in extremely limited quantities. Reserving a Brighton means you’ll also enjoy access to hundreds of on-campus amenities and services exclusive to Oak Crest. Don’t delay! With this unprecedented demand, NOW may be your last chance to reserve a Brighton. Only TWO Brightons left! Call 410-877-6624 TODAY to schedule your tour.

APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Some high-tech ways to sell your home

By Patricia Mertz Esswein These days, home buyers want to scope out a property even before they visit it.

Most use the Internet in their search; half use a mobile device to hunt on the go, according to the latest survey of buyers by the National Association of Realtors.

Look for these new tools to help agents and sellers grab the attention of today’s tech-savvy shoppers.

ministration, the drones violate the FAA’s rules for commercial aviation.

The FAA won’t finalize new rules specifically for UAVs until 2016 or 2017, said Brendan Schulman, a lawyer who specializes in unmanned aircraft at Kramer Levin Naftalis and Frankel, a law firm in New York City. But until then, real estate photographers and agents who’ve weighed the risks and rewards are still using drones.

A beacon for buyers The old standby of paper fliers in a box attached to a yard sign frustrated buyers — and sellers — who often found the boxes empty. But with RealtyBeacon’s free app, the info is sent right to your iPhone or iPad using low-energy Bluetooth transmitters.

To use the system, an agent attaches a small box with a beacon enclosed to a For Sale sign. When buyers with the app pass within 100 feet of the beacon, they instantly receive photos and details about the home. An Android version of RealtyBeacon is coming soon.

An over-the-top perspective For drama and context, you can’t beat a video tour that features an exterior view of a home taken by a video camera mounted on a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), or drone. Such videos are often used to provide a unique perspective of high-end homes with waterfront or large acreage.

Real estate drones currently operate in a “gray market,” said Colin Snow, CEO of DroneAnalyst.com, in Redwood City, Calif.

That’s because without express permission for use from the Federal Aviation Ad-

A 3D view The 3D Showcase — created by Matterport, a developer and manufacturer of 3D photographic technology — lets buyers virtually “walk through” a home’s interior in three dimensions, as well as view a 3D floor plan (called a dollhouse view).

To use the service, real estate photographers or brokerages must buy a special camera (it costs $4,500) that rotates on its tripod to capture everything in a room.

Matterport CEO Bill Brown said that within a year, the company expects to add design tools so potential buyers can virtually renovate or redecorate the virtual floor plan.

And within two years, buyers should be able to immerse themselves in the space via a virtual-reality headset that they can plug into their smartphones.

Patricia Mertz Esswein is an associate editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. Send your questions and comments to moneypower@kiplinger.com. And for more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com. © 2015 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2015

Moving and remodeling plans surveyed Sixty-five percent of retirees say they are living in the best homes of their lives, according to a new Merrill Lynch study conducted in partnership with the company Age Wave.

With newfound freedom from work and family restrictions, fewer home-related financial concerns, and unprecedented longevity, retirees are more empowered to pursue a home that fits their desired lifestyle and changing priorities.

The study, “Home in Retirement: More Freedom, New Choices,” also found that 64 percent of retirees are likely to move at least once during retirement, with 37 percent having already moved and 27 percent anticipating doing so.

“How and where our nation’s aging population chooses to live will have widespread implications on the way homes are designed, the resources people will need, and how communities and businesses nationwide should prepare,” said Andy Sieg, head of Global Wealth and Retirement Solutions for Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

The research explores priorities and concerns of retirees and pre-retirees when choosing the type of homes and communities they hope to live in during retirement.

Based on a nationally representative survey of more than 3,600 respondents, the study also examines the powerful connections people have to where they live.

New freedom to move Throughout most of people’s lives, where they reside is determined in large part by work and family responsibilities.

However, as people enter their late-50s and 60s, they approach and begin to cross what this study reveals as the “Freedom Threshold,” with retirement representing a gateway to unprecedented freedom to choose where to live.

The study found that: • Retirees are more than twice as likely to say they are free to choose where they want to live when compared to pre-retirees (67 percent vs. 30 percent).

• Four out of five (81 percent) Americans age 65 and up are homeowners, and among them 72 percent have fully paid off their mortgage.

An estimated 4.2 million retirees moving into new homes last year alone. Retirees’ top motivations for moving include being closer to family (29 percent), reducing home expenses (26 percent), and changes in health (17 percent) or marital status (12 percent).

• Many people assume they’ll downsize once retired. However, the study found that half (49 percent) of retirees didn’t downsize in their last move — and, in fact, 30 percent moved into larger homes.

• Retirees’ top reasons for upsizing were to have a home large and comfortable

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enough for family members to visit (33 percent) or live with them (20 percent).

• Retirees who did downsize (51 percent) cite greater freedom from the financial (64 percent) and maintenance (44 percent) burdens of a larger home among their top reasons.

Among retirees who have not and do not plan to move during retirement, the top reasons include their deep emotional connection with their home (54 percent), close proximity to family (48 percent) and friends (31 percent), wanting to remain independent (44 percent), or because they simply can’t afford to move (28 percent).

Prior to age 55, more homeowners say the financial value of their home outweighs its emotional value. As people age,

however, they become far more likely to say their home’s emotional value is more important — as cited by nearly two out of three people (63 percent) age 75 and older.

Among people 65 and over who moved last year, most (83 percent) chose to remain in the same state.

Home improvements and technology Households age 55 and above account for nearly half (47 percent) of all spending on home renovations — about $90 billion annually.

Renovations made by retiree homeowners who plan to stay in their home throughSee RETIREE SURVEY, page B-11

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APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

How to find and hire a home health aide When Richard Foye was looking for a home health aide to live with his 97-yearold mother, he found the search daunting.

One applicant was bipolar and admitted that she didn’t always take her medication.

Another was afraid to stay overnight alone with his mom.

Finally, Foye found a caring and capable aide. But “it was a struggle,” he said.

Care at home can be a lot less expensive than a nursing home or an assisted-living facility, especially for seniors who need only a few hours of help a day. And staying in familiar surroundings can be much more comfortable for the caregivee than living in an institution.

There are many options for hiring trained aides through private companies.

Finding an aid to hire directly, as Foye learned, is not easy. But with perseverance, it’s a manageable task.

Types of aides To start, think about the level of help your parent or spouse will need. For the most seriously ill, there are registered nurses, who can manage many complex medical conditions, administer medications, and operate sophisticated equipment.

At the next level are certified nursing assistants, who have training in first aid and in helping patients bathe, go to the bathroom and transfer from a bed to a wheelchair.

Finally, for those who don’t need skilled assistance, there are companions and homemakers, who may have little or no

BEACON BITS

Mar. 25

INTERNET SAFETY

This free Essex Senior Center seminar on Wednesday, March 25 at 12:30 p.m. will show you how to protect your finances and identity while still enjoying the amenities that the Internet has to offer. The center is located at 600 Dorsey Ave. For more information, call (410) 887-0267.

Mar. 25

FUNNY GIRL DAYTRIP

Pikesville Senior Center presents a daytrip to see Funny Girl, the Broadway musical about Fanny Brice that made Barbra Streisand famous, on Wednesday, April 22, at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater in Lancaster, Pa. Tickets cost $78, which includes bus, buffet lunch and show. For more information or to reserve a spot, call Pikesville Senior Center at (410) 887-1245.

The NOW Orioles & THEN Please join us for a fun and special evening as we step back in time and hear all about the “BALTIMORE ORIOLES.”

Thursday, March 26th • 5:30-7pm Featuring guest speaker:

Mr. Bill Stetka

Director of Orioles Alumni • Hear highlights of the Orioles Baseball history as well as of the 2014-2015 season • See artifacts and items not only highlighting the Orioles history, but Major League history as well • See patches celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier • See patches from the Orioles World Series appearances

Refreshments will be served.

