October 2015 | Baltimore Beacon

More than 125,000 readers throughout Greater BaltimoreVOL.12, NO.10

I N F O C U S F O R P E O P L E O V E R 5 0OCTOBER 2015

I N S I D E …

F R E E

By Dahna M. ChandlerLike other aging adults with disabilities,

Maryland’s military veterans — whetheror not their disabilities were acquired inservice — often require specialized,round-the-clock, long-term care. In manycases, they receive this care in institutionalsettings like nursing homes and hospitals.That is especially true of those requiringcare for dementia, strokes and other majorhealth challenges. But for veterans who are eligible, there

is an alternative. The Veteran’s Adminis-tration Medical Foster Home programmakes it possible for veterans across thenation to get care in a private home. “Veterans are carefully matched with

rigorously qualified private caregivers whohave opened their homes specifically tocare for veterans,” said Nicole Trimble, co-ordinator for Maryland’s Medical FosterHome Program. “Since the formation ofthe program, 21 Maryland veterans havebeen placed in five homes between Balti-more and Cecil County.”The program provides a safe home-like

environment with a caregiver, and is aneconomical long-term care alternative forveterans who are unable to live independ-ently. The VA began the Medical FosterHome Program in 1999, and it has expand-ed to 80 areas. The Maryland programbegan in June.

A welcoming new homeOne of the veterans benefiting from this

innovative program is Peter Samaras, adisabled 61-year-old U.S. Army veteranwho served in Thailand from 1972 to 1975.Samaras, formerly a resident of a veteran’slong-term care facility, now lives full-timein the Edgewood home of caregiverPatrice Taylor, along with another veteran. “I really like it here,” Samaras said. “I

get good meals, I get along with the otherveteran, and I get treated well.” Like all vets in the program, he attends

adult day care two days weekly, and getsregular field trips provided by Taylor orthe program.Samaras also receives any necessary

supplementary care from the VA itself by aHome-Based Primary Care Team whosestaff makes regular visits to the home.

Each team consists of a nurse practitioner,nurse, social worker, nutritionist, psychol-ogist, pharmacist and kinesiotherapist(who provides exercise therapy and helpsget vets adaptive equipment and devices). “Anytime I or the veterans need any-

thing,” said Taylor, “the VA is right there. Idon’t have to wait days to hear from some-body. They respond to me right away andget us whatever we need.“The VA has really tried to support and

wrap services around the caregivers tomeet our needs, too. They always havesomeone to call for assistance.”

Like family Trimble, in addition to holding a mas-

ter’s degree in social work and serving as

the program’s coordinator since 2012,serves as its recreational therapist. Shebegan working for the agency in 2004.Her grandfather also worked for the VA.“All of the men in my life were veter-

ans,” Trimble said. “So I’ve always beendrawn to giving back to the men andwomen who have put their lives on the linefor our country.”Foster home caregiver Taylor — who is

a medication-certified CNA (certified nurs-ing assistant) with nine years of caregivingexperience, including caring for veterans— feels the same way as Trimble. “I’ve always been a caregiver, and it’s a

special honor to serve those who served our

A Veterans Administration program helps vets with disabilities find foster caregiverswho will house and care for them at a reasonable cost. The program has recently ex-panded to the Baltimore area, which was a help for Richard Meleski, whose wife isno longer able to care for him herself. Homeowner/caregivers are also being soughtfor the program.

See VETERANS, page 10

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page 19

While the month of May is known asU.S. Older Americans Month, the monthof October is the metro area’sMonth of 50+Expos.Over a 12-day period this

October, there will be 5 daysof entertaining and informa-tive events within easy driv-ing distance of Baltimore resi-dents who are over 50 or lovesomeone who is.Toward the end of the

month, the Baltimore CountyDepartment of Aging pres-ents its annual two-day extrav-aganza at the Maryland StateFairgrounds in Timonium. The Baby Boomer and Senior Expo will

take place Wednesday, October 28 (9 a.m.to 7 p.m.) and Thursday, October 29 (9

a.m. to 4 p.m.) at the Cow Palace on thefairgrounds.

The event features every-thing but cows. There will behundreds of exhibitors, nu-merous speakers and exer-cise demonstrations, vaccina-tions and health screenings,an art fair, an employmentfair, and a Veteran ResourceMuster, with resources andreferrals for veterans want-ing to know more about theirbenefits. Enter tainment includes

music for dancing as well asfor listening, including the

Mahoney Brothers, who will be impersonat-ing the Beatles, Neil Diamond, Elvis, EltonJohn and more on Oct. 28 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Admission is $2; free with your donationof two cans of nonperishable food. Formore information, see the ad on the backpage of this issue.

In Howard CountyJust next door in Howard County, on

Friday, Oct. 16, is the Howard County50Plus Expo, taking place at Wilde LakeHigh School in Columbia.Thousands attend the event each year,

to speak with representatives of over 150organizations and businesses who exhibitand provide free information and give-aways. There are also speakers on a variety of

topics, all-day entertainment, flu vaccines,health screenings and more.The expo runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ad-

mission is $1 (new this year), and there isa free shuttle bus from parking areas at theColumbia Mall.

Beacon ExposAnd the Beacon is proud to present our

16th annual 50+Expos, taking place at loca-tions in Maryland and Virginia. And, un-like the events above, these occur on theweekends, for those of you who may workor are otherwise occupied during theweek.On Sunday, October 18, our 50+Expo will

be at the Silver Spring Civic Center indowntown Silver Spring from noon until 4p.m.As at the other expos around the region,

you can obtain health screenings and a flushot, pick up information from (and askquestions of) dozens of government agen-cies and nonprofit organizations, and visitbooths of area businesses providing serv-ices and products of special interest to

older adults and their families. Many ofthem will also be offering free giveawaysand holding prize drawings. And we willhave live entertainment and door prizes aswell. Microsoft will be offering an opportuni-

ty to learn to use its Surface tablet devicein our computer education lab, and ourkeynote speaker, Tammy Darvish, will bespeaking about mid-life career change. Our N. Virginia expo takes place the fol-

lowing Sunday, October 25, again fromnoon to 4 p.m., on the third level of Ball-ston Mall (near the movie theatre) in Ar-lington, Va.Almost everything from our Silver

Spring Expo will be found at our Ballstonevent: nonprofit and government re-sources, businesses, entertainment, healthscreenings, etc. Our keynote speaker there, however,

will be Gail Sheehy, journalist, lecturer andbest-selling author of 17 books, includingPassages — named by the Library of Con-gress as one of the 10 most influentialbooks of our times. Sheehy will be speaking about her latest

book, a memoir called Daring: My Pas-sages. She will also speak about her newDaring Project, for which she is interview-ing women from around the country abouttheir most daring moments and wherethey led. So much to see and do in October! I

hope you will look for the Beacon at allthese events, and I invite you to visit one(or both) of our own 50+Expos this year. Ifyou do, please come up to me to say hello.

Get expos-ed in October

2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com OCTOBE R 2 0 1 5 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

BeaconThe

I N F O C U S F O R P E O P L E O V E R 5 0

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915(410) 248-9101 • Email: [email protected]: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 1st of themonth preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 1st of the month preceding the monthof publication. See page 27 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

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Publication of advertising contained herein doesnot necessarily con sti tute en dorse ment. Signed col -umns represent the opinions of the writers, and notnecessarily the opinion of the publisher.

• Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal• Associate Publisher..............Judith K. Rosenthal• Vice President, Operations........Gordon Hasenei• Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel• Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King• Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben• Contributing Editor..........................Carol Sorgen• Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory• Advertising Representatives ............Steve Levin, ........................................................................Jill Joseph

• Editorial Assistant ........................Rebekah Sewell

FROM THEPUBLISHERBy Stuart P. Rosenthal

Letters to the editorReaders 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 [email protected]. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

Dear Editor:Great to know we have an advocate in

Annapolis, Rona Kramer, Maryland’s Sec-retary of Aging. (“Secretary off to a run-ning start,” August cover). Her efforts onbehalf of Maryland’s older residents is tobe commended.But she is missing an important point —

namely, we seniors still have so much tooffer. I’m tired of being marginalized at a time

when we baby boomers might once againcontribute to the general welfare of thestate of Maryland, our country and theworld. It is getting tiresome to peruse themany articles about my demographic, dis-missing or ignoring our contributions totoday’s lifestyle. We still have much toteach and achieve.Rona Kramer’s brother pointed out that

his “main focus” was the “protection of ourstate’s seniors.” Too bad he didn’t say hisfocus was communication with Maryland’solder demographic, discovering ways tomake us part of the conversation. Throughout history, seniors have been

listened to and respected. Sadly, in today’scommercial lust for the consumer dollar,our voices, opinions and concepts aredrowned out in the name of profit. It’s time older folks, who have been

through so much and who have been re-sponsible for so many of the benefitstoday’s Millennials enjoy, have their voicesreturned.Hopefully, Secretary Kramer will read

this letter. I definitely plan to volunteer —please stay posted.

Rosalind Ellis HeidBaltimore

MARYLAND RENAISSANCE FEST

Step back into medieval times at the annual Maryland Renais-

sance Festival, 1821 Crownsville Rd. in Annapolis, through Oct. 25. Tickets start

at $20 for those 62+. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit

www.rennfest.com or call (410) 266-7304.

BEACON BITS

Oct.

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — O C TOBE R 2 0 1 5 Say you saw it in the Beacon 3

By Lauran NeergaardTo sleep, perchance to... ward off Alz-

heimer’s? New research suggests poor sleepmay increase people’s risk of Alzheimer’sdisease by spurring a brain-clogging gunkthat, in turn, further interrupts shut-eye. Disrupted sleep may be one of the miss-

ing pieces in explaining how a hallmark ofAlzheimer’s — a sticky protein called beta-amyloid — starts its damage long beforepeople have trouble with memory, re-searchers reported at the Alzheimer’s Asso-ciation International Conference recently. “It’s very clear that sleep disruption is an

underappreciated factor,” said Dr. MatthewWalker of the University of California,Berkeley, who presented data linking amy-loid levels with people’s sleep and memoryperformance. “It’s a new player on the scenethat increases risk of Alzheimer’s disease.” Sleep problems are treatable. A key next

question is whether improving sleep canmake a difference in protecting seniors’brains. “Sleep is a modifiable factor. It’s anew treatment target,” Walker said. Enough sleep is important for good

health generally — seven to eight hours anight are recommended for adults. When

it comes to the brain, scientists have longknown that people who don’t get enoughsleep have trouble learning and focusing. And anyone who’s cared for someone

with dementia knows the nightly wander-ing and other sleep disturbances that pa-tients often suffer, long thought to be aconsequence of the dying brain cells.

Preventing memoriesThe new research suggests that sleep

problems actually interact with some ofthe disease processes involved inAlzheimer’s, and that those toxic proteinsin turn affect the deep sleep that’s so im-portant for memory formation. “It may be a vicious cycle,” said Dr.

Miroslaw Mackiewicz of the National Insti-tute on Aging, who wasn’t part of the newwork. Walker’s team gave PET scans to 26

cognitively healthy volunteers in their 70sto measure build-up of that gunky amyloid.They were given words to memorize, andtheir brain waves were measured as theyslept overnight. The more amyloid people harbored in a

particular brain region, the less deep sleep

they got — and the more they forgotovernight, Walker said. Their memoriesweren’t transferred properly from thebrain’s short-term memory bank intolonger-term storage. What’s the risk over time? Two sleep

studies tracked nearly 6,000 people over fiveyears, and found those who had poor sleepquality — they tossed and turned and had ahard time falling asleep — were more likelyto develop mild cognitive impairment: earlymemory problems that sometimes lead toAlzheimer’s, said Dr. Kristine Yaffe of theUniversity of California, San Francisco.

Sleep apnea doubles risk Sleep apnea — brief interruptions of

breathing that repeatedly awaken peoplewithout them realizing — caused a nearlytwo-fold increase in that risk, Yaffe said.She recommended that people at risk ofAlzheimer’s be screened for sleep disor-ders, especially apnea, for which there areeffective treatments. “There’s a lot of evidence that we need

to pay more attention” to sleep in seniors,she said. Animal studies give clues to the biology

behind these changes. Dr. David Holtzman ofWashington University in St. Louis reporteda series of mice experiments that found amy-loid production is highest during wakinghours and lowest during deep sleep. Depriving mice of sleep spurred toxic

amyloid build-up and, intriguingly, oncethose deposits began, the mice stayedawake longer on their own. Holtzman alsochecked Alzheimer’s other bad actor — theprotein tau that forms tangles in the brain —and found the same effect on deep sleep. Another hint came a few years ago, when

University of Rochester scientists reportedthat the brain uses sleep to flush out toxic de-bris. They injected mice brains with amyloidand watched it clear faster while they slept. The work comes as researchers hunt ways

to prevent a coming wave of Alzheimer’s asthe population ages, driven by the babyboomer generation that begins turning 70next year. More than 5 million Americans al-ready have Alzheimer’s, a number expectedto more than double by 2050. Changes that lead to Alzheimer’s can

begin 20 years before memory lapses, and

4 OCTOBE R 2 0 1 5 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

NEW BRAIN FINDINGRecently discovered lymphatic systemin the brain inspires new thinking

NOT IN YOUR HEADChronic fatigue patients show signs ofdistinct immune system changes

NATURAL PAIN RELIEFGinger and other alternatives to ibuprofen can help quell joint pain safely

MUSIC THERAPYParkinson’s patients needed for a studyon singing and voice problems

HealthFitness &

Better sleep may lower Alzheimer’s risk

See BETTER SLEEP, page 5

scientists are studying drugs in people athigh risk in hopes of finding preventivetreatment. But so far, lifestyle changes are the main

recommendation, and starting early seemsimportant. Yaffe also reported that youngeradults who get little physical activity haveworse cognitive functioning by middle age. In Sweden, Karolinska Institute re-

searchers tracked down seniors’ long-agoreport cards to find that school perform-ance at age 9 or 10 predicted who was al-ready building a better “cognitive reserve”to guard against later-in-life decline. “There are lots of risk factors we might

be able to change. Sleep is one,” saidAlzheimer’s Association chief science offi-cer Maria Carrillo. Together, she said, thenew research emphasizes how “sleep iscritical as we age.”

— AP

Better sleepFrom page 4

When you or a loved one is in need ofheart care, the prospect may feel over-whelming. You know you need to see aheart specialist, but which one? Having heart disease can lead you in a

number of directions. Many people go to acardiologist because they want a specialist,but even in the world of cardiology thereare “super-specialists” — doctors highlyspecialized in a specific area of cardiology.“These ‘super-specialists’ are involved

with research, education and practiceusing the most up-to-date information,guidelines, diagnostic testing and modesof treatment,” said Dr. Benico Barzilai, sec-tion head of clinical cardiology at Cleve-land Clinic. “In many cases, the super spe-cialists work together to solve complex pa-tient problems.”For example, Barzilai said, a patient may

visit an electrophysiologist due to atrial fib-rillation and find out that they also haveheart valve disease. Or a patient with heartfailure may find that they require a specialpacemaker to make sure that both sides ofthe heart pump in synchrony.In these cases, a team approach may

provide the best care available.

A who’s who of specialists• Electrophysiologists are the “electri-

cians” of the heart and most often care forpatients with heart rhythm — or pacing —problems such as arrhythmias like atrialfibrillation, tachycardia or bradycardia.They also care for heart blocks, or disrup-tions in the electrical pathway of the heart.When we talk about heart disease, we

also need to keep in mind the vascular sys-tem. It is the vascular physicians who spe-cialize in the blood vessels, which circulateblood throughout the body. They often treat peripheral arterial dis-

ease (PAD) in the legs, coronary arterydisease (CAD), fibromuscular dysplasia(FMD) (poor formation of arteries thatleads to their narrowing and chance ofstroke), and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

• Heart failure physicians providespecialized care for patients with progres-sive heart failure. They ensure that pa-tients are on the right medications and aremaking the correct lifestyle changes. Andthey can advise on the need for surgery ora device to improve heart function.

• Interventional physicians usecatheters to do less invasive procedures totreat the heart and arteries and close con-genital heart problems.

• Imaging physicians focus on struc-tural problems of the heart. They look atthe heart’s structures and function usingMRI, Echo or CT technology, and theyhandle problems of the heart valves (valvespecialists), the septum, the heart cham-bers and the pericardium, the sac in whichthe heart sits.

• Preventive cardiologists are the onesto see when you want to stay ahead of heartdisease, or don’t want your heart disease toget worse. Patients who see preventive car-diologists include those who have heart riskfactors, people who’ve had a heart attack,and others who want more aggressive man-agement of their heart health or risk factors.

• Cardiovascular surgeons can per-

form all heart surgeries, but will often havea special interest in certain malfunctions ofthe heart. A thoracic (or cardiothoracicsurgeon) is a medical doctor who performsoperations in the organs of the chest, in-cluding the heart, lungs and esophagus.

• Vascular surgeons specialize in dis-eases of the vascular system, or arteriesand veins, and they provide medical thera-py, minimally-invasive catheter proceduresand surgical reconstruction.

• Other heart super specialists includecardio-oncologists (for patients with heart is-sues as a result of cancer treatments), adultcongenital doctors, and specialists in certainheart diseases such as Marfan syndrome.When facing surgery, finding a surgeon

with a lot of experience performing theprocedure you need helps assure a betteroutcome.© 2015 Whatdoctorsknow.com. Distrib-

uted by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Specialists offer tailored cardiac careBA L T IMORE B E A CON — O C TOBE R 2 0 1 5 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health 5

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FREE INFORMATIONFor free materials on housing communities and health studies, just

complete and clip this coupon and mail or fax it to the Beacon.

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Housing Communities� Atrium Village (see ads on pages B2 & B10)� Briarwood Estates (see ad on page 17)� Brightview (see ad on page B5)� Brookdale Senior Living (see ad on page B13)� Charlestown (see ads on pages B3 & B8)� Cove Point Apartments (see ad on page B11)� Evergreen (see ad on page B11)� Gatherings at Quarry Place (see ad on page B7)� Greenhouse Residences (see ad on page B12)� The Greens (see ad on page B11)� Heartlands (see ad on page B3)� Homewood at Willow Ponds (see ad on page B6)� Linden Apartments (see ad on page B15)� Oak Crest (see ads on pages B3 & B8)� Neighborhood at St. Elizabeth (see ad on page B4)� Park Heights Place (see ad on page B15)� Park View Catonsville (see ad on page 25)� Park View Dundalk (see ad on page 25)� Park View Rosedale (see ad on page 25)� Park View Taylor (see ad on page 25)� Shangri-La Assisted Living (see ad on page B3 & B8)� St. Mary’s Roland View Towers (see ad on page 24)�Weinberg Senior Living (see ads on pages B3 & B16)�Westminster House Apts (see ad on page 32)

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Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this form to:The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915

or fax to (410) 248-9102.You may return this form together with

the random drawing for $100 on page B-9.

