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VOL.35, NO.7

JULY 2023

Foodies grow and see green PHOTO BY GLENDA BOOTH

SEE SPECIAL INSERT Housing & Homecare Options following page 16 © WIRESTOCK | DREAMSTIME.COM

By Glenda C. Booth Many of our grandparents made food from scratch — such as jam, biscuits, applesauce, even whiskey. Today, some local entrepreneurs over 50 are confirming that it’s possible to do it and even make a living at it.

With a mindset of “If you can’t find it on the grocery shelves, make it yourself,” these enterprising older adults have built robust businesses making and selling specialty foods, from pies to hot sauce.

Joyce and Travis Miller, for instance, make around 3,000 gallons of hickory syrup a year in their kitchen in Berryville, Virginia.

Eleven years after Joyce retired from teaching and Travis from retail management, “It just happened,” Joyce said.

Travis is a “foodie” who had experimented with sassafras, she explained, and got curious about hickory bark.

When the couple researched hickory bark’s possibilities, they learned that Native Americans used it as a medication, adding something sugary like honey to create a syrup to treat headaches, joint pain, inflammation and cramps.

The Millers found a knowledgeable professor in Michigan to advise them, and started tinkering.

First, they clean, toast and cook the bark in water to make a liquor-like substance. Then they let it age a few days, add raw sugar and heat it again.

They age some batches for 100 days in whiskey barrels from Purcellville’s Catoctin Creek Distilling Company so the syrup picks up the whiskey flavor. Then they return the barrels to the distiller, who reuses the barrels for whiskey.

In 2011, on their first retail venture, the Millers took 48 bottles of syrup to a Virginia farmers market and sold out. Today, they make seven flavors of hickory syrup

Virginia farmer Sabry Alsharkawi started an organic farm decades ago, selling his plants and herbs at local farmers markets. He and other entrepreneurs in the region have launched successful food-based businesses selling everything from baked goods to hot sauce.

and seven flavors of honey, which they sell at farmers markets, historic sites, wholesale outlets and food shows.

Urging customers to think beyond pancakes and French toast, Falling Bark Farm’s website has recipes for hickory-flavored entrees, cocktails, marinades, desserts and sauces.

Baking for a living Grace Banahene learned to bake growing up in Ghana. In 1983, after moving to America, she turned a hobby into a livelihood.

Banahene started a baking business in See FOODIES, page 26

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No green thumb?

I wasn’t born with a green thumb. I metal chopsticks joined at one end.) know because I tried growing flowers and My efforts did result in a few delicious vegetables as a kid. (though small) pieces of I was fascinated by the colpecan, but it took a couple of orful seed packets on display days for my scraped and at our neighborhood hardbloodied fingers to heal. ware store and bought a few to Given those experiences, I try. But my zinnias came up as have generally shied away grass, and bugs ate my tomafrom planting, picking or toes before they could ripen. even watering any form of My paternal grandmother, plant life. with whom I was quite close, Until the day, I think it may had blackberries and figs have been 10 years ago now, growing in her back yard. I FROM THE when I was moved to bring remember going out to pick PUBLISHER home an African violet instead some of the luscious-looking By Stuart P. Rosenthal of cut flowers from Trader fruit one day, only to nearly Joe’s. Actually, there were drop my harvest on the floor when I saw four tiny plants, each bearing a different swarms of tiny ants crawling up the sides color of flower, crowded into one plastic pot. of the bowl as I came through the door.

I thought it would make a nice table cenI had somewhat better luck with the terpiece for a couple of weeks, and then pecans that dropped all over her yard from even if it died on me, that would be no a neighbor’s huge pecan tree. I frequently worse than a bouquet of cut flowers. collected a small paper bag full of pecans You know where this is going. Placed on and spent what seemed like hours cracking a ledge between our kitchen and sunroom, them open with an old-fashioned nutcrack- watered once a week, the blooms kept er. (It was the kind that looked like fat coming for months, with the barest bit of Corrections: Our last cover story, “Foster a mutual sense of worth,” referred to a senior-led program in New Orleans. The initiative is not affiliated with HelpAgeUSA. We regret the error.

In addition, a Beacon Bit on p. 7 had an incorrect number and link. For the free hearing aid program in Montgomery County, call (410) 870-9373 or visit www.accesshears.com/otc.

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Washington DC area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore and Howard County, Md. Readership exceeds 400,000.

Subscriptions are available via first-class mail ($36) or third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. D.C. and Maryland residents: add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below.

Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher.

Publisher/Editor – Stuart P. Rosenthal President/Associate Publisher – Judith K. Rosenthal Executive Vice President – Gordon Hasenei Managing Editor – Margaret Foster Art Director – Kyle Gregory Advertising Representatives – Dan Kelly, M.K. Phillips, Alan Spiegel Marketing & Operations Manager – Ashley Griffin Assistant Editor – Ana Preger Hart Editorial Intern – Amita Chatterjee

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (301) 949-9766 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 10th of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 15th of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 31 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

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attention from me.

Eventually, the flowering stopped, but the thick green leaves remained perky, so I kept up the watering.

Over time, two of the plants died, crowded out by the other two that thrived.

And shortly after that, perfect pink and purple flowers occasionally emerged from the survivors.

So energized, one day, I brought home an orchid plant. I had always thought orchids were extremely finicky and hard to raise (as, indeed, they once were). But nowadays, the orchid plants you can pick up at nearly any supermarket are about as easy to care for as my violets.

I chose a plant with a few light pink blossoms and several unopened pods, and sure enough, they opened over the following weeks and bloomed for a couple of months.