Make your reservations now!

RSVP to Audrey Turner:

(410) 580-1400 Seating is limited for this special event!

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medical training.

Once you settle on a level of care, decide how many hours of assistance you’ll need. Does your mom need someone to come in just a few mornings a week to help her cook, clean or perhaps bathe? If Mom needs constant care, you can hire aides to work eight- or 12-hour shifts.

Hiring a live-in aide would be a lot less costly, since you’ll be providing room and board. But you can’t expect a live-in to be on call 24 hours a day. If your loved one needs to be turned in bed every few hours, you’ll need to use shift workers.

Often the biggest area of conflict between aides and clients is confusion over what services will be provided. For instance, families often expect aides to administer medications. But in most states, only nurses can dispense drugs.

How to hire an aide You can hire an aide in one of three ways. The simplest but most expensive option is to hire an employee of a homehealth agency. The agency will take care of the aide’s withholding taxes and any benefits, and it will find a fill-in on days your aide cannot come. The agency may also provide insurance and arrange ongoing training.

In Baltimore, the going rate is $21 an hour for a certified aide who is an agency employee. A registered nurse will likely cost twice as much.

A second option is to hire an independent aide through home-health agencies called registries. These firms act like an old-fashioned hiring hall. They may check aides for competency or a criminal record, but the level of screening differs by firm.

Aides hired through a registry may cost, on average, around $15 an hour.

To find a good agency, check with your local area agency on aging (AAA) or a non-

profit information-and-referral service.

[Numbers for local AAAs appear at the end of this article.]

The federal government’s HomeHealth Compare at www.medicare.gov provides broad quality ratings for Medicare-approved agencies. (But note that Medicare itself will pay for only very limited home care after a hospitalization.)

Once you’ve selected some potential companies, call and ask many questions.

How long has the firm been in business? Is the firm insured? How does it handle complaints?

Most important, you’ll want to learn all you can about the individual aide they will be sending you. You’ll also want to know what their policy is on replacing an aide that you and your Mom do not like.

If you have long-term-care insurance, read the policy carefully and contact your agent to determine if it will cover all or part of your costs. Some policies will reimburse you only if you hire through an approved agency.

Medicare and Medicaid, which pays for long-term home care only if you meet strict income and asset tests, will also require you to hire through an approved firm.

You can save money by hiring an aide on your own. You may find one through a newspaper ad, an online service such as Craigslist.org, or a friend. You’ll negotiate your own price, but expect to pay about $10 to $12 an hour.

Note that if you go this route, you will be an employer. You’ll have to pay Social Security taxes, withhold income taxes, check references, and make sure that an immigrant worker has a green card.

Also, by self-hiring, you will have to make other arrangements when your aide calls in sick or takes vacation.

See HOMECARE, page B-11

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Housing Options

BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2015

Retiree survey From page B-9 out retirement include: • Creating a home office (35 percent).

• Improving curb appeal (34 percent).

• Upgrading a kitchen (32 percent) or bathroom (29 percent).

• Adding safety features to accommodate aging (28 percent).

• Modifying home to live on one floor

Homecare From page B-10

Evaluating an aide Before choosing an aide, conduct an inhome interview. Most reputable agencies will conduct a formal assessment of your loved one’s needs.

Ask the aide about his or her experience. If your mom has dementia or other special needs, see if the aide has cared for such patients before. Find out if the agency or the aide has malpractice insurance.

After you hire someone, prepare a daily schedule of duties, so that expectations are clear. Visit frequently, and at irregular times.

Check that the house is clean, that the refrigerator is full and that Mom is doing well — that she’s up and dressed (if that is possible) every morning. If she is confined to bed, check for bedsores. Have the aide keep a log of what she does each day.

It is crucial that you communicate with

should there be trouble with stairs (15 percent).

Many retirees are also interested in new technologies that can make their homes more convenient, connected, secure and easier to maintain. For instance, 80 percent are interested in innovative ways of reducing their home expenses, such as smart thermostats or apps to control appliances, while 58 percent are interested in technologies to help maintain their home, such as

the aide. If an aide is doing a good job, offer your thanks. If there are problems, talk about it. Sometimes an aide is capable, but personalities can clash. If so, you can ask an agency to send someone else.

Remember, this is a difficult situation for everyone. A little patience can go a long way.

Local Dept. of Aging numbers to call: Anne Arundel County Dept. of Aging and Disabilities: (410) 222-4464 Baltimore City Division of Aging and Care Services: (410) 396-4932 Baltimore County Dept. of Aging: (410) 887-2108 Carroll County Bureau on Aging: (410) 386-3800 Harford County Office on Aging:(410) 638-3025 Howard County Office on Aging:(410) 313-6410 © The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.

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cleaning robots or heated driveways.

Though people enjoy many new freedoms during retirement, health and care can become significant factors when choosing where to live, particularly as people reach their 80s.

Among people 85 and older, three-quarters (74 percent) have difficulties with daily activities, including housework or getting around the home. And while the average age of people entering assisted living is 85, people overwhelmingly prefer to receive extended care, if needed, in their own home (85 percent).

“The good news is that there have been tremendous innovations in both technolo-

B-11

gies and home care services that enable retirees to live independently even if they face health challenges,” said Ken Dychtwald, founder and CEO of Age Wave.

“In fact, as more boomers enter their retirement years with more freedom and new choices, we will see a growing number of homes, communities and technology innovations designed to meet people’s needs and desires throughout every stage of retirement.”

To download “Home in Retirement: New Freedoms, More Choices,” visit www.ml.com/retirementstudy. © 2015 Bank of America Corporation.

All rights reserved.

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APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2015

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money Law &

15

MORE SOCIAL SECURITY Social Security field offices will stay open an hour longer most days and offer more online access to accounts MONEY GUIDE A new book offers a clear, comprehensive analysis of financial issues, including retirement advice CONSOLIDATE YOUR ACCOUNTS Pooling your IRAs can simplify withdrawal and tax matters, as well as save money

The best retirement investing strategies

By Kathy Kristof The cover-the-basics approach to retirement investing aims to match your fixed expenses with fixed sources of income, such as Social Security, pensions and immediate annuities. You can then invest the rest of your assets to provide income for non-necessities, such as travel and entertainment.

Let’s say a couple needs $6,000 a month to meet day-to-day expenses and receives $4,000 a month from Social Security at 66, the age that Uncle Sam considers full retirement age for people born between 1943 and 1954. Their gap is $2,000 a month.

Rather than accumulating a cash hoard to cover such a gap between income and costs, said retirement expert Steve Vernon, retirees should use an immediate annuity to cover that portion of the gap that’s for non-discretionary expenses.

The type of immediate annuity Vernon recommends works much like a pension.

You invest a lump sum with an insurance company, and the insurer pays the money back to you, with interest, guaranteeing that the monthly payments will last as long as you do. This approach allows you to cover all of your fixed expenses and take more risk with your remaining assets.

Social Security as an annuity Unfortunately, lifetime annuities are not especially attractive nowadays. A $100,000 investment in a joint-life immediate annuity will return $475 per month to a 66-year-old couple who want payments to last for both of

their lifetimes, according to ImmediateAnnuities.com. If they wanted the annuity payments to adjust for inflation, the monthly payments in the early years would be lower or the up-front cost would be higher.

One way to avoid locking in too much money at low rates might be to buy an immediate annuity now with a portion of your savings and invest more in annuities every few years, assuming rates ratchet higher.

If our hypothetical couple have pensions and other savings that will cover their $6,000 in monthly expenses for four years after they retire, they could delay claiming Social Security, which offers one of the best annuity deals around. After you reach full retirement age, Social Security hikes monthly payouts by 8 percent for each year you hold off on claiming benefits up to age 70.