BB10/15

Lymphatic systemfound in the brainFinnish researchers report a surprising

finding that challenges current anatomy text-book knowledge: Linings of the brain have alymphatic vessel network that has direct con-nections to the systemic lymphatic networkelsewhere in the body.Lymphatic circulation forms a network

that covers almost the whole body and is es-pecially important to the clearance of fluidsfrom tissues as well as for immune defensemechanisms. Until now, the central nervoussystem was considered not to be part of thelymphatic system.

“We were stunned to find such an exten-sive network in connection to the brain. Thisincredible finding completely changes ourunderstanding of how to brain is cleared ofexcess fluid, and gives a chance to look atbrain diseases from a completely new angle,”said Aleksanteri Aspelund, a researcher atthe Wihuri Research Institute and the Uni-versity of Helsinki.The findings were published in The Jour-

nal of Experimental Medicine.Researchers say that lymphatic clearance

of the brain is important in many neurologi-cal diseases, including Alzheimer's disease.How did the lymphatic vessels manage to

escape notice until now? “Lymphatic vessels are collapsed struc-

tures, and if one does not know how to lookfor them, they cannot be found. Although wehad already found the vessels, it took sometime to develop good imaging methods to vi-

sualize these vessels, said medical studentSalli Antila, who has also been working withthe project.

— University of Helsinki

Stomach-filling balloon for weight loss

Federal health regulators have approvedan inflatable medical balloon that aids weightloss by filling up space in the stomach. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

cleared Reshape Medical's balloon as anoth-er option for millions of obese Americanswho have been unable to lose weight viamore traditional methods. The balloon is inserted into the stomach

using an endoscope and then filled withsaline solution. Patients are sedated duringthe procedure, which takes less than 30 min-utes, according to an FDA release. The FDA previously approved another bal-

loon device for weight loss, but it was with-drawn in 1992 due to a safety issue. “The newdevice aims to address the design failings ofthe earlier device,” said FDA spokeswomanDeborah Kotz, in an emailed statement. The balloon is approved for obese adults

with a BMI between 30 and 40 who have atleast one complicating condition and havebeen unable to lose weight through diet andexercise alone.

In company trials, patients treated withthe balloon lost about 7 percent of theirtotal body weight over six months, com-pared with 3.3 percent weight loss in pa-tients who didn't get the balloon. But sixmonths after the devices' removal, patientsin the balloon group regained about one-third of the weight they had lost. The effect seen with the balloon is

smaller than that associated with gastricbanding — a stomach-shrinking techniquethat limits food intake, but can causeesophagus irritation, infection and vomit-ing, in some cases. Patients can lose asmuch as 17 percent of their total bodyweight with banding devices, such as theLAP-Band, although about 20 percent ofpatients regain nearly all the weight withinthree years. More effective is gastric bypass surgery, a

permanent procedure in which a small pouchis stapled off from the rest of the stomachand connected to the small intestine. Studiesof that technique show patients typically loseabout 30 percent of their weight.

— AP

Stronger warningsfor pain relieversFederal health regulators are bolstering

warning labels for popular pain relievers,

6 Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com OCTOBE R 2 0 1 5 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

Health Shorts

See HEALTH SHORTS, page 8

Researchers at the Center for Infectionand Immunity at Columbia University’sMailman School of Public Health haveidentified distinct immune changes in pa-tients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syn-drome — known medically as myalgic en-cephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) or systemicexertion intolerance disease.The findings could help improve diagno-

sis and identify treatment options for the dis-abling disorder, in which symptoms rangefrom extreme fatigue and difficulty concen-trating to headaches and muscle pain.These immune signatures represent the

first robust physical evidence that ME/CFSis a biological illness as opposed to a psy-chological disorder, as well as the first evi-dence that the disease has distinct stages.Results appear online in the new journalfrom the American Association for the Ad-vancement of Science, Science Advances.With funding to support studies of im-

mune and infectious mechanisms of dis-ease from the Chronic Fatigue Initiative ofthe Hutchins Family Foundation, the re-searchers used immunoassay testingmethods to determine the levels of 51 im-mune biomarkers in blood plasma samplescollected through two multicenter studies.They represented a total of 298 ME/CFSpatients and 348 healthy controls.They found specific patterns in patients

who’d had the disease for three years orless that were not present in controls or inpatients who’d had CFS for more thanthree years. Short-duration patients had in-creased amounts of many different typesof immune molecules called cytokines.

Associated with viral illnessesThe association was unusually strong

with a cytokine called interferon gammathat’s been linked to the fatigue that fol-lows infection with many viruses, includ-ing the Epstein-Barr virus (the cause of in-fectious mononucleosis). Cytokine levelswere not explained by symptom severity.“We now have evidence confirming what

millions of people with this disease alreadyknow — that ME/CFS isn’t psychological,”said lead author Mady Hornig, M.D., direc-tor of translational research at the Centerfor Infection and Immunity and associateprofessor of epidemiology at Columbia’sMailman School. “Our results should accelerate the

process of establishing the diagnosis afterindividuals first fall ill, as well as discoveryof new treatment strategies focusing onthese early blood markers.”There are already human monoclonal

antibodies on the market that can dampenlevels of a cytokine called interleukin-17A,which is among those the study shows

were elevated in early-stage patients.Before any drugs can be tested in a clin-

ical trial, Dr. Hornig and colleagues hopeto replicate the current, cross-sectional re-sults in a longitudinal study that follows pa-tients for a year to see how cytokine levels,including interleukin-17A, differ within in-dividual patients over time, depending onhow long they have had the disease.

Immune response won’t stopThe study supports the idea that ME/CFS

may reflect an infectious “hit-and-run” event.Patients often report getting sick, some-

times from something as common as infec-tious mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus),and never fully recovering. The current re-

search suggests that these infectionsthrow a wrench in the immune system’sability to quiet itself after the acute infec-tion. People don’t return to a homeostaticbalance; their immune response becomeslike a car stuck in high gear.“It appears that ME/CFS patients are

flush with cytokines until around thethree-year mark, at which point the im-mune system shows evidence of exhaus-tion and cytokine levels drop,” said Dr.Hornig. “Early diagnosis may provideunique opportunities for treatment thatlikely differ from those that would be ap-propriate in later phases of the illness.”

Chronic fatigue isn’t only in your head

See CHRONIC FATIGUE, page 8

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — O C TOBE R 2 0 1 5 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health 7

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The investigators went to great lengths tocarefully screen participants to make surethey had the disease. The researchers alsorecruited greater numbers of patients whose

diagnosis was of relatively recent onset. Patients’ stress levels were standardized

as well. Before each blood draw, patientswere asked to complete standardized pa-perwork, in part to engender fatigue.The scientists also controlled for factors

known to affect the immune system, includ-

ing the time of day, season and geographiclocation where the samples were taken, aswell as age, gender and ethnicity/race.“This study delivers what has eluded us

for so long: unequivocal evidence of im-munological dysfunction in ME/CFS anddiagnostic biomarkers for the disease,”said Dr. Lipkin, senior author of the cur-rent study and the John Snow Professor ofEpidemiology at Columbia’s Mailman

School. “The question we are trying to ad-dress in a parallel microbiome project iswhat triggers this dysfunction.”WhatDoctorsKnow is a magazine devoted to

up-to-the minute information on health issuesfrom physicians, major hospitals and clinics,universities and health care agencies across theU.S. Online at www.whatdoctorsknow.com.© 2015 Whatdoctorsknow.com Distrib-

uted by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Chronic fatigueFrom page 7

adding information about the risk of heart at-tack and stroke in the short term. The changes apply to prescription non-

steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, orNSAIDs, including arthritis treatmentslike Celebrex. The agency said it planssimilar changes to over-the-counter drugsin the same class, such as Advil andMotrin. Language on the pills currently warns that

they can increase the risk of heart-relatedproblems if used long term. However, the FDA's new warning states

that heart attacks and strokes can occur inthe first few weeks of taking the drugs. Theagency also warns that the risks increasewith higher doses of the drugs. The up-dates are based on an FDA review of recentstudies and recommendations by outsideadvisers. “In general, patients with heart disease or

risk factors for it have a greater likelihood ofheart attack or stroke,” the agency noted in

the announcement.The labeling change is the latest step in

the FDA's ongoing safety review of thedrugs, which stretches back to 2004. That'swhen Merck & Co Inc. pulled its blockbusterpain reliever Vioxx off the market because oflinks to heart attack and stroke. In 2005, the agency added boxed warnings

to all prescription NSAIDS, including Pfizer'sCelebrex and high-dose versions of ibupro-fen and naproxen. Celebrex is the only drugfrom the same class as Vioxx that remains onthe market. Prescription NSAIDs are gener-

ally used for long-term chronic pain condi-tions like arthritis. The agency also added similar warnings to

lower-dose, over-the-counter NSAIDs likeAleve and Advil. Those drugs currently warnpatients to take the lowest dose possible foras short a period as possible. They are not in-tended to be used for pain longer than 10days, according to their labels. [For more on this topic, see our Dear

Pharmacist column, "Natural joint pain re-lief, without ibuprofen," on page 11.]

— AP


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BEACON BITS

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country. It’s my way of giving back to them,”she said. While many vets are housed with com-

plete families, including kids, and up totwo other veterans, Taylor’s householdconsists only of her and the two vets forwhom she provides full-time care. She gets down time when the vets are in

adult day care or on outings with VA staff,but said, “I often take them with me on er-rands or even vacation,” she said. “They’relike family to me.”

Qualifying for the programQualifications for entry into the pro-

gram are stringent for both caregivers andveterans. For caregivers, it starts with State of

Maryland licensing. “After they are li-censed by the state, they contact us andstart the application process with our pro-gram,” Trimble explained. It consists of an application, specific doc-

uments and references. It includes homevisits by a VA nurse as well as a dietitianand a fire safety inspector. Once the home passes all inspections

and provides required documentation, theapplication is reviewed. Caregivers cannothave full-time jobs, as their job will be tocare for the veterans placed in their home.In some cases, the program cannot ap-

prove applications. Reasons may includethe home’s structure (it has too manystairs, for example) and location of thehome, which must be owned by the care-giver. “We approve homes based on de-mand for them in an area,” Trimble said. Caregivers are paid standard monthly

room and board, and receive perks likefree annual training to maintain their statelicense.The veteran application process begins

with the veteran or their family contactingtheir VA social worker or Trimble to learn,first, if there is an available home for theveteran. The vet must be disabled and re-quire full-time care. “We reach out to homes to see if they’re

interested in the applicant, and then sched-ule a home visit to make sure the veteranis a good fit for the caregiver and will getalong with the caregiver and others in thehome,” said Trimble. After a home is identified, the veteran

completes the application process to deter-mine if they are income eligible. If theirown income doesn’t support the cost of theprogram — which ranges from $1,000 to$3,500 monthly paid by the veteran direct-ly to the caregiver — they can apply for the“non-service connected pension with aidand attendance” program. “They must have served in a war and

have other income, like a Social Securitycheck or service-related compensation, tocover the complete cost of the program,since that program doesn’t [come withseparate funding],” Trimble explained. If a vet can’t be matched to a provider

immediately, Trimble refers them to othercommunity services, and contacts themwhen there is an opening. But for those vets who are matched to a

caregiver, she said, “This program givesveterans an opportunity to remain in ahomelike environment in the communityrather than going into an institution. We’re[also] always looking for qualified care-givers, so those interested should reachout to me, too.”If you’re a veteran or family member in-

terested in the program, talk to your VA so-cial worker or contact Trimble in her officeat (404) 642-2411, x 6094 or on her cellphone at (443) 845-6484. Also seewww.maryland.va.gov/services/Medical_Foster_Home_Program.asp for more infor-mation.


VeteransFrom page 1

COUNTYRIDE SERVES CITY HOSPITALSIf you are a client of CountyRide, you can use the service to go to

the following Baltimore City hospitals: Good Samaritan, Johns Hop-

kins Bayview Medical Center, the Johns Hopkins Health System, Kennedy Krieger

Spine Center, Mercy Medical Center, St. Agnes Health Care, Sinai Hospital, Union

Memorial Hospital and University of Maryland Medical Center. For more informa-

tion, call (410) 887-2080.

DETECTING PROSTATE CANCERThe earlier prostate cancer is caught, the more likely treatment

will be successful. Prostate cancer surgeon Christian Pavlovich

will discuss new noninvasive tools that provide early diagnosis of prostate cancer,

including new blood tests, MRI screenings and image-guided biopsies, online on

Thursday, Oct. 1, from 7 to 8 p.m. To register, visit

www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthseminars or call (877) 546-1009.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

Oct. 1

Many people have aches and pains thatrequire ibuprofen, and no one would be-grudge you for taking this pill for an acutemigraine or severe pre-men-strual cramps. I’ve been asked if I believe in

ibuprofen and I do, but only foroccasional use. I’ve even rec-ommended a 200 mg. tablet ofibuprofen be taken along witha cup of coffee (to enhance ef-fect). But that’s only for a selecttype of headache pain, or formild post-operative pain. Sounds crazy but combin-

ing caffeine with ibuprofencan provide pain relief betterthan the ibuprofen alone. A re-cent article discussing this was just pub-lished in The Cochrane Database of Sys-tematic Reviews (July 2015). But I definitely don’t recommend chron-

ic, daily intake of ibuprofen because a) itmasks the pain, and b) it can be harmfullong term. It’s better to find the underlyingcause of pain, and even if you can’t, I stillrecommend natural inflammation fightersover NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflamma-tory drugs) like ibuprofen. According to Medline Plus, “NSAIDs

such as ibuprofen may cause ulcers, bleed-ing or holes in the stomach or intestine.These problems may develop at any timeduring treatment, may happen withoutwarning symptoms, and may cause death. “The risk may be higher for people who

take NSAIDs for a long time, are older inage, have poor health, or who drink three ormore alcoholic drinks per day while taking

ibuprofen. “If you experience any of

the following symptoms, stoptaking ibuprofen and call yourdoctor: stomach pain, heart-burn, vomit that is bloody orlooks like coffee grounds,blood in the stool, or blackand tarry stools.”

Safer alternatives existNSAIDs reduce inflamma-

tion by suppressing an en-zyme in your body called cy-clooxygenase-2 or COX-2. But

they also inadvertently block COX-1 en-zyme, which is needed for a healthy stom-ach lining. This is why NSAIDs likeibuprofen, naproxen and others can causegastritis, and even a bleeding ulcer. Here are two safer choices for you: Boswella: It’s also known as frankincense,

and it’s a 5-LOX (5-lipoxygenase) inhibitor.This reduces leukotrienes which are in-volved in inflammation, asthma and allergies. Another compound in boswellia, called in-

censole acetate, blocks NF-Kappa B, whichwould otherwise pour out tons of pain-caus-ing cytokines. This compound acts like ananti-anxiety and antidepressant pill. Boswellia also reduces interferon gamma

(IFN-g), another pro-inflammatory cytokine.Honestly, boswellia is kind of awesome!

Ginger: We know this helps with nau-sea and vomiting, but it’s also a strong anti-inflammatory herb, capable of reducingpain-causing compounds such as TNF�,COX 2 (just like Celebrex), and 5-LOX. As an added benefit, compounds in gin-

ger target and kill H. pylori, the bug mostfamous for stomach ulcers, but also in-volved in rheumatoid arthritis.

Hyaluronic acid: I am not referring toinjectable Restylane or Juvederm for wrin-kles! I’m referring to natural supplements

of this, which can “lube” your joints. Arthritic joints are often extremely defi-

cient in hyaluronic acid, which makes the car-tilage less squishy. Supplements may help. This information is opinion only. It is not

intended to treat, cure or diagnose your con-dition. Consult with your doctor before usingany new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist

and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacistand Real Solutions from Head to Toe. Tocontact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.


DEAR PHARMACISTBy Suzy Cohen

Natural joint pain relief, without ibuprofen

Please patronize our advertisers.They keep the Beacon free!

The Johns Hopkins School of Medicineand Peabody Institute have joined forcesin a new initiative, called the Johns Hop-kins Center for Music and Medicine.The mission of the new center is to

bring music and medicine together for twopurposes: to involve music and rhythm inthe treatment of illness, and to improve thehealth of musicians worldwide. The center is co-directed by Dr. Alexan-

der Pantelyat, assistant professor of neu-rology at the School of Medicine, and Dr.Serap Bastepe-Gray, director of thePeabody Institute guitar ensemble pro-gram. The center’s participating faculty from

multiple departments in the School ofMedicine and Peabody Institute seek toachieve their goals in several ways:

• by developing music and rhythm-based interventions that improve qualityof life and help slow the course of a num-ber of diseases — including Parkinson’s,Alzheimer’s, stroke and autism,• by working to discover and treat the

underlying causes of disorders affectingmusicians, and• by exploring neural mechanisms un-

derlying the perception of music in healthand disease.

Voice problems in Parkinson’sSeveral studies are already recruiting

participants, including the Parkinsonicstrial for voice-related and quality of life out-comes in Parkinson disease.Parkinson’s disease is the second most

common neurodegenerative disorder after

Alzheimer’s disease. It affects at least 1million people in the United States (5 mil-lion people worldwide), most commonlystriking people 60 and older. Because the general population is aging

and there are no current medications toprevent Parkinson’s, its prevalence is pre-dicted to skyrocket over the next 30 years. While the classic symptoms of the condi-

tion include tremor, loss of fine motor coor-dination, muscle stiffness and walking/bal-ance difficulty, patients often experiencesignificant impairment in their quality oflife due to a number of other symptoms. Speech volume and clarity are frequent-

ly impaired, limiting and frustrating com-munication, and adding to what is fre-quently a growing sense of isolation fromothers and the world at large. The established intervention for voice

impairment in Parkinson’s disease iscalled the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment— an intensive speech therapy programthat requires a significant initial time com-mitment.

Furthermore, the exercises learned inthis program must be practiced continu-ously in order to maintain benefit, andmany patients find it difficult to motivatethemselves to continue performing the ex-ercises as the disease progresses. Choir-based singing involves exercising

the muscles involved in speech produc-tion, and the establishment of Parkinsondisease choirs around the world in recentyears suggests that patients are derivingsome benefits from choir singing. Howev-er, several existing trials intended to as-sess the effects of singing on voice qualityin Parkinson’s disease have been inconclu-sive and limited by several design flaws.

Study seeks volunteersThe Johns Hopkins Parkinsonics trial,

led by Pantelyat, aims to study the effectsof group singing on voice, movement,mood, memory, and both voice-related andoverall quality of life.


Health Studies PageTHE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Can singing help Parkinson’s patients?

See PARKINSON’S, page 13

VARICOSE VEIN SCREENINGJohns Hopkins offers varicose vein screenings for those consider-

ing treatment or surgery. For a list of dates and locations, visit www.hopkinsmedi-

cine.org/healthseminars.

LIVING WELL WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONSUM St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson will offer a six-week

workshop on coping with chronic conditions such as diabetes,

heart disease, COPD, arthritis and stroke on Mondays from Sept. 28 to Nov. 2,

from 12:30 to 3 p.m. To register, call (410) 337-1337 or visit www.stjosephtow-

son/events.