So, for several years now, at any given time, we were likely to have either colorful violets or delicate orchids decorating our ledge.

This past winter, however, something different happened. Over many weeks, the orchid sent out a new shoot that budded with seven pods.

Soon, I began to notice tiny furled flowers beneath the leaves of our pink African violet. I counted seven of them. Every few

days, a flower opened on each plant.

It almost felt like a beauty contest or synchronized Olympic sport was underway.

But once they all opened, rather than a competition, it felt like more of a symphony.

Eventually, the orchid blooms dropped, but then the purple violets returned, now opening in sync with new pink ones.

Even though all I’ve ever done is water these little guys once a week, they have come to life in each other’s company. Perhaps they even have come to like my company as well.

Have I finally grown a green thumb of my own?

The other day, the Beacon received a press release about a gardening survey that claimed 1 out of 6 people feel “they kill every plant they try to grow.”

I used to think I was one of those folks.

Not anymore.

If you are reluctant to try something because of a string of bad experiences in the past, I hope you will recall this column and decide to give it another go.

And if you find success this time, please share your story with us.

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinions 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 email to info@thebeaconnewspapers.com.

Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

Dear Editor: Just read your publisher’s column [“Layers of reality”] in the June Beacon. I’m amazed at all of that!

Every now and then I get into an astronomy kick, which helps place things in perspective, I find. Years ago, I read Coming of Age in the Milky Way and loved the first parts about historic discoveries. But when I got to quantum physics, I was lost.

Then I read The Swerve about how the Greeks decided that all life was made up of atoms! Somehow, we lost something along the way.

Jean Hirons Bethesda, MD Dear Editor: Do you know what happened in Germany in the early 1930s?

People decided that certain publications, books dealing with ideas and philosophy, literature and poetry should be burned. Art that was deemed unfit for the “New Germany” was banned, burned or plundered.

It took time and the loss of millions of lives for people to realize the removal of books and art would not stop there. The

[murderous regime] began with the banning of ideas and writings and art: A destructive force that created fear of the “other,” dehumanizing and delegitimizing.

Today, individuals in America are [being empowered] to remove literature and poetry from schools. A United States of America that welcomed the oppressed and allowed them to hope, that is the America I swore an oath of allegiance to when I became a naturalized citizen almost two decades ago.

We need to bring back this idea of the hope for a better life here. We need to teach acceptance rather than exclusion, celebrating our diversity rather than creating barriers and bans.

By closing the doors to our past, by forcing art and literature and poetry to be removed from schools and colleges, we create ignorance and promote a narrow, myopic view of our world.

Let us not repeat the mistakes made by past despots who feared truth and trampled upon the hopes and aspirations of their people.

Yuvi Krausz Ellicott City, MD

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Can a multivitamin keep your brain healthy?

By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D. Millions of people take a multivitamin each day. Some believe it’s a sort of insurance in case their diet is missing some essential nutrient. Others believe it will ward off disease by boosting immunity, improving brain health or regulating metabolism.

It’s easy to see where these ideas come from: Ads tout wide-ranging health benefits, even though most offer little or no evidence to back up the claims.

But research on the health benefits of multivitamins has been mixed at best. Last year, for example, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a leading authority on preventive healthcare, reviewed 90 of the best available studies on supplements and vitamins, and concluded the products didn’t protect healthy adults lacking nutritional deficits against cardiovascular disease, cancer or death from all causes. [See “Not everyone needs a daily multivitamin,” published in the May 2023 Beacon.]

Might research on different doses, supplement combinations, or populations prompt a different conclusion? Well, yes — in fact, that may have already happened,

according to a new study that focused on memory and brain function.

Multivitamins and brain function Our current options for improving brain health are limited. For example, regular exercise, optimal weight and a heart-healthy diet can improve cardiovascular health and lower the chances of certain types of dementia, such as dementia due to strokes.

Beyond such common-sense measures, no available medicines, supplements or treatments reliably improve brain function over the long term, despite ads claiming otherwise. That’s why researchers continue to explore whether certain foods or supplements could prove effective.

In a recent study published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia, more than 2,200 volunteers ages 65 and older were randomly assigned to receive cocoa or a placebo, a multivitamin or a placebo, or both cocoa and a multivitamin for three years. (The multivitamin chosen for this study was Centrum Silver, which contains 27 vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in various amounts.)

When cognition tests were analyzed at

the end of the trial, those receiving cocoa did not demonstrate any improvement.

But those on a multivitamin had improved scores on tests of: • overall brain function (especially in people with cardiovascular disease) • memory • executive function (tasks such as planning ahead or remembering instructions).

Based on these findings, the researchers estimated that three years of multivitamin use could slow age-related decline in brain function by as much as 60%.

Notably, study participants were mostly white (89%), had an average age of 73, and more than half were female (60%). They were followed for only three years. However, it was a randomized, double-blind trial, which is considered the most powerful study design.

Should you take a multivitamin?

This study alone isn’t enough to suggest routine use of multivitamins for people of all ages. It may turn out that the benefits seen in this study were due to deficiencies in certain nutrients among some of the study participants. We don’t know if this is

true because it wasn’t part of the study.

Or we might learn that the benefits reported here are too small to make much difference in real life, or wane over time, or have no effect on preventing common types of dementia.

And it’s hard to ignore an earlier randomized, placebo-controlled trial that was actually larger and longer-term: It found no improvement in brain function among male physicians ages 65 and older taking multivitamins.

But it does mean that more study is warranted. We need to understand who is most likely to benefit from multivitamin use, what dose is optimal, and what parts of the multivitamin are most important. We also need larger trials that last longer and include a diverse group of participants.

