1912665
2
Gazette SENIORS | October 2013
Gazette.Net
1889038
Gazette.Net
October 2013 | Gazette SENIORS
3
GAZETTE
SENIORS Editor Graphic Design Contributing Writers
Corporate Advertising Director Creative Director Prepress Manager Special Sections Coordinator
Kimberly Bamber John Savia Karen Finucan Clarkson Mary Wade Burnside Ellen Cohen Arlene Karidis Jim Mahaffie Dennis Wilston Anna Joyce John Schmitz Ashby Rice
PUBLISHED BY THE GAZETTE/POST-NEWSWEEK MEDIA, LLC 9030 COMPRINT COURT, GAITHERSBURG, MD 20877 | GAZETTE.NET
Gazette Seniors is produced by The Gazette’s Special Sections and Advertising departments. It does not involve The Gazette’s newsrooms. Contact us at Seniors@gazette.net. ON THE COVER: CHARLES VOTAW PRACTICES TAI CHI: CHARLES VOTAW PHOTOGRAPHY/ COURTESY OF WU WEI TAI CHI CLUB; TORTOISE: COURTESY OF HARVEY M. COHEN
CORRECTION In the “Reliving History: Seniors Teach and Learn by Reenacting” article in the July 2013 edition of Gazette Seniors, Boteler’s Ford was spelled incorrectly. Clarifications to the article can also be found online at gazette.net/section/specialsections.
Look for The Gazette’s Holiday Gift Guide in November’s publication for
trendy gift ideas for the entire family.
1895335
4
Gazette SENIORS | October 2013
Gazette.Net
SIGN ME UP
TAI CHI
An Ancient Workout for the Modern Age
Instructor Charles Votaw practices tai chi in the early morning.
CHARLES VOTAW PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY OF WU WEI TAI CHI CLUB
E
BY JIM MAHAFFIE
arly on a warm summer morning, dog walkers and joggers are out, moving quietly through Cabin John Regional Park in Bethesda. And, on a nearby circle of flagstone, atop the outlines of a yin and yang symbol and surrounded by benches, several people are performing slow, elegant and flowing movements.This is tai chi. Tai chi is a different kind of workout, said Charles Votaw, who has been teaching the Chinese exercise form in Montgomery County for more than 16 years and helps manage theWuWeiTai Chi Club in Rockville. The club offers classes around the Washington metro area. “Tai chi is primarily practiced by older people,” Gazette.Net
said Votaw. “The average age of our class members is in the mid-50s, but some are even in their 80s and 90s. Learning tai chi requires patience and concentration, qualities that can be a challenge to younger people. “Many tai chi masters reach the ripe age of 100, practicing and teaching well into their 90s,” saidVotaw. Tai chi classes are available in many public and private facilities around Montgomery and Fairfax counties. “We’re very proud of our program here,” said John Bartok, fitness director at Spring Hill Recreation Center in McLean, Va., where Level 1 (beginner) to Level 3 (advanced) classes are offered. “Classes are very diverse with men and women and different ages, but we have a large amount of seniors taking tai chi, especially in the daytime classes.”
Bartok said tai chi class participants sign up per season and classes run for an hour to an hour and a half. For 22 adult beginner classes that meet twice a week, the cost is $229 per person, for instance. Curious people can drop into classes, as well, for a fee. Bartok also said the Fairfax County Park Authority’s senior discount can save participants 65 and older 35 percent. According to Votaw of the Wu Wei Tai Chi Club, tai chi involves slow, very controlled use of the stabilizing muscles as opposed to quick, aerobic movements.“The basic practice is a series of slow, flowing movements we call the tai chi form,” he said. “The main principle is to relax the mind and body even when applying effort.” Training promotes better balance and greater strength continued on page 6 October 2013 | Gazette SENIORS
5
SIGN ME UP TAI CHI, continued from 5 without depleting energy, and that’s what makes it an ideal exercise for seniors, according to Votaw. “It’s a gentler art form of exercise,” added Bartok. “Tai chi is very suitable for older people as it is careful and meditative, and it offers a lot of benefits for energy management, balance and flexibility.” Beginners, he said, will learn a sequence of postures and movements, and build on them over time. “Find a supportive group where you start with the basics and work up from Level 1 to Level 2 and 3,” he said. “Then there are forms using swords, wood staffs and paper fans, too.” Dante Gilmer has been a practitioner of tai chi for 20 years. A stay-at-home dad in Fairfax,Va., he teaches the exercise form on weekends at Lead By Example Tae Kwon Do, a studio with locations in Fairfax, Great Falls and Springfield inVirginia. “Tai chi came from China as a martial art for self-defense,” he said. “But it was transformed in America as more of a range-of-motion exercise system.” Though Gilmer, 44, has been practicing for more than two decades, he said he is still working on improvement and certainly sees doing tai chi for another 40 years or more. In one class, Gilmer had a classmate who was well over 70. “He would talk about his friends being prone to falls,” said Gilmer. “He found that tai chi gave him help with body awareness, balance and strength in his joints.” Beginner classes at Lead By Example Tae Kwon Do are held at their Fair Oaks location at 11226 Waples Mill Road on Sunday at 9 a.m. and Monday at 6:30 p.m., said Gilmer. The cost is $10 per class for four classes or more. “If you just drop in, the cost is $15 per class,” he said. “If you buy eight classes, you get one class free.” Randy Atkins of Bethesda teaches tai chi at Inner Balance Tai Chi, which meets at the University of Maryland in College Park, Takoma Park Community Center and at the tai chi court at Cabin John Regional Park. He cited the health benefits of the exercise form, pointing to scientific evidence from the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and a book titled, “The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi: 12 Weeks to a Healthy Body, Strong Heart & Sharp Mind.” For newcomers to tai chi, Atkins suggested looking around to see what programs are nearby and convenient. “Ask for a free trial class at different places to get a sense of the teacher’s style and if a class feels right for you.” And since some classes are conducted loosely as an exercise class, while others are more traditional, “People should ask questions of the prospective teacher and see what the class goals are.”
6
Gazette SENIORS | October 2013
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHARLES VOTAW PHOTOGRAPHY
Instructor Eric Liu from the Wu Wei Tai Chi Club in Rockville leads a group in tai chi at the grand opening of the tai chi court at Cabin John Regional Park.
Instructor Joanne Chang of the Wu Wei Tai Chi Club in Rockville leads a tai chi class.