WEEKLY YOGA CLASSES UM St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson offers an ongoing weekly

yoga class on Thursdays from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Donation is $5 per

class. To register, call (410) 337-1479.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

Ongoing

Sept. 28+

Because it is important to control forthe social interaction aspect of groupsinging (that is, to evaluate whether anybenefits derived from singing relate to thesinging itself, as opposed to the social in-teraction of being in a group setting), thetrial will include a control group that willnot sing, but rather will participate in a fa-cilitated discussion of topics relevant toParkinson disease. Approximately 20 participants with

Parkinson’s disease will take part in 12weekly choir rehearsals, each lastingabout one hour. At the same time, about 20participants will meet for the supportgroup discussion.The participants will then switch groups

and participate in the other part of thestudy for a total of 24 weeks. Before starting the trial — and at six

other times during the 48-week study —participants will be asked to completetests of speech, movement and function, aswell as self-report about mood, efficacy of

participating in the choir and supportgroup, and quality of life.In the choral music part of the study,

after an initial orientation, patients will par-ticipate in weekly rehearsals leading up toa group performance. Choir participants do not need to be

able to read music or have any prior musi-cal experience. Audio recordings will beprovided, so participants will be able tolearn the music entirely by ear.The choir will sing a variety of music —

including American standards, folk, blues,pop songs and group requests.The study is currently recruiting up to

40 patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic(unknown origin) Parkinson’s disease.Caregivers are welcome to attend. The location and timing of the weekly re-

hearsals have not yet been determined, butrehearsal space will be accessible with easyparking and near public transportation.For information, contact Becky Dunlop,

RN, research coordinator, [email protected] or (410) 955-8795, orAathman Swaminathan, research assistantat [email protected].

Parkinson’sFrom page 12


Licensed funeral establishments in the State of Maryland.

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NO ONE KNOWS HOW to navigate the death of a loved one. That’s why Dignity Memorial® providers offer each family we serve unlimited, complimentary access to our Compassion Helpline®. We’re here for you if you need us, so don’t hesitate to call.

In your time of need,

consider us on call.

Share your opinion. Send a letter to the editor.

FLU SHOTS AT SEVEN OAKS CENTERFlu shots are available at no cost to Medicare B beneficiaries andAetna participants at Seven Oaks Senior Center, on Friday, Sept.

25, from 1 to 3 p.m. Pneumonia shots are also available at no cost to Medicare Bbeneficiaries. You must bring your Medicare or insurance card. Cost to all others:$30/flu, $95/pneumonia. The center is located at 9210 Seven Courts Dr. Formore information, call (410) 887-5192.

GARDEN CLUB HALLOWEEN EVENTLutherville Garden Club is holding a meeting on Thursday, Oct. 1,with a Halloween-themed program with guest speaker Ellen Frost,floral designer and owner of Local Color Flowers, who will provide

hands-on instruction on making a ‘take home’ pumpkin floral design. This meetingwill be held at the Ag Center on 1114 Shawan Rd. in Cockeysville. The club meetson the first Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. with a brief business meeting, fol-lowed by lunch and an informative program. Other than October’s meeting, themeetings are held at Providence United Methodist Church Hall, 1320 ProvidenceRd. For more information, call (410) 252-5925 or (410) 252-7648.

BALTIMORE BUDDY WALK The Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parents Group (CDSPG) and theNational Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) will hold the second an-nual Buddy Walk and 5k Race on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Rash Field at

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Promenade, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details can be found atwww.cdspg.org

BEACON BITS

Sept. 25

Oct. 1

Oct. 4

For Information, please call the Baltimore VA/Universityof Maryland Gerontology Recruitment Phone Line

410-605-7179Mention code: LIFT

*You must be at least 65 years old and in good health*Participants will be seen at the Baltimore VA Medical Center and University of

Maryland School of Medicine for approximately 41 visits for 1 to 4 hours of time per visit

Seeking Men and WomenThe University of Maryland & Veterans Affairs of Baltimore

are conducting a research study to better understand balance & prevent falls as we age.

With your participation you will receive:•Health evaluation

•Balance, step, strength, and/or flexibility exercises•Compensation for your time

Dear Solutions: I am in a second marriage, and so is

my husband. I am divorced. He’s awidower. I have tried to be warm andfriendly to my husband’s former fami-ly since he wants to remain in touchwith them, but I don’t feel it returned.

Each time there’s an occasion to senda greeting of any kind to us, his formerin-laws send me a computer card. It’s allvery cute and even pretty, but there is nopersonal message. All it says is that if Iwant to reply I should push a button,and the company behind all this willsend one from me. I don’t even have tosign it.

Well, I don’t want to send one ofthese, and I feel a little insulted by the

impersonal feeling from this. My hus-band says I’m out of touch with thismodern world, and he wants me to pushthe right buttons and respond to them.

Is he right? Am I wrong to feel thisway?

— LilaDear Lila: Feelings are neither right nor wrong.

But they are honest — and this sure ispushing the wrong buttons in you. If you want to answer these messages in

a way that is comfortable for you, write apersonal answer in your own handwritingand mail it. Yes, as your husband points out, this is

the world of the computer now, but it’s upto you how far you want to step into it.

It’s also up to you to think about whyyou find this insulting, and to deal withthose feelings. Lots of things were “nicer”in the old days, but that’s an-other story.So, get ready, Lila, the ro-

bots are coming! Oh, are theyalready here?Dear Solutions:

My friend was living witha man for the last threeyears. She was always ar-guing with him, complain-ing about him, and tryingto get him to move out.

Now he suddenly died,and she keeps talking abouthow charming and caring hewas and so on.

Should I say something to her? Peo-ple who know her scoff at this. It’s re-ally amazing.

— NanDear Nan: What’s really amazing is how much peo-

ple improve after death! Say nothing. She’s helping herself deal

with her guilt, and protecting her new sta-tus as grieving “widow.” Besides, for her, it’s probably true that

he was never really charming till he died!

Dear Solutions: This involves my mother-in-law, and

I’m hoping for your advice. I’m a fairlynew bride, and we just fin-ished furnishing ourhome. I invited my moth-er-in-law over to see every-thing and to finally visit“officially.”

She came in and slowlywalked through each roomwithout saying a word.Then finally she turned tome and said, “Oh, you likemodern.” That was all shesaid about anything.

I’m so angry and hurt, butI didn’t say anything, and I

don’t know if I should.— Puzzled

Dear Puzzled: I don’t like mother-in-law jokes, but this

sounds like one. So try to just laugh at thewhole thing — with your husband, if possi-ble.© Helen Oxenberg, 2015. Questions to be

considered for this column may be sent to:The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring,MD 20915. You may also email the authorat [email protected]. To inquire aboutreprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

Insulted by computerized greeting cards

SOLUTIONSBy Helen Oxenberg,MSW, ACSW


Multiple Calling Options: For anyone who has difficulty using a standard telephone

Captioned Telephone: Displays every word your caller says, as you listen

Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) program: FREE assistive equipment to qualified applicants

Do you feel like you are missing out on the conversation? Connect with Maryland Relay.

Get a FREE evaluation to find the solution that’s right for you. Call 800-552-7724 or 410-767-6960 (Voice/TTY) 443-453-5970 (Video Phone) or visit mdrelay.org to get started.

HELP A NEIGHBOR IN NEEDRegister Today for CHAI’s Adopt-a-Neighbor program, which focus-es on the community’s most vulnerable population of low- to mod-

erate-income seniors and adults with disabilities. Volunteers of all ages and skilllevels are needed two to four times during the year to help those in need in ameaningful way. One of the greatest benefits to those served is companionship.Duties will include weatherization of windows and yard maintenance. Volunteer onyour own schedule, individually or as a VolunTeam. For more information, contactChava Ball at (410) 500-5319 or email [email protected].

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com B-1SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION

By Jill JosephIf I could pick one word to describe my

mother, it would be “independent.” But asshe has aged, chronic orthopedic issuesand COPD slowly claimed her ability tomove comfortably.

We recently made the difficult decisionthat the best living situation for her is in anassisted living community. This is thestory of how she found her new home.

While I have always stood by, ready tohelp in any way I could, it was only aftermy mom had a mild stroke in 2013 that sheand my stepdad began to accept my offersof assistance.

When her back surgery in April 2014 re-sulted in multiple nerve issues, her mobili-ty decreased even more. Mom then beganto drag her right foot, and I became veryconcerned about her safety.

Her gait was unbalanced, and she washaving trouble navigating the tight spacesin the house. I suggested we hire a homecare service to assist her, but she rebuffedthe idea.

Through my work at the Beacon, I’ve be-come acquainted with many committedpeople who serve seniors. The friends I’vemade in the industry all testify that mostpeople won’t get the help they need until“Something” happens. And, indeed, some-thing happened. My mother fell and brokeher hip.

During post-surgery rehab, Mom wasadamant that she intended to return home.I was equally adamant that — if she wasnot able to walk safely and consistently —her home was unsafe.

A change of plansAt first, she began to make enough

progress in therapy to make her move backhome seem feasible, if not ideal in my eyes,and we were given a discharge date. Thenher progress stalled, and the therapy teamrevised the recommendation: She wouldneed assistance during all waking hours.

Unfortunately, my stepdad is not physi-cally strong enough to help her move, andI knew I would need to help her and hire ahome healthcare aide for times I could notbe there. [For more on this subject, see“Finding caregivers to help you at home,” onpage B8.]

I originally focused on keeping mom inher home and didn’t consider assisted liv-ing options. But it turned out that stayingin her home would quickly become detri-mental — to all of us: My mom was read-mitted to the hospital Sunday morning, noteven two days after coming home.

The hours before that were exhaustingfor both of us, emotionally and physically.At times over the weekend, she was inca-pable of moving her legs and feet, and wasclearly terrified of falling in her tricky

home environment. I was scared shewould get hurt on my watch.

Tearfully, I told her, “I can’t do this bymyself.” I also couldn’t help but think ofthe impact on my own life. I have a won-derful husband and work for very under-standing employers, but meeting Mom’sneeds in her home would require time andfocus, depleting my energy for work and alife of my own.

Minutes before her aide arrived Sundaymorning, I heard my mother moaning inher bedroom. She was unable to communi-cate what was wrong, and could or wouldnot cooperate when I tried to get her out ofbed. I called 911 shortly after our aide ar-rived.

This time, my mother and stepdad bothagreed that coming home after her hospi-talization and rehab stay was not an option.I contacted Care Patrol, a senior housingreferral agency, which gathered informa-tion on Mom’s health, financial and loca-tion needs. This tremendously stream-lined the process of finding assisted living.

Choosing the right placeThere were several factors I knew

would be important to my mother — a pri-vate space, wheelchair transportation andgood meals. Because she is mostly wheel-chair-bound and incontinent, she needed acommunity offering Level 3 assisted living,

so some local options were eliminated.There were also factors that were im-

portant to me. I wanted a non-institutionalenvironment for Mom, and an activityschedule to help her meet people and en-gage more in life. Though the final choicewas obviously hers, I knew my enthusiasmfor Brightview in Baltimore affected herdecision to move there.

Fortunately, she and my stepdad wereable to spend some time there prior to hermove. We visited as a family, met the staff,had lunch, and she chose the studio apart-ment in which she would live. It helped dis-sipate her nerves and sadness about livingwithout my stepfather. Overall, though, herattitude was positive.

We are still in the early stages of Mom ad-justing to life in assisted living. My husbandand I have spent a lot of time giving herapartment a home-like feel, and my stepdadis comfortable during his daily visits.

There are some staff members Mom en-joys greatly and some she doesn’t particu-larly care for, but that is the case for otherresidents as well, and no doubt for those inother communities, too. I try to help herput things in perspective and encourageher to speak up when she has needs thataren’t being met.

She also participates in activities at

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Brightview, such as bingo, “happy hours,”and some of their exercise classes. Sheeven bought a bathing suit in preparationfor bus trips to the local YMCA.

Mom has always liked to stay in hercomfort zone, which has gotten smaller

and smaller over the years. But I am hope-ful that with time she will find a betterquality of life in her new environment.

And although I am still struggling withsome guilt about being unable to help herremain in her home, I certainly sleep bet-ter knowing she is safe.Jill Joseph is a Beacon advertising repre-

sentative.

By Carol SorgenHow and where we live is a major deci-

sion for many of us as we get older and ourlifestyle changes. For those who do not re-quire the care offered by assisted living fa-cilities — such as help with bathing, dress-ing, and keeping track of medications —independent living communities are an at-tractive option.

Independent communities are designedto make their residents’ day-to-day lives abit easier by typically offering onsite activi-ties, recreation schedules, transportationservices and more.

While there is much diversity and varietyamong the choices, all independent livingcommunities have a few things in common.

First, they have been developed to ac-commodate the preferences and needs ofactive seniors — sometimes defined as resi-dents over 55, but in many cases geared tothose 62 and older.

These communities are for people whoare able to take care of their personalneeds, but don’t want the trouble andchores of maintaining a house and yard. Sothey offer a variety of practical services, ei-ther included in the rent, for an additionalmonthly fee, or on a fee-for-service basis.

Security, activities and moreAmong the most important services of-

fered at independent living facilities is 24-

hour security. Those on sprawling campus-es are often gated communities. Individualbuildings also typically have controlled ac-cess.

In addition, a residential counselorand/or activities coordinator is typically onstaff. The former can help with a wide vari-ety of concerns, while the latter is respon-sible for planning social and culturalevents and outings.

They also tend to offer their residents avariety of amenities — such as beauty sa-lons, exercise rooms, movie theaters, busi-ness centers and more. Some communitiesare particularly luxurious, with amenitieslike swimming pools and golf courses, whileothers come with less in the way of frills.

Communities also come in all shapesand sizes. There are high-rises and low-rises, detached homes and villas. Some arein the heart of downtown areas, while oth-ers are in more suburban or even ruralareas. Some have freestanding homes orapartment units you purchase, but mostoffer apartments for rent.

Making the moveMarian Cranshaw, who moved to Park

View at Randallstown earlier this year, de-cided that she “needed a change” afterhaving lived in another apartment.

“I have been helping and taking care ofother people for so long. I just wanted to relax

and take care of me for a change,” she said. Cranshaw, who is 66, said that at Park

View, everything is convenient and “thereis always something going on.” The apart-ment has all the amenities she wants andthe senior center across the street keepsher busy. “They never give you a chance toget bored,” she said.

She likes that the building is quiet, thepeople are friendly, there is always some-thing going on — such as bowling nightsand barbecues — and she always hassomething to do.

“There is nothing I don’t like,” she said.“I love everything about this building.”

Staying socialFreda Vaughn is also happy with her de-

cision to move into an independent apart-ment. Vaughn lives at Kessler Park in Lans-downe, operated by Catholic Charities.After her husband died, Vaughn, 70, decid-ed she could no longer afford the housethey had shared together. She began look-ing at apartments run by Catholic Chari-ties, since her mother had lived in one andhad been happy there.

Kessler Park was the first community torespond to her application, and once shesaw it, she decided it was “perfect” for her.

Vaughn lives in a one-bedroom apartmentin the three-floor elevator building. “It’shomey and roomy and near a lot of things,”

she said. “It’s independent living, but thereare also a lot of things to do in the buildingsuch as classes, bingo, clubs and trips.”

A “social butterfly,” Vaughn said sheknows everyone in the building and lovesliving at Kessler Park. “I wouldn’t be happyanywhere else!”

Howard Groves, who moved to SaintMary’s Roland View Towers in BaltimoreCity three years ago, was living in a largehome in Eldersburg. While visiting afriend, he saw an ad for Roland View in theBeacon and thought, “I’d like to live there.”

“I visited the model apartment, lookedout at the view, and decided right then tomove there,” said Groves, who is 68. Hisapartment (an efficiency with alcove) is“perfect” for him, as is the convenience ofbeing able to walk to grocery stores and theshops and restaurants of nearby Hampden.

There’s even a restaurant in the build-ing — open to the public — for those occa-sions when Groves doesn’t want to makehis own meals.

Groves is an active participant in RolandView life. He serves on the Board of Direc-tors and is president of the Residents Asso-ciation.

“It’s really fun,” he said. “I’ve made a lotof friends and you meet all kinds of people.I’m not planning on moving from here any-time soon.”Additional reporting by Tamar Janus.


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Assisted livingFrom page B-2


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Enjoy More Great DaysBefore You Make a Choice,

Visit

By Eric StewartAs we get older, may people consider

downsizing to a smaller residence. How-ever, downsizing can be particularly over-whelming when you think of letting go ofcherished items and memories of themyou’ve accumulated over a lifetime.

Here are some tips to help make down-sizing a less intimidating experience.

Change your mindsetDownsizing should not be a considered

something negative. In fact, when I dis-

cuss downsizing with my real estateclients, I call it “rightsizing” — which isthe process where you adjust your currenthome or relocate to a new home to fit yourneeds and empower yourself to live yourpreferable future.

You want to be in a living environmentwhere you are not held back or burdenedby your home and possessions, but ratherlive where your home and possessionssuit your needs now and in the future.

Through a simple exercise contained inmy Rightsizing Guide (see http://bit.ly/

rightsizing_guide), you can start to envi-sion how the future you want may look,and how downsizing can help achievethose goals.

Preserve memories If you’ve lived in the same house for 30 to

40 years, various household items associat-ed with family events that occurred theremay have meaningful significance, but maynot be used or needed on a regular basis.

How can you preserve the memorieswithout retaining all the possessions?Make a movie!

With a digital video camera (and per-haps the help of your children), you cango through your home and film it just theway it is, recalling out loud memories ofparticular possessions or life milestones.

Set aside old photos to be put in a scrap-book or to be scanned digitally and saved.These are cathartic activities that will helpease the downsizing process, and thevideo and scrapbook can become gifts topass on to younger generations.

Separate the wheat from the chaffNow, it’s time to start sorting through

your accumulated possessions. I recom-mend allocating a room in the house to beyour staging area, or what I call your load-ing zone. Within the loading zone therewill be five different areas:

The first area, or category, are the itemsthat you will take with you when you move.These will most likely be family heirlooms,photos, books, etc.

The second category will be things thatother family members might benefit fromor want to keep. Allow them to come andtake turns choosing items.

If there are tables full of stuff, you maywant to try the following idea: Each familymember gets a number. Give the firstchoice of item to the person who drewnumber one, then let number two choose,and so on until everyone has had one pick.The next round starts with number twoand ends with number one. Next round,start with number three and so on, untileverything is gone.

The third category is for items with in-trinsic monetary value, but little or no sen-timental value, that can be sold. I recom-mend hiring an appraiser or estate salecompany to help you determine the valueof items you no longer need or want.

The fourth category is for giveawayitems. Donate to charity things that nei-ther you nor your family has any use for,but might be of use to someone else.

The fifth and final category is the mostimportant of all: Trash! Don’t be afraid tothrow away things that you have not used


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A step-by-step guide to downsizing

See DOWNSIZING, page B-7

By Katherine RothWild weather has become more com-

mon with climate change, the experts say.And other occurrences, such as homefires or leaking pipes, can wreak havocwith your possessions.

Homeowners can prepare in advance forsuch events by making home inventories— detailed lists of household belongingsand their approximate value.