And certainly, there’s a difference between improving cognitive function and preventing dementia. We still need to know if conditions like Alzheimer’s disease can be prevented by multivitamins or other supplements.

See MULTIVITAMINS, page 6

Heart and kidney disease are connected

By Family Features While people may think about heart disease and kidney disease as two different health problems, there are many links between them.

Having chronic kidney disease (CKD) means that you’re more likely to get heart disease. The reverse is also true: Heart disease can cause CKD. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death among people on dialysis, which is a life-saving treatment for people with kidney failure.

To learn more about the link between kidney disease and your heart, consider these facts from the American Kidney Fund: • Kidney disease affects roughly 1 in 7 (15%) American adults.

• Your heart and kidneys rely on each other to function well. When you have kidney disease, your heart must pump harder to get blood to your kidneys, which can cause stress on your heart. This extra stress can eventually lead to heart disease.

Additionally, if your kidneys are damaged, they can’t filter blood as well as they

should, leaving extra fluid and waste in your blood, which can damage other organs — including your heart.

• When you have heart disease, your heart cannot pump blood through your body as well as it should. Heart disease includes heart or blood vessel problems such as coronary artery disease, blood clots, heart attacks, or problems with your heart’s muscles, valves or heartbeat.

Your heart makes up for this by holding onto more salt and water, putting pressure on your veins. This extra pressure on your veins can ultimately damage your kidneys, leading to kidney disease.

• Kidneys help regulate blood pressure and create red blood cells. In addition to filtering blood, healthy kidneys also produce a hormone that helps regulate your blood pressure.

The kidneys also produce erythropoietin, which signals the body to make more red blood cells to carry oxygen through the body. When the kidneys can’t make erythropoietin, it can lead to anemia and heart problems.

The role of potassium Potassium plays a major role in kidney and heart health. Potassium controls muscle contractions, including those in the heart. Unbalanced potassium levels can lead to risk of heart disease or heart failure — the most fatal heart issues associated with kidney disease.

Patients with kidney disease, including those not yet on dialysis, can have issues with potassium. The loss of kidney function can result in the inability to filter potassium.

When this happens, it causes extra potassium in the body, a condition known as hyperkalemia or high potassium.

Hyperkalemia often does not cause symptoms until heart health has already worsened and can lead to a heart attack if not diagnosed and treated.

Many patients discover they have high potassium due to a minor heart issue, but the chronic condition must be treated continuously through medicines called potassium binders.

These medicines work by sticking to the potassium in your body, which is then

removed through feces. This prevents some of it from being taken into your blood and building up.

Ways to stay healthy Prevention of both heart and kidney disease starts with preventing and managing the conditions that cause them. Keeping diabetes, high blood pressure and anemia under control can help prevent them from getting to the point of causing kidney or heart disease.

When found early, you can manage the conditions through lifestyle changes, such as: • Following a kidney-friendly and hearthealthy eating plan • Being active daily • Avoiding the use of tobacco products • Lowering stress levels For more information on the kidneyheart connection, especially potassium in the body, talk to your doctor and visit KidneyFund.org/BeyondBananas, an education campaign from the American Kidney Fund and AstraZeneca.

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Diagnosing and treating lower back pain

By Kendall Snyder, M.D. Dear Mayo Clinic: It seems like ever yone I know has some type of back pain. My husband and I both suffer from back pain, but mine is a dull ache at the end of the day, while he seems to have shooting pain.

Why are our backs so susceptible to pain, and how do I know when we should talk with our doctor?

A: Back pain is extremely common, so you and your husband are not alone.

About 80% of adults in the U.S. will experience low back pain at some point.

Your back is made up of 30 bones stacked in a column surrounded by muscles and ligaments. Nearly every movement you make involves your back in

some manner. This constant movement and support mean that your back is susceptible to strain and stress.

Not all back pain is the same, though, and symptoms can vary widely. Occasionally, a person with back pain can pinpoint the exact time it started, like when attempting to lift a heavy object or after a fall.

More commonly, no specific trigger or event led to the pain.

Here are the most common causes and descriptions of back pain: • Muscle or ligament strains: Muscle or ligament strains are usually caused by a single event, such as using poor body mechanics to lift a heavy object.

Strains feel like a sudden stabbing, localized pain. This pain worsens when you

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contract the muscle or twist. Redness, swelling and bruising can occur. The pain can be intense.

Occasionally, people state that they have “thrown out” their backs. In most cases, they have a muscle or ligament strain.

• Osteoarthritis: Low back pain often is caused by osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis. Arthritis can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord or nerve roots, a condition called spinal stenosis. It occurs most often in the low back and neck.

When this occurs in the low back, the most common symptoms are pain in both legs, tingling, numbness and sometimes muscle weakness.

• Bulging disk: Disks act as cushions between the bones, or vertebrae, in your spine. The material inside a disk can bulge and press on a nerve. This is called a bulging disk.

Pain from a bulging disk usually occurs in the low back and radiates into the hips, buttocks or legs. It often is worse with activity and feels better when resting.

• Herniated disk: A herniated disk results when a tear in the tough outer layer of a disk allows some of the inner disk material to protrude outward. Herni-

ated disks also are called ruptured disks or slipped disks.

Compared with a bulging disk, a herniated disk is more likely to cause pain because it protrudes farther and is more likely to irritate nerve roots. Depending on where the herniated disk is, it can result in pain, numbness or weakness in one or both legs. These symptoms usually affect only one side of the body.