Gazette.Net
1889039
Gazette.Net
October 2013 | Gazette SENIORS
7
SIGN ME UP
BY KAREN FINUCAN CLARKSON
TASTE OR LEARN MORE ABOUT WINE A SELECTION OF LOCAL PLACES TO TASTE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT WINE:
EXPLORING THE OF WINE ABOVE: STOCKBYTE/THINKSTOCK; RIGHT: ISTOCKPHOTO/MICHAEL DELEON
“W
ine brings people together. It is a fascinating topic that incorporates history, geography, politics and food,” said Jay Youmans, educational director at Capital Wine School in the Chevy Chase neighborhood of Washington, D.C., and an adjunct professor at L’Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda and Gaithersburg. Throughout the metropolitan area, wine classes, tastings and dinners are attracting older adults interested in exploring the topic, whether in depth or cursorily. WhenYoumans opened the wine school some five years ago, he thought the bulk of his students would come from the food-service and hospitality industries. “More than half of the people who signed up were retired, looking into second careers, or interested in a new or next hobby,” he said. Wine has become increasingly popular in the United States, with annual sales reaching a record $34.6 billion in 2012, according to the Wine Institute. Last year’s 2-percent increase brought the number of years of consecutive growth to 19. While the U.S. is the world’s largest wine market, it ranks 54th on the Wine Institute’s list of annual, per-capita wine consumption by country. “I think the single biggest reason people want to learn more about wine is that … they want to cut down on the number of bad choices, because it is expensive,” said Youmans. 8
Gazette SENIORS | October 2013
There also are some who “feel intimidated and don’t want to make a mistake and look foolish.” That’s never a concern at Bazin’s on Church, which hosts a wine dinner almost every month. “Even if you don’t know anything about wine, you will learn quickly—and be spoiled in the process,” said Julie Bazin, who owns the Vienna,Va., restaurant with her husband, Patrick, a chef. When the restaurant opened about eight years ago, it featured 50 wines. Today, the wine list stands at about 500, Bazin said.The bulk of the wines are from Washington, Oregon and California, which the Bazins like to visit to stay abreast of trends and identify wineries to present at their monthly dinners. Anywhere from 50 to 80 people attend the Monday night dinners, which cost around $100 per person and require reservations. The event starts around 6:30 p.m. with a glass of sparkling wine and appetizers. Guests, most of whom are between 45 and 65, are seated in the intimate restaurant a half hour later for a five-course dinner with a fixed menu that includes dishes designed to complement the evening’s wine offerings. Each event highlights the wines of a particular vineyard, and the owner or other representative attends. “The rep usually shares the history of the vineyard—where it’s located and when it started, who the winemakers are, when
n BAZIN’S ON CHURCH Offers monthly wine dinners 111 Church St., NW Vienna, VA 22180 703-255-7212 bazinsonchurch.com n CAPITAL WINE SCHOOL Offers classes and tastings 5207 Wisconsin Ave., NW Suite No. 7, 3rd floor Washington, D.C. 20015 301-467-7927 capitalwineschool.com n L’ACADEMIE DE CUISINE Offers classes, demonstrations, dinners and tastings 16006 Industrial Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20877 301-670-8670 5021 Wilson Lane Bethesda, MD 20814 301-986-9490 lacademie.com n MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION Offers Wine and Dine classes •The Perfect Wine Tasting Party at Home (Nov. 1) • Holiday Party Wines and Sparklers! (Dec. 6) 240-777-6800 www.montgomerycountymd.gov n FINEWINE.COM Offers tastings 20A Grand Corner Ave. Gaithersburg, MD 20878 301-987-5933 finewine.com n PARADISE SPRINGS WINERY Offers production tours and tastings 13219 Yates Ford Road Clifton, VA 20124 703-830-9463 paradisespringswinery.com n THE WINERY AT BULL RUN Offers tours and tastings 15950 Lee Highway Centreville, VA 20120 703-815-2233 wineryatbullrun.com n SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN VINEYARD Offers tours, tastings and annual Grape Stomp event (early October) 18125 Comus Road Dickerson, MD 20842 301-605-0130 smvwinery.com
Gazette.Net
SIGN ME UP the different wines were first produced, and the types of grapes used,” said Julie Bazin, noting that questions are common. “He’ll go through each course, describing what you’re drinking, with the biggest, heaviest wines toward the end. It’s not a class called ‘Wine 101,’ but you do learn a lot about the flavors and the types of food that pair best with different wines.” “Food can make a wine taste good or great. Rarely does wine make the food taste better. A good match just sings,” said Youmans. “With more people taking cooking classes and others who like to entertain, they want to know how to match food with wine.” That topic is one of several covered in the Capital Wine School’s Introduction to Wine Basics, which often sells out. During the two-hour $75 class, attendees taste eight wines. “We introduce people to the language of wine—how to describe what they’re smelling and tasting—and give them a short vocabulary of descriptors, like flowers or fruit or herbs or spices.We don’t tell them how to describe it, but give them the tools to help them do that,” saidYoumans. The course focuses on fundamentals. “Most wines are made from about 15 or 20 grapes. Understanding a style of wine starts with knowledge of the grape or grapes used to make the wine,”Youmans said. That knowledge is helpful when shopping for wine. “A wine shop can be intimidating,” he said. “The average wine shop in D.C. has 1,000 different wines organized by the country they come from or the grape they are produced from.
Understanding how grapes translate into taste can help you navigate the selection.” Essential (Blind) Wine Tasting Skills is a two-hour $95 class that exposes attendees to a dozen different wines. “You get to taste wines without knowing how much they cost, what the grape is or where they come from,” said Youmans. “You get to articulate what you are tasting without prejudice of price or the prestige of the producer. If you look at a bottle of wine with a $100 price sticker, you may be inclined to say it’s good when, in fact, you really don’t like it.” Learning what you like—types of wines that appeal to your individual palate—can keep you from wasting money, said Youmans. “There’s a realization now that one size doesn’t fit all and the industry is coming around to that fact. People are beginning to understand that when a wine writer reviews a wine,it’s no different than a movie reviewer writing about a movie—they are both telling what they like,” he said. In-home wine tastings also can be fun and educational, according to Youmans. Go thematic. “Pick a style of wine made from a particular grape, like a sauvignon blanc. Then buy wines from several different countries and put each in a brown bag. Invite some friends over and see what they like,” he said. In the case of wine, a little knowledge is a good thing, according toYoumans. “It whets your appetite to learn more.”That’s not to say you will end up becoming a sommelier, but you will expand your horizons and enjoy the tasting experience more.
GOODSHOOT/THINKSTOCK
Gazette.Net
1894508
1894603
October 2013 | Gazette SENIORS
9
SIGN ME UP
ENCORE CREATIVITY FOR OLDER ADULTS
u For anyone over 55 who just wants to sing! BY JIM MAHAFFIE
A
ll around Montgomery and Fairfax counties, in 13 chorale groups from Gaithersburg to Northern Virginia, seniors are making beautiful music together with their voices. “Encore is the nation’s premier organization for allowing older adult singers to be a part of making fabulous music in a sophisticated setting,” said Jeanne Kelly, founding president and executive director of Encore Creativity for Older Adults. The nation’s largest and fastest growing choral program for those 55 and older, according to Kelly, Encore provides an accessible and sustainable artistic environment for older people who are looking for arts education and performance opportunities with a professional artist. Fees, rehearsal times and locations vary with each chorale. “There
are no auditions. Everyone is welcome. And somehow it works,” she said. The nonprofit has grown from a tiny organization in 2001 to an impressive size, with approximately 250 singers in Maryland, 230 in NorthernVirginia and 145 inWashington, D.C.There are affiliates today in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and Utah. In July, the troupe announced the formation of a new Alexandria Encore Chorale, which began rehearsals in September at The George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Age varies, too. At Goodwin House in Alexandria, Va., the average age in the chorale is 89, according to Jennifer Heinz, assistant to Jeanne Kelly. “The coolest thing is that when people come to hear us in concert, they’re always totally amazed. They probably think they’re going to see little old people, and they get a great concert. Most people just don’t know
PHOTOS BY LARRY KELLY, COURTESY OF ENCORE CREATIVITY FOR OLDER ADULTS
Fred Gatchell and John Malin are among the singers performing at WashingtonLee High School in Arlington, Va., as part of the Spring 2013 Encore Chorale concert featuring vocalists from seven Northern Virginia chorales.
what an older person can do late in life,” said Kelly. “Jeanne had the audacity to get together a group of older people who just like to sing,” said Encore member Mary Wood of Gaithersburg. “You don’t even have to try out, and that’s unheard of.” Wood has been singing since her sophomore year in high school. She met her husband, Bob, through singing, and the couple are today a tenor and a bass
Singers come from around the country to participate in Encore Summer Chorale Institutes in Maryland and at the famed Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, N.Y.