Making a home inventory is made easi-er by inexpensive or free services, appsand software. But there are low-tech waysto do it as well.

“Just going around your home with apen and paper taking notes — or making avideo with your smartphone of yourselfwalking around your home and describingthe things around you — can make a worldof difference when you need to make an in-surance claim,” said Jeanne Salvatore ofthe New York-based Insurance Informa-tion Institute, a non-profit that helps edu-cate the public about insurance.

“The format is not nearly as importantas just having some kind of list.”

Everyone needs oneAnd home inventories aren’t just for the

rich. “Regular people, whether they’re home-

owners or renters, need home inventoriesway more than the wealthy, because theyneed the [insurance] money more,” Salva-tore said.

“People always say they don’t have a lotof stuff. But if you add up the cost of yourbed, with your mattress, mattress cover,bed frame and maybe a few suits hangingin your closet, some high-tech items orsmall appliances, and your bike or golfclubs, it easily adds up to thousands of dol-lars. And you’re going to really depend onthat money to get up and running againafter a disaster.”

The industry estimates that less than 40

percent of households have a detailed inven-tory of their belongings, and that having onemay halve the time it takes to process aclaim, or even mean the difference betweenbeing reimbursed for a loss or not.

Inventories also can help you determinewhether you have enough insurance cov-

erage. If you find your insurance doesn’tcover everything, a home inventory can fa-cilitate applying for aid or deducting unre-imbursed losses from your taxes in theevent of a disaster, Salvatore said.

GET MORE IN A NEW HOME

*Pricing, features and availability subject to change without notice. See New Home Counselor for complete details. © 2015 Beazer Homes MHBR No. 93 6/15 125896

©

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in years. If you don’t need it and it has nosentimental value, you can probably toss it.

If you are unsure whether an itemshould be kept or discarded, ask yourselfthe following three questions: Do youneed it? Do you love it? Do you use it?

If you can answer “yes” to two or moreof those questions, keep it. If you only an-swer “yes” to one question, then offer theitem to family members, and if they don’twant it, sell, give, or throw away the item.

Another idea is to use color-codedsticky notes to tag items as you sortthrough them. For instance, a greensticky note would be for items you plan totake with you, yellow sticky notes areitems for family members, orange stickynotes are items to be sold, etc.

Don’t go it aloneIf there are not enough family members

or friends to help with downsizing, and youhave the financial means, you may want toconsider hiring a senior move manger.They are equipped to help you through thescaling down and moving process.

Senior move managers can assist with:sorting through your possessions in yourcurrent home, mapping out where every-thing should go in your new home, pack-ing and transporting the items and furni-ture you plan to take with you, and un-packing everything and putting things intheir proper place after the move.

Moving is never easy. But with the rightapproach and a good plan for dealing withyour furniture and years of accumulation,it doesn’t have to be so difficult. Eric Stewart is an associate broker with

Long & Foster Real Estate in the GreaterWashington area, and is also a Senior RealEstate Specialist. For more information,visit www.ericstewartgroup.com.

When home inventories can be of help

DownsizingFrom page B-6

See INVENTORY, page B-8

“Homecare” is a simple term that en-compasses a wide range of health and so-cial services. These services are deliveredat home to recovering, disabled, chronical-ly or terminally ill persons in need of med-ical, nursing, social or therapeutic treat-ment and/or assistance with the essentialactivities of daily living.

Generally, homecare is appropriatewhenever a person prefers to stay at homebut needs ongoing care that cannot easilyor effectively be provided solely by familyand friends.

More and more older people, electing tolive independent, non-institutionalizedlives, are receiving homecare services astheir physical capabilities diminish.

Homecare services generally are avail-able 24 hours a day, seven days a week.Depending on the patient’s needs, theseservices may be provided by an individualor a team of specialists on a part-time, in-termittent, hourly or shift basis.

Types of homecare providers includehome health agencies; homemaker andhomecare aide (HCA) agencies; staffingand private-duty agencies. There are alsoregistries that refer workers with variousskills to those needing help. And, of course,one may hire one’s own caregiver directly.

Here are descriptions of the ways in whichthese different types of agencies and referralsources work, and the degree of regulationand legal liability each one is subject to, if any.

Home health agenciesThe term home health agency often indi-

cates that a homecare provider is Medicarecertified. A Medicare-certified agency hasmet federal minimum requirements for pa-tient care and management, and thereforecan provide Medicare- and Medicaid-reim-bursed home health services.

Individuals requiring skilled homecareservices usually receive their care from ahome health agency. Due to regulatory re-quirements, services provided by these agen-cies are highly supervised and controlled.

Often these agencies deliver a variety ofhomecare services through physicians,nurses, therapists, social workers, home-makers and HCAs, durable medical equip-

ment and supply dealers, and volunteers. Other home health agencies limit their

services to nursing and one or two otherspecialties. Home health agencies recruitand supervise their personnel; as a result,they assume liability for all care.

Homemaker and homecare aideagencies

Homemaker and HCA agencies em-ploy homemakers or chore workers,HCAs and companions who support in-dividuals through meal preparation,bathing, dressing and housekeeping.Personnel are assigned according to the

Ways to take inventory To put together a basic home inventory,

just make a list of your belongings and theirestimated value and store it in a safe place.

Get in the habit of taking photos andsaving receipts when buying valuableitems. If you don’t have a receipt, a copy ofa credit card bill is helpful, as are serialnumbers and photos, or even notes aboutwhere an item was purchased.

Once you have a list, make two copies:

Put one in a safety deposit box or other se-cure, off-site place, and send the other to atrusted friend in another part of the country.

While software programs are plentifuland free or inexpensive, there are advan-tages to hiring a home inventory companyto get the job done — and the cost (gener-ally between $500 and $800) can save thou-sands of dollars in potential losses.

“The benefit of a having an experiencedthird party do the inventory is there’s nodispute of claim. There’s so much fraudout there, and having a third party elimi-nates that burden of proof that it’s not

fraud,” said Carrie Mitchell, founder of theColorado-based TWS Home Inventory(http://twshomeinventory.com), with of-fices in New York and Florida.

Know Your Stuff (www.knowyourstuff.org/iii/login.html) is a free phone applicationput out by the Insurance Information Insti-tute, and a wide range of software and servic-es is also available from insurance companiesand independent home inventory companies.

While it’s helpful to include your insur-ance policy number and insurance agent’sphone number on the list, it isn’t neces-sary to send the list to your insurancecompany unless you want to be sure youhave adequate coverage.

“Most insurance companies don’t re-quire receipts so much as just knowingyou had a leather couch, what kind it was,and what sort of condition it was in,” saidScott Spencer, worldwide appraisal manag-er for the Warren, New Jersey-basedChubb Personal Insurance company.

Update your home inventory annually,he said. “If you do it at the same time every

year it’s easy to remember. I usually up-date mine around my birthday.”

Attics, basements and clothingAmong the most challenging areas to in-

ventory are attics, basements, closets, andother storage areas where things are stashedin boxes.

“Take a look at your garage and askyourself what you’d want to claim if it wentup in smoke. It might be as simple as de-tailing and photographing gardening andsporting equipment,” said Salvatore.

The most commonly underestimatedarea is the wardrobe, Spencer said. Mostpeople wear the same few outfits over andover again, but the value of everything inyour closet can add up to a lot.

Also, be sure to include sentimental or ir-replaceable items, like art, he said. “Even ifyou can’t replace that $500 painting on yourwall, documenting it will allow you to replaceit with another $500 painting, as opposed to aposter. There are way more things than dia-monds that have real value.” — AP


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From Active 55 communities to senior rental

properties to retirement villages, today’s senior

has a wide range of choices when it comes to

where they will live after retirement. One of the most

commonly misunderstood options is the continuing

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To help sort facts from �ction, here is the truth

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Myth 1: CCRCs are just fancy nursing homes.

CCRCs o!er a full range of senior living options in

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resources right on campus.

In addition to independent living apartments,

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the grounds of the community. "is arrangement is

ideal from seniors who want to live an active, inde-

pendent lifestyle today, with added peace of mind that

higher levels of care are readily available, should they

ever be needed.

Myth 2: Living with a bunch of older people will be boring

and depressing.

If you think CCRC residents sit in rocking chairs

playing Bingo all day—think again! Communities like

COMMUNITY NAME in LOCATOR have a long list

activities to choose from, including resident-run clubs,

continuing education classes, and dozens of volunteer

opportunities on and o! campus. Visit the COMMU-

NITY NAME clubhouse and you’ll likely see seniors

taking yoga, working out in the �tness center, swim-

ming, playing Wii bowling, or heading to the pub or

café for a meal with friends.

Much like a college campus, residents are free to be as

active as they choose. "ere are lots of opportunities

for social interaction as well as places to enjoy solitary

pursuits. And yes, if you like Bingo, you’ll be able to

�nd a game!

Myth 3: You have to be rich to move to a CCRC.

If you’re a homeowner, living at a CCRC will often

cost about the same as staying in your house. Regular

expenses like utilities, property taxes, and select meals

are covered by a single monthly fee that stays the same

all year long. You won’t be burdened with surprise

repairs or upkeep costs either. Maintenance inside and

outside your apartment home is also included in the

monthly fee.

In addition to predictable expenses, CCRCs like

Celebrating the CCRC

Smashing the stereotypes about

America’s best—and most

misunderstood—retirement living option.

CCRC continued on page 3

�is arrangement

is ideal from seniors who

want to live an

active,

independent

lifestyle today,

with added peace

of mind that

higher levels of

care are readily

available, should they

ever be needed.

Brought to you by Erickson Living and the Tribune

SPECIAL REPORT Senior Living

Myth 1: CCRCs are just fancy nursing homes.

CCRCs o!er a full ra r a fu nge of senior livingge f sen ivin options in pt ns in

lo tio one l tion Mo o o st re o n ca n. M ne M Mo os st r r M l t i o on n. M M M o o s t r ro l o oc ca a t i on n o on n n n p li nide nd p id nt i n n d d p p de e l n nt l iv e e i n nent deps es l pes i de e n n nt s s i v ve in n d iv d de epe p e sid pe d n n d n ent l y in n n n nd d e n t ly y n i en n n n nde ntly i n n n

in p fr r m e apa t n n nt n n n -fr r ree e apa pam n enance free apa inte en m nan nc ce ainte fre ma ce pam ma m d n d nj d n m nj m m ho and e njtm m n nt rt m mes and o ertme mes enj me nt h ho r ent h me and r o e j oy t h o y th he oy y the y

convenience of having a wide range of services and

resources right on campus.

ndepIn addition to independent living apartmnde ng ade l ents,

CCRCs also o!er assi s sted living and nursd ng d v ng d d liv i n n n d d d liv v i ing care in a r

dedicated continuingdicated ondedica ed ontinui re g h care ei hborhood l n rh h o g oo ighbo h d l r e o h h r e n r rh ocated on o d o o n oca o n n on

g n f u d he rou ds of the d h rou o h o e o th g und t c n r un f cth he he g o ds f th und t gr un c gr nd un o d o o the th ro e h g r u u e n nd h d o e f th h ds h h ds o r unds o f th e e gr n o th g " rau un s a ng romm ty. " rramu y "is r " " s i n u s n n i i a r n n g u " " s g n g t m men i em s t m n m n n i t s s em em em nt is m e n n m n i s m e n

d r d o e rs m d eal fr m nio wi se d o s m a f n a r nio w r d al nio wd r m n l f n r d m id d o l n o i e i d e m e e n i an t ho wa to ve aho w o ve n ah w w v n n n a i l e a i o e e a a t l v a l v l n v it c i e nde-c ct e ndet ndv v i n , n n i e nv ve , e t i e ,

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high eve s o carh her lev f car ca l higher levels of c r l o car ev rh ve a e are readily availe r readily a la di ie rea l vaila ab ou th ble, should they b s ould y ld b u d u d

n d dever be needed.

active as they choose. "ere are lots of opportunities

for social interaction as well as places to enjoy solitary

pursuits. And yes, ip sui s And y , f you like Bingo, yo yo lik B ngo, y u’ll be able to

d d !� � nd gam e!� � nd a n d nd g a gam m me!� � � ga

Myth 3: You have to be rich to move to a C CR CR R R R C C . CC C CC C

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cost about the same as staying in you u ur r h h h h e. Regular ou u s o u u

expenses lik ilitexpenses like utilities, property taxes , p elect meal a n n n d d se a n n

are covered by a sin gle monthly fee t h ha a t h h ys the sam s s ta ay a

all year long. You wall ye ong u w ye l g You won’t be burdened d w w i t ton o h h s su urprise h

r irs or pk p cors o p cop upk ep p i upk p r p o pk p p or r p rs p p crs o p corep up e p i cors o p c r u pa upke rep upk p re p p k repai r upkeep r ai rep pa pa p e r pa r pkee p u k ke ep or u p r p re ai o p a sts either. Maint en n n a e n n inside an n nc ce

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In dditi o prediIn addition to predi i p ctable expenses, C C C C C R R Rb C like C Cs C

CCR CCRC on page 3n nt t i i n nu ue ed c nt co co n i in n n nu n

with added p ace

of mind that

higher levels of h g ve f

d di il a d adily a adily ar y c a are e a re r r ca e a a are a a adil y are ar eadily c re re c are re y

available, should they

ever be needed.ever be need

Catonsville

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BB 10/15

By Susan B. GarlandChildless and divorced, Linda Wiesman,

67, is apprehensive about her future. Withtwo knee replacements, the retired ac-countant is having trouble negotiating thestairs in her three-story townhouse inGaithersburg, Md.

Wiesman said she and several friends

who live in different cities have “seriouslythought of communal living” — a GoldenGirls arrangement of mutual help. [See“Share your home like the Golden Girls did,”July Beacon, housing section.]

Not long ago, Wiesman witnessed a bitof what life could hold in store for her.When her single and childless uncle broke

his back several years ago, he turned toWiesman and her sister for help. Theymoved him into a nursing home near hishouse in North Carolina.

After he recovered, they sold his house,brought him to an independent living facilityin Maryland, and hired caregivers. Follow-ing a fall and a fractured hip, he moved intoa group home, where he died a year later.

Who will care for her, Wiesman nowwonders. “I worry about dementia andlongevity because they run in the family,”she said. Perhaps, she said, she can turn toher three nieces.

Who will help when needed?Aging seniors face all sorts of uncertain-

ties. But older childless singles and couplesare missing the fallback that many otherseniors take for granted: adult children whocan monitor an aging parent and help navi-gate a complex system of healthcare, hous-ing, transportation and social services.

As baby boomers age, the number ofchildless seniors, both couples and sin-gles, is rising. Close to 19 percent of allwomen ages 80 to 84 will fall into that cate-gory in 2050, up from 16 percent in 2030,according to a study by the AARP PublicPolicy Institute. Recent research by a geri-atrician at the North Shore-LIJ Health Sys-tem in New York coined a name for theseseniors: “elder orphans.”

People without children “need to startthinking early about their future housingand future caregiving,” said Lynn Fein-berg, senior strategic policy adviser withthe AARP institute and a co-author of thestudy. She suggests that they consider“what life will be like when they can’t livewithout assistance.”

To be sure, even those with progeny can’talways count on their adult children to lend ahand. For those parents as well as for child-less seniors, it’s essential to start weaving asafety net that can last for years to come.

The support system could include a net-work of friends and relatives who can keeptabs on you, advocates to help negotiatethe healthcare system, a team of legal andfinancial professionals, and senior-friendlyhousing.

Choose your legal “agents”One of the first steps aging adults

should take is to draft legal documentsthat will protect them if they become inca-pacitated.

On the financial front, you should createa durable power of attorney and choose anagent who will manage your financial,legal and tax affairs should you becomeunable to handle these tasks yourself.

Childless seniors often pick a niece ornephew to whom they are close — or atrusted friend, cousin, sibling or clergy. Be-cause of the potential work involved, “in-clude in the document that the personshould be compensated,” said Wynne Whit-man, an estate-planning lawyer at Schenck,Price, Smith and King, Florham Park, N.J.

If you don’t have someone reliable who

can take on the job, you could set up a revo-cable trust and assign a bank or trust com-pany as trustee, said Martin Shenkman, anestate-planning lawyer in Paramus, N.J.

You would move your assets to thetrust, and the company would eventuallytake on financial tasks you assign to it —including paying bills and caregivers, pro-cessing medical claims, and overseeingyour home if you’re hospitalized or in anursing facility.

Whether you use an institution or apower of attorney, it’s essential to build inchecks and balances. You could direct thetrustee or agent to send monthly state-ments to your accountant. If you create arevocable trust, you can appoint a co-trustee or, in many states, a “trust protec-tor,” who may be given the power to moni-tor, and perhaps override, a trustee’s deci-sions.

Healthcare directivesYou’ll also need to draw up healthcare

directives. One is a living will, which willdefine your healthcare wishes under cer-tain medical conditions. You’ll also need toname a healthcare proxy, who will makedecisions on your medical care if you be-come incapacitated.

As you age, the proxy’s role could inten-sify. He or she must keep an eye on yourmental and physical state, hire caregivers,and arrange for you to move to new hous-ing if necessary.

Your proxy “should be someone youhave ultimate faith in and connectionwith,” said Elinor Ginzler, senior directorof the Center for Supportive Services atthe Jewish Council for the Aging ofGreater Washington, in Rockville, Md.

If you don’t have someone who can pickup the role, you may be able to hire a pro-fessional. Some elder law attorneys can be-come a healthcare proxy. And dependingon the state where you live, you may beable to hire a professional fiduciary tooversee your affairs.

Wiesman’s sister is her financial agentand healthcare proxy, but her sister atsome point could become too old to contin-ue in that capacity. Wiesman is closeenough to her three nieces to considerasking one of them to take over in the fu-ture — perhaps moving to the city wherethe niece lives.

It’s a good idea for those who don’t havechildren or close relatives to widen theircircle of potential helpers — people and or-ganizations that can keep an eye on youand pitch in if need be. Your network couldinclude friends, volunteer organizationsyou work with, neighborhood groups andsenior centers.

Turn to a team of expertsA cornerstone of your support system

should be a professional advisory team.The team would include a certified publicaccountant, a financial planner, an estate-

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Atrium Village 888-840-2214 4730 Atrium CtOwings Mills, MD 21117

Atrium Village is convenientlylocated on the Northwest side ofBaltimore, just minutes from shopping, restaurants andentertainment. Our community offers a variety of lifestyle optionsto meet your needs, whether it’s independent living, assistedliving, or memory care. Take advantage of our resort-styleatmosphere and enjoy fine dining, stimulating programs, anddiverse entertainment. Our dedicated staff will provide you withthe best care 24 hours a day, while our unique Quiet Care andemergency response system will keep you healthy and safe. Wetake care of your housekeeping, laundry and transportation sothat you can spend your free time doing the things you love to do.Come unretire at Atrium Village.

INDEPENDENT & ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

needs and wishes of each client. Some states, including Maryland, require

these agencies to be licensed and meet mini-mum standards established by the state.Most homemaker and HCA agencies recruit,train and supervise their personnel and thusare responsible for the care rendered.