Assuming that Social Security would pay each spouse $2,000 a month at age 66, the monthly benefit for each would be $2,751 at age 70 if they didn’t claim payments until that age.

In return for making an “investment” of a little more than $192,000 — the $4,000 in delayed monthly benefits multiplied by 48 months, plus cost-of-living adjustments to those payments — they would receive enough added benefits to cover almost all of the gap between income and expenses for the rest of their lives.

Finding the right investment mix Once you’ve applied an asset-allocation approach to your retirement nest egg —

that is, you’ve matched your fixed expenses with fixed sources of income — you may be able to devote a hefty portion of the rest of your savings to stocks. That’s partly because you’re insulated against short-term stock market downturns. And when you have time to wait out declines, you can tolerate more stock market volatility.

The right mix depends on your age, said Catherine Gordon, a strategist at Vanguard Group. At age 66, Gordon said, you can safely invest half of your assets in stocks and the rest in bonds and cash.

The stock portion of the portfolio should be divided between domestic and foreign stocks. The bond allocation should include foreign and U.S. debt and be spread among different maturities, though it shouldn’t go overboard on long-term bonds.

A look at Vanguard’s target-date retirement funds — all-in-one funds that become more conservative as you approach the target date — gives you a good idea of the fund giant’s ideal allocations. Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 (symbol VTXVX), which is designed for an investor on the cusp of retirement, had 51 percent of its portfolio in stocks and 45 percent in bonds at last report. Van-

guard Target Retirement 2010 (VTENX), which is for investors who are five years into retirement, has 37 percent of its assets in stocks and the rest in bonds and cash.

Add more risk?

But some advisers advocate a more-aggressive tack. Nick Ventura, a money manager in Ewing, N.J., suggests that in today’s lowinterest-rate environment you should put special emphasis on dividend-paying stocks, including real estate investment trusts. He also thinks investors should keep some money in commodity funds to protect against inflation.

Retirement expert Steve Vernon has a simpler approach. Because he assumes that retirees have covered 100 percent of their fixed expenses through Social Security, annuities and pensions, he suggests you invest the rest of your money in a traditional balanced fund, which typically has about two-thirds of its assets in stocks and the rest in bonds.

Solid choices include Dodge and Cox Balanced (symbol DODBX), FPA Crescent (FPACX) and Vanguard Wellington (VWELX). Crescent, a member of the See INVESTING, page 17

16

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APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

A comprehensive new financial guide Jonathan Clements has been a financial columnist for the Wall Street Journal for many years. His new book, Jonathan Clements Money Guide 2015, is a comprehensive financial guide to the important decisions that influence your family’s longterm financial well-being. Informative, concise, up-to-date and easy-to-understand, the book encompasses investing, retirement planning, estate planning and many other personal finance issues.

On the subject of investing, Clements covers well-trodden ground. He advocates a diversified portfolio that includes stocks, bonds and alternative investments such as real estate investment trusts.

He stresses the importance of minimizing costs and discusses the advantages of

using index mutual funds and exchangetraded funds (ETFs). This is standard advice but explained well. His sample portfolios and advice on selecting financial advisers are very useful.

Healthcare and retirement advice An important chapter of the book covers various aspects of health insurance, including the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicaid, prescription drug coverage and Medigap insurance.

Clements is very informative on the pros and cons of long-term care insurance and on nursing home costs. Many studies have shown that a significant number of families are woefully ignorant regarding long-term care issues and have not done adequate long-term

planning in this area. Clements goes into detail subsequently convert it to a Roth.

He is a big proponent of Roth accounts. explaining available options.

The book includes tools that will allow you You should use your retirement accounts to buy your portfolio’s tax-into estimate whether you are efficient investments such as saving enough to have a prostaxable bonds, real estate inperous retirement. Clements vestment trusts and actively discusses Social Security benemanaged stock funds. Your fit options in great detail, includtaxable accounts can be used ing topics I have covered in to hold municipal bonds and prior columns, such as the “file investments that have low and suspend” option, which alturnover, such as index mutulows you to postpone benefits al funds and exchange-traded up to age 70 while your husfunds. band or wife can still claim THE SAVINGS spousal benefits.

GAME Clements discusses the adLearn about estate

By Elliot Raphaelson planning vantages of immediate annuities, which guarantee lifetime A useful chapter is devoted monthly benefits, and of longevity insur- to estate planning issues, including key ance, which provide higher guaranteed in- components such as wills; correct naming come if you are willing to wait until a later of beneficiaries for retirement accounts age to initiate payments. and life insurance and correct titling on Clements discusses the advantages and major assets; trusts; financial and medical disadvantages of reverse mortgages. He powers of attorney; and steps to reduce doesn’t rule them out, despite their high taxes.

The author points out that it is very imfees and lack of flexibility, with the proviso that this option is a “last resort.” That’s portant to be sure to name the correct bensound advice, as I have indicated in prior eficiaries on your retirement accounts.

The provisions in your will do not override columns.

On the subject of taxes, Clements points the beneficiaries you named in your retireout the importance of knowing your mar- ment accounts. Make sure that after any ginal rate. (This is the income tax rate you significant events, such as divorce, you impay for the last dollar you report as in- mediately update the beneficiaries specicome.) Knowing this rate will allow you to fied on your accounts. know whether to buy municipal bonds, pay Money Guide 2015 could be a very comdown your mortgage, and fund Roth re- prehensive asset for your long-term finantirement accounts (rather than tax-de- cial planning. Consider it as a gift to anyductible accounts). one you know lacking in knowledge reAs you might expect, Clements recom- garding basic personal finance issues. mends putting as much as you can into taxElliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions sheltered accounts. If you are not eligible and comments at elliotraph@gmail.com. for a tax-deductible investment, or Roth © 2015 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by IRA, you can fund a nondeductible IRA and Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Frank, Frank

& Scherr, LLC

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2015

17

Consolidating IRAs has a number of benefits

By Sandra Block Q: Should I consolidate my IRAs? A: For most investors, the answer is yes.

Putting all of your IRAs under one roof offers a number of advantages, starting with potential lower costs.

Combining your accounts may ensure you avoid low-balance fees that can eat into your investment returns. For example, T. Rowe Price and Vanguard Group charge a $20 annual service fee for IRAs with balances below $10,000.

A single, larger account may also lower your mutual fund expenses and trading fees.

And you may be eligible for perks, such as bargain-priced tax software or a complimentary portfolio review by a financial planner.

Some firms offer a cash incentive to attract new customers. TD Ameritrade pays new customers cash bonuses ranging from $100 to $600, depending on the size of the account, and up to $2,500 to current customers for increasing the size of their accounts.

Then there are the organizational benefits. It’s easier to monitor your portfolio when all of your investments are in one place.

Simplify required distributions You’ll also appreciate having all your IRAs in one place when it comes time for you to withdraw money from your accounts. Once you turn 70½, you’re required to withdraw a specific amount from

Investing From page 15 Kiplinger 25, recently held a modest 48 percent of its assets in stocks.

There’s no perfect formula, said Anthony Webb, senior economist at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Ultimately, you have to figure out

your traditional IRAs by December 31 of each year (there are no minimum-withdrawal requirements for Roth IRAs). The amount of your required minimum distribution (RMD) will be based on the balance in your IRAs and your life expectancy.

If you have multiple IRAs, you must calculate an RMD separately for each account. Once you’ve done that, you can withdraw the total amount from any account or combination of accounts.

Consolidating your IRAs also reduces the risk that you’ll overlook an account when figuring your RMD for the year. The penalty for such an oversight is 50 percent of the amount you should have withdrawn.