• Sciatica: Sciatica is named after the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in your body. It most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur or spinal stenosis compresses part of the nerve.

Sciatica is a sharp, shooting pain that runs from your low back down the side or back of your leg. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body.

• Degenerative disk disease: As you age, the disks between your vertebrae begin to shrink and lose their softer qualities. This narrows the space between the vertebrae and can make your spine less flexible.

Degenerative disk disease does not always cause symptoms. If it does, symptoms vary widely in nature and severity.

Generally, pain comes and goes over a

Multivitamins

tamin supplement could improve quality of life for many millions of aging people.

Studies like this one should help science catch up and sort out which claims are valid.

Robert H. Shmerling, M.D., is a senior faculty editor and an editorial advisory board member for Harvard Health Publishing. © 2023 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.

From page 4

The bottom line Claims that certain supplements can improve brain health are everywhere you look. But sound scientific evidence backing up those claims is much rarer.

That’s one reason this new study is important: If confirmed, it means that a safe, widely available and inexpensive vi-

See BACK PAIN, page 7

Makes a great gift! | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U L Y 2 0 2 3

Health Shorts Low-dose aspirin may raise risk of anemia in older adults Recent follow-up analysis of data from an international, National Institutes of Health-funded clinical trial suggests daily low-dose aspirin increases the risk of anemia in people age 65 years and older by approximately 20%.

Given these findings, older adults on low-dose aspirin and their care providers may want to consider periodic monitoring of red blood cells or hemoglobin.

Anemia in older adults is associated with functional decline, increased fatigue, disabilities, depressive symptoms, and cognition problems.

Published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, scientists from the Aspirin in

Back pain From page 6 long time. It may feel better when you change positions or walk, and worsen when you sit, bend or twist.

When to see a doctor Most low back pain — even when severe — goes away on its own in six to eight weeks with self-care, such as resting from heavy lifting, applying heat or ice, using over-the-counter pain medications and stretching.

Physical therapy can provide tremendous relief from back and limb pain, and oftentimes people do not need more treatment.

Talk with your healthcare professional if you have a history of cancer, or if your pain: • Is constant or intense, especially at night or when you lie down • Spreads down one or both legs • Causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs • Occurs with a fever, swelling or redness on your back • Occurs with unintended weight loss • Occurs with new bowel or bladder control problems Also, if your back pain occurs after a fall or another injury, you should seek medical attention. — Kendall Snyder, M.D., Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. Email a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org. © 2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) study examined the effect of long-term low-dose aspirin use on incident anemia and the effect of aspirin on changes in hemoglobin concentration, as well as ferritin levels, as an indicator of iron deficiency.

The researchers found that low-dose aspirin led to increased incident anemia in otherwise healthy older adults at enrollment, independent of major bleeding.

Previous ASPREE data analyses suggested daily low-dose aspirin does not decrease risk for dementia and cognitive decline; and that daily low-dose aspirin had no effect on healthy lifespan in older people.

ASPREE, a joint U.S. and Australian research project aimed at determining the effect of low-dose aspirin on survival without dementia or disability, began in 2010 and completed recruitment in 2014.

It was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, primary prevention trial of daily 100 mg of aspirin in a popula-

tion of healthy older people in the U.S. and Australia with a period of treatment averaging 4.5 years.

The trial involving 19,114 people age 65 and older was distinctive for its size, methodological rigor, and high participant retention rate in both countries.

—By National Institute on Aging

7

Testosterone therapy doesn’t boost heart risk Testosterone replacement therapy is See HEALTH SHORTS, page 8

8

Fitness & Health | Subscribe online! See how on p. 29

Health shorts From page 7 safe for men with “low T” who have heart disease or are at high risk for it, a new study suggests.

But doctors warn the popular treatment is no “anti-aging tonic.”

The research, published last month in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that heart attacks, strokes and other

J U L Y 2 0 2 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

major cardiac issues were no more common among those using testosterone gel than those using a placebo.

That implies the gel is also safe for men without cardiovascular problems who have low T, said Dr. Steven Nissen, a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic and senior author of the study.

But, he added, it doesn’t mean the treatment should be used by men without low T — a condition also known as hypogo-

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nadism that’s measured by levels of the sex hormone in the blood.

“What we’ve shown here is that for a very specific group of men, testosterone can be given safely,” Nissen said. “But it is not to be given as an anti-aging tonic for widespread use in men who are aging.”

More than 5,000 men ages 45 to 80 at 316 trial sites throughout the U.S. were randomly assigned to get the testosterone gel or the placebo, which they rubbed on their skin daily for an average of about 22 months. “Major cardiac events” occurred in 182 patients in the testosterone group and 190 patients in the placebo group.

The testosterone group did have a higher incidence of less severe problems, such as atrial fibrillation, acute kidney injury and issues from blood clots in veins.

The large study helps address “a gap of understanding” about how testosterone treatment affects cardiovascular outcomes for men with true low T, said Dr. Alan Baik, a cardiologist at the University of Califor-

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nia-San Francisco who was not involved in the research.

But he’d like to see more research, he said, on whether testosterone therapy can actually reduce cardiovascular risk factors in men with low T, who seem more likely to have conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.

Not an anti-aging treatment Treating low T has been a big business for many years, largely driven by advertisements for pills, patches, gels and injections. Online sites and clinics across the nation offer the treatment, and many tie low T to common issues such as fatigue and weight gain.

The new study, led by the Cleveland Clinic and funded by a consortium of drug companies, was done in response to a 2015 mandate by the Food and Drug Administration for makers of testosterone products to carefully examine the risk of heart attack or stroke. A previous FDA review had shown that many men got low T treatment even though their testosterone levels hadn’t been checked.