Staffing and private-duty agencies Staffing and private-duty agencies gener-

ally provide individuals with nursing, home-maker, HCA and companion services. Moststates do not require these agencies to be li-censed or meet regulatory requirements.

Some staffing and private-duty agenciesassign nurses to assess their clients’ needsto ensure that personnel are properly as-signed and provide ongoing supervision.

These agencies recruit their own per-sonnel. Again, responsibility for patientcare rests with each agency.

RegistriesRegistries serve as employment agencies

for homecare nurses and aides by matchingthese providers with customers and collect-ing finder’s fees. These organizations usuallyare not licensed or regulated by government.

Registries are not required to screen orbackground-check the caregivers they refercustomers to, but some do undertake thesetasks routinely. In addition, although notlegally required to, some registries offerprocedures for patients to file complaints.

Customers select and supervise thework of a registry-referred provider. Theyalso pay the provider directly and mustcomply with all applicable state and federallabor, health and safety laws and regula-tions, including payroll tax and Social Se-curity withholding requirements.

Independent providersIndependent providers are nurses, thera-

pists, aides, homemakers and chore workers,and companions who are privately employedby individuals who need such services.

Aides, homemakers, chore workers andcompanions are not required to be li-censed or to meet government standardsexcept in cases where they receive statefunding. In this arrangement, the respon-

sibility for recruiting, hiring and supervis-ing the provider rests with the client.

Finding back-up care in the event that theprovider fails to report to work or fulfill job

requirements is the client’s responsibility.Clients also pay the provider directly andmust comply with all applicable state and fed-eral labor, health and safety requirements.

Excerpted from the website of the Nation-al Association for Homecare and Hospice.For more information, see www.nahc.org orcall (202) 547-7424.


HomecareFrom page B-8

planning lawyer or elder law attorney, andperhaps a geriatric care manager, saidLynn Evans, president of Northeastern Fi-nancial Consultants, in South AbingtonTownship, Pa.

The financial planner would develop ablueprint to pay for long-term care andother services. A care manager could lookfor signs of dementia and arrange for serv-ices, such as home care. (You can find acare manager at the website of the AgingLife Care Association at www.aginglife-care.org.)

You could direct team members to ex-change information, especially if yourmental capacities decline. They could also

watch out for financial elder abuse.Your safety net should include an array

of aging-related community services.While you may not need resources now,you can start investigating what’s avail-able. Services could include care man-agers, visiting chefs, handyman firms, es-corted transportation, home aide agenciesand senior centers.

Find the right place to liveYou also should visit various types of

senior housing to get an idea of the kind ofplace where you’d feel comfortable living.File the information in a folder that you oryour designated helpers can use in the fu-ture.

Wherever you live, you’ll need easy ac-cess to health facilities, transportation and

senior-related services. That may involvemoving to a new location that “providesthe support that enables you to live theway you want to live,” AARP’s Feinbergsaid.

More than 350 communities have beendesignated as aging-friendly by the MilkenInstitute Center for the Future of Aging, athink tank in Santa Monica, Calif. (Checkhttp://successfulaging.milkeninstitute.org.)

Criteria include senior housing options,hospitals offering geriatric services, andinvestment in public transportation. Youcan assess your own community’s agingfriendliness and compare it to others byusing AARP’s Livability Index atwww.aarp.org. [See “What factors make acommunity ‘livable,’ in the July Beacon, forthis area’s rating.]

If you want to live at home alone, buildin extra support to preserve your inde-pendence as long as possible. A care man-ager can conduct a periodic assessment.

If the time comes for more help, thecare manager can work with your health-care agent to find a home aide, assisted liv-ing or a nursing facility.

You also can install medical-alert tech-nology, which will notify a designated per-son if you fall, or if you don’t seem to be fol-lowing your normal routine.

Another option is to live in one of 200 “vil-lages” — neighborhood groups that, for amembership fee, provide residents withservices such as transportation to doctor ap-pointments, home repairs and meal delivery.

Safety netFrom page B-10

See SAFETY NET, page B-12

The Baltimore area has two such vil-lages: Northwest Neighbors Connecting,(410) 500-5319, http://www.chaibalti-more.org/nnc, and Village At Home, Inc.,(410) 235-3171, http://www.villageath-ome.org.

(Learn more about these villages in theJuly 2014 Beacon article “Aging in placevillages continue to grow” on page B-8 athttp://bit.ly/aging_in_place_villages.Find other villages at the website for theVillage to Village Network: www.vtvnet-work.org.)

You could consider, as Wiesman is, liv-ing with friends in such a village. But un-derstand that these are “interim steps,”said Andrew Carle, director of the SeniorHousing Administration program atGeorge Mason University, Fairfax, Va.

“Over time, a lot of people will outgrowwhat the villages are capable of offering,”he said. And shared living arrangementsmay fall apart as housemates become in-firm or develop dementia, he said.

If you can afford it, a continuing care re-tirement community (CCRC) may be thebest option for childless seniors to estab-lish a support system, Carle said.

Instead of hiring different people to, say,

prepare meals, do housekeeping and find anursing facility, by moving to a CCRC,Carle said, “you can buy all the services inone package.” [See “CCRCs pair housingwith health benefits,” in the January BeaconHousing and Homecare section.]

CCRCs typically charge an entrance feeand then monthly fees that cover an inde-pendent living unit, meals, recreational ac-

tivities and other amenities. The communi-ty may move you (either at no extra chargeor for an increased monthly rate, depend-ing on your choice of entrance plan), to anon-site assisted-living unit or skilled-nurs-ing facility if you need care.© 2015, Kiplinger. All Rights Reserved.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency,LLC.


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Safety netFrom page B-11

Those looking to establish a safetynet to plan for their future can turn toone of a growing number of companiesthat offer elder-related services.

One is Life Management Services, adivision of Wells Fargo’s Private Bank,now offered in Maryland and morethan 30 other states. The service, avail-able to clients with at least $2 million ininvestable assets, will assess clientsstarting in their 60s or so and arrangefor assistance as their needs change.

A client in her 60s or 70s may start offjust having Wells Fargo review and paymedical bills. As time goes on, a LifeManagement specialist could develop aplan of care, and set up meal preparation,physical therapy and other assistance.

If the specialist determines a clientneeds assisted living, the specialist wouldfind a suitable facility, coordinate themove and check in on the client regularly.

Anne Tinyo, national manager of theprogram, recalled one client who at 90took a fall after driving to a florist. Shecalled her specialist, who visited her inthe hospital and arranged to move herto a rehabilitation facility. He also hadher car picked up.

Fees for such services are typically apercentage of assets under manage-ment. Wells Fargo’s fee starts at half ofone percent (for those investing $2 mil-lion. The percent declines as invest-ments rise.) The fee is in addition to anymanagement fees for the investments.

New services, if you qualify

By Alex VeigaRising prices and a dearth of homes for

sale in many markets have made it harderfor many looking to buy their first home.

One of the biggest obstacles many arefacing is saving up for a down payment,particularly in hotter markets where com-petition for the more affordable homes canquickly drive up prices and put pressureon buyers to bring more cash up front.

That trend is prompting many parentsto step in, some opening their wallets, oth-ers welcoming their adult children to livewith them again temporarily while theysave money or pay down debt.

Some 13 percent of parents with chil-dren between the ages of 20 and 38 helpedtheir child buy a home in the last fiveyears, according to a survey conducted byGfK Custom Research North America forlender loanDepot.

Of those, 65 percent contributed thedown payment and 24 percent assistedwith closing costs. The survey included re-sponses from 1,000 parents and has a mar-gin of error of 3 percent.

Whether it’s a cash gift or another formof aid, it pays for parents to consider howto best aid their children without placingtheir own financial well-being at risk.

Here are some factors parents shouldweigh when helping their children buy ahome:

Assess your finances Parents may be tempted to pitch in fi-

nancially to help get their children intotheir first home, but they shouldn’t do sobefore going over their own finances andensuring they can they can afford to livewithout the funds.

This is particularly important if the par-ents are close to retirement, when theywill have to live on their assets, savingsand investments.

“Do not in any case put your retirementsecurity at risk just to get your child into ahome,” said Elizabeth Grahsl, a privatebanker at Prosperity Bank in Dallas. “He orshe will have plenty of chances to own realestate, but you probably don’t have time tocatch up if your retirement is derailed.”

An accountant or financial adviser canhelp figure out whether you can afford tomake a sizeable contribution to your chil-dren’s homeownership fund.

Another option is to use an online retire-ment calculator to estimate the impact thatany big withdrawals would have on yourretirement savings.

Try this one from Bankrate: http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/retirement/retirement-plan-calculator.aspx

Go with cash If you decide to kick in some money to-

ward your child’s down payment or othercosts, it’s best to go with discretionarycash, say, from a savings account. That’sbecause it’s likely not earning much in theway of interest, so you’re not losing muchin potential gains on the money.

If you’re under 59 1/2, avoid withdraw-ing funds from individual retirement ac-counts (IRAs). Generally, the IRS will tackon a 10 percent tax for anyone who with-draws funds from their IRA if they’reunder 59 1/2 years old. But there are ex-ceptions, including one allowing parents towithdraw up to $10,000 toward their child’sfirst home purchase.

Even so, you’ll have to pay taxes on that$10,000 at your normal income-tax rate. So ifyour child needs $10,000, you’ll end up pay-ing more to cover the portion lost to taxes.

A loan or a gift?Some parents may decide they can’t af-

ford to give their children a large sum ofmoney, instead preferring to do it as a loan.But that can have an impact on the borrow-er’s ability to qualify for a mortgage.

Mortgage lenders generally allow bor-rowers to use funds received as a gift from

a relative to cover their down payment,closing costs or to add to their savings.

But if the money is being borrowed, thehomebuyer is required to disclose thatloan to the bank, which could alter theirevaluation of the borrower’s debt-to-in-come ratio. That’s a calculus banks use tohelp determine the borrower’s ability topay back a mortgage.

If the funds are given as a gift, they don’tcount as debts that have to be repaid.

Parents can help give their children a fi-nancial leg up on their home purchase, butthere are other ways to do so beyond justgiving them cash.

Local charities sometimes offer first-time buyers incentives to save by offeringmatching contributions. That’s also a goodapproach for parents to take, say, by offer-ing to match their children’s savings to-ward a down payment.

Another option is to make sure their

children are exploring down-payment as-sistance programs run by state and localhousing authorities.

These programs can be found in allstates, and provide an average down-pay-ment assistance of $11,565, according toan analysis of 2,290 such programs by realestate data firm RealtyTrac.

Most of the programs essentially lendthe borrowers the money for the downpayment, collecting on the loan when thehome is sold, said Rob Chrane, CEO andfounder of Down Payment Resource,which tracks the programs.

“There may be some programs that aretargeted to certain census tracts or certainneighborhoods, but basically there issomething out there for everybody whoqualifies,” he said.

Search down payment assistance pro-grams in your area: http:// downpaymen-tresource.com/are-you-eligible. — AP


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By Jonathan FaheyHome efficiency measures such as in-

stalling new windows or replacing insula-tion deliver such a small fraction of theirpromised energy savings that they maynot save any money over the long run, ac-cording to the surprising conclusion of aUniversity of Chicago study.

The study, which used data from a ran-dom sample of 30,000 low-income Michi-gan households that were eligible for anEnergy Department home weatherizationprogram, found that the projected energysavings were 2.5 times greater than actualsavings. As a result, energy bills didn’t de-cline nearly enough to eventually pay forthe initial cost of the upgrades.

“The problem is that the real world isscrewy,” said Michael Greenstone, an en-ergy economist and head of the EnergyPolicy Institute at the University of Chica-go. “The models project much larger sav-ings than are realized by homeowners.”

The study, conducted by Greenstone andeconomists from the University of Californiaat Berkeley, Meredith Fowlie and CatherineWolfram, has not yet been reviewed by apanel of peers. And energy efficiency ex-perts who were shown the study say the au-thors’ broad conclusions about energy effi-ciency in general aren’t justified after astudy of a single program in a single state fo-cused only on low-income households.

But Greenstone said he is finding simi-lar results in a second study of middle-in-come homes in Wisconsin. If his findingsare correct, they could undermine the ra-tionale for billion-dollar federal and stateefficiency programs and call into questiona long-held understanding that making ex-isting homes and businesses more energy-

efficient are among the cheapest ways toreduce emissions of carbon dioxide.

States are expected to expand efficiencyprograms like the federal weatherizationprogram in the coming years to meet regu-lations now in development at the Environ-mental Protection Agency to reduce emis-sions from power generation.

“It’s urgent we find out which (pro-grams) reduce carbon emissions at leastcost,” Greenstone said.

10 to 20% energy savingsThe researchers found that while home-

owners saw their energy use fall by 10 to20 percent after the upgrades, that putthem in position to save just $2,400 in ener-gy expenses — far less than the $5,000 theupgrades in the study cost on average.

The researchers calculated that it costthe federal program $329 for every ton ofcarbon dioxide it saved. The governmentestimates the cost to society of a ton of car-bon dioxide is $38.

The Energy Department said in a state-ment that the program — which it said hasupgraded more than 7 million homes andis saving families $300 million a year —has been shown to work by previous na-tional studies.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is set torelease its own study on the program that“should show that families are still savingmore money in energy bills than moneyspent updating their homes,” according toEnergy Department spokesman EbenBurnham-Snyder.

Steven Nadel, executive director of theAmerican Council for an Energy-EfficientEconomy, said that weatherization pro-grams for low-income households are typi-

cally among the least cost-effective energyefficiency measures. That’s partly becauseit is so difficult to get low-income home-owners to sign up that, once they do, work-ers are encouraged to do as much work aspossible on the homes, even if it has onlymarginal energy benefits.

On the other hand, Nadel said, the studyneglects to factor in other benefits thesehomeowners receive, including lower main-tenance expenses, reducing the likelihoodof missed utility payments, and a more com-fortable home.

It is well-known among efficiency ex-perts that weatherization programs thatreplace windows, boilers and other equip-ment while the equipment is still in work-ing order are particularly expensive.

But other fixes, such as patching leaks inducts and replacing light bulbs, haveshown a clear benefit. And it is still almostcertain that buying more efficient windowsand appliances or light bulbs when it’s timeto replace them pays off in the long run.

To read the full report online, go tohttp://bit.ly/energy_efficiency_report.


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B-16 Housing Options O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

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B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 Say you saw it in the Beacon 15

COLLECT YOUR OWN LIFE INSURANCEYou may be able to pocket part of the pay-out from your life insurance while you’restill alive, but understand all the costs

AVOIDING PROBATEBrokerage accounts typically passthrough your will when you die, but thereare ways to avoid probateMoneyMoneyLaw &

Jeffrey R. KosnettA regular paycheck isn’t the only way to

ensure a steady flow of income. Whetheryou are already retired or simply planningahead for retirement, by carefully select-ing stocks that pay dividends on the rightschedule, you can build a portfolio thatguarantees you cash every month. Hereare a dozen great stocks that do just that.

January: Occidental PetroleumYield: 4.1 percent52-week high: $104.48, 52-week low:

$67.30; 5-year dividend growth rate: 16.9percent

Last dividend increases: 12.5 percent inFebruary 2014 and 4.2 percent in October2014

Also pays in: April, July, OctoberOccidental Petroleum (OXY) is primari-

ly a domestic oil and gas producer, withmuch of its exploration in California and inshale formations in Texas and NorthDakota. It differs from some other large oilcompanies in that it doesn’t have a low-profit refining and marketing business. Italso said, emphatically, in its investor pre-sentations that increasing its dividend is ahigher priority than making acquisitions,buying back stock or piling up reserves.

February: Realty IncomeYield: 4.7 percent52-week high: $55.54, 52-week low: $40.56;

5-year dividend growth rate: 5.7 percentLast dividend increase: 0.3 percent in

March 2015Also pays in: Every monthThis real estate investment trust pio-

neered the strategy of buying or buildingfree-standing drugstores, restaurants, cin-emas, fitness centers and similar buildingsand leasing them to familiar chains, whichpay the rent, maintenance and taxes. Real-ty Income (O) pays dividends every monthand raises the rate several times a year,though slowly and usually by smallamounts. The REIT is safe and consistent,with more than 500 consecutive monthlydividends to its credit.

March: IntelYield 2.9 percent52-week high: $37.90; 52-week low: $25.74;


January 2015Also pays in: June, September, DecemberIntel (INTC), which makes semiconduc-

tors and processors, is one of tech’s mostcommitted dividend-payers. Intel is fightingslowing growth in sales of desktop and lap-top computers — its largest sources of salesand profits — and as it makes inroads intosmartphones and tablets, its cash flow willgrow and higher dividends should follow.

April: McCormickYield 2.1 percent52-week high: $78.70; 52-week low: $64.92;


November 2014Also pays in: January, October, DecemberThe world’s leading maker of spices and

flavorings, McCormick (MKC) grows steadi-ly in part by taking over competitors’ brandsand introducing American favorites to therest of the world. Its profit margin is morethan twice that of the meatpackers whosesteaks and chops star in McCormick’srecipes. Plus, the company has little debt.

May: Procter & GambleYield 3.2 percent52-week high: $93.89; 52-week low: $77.29;


April 2015Also pays in: August, November, FebruaryProcter & Gamble (PG) is the archetypal

solid, predictable, low-stress growth stock.It is so huge that a single-digit dividendgrowth rate may be all you can expect —but that’s good enough considering that itusually yields more than 3 percent.

June: WisdomTree MidCap ETFYield 2.3 percent52-week high: $87.34; 52-week low: $73.63;


March 2015Also pays in: Every monthSmaller and mid-sized companies have

joined the rush to pay higher dividends,and WisdomTree MidCap ETF (DON) is aconvenient way to sample 400 of them —spanning the economy from utilities toREITs to energy to retail. The fund pays div-idends each month, joining Realty Incomeas 12-time payers in this model portfolio.

July: Kimberly-ClarkYield 3.2 percent52-week high: $119.01; 52-week low:


Last dividend increase: 4.8 percent in

February 2015Also pays in: October, January, April The maker of Kleenex, Huggies and

Scott paper products resembles Procter &Gamble in that it makes familiar house-hold products and sells them in more than100 countries. Kimberly-Clark (KMB) hasraised dividends every year since the early1970s, and aims to maintain a higher divi-dend yield than most other industrial andconsumer-product companies.

August: Potash Corp. of SaskatchewanYield 4.7 percent 52-week high: $38.58; 52-week low: $31.395-year dividend growth rate: 30.6 per-

cent; Last dividend increase: 8.6 percent inJanuary 2015

Also pays in: November, February, MayPotash is fertilizer, and this Canadian firm

could be spreading it on its dividends to pro-duce bigger and higher checks for investors’pockets. Five years ago Potash (POT) paid 1cent a quarter. Now the dividend is 38 cents,four times a year. The world doesn’t havemany sources of this essential resource, andwhile the price can swing like any mineral,the dividend is secure.