Changing and updating your beneficiaries is also easier when all of your IRA money is in one place. And combining accounts will streamline the process of transferring accounts to your heirs. Although married couples must maintain separate IRAs, surviving spouses can roll over inherited IRAs into their own accounts.

Should you roll over 401(k)s?

If you’ve held several jobs over the years, you may have money in former employers’ 401(k) plans, too. Rolling those 401(k) plans into an IRA is another way to simplify your investments, but it’s not always a good idea.

Some large 401(k) plans offer institutional-class mutual funds that charge lower how much risk you can tolerate and then create a mix of stocks, bonds and cash that feels comfortable. “You may not be totally right,” said Webb, “but you also will never be totally wrong.”

Kathy Kristof is a contributing editor to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. © 2015 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

LOOKING FOR A LOW-COST, LEGAL ALTERNATIVE TO BANKRUPTCY? Are you a Senior, Veteran or Disabled Person Living on Social Security, Disability, Pensions or Veteran’s Benefits?

Federal law protects your income from creditor garnishment. Debt Counsel for Seniors, Veterans and the Disabled (DCSD) can protect you from creditor harassment. If you can’t pay your credit card or medical bills or your student loans or payday loans, you can stop paying them without filing for bankruptcy.

We are celebrating 15 years of helping seniors with their debt without filing for bankruptcy and protecting them from letters and calls from collection agents. You too can live worry-free, as thousands of our clients do.

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fees than funds for retail investors. If you’re still working and your employer allows it, another option is to roll your old 401(k) into your new employer’s plan.

Sandra Block is a senior associate editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. © 2015 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Turning 65? Eligible for Medicare Supplemental? Over 65 and paying too much for your current coverage?

If you’re currently or becoming Medicare eligible, call John Richardson today to schedule your free, no obligation Medicare coverage review.

Call 410-353-7980 today to learn more!

Calling the number above will direct you to a licensed sales agent.

18

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Money Shorts Medicare Part D’s doughnut hole in 2015

By Kimberly Lankford The “doughnut hole” is the gap in the middle of Medicare Part D coverage that requires you to pay most of the cost of

your drugs until you reach the catastrophic-coverage level, at which point your plan picks up 95 percent of the costs.

For 2015, after you pay a $320 deductible, your Part D plan provides coverage until your drug expenses for the year reach $2,960 (including both your share and the insurer’s share of the costs). Then you land in the so-called doughnut hole.

At that point, you’ll get a 55 percent discount on brand-name drugs and a 35 percent federal subsidy for generic drugs (up slightly from a 52.5 percent brand-name dis-

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

LEGAL SERVICES FOR SENIORS

The Baltimore City and County Bar Association offers low-cost legal services to individuals 60 and older who meet financial eligibility. Get help with wills, living wills, powers of attorney, estates of less than $30,000 and deed changes. For more information, call (410) 337-9100 (County) or (410) 539-3112 (City).

APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

count and a 28 percent generic subsidy in 2014). Your pharmacy will apply the discount automatically when you purchase the medications.

After your out-of-pocket costs reach $4,700, your plan will pay 95 percent of your covered drug costs.

Determining what qualifies as out-ofpocket costs is a bit complicated. Even though the brand-name-drug discount lowers your costs in the doughnut hole, 95 percent of the cost of the drug (including the 45 percent you pay and the 50 percent discount the drug company pays, but not the extra 5 percent paid by your plan) counts toward your out-of-pocket costs.

But for generics, the amount covered by the government subsidy doesn’t count toward your out-of-pocket costs; only the 65 percent you pay counts.

The hole shrinks each year

2011 under the Affordable Care Act. Before then, you had to pay the entire cost of your drugs in the doughnut hole.

The doughnut hole will continue to shrink until 2020, when the discount for brand-name drugs and the government subsidy for generic drugs rise to 75 percent, leaving you to pay just 25 percent of drug costs in the doughnut hole.

For details about how much the gap shrinks each year, see the Closing the Doughnut Hole fact sheet from the Medicare Rights Center at www.medicarerights.org/ pdf/Closing-the-Doughnut-Hole-Chart.pdf.

When comparing plans using the Medicare.gov Plan Finder, you can see an estimate of your out-of-pocket costs by month based on the plans’ coverage for your specific medications. You’ll also see in which month you’re likely to reach the doughnut hole. © 2015, Kiplinger. All Rights Reserved.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The coverage gap started to shrink in

Social Security extends field office hours The Social Security Administration says a budget increase this year will allow it to keep field offices open an extra hour on most weekdays, starting in March.

After years of cutbacks, the agency restored service hours nationwide on March 16. A field office that is usually open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will stay open until 4 p.m. on every weekday except Wednesday.

Field offices will continue to close at noon on Wednesdays.

Members of Congress complained last year after learning that Social Security had closed dozens of field offices even as millions of baby boomers were approaching retirement. The agency has more than 1,200 offices.

Much can be done online Social Security says most business can be done online, including applying for retirement, disability and Medicare benefits.

For example, Social Security beneficiaries are now able to obtain a replacement SSA-1099 from the agency’s website. Social Security sends SSA-1099s each January to everyone who receives Social Security benefits. It shows the total amount of benefits paid in the previous year and is used for tax purposes.

“Beginning this tax season, any Social Security accountholder who misplaces their original SSA-1099 will be able to request an instant replacement from our menu of online services,” said Carolyn W. Colvin, acting commissioner of Social Security.

Previously, people who lost their SSA1099 had to call or visit a Social Security office to get a replacement or request that one be mailed to them. With this new online service, people now only need to create a “my Social Security” account, or log into their existing one.

For more information, visit www.social security.gov/myaccount.

BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2015

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Travel

19

Leisure &

Visit the house where Beatrix Potter wrote Peter Rabbit. See story on page 21.

English Lake District’s poetic landscape create some of their best-loved works while living or visiting there.

Land of lakes and mountains In a somewhat ironic nod to the British fondness for quaint and colorful terms, only one of the 16 major bodies of water in the region — Bassenthwaite, itself a challenging tongue twister — is actually called a lake. The others are known as waters, tarns and meres.

Whatever their designation, they’re squeezed between the highest mountains in the country, filling valleys that were carved out by the advance and retreat of glaciers over some two million years.

Of interest and appeal to anyone planning to visit the Lake District is the fact that so much natural beauty is contained in an area only about 35 miles wide and slightly more from north to south.

Even in such a compact area, each body of water claims its own unique appeal and attractions. At 11 miles in length, Windermere is England’s longest lake and the most popular to visit. The shore is lined by Victorian mansions that were built for wealthy families during the late 18th to early 19th centuries, a number of which now serve as guest houses and small hotels. Windermere is one of several lakes that can be explored on sightseeing cruises.

Given the name, it’s no surprise that Bassenthwaite once was called Bass Lake,

PHOTO BY VICTOR BLOCK

By Victor Block Viewing a high country landscape accentuated by a blanket of yellow, the poet William Wordsworth in 1804 described what he saw as “a host of golden daffodils.”

To Alfred Lord Tennyson, people walking in the same region “by zigzag paths, and juts of pointed rock, came on the shining levels of the lake.”

When I arrived in the northwest corner of England that has prompted poets and other writers to wax so eloquently, it didn’t take long to understand why. The name of the area itself, English Lake District, sets the imagination roaming. Yet images conjured up in the mind often pale in comparison to the reality.

Nestled in the county of Cumbria, the Lake District is many things to many people. Begin with the magnificent scenery of lakes and rugged mountains, thick forests and rolling fields outlined by meticulously built stone walls and hedge rows, where countless sheep graze contentedly. Lace the setting with river valleys, and embellish the picture with a stunning coastline.

Add the region’s intriguing history and rich cultural heritage, and it becomes clear why last year it was voted the leading destination in the United Kingdom by readers of Wanderlust Magazine.