10
Gazette SENIORS | October 2013
in the Asbury Methodist Village Encore Chorale in Gaithersburg. What Wood likes about Encore is that she can sing sitting down. “I prefer standing and singing,” she said, “but after two hip replacements, sitting makes a big difference.” “Singing was my passion in high school and college,” saidTerri Sorota, 60, of Potomac. “Before I joined the Glen Echo Encore Chorale, I was a lifelong singer in the shower and with the car radio.” Her group rehearses in the Washington Conservatory of Music space at Glen Echo Park. She said that when she became a founding member of that group, she felt like she had found something great. “After a couple of rehearsals, I had most of my singing back again. I still can’t hit the high C like in high school. But I’m learning how to perfect a skill that had become rusty.” “Jeanne knows how to work with people’s voices and how to help pitch and rhythm problems,” said Margo Hope, 59, of Wheaton. “Encore is great whether you’re a fantastic or average singer or one who wants to just be in the background.” Through Encore, Hope said she has met great friends. Without family in the area, she appreciates the social aspect of the group. “I’ve also been exposed to singing and performing in places I would never have dreamed of before, like The Kennedy Center,” she said. More than 260 Encore singers performed a holiday concert last year at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington on the Sunday before Christmas. In June, 60 Encore Gazette.Net
SIGN ME UP
singers spent a week at the Fifth Annual Summer Institute at St. Mary’s College of Maryland in St. Mary’s City. They stayed on campus in dorms and rehearsed every day.They also participated in yoga and dance classes, and enjoyed musical entertainment every evening. Kelly also led 85 singers on the sixth annual trip to the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, N.Y., in August, where the program included choral, theatre and movement tracks, she said. Another Encore program is called Singing at Sea, and the next trip will be a May 2014 river cruise traveling the Dan-
“The coolest thing is that when people come to hear us in concert, they’re ALWAYS TOTALLY AMAZED. They probably think they’re going to see little old people, and they get a great concert. Most people just don’t know what an older person can do late in life.” - Jeanne Kelly, founding president and executive director, Encore Creativity for Older Adults
ube in Europe with stops inVienna, Dürnstein and Salzburg in Austria. The 2013 trip was a river cruise in France. “It was delightful—very well planned, with one of the best tour guides we have ever had,” saidWood, who went with her husband. “When you’re a singer, and it’s in you, you have to let that creative side of you out, or else you feel something’s
Encore Chorales throughout the Washington area rehearse the same music and come together for large, free public concerts in December and May at the end of the 15-week rehearsal season. An annual holiday concert at The Kennedy Center, this year on Dec. 23, is always a highlight of the concert season and will feature more than 250 Encore singers.
missing,” said Hope. “Performing doesn’t have to be a fantastic, attention-getting opportunity either. I just want to sing!”
For more information about Encore Creativity for Older Adults, visit www.encorecreativity.org, call 301-261-5747 or email info@encorecreativity.org. A monthly e-newsletter connects Encore singers.
1905441
Gazette.Net
October 2013 | Gazette SENIORS
11
SIGN ME UP ‘Living By Design’ at White Oak Senior Center
WELCOME TO THE
WHITE OAK SENIOR CENTER
T
BY JIM MAHAFFIE
heWhite Oak Senior Center provides engaging programming for adults 55 and over in the local community, according to Nekia Williams, recreation specialist and senior center director, also known as Ms. Shememe by everyone at the center. Located in the White Oak Community Recreation Center, which opened in June 2012, the senior cen-
ter is in Silver Spring near Route 29. It shares state-of-the-art amenities with the community center, including two gymnasiums, a spacious social hall and expansive arts-and-crafts facilities, according to Portia Scott, director of the community center. The building is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Designcertified facility and eco-friendly center. There are exercise and meeting rooms, a weight room and a huge ath-
PHOTOS BY JIM MAHAFFIE
letic court, cafeteria and classrooms, and a variety of balanced programs and activities for active adults Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Classes include Zumba, chair yoga, Soul Line Dance and Senior Fit. “We have 70 people in that class every Friday,” said Ms. Shememe. Classes may be drop-in or available through preregistration. “Most of our classes are free of charge,” said Ms. Shememe. The Senior Sneaker Program
Living By Design is an initiative to measure progress for seniors at White Oak. “Whether it’s walking better, eating better or spending more time with your grandkids, starting this fall, we want everyone coming to the center to set a goal,” said Nekia Williams, recreation specialist and senior center director. “We’ll reassess the goals at the same time next year. We want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to help (seniors) improve their lives.” White Oak Senior Center 1700 April Lane Silver Spring 20904 240-777-6944 Go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov and click on “Senior Centers.”
offers access to the exercise and weight rooms weekdays for a $50 annual fee. “A class complements that, with a trainer teaching people how to use
David Reed, 64, lives in the White Oak neighborhood and walks to the facility regularly for exercise. He enjoys its nutrition programs and the Friday movies.
Among many other amenities, the White Oak Community Recreation Center offers a huge field house and many other athletic facilities.
12
Gazette SENIORS | October 2013
Alberta Alston, 70, of White Oak, works out with the Senior Fit program in the community center’s well-equipped gym. Right: Ken Bransford, 74, lives in Silver Spring. A veteran, former Green Beret, paratrooper, and onetime “Mr. Annapolis,” he works out regularly at the White Oak Senior Center. Gazette.Net
SIGN ME UP
Take the Worry out of Retirement with a Reverse Mortgage!
If you’re a homeowner age 62 or older, a reverse mortgage could change your life. It may allow you to safely tap into your home equity while still remaining in your home. You’ll have tax-free* cash without depending on others or burdening your heirs. So you can enjoy the life you so richly deserve.
The funds can be used for anything, including: • Paying off an existing mortgage and other debt.** • Long-term healthcare and prescription drugs. • Property taxes.
the equipment twice a week,” she said. Regular activities include games like Scrabble, chess and bridge, which are very popular, said Ms. Shememe. The latest movies are shown every Friday. Lunch is served for $5.92 per person
on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at noon. Reservations should be made in person or in advance by phone. To reserve lunch, or for more information about the center and its activities and programs, call 240-777-6944.
*Consult your tax professional to determine the tax effect on a reverse mortgage. **Please consult your financial advisor on the consolidation of short term debt into long term debt.
I am dedicated to simplifying the mortgage process and matching solutions to individual needs. Once I understand your goals, I can help you find and appropriate loan program. Contact me today to learn more about how a Reverse Mortgage can make your retirement years more fun and more secure.
Bernie Kogod Marketing Manager NMLS# 176724 Office: 240.314.0399 Ext. 22 Cell: 202.438.2256 bernie@accmortgage.com www.accmortgage.com
ACC Mortgage 932 Hungerford Drive Unit 6 Rockville, MD 20850
I understand... I was born in 1941 Equal housing lender Information is subject to change without notice. This is not an offer for extension of credit, extension of credit or a commitment to lend.
1894506
Nekia Williams (Ms. Shememe); Portia Scott, director of the community center; and front desk and customer service staffers Virginia Baskins and Nate Epps
• Home repairs and renovations • Cash for emergencies
Paul Kang and Angel Yoon of Silver Spring play a spirited game of table tennis.
Donna Jones (right) and Danielle Stewart prepare meals for people every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and “do anything that needs to be done to make it nice for people here,” said Jones. 1894509
Gazette.Net
October 2013 | Gazette SENIORS
13
TRAVEL
THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS: SEA LIONS, IGUANAS, BLUE-FOOTED BOOBIES AND MORE
PHOTOS COURTESY OF HARVEY M. COHEN
The writer and her family pose near Pinnacle Rock. From left: Harvey Cohen, Ellen Cohen, Jonah Hotchkiss, Emma Hotchkiss, Marcia Cohen and Mark Hotchkiss. BY ELLEN R. COHEN
S
ix years ago, when our son’s 17-year-old twins were 11, we took their family to the Galápagos Islands, approximately 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. “Why weren’t we invited?” asked our daughter, Marcia. “Because you have a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old,” my husband, Harvey, and I replied. “When your kids are older, we will take your family.” This August, six years later, our younger grandchildren were 10 and 8.We, too, were six years older, but certainly able to introduce the rest of our family to the wonders of these unique islands.