September: Johnson & JohnsonYield 3.0 percent52-week high: $109.49; 52-week low:


Last dividend increase: 7.1 percent inApril 2015

Also pays in: December, March, JuneA blue-chip cash machine with a great

group of global health businesses, Johnson& Johnson (JNJ) grows just enough to raisedividends between 5 and 10 percent a year,while the shares almost never misbehave.This is the way the stock market is sup-posed to work for patient, loyal investors.

October: Automatic Data ProcessingYield 2.3 percent52-week high: $90.23; 52-week low: $67.12;


April 2014Also pays in: January, April, JulyAutomatic Data Processing (ADP) is a

giant payroll processor and also administersemployee-benefits programs. It also profitsby investing money it holds for employersbefore paychecks are cashed and deposited,so even a small rise in interest rates wouldmake it richer. ADP is a financial fortresswith $2 billion of its own cash and little debt.

November: General DynamicsYield 2.0 percent52-week high: $146.13; 52-week low:


Last dividend increase: 11.2 percent inMarch 2015

Also pays in: February, May, AugustA defense industry powerhouse, General

Dynamics (GD) also makes private jet planesand offers information-technology manage-ment services. Cuts in the military budget(whether rumored or actual) haven’t stoppedit from raising dividends briskly every year.

December: American Electric PowerYield 3.7 percent52-week high: $65.38 ; 52-week low: $49.06;


October 2014Also pays in: March, June, SeptemberAmerican Electric Power (AEP) is one

of the safest traditional regulated utilitystocks because the chain operates in 11states, which spreads the risk from stormsand other controversies. AEP also pays areasonable 59 percent of its earnings asdividends, which gives it scope to raise thepayment even in slow years and makes thechance of cuts extremely low.

All contents © 2015 The Kiplinger Wash-ington Editors, Inc. Distributed by TribuneContent Agency, LLC

Earn dividends every month of the year

NEW UNITED SENIORS OF MARYLAND WEBSITEThe new United Seniors of Maryland (USM) website is www.unit-edseniors.net. On the new website, you can find information about

USM, what it does, board membership, member organizations, forum details, mem-bership payment, general meeting topics and the yearly events calendar. The sitewill provide newsletters, updates on the USM forums, by-laws, future archived his-tory and individual testimonies. You can also find links to information about Mary-land Resources and information on becoming a USM member.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

By Eleanor LaiseA growing number of seniors are look-

ing to sell their life insurance policies to in-vestors. But there is significant risk forolder people getting involved in these “lifesettlement” transactions — whether theyare selling their policy or investing inthose of others.

In a life settlement, a policyholder sellshis policy in exchange for a lump-sum cashpayment. The buyer makes all the futurepremium payments and gets the deathbenefit when the insured person dies.

For seniors who find their policy is nolonger needed or affordable, a life settle-ment can be a better option than letting the

policy lapse. But a life settlement will bring the seller

just a small fraction of his policy’s face value.All too often, insurance experts say, seniorsagree to life settlements without exploringalternatives that could bring far greatervalue to themselves or their beneficiaries.

Life settlements are also a gamble for in-vestors. If the insured lives much longer thanexpected, the investor’s return will plunge.

Lawsuits filed in recent months by theSecurities and Exchange Commission ac-cuse some investment firms of misleadinginvestors about life settlements’ risks. Inone case, a firm allegedly told customersthat life settlements were “guaranteed”

and as safe as certificates of deposit, whilein fact life settlements offer no guarantees.

Although life settlements can makesense in certain situations, for both sellersand investors, “there are so many ways ofbeing taken advantage of,” said GlennDaily, a fee-only insurance adviser in NewYork City.

The life-settlement industry said it’s pro-viding a better alternative to seniors whooften let policies lapse or continue payingpremiums they can’t afford. [It also allowsa policy holder to obtain cash from anasset they otherwise cannot access whilealive, except by borrowing against it.]

Costs of sale add upIf you are over 65 and have a life insur-

ance policy with a death benefit of morethan $100,000, you may be a candidate fora life settlement. You can go to a life-settle-ment broker, who will solicit bids frommultiple buyers.

Or you can go to a life-settlement“provider” — a company that buys policieseither for its own investment purposes orto sell to third-party investors. Theprovider will review your medical recordsand get life-expectancy estimates before

making a bid. You can find licensed bro-kers and providers at www.lisa.org.

But before selling a policy, you shouldunderstand the costs and complexities oflife settlements. The amount of cash youcan receive depends on your remaininglife expectancy, your policy’s annual premi-ums and death benefit, the rate of returnthe buyer demands, and other factors.

Sellers typically receive more than thepolicy’s cash surrender value but far lessthan the death benefit. The gross pur-chase price — before deducting taxes,commissions and other transaction costs— is often 10 percent to 25 percent of thedeath benefit.

And transaction costs can consume abig chunk of the gross purchase price —often 10 percent to 20 percent, Daily said.The broker’s commission can be as muchas 4 to 6 percent of the policy’s face value.The provider also collects a fee, which isgenerally not disclosed to the seller.

What’s more, with a life settlement,“there’s a tremendous loss of tax advan-tage,” said Scott Witt, a fee-only insuranceadviser in New Berlin, Wis.

16 Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

Should you sell your life insurance policy?

See LIFE SETTLEMENTS, page 17

BUSINESS NETWORK FOR SENIORS, CAREGIVERSThe Maryland Senior Resource Network, Inc., (MSRN) is a net-work of select business professionals who offer products and/or

services to seniors and caregivers to help seniors remain safe, comfortable and asindependent as possible. If you or your loved one plans to age in your home orchoose to move to a senior living community, members can help you every step ofthe way. For more information, visit www.mdseniorresource.org or contact (410)828-5564 or [email protected].

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

VOLUNTEER TO BE A READING PARTNER

By becoming a reading partner and volunteering as little as one

hour a week, you can help a child strengthen their reading skills, build confidence,

and discover a passion for reading. Ongoing support and a structured curriculum

are provided. You choose a time that works for you (Monday to Thursday, 8:30

a.m. to 5 p.m.). For more information or to volunteer, visit

www.ReadingPartners.org.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

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If you hold on to the policy, your benefi-ciaries get the death benefit tax-free. In alife settlement, the seller must pay tax onat least a portion of the amount he re-ceives, and the buyer also owes tax on thedeath benefit — another factor that pushesthe offer price lower.

Still, life settlements can make sense forsome seniors. One of Daily’s clients, a 74-year-old woman, has a policy with a facevalue of about $500,000. Because of herrelatively short life expectancy of aboutfive years, Daily estimates that the grossprice she can receive in a life settlement isunusually high — about $250,000. Afterdeducting transaction costs and taxes, shemight pocket roughly $180,000. Since theclient needs money now, a life settlementmakes sense for her, Daily said.

To determine whether a life settlement is agood option for you, ask a fee-only insuranceadviser to help value your policy (find links tonine advisers at www.glenndaily.com).

Other options to considerIf your policy has become unaffordable,

ask your beneficiaries to take over the pre-mium payments, said John Skar, an actu-ary who works with Daily. A whole life in-surance policy is “a valuable family estateasset that you’re getting rid of [through alife settlement] for pennies on the dollar.”

Ask if you can borrow against your poli-cy, or if the policy can be revised so that nofuture premiums are owed and the deathbenefit is reduced. People with short re-maining life expectancies may be eligiblefor accelerated death benefits.

If you no longer need the policy, somecommunity foundations and large charita-ble organizations may be willing to acceptdonations of life insurance.

Also, keep an eye on a new charitable al-ternative that aims to smooth the process ofdonating an insurance policy. Insuring a Bet-ter World Fund (www.iabwf.org), launchedlast year, pools all donated policies and paysthe premiums. As death benefits roll in, itmakes pro rata distributions to the charitiesnamed by the donors. The donor receives atax deduction for the fair market value of thepolicy.

Investing can be riskyFor older investors who are pitched life

settlements as investments, the best policyis to stay away. In some cases, a person in-vests in a single policy. More often policiesare pooled into life-settlement funds.

Investors’ returns depend on the accu-racy of life-expectancy estimates, and “itdoesn’t take very many [people] who dra-matically outlive life expectancy to reallyput a crimp in your returns,” Witt said.

In addition, insurers may refuse to paydeath benefits if they suspect that a policy

was initiated by an investor, rather than theinsured person. In these “stranger-originat-ed life insurance” arrangements, investorspay seniors to buy life insurance and thenturn the policies over to investors.

Without examining every policy in afund, it can be hard for investors to be surethey’re avoiding such situations.

All contents © 2015 The Kiplinger Wash-ington Editors, Inc. Distributed by TribuneContent Agency, LLC.

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money 17

410.337.8900 | www.frankelderlaw.com | 1.888.338.0400

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Life settlementsFrom page 16

DISCOUNTED ONLINE CLASSES AVAILABLE AT CCBCCCBC is offering discounted online classes for seniors. Cost per

six-week class is $89. For more information, visit www.ed2go.com/CCBC/online

or call (443) 840-4700.

VOLUNTEER TAX RETURN PREPARERS NEEDEDThe AARP Tax Aide Program is looking for volunteers to assist in

preparing income tax returns for senior and low- to moderate-in-

come residents. A training course will be held in December at the Parkville or Ar-

butus Senior Centers. For more information, contact Hugh Hoffman at (410) 668-

0236 or [email protected].

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

Ongoing

By Kimberly LankfordQ: I need to designate a beneficiary

for my brokerage account. Is a transfer-on-death account a better option thanadding a joint owner to my account orincluding the account in my will?

A: Life insurance, IRAs, 401(k) plansand other retirement accounts pass direct-ly to the beneficiaries you designate out-side of your will.

Brokerage accounts, on the other hand,generally pass to your beneficiariesthrough your will and must go throughprobate first, which can be time-consum-ing, public and expensive in some states.

A transfer on death (TOD) registrationis a way to designate beneficiaries for yourbrokerage account so the money will pass

directly to them and avoid probate.If you add a joint owner, that person will

inherit the account outside of probate butcan also change the investments and ac-cess the money while you’re alive. Joint ac-counts are also subject to the claims ofboth owners’ creditors.

With a TOD, you maintain total controlover the account and can change the bene-ficiary designation at any time.

TODs trump willsA TOD makes it very clear who inherits

the account, rather than the account be-coming one of many assets passed throughyour will. “It can avoid disputes,” said GerriWalsh, senior vice president of investor ed-ucation for Finra (Financial Industry Regu-

latory Authority), an independent regula-tor for securities firms. “If you have the ac-count set up with a designated beneficiary,that trumps whatever is in the will.”

However, if you want to split your estateamong several beneficiaries, you may wantto transfer the account through your willinstead.

Say you have three children and want toleave them equal shares of your estate.You could make one the TOD beneficiaryof your brokerage account and leave com-parable amounts of money to the otherchildren. But if the brokerage account in-creases or decreases in value before youdie, that child could end up inheriting avery different amount than the siblings.

With a will, on the other hand, you cansplit up the total assets equally.

When to use trustsIf you have more complicated wishes —

such as if you want your heirs to use themoney for a particular purpose or not toreceive the funds until a certain time —

you may want to set up a trust instead, saidEleanor Blayney, a certified financial plan-ner and consumer advocate for the CFPBoard.

Contact your brokerage firm if you’dlike to set up a TOD designation for youraccount. Most states have similar TODrules (Louisiana and Texas do not offerthis option). If you move to another state,ask your brokerage firm if you need tomake any changes.

For more information about TOD desig-nations and other ways to transfer yourbrokerage account to your beneficiaries,see Finra’s investor alert Plan for “Transi-tion: What You Should Know About theTransfer of Brokerage Account Assets onDeath” at http://bit.ly/brokerage_transfer.

For more information about estate planningoptions, see “8 Smart Estate Planning Stepsto Die the Right Way” at http://bit.ly/estate_planning_steps.

All contents © 2015 The Kiplinger Wash-ington Editors, Inc. Distributed by TribuneContent Agency, LLC.

Bypass probate for brokerage accounts18 Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

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BA L T IMORE B E A CON — O C TOBE R 2 0 1 5 Say you saw it in the Beacon 19

TravelLeisure &TravelLeisure &

By Victor BlockAs I strolled along ancient ramparts that

encircled the small medieval city, the viewchanged with each twist and turn. On oneside was a labyrinth of narrow streets linedby tile-roofed stone buildings. In the otherdirection were stunning views of the Adri-atic Sea.Not very far away, the setting was very dif-

ferent. In an area about the size of Connecti-cut, I traveled through a varied terrain ofrugged mountains, deep canyons and invit-ing beaches.And mountain villages, rolling mead-

ows, and a city that ranks high on many atraveler’s favorites list greet visitors to anadjacent country that shares a history withits neighbors.Few trips I have enjoyed anywhere in-

cluded as much diversity and diversion asmy “Crossroads of the Adriatic” tour withOverseas Adventure Travel. Crisscrossing four miniscule countries

that once were part of Yugoslavia, I delvedinto intriguing chapters of history, cul-tures and religions, oohed and aahed at akaleidoscope of magnificent scenery, andchecked out local life in both tiny townsand magnificent cities.

Tiny but diverse landsBorder checkpoints through which my

trip group passed reminded us that we weretraveling between independent nations.

They also served as reminders that, notlong ago, bitter warfare raged in the region. But the only shooting we did was with

our cameras, and taking pictures of sceneryas dramatic as that which surrounded us,the results had to be outstanding.Forest-clad countryside lies in the shad-

ow of craggy mountain peaks. Ancientwalled cities and tiny hillside towns are richwith life and allure. Mother Nature displaysher handiwork in scenic gems that includeinviting beachcdafdafdsaes, stunningcoastal scenery, and cascading waterfallsthat compete in beauty if not size with Niag-ara.The pre-departure Information I re-

ceived referred to the trip as “Crossroadsof the Adriatic,” and to the four compactcountries on the itinerary — Croatia, Mon-tenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Slovenia– as “multicultural lands of forgotten beau-ty.” We did not visit Serbia and Macedonia,which were also once part of Yugoslavia. The tiny sizes of our destinations — the

four together have a total area about equalto New York State – made traveling be-tween them convenient. At the same timethat similarities became evident, so did dif-ferences based in part upon divergent eth-nicities and cultures.

Dubrovnik and ZagrebMajor cities, as well as charming towns

and villages, are among the attractions.

Dubrovnik, which clings to a narrowstretch of land at the southern tip of Croat-ia, is one of the most prominent tourist re-sorts of the Mediterranean. It doesn’t takelong to understand why. Its Old Town neighborhood exudes a

Middle Ages atmosphere from when it ri-valed Venice in wealth and power. A num-ber of palaces and other prominent land-marks date back to that golden era. The main feature is ancient fortified walls

that encircle the city, set off by a series of tur-rets and towers. Walking along the top of thefortification provides dramatic views of thearchitectural treasures in the Old Town, andan understanding why Dubrovnik is includ-ed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.Zagreb, the capital of independent

Croatia since 1991, has been a culturalcenter since the Middle Ages and boastsan inviting array of museums. A number ofthem are perched in the hilly, historicalUpper Town, which visitors may reach onfoot or by a 55-second ride in what’s said tobe the shortest funicular in the world. The pedestrian-friendly Lower Town

has inviting squares and parks. The centerof action is Ban Jelacic Square, where lo-cals gather to stroll, socialize and sip re-freshments at outdoor cafes.

Despite the appeals of Croatia’s majorcities, it was the capital of tiny Sloveniathat became the new favorite Europeanmetropolis of many in my tour group.Ljubljana (pronounced Loo-blee-AH-na) isa bustling urban center with broad prome-nades and inviting pedestrian walkways. A section of stone wall, statues and mo-

saics are among reminders that this wasthe site of a Roman town dating to the year14 C.E. Overlooking the setting from a hill-top is Ljubljana Castle, which dates back tothe early 12th century and was recon-structed following an earthquake in 1511.

Visiting villages Small in size but no less interesting are

towns and villages scattered about theBalkans. While many have attractionsworth exploring, several stand out in mymind.Karanac, a village of about 1,000 people

in Croatia, exemplifies rural charm. It’s lo-cated in what’s known as the Bread Basketof Croatia. Grapes have been grown on thesurrounding hills since Roman times. An-other claim to fame is its multi-ethnic pop-ulation of Croats, Serbs, Hungarians and

Ban Jelacic Square in Croatia’s capital of Zagreb is a gathering spot for locals. Za-greb’s history dates to Roman times, and today the city has a population of about800,000.

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

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Balkans, now at peace, are worth a visit

See BALKANS, page 20

View fall foliage from a new vantagepoint, such as a balloon, river raft orcovered wagon. See story on page 21.

Germans who live together in harmony.Tiny Hum is little more than a dot on

maps. A 2001 census counted 17 residents,but I was told that a mini-population explo-sion has increased the number to 25. Doc-uments date the settlement to the early12th century, and some houses are builtinto defensive walls that were constructedto protect the town. Mostar follows a stretch of the Neretva

River in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and has ahistory as one of the most ethnically di-verse towns in the region. Its attractionsrange from graceful 16th and 17th centurymosques to crowded shop-lined streets. The Old Bridge over the river is one of

the country’s most recognizable land-marks. Originally built by the Ottomans inthe mid-16th century, the graceful stonespan stood for more than 400 years beforebeing destroyed during the Bosnian War.

Visitors today see an exact replica. If any city may be said to share both a

happy and tragic past, it is Sarajevo, thecapital of Bosnia-Herzegovina. For severalhundred years, it was a cultural and reli-gious haven where Serbs, Croats, Turks,Muslims, Jews and others lived in harmo-ny. That peaceful picture came to an endduring the fierce ethnic fighting that fol-lowed the death of Marshal Tito and onlyended in the 1990s.Visitors to Sarajevo receive stark re-

minders of the bitter warfare that tookplace when the city was surrounded andits mostly Bosnian population came underconstant attack by Serbian forces. The most dramatic introduction is in the

Tunnel of Life, a mile-long undergroundpassage that residents began building in1992. By the end of the siege, nearly fouryears later, men, women and even childrenhad made more than five million tripsthrough the low tunnel carrying food,medical supplies and small weapons.

Beautiful beaches and lakesVery different and much happier set-

tings are encountered at water-related at-tractions in the Balkan countries. For thoseseeking a sun-and-sand respite, Croatia hasbeautiful beaches along its southern Dal-matian Coast. More than 120 beaches linethe short shoreline of Montenegro. More dramatic scenery awaits visitors to

Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia.Water that fills a line of 16 lakes separated bynatural dams spills down hillsides in a seriesof cascades toward a river at the bottom.Adding to the portrait-like setting are the col-ors of the water — sky blue, emerald green,rock gray — that reflect the surroundings. Equally magnificent in a different way is

Lake Bled in Slovenia. Overlooking thelake from a steep cliff is Bled Castle, whichdates back to the early 12th century. On a small island in the lake, which may

be reached in a pletna boat (the local ver-sion of a gondola), is a small but graceful17th-century church. The little house of

worship is a popular wedding venue, and agood luck tradition calls for the groom tocarry his bride-to-be up the 98 stone stepsto the building, and for the couple to make awish and ring the bell so it will come true. By the time I pulled the bell rope, my

wish had already come true. I was experi-encing four intriguing countries that aresmall in size but large in terms of attrac-tions and appeal.