Given this inspirational environment, it’s little wonder that world-famous poets, novelists and other writers were moved to

PHOTO BY VICTOR BLOCK

The Lake District offers a network of well-marked hiking trails through the highest mountains in England and past 16 bodies of water. Several small towns have preserved the homes of famous poets and writers who lived and wrote in the area.

The once-dilapidated 19th century Augill Castle in England’s Lake District was turned into a bed and breakfast 15 years ago, and features 10 rooms, as well as a small estate house for rent. The Lake District, very popular with tourists, has many quaint B&Bs and charming inns.

and that it still provides anglers with good catches. A more ominous story is told about Wastwater, a deep lake where bodies have been found deposited in its dark depths.

Steam boats connect tourist villages that overlook Ullswater. Landlubbers may prefer the gentle 6.5-mile foot path that joins the towns.

Another walking trail circles Grasmere, and during summer a stony beach at the south end is popular with locals. William Wordsworth, who lived in the town of Grasmere for 14 years, described it as “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found.”

Roaming by foot Easy walking and moderate hiking attract many visitors to the Lake District, and tempt those who go there for other reasons. An extensive network of wellmarked trails criss-crosses the area, and small wooden “Foot Path” signs are encountered throughout the region.

There are paths suitable for every ability, preference and level of stamina. A common sight is people of all ages wearing hiking clothes, many toting walking sticks and often carrying a knapsack stuffed with a picnic lunch.

“Welcome Hikers” signs hang outside some Bed and Breakfast accommodations and small hotels, and stores sell books and

booklets describing walks for people with a specific interest, such as through woodlands, to waterfalls and past pubs.

A welcome, if to me somewhat quaint, system in England, called the “Right to Roam,” provides public access to both public and private land for recreational purposes. While it applies primarily to uncultivated areas, it also includes some farms.

As a result, hiking trails often lead past farm houses, skirt fields planted with crops and cut across meadows filled with grazing sheep. Here and there, an enterprising farmer has opened a small tea room in his house or barn to earn a few British pounds from hikers seeking bit of rest and refreshment.

Many hikes leave from or to inviting towns that grace the Lake District, and which provide yet another reason to visit there. Whether walking or driving, pausing to stroll through some of these villages becomes another memorable experience.

Exploring picturesque towns As with the scenery, the choice of hikes and other aspects of the region, variety is the name of the game when exploring the communities.

Although Kendal is largely a manufacturSee LAKE DISTRICT, page 20

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Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Lake District From page 19 ing town, its convenient location has earned it the unofficial title of “Gateway to the Lakes.” A warren of narrow fortified alleyways in the oldest neighborhood recalls a period of some 300 years, beginning in the 13th century, when they provided safety for residents from English and Scottish raiding parties that attacked communities on both sides of those countries’ common border.

Many buildings in Kendal were constructed of locally quarried grey limestone, which accounts for its nickname, “Auld grey town.” Other attractions include the ruins of several castles, the newest of which was built in the late 12th century.

The adjoining resort towns of Windermere and Bowness offer a long list of recreational activities for vacationers. The Bow-

ness waterfront on Lake Windermere is lined by restaurants and shops. Nearby is the Hole I’th Wall, a 16th-century pub so named, the story goes, for an opening made by a blacksmith who worked next door through which he retrieved his pints of ale.

Keswick was granted a king’s charter as a market town in 1276, and its marketplace has remained in operation since then. It became a popular vacation destination in the 18th century, and today tourism continues to be its principal industry.

Borrowdale is recognized as one of the most beautiful of the Lake District communities. It lies in a river valley beneath wooded fells (hills) and Scafell Pike — not exactly an Everest, but at a height of 3,210 feet, the tallest mountain in England.

Where writers wrote The charming village of Grasmere loses

APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

some of its appeal during summer, when hordes of sightseers arrive to visit landmarks associated with its most famous former resident, William Wordsworth.

It is one of a number of towns in the area that relate chapters in the story of the socalled Lake Poets. They were a group of writers who lived in the Lake District around the turn of the 19th century and, inspired by its beauty, described it in their works.

The three main Lake Poets were William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge (who penned “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”) and Robert Southey, perhaps best known as the author of “The Story of the Three Bears,” the precursor to the Goldilocks story.

A number of other poets and writers also drew inspiration from the region, and their words of admiration and adoration did much to put the Lake District on the destination map of a growing wave of visitors.

The places associated with this group of talented wordsmiths are as varied as the attractions that draw people to the area.

Wordsworth lived in a cottage at the edge of Grasmere from 1799 to 1808, and spent the final 37 years of his life in a rambling old house in the village of Rydal.

Both Coleridge and Southey lived for some time in Keswick. Other well-known poets and writers visited the Lake District, which served to embellish its reputation even more. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, who was Poet Laureate of Great Britain during

much of Queen Victoria’s reign, spent his honeymoon at Coniston, and John Ruskin helped to popularize the village after he purchased a mansion nearby.

Today, a growing number of travelers are following the footsteps of those creative types to create their own memories in and of the English Lake District. They’re discovering the reasons why that tiny locale has for centuries so entranced those who visit and live there.

If you go England being England, where you stay can become part of the travel experience.

Scattered about the Lake District are toprate hotels, small inns and, of course, charming B&Bs. Question: When does a hotel room have its own turret? Answer: When it’s in a mid19th century castle. Augill Castle in Kirby lives up to its promise of “a modern brand of dressed down hospitality: unstuffy, informal, but decadently comfortable.”

Rooms furnished with family antiques.

Rates for two begin at about $260, depending upon the exchange rate. For more information, log onto www.stayinacastle.com or call 01768-341-937.

Trains connect London with the Lake District. It takes about 3½ hours to travel from London to Oxenholme.

For information about visiting the Lake District, log onto golakes.co.uk or call 01539-822-222.

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Welcome to Peter Rabbit’s world What do William Wordsworth, William Yeats and Jemima PuddleDuck have in common? Well, they all lived in and around the fairy-tale villages of England’s Lake District. But only one of them actually is a fairy tale, and she’s possibly the most famous of the three — at least among the under10 set.

Ms. Puddle-Duck, along with her good friends and neighbors, Peter Rabbit, Samuel Whiskers and Pickles among many others, were brought to life by Beatrix Potter (1866-1943), another famous resident of the Lake District. And she is the one most responsible for maintaining the environmental integrity of the area since her death in 1943, when she donated 14 properties to the National Trust — thereby preserving much of the land that now comprises the Lake District National Park.

Is there anyone alive today who actually made it through childhood without at least a cursory introduction to Peter Rabbit, Flopsy and Mopsy and that mean old farmer MacGregor?

Well, this is where they lived until Beatrix caught them and immortalized them forever in little 5” by 4”-sized books.

A visit to Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s home for 38 years, not far from Windermere, is the site of many of her creations’ adventures.

Many homes reflect the personalities of their owners — and sometimes even their pets. But rarely is a home so filled with the immediacy of its owner’s

creations as is Hill Top, first purchased in 1905. They appear so alive as to permeate not only the house but the surrounding village and countryside, all of which became additional characters in what were soon to become a series of beloved children’s books.

Once you enter the grounds and garden of Hill Top, with all its original furnishings, you are transported back to the world as it was until the day she died.

Pick up A Tale of Samuel Whiskers lying about as you walk in, and follow the book’s story as you see the holes where the mice lived that threatened Tom Kitten. You can accompany Pigland Bland as he wanders through the village, and seek to protect Jemima Puddle-Duck’s egg as it lays hidden in the rhubarb patch.

You can almost hear the Two Bad Mice discussing the ham and cheese that don’t seem quite edible because they are, of course, from Beatrix’s doll house, which is right in front of you in the parlor.