Many tour companies offer trips to the Galápagos; we
chose Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic based on their experience, educational programs and certified naturalists. We lived aboard National Geographic’s Endeavour for eight days, joined by 95 passengers and 45 crew members. We visited about six of the many islands and learned about the wildlife that inhabits each. The family travelers included Harvey and me, Marcia and her husband, Mark, as well as 10-year-old Emma and 8-year-old Jonah. The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago of more than a dozen large islands, as well as numerous small islands, islets and rocks that straddle the equator. Visitors come yearround—during the dry season, June to December, and the wet 14
Gazette SENIORS | October 2013
season, December to May. Formed sometime around 3 million and 5 million years ago as a result of volcanic eruptions, many of the islands are still volcanic.The August weather during this second trip was somewhat cooler and the sea was somewhat rougher than when we were there last in December 2007. Discovered in 1535 by Fray Tomás de Berlanga, the Spanish bishop of Panama, the area appeared on maps in the late 16th century. From then until the early 19th century, there was a great deal of pirate activity in the area. Annexed by Ecuador in 1832, the islands were visited in 1835 by Charles Darwin, who studied island wildlife while formulating his theories of natural selection and survival of the fittest. The Galápagos Islands became Ecuador’s first national park in 1959. The naturalist guides, as well as tour companies like Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, are committed to what they call “respectful tourism.” They are careful to stress how fragile this environment is and how necessary it is to protect the region for future generations, ensuring zero impact from tourists.We were told that the animals and plants have the right of way and we are sharing their world. Protecting the islands is our responsibility. To avoid undue stress to the plants, animals or land, tour companies are required to rotate visits to different islands. On our trip, we visited the islands of Española, Floreana, Santa Cruz, Daphne Major, Bartolomé and Genovesa. The Endeavour then had to wait 15 days before the ship could reGazette.Net
TRAVEL
From left: Emma Hotchkiss, Harvey Cohen and Jonah Hotchkiss
1894479
Zodiacs bring guests to the islands for hikes and wildlife viewing.
turn to those specific islands. But since each island has its own character, wildlife and plants, there is a great deal to see wherever the tour goes. Visitors love to observe the seemingly countless sea lions and seabirds, the Galapagos penguins, giant tortoises, and iguanas. Since predators did not exist on the islands for thousands of years, the animals show no fear of humans. Our grandchildren loved being able to snorkel with sea lions and penguins, watch blue-footed boobies, and
learn the names and about the habits of many other species of birds. Our days were filled with activity and we quickly settled into a routine. After breakfast, we boarded inflatable boats called Zodiacs to see wildlife on the beach or around the perimeter of one of the islands. After lunch and time to rest and relax, we again boarded the Zodiacs to reach sites for kayaking, snorkeling, swimming or hikcontinued on page 16 1895334
Gazette.Net
October 2013 | Gazette SENIORS
15
TRAVEL GALÁPAGOS, continued from 15 ing. A “recap” during the cocktail hour featured talks by various naturalists who explained more about what we had seen during the day. Many of the Endeavour’s guests retreated to their comfortable cabins after dinner to rest before the next day’s activity. My family found that bedtime around 9:30 p.m. worked out well.We couldn’t keep our eyes open past that time!
What did we enjoy most? We all
PHOTOS COURTESY OF HARVEY M. COHEN
The Cohen and Hotchkiss family: from left, Harvey Cohen, Ellen Cohen, Mark Hotchkiss, Emma Hotchkiss, Marcia Cohen and Jonah Hotchkiss.
During a break from a hike, Emma Hotchkiss observes one of the many birds.
16
Gazette SENIORS | October 2013
loved the playful, curious sea lions. Like all the Galápagos wildlife, they are unafraid of visitors. Snorkeling and swimming with assorted marine animals were highlights. The nonsnorkelers enjoyed deep-water viewing from the glass-bottom boat. Jonah loved learn-
ing to drive the Zodiac. Emma enjoyed learning about the wildlife and tasting new Ecuadorian foods. The birds were incredible. Where else could we have walked among nesting boobies—both red- and blue-footed—and nazca boobies? We marveled at albatrosses that mate for life and have a huge wingspan, and we observed the large numbers of marine and land iguanas and lava lizards that coexist peacefully.We all enjoyed the hikes and wildlife chats with the naturalists. From rocky trails strewn with lava boulders to soft, sandy beaches, the walks were varied and we could each choose the degree of difficulty that best suited us.
Several optional early-morning
walks led to flamingos and green sea turtles, and the climb up the 376 steps to the summit of Bartolomé Island was
A naturalist leads the family on a hike.
Gazette.Net
TRAVEL
A cabin on the Endeavour
very special. It was fun to see Pinnacle Rock and recall the movie “Master and Commander:The Far Side of theWorld,” which was partly filmed in this area.
Other highlights included an opportunity
to see the Charles Darwin Research Station and visit the town of Puerto Ayora, home to 18,000 residents. Scientists gather conservation information at the research station, also the site of the giant tortoise breeding program and home of Lonesome George, a huge Pinta Island tortoise who was over 100 years old before his species became extinct in 2012. A visit to an island school gave us a chance to see a very differ-
ent educational system and chat with local children happy to practice English. There were several family groups on our boat, with 8-year-olds through college students. Guests were mostly from the U.S.—both the East andWest coasts—and Canada. One Ecuadorian family had won the trip in a culinary contest.
There aren’t many places where
one can observe nature firsthand, witness the unique formations and learn about their geology, and walk along the same path with fascinating creatures that aren’t a bit concerned when they see human visitors.
Ellen Cohen and Emma Hotchkiss stop to chat with a sea lion. Gazette.Net
1905403
October 2013 | Gazette SENIORS
17
LIVING
ENJOY A
BOUTIQUE LIFESTYLE
Independent living residents can dine in The Highlands’ dining room.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF KENSINGTON PARK SENIOR LIVING
The Highlands is Kensington Park Senior Living’s independent living residence.
Lots of windows in The Highlands’ Bistro area brighten the space.
KENSINGTON PARK SENIOR LIVING BY ELLEN R. COHEN
A
The Highlands’ lobby welcomes guests.
18
Gazette SENIORS | October 2013
fter deciding to downsize to a more relaxing, less complicated lifestyle, seniors may want comfortable, attractive surroundings; pleasant company, care and support; and peace of mind. Kensington Park Senior Living offers this and more at its 8-acre location one block from the town of Kensington. Kensington Park has facilities for independent living, assisted living and memory care in three multilevel buildings. “The different areas dovetail nicely with each other,” said Barbara Duncan, the community’s director of community
outreach. “There is a good continuum of care, but we are not a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community). “We consider ourselves a boutique independent living community with a wonderful thread of care throughout the community,” said Duncan. Built in the early ’90s, Kensington Park is owned and operated by five partners. “This small, privately owned company is building other senior communities throughout the country and is well in tune with residents’ needs,” said Duncan. The 61 independent living apartments called The Highlands can accommodate approximately 60 to 70 continued on page 29 Gazette.Net
KNOWLES
LIVING
APOTHECARY
Traditional & Alternative Pharmacy for the Entire Family
Local Delivery Available
Old fashioned service in modern times • Our personal service is unmatched!
20% off
Alan Chiet, R.Ph.
Hossein Ejtemai, R.Ph.
Pharmacist
Supplements Year Round
*may not include ALL vitamin lines
Pharmacist
Consult with our Wellness Team
Pharmacist, Clincial Herbalist , Nutritionist and Wellness Advisors • Compounding Specialists • Full Service Pharmacy • Biomimetic Hormone ReplacementTherapy*
PROVIDING: • Veterinary Compounds
• Gluten Free Products
• Herbal/Homeopathic Remedies •We accept most insurance plans • Natural Health and BeautyAids
Requires Valid Physicians Prescription*
KNOWLES APOTHECARY
10400 Connecticut Ave., #100 • Kensington, MD
Front doors welcome residents to The Highlands at Kensington Park Senior Living.
301-942-7979
www.KnowlesWellness.com WE DELIVERY AVAILABLE * LIMITED DELIVERY AREAS • PHARMACIST OWNED & OPERATED 1905401
Residents enjoy a Surf and Turf meal prepared by Chef Luiz Herrera.
NATIONAL MALL • OCTOBER 26 • 9:30 AM
1905446
Gazette.Net
October 2013 | Gazette SENIORS
19
LIVING
STAY SAFE: FIRE SAFETY
BASICS ISTOCKPHOTO/LEESER87
T
BY ARLENE KARIDIS
he majority of fire deaths in Maryland over the last several years have been among those 65 and older, whether due to mobility issues, slow reaction times, or they live alone and may not be able to get help quickly should a fire break out, according to Scott Graham, assistant chief of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS). “As people age and face physical challenges and sensory challenges like hearing and vision impairment, we encourage them to plan ahead to ensure their home is safe,” said Shawn Brennan, program manager for Senior Health Promotion at the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. “Education is a main focus of our senior health promotion program, and it includes referring seniors to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services for home safety checks. Firefighters will make sure smoke detectors work and look for hazards in the home. They may change lightbulbs to ensure people can see so they can get to an exit in an emergency.” There are many ways seniors can be proactive on their own to avoid the 911 call to the fire department—and keep themselves and their homes safe.