If you goOverseas Adventure Travel lives up to

its motto of “Learning and Discovery.” Inaddition to the must-see attractions of adestination, its itineraries include lesser-visited but equally inviting places. In addi-tion, guides have flexibility to alter plans inorder to take advantage of unexpected op-portunities that crop up. On my trip, these included stopping at a

tiny 18th-century church whose parish priestserved blueberry strudel he had made, andaccompanying a truffle hunter and his dogon a search for that prized fungus. For information about OAT trips through-

out the world, call (800) 955-1925 or log ontooattravel.com.With learning and discovery, both ac-

commodations and food become part of anOAT trip. We spent one night in a tradition-al century-old farm house in Karanac,meeting the resident livestock and enjoy-ing a hearty homemade breakfast. We also stayed in a city hotel built adja-

cent to the remains of a 16th-century innthat once provided overnight shelter to car-avan drivers.Our food discoveries focused on the

specialties of wherever we happened to be.We became used to hearing our guide,Ivana, insist, “You can’t leave (name oftown or area) without sampling the (gas-tronomic specialty).” Among treats for our taste buds were

truffles that aficionados rate among thebest in the world, Slovenian sausage, diet-busting Croatian custard cake and heart-shaped gingerbread cookies, and locallymade brandies just about everywhere.

20 Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com OCTOBE R 2 0 1 5 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

Alzheimer’s disease is destroying our families, our finances and our future. But you can do something to stop it.

START A TEAM.

Greater Baltimore Walk | Saturday, October 31, 2015Rash Field, Baltimore City

Registration 9 a.m. | Walk 10 a.m.

alz.org/walk | 800.272.3900

BalkansFrom page 19

CRAFT SHOW AT

ARBUTUS SENIOR

CENTER

The Arbutus Senior Center is spon-

soring its 4th Annual Craft Show on

Saturday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2

p.m. at the Arbutus Recreation Cen-

ter, 865 Sulphur Spring Rd. More

than 40 vendors will be participat-

ing. Admission is free. Door prizes,

homemade candy and light lunch

available. For more information, call

(410) 887-1410.

BEACON BITS

Oct. 24

By Victor BlockAs they gently sail above the treetops,

Jill and Bill Kelly enjoy the scenery pass-ing below their hot air balloon. The ride is very different for Mark and

Marylee Sutherland as they help steer arubber raft through a stretch of rock-strewnriver and over a 12-foot-high waterfall. Meanwhile, Nancy and Victor Goodman

travel at a much slower pace, in a horse-drawn covered wagon rolling along a highridge that early explorers called the “top ofthe world.”These disparate experiences seem to have

little in common, but all three couples share acommon goal. They sought, and have found,new ways — and places — to enjoy the annu-al fall foliage show that is among Mother Na-ture’s most magnificent handiworks.“Leaf peepers” seeking to enjoy the an-

nual Technicolor display have many morechoices than a drive along a traffic-cloggedroad or a hike through the woods. Theyalso can find surprising places around thecountry to take in the multihued spectacle,and imaginative ways of doing so.

Ballooning over New EnglandThe ride that the Kellys enjoyed is operat-

ed by aptly named Balloons Over New Eng-land, located in Vermont. The flight has beenlikened to an aerial nature walk that skims

over two river valleys and offers distant viewsof the Green Mountains. The treat for theeyes is followed by one for the taste buds,with a champagne, fruit and pastry repast.As with any excursion planned to view fall

foliage, the peak period can change a bitfrom year to year. In Vermont, color usuallybegins in late September and lasts to mid-Oc-tober. For more information, call BalloonsOver New England at 1-800-788-5562 or logonto www.balloonsovernewengland.com.Rather than gliding gently over tree-

tops, Mark and Marylee Sutherland alter-nated opportunities to enjoy vibrant coloralong river shorelines with frantic pad-dling as the raft in which they traveledshot through heart-stopping rapids. Trips offered by the Nantahala Outdoor

Center in North Carolina and Tennesseepass through steep gorges and mountainbackdrops that are blanketed with trees thatburst into color during September. Thosewho prefer to view the foliage in a moreleisurely way have a choice of less challeng-ing rivers. For more information, call (828)785-5082 or log onto www.noc.com.As avowed landlubbers, the Goodmans

found a covered wagon ride at the BuenaVista Ski Area in Minnesota to be the perfectway to enjoy the fall colors. They jouncedover a route that was traveled by NativeAmericans, early explorers and pioneers.

Activities at this year’s annual Fall ColorFestival, Sept. 19 and 20, will includesquare dancing, blacksmith demonstra-tions and chainsaw carving. Wagon ridesare available at any time with advancereservations. Call 1-800-777-7958 or log ontowww.bvskiarea.com.A variety of other con-

veyances awaits thoseseeking a new and differ-ent way to view foliage. The Potomac Eagle

Scenic Railroad offers achance to view not onlyfoliage, but bald eaglesas well. The four-hourride, which leaves fromRomney, W.V., uses vin-tage locomotives fromthe 1950s, and includesseveral open-air cars foroptimal eagle spotting asthe train passes primehabitat. The railroad also

offers special 1½-hour fall foliage trips fromPetersburg, W.V., on selected dates in Oc-tober.

New ways to encounter, enjoy fall foliage

The company BalloonsOver New England offers aerial views offall leaves in Vermont.

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — O C TOBE R 2 0 1 5 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel 21

See FALL FOLIAGE, page 22

CCBC SETS 2016 TRAVEL CALENDAR

CCBC has a number of trips scheduled for the 2015-16 academic

year, including day trips to New York, Philadelphia and Peddler’s Village, among

others, and longer trips to Sicily, Iceland and Eastern Canada. For more informa-

tion, call (443) 840-1717 or visit www.ccbcmd.edu/travel.

HOLLYWOOD CASINO TRIP

Bykota Senior Center invites you to join them on Wednesday, Oct.

14, on this day trip to Hollywood Casino at Penn National. Cost is

$26, with $25 free play (photo ID required) and $5 off buffet. Call Bykota Senior

Center Travel at (410) 887-1691 for details and reservations.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

Oct. 14

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Trains depart twice daily on Saturdaysin September and daily in October, with anumber of departures on Saturdays andSundays. To learn more, call (304) 424-0736 or see http://www.potomaceagle.info.Or how about a thrilling flight in a World

War II-era open cockpit airplane that cancarry two passengers? Training planes

and fighter aircraft fly low over rolling hillsand California vineyards. Those who areadventurous and brave enough may askthe pilot to take them through aerobaticmaneuvers. The color of grape vines at ground level

don’t pack quite the visual wallop of a treecanopy, but the red and yellow leaves againsta backdrop of green have a beauty all theirown. For more information, call (707) 938-2444 or log onto www.vintageaircaft.com.

Zip lines and ski resortsIt’s true that zip lines don’t go as high or

fast as airplanes, but zipping though andabove treetops clad in a coat of many col-ors can be just as rewarding. One placeamong many to enjoy this experience isthe Smoky Mountains in Tennessee,which has the largest stand of old-growthforest east of the Mississippi River.The kaleidoscope of autumn colors

there lasts for several weeks, beginning inSeptember at the highest elevations andmoving down mountainsides into Novem-ber. The diversity of trees adds to the spec-trum of vibrant hues. Information is avail-able from the Tennessee tourism office at1-800-462-8366 and www.tnvacation.com.While a number of ski resorts throughout

the country operate their lifts during the fo-liage season, Snowmass in Colorado doesmost of them one better — and then some. There’s a reason the town it’s in is called

Aspen. The trees of that name turn the 2.3million acres of surrounding national foresta brilliant shade of gold. It’s no wonder thatTravel + Leisure last year ranked it amongAmerica’s Best Towns for Fall Colors.More than 50 miles of hiking trails pass

through groves of golden aspens. Jeep andhorseback tours are available for those whowould rather ride than walk, and a gondolacarries bikers to a high perch from whichthey follow downhill or cross country trailsto the bottom. Those who take the chair liftto its 11,000-foot top are rewarded with a

panoramic view of the rugged Elk Mountainrange. For more information, call 1-800-679-3151 or log onto www.gosnowmass.com.If, after considering the alternatives,

you still prefer the tried and true ways ofenjoying the changing leaves, you stillmight find some surprises. For example, how many people are

aware that leaves of dogwood, maple andred alder trees in Oregon display a rain-bow spectrum of color? An autumn hike inthe Rogue River National Forest passesthrough old growth trees that provide a va-riety of fall shades, and the Santiam PassScenic Byway leads past waterfalls and avolcanic landscape set off by vibrant col-ors. For more information, call 1-800-547-7842 or log onto www.traveloregon.com. When planning a leaf peeping driving

getaway, would you be likely to head forArkansas? Yet that state experiences acolor extravaganza that begins in Octoberin the northern Ozarks, moves slowlysouth and peaks in late October and earlyNovember. A favorite route is the Boston Mountains

Scenic Loop (yes, in Arizona), which trav-erses nearly undeveloped mountain areasand tree-covered canyons. The TalimenaNational Scenic Byway, which winds alongforested mountain tops in one of the highestranges between the Appalachians and Rock-ies, offers a series of breathtaking panora-mas. For more information, call (501) 682-7777 or log onto www.arkansas.com.

22 Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com OCTOBE R 2 0 1 5 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

Kaleidoscope Lifelong Learning at Roland Park Country School

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING & FUN FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY

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Fall foliageFrom page 21

PENNSYLVANIA FARMER’S MARKET AND SMORGASBORD Essex Senior Center will host an excursion to Shady Maple Smor-gasbord and Gift Shop and Bird-in-Hand Farmer’s Market and Bake

Shop in Pennsylvania from 8:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15. Cost is$60. For more information, call (410) 687-5113.

YULETIDE TOUR AT WINTERTHUR GARDENSReserve now for a tram and Yuletide tour of Winterthur Gardens inWilmington, with lunch at the Dupont Hotel, on Wednesday, De-cember 9. Cost is $100. Call Bykota Senior Center Travel at (410)

887-1691 for more information and reservations.

SENIOR CRAFT GALLERY SEEKING VOLUNTEERSThe Senior Craft Gallery, 1801 Glen Keith Blvd., is looking for vol-unteers as well as consignees and shoppers. Call (410) 661-2128for more information.

FALL FESTIVAL AT CROMWELL VALLEY PARKHead “Down on the Farm” at Cromwell Valley Park for the annual FallHarvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 10, and Sunday, Oct. 11, from noonto 4 p.m. each day. The park is located at 2002 Cromwell Bridge Rd.

For more information, call (410) 887-2503 or visit www.cromwellvalleypark.org.

BEACON BITS

Oct. 15

Dec. 9

Ongoing

Oct. 10


By Carol SorgenLike many single moms, Nina Amaya

was stretched to the limit. Her primarycare physician wrote her a prescription to“have fun.” On a lark, Amaya signed up fora belly dancing class at her local Y.

Twenty-some years later, Amaya, now52 and living in North Baltimore, is stillhaving fun. So much so, in fact, that shenow teaches belly dancing herself and isthe founder of the 10-member dancetroupe Aubergine, and their accompany-ing band, Brinjal (Hindi for eggplant).

What Amaya found she most enjoyedthrough belly dancing was self-expression.As time went on and she became moreproficient, she also enjoyed the ability toentertain others.

Add to those aspects both the physicaland mental health benefits of belly danc-ing, and you have the whole picture.

“I used to have a bad back, and thatsoon went away,” said Amaya, explainingthat belly dancing strengthens abdominal,pelvic and back muscles.

In addition, it is a good form of stretch-ing and toning, and a means to developgrace and self-confidence, as well as ac-ceptance of your body, no matter whatshape it’s in.

Though belly dancing is not a weightloss program, being more aware of yourbody often leads dancers to become moreaware of what they eat, she noted.

Amaya also appreciates the fact thatbelly dancing —predominantly, though not

exclusively, a female art form — is a “girlthing.” That’s especially gratifying giventhat she shares a home with her husband,a houseful of sons, and “even a male dog!”

Exotic, in a good wayFor the uninitiated, belly dance is a torso-

driven dance, which emphasizes move-ment of the hips. Unlike many Westerndance forms, such as ballet and jazz, thefocus of belly dance is on relaxed, naturalisolations of the torso muscles, rather thanon movements of the limbs through space.

There is no formal vocabulary of bellydance moves, as there is, say, in ballet. Butbelly dance does have a variety of styles —from Modern Egyptian, American Tribaland Folkloric Belly Dance to the new GothFusion.

While belly dancing has a reputation asa provocative dance, historically its undu-lating style was not intended to entertainmen. Rather, one school of thought is thatbelly dancing was originally performed forother women during fertility rites.

Belly dancing first became widely seen inthe United States as part of the 1893 World’sFair, where it was called “danse du ventre,”which literally translates to belly dancing.

Jeanne Gary, 60, is one of the membersof Amaya’s dance troupe. She was first in-troduced to belly dancing 10 years agowhen a younger friend talked her intogoing to a class. “I didn’t want to,” Gary re-called, “but I fell in love with it. It was just abug that bit me.”

Gary admits that her initial impressionof belly dancing was that it was exoticdancing — “and not in a good way,” shesaid. But it didn’t take long for her to learnto appreciate the strength and control that

the dance calls for. “I came to see it for thetrue art form it is,” said Gary.

Soon after she began taking classes, Gary

Arts &Style The funny/sad play Detroit makes itsBaltimore premiere this month. See review on page 24.

Belly dancing offers healthy fun for all

Dancers of all ages participate in the belly dancing troupe Aubergine, which performsthroughout the area, accompanied by its own dancer/musicians. Founded by NinaAmaya, the group helps women stay in shape and have fun at the same time.

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See BELLY DANCING, page 25

OCT102015

SHOSTAKOVICH’S FIFTH7:30 PMJIM ROUSE THEATRE

SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 5 HIGDON: Oboe Concerto Katherine Needleman, oboe

THEOFANIDIS: Dreamtime Ancestors Maryland Premiere

Tickets range from $10-$25 $3 service fee may apply

Call 410-465-8777 or visitwww.columbiaorchestra.org for ticket information

By A.K. CollinsSuburban dysphoria has rarely been so

entertaining. In the award-winning play,Detroit, the suburban sanctuary has finallymet its expiration date. The city it circleshas gone up in flames, and now the sparksare nipping at the heels of the middle classin their clapboard houses.

Playwright Lisa D’Amour excels at well-drawn characters caught up in fast-pacedfunny conversation. In this Baltimore pre-miere at Fells Point Corner Theatre, directorMichael B. Zemarel and his perfectly cast ac-tors serve up a juicy cut of American lifemade even more topical by recent events.

We encounter Ben (Greg Jericho) andMary (Beth Webber) on their comfort-able back patio. Despite their material com-forts, they are the leading edge of the anxiety-ridden Millennial generation, nowdubbed Generation Stress.

Having lost his job as a loan officer, Ben istrying to reimagine himself as a techie,while his wife supports the household as aparalegal. They are a few bad choices andturns of luck from disaster. They are painful-ly aware, but complacent.

Love thy neighbor?Excitement enters their boring lives when

a couple moves into the vacant house nextdoor. Desperate to break out of their isolation,

Mary invites them over, but Sharon (RachelRoth) and Kenny (David Shoemaker) are notwhat the buttoned up preppies expect.

They met in rehab and may or may notbe clean and sober. Sharon may or maynot work answering phones. Kenny mayor may not work in a warehouse.

Just as Detroit may or may not be the ac-tual setting. Just as Ben and Mary may ormay not be as staid and cautious as theyfirst appear. Uncertainty hangs over every-thing like a storm cloud ready to burst.

A comedy of mishaps occurs in thisawkward meeting of the classes. At first,the four seem to have nothing in common.Clumsy attempts to connect soon give wayto a mutual sense of shared desperation.

Mary presents as the controlled andcollected hostess/career woman — untilshe starts oversharing about her plantarwart while repeatedly refilling her drink.Webber unravels her character’s goodsense with hilarious results. She is everymiddle class woman, if every middle classwoman was one drink away from a nerv-ous breakdown.

Jericho presents an amiable front asBen, who is a man-cave and a Miley Cyrussong away from total regression.

Meanwhile, the newcomers ooze sexi-ness. They are devil-may-care free spirits.Roth is delightfully disturbing as Sharon,

who ricochets between gleeful child andsexy wild woman like a pinball in cowboyboots. Shoemaker is thoroughly engagingas he channels Matthew McConaughey inlaconic, laid back Kenny.

They have neither roots nor ambition.But their lack of pretense is so refreshing,it’s easy to ignore the danger they repre-sent. Or perhaps it is more dangerous todeny, repress and sink into subterfuge likethe middle class that flee and never lookback — until trouble moves in next door.

Set designer, Bush Greenbeck, shiftssmoothly between each house, one hang-ing onto suburban bliss, the other alreadyabandoned. As Mary keeps pointing out,“They have NO furniture.”

The homes, like their inhabitants, arefalling apart. The props (managed by KateSmith-Morse, Crystal Sewell, and JenniferMarin) are secondary bumbling charac-ters who, like the human ones, are comingapart at the seams. The umbrella won’tstay up, the sliding door gets stuck, andthe deck starts to collapse.

Avenues of escapeProblem-solving is a skill all four lack.

Their escape options include alcohol, drugs,

digital fantasies, and that refuge of natural-ists everywhere: camping. Well, at least, thetwo women concoct the idea that theycan run away and live off the land like over-grown Girl Scouts.

The two men, on the other hand, crankthemselves up to go where there arecountless women and endless beers. Thewomen barely make it past the gas station,and the men never leave the porch. Suchare the half-baked ideas of half-lived lives.

Stuck in place, they decide to party likeit’s the end of the world. When Rome isfalling, play a fiddle and have an orgy. Freespirits revel in the face of destruction. Letthe bacchanalia begin.

When it goes up in flames, the burnout is expertly done by lighting and sounddesign (Charles Danforth III and ChrisAllen, with Mike Zemarel, respectively).

The last scene is such a sharp denoue-ment, it seems tacked on like a fuzzy after-thought. Kenny and Sharon have skidded onto the next party. Kenny’s uncle (Larry Levin-son), who owns the vacant house, appearsout of nowhere, to expose the interlopers.

He seems to have stepped out of a Nor-

Suburbs implode in Baltimore premiere

In the play Detroit, the lives of suburban residents, Ben (played by Greg Jericho) andMary (Beth Weber), in the center of the photo, undergo a seismic shift in their relation-ship when new neighbors Sharon (Rachel Roth, far left) and Kenny (David Shoemaker)move in. The tragi-comic play continues at Fells Point Corner Theater through Oct. 4.

PH

OTO

BY

CH

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24 Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

See SORRY SUBURBS, page 25

Senior ApartmentsLIVE WELL FOR LESSRoland View Towers

•One- and Two-Bedroom as wellas Efficiencies

• Rents from $451-$759*

Utilities Included! • 24/7 on-site Maintenance and Reception Desk

• Beauty/Barber Shop on premises

• Bus Trips and Social Events and many more amenities!