Her desk contains letters she wrote, often illustrated with little cartoons and drawings. The first edition of Peter Rabbit, which started simply as a story written in letter form in September 1893 to cheer up a sick son of her former governess, is available for viewing.

The whole house becomes alive through the illustrations in her stories — or is it that the illustrations become alive because they re-create the reality of her home? The parlor contains a

table with some partially eaten biscuits and some correspondence Beatrix was evidently in the process of completing — clearly she is expected to return at any moment.

And indeed every shop in the area seemingly sells some version of Peter Rabbit memorabilia. Emblematic of how much Peter invades the neighborhood, when my

husband and I stopped at a local pub for some requisite fish and chips, he asked about the soup of the day. When told by the bartender that it was carrot, he quipped: “How appropriate. No doubt Peter Rabbit’s favorite.”

For more information, visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hill-top.

— Fyllis Hockman

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APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Style Arts &

The kooky Addams Family takes the stage at Toby’s Dinner Theatre.

See review on page 24.

Unearthing the original Maryland colony rations began, and now director of the Maryland Historical Society.

“Hundreds of acres of open ground with untapped artifacts, foundations, post molds and fence lines (stains in the dirt caused by rotted wood that are magical to the trained eye). A combination of prodigious 17th century records carefully mined in the Maryland State Archives, and many years of persistent digging in endlessly rich sites, have remade everyone’s view of what life was like in Maryland’s ‘ancient’ capital.”

In 1983, archaeologists found the Jesuit Chapel’s foundation, and in 1988, Henry Miller and Timothy Riordan embarked on a five-year investigation, eventually locating the chapel’s cemetery and excavating 68 burials in the first large, systematic study of 17th century skeletons and burial practices in the Chesapeake.

Daily life in the 1600s Opening on Maryland Day (March 25) at the Maryland Historical Society, a new exhibition, “A Tale of Three Coffins: Living and Dying in 17th Century St. Mary’s City,” will feature three of the lead coffins

found in the investigation.

These held members of the Calvert family, and represent the only physical remains of Maryland’s founding family that scholars have ever recovered. The exhibition contains the coffins in the same arrangement as they were discovered in the foundation of the Jesuit Chapel, the oldest brick building in Maryland.

To give visitors a comprehensive look at life in 17th century Maryland, the exhibition will also offer insights into the customs of the day — from what settlers ate,

PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT MARYLAND

By Carol Sorgen In 1634, a new English colony — named St. Mary’s City by its settlers — was founded in the northern Chesapeake. The English crown granted the land to Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore, but in 1688 a revolution in England overthrew King James II. As a result, the Calverts lost control of their land charter, Maryland became a royal colony and, as religious freedom ended, the Jesuit Chapel founded by Lord Baltimore, a Roman Catholic, was locked shut.

Maryland’s capital moved to Annapolis, and St. Mary’s City was abandoned and turned into farmland. That, fortunately, turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as this rural setting helped to preserve the fragile ruins of the early settlement under a thin layer of plowed soil.

Fast forward to the 1970s, when archaeologists began explorations on behalf of Historic St. Mary’s City — the Maryland state museum at the site of the colony’s first capital.

“It (St. Mary’s City) is an archaeologist’s dream,” said Burt Kummerow, director of Historic St. Mary’s when the explo-

See HISTORICAL SOCIETY, page 23

In Historic St. Mary’s City, costumed interpreters bring 17th century Maryland to life. Archeologists continue to excavate the site, including three coffins of residents from the 1600s, which are now the subject of an exhibit at the Maryland Historical Society.

We’re Creepy and We're Kooky at Toby’s!

Now through April 19

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Toby's is the proud recipient of

18 2015 Helen Hayes Awards Nominations!

Quest for Peace Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 3 pm Kraushaar Auditorium at Goucher College Tom Hall leads the full Chorus and string orchestra in poignant and powerful settings of Dona nobis pacem by Ralph Vaughn Williams and Pateris Vasks, as well as Arvo Pärt’s beautiful meditation, Da pacem Domine. The provocative program, which features vocal soloists Hyunah Yu and Robert Cantrell, also includes the Mid-Atlantic premiere of Jake Runestad’s Fear Not, Dear Friend, based on the poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson. Tickets: $25 – $40 A Choral Conversation follows the performance featuring Tom Hall and special guests including author and former President of the Alliance for Peacebuilding Chic Dambach, discussing the role that music and the arts play in peace-making.

Photography by Jeri Tidwell

Based on availability. Due to the nature of theatre bookings, all shows, dates and times are subject to change.

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Historical society From page 22 to the often gruesome medical practices they faced, to their religious and burial customs that present a complete view of the harsh reality of 17th-century living.

In addition, it will highlight the process of archeological investigation, including film footage of the surprising discovery.

The exhibit will run through the fall of 2015, after which the coffins will be reinterred beneath the chapel in St. Mary’s City.

“The Maryland Historical Society regards this project with great respect,” said Kummerow. “For a short while, we will serve as the guardians of these coffins, which belong to Maryland’s founders. We wish to tell their story to as many people as possible.

“Because the coffins will be reburied, this is literally the only time you will be able to see them before they are returned to their original location in the recreated 17th century chapel in historic St. Mary’s City.”

“The chapel site gave us many fascinating insights about the people who built early Maryland — their lives, work and medical conditions, as well as the care they were given in death,” added Dr. Henry Miller. “It showed that surviving was a challenge, and success even harder, making us have an even deeper appreciation of their achievements in creating a new society on the shores of the Chesapeake.”

Who’s in the coffins?

The highlight of the exhibition is the three lead coffins buried deep inside the Jesuit Chapel’s foundations. The largest contained the poorly preserved, possibly embalmed remains of a male in his mid50s, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, right-handed, with no evidence of heavy physical labor. Carbon-isotope testing indicated that he was English, but had lived in Maryland several years. Pollen evidence in the coffin indicated that he died in the winter.

Only one man matched the forensic profile of the remains — Philip Calvert, son of the first Lord Baltimore. He had come to America in 1657, and served as Maryland’s governor, chancellor and chief judge. He died in the winter of 1682-1683.

A woman’s coffin was placed close to his in an arrangement typical of a husband and wife. His first wife, Anne Wolseley Calvert, matched the forensic profile of the female buried there. The smallest coffin contained the remains of an infant buried later than the other two.

Much mystery surrounds the child, and to whom it belonged. An investigation reveals it suffered from extreme maladies, such as rickets, and was possibly swaddled to death. “There was much sadness in this coffin,” said Miller.

Bone and burial data reveal the rigors of life in the Chesapeake. Brutal summer heat and humidity taxed the colonists’ endurance. Heavy labor and outbreaks of conflict could gravely injure them.

No one escaped illness. Limited medical knowledge and lack of larger family sup-

port made their lives even more precarious. In his blog, “An Amazing Discovery,” Kummerow wrote that St. Mary’s City was “not a place for the faint of heart.”

“The first rugged frontier for British America…life for the settlers was short, hard and lonely,” he wrote. “Success often hinged on survival, and death was everywhere.”

In addition to the coffins, the archeological investigations uncovered the remains of everyday life, such as houses, pots and food. Using these details, archeologists have been able to piece together remarkable insights into the colonists’ lives.

Among other items featured in the exhibition will be handprints and footprints discovered in brick; personal effects, such as rosary beads; advertisements from the era illustrating gruesome medical practices, including death from plague and ‘toothache’; forensic evidence of Anne Wolsey’s tooth decay, and rosemary sprigs discovered in a coffin (rosemary is considered a symbol of remembrance).

The Maryland Historical Society is located at 201 W. Monument St. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

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Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors.