Nissen said while low T is a “very common disorder,” aging men also want to feel like they’re 18 again and ‘’have the sexual performance they had when they were young,” he said.

But the treatment, he added, “should not be used by bodybuilders. It should not be used by athletes. The concerns about the misuse of testosterone are quite high.

And I think we have to be very cautious.” © 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

BEACON BITS

July 17+ BOOST YOUR

BRAIN HEALTH

Join this free virtual presentation to learn how social interactions and connections improve brain health and offer protection against stroke, dementia, anxiety and depression. AARP membership is not required. This event takes place online on Mon., July 17, from 1 to 2 p.m. For more details and to register, visit bit.ly/BoostBrainHealth.

BONE BUILDERS

July 18+ CLASS

This free bone-building and fall prevention class uses weight training and balance exercises to increase bone density and muscular strength and improve balance.

The class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Dr., Rockville, MD. To join, contact Jackie Leung at jackieleung279@gmail.com or call the library for more information at (240) 777-0690.

Makes a great gift! | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U L Y 2 0 2 3

9

How to successfully maintain weight loss

By Richard Joseph, M.D. In today’s calorie-rich, ultra-processed, movement-sparing, chronic stress-inducing environment, losing weight is hard work. And implementing a healthy and sustainable approach that keeps the weight off is even harder.

Most of us can successfully achieve weight loss in the short term. But those who hop from one fad diet to the next often experience the metabolic roller coaster known as yo-yo dieting that jacks up our hunger hormones, plummets our metabolic rates, and causes a vicious circle of weight loss and regain.

Even most medical interventions to help treat obesity produce the typical trajectory of rapid weight loss followed by weight plateau and then progressive weight regain.

In a meta-analysis of 29 long-term weight loss studies, more than half of the lost weight was regained within two years, and by five years more than 80% of lost weight was regained.

This means that based on our best estimates, only one in five individuals who is overweight is successful in long-term weight loss.

What is different about weight loss maintainers?

Based on studies from the National

Weight Control Registry — a database of more than 4,000 individuals who have maintained at least 10% body weight loss for at least one year — we have insight into some tried and true tactics.

These include various behaviors to reduce energy intake — limiting caloriedense foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, increased fruit and vegetable consumption, portion control and a consistent eating pattern across days — as well as boosted energy expenditure from being physically active for at least an hour per day.

Successful weight loss necessitates greater energy expenditure and less energy intake (a net negative energy balance).

But how do people actually sustain those weight loss-promoting behaviors over time, creating a lifestyle that does not leave them feeling persistently deprived, lethargic and “hangry” (hungry + angry)?

As more recent evidence confirms, the proper psychology for weight loss is critical for regulating the physiology that supports weight loss.

Self-regulation, self-efficacy are key to long-term success Only recently have we started to evaluate the psychological and cognitive determinants of weight loss maintenance. The data to date confirms the importance of

self-regulation — in particular, self-monitoring of the day-to-day behaviors that drive energy intake and energy expenditure, especially eating behaviors.

Those who have high self-efficacy (belief in your capacity to execute certain beSee WEIGHT LOSS, page 10

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haviors) for exercise in particular are more successful at sustaining weight loss.

And more recently, researchers have been decoding elements of the proper mindset that instills high self-efficacy for the larger constellation of important weight management behaviors.

One recent study used machine learning and natural language processing to identify the major behavioral themes — motivations, strategies, struggles and successes — that were consistent across a group of over 6,000 people who had successfully lost and maintained more than 20 pounds of weight for at least a year.

Among this large group, they consistently advised perseverance in the face of setbacks, and consistency in food tracking and monitoring eating behaviors, as key behavior strategies. And most of them stayed motivated by reflecting on their improved health and appearance at their lower weight.

Studies miss many people The evidence suggests that age, gender and socioeconomic status are not signifi-

cant factors in predicting weight loss maintenance. But most weight loss studies oversubscribe white, educated and midlevel income earning females.

Given that the prevalence of obesity and its related comorbidities is disproportionately higher in more socially disadvantaged and historically marginalized populations, we need more representative data to paint a full, inclusive picture of a successful weight loss psychology.

What we can say for certain is that for any and all of us, maintaining weight loss requires getting comfortable with discomfort — the discomfort of occasionally feeling hungry, of exercising instead of stress eating, of honestly deciphering rewardseeking versus real hunger, and resisting the ubiquitous lure of ultrapalatable foods.

This is no easy task, as it often goes against environmental cues, cultural customs, family upbringing, social influences and our genetic wiring.

To help each other achieve health and weight loss, we need to learn and practice the psychological tools that help us not only accept but eventually embrace this inevitable discomfort. © 2023 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS MINDFULNESS PRACTICE July 19+ FREE Visit Courthouse Library on Wednesdays in July and Aug. to practice mindfulness and learn new relaxation techniques. The class runs from noon to 1 p.m. at 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA. Register at bit.ly/MindfulSummerVA. For more information, call (703) 228-3352.

DEMYSTIFYING DEATH

Aug. 5+ Death Café offers an open and safe environment for discussing death and the participants’ thoughts and feelings surrounding it.

Note that this is not a support group but an effort to demystify the process of dying. This meeting takes place on Sat., Aug. 5, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Rd., Burke, VA. For more information and to register, call (703) 644-7333.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U L Y 2 0 2 3

11

Causes for taste loss, male osteoporosis

By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: Ever ything I eat tastes bland.