20
Gazette SENIORS | October 2013
“The single most important steps you can take to avoid a fire, or to save your life during a fire, are to install residential fire sprinklers as well as working smoke alarms on every level and in every bedroom … Having working smoke alarms doubles your chances of surviving a home fire,” said Graham. Graham advises to replace a smoke alarm if it is more than 10 years old. “The replacement must be an approved sealed battery smoke alarm, meaning it has a 10-year battery,” he said, adding that the package label will specify if the product is a sealed battery smoke alarm. Montgomery County residents can buy these smoke alarms at any hardware store and can call their local firehouse to have it installed at no charge, according to Graham. For seniors with financial need, the firehouse will also provide the alarm itself at no cost. The fire department or MCFRS can also help those with hearing or vision conditions find a vibrating or visual smoke alarm equipped with strobe lights. Maryland citizens will be required by law to have a sealed battery smoke alarm by December 2017, said Graham. In the meantime, he said, the current battery is fine if it works and is less than 10 years old. To ensure the battery works, test it once a year and change it immediately if the unit makes a chirping sound.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS • Install and maintain working smoke alarms and sprinkler system • Take precautions when smoking • Pay attention when cooking • Heat your home safely • Practice electrical safety, e.g., have an electrician inspect your home’s electrical wiring system • Keep matches and lighters away from children • Use candles safely • Know what to do in case of a fire, e.g., practice how you would escape For additional fire prevention information or assistance, call 311 or visit www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe. SOURCE: MONTGOMERY COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE WEBSITE
With winter approaching, MCFRS offers a number of special precautions, posted on their website. For one, do not use gas burners or stoves to warm your home. This precautionary measure is important not only to prevent accidental fire, but to avoid carbon monoxide exposure, explained Graham.
“Have all heating equipment serviced annually. Keep combustibles and anything that can burn or melt away from heaters, furnaces, fireplaces and water heaters,” said Graham. Specifically, curtains, clothing, bedding, gasoline and paint solvents should not be near these appliances and heating systems, he noted. Gazette.Net
LIVING
Tell us a story! Gazette Seniors wants to hear about activities and events for the over-55 crowd.
There should be at least
Email seniors@gazette.net.
3 FEET OF CLEARANCE in all directions around portable space heaters.
“Home Stager & Real Estate Transition Specialist” Do you know someone in transition in the DC Area who needs a Real Estate Advocate? Have them call Alison. A call to Alison is a call to an expert who you can be confident will protect your interests and remove the anxiety from home selling 1890745
Because life is journey, and every home sale transaction is a bridge to the next adventure. Live a life you love!
Cell: 202-360-2136 Office: 202-362-1300 Alison.Tompkins@LNF.com
Tel: 202-362-1300
Check Out These Choices For A New Bathroom... Bring that old bathroom... up to date! Expand your vanity to a two bowl sink. Update your tile. Save money with new water saving fixtures and toilet.
Are you like thousands of seniors that just don’t feel safe climbing in and out of that old tub? Let us convert your old tub into a safer, more accessible Walk-In Shower
Bob says...
We value our customers’ time, so you’ll never get a long drawn out high pressure sales pitch from us. That’s why we have been in business for over 35 years and have over 30,000 satisfied customers. Call us for all your remodeling projects!
ISTOCKPHOTO/CHAS53
There should be at least 3 feet of clearance in all directions around portable space heaters. Filters in furnaces should be changed monthly. Chimneys should be kept clean. And, to prevent scalds, water heater temperatures should be set no higher than 120 degrees, advised Graham. In addition to fire prevention strategies in the cold months, there are precautions (beyond having a working smoke alarm) to take year-round. For instance, keep your home clutter-free. “Residents should dispose of or give away what they don’t need. And they Gazette.Net
should safely store what they hold onto in order to avoid a layout in their homes that could be a fire hazard,” said Graham. Be especially careful when cooking or smoking, if you smoke. In Montgomery County and nationally, most fires are related to accidents while using the stove or oven or smoking, according the Graham. “Keep watch on what you heat when you are cooking. And if you are a smoker, do not smoke in bed or when drowsy. Discard of cigarettes in large, deep ashtrays. Let the contents cool, and douse them with water before you dispose of them,” he said.
ONLY $7,995.
TUB CONVERSION
New toilet, 5 ft. tub in white with new single handle shower diverter, new shower curtain rod, up to 40 sq. ft. 12’x12’ floor tile, up to 50 sq. ft. 12’x12’ wall tile, new sink with faucet & new vanity. (Reg. $9,995)
Any Complete Tub Conversion Project
Complete Bath Remodeling InsulatorsHomeExteriors 301-658-2493
With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Limited Time Offer... So Hurry!
SAVE $250.
InsulatorsHomeExteriors 301-658-2493
With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Limited Time Offer... So Hurry!
CALL TODAY! 301-658-2493 15430-D Columbia Pike Burtonsville, MD 20866
MHIC#7890 • DC#399 • VA Class A #021586A
Visit our website for fall savings on our full line of home services www.insulatorshomeexteriors.com/seniorspecial
NEW! Kitchen Remodeling Starting As Low As
$8,995.
1905451
October 2013 | Gazette SENIORS
21
LIVING
&
DEATH
DIGITAL
ASSETS u What happens to your online accounts? BY KAREN FINUCAN CLARKSON
D
isposing of assets upon your death is, for the most part, relatively straightforward—unless they happen to be digital. Company policies and federal law combine to restrict who can acquire or tap into your digital assets, regardless of your written wishes. “Our laws haven’t quite caught up with the technology yet,” said AnneW. Coventry, an estate planning attorney with Pasternak & Fidis, P.C. in Bethesda. Often, “there isn’t any mechanism for those who succeed you to gain lawful access” to your digital assets. An exact definition of a digital asset is difficult to provide given how fast technology changes, according to Coventry. But, the list includes: hardware—such as a computer, tablet or smartphone— as well as email; text messages; social media profiles and posts; digital photos and videos you have taken; online sales, purchasing and storage accounts; Web pages; blogs; and domain names. What doesn’t make the list is your iTunes collection or that e-book library you downloaded from Amazon.com, said Sharon D. Nelson, president of Sensei Enterprises Inc., a digital forensics and information technology and security firm in Fairfax,Va. “What you purchased was a license, which is not transferable,” unlike a CD or book. “Some people with expensive collections want to pass them down,” said Samantha M. Musso, a Fairfax,Va., estate planning attorney in private practice.“But, because you only have a license, you can’t share. Unfortunately, there’s no solution for it. It’s right there in the terms of service (ToS).” If you are like most people, “you just blindly click ‘accept’ and agree without reading the terms of service, which gov-
22
Gazette SENIORS | October 2013
ISTOCKPHOTO/REYFEBRUARY
ern everything,” said Coventry. And, they also generally prohibit anyone else—including “a fiduciary appointed by the probate court or your spouse, even if they have your permission and password,” she said—from using your banking, brokerage, bill-pay, email and social media accounts.
The proliferation of online bank and
credit card statements and bill pay has complicated the job of many estate executors because those statements are hidden from view, said Deborah G. Matthews, a former co-chair of the Fairfax Bar Association’sWills,Trusts and Estates Law Section and an attorney in private practice in Alexandria,Va. “I encourage clients with online access to bank and financial accounts to not opt out of paper statements, even if they get them and just throw them away,” she said. Prompt access to the deceased’s email account can help the fiduciary pay bills on time, identify bank and brokerage accounts, and uncover other assets with sentimental or financial value, said Coventry. But, she warned, “While having the username and password means you can access the account, it doesn’t necessarily give you the legal authority to do so … So we’re in this gray area
where the fiduciary has an obligation to get in and gain access to things so he can start paying bills, but we’re tying his hands.” In addition to ToS restrictions, federal anti-hacking laws make unauthorized access to online accounts a crime, said Coventry.While all 50 states have criminal laws prohibiting unauthorized access to electronic data, only seven have enacted laws that allow an executor, fiduciary or personal representative “to get some control of your digital life,” she said. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t look the same in each state.” On July 1, a Virginia law took effect allowing the personal representative of a deceased minor to gain access to the child’s online accounts. “The law was intended to be much broader,” said Sensei’s Nelson, also president of the Virginia State Bar, but the original bill was withdrawn after opposition was voiced by groups such as Google, AOL and the motion picture industry. A bill in the Maryland Senate that would have allowed a personal representative to access a decedent’s “social networking website, microblogging or short message service website, or electronic mail service website” received an unfavorable committee report back in February.