On the first Thursday of every month, admission is free. For more information, visit www.mdhs.org or call (410) 685-3750.

24

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APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

A familiar, fun and kooky Addams Family

By Michael Toscano The Addams Family musical, currently in mid-run at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, continues to confound critics and delight audiences. Critics generally don’t care much for the show, while audiences embrace it fully.

That’s not the case here, as both this critic and the audience are in sync. We love it.

OK, the material is a bit thin. Derivative, even. After all, the stage musical is inspired by the early ‘60s TV show, which was inspired by a series of one-panel, gently

macabre cartoons in The New Yorker magazine, going back to 1938. And it follows a couple of theatrical film releases back in the ‘90s.

So the material has been worked over pretty well, and it didn’t start out as Eugene O’Neill or Stephen Sondheim. But Toby’s has found the sweet spot in this surprisingly sweet show.

The excellent cast, directed and choreographed by Mark Minnick, plays the material to the fullest, while simultaneously spoofing it and letting the audience in on the joke.

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Along the way there are some pretty good tunes, contemporary in nature, some nostalgic nods to the TV show for the old folks, more than a few funny moments and a few poignant ones. So what’s not to like?

The show has been reworked since it first made its way to Broadway a few seasons back. So maybe it’s unfair to showcase how silly the first critics were. But, really, they went overboard.

Maybe they just didn’t want to see Nathan Lane, starring as Gomez Addams, or Bebe Neuwirth, as comely-but-pale Morticia, succeed. Ben Brantley of The New York Times, dean of the insular world of New York theatre critics, complained in print that the show lacked internal logic. The others rushed into print with similar analyses.

Audiences flocked to the show and made it a good-sized hit. Maybe the initial attraction was due to the recognition factor of the premise and fondness for the TV show. But that’s not enough to keep a show running on Broadway for a year-anda-half, and almost always at 100-percent capacity, as this show did. It’s just a fun time, internally illogical or not.

And now Toby’s is having fun with it.

Wednesday as ingénue Is there anyone among us unfamiliar with the Addams clan? No? Good. We can dispense with the long description. All the familiar people — zombies, scary butlers and disembodied hands, etc. — are in place.

The only difference is that little Wednesday Addams (MaryKate Brouillet) is not a kid any longer. In the latter ingénue stage and ready to fall in love, she is now central to the story, rather than an afterthought.

Along comes Lucas Beineke (AJ Whittenberger), the ostensibly “normal” scion of a “normal” family. They are soon planning mar-

riage. But like other star-crossed lovers, their families are obstacles. Each considers the other “strange.”

So we now have all the, er, peculiarities of the Addamses, and the peculiar-in-theirown-way Beinekes to contend with, along with the tale of young lovers being thwarted by their families, and a light-hearted look at just what normalcy might really be, if it even exists. Sounds logical enough to me.

Right at the top of the show, we get the first finger snaps and the punctuated notes from the TV show’s opening theme, so we know it’s going to be familiar and fun. One of the early treats is how much Lawrence B. Munsey looks like the Gomez Addams of the cartoons. He’s much less the sly patriarch as played by John Astin on TV. Munsey gives Gomez just enough continental flair for color, but focuses on the emotional frailties of a father faced with having his daughter all grown up and leaving the nest. It could be maudlin in the wrong hands, but Munsey plays it with charm and comic zeal, saving us from too much of that darned internal logic.

In “Not Today,” Gomez seeks to redeem himself in the eyes of his daughter and wife after disappointing both of them. It’s a silly song, but as happens several times in this show — with book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and music and lyrics from Andrew Lippa — the sillier the song is, the more sophisticated the music is.

That gives the show some of its charm.

It is ingratiating, and this critic, at least, can appreciate how clever that is.

As always, Morticia is, forgive me, hot.

Different from what we may have known before. But hot.

Priscilla Cuellar is not slender and ethereSee ADDAMS FAMILY, page 25

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BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2015

Addams Family From page 24 al like Carolyn Jones was on TV. She has other assets on full display here, and brings a Latin zest that fills the stage with energy.

One of my favorite moments is her work in act two’s “Just Around the Corner,” referring, of course, to death. She’s delightfully perverse in a zombie kick line, the catchy tune allowing a turn or two with the Grim Reaper. What fun!

When Cuellar and Munsey lead the company in the late number “Tango De Amor,” the sensual energy of the choreography, with lithe movement and throbbing rhythms, is perhaps the best on area stages this season.

Brouillet has a clear, full voice, shown to good measure in the act one rock-ish an-

them “Pulled.” She’s a charming dynamo.

Act one ends with the company performing “Full Disclosure,” an innovative and powerful mix of light and darkness, pulsing tempo and high energy. The song pushes the slight story forward a few notches, with a bravura performance from Elizabeth Rayca as Lucas’ mother, Alice Beineke. This seemingly self-possessed and very straight lady (think Pat Nixon) lets her inner Addams out and rediscovers her youth.

Uncle Fester, too There are many unusual moments.

Imagine a bald man wearing something resembling a potato sack, on roller skates as he sings a love song to the moon, shown here as a painted beach ball, accompanied by a chorus of dead ancestors.

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

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That’s Uncle Fester (Shawn Kettering), of course, deliberately delving a bit too deeply into saccharine sentiment and coming up with something oddly sweet, but not cloying. OK, so that’s not internally logical. But it works.

There are enough of those moments to let us glide over the trite story and enjoy a cast of actors, dancers and musicians entertaining us. There are double entendres and mildly suggestive jokes, but they should not scare you off from taking a teen or two along. They might even enjoy the music.

The Addams Family continues through April 19 at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, 5900

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Symphony Woods Rd., Columbia.

Reservations are required. Ticket prices range from $39.50 (for children under 12) to $58 (depending on which performance is selected). Ticket prices include an allyou-can-eat buffet and coffee or tea. Other drinks, including alcoholic ones, are extra, and you are expected to tip the waiter/actors.

There is ample, free parking on the premises.

For showtimes, reservations and information, call (410) 995-1969, or visit www.tobysdinner theatre.com, where you can also obtain tickets via TicketMaster.

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APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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3. Glob and mod ends

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4. It can make a van go 5. Make a marquis 6. The only president and chief justice 7. Home to Gilligan or the Dharma Initiative 8. Lecherous look 9. Prepare for takeoff 10. Stereotypical Russian name 11. Bird on all bills 12. Lord of the Rings beast 15. Indian prince 20. “They ___ of my stars drink whiskey, but I have found that ones who drink milkshakes don’t win many ball games” (Casey Stengel) 21. ___ record 24. Persian word for “king” 25. Omelet’s inside 26. Acronym for “Error Detection and Correction” 27. Spacious carrying bags 28. Liquid- run off 29. Potter’s product 31. Pencil pieces 32. Challenging goal 33. New horse 34. Strong credit rating 35. Body art, briefly 40. NIH center 41. Babe, not in arms 44. Wearing wedges 45. “Just go now” 46. Crookedly 47. Fail to meet a young lady 50. Location of the San F. 49ers stadium 51. Brainstorm 52. Dealer revealer 53. In a frenzy 54. Art Deco light 55. Sewing case 56. Actor’s plum

Answers on page 25.

BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2015

CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on the right.

CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment.

EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

Business and Employment Opportunities TURN YOUR VALUABLE ITEMS INTO CASH. We are an eBay consignment seller. Do you have antiques, collectables and other valuables sitting around that you would to sell? We can help you sell them on eBay with no out of pocket costs. We do all the work for you and you get paid. E-BargainCenter.com. Call 410-9299069.

BARKS AND BLOOMS – Home of the Fantastically Fabulous Pet professionals is seeking to hire animal lovers to join our team. We are looking for animal lovers to keep our furry clients safe, happy and healthy with dog walking and pet care. Applicants must have reliable transportation and be able to pass a background check. Perfect for those seeking supplemental income. Fabulous people interested can contact us at www.barksandblooms.com.