Could my loss of taste be related to one of my blood pressure pills?

A: Our ability to fully enjoy food requires stimulation of many nerve endings in the mouth and nose. Taste is the mouth’s ability to identify what is salty, sweet, sour or bitter. There’s also a fifth type of taste called umami, from the Japanese word for delicious. It’s triggered by monosodium glutamate (MSG).

But what we commonly refer to as the taste of food is actually its flavor. And flavor is determined more by the food’s aroma, which is more a function of our sense of smell than by pure taste.

Some loss of smell and taste almost always happens as we get older. This usually starts after about age 60. But before accepting older age as the cause, it’s worth considering reasons for losing the sense of smell or taste that aren’t related to getting older.

Sometimes people lose their sense of smell or taste during and after a viral respiratory tract infection. This is a common symptom of infection with the SARS CoV-1 virus that causes COVID-19.

Loss of smell also happens when nasal passages are blocked. This might be caused by:

• Allergies • Secondhand smoke or other irritants • A persistent sinus infection • Polyps in the nose People with high blood pressure seem to be more likely to lose the sense of taste and smell. It’s not clear whether this is related to high blood pressure itself or to the drugs used to treat it.

These types of high blood pressure drugs have been reported to cause taste loss: diuretics (water pills) such as hydrochlorothiazide, and ACE inhibitors such as enalapril (Vasotec) and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril).

If your taste loss is related to one of your blood pressure pills, it’s probably reversible. But don’t stop taking any of them until you talk with your doctor. He or she might suggest switching to a different class of drugs or taking other steps to regain some taste.

For example, if your mouth is dry from diuretics, you might try sipping water between bites. Sometimes, the moisture can help make food more flavorful.

Q: I have just been diagnosed with osteoporosis. I am a 57-year-old man. Why would a man get osteoporosis? Are the causes of this disease dif ferent in men than in women?

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A: Men do get osteoporosis, but devel- hormone, for example, is involved in calcioping it at your age is unusual. You and um metabolism in the body. Bone loss can your doctor should investigate to find an occur if there is too much of this hormone.

So, levels are often measured to make sure underlying cause.

Although osteoporosis is less frequent a person does not have hyperparathyin men than in women, the causes of thin roidism (an overactive parathyroid gland). bones are similar in both groups.

Some medications are known to cause Many things can affect the growth and thin bones. The most commonly identified loss of bone during a lifetime: genetic fac- ones include prednisone and other cortitors, diet, physical activity or hormones. costeroid medications, and some mediAnd the risk of developing osteoporosis cines used to treat seizures. Heavy alcohol definitely increases with age. use and smoking can also lead to thin It is not always possible to know why bones. someone gets osteoporosis. However, docVitamin D is necessary for normal bone tors often look for “secondary” causes, growth, so a deficiency of this vitamin can particularly if the bone loss is out of the ex- lead to thinning of bone. pected range for someone of that gender Thin bones can be associated with inand age group. If appropriate, the specific flammatory bowel disease, malabsorption Western High School (Washington cause should be searched for in order to syndromes like celiac disease, andDC, having treat the condition appropriately. NW) closed stomach surgeryin to 1974. treat obesity. its doors The What are the common causes?

Hor- Association The development of osteoporosis might Alumni preserves the spirit mone levels are known to affect bone relate to decreased absorption of vitamin of Western but will CEASE TO EXIST in growth and bone loss. In men, both male D or calcium. It also can be due to medicaNovember if used no alumni stepofup to diseases. serve hormones (testosterone) and female (es- tions to treat some these onbone the board. trogenic) hormones play a role in —Howard LeWine, M.D., is an ingrowth and loss. ternist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital nextinmeeting is Sat., Aug. 12 atat HarMen produce less testosterone Our as they Boston and assistant professor age. If your testosterone level is low at age vard Medical School.

For additional con1 p.m. If you’re an alum, please join us.

57, a cause other than just getting older sumer health information, see health.harneeds to be considered.

For morevard.edu. info or to volunteer, email Other hormones can be involved in the © 2023 Harvard University. DistribAnne Garnier at anneskated@gmail.com. development of osteoporosis. Parathyroid uted by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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J U L Y 2 0 2 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Sweet potatoes, kale make a filling salad

By Family Features For your next healthy meal, lean on a versatile ingredient like sweet potatoes as a key ingredient in this Sweet Potato Power Salad, a light yet filling solution that can feed the whole family.

Easy to add to a variety of recipes to enhance flavor and nutrition content, sweet potatoes can be used in sweet, savory, simple or elevated recipes.

Plus, they can be prepared on the stove, baked, microwaved, grilled or slow cooked

to fit your favorite dishes as a natural sweetener without added sugar.

According to the American Diabetes Association, sweet potatoes are a “diabetes superfood” because they’re rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which are good for overall health.

Due to their high carbohydrate content, they’re an ideal option for athletes before and after exercising, with complex carbohydrates that provide sustained energy.

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Additionally, the antioxidants help reduce inflammation and aid in muscle repair, meaning sweet potatoes can help both your endurance and recovery.

Find more information and recipe inspiration at ncsweetpotatoes.com.

Sweet Potato Power Salad Recipe courtesy of Carol Brown on behalf of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission Servings: 6 Ingredients: 4-6 North Carolina sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (6 cups) 2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided ¾ teaspoon salt, divided ¼ teaspoon pepper 1½ bunches curly kale, rinsed and chopped (7-8 cups) ½ large lemon, juice only 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained 1 large avocado, pitted and diced ½ cup cranberries ½ cup coarsely chopped almonds ¼ cup red onion, chopped

½ cup feta or goat cheese Dressing: 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 2 tablespoons olive oil ¼ cup balsamic or white vinegar Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place sweet potatoes in large bowl. In small bowl, lightly whisk 2 teaspoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt and pepper. Toss with sweet potatoes and place potatoes on large sheet pan. Bake 35-40 minutes until tender, flipping once during baking.