“A lot of states are on hold right now, waiting to see the result of a uniform law that’s being worked on,” said Musso. The Uniform Law Commission (ULC) has circulated for comment a proposed bill that would give fiduciaries the authority to access, manage, distribute, copy or delete digital assets. Its goal is to have a final version ready for voluntary adoption by the states sometime in mid2014, according to Musso.
In the meantime, some websites have
begun exploring options for limited account access upon the death of a subscriber. Google’s Inactive Account Manager is a model, according to Musso. “You can designate that, after a certain period of inactivity, Google can close your account or contact individuals and provide access to it,” she said. Google’s approach avoids violations of privacy rights “by giving you control over who has access.” That doesn’t mean your trusted contacts will be able to send emails from the account, said Nelson. What they gain access to is your Gmail correspondence, YouTube videos or Picasa photo albums, depending on what you specify. Gazette.Net
LIVING Twitter claims it will “work with a person authorized to act on the behalf of the estate or with a verified immediate family member of the deceased to have an account deactivated” and spells out the required documentation on its website. It will not, however, “provide account access to anyone regardless of his or her relationship to the deceased.” Facebook—which is “the largest cemetery in the world,” according to Nelson, with an estimated 30 million accounts belonging to deceased individuals—will either delete or memorialize a person’s page.The latter allows friends to post messages of remembrance but prohibits access, according to Facebook’s policy on the website.
Given the current state of flux in regard
to digital assets, Coventry and other lawyers have begun adding language to “wills— mostly out of an abundance of hopefulness—that allows the executor to access accounts while holding harmless the online service provider,” she said. “It’s all we can do since there’s no clear answer.” More than permission is needed to access online accounts. Executors need to know the website address, as well as your username, password, PIN and answers to security questions. “The most important and fundamental thing you can do is to make an inventory,” said Matthews. “The first challenge is making it complete. The other is keeping it current.” Given that the average person has 25 passwords, according to a prefatory note in the ULC draft legislation, “It may take a while to remember all the accounts you have,” said Musso.The goal is to “identify everything from your email to your online banking to your utility accounts.” The format you choose to record the information should be simple to use and secure. And, because passwords should be updated with some regularity, the list should be easily accessible. Matthews has one client who uses an old-fashioned address book to track accounts and passwords. Coventry suggests that clients maintain an electronic file with all the required information and save it to a flash drive that is encrypted with a complex password. Store the flash drive in a safe-deposit box or other secure location and give the password to your probate attorney. Then, in a document separate from, but kept with, your will, indicate where the password and USB drive can be found.The approach is akin to
a “treasure hunt,” said Coventry, eventually leading an executor to your digital assets. Passwords should never be included in a will as it is a public document, said Coventry. Another option is to store your digital inventory online.“Most of these websites have state-of-the-art security,” said Coventry. And,“each time you change a password you can, at the same sitting, go in and update it online.There are even websites that reach in and automatically update the cloud.”
“I encourage clients with online access to bank and financial accounts to
NOT OPT OUT OF PAPER STATEMENTS,
even if they get them and just throw them away.” - Deborah G. Matthews
A popular password-management website is Fairfax-based LastPass.com, according to Nelson. The beauty, she said, is you only need to remember one, albeit it complex, password to retrieve and update all your passwords. The downside is that because some of these kinds of companies are start-ups, they might not be in business when your executor needs to access your data, said Coventry.
Once an executor has accessed your
online accounts, he will need to know what to do with them. “Spend a little time and say exactly what you want to happen to each account,” said Musso. And, because online providers may change the allowable options, update your wishes accordingly. While rules pertaining to digital assets differ greatly from those governing physical assets, both may have sentimental value. In such cases, digital assets should be preserved to the extent that law and circumstances allow, said Coventry. Today, leather photo albums have been replaced with slideshows on Snapfish.com. Family trees are no longer hand drawn, but displayed graphically on Ancestory.com. Blogs have superseded diaries, and emails and text messages have supplanted letters.When even part of a person’s life story can be told by these digital assets, their loss, said Coventry, can be devastating to loved ones. 1894531
Gazette.Net
October | Gazette SENIORS
23
HEALTH
NEED HELP HEARING? u Seniors can get assistance with hearing aid options BY MARY WADE BURNSIDE
W
hen Lynn Perlroth gets a call, her telephone displays captions that help her figure out exactly what the caller is saying. “With some of the earlier devices, there was a person in between the two parties, so one party who did not have a captioned phone would speak and a relay operator would type a message and it could be read on a captioned phone,” said Perlroth. As technology has improved, however, so have assistive devices that can help those with hearing loss. Telephones can ring louder or have controls that make the volume louder than a standard phone. People with hearing loss can get alarm clocks that vibrate, light up and have extra loud ringers—or all three.There are also smoke detectors and doorbells that do the same thing, according to Perlroth. “All these devices can serve individuals who have varying degrees of loss,” said Perlroth, 71, of Rockville, who said she has experienced some hearing loss as she has aged. Perlroth volunteers at Holiday Park Multiservice Senior Center in Wheaton, which hosts a Hearing Assistive Devices Center two Tuesdays a month.The center gives seniors the opportunity to ask questions and find out about products that can help them cope with hearing loss.
“It’s devoted to demonstrating and providing information about different devices that can help people who have trouble hearing,” said Perlroth, who, before retirement, was a licensed certified audiologist at the University of Maryland Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences. The Holiday Park program can help people in a variety of situations, including those who have some hearing loss but are not ready for hearing aids yet to those who have hearing aids and still require additional help, according to Perlroth.Volunteers at the center also can help seniors navigate the process of getting a hearing aid and other equipment, although devices are not available at Holiday Park. “We don’t sell anything, although we have different devices that people can try out,” Perlroth said. “Typically we give them a packet that includes different information about the different devices and what they can do. We’ll also give them a couple of catalogs and a list of places to find the different devices.” Certain hearing devices allow users to hear better when watching television or listening to a speaker at an event with a large number of people attending. “There are devices such as an FM system, which can help with just about any listening situation, but can also be especially effective if someone is using it [either] with or without a hearing aid,” said Perlroth. The FM or frequency modulation devices tune in to a band that has been reserved for people with hearing loss. In the instance of hearing a speaker at an event, the speaker would need to wear a small microphone to make the device work, noted Perlroth. “It depends on how comfortable you are,” she said. “If you are in a
ISTOCKPHOTO/STEVELUKER
24
Gazette SENIORS | October 2013
COMSTOCK/THINKSTOCK
conversation with someone, you could ask them to use the transmitter. If you’re in a small group, if you put the transmitter and the microphone in the middle of the table and wear the receiver, you can hear people around the table without passing it around.” These devices can be used by people who wear hearing aids or even by those who might not need them yet.Those without hearing aids, however, should seek out a qualified and reputable professional to help them, advised Perlroth, such as an audiologist. According to Sharon Palmer, a doctor of audiology and a clinical assistant professor at the University of Maryland in College Park, audiologists, at one time, did not fit people for hearing aids. “It was thought to be a conflict of interest,” she said. However, through the years, that mindset has changed. “The audiologist is the person who has the most experience.” There are people who fit hearing aids who are not audiologists, a title that now requires a doctorate in the state of Maryland, according to Palmer. Practicing audiologists with a master’s degree have been grandfathered. And some of those without an audiology degree can be qualified to do the job, too, Palmer said. “It’s a difference in training,” she said. “The parallel would be, you can go to an optometrist or you can go to an ophthalmologist.The audiologist has the most education, but there are some people who aren’t audiologists who have been fitting hearing aids for years.” A qualified professional will be up on the latest technology, and in the field of assistive hearing devices, devices can be updated as quickly as smartphones and computers. Likewise, when it comes to hearing aids, a variety of choices exist, both in models and what they do. Many seniors may need help deciding what would work best for them. First, an audiologist will test a patient’s hearing to see how much loss there is and try to get to the root of it, said S. Jane Kirksey, an audiologist at Gazette.Net
HEALTH
[For Women Only]
Tired of fine, thinning hair?