SEEKING A LIVE-IN CAREGIVER to do light housekeeping, laundry, & prepare meals for elderly man; references required. Call 410-665-3849.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Caregivers ABUNDANT KINDNESS AT-HOME ELDERCARE. Do you or someone you love need assistance with tasks such as shopping, transportation to appointments, meal planning/preparation, light housekeeping, personal care, help with daily activities and more? Or do you need to take a break from your caregiving duties for your loved one? I provide compassionate, dependable care on a temporary or long-term basis. Call Jackie Lewis, 410-245-2712.

Events BUS VACATIONS – Need a short affordable vacation getaway? Perfect for everyone – group, singles, families & couples. Sit back, relax and enjoy exciting all-inclusive vacations per itinerary showcasing comfortable motor coaches, nice hotels, delicious meal, live entertainment, sightseeing guided tours, riverboat cruises, casinos, museums, gardens, shopping and more in New York City; Lancaster, PA; New Orleans; Orlando, Miami/Key West, FL; and more. Some as low as $298 and payment plans available. For more information: www.GroupTrips.com/RoyalLux. Call: 410-344-6499. Email: RoyalLuxTravelAgency@Comcast.net.

FREE RANDALLSTOWN BIBLE STUDIES – What the Bible really teaches about the Trinity? Where’s hell? God’s name is important to life everlasting. John 17:3, Psalms 83:18. Ben, 410-286-1357.

Financial Services TAXES, ACCOUNTING, BOOKKEEPING, eldercare. CPA 38 years, reasonable rates. Call 410-653-3363.

For Rent FOR RENT, NEWLY RENOVATED LOVELY one-bedroom apartment in private home.

Separate entrance, washer/dryer. Quiet neighborhood in Pikesville, near transportation. $800. 410-653-2594.

For Sale ACORN STAIRLIFT, 5 years old in very good condition. Last serviced in April 2014, new battery installed. Reaches over 12 steps. Papers available. Asking $1,000 or best offer. Please call, 410-435-1714.

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 5th 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 $10 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word.

Business Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise.

Each ad is $25 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word.

Note: Each real estate listing counts as one business text ad.

Send your classified ad with check or money order, payable to the Beacon, to:

The Beacon, Baltimore Classified Dept.

P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 For Sale

Personal Services

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.

MILITARY ITEMS Collector seeks: helmets, weapons, knives, swords, bayonets, webgear, uniforms, inert ordnance, ETC. From 1875 to 1960, US, German, Britain, Japan, France, Russian. Please call Fred 301-910-0783, Thank you. Also Lionel Trains.

Home/Handyman Services BALTIMORE’S BEST JUNK REMOVAL – Clean Outs: Whole House, Emergency, Attics/Basements.

Furniture and Junk Removal, Yard Waste Removal, General Hauling, Construction Debris Removal. Free estimates. 10% Senior Discount. Licensed, Bonded and Insured. Call Jesse, 443-379-HAUL (4285).

SANFORD & SON HAULING & RECYCLING. Trash + Junk removal, house & estate cleanouts, garage + basement cleanouts. Demolition – Shed, deck fence + pool removal. Licensed + insured. Free estimates over the phone. Call 7 days a week, 7 am to 7 pm. 410-746-5090.

Personal Services LEARN ENGLISH – SPANISH – ITALIAN – FRENCH – PORTUGUESE Conversational.

Grammatical. Private lessons. Reasonable Rates. Tutoring students. 443-352-8200.

Wanted COSTUME. Coins, Paper Money Too. Watches, Clocks, Military Badges and Patches Old and New. Call Greg, 717-658-7954.

ELECTRIC SLOT-RACING CARS & accessories from 60s & 70s, especially Aurora, Atlas & Tyco HO-scale plus other manufacturers scales. Call Bill @ 410-615-7043.

WE BUY JEWELRY, SILVER, GOLD, AND OLD AND NEW, WE BUY STERLING SILVER FLATWARE, Tea Sets, Single Pieces of Silver, Large pieces of Silver Plate. Attic, Basement or Garage. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. You have something to SELL, we are looking to BUY. VINYL RECORDS WANTED from 1950 through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201.

CASH BUYER FOR OLD COSTUME JEWELRY – pocket and wrist watches (any condition). Also buying watchmaker tools and parts, train sets and accessories, old toys, old glassware & coins. 410-655-0412.

FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS wanted by a serious capable buyer. I am very well educated [law degree] knowledgeable [over 40 years in the antique business] and have the finances and wherewithal to handle virtually any situation. If you have a special item, collection or important estate I would like to hear from you. I pay great prices for great things in all categories from oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful, I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan, 301-279-8834. Thank you.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Options for Senior America . . . . . . . .21 Guardian Community Health . . . . .B-10

Pickersgill Retirement Community .B-4 Shangri-La Assisted Living . .B-5, B-11 St. Mary’s Roland View Towers . . . .B-9 The Greens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-2 Weinberg Senior Living . . . . .B-5, B-12 Westminster House Apts . . . . . . . . .B-6 Williamsburg Homes . . . . . . . .B-3, B-8 Woodholme Gardens . . . . . . . . . . .B-10

Housing

Housing Referral Service

Alta at Regency Crest . . . . . . . . . . .B-3 Atrium Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5, 14 Blake & Sons Waterproofing . . . . . . .20 Brightview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Brookfield Residential . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Catholic Charities Senior Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4 Charlestown . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5, B-9 Christ Church Harbor Apts. . . . . . .B-11 Green House Residences . . . . . . . . . .21 Heartlands at Ellicott City . . . . . . . .B-8 Meadows of Reisterstown . . . . . . . . .16 Memorial Apartments . . . . . . . . . . .B-6 Oak Crest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-8, B-9 Park Heights Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-6 Park View Apartments . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Senior Placement Service/Care Patrol . .4

Clinical Research Studies

Hearing Services

Dementia Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Elderly Falls Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Fall Prevention Study . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Gallbladder/Kidney Stone Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Gastrointestinal Study . . . . . . . . . . . .11 HYPNOS Diabetic Sleep Study . . . . . . .11 IDEAL Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Parkinson’s Exercise Study . . . . . . . .10

Clarity & Comfort Hearing Center . . .4 Hearing & Speech Agency . . . . . . . . . .8 Maryland Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Events Kidney Walk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 WomenFest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Financial Services Bennett Senior Services . . . . . . . . . . .15 Catholic Charities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Debt Counsel for Seniors and the Disabled . . . . . . . .17 GSF Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5, B-9 Golden Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4 JSR Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Salvation Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Funeral Services Holly Hill Memorial Gardens . . . . . . . .22

Home Health Care

27

Legal Services Frank, Frank & Scherr Law Firm . . .16

Medical/Health Dr. Richard Rosenblatt, DPM . . . . . . . . .9 Dr. Stuart Goldman, DPM . . . . . . . . .13 GBMC Urogynecology . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Ideal Health Chiropractic . . . . . . . . . . .5 Low Vision Specialists of Maryland & Virginia . . . . . . . . . . .13 Mishpacha Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Progressive Rehab Services . . . . . . . .23 Smart Pain Management . . . . . . . . . . .9

Movers Easy Movers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-3

Pharmacies CVS Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Lexington Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Rite Aid Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Walgreen’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation CommuniCare Health . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Holly Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-11 Manor Care Health Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Theatres/ Entertainment Baltimore Choral Arts . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Hollywood Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Radio Flea Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Tour & Travel Eyre Bus, Tour & Travel . . . . . . . . . .21 Festive Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Volunteers Baltimore City RSVP . . . . . . . . . . . .25

28

APRIL 2015 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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