Place chopped kale in large bowl. In small bowl, lightly whisk remaining olive oil, remaining salt and lemon juice. Pour over kale and massage with hands until mixed, about 1 minute.

To make dressing: In bowl, whisk syrup, olive oil and vinegar.

In bowl with kale, add garbanzo beans, avocado, cranberries, almonds, red onion, sweet potatoes and cheese. Toss with dressing and serve.

Note: Sweet potatoes can be baked and refrigerated one day in advance.

This article was sponsored by the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission.

BEACON BITS ONE-ON-ONE TECH SUPPORT IN MD Ongoing FREE If you are a Maryland resident, free one-on-one tech help in English and Spanish is available through the Marylanders Online call center. Get support with devices, including software and hardware, internet service, digital skills classes and more. Techs are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (301) 405-9810 or toll-free 1-866-206-9467. For more information, visit marylandersonline.umd.edu.

MUSICAL SUNDAYS IN THE PARK Free live music concerts take place every Sunday at 3 p.m. in McLean, Virginia, throughout July. Bands vary from a capella to jazz to classic rock. Park at the park entrance at Dolly Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Dr., McLean. For a list of shows, see mcleancenter.org or call (703) 790-0123.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U L Y 2 0 2 3

13

How I discovered my parathyroid disease In the fall of 2022, I underwent surgery for hyperparathyroidism — a condition impacting the parathyroid glands, which are responsible for regulating calcium levels in the body. I’m writing about this now because my story might help you.

The number-one symptom of parathyroid problems is chronic fatigue. In my case, I thought I was just overworking myself.

high calcium levels in the blood.

Contrary to common belief, hypercalcemia doesn’t strengthen bones. In fact, it weakens them by causing calcium to be dumped from the bones into the bloodstream.

To get cured of my hyperparathyroidism, I had to have a quick surgery to remove benign tumors on the glands. It sounds scary, but it’s a pretty straightforward surgery. (I DEAR was able to make a video right PHARMACIST Differs from thyroid afterward; the video is posted

By Suzy Cohen disease on my website.)

The parathyroid and thyThough parathyroid disroid glands, despite their similar names, ease isn’t cancer, it does slightly increase are distinct. While the thyroid gland pri- cancer risks. The exact cause of this condimarily regulates thyroid hormones, our tion — specifically why a parathyroid cell four parathyroid glands control calcium forms a tumor — remains largely unand phosphorous levels, which are crucial for our muscular and nervous systems.

Having a parathyroid condition does not have anything to do with thyroid disease, and having one disease doesn’t automatically make you susceptible to the other.

Production of adequate parathyroid hormone (PTH) demands four healthy, functional glands. These glands regulate minerals, the same ones that keep your bones strong and your teeth healthy. They’re also the minerals that conduct heart rhythm and muscle contraction.

Hyperparathyroidism results from a benign tumor in one or more parathyroid glands, leading to excessive PTH production and often causing hypercalcemia or

known. However, genetic predisposition is commonly observed.

Hyperparathyroidism affects 1 in 80 people, with a higher incidence in women above 50 years of age.

High blood calcium is a warning Sadly, about 70% of patients remain unaware of their condition due to inadequate attention to detected high calcium levels.

Most symptoms of hyperparathyroidism — like fatigue, insomnia, kidney stones and bone pain — are tied to hypercalcemia. The severity of symptoms depends more on the duration of elevated calcium levels rather than the extent of elevation.

Surgical removal of the benign tumor is the standard treatment for hyperparathyroidism, restoring calcium balance and alleviating symptoms. This condition has a significant effect on a person’s life ex-

pectancy and overall health.

Because I feel so much better now, I can’t emphasize the importance of prompt treatment if you have elevated PTH levels.

Despite the challenges — and there were some — the surgery and recovery can immediately restore your health and vitality, as well as faster weight loss and stronger bones.

If you’d like to read a longer article about my journey or watch my video, visit suzycohen.com. While you’re there, please sign up for my newsletter so we can stay in touch by email.

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

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe.

BEACON BITS

July 21

BUILD STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS

Make your relationships more meaningful, and learn to stay connected to yourself and others through awareness, effort and boundaries. This free online workshop takes place on Fri., July 21, from 2 to 3 p.m. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/RelationshipsWorkshop.

July 28

HONEY BEE TALK

Join Montgomery Parks on Fri., July 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., for a talk by Phil Frank of Montgomery County Beekeepers Association examining what makes these pollinators essential. Admission is $10 and includes light refreshments, one alcoholic beverage, and admission to the Josiah Henson Museum, where the talk takes place.

The address is 11410 Old Georgetown Rd., North Bethesda, MD. For more information and to register, visit montgomeryparks.org/events/foodie-fridays-the-bees-knees.

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J U L Y 2 0 2 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Tips and tools for coping with vision loss

By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good resources for people with vision loss?

My husband was recently diagnosed with macular degeneration, which has deteriorated his central vision, and he’s become very discouraged.

—Worried Wife Dear Worried, I’m very sorry to hear about your husband’s eye condition. Unfortunately, there are about 20 million Americans living with macular degeneration today.

Over time, this progressive disease can rob people of their central vision, making everyday tasks like driving a car, reading a magazine or watching television extremely challenging. Here are some tips and resources that can help.