We have the solution!
The Volumizer Experience the physical and emotional transformation you’ve been searching for. STOCKBYTE/THINKSTOCK
Have your hearing tested in your 50s so there are baseline results for an audiologist to consider if your hearing becomes impaired later in life.
Hearing HealthCare Inc., with offices in Wheaton and Rockville. Hearing loss can affect people at any age, but as one gets older, the fibers at the base of the cochlea can wear down and begin to affect an individual’s ability to hear. “It’s a gradual process,” Kirksey said. “It happens very slowly when you start losing it. It’s not that you just don’t hear people or hear things. It may be that you don’t hear certain frequencies, which may result in not understanding people. “It’s not unusual for people to say, ‘If people would quit mumbling, I could understand them.’” Kirksey recommends that people in their 50s have their hearing tested. This way, an audiologist will have a baseline score to look at in the future if one’s hearing begins to dwindle. When a person comes to her office with a hearing problem, Kirksey conducts an interview to get the patient’s family history and also does an exam to make sure that a physical problem—such as fluid in the ears or wax buildup—is not impeding hearing. There are multiple styles of hearing aids from which to choose, said Kirksey. “Do you want them to sit in the ear, down in the canal? Are they going to fit outside your ear, up over your ear, which are quite popular now?” Many hearing aids are now digital, Gazette.Net
as opposed to analog, which only amplifies sounds. “That allows the audiologist to program them much more individually,” Perlroth said. Some hearing aids can help the wearer discern between the sounds they want to listen to, such as people talking, and background noises. That can push the price up for a hearing aid, Kirksey said. “Hearing aids are a reflection of the computer industry,” she said. “You can buy a little computer that costs $100 or one that costs thousands of dollars.” One can buy a hearing aid for $29.95, but, “If you have something that is amplifying everything, it’s going to make everything louder.” The devices are priced per hearing aid, according to Kirksey, but usually it is best to buy one for each ear. “The human brain is set up for two ears. Unless you have a hearing loss in only one ear, which is very unusual, ears generally change as a pair,” she said. “They age together as your body ages, so as a whole, you’re better off getting a pair.When I quote prices to seniors, it’s generally for a pair.” High-end devices, she said, may cost $6,500 for a set that has Bluetooth capabilities to allow the hearing aid to link with a mobile phone. “The technology has grown by leaps and bounds ... and it’s increasing people’s ability to hear,” said Kirksey.
“Turn your selfconsciousness into self-confidence.” • Affordable with minimum maintenance • Instant volume, density, texture, & color • No glue, adhesives, or chemicals • All natural • Lightweight/ undetectable • Not a wig or hairpiece
www.progressions.com 12211 Nebel Street • Rockville, Maryland 20852 (301) 231-8757 1894532
October 2013 | Gazette SENIORS
25
FINANCES
16
QUESTIONS
TO ASK YOUR AGING PARENTS BY KAREN FINUCAN CLARKSON
Y
our parents may seem confident that their legal and financial affairs are in order and that their last wishes have been spelled out. But if you don’t know what they are or, at a minimum, where to find that information, there is a chance those wishes may go unheeded. “Having a conversation with your parents early on is important because, once they start to decline, it may be difficult to get the information or make appropriate arrangements,” said Rhonda A. Miller, managing partner with Matsen, Miller, Cossa & Gray, PLLC, an estate-planning and elder-law firm in Fairfax, Va. By asking questions now, you can identify issues and shortcomings, avoiding family strife later on.
1
Do you have a will and who is the executor?
If the answer is yes, you need to know where to find the original, said Sigrid C. Haines, a health care and elder law attorney with Lerch, Early and Brewer, Chtd. in Bethesda. “While it’s nice to know the contents, it’s essential to know where the original is kept—with their lawyer or in a certain cabinet in the house. Just make sure it’s not in a safe-deposit box,” she said. Even if the box is jointly held, there can be delays in gaining access when one of the renters dies. “If they have a will, ask how old it is,” said Miller. “They may not have updated it since the children were born ... If the document is old, it could be the person named as executor is not a child, but a brother or sister, who could be deceased.”
26
Gazette SENIORS | October 2013
COMSTOCK/THINKSTOCK
In a large family, it’s not unusual for parents to use birth order to determine the executor. “But if the eldest lives out of state, that’s not optimal,” said Miller. In such cases, “Virginia law requires that they post bond and hire a local attorney.” If there is no will or if the document was done with software or online, it might make sense to have a lawyer draw up a will. It is not unusual “for the kids to pool their resources and have one done by a lawyer,” said Miller.
2
Do you have a durable power of attorney and who is the individual named to handle your financial affairs?
Because a durable power of attorney allows someone to act on your parent’s behalf and remains in effect if he or she becomes incapacitated, “It’s important to name someone trustworthy,” said Haines, “and that may not be a best friend or oldest child.” Your parent should check with the individual he or she wants to serve as the
Gazette.Net
FINANCES agent; the decision to accept such an appointment is voluntary. And, name someone as a backup. “Agents can get sick and die or have their own problems” and be unable to serve.Without a backup, the decision as to who would act on your parent’s behalf lies with the court. A durable power of attorney written in Virginia before 2012 should be updated, according to Miller. “Virginia adopted a uniform power of attorney act and there are new requirements.The biggest issue has to do with the power to sell real property,” she said. Also, don’t confuse a limited power of attorney with a durable one. For example, “If your dad was in the military and being deployed, he might have granted a limited power of attorney” to handle a specific transaction in his absence, said Miller. “He might not realize he needs something more.”
3
Do you have an advance medical directive and who is named to make medical decisions on your behalf?
A health care agent should be “someone who will thoughtfully balance your parent’s needs with whatever instructions there are and have a rational conversation with doctors about what’s in his or her best in-
terest, given the stated philosophy,” said Haines. The individual may be different from those named as executor or financial agent. Because this document may be needed spur of the moment, it should be “readily accessible. In fact, it’s a good idea to sprinkle a few copies around,” said Haines. As with a durable power of attorney, naming a backup agent is wise. Don’t forget a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) waiver, otherwise physicians will be unable to share medical information with loved ones, noted Miller. Without such information, the health care agent may find it more difficult to make appropriate decisions on your parent’s behalf.
4
What insurance do you have and are your beneficiaries up to date?
“I often wonder how much money insurance companies get to keep” from policies that go unclaimed, said Haines. While your parents may be hesitant to tell you who they have named as beneficiaries of their life insurance policies, “they should let you know what policies they have and where they are kept.” Also ask about any health, disability, long-term care, car and homeowner insurance, advised Miller. Should a
parent become incapacitated, premiums on these policies will need to be paid if they are to remain in effect.
5
What financial accounts do you have?
The list should include all bank, brokerage and retirement accounts, as well as pension plans. Be sure you have the names of the financial institutions and account numbers. If your parents have online access to these accounts, suggest that they keep a secure list of usernames and passwords, although you legally may be prohibited from accessing the accounts online (see article on page 22). Ask your parents if they have any automatic debits and, if so, by which company, how often and in what amount.
6
Do you have any significant debt?
While a “reverse mortgage, big car loan or house loan will show up sooner or later, better that you know about it sooner,” before it is in default, said Haines. That way “someone can pick up the phone and call the banks to say, ‘We’re working on it.’” continued on page 28
Dr. Gautam Siram is a fellowship trained hip and knee reconstruction surgeon. His expertise includes the muscle sparing anterior approach for hip replacement surgery with the use of the specialized Hana table. In addition, he has also received advanced training in minimally invasive partial and total knee replacements and complex hip and knee revision/redo surgeries.
1905447
Gazette.Net
October 2013 | Gazette SENIORS
27
FINANCES QUESTIONS, continued from 27
11
“You also need to know what credit cards they use,” said Miller. This is especially important if your parents opt for electronic statements and don’t also receive them in the mail, something many estate lawyers, including Miller and Haines, advise against. When it comes to debt, don’t forget to ask your parents, “Have you loaned anyone money?” said Miller, or “Have you invested in any businesses?”