• Only 2 blocks from Hampden’s ‘The Avenue’

*All residents must meet specific income guidelines.

For your personal tour contactArthur or Laura Ruby at

410-889-8255St Mary’s Roland View Towers

3838/3939 Roland Ave • Baltimore, MD 21211www.rolandviewtowers.com

Mention the Beacon forFREE Month’s Rent!

Spectacular View

Rooftop Restaurant Radio Flea Market

Cars, boats, furniture, antiques, tools, appliancesEverything and anything is sold on

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

Classifieds continued from page 27.

man Rockwell painting, reminding us of howit used to be when the suburbs were filledwith happy families doing happy things.

Ben and Mary stand sheepishly amidstthe debris of their flirtation with debauch-ery. They seem rather too calm and forgiv-ing toward their sexy Pied Pipers. Ormaybe it’s shock.

My theater companion lamented howAmericans romanticize the rebels, no mat-ter how much destruction they leave be-hind. Perhaps America’s prolonged loveaffair with adolescence will finally end.

Perhaps our golden childhood will beexposed as a gold-plated tarnished past.It’s time for the national psyche to mature.We had our last party, our final blow-out ofa prom-night. It’s time to clean-up, grow upand get a real life.

Detroit runs at the Fells Point Corner The-ater, located at 251 S. Ann St., through Oct. 4.Tickets are $15 on Sundays; $20 on Fridaysand Saturdays. For more information,call (410) 276-7837 or go to www.fpct.org.

Collins is a Baltimore freelance writer.

met Amaya (a former Spanish teacher), whowas looking for dancers to perform atArtscape, Baltimore’s annual summertimearts festival. Gary was reluctant at first, butanother dancer persuaded Gary to perform,and she hasn’t stopped since.

She now appears with Amaya’s companyas often as she can (as she still works full-time for the State of Maryland), perform-ing at festivals such as the annual Renais-sance Festival, at nursing homes, privateparties, fundraisers and more.

The band is a relatively recent addition tothe troupe. Two flutists, a bass player and a

drummer accompany many dances, butsome dancers, including Amaya, also play in-struments, and some musicians also dance.

Performances include some musical in-terludes, including songs from Turkey,Egypt, Greece, Armenia and Israel, andsome “modern melting-pot songs.”

Never too late to learnOne of the attractions of belly dancing

for Gary is the bond she finds amongthose who practice the art. “There’s asense of community and of sisterhoodamong us all,” she said.

In particular, as one of the older dancersin the belly dancing community, she appre-ciates the respect that older women re-

ceive from the younger women.Along those lines, Amaya hopes to

begin teaching belly dancing in senior cen-ters, saying, “It’s never too late to start.”

Nina Amaya offers private and group class-es. Contact her at [email protected] orvisit her website at www.ninaamaya.com.

The Community College of BaltimoreCounty offers classes through its continu-ing education program. Visit bit.ly/belly-danceCCBC, call (443) 840-CCBC (2222),or email [email protected].

For a list of other private teachers, visithttp://bellydancebaltimore.com.

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style 25

APARTMENT HOMES FOR THOSE 62 AND BETTER

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

Furnace Branch 410-761-4150

Severna Park 410-544-3411

BALTIMORE CITY

Ashland Terrace 410-276-6440

Coldspring 410-542-4400

BALTIMORE COUNTY

Catonsville 410-719-9464

Dundalk 410-288-5483

Fullerton 410-663-0665

Miramar Landing 410-391-8375

Randallstown 410-655-5673

Rosedale 410-866-1886

Taylor 410-663-0363

Towson 410-828-7185

Woodlawn 410-281-1120

EASTERN SHORE

Easton 410-770-3070

HARFORD COUNTY

Bel Air 410-893-0064

Box Hill 410-515-6115

HOWARD COUNTY

Colonial Landing 410-796-4399

Columbia 410-381-1118

Ellicott City 410-203-9501

Ellicott City II 410-203-2096

Emerson 301-483-3322

Snowden River 410-290-0384

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Bladensburg 301-699-9785

Laurel 301-490-1526

Laurel II 301-490-9730

Professionally managed by The Shelter Group. www.thesheltergroup.com

Call the community nearest you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour or email [email protected].

www.ParkViewSeniorLiving.com

= NEWLY RENOVATED

YOUR LIFESTYLE BEGINS HERENew ERER

ALL COMMUNITIES ARE SMOKE FREE

55 ANDBETTER!

B A N G P R O S A R CA P O R T R O U T C O A TL E V E E O T T O A C N ED R A W C O N C L U S I O N S

H B O A T O C O TD R A W Y O U R W E A P O N SD E L I E N E R P IS L E D S S L T S N I D E

O U T I R A T I E RD R A W T H E C U R T A I N SO A R R E D E A RD R A W A B U B B L E B A T HG I B E A C R L A L L E YE N I D B E A U D A T E DG A S E D G E B O N E

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORDFROM PAGE 26

Belly dancingFrom page 23

Sorry suburbsFrom page 24

FREE ORCHESTRA CONCERTThe Har Sinai congre-

gation in Owings Mills is hosting afree concert with the Howard CountyOrchestra with the theme “OurBeautiful Planet” on Sunday, Nov. 1at 3 p.m. at the Har Sinai, 2905Walnut Ave., Owings Mills. The con-cert includes “Earth Day Suite” byVivian Adleberg Rudow; “William TellOverture” by Gioachino Rossini, andVivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” featur-ing violinist Jonathan Carney. Formore information, email [email protected] or call (410)484-6284.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 1

VINYL RECORDS WANTED from 1950through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul,Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201.

CASH BUYER FOR OLD COSTUMEJEWELRY – pocket and wrist watches (anycondition). Also buying watchmaker toolsand parts, train sets and accessories, oldtoys, old glassware & coins. 410-409-4965.

Wanted

26 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

BB10/15

Scrabble answers on p. 25.

Crossword PuzzleDaily crosswords can be found on our website:

www.TheBeaconNewspapers.comClick on Puzzles Plus

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19

20 21 22

23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

32 33 34

35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

43 44 45 46 47

48 49 50 51 52

53 54 55

56 57 58 59 60 61 62

63 64 65

66 67 68

69 70 71

2. Mimic3. Fish, sold at a 32 Across4. Acted like a weed5. You and I6. Campus military grp.7. Bandit8. More tubby9. Berry often used in health supplements10. French art style that sounds like it got

caught in an echo chamber11. Ground force weapon13. Member of the “Geek Squad”16. Cricket matches21. Reed instrument22. Daytime dramas26. Letters on a dentist’s diploma27. Topic of the 1st Amendment28. Brewpub offering29. Golden Girl Rose or Blanche (but notDorothy)30. Goal for Indiana Jones31. Columbus’ fastest ship36. Kama ___38. Extremely loyal40. Last Star Wars episode directed

by Lucas41. Daniel in the lions’ ___42. Mothers and fathers have them;

aunts do not44. Home run king46. Shrinking Asian sea48. Avoid the question49. ___ to go (enthusiastic)50. Lawrence’s location51. Drew out52. “Don’t ___ on Me!”57. Takes a vow58. Pump up one’s resume59. Spills the beans60. Part of a choir61. Holder of a Learner’s Permit,

most likely62. Jekyll : good :: ___ : evil

Art Projects by Stephen Sherr

Across1. Play the drums with aggression5. Athletes with agents9. Piece of a rainbow12. Toward the left side, at sea14. 2-0 soccer score, some may say15. Hair of the dog17. Word in the chorus of American Pie18. ___ von Bismarck19. Possible side-effect of steroids20. Art assignment for a detective23. Sex and the City network24. From ___ Z25. Camper’s sleeper26. Art assignment for a soldier32. Corn beef concession33. Dir. from San Fran. to Oakland34. University in Troy, NY35. Rosebud, and others37. Speech and Language Therapy, briefly39. Not at all complimentary43. No longer closeted45. 401(k) alternative47. Echelon48. Art assignment for a home decorator53. It makes a galley go54. Embarrassed55. “A kiss is a secret told to the mouth

instead of the ___” (Ingrid Bergman)56. Art assignment for a spa worker63. Wisecrack64. Fast-drying paint (abbrev.)65. Area in tennis or bowling66. Oklahoma city named for an

Arthurian character67. Steady fellow68. Estimated the age of69. Composition of 4 of the 8 planets70. Slight advantage71. Part of a porterhouse

Down1. Worn (as tires)

PUZZLE PAGE

Answers on page 25.


NEED EXTRA INCOME? SELL AVON!Avon is the #1 Beauty company. $15 start-up,be your own boss. Call 410-236-6023 oremail: [email protected]. Website:www.youravon.com/bright1.

CERTIFIED NURSE AIDE, HOME CAREAIDE, medication technician. CPR and FirstAid. 20 years experience. References. Available24/7. Call 443-466-9884.

ACCOUNTING, TAXES AND BOOKKEEP-ING, eldercare. CPA 38 years, reasonable rates.Call 410-653-3363.

CARE FROM CARING HOME ASSISTEDLIVING. Room available for you or your loved ones.Looking for a place just like home? Call us today, 443-563-2695 or 443-844-1444. Affordable rates available.

BALDWIN DVP-50 ELECTRIC PIANO,Cherry with bench. Good condition, $900. 4’8”length, you move it. 410-833-2546.

HERMLE GRANDFATHER CLOCK09109N90451. Cherry, 72” tall, good condition,$900. You move it. 410-833-2546.

PARKWOOD CEMETERY – TAYLOR AV-ENUE – Poplar Lot 831 – Site 2. Also includesone burial vault and one opening and closing ofgrave site – value $2,795. Sell for $1,400 or bestoffer, 410-529-1191.

GOLF SETS, 2 COMPLETE with bags. Excel-lent condition. $40 each set. Right hand. 410-529-7117.

DULANEY VALLEY MEMORIAL GAR-DENS – Field of Honor section. 2 cemetery lots,value $3,700. $2,500 or best offer. Ken, 410-321-7025.

FURNITURE: MAHOGANY, DINING ROOM,bedroom, living room, sofa, 4 chairs, cedar closet,antique sewing machine, portable closet. All$4,000 or individual pieces. 410-828-7552.

2 GRAVE SITES – PARKWOOD CEME-TERY. Lot 102, two plots with vaults. $7,000value, will sell for $4,500. 410-661-2698.

VISION AID, OPTELEC CLEARVIEW+ –19” color video magnifier, includes base, camera andmonitor. Paid $2,895 in Sept. 2010. Call Robin, 410-344-0734.2 SALVADOR DALI woodblock prints fromDante’s Divine Comedy. Signed and framed.Asking $900 for the pair. Can email pictures ifdesired. Call Steve, 410-913-1653.

MOBILE EYE EXAMS – Comprehensiveand/or low vision eye exams provided to Balti-more seniors with limited mobility. Visitwww.HomeEyeOD.com or call 443-802-9920 formore information.

WHY LEAVE THE HOME YOU LOVE? LocalAcorn Dealer offers affordable pricing and in-stallation on your new stairlift. Free home eval-uation for fall risk, safety. 410-978-7764.

SANFORD & SON HAULING & RECY-CLING. Trash + Junk removal, house & estatecleanouts, garage+ basement cleanouts. Demo-lition – Shed, deck fence + pool removal. Li-censed + insured. Free estimates over thephone. Call 7 days a week, 7 am to 7 pm. 410-746-5090.

BALTIMORE’S BEST JUNK REMOVAL –Clean Outs: Whole House, Emergency,Attics/Basements. Furniture and Junk Re-moval, Yard Waste Removal, General Hauling,Construction Debris Removal. Free estimates.10% Senior Discount. Licensed, Bonded and In-sured. Call Jesse, 443-379-HAUL (4285).www.baltimoresbestjunkremoval.com.

PIANO LESSONS – BRUSH UP on old skillsor begin a new one. Experienced, patientteacher, taking age 5 through senior. Privatelessons – piano or keyboard. Near Towson. CallLinda, 410-532-8381.

MATURE, TALL, SLIM, WELL-EDUCATEDwhite man in Timonium looking for a fun-lov-ing, mature woman to play. Please contact meat [email protected].

GREEK/ENGLISH TUTORIALS – Conversa-tional programs specified to your personal re-quirements. Call Kellie, 410-363-4246 or 410-520-2246.

FREE PLANNING GUIDE & WILL KITwith informational meetings at Glen HavenMemorial Park. Traditional/cremation burial,mausoleum entombment. Call Marty Haft, pre-arrangement specialist, 410-340-3716.

FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS ANDQUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS want-ed by a serious capable buyer. I am very well ed-ucated [law degree] knowledgeable [over 40years in the antique business] and have the fi-nances and wherewithal to handle virtuallyany situation. If you have a special item, collec-tion or important estate I would like to hearfrom you. I pay great prices for great things inall categories from oriental rugs to Tiffany ob-jects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silverand gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful, I aminterested. No phony promises or messy con-signments. References gladly furnished. Pleasecall Jake Lenihan, 301-279-8834. Thank you.

WE BUY JEWELRY, SILVER, GOLD, ANDCOSTUME. Coins, Paper Money Too. Watches,Clocks, Military Badges and Patches Old andNew. Call Greg, 717-658-7954.

OLD AND NEW, WE BUY STERLING SIL-VER FLATWARE, Tea Sets, Single Pieces ofSilver, Large pieces of Silver Plate. Attic, Base-ment or Garage. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. Youhave something to SELL, we are looking to BUY.

COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS:Helmets, weapons, rifles, shot guns, knives,swords, bayonets, web gear, uniforms, etc. fromall wars and countries. Large quantities areokay. Will pay top prices for my personal collec-tion. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783.

CLASSIFIEDSThe Beacon prints classified advertising

under the fol low ing headings: Business &Employment Opportunities; Caregivers;Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale;For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health;Home/ Handy man Services; Miscellaneous;Personals; Per son al Services; Va ca tion Oppor-tunities; and Want ed. For sub mis sion guide -lines and dead lines, see the box on the right.

CAVEAT EMPTOR!

The Beacon does not know ing ly ac cept ob -scene, of fen sive, harmful, or fraudulent ad-vertising. How ev er, we do not in ves ti gate anyad ver tis ers or their prod ucts and can not ac -cept re spon si bil i ty for the in teg ri ty of either.Re spon dents to clas si fied ad ver tis ing shouldal ways use cau tion and their best judg ment.

EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS:

We will not knowingly or intentionally ac-cept ad ver tis ing in violation of federal, state,and local laws pro hib it ing dis crim i na tionbased on race, color, national origin, sex, fa mil -ial sta tus or handicap in connection with em-ployment or the sale or rental of real estate.

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIEDDeadlines 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’sissue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a number where you can be reachedin the event of a question. Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone orfax, nor do we accept credit cards.

Private Party Text Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items, or place apersonal 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

Health

Home/Handyman Services

For Sale

Business and Employment Opportunities

Caregivers

Financial Services

For Rent

Home/Handyman Services

Miscellaneous

Personals

Personal Services

Wanted

Classifieds continued on page 25.

Clinical Research Studies

Balance & Falls Study . . . . . . . . . . . .13Brain Imaging Study . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Dementia Behavior Study . . . . . . . . .13Falls Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13HYPNOS Diabetic Sleep Study . . . . .12Parkinson’s Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

EducationCCBC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Roland Park Country School . . . . . . .22

EventsAlzheimer’s Walk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Baby Boomer/Senior Expo . . . . . . . .28Beacon 50+Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Financial ServicesBennett Senior Services . . . . . . . . . . .17Debt Counsel for

Seniors and the Disabled . . . . . . . .16GSF Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-3, B-7JS Richardson Insurance . . . . . . . . . .17Maryland School for the Blind . . . . .21Security and Integrity . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Funeral Services Schimunek Funeral Homes . . . .13, B-6

Hearing ServicesHearing & Speech Agency . . . . . . . . .10Hear For You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Maryland Relay/711 . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Taylor Listening Center . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Home Health CareGenesis SelectCare . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-8Independent Home Care . . . . . . . . . .11Options for Senior America . . . . . . . .16Seniors Helping Seniors . . . . . . . . . . .5

HousingAtrium Village . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-2, B10Briarwood Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Brightview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5Brookdale Senior Living . . . . . . . .B-13Charlestown . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-3, B-8Cove Point Apts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-11Evergreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-11Gatherings at Quarry Place . . . . . . .B-7Greenhouse Residences . . . . . . . . .B-12The Greens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-11

Heartlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-3Homewood at Willow Ponds . . . . . .B-6Linden Park Apts. . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-15Oak Crest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-3, B-8Neighborhood at St. Elizabeth . . . . .B-4Park Heights Place . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-15Park View Apartments . . . . . . . . . . . .25Shangri-La Assisted Living . .B-3, B-10St. Mary’s Roland View Towers . . . .24Weinberg Senior Living . . . . .B-3, B16Westminster House Apts . . . . . . . .B-12

Housing Referral ServiceOasis Senior Advisors . . . . . . . . . .B-15Senior Placement

Service/Care Patrol . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4

Legal ServicesDisability Support Services . . . . . . . .11Frank, Frank & Scherr Law Firm . . .17

Medical/HealthBaltimore County Dept. of Health .B-12Cologuard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Dr. Richard Rosenblatt, DPM . . . . . . .7Hamilton Foot Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Mishpacha Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Skin Cancer EB of Maryland . . . . . . . .4Stem Cell Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

PharmaciesProfessional Pharmacy Group . . . . . .14Walgreen’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

RemodelingBlake & Sons Contracting . . . . . . . .B-6

RetailWOW! Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-14

Skilled Nursing &Rehabilitation

CommuniCare Health . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Holly Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation . .11Manor Care Health Services . . . . . . .18

Theatres/Entertainment

Columbia Orchestra . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Radio Flea Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Tour & TravelEyre Bus, Tour & Travel . . . . . . . . . .21

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE

28 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

Wednesday, October 9, 20139 a.m. to 6 p.m.Thursday, October 10, 20139 a.m. to 4 p.m.Timonium Fairgrounds

!!

ADMISSION: $2 or two cans of

non-perishable food. Free Gift

Sponsored by BGE & GBMC

Nourishing Mind, Body and Spirit

• Connect with over 300 exhibitors with information and specialty products• Delight in two days of continuous entertainment on the Main Stage• Energize by trying a new exercise class in the Senior Center Demonstration Area (free)• Discover a treasure in the Silent Auction by being the highest bidder• Crown the best local artist in the Power of Age Art Show/Exhibit• Benefit from free preventive health screenings and flu/pneumonia vaccinations• Learn the best in County resources available in Baltimore County• Investigate career and training opportunities at job fair • Visit the Veteran Resource Muster for resources and information

ALL AGES WILL ENJOY THE VARIOUS FEATURES OF THE EVENT INCLUDING:

Wednesday, October 28, 2015 • 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.Thursday, October 29, 2015 • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Timonium Fairgrounds

Special performance by

Wednesday, October 284-7 p.m.

MAHONEY BROTHERS

Discover the Power of Age

410-887-2594 • www.seniorexpoonline.com

October 2015 | Baltimore Beacon

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