See a specialist If your husband hasn’t already done

so, he needs to see a low-vision specialist for a comprehensive examination. Lowvision specialists are ophthalmologists or optometrists with additional credentials or specialization in low-vision testing, diagnosis and treatment.

A low-vision exam, which is much different from a typical eye exam, will explore how your husband’s eye condition is affecting his day-to-day life, how he’s adapting emotionally, and prescribe solutions to help him regain as much dayto-day functioning as possible.

Visit a rehabilitation service Your next step is to get your husband to a nearby vision rehabilitation service.

These services, run by state or nonprofit organizations or private eye care clinics, help people with all types of uncorrectable vision impairments.

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While vision rehabilitation does not restore lost sight, it does help people maximize their existing sight, or if they have no vision, it can equip them with techniques and tools to help them maintain an independent lifestyle.

Ser vices include counseling, along with training on how to perform daily living tasks with low vision, and how to use visual and adaptive devices and assistive technologies that can help improve quality of life.

They also offer guidance for adapting your home, making it safer and easier for your husband to maneuver, and can help him locate low-vision support groups. Some agencies will even send their specialist out to work with him in the comfort of your own home.

To find a vision rehabilitation service near you, ask your husband’s eye doctor for a referral, or you can locate services yourself by calling the American Printing House (APH) Connect Center at 1800-232-5463. [Ed. Note: Locally, contact Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind at (301) 589-0894 or the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington at (202) 234-1010.]

Online tools Another convenient place to get help for your husband is online at VisionAware (VisionAware.org). This free website, that’s part of the APH Connect Center, is specifically designed for older adults new to vision loss.

It provides information on eye diseases and disorders, along with dozens of practical tips, information and instructional videos on living with vision loss.

These include concepts for adapting your home to make it easier to navigate, techniques for traveling safely outside the home, and various tips on how to manage things like finances, medications and other tasks such as cooking, cleaning, grooming, reading, writing, doing hobbies and more.

VisionAware also provides a comprehensive list of more than 2,000 low-vision agencies and organizations across the country that’s searchable by state or category.

Another terrific low-vision resource is Hadley (Hadley.edu), a nonprofit and partner of the National Eye Institute and the National Eye Health Education Program.

Hadley offers online discussion groups, audio podcasts and dozens of free online workshop videos to help empower the blind and visually impaired.

Hadley can also connect him with a network of peers who understand what he’s going through.

Metropolitan Washington Ear of fers free services for visually impaired or blind people, including a reading service for many publications. Contact them at washear.org or (301) 681-6636.

Free glaucoma screenings by the Prevention of Blindness Society will be offered at the Beacon’s 50+Expos taking place this October in Maryland and N. Virginia.

Visit thebeaconnewspapers.com/50-expo for more information.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U L Y 2 0 2 3

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

By Charon P.W. Hines

Dear Seniors, Happy Summer! It felt so good to kick off the season with all of you at the Mayor’s 12th Annual Senior Symposium. But what made this event even more special was the confirmation I received just two weeks prior. On June 15, 2023, the Council confirmed me as the new Director for the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) and I want to take a moment to express my absolute gratitude and appreciation.

First and foremost, I am incredibly grateful to our Mayor, Muriel Bowser, for her remarkable leadership and for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading DACL and advocating for all of you. It is an honor that I do not take lightly. I would also like to extend my thanks to the DACL staff, my community, my family, and my friends who have supported me throughout this journey. Your encouragement and belief in me have been instrumental.

To all the seniors who showed up and showed out at my confirmation hearing, those who testified in-person, virtually, and those who submitted written testimony, I cannot express enough gratitude. Your support meant the world to me, and I am humbled by your presence. I also want to acknowledge those who could not be there but sent me well wishes. Your kind words filled me with joy and reinforced my commitment to serve.

As we embark on this new journey together, I want you to know that serving you is an absolute honor. My dedication to older adults, adults with disabilities, and those who care for them remains unwavering.

However, I cannot do this work alone. The team at DACL and I rely on your involvement and input to make a meaningful impact. Therefore, when we cross paths this summer, I encourage you to connect with us.

Let’s talk about what’s working and what’s not working. Share with us the things that are great and the things that are not so great. By staying engaged and keeping the conversation going, we can ensure that DACL, as well as the entire District Government, better serves YOU! Once again, thank you for your unwavering support throughout this journey. I eagerly look forward to the great work that lies ahead, and I am committed to making a positive difference in the lives of seniors and adults with disabilities in our community.

In Service, Charon P.W. Hines

15

Thank you for joining DACL at Mayor Bowser’s 12th Annual Senior Symposium

Thank you for joining DACL at Mayor Bowser’s 12th Annual Senior Symposium! This year’s symposium centered around the theme of “Educate, Empower, Encourage,” highlighting the housing resources the District has to offer seniors, and reflecting on the Mayor’s commitment

for seniors to stay in DC and to thrive in the very communities they know and love. We educated our seniors on the resources that are available to them, empowered them to take advantage of what’s afforded to them, and encouraged them to continue to live boldly. Thank you to all who attended, and we invite you to stay engaged with us throughout the summer! Visit dacl.dc.gov to learn more about events happening near you.

Living Boldly is published by the Information Office of the DC Department of Aging and Community Living for DC senior residents. Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the DC Department of Aging and Community Living or by the publisher.

Director

Editor

Photographer

Charon P.W. Hines

DACL External Affairs

Richard Williams

500 K St. NE, Washington, DC 20002 | (202) 724-