Not just to the safe-deposit box, but to the house, vacation house, car and any other motorized vehicle (motorcycle, snowmobile, boat, etc.)
7
Are you working with any financial or legal advisers?
A list with names and contact information should suffice. Your parents’ lawyer may have the original copy of their will and their accountant “will have copies of tax returns, 1099s and other statements that contain a wealth of information,” said Haines.
8
If you can’t stay in your home for the rest of your life, where do you want to live?
There are more options today than ever before, noted Miller. “Continuing care housing is a great option, but your parents have to get in there while they’re still healthy. So you want to explore these types of living arrangements early on,” she said. And, if your parents expect to eventually live with you or another child, it is better to know that now.
9
What is your Social Security number?
“It’s useful for getting them Social Security benefits,” said Haines. “It’s also tied to Medicare benefits and, often, life insurance.” “Not only do you need the Social Security number, but your mother’s maiden name” and any other information required to complete a death certificate, said Miller. “Make sure you can fill in all the blanks.”
10
Do you have a safe-deposit box?
If so, ask your parents whether anyone else has access. Having another name on the account, whether or not that individual has a key, is a good idea, agree Haines and Miller. While it’s helpful to know where the key is kept, “We can always get a court order to drill into it if we know [the safe-deposit box] is there,” said Haines. Take the opportunity to remind your parents that a safe-deposit box is not the place to keep important documents, such as a will, durable power of attorney or advance medical directive. Also inquire as to whether there is a safe in the house. If so, said Miller, ask where you can find the combination.
28
Gazette SENIORS | October 2013
Where are the keys?
12
Where do you keep your legal, financial, tax and insurance paperwork?
“Not in the safe-deposit box,” said Haines. “Best is with a lawyer or a magic drawer in your house that someone knows to go to.” If your parents are concerned about privacy and sharing the contents of the will, it can be put in a sealed envelope. Alternatively, a copy of the will can be put in the envelope with a note saying the original is on file with the law firm. A new wallet-size card can allow medical professionals to access your parent’s advance medical directive in case of an emergency, according to Miller. The card, such as one offered by the Medic-Alert Foundation, describes how to access advance directives either by phone or online 24/7. The state of Virginia offers a free, secure, online registry (www.virginiaregistry.org) where directives and other medical information can be stored for eventual access by health care providers.The state then issues registrants a card that includes the name and phone of an emergency contact and names of a primary care physician and preferred hospital.
13
Who is your doctor and what prescription medications are you taking?
You should know who your parents’ primary care physicians are and how to reach them, said Miller. It could be helpful to have a list of specialists, such as a cardiologist or neurologist, that they see regularly. If they are unclear about medications, help them get a list from their physician, suggested Haines. Then check with them to make sure they understand why they are taking the drugs and what the possible side effects are, and ascertain whether they actually have been taking them.
14
Are you an organ donor?
While this information can be found on a driver’s license, some parents don’t drive or have surrendered their license. And, “even though the law allows them to make
COMSTOCK/THINKSTOCK
organ donations without permission of next of kin, almost every medical provider will ask next of kin,” said Haines.
15
Have arrangements been made for a memorial service, burial or cremation?
“Sometimes we assume our parents want certain things and they don’t, so it’s important to ask,” said Miller. “Find out if they already have a cemetery plot. If they were in the military, do they want to be buried in a national cemetery and have a military funeral?” And, she said, discuss practices common to their religion. “If your parents are Jewish, do they want you to observe shivah? If they’re Catholic, do they want last rites and a mass? Should the casket be open or closed? This is a difficult but important discussion.”
16
Do you have any prized or unusual possessions that need to be disposed of with care?
You don’t want to be left with something you don’t know how to care for or what to do with, said Haines. Examples include a yacht or a horse. Talk with your parents about where these assets are kept—such as a marina or barn—and who has access to them and is providing maintenance or care. In the case of an animal, your parents might want to consider a pet trust to ensure continuing care after their death, she said.
Gazette.Net
LIVING KENSINGTON, continued from 18 residents, both couples and singles. There are 62 assisted living apartments in The Woodlands, and 52 in the different levels of memory care in The Groves, Connections and Haven. The studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments are all rentals and may be customized and personalized depending on need. “Our primary focus is independent living, with the added bonus of assisted living and memory care, if needed. Everyone has elbow room and there are many pockets of people who enjoy each other,” said Duncan. Independent living residents have weekly housekeeping services and complimentary laundry facilities on every floor. There is an on-site beauty/ barber salon, a library and a movie theater. Pets are permitted for owners able to care for them. Residents in assisted living receive help tailored to their individual needs, while maintaining their own level of independence.
Albert and Anne Fishman, who had lived in Potomac since 1965, moved to Kensington Park in June.When they decided it was time to relocate to a retirement community, they chose Kensington Park for its smaller size and because one of their two children lives in nearby Takoma Park. “We particularly like our apartment and its large 25-by-18-foot living room,” said Albert Fishman, who also commented on the “excellent” food and said they were getting to know people. The Fishmans enjoy “the current events discussions once a week, the musical programs, the Residents’ Social at 3 p.m. daily in the Bistro and the ice cream socials.” Restaurant-style dinners are served in the dining room, enabling residents to enjoy leisurely meals in the company of new friends. The independent living apartments include kitchens, though a continental breakfast and dinner are provided. Assisted living and memory care residents receive three meals daily.
Residents can relax outside on the porch.
continued on page 30
Independent Living with a new look Ring House
301.816.5012
Affordable Independence
Revitz House
301.770.8450
Personalized Assisted Living
Landow House
301.816.5050
Outstanding Rehab & Recovery
Hebrew Home
301.770.8476
Outpatient Senior Medical Care
Hirsh Health Center
301.816.5004
Respectful Long-Term Care
Hebrew Home
301.770.8476
New Memory Care Residence
Cohen-Rosen House
301.816.5050
1907043
1907458
1907043
Gazette.Net
October 2013 | Gazette SENIORS
29
LIVING KENSINGTON, continued from 29 “We do wonderful special dinner events like the Surf and Turf and the Champagne Brunch once a month,” said Duncan. “We had no idea what a retirement place would be like,” said Albert Fishman, who likes that the community has Catholic, Protestant and Jewish religious services. “We still drive, so we can go places.” In fact, he still works in sales for a dental supply company. Anne Fishman, a retired high school Spanish teacher, said, “Happiness is being retired with no more papers to correct.” For residents who do not drive, a car and a van are available for day trips, shopping, medical care and appointments. Popular activities include musical programs, a Sunday lecture series, a variety of exercise programs like strength training, a bridge group and Brain Aerobics. “Genesis Rehabilitation Services, located on-site, has rehabilitation equip-
Residents and guests can enjoy Kensington Park's Bistro.
ment, (private-pay) personal fitness sessions and also offers monthly seminars,” said Duncan. Resident Roger Miller has been retired for more than 20 years. Previously a writer who did editorial work for the government, he said he particularly enjoys
the exercise activities and movies. He has lived at Kensington Park for two-and-ahalf years, having moved from another community after his wife passed away. “It’s very good, no question about it,” said Miller. “The place is beautiful and the people are congenial for the most part.”
The mix of residents includes “those from the Washington metropolitan area, some originally from the area who moved away and are now back, and many from out of town who moved here because they have children living nearby,” said Duncan. Longtime resident Eileen Manuel, who has lived at Kensington Park for more than 10 years, appreciates the community’s small size and atmosphere. “I grew up in and around NewYork City, lived in Cleveland for 50 years, but moved here to be closer to my daughter, who lives in Silver Spring,” she said. A participant in the exercise classes, who also attends lectures and music programs, Manuel said, “They keep us entertained quite a bit. You can be busy or not, as you wish.” Kensington Park Senior Living 3620 Littledale Road Kensington 20895 301-946-7700 301-929-4030 (fax) www.kensingtonretirement.com
1894480
30
Gazette SENIORS | October 2013
Gazette.Net
1890681
Gazette.Net
October 2013 | Gazette SENIORS
31
1895333
32
Gazette SENIORS | October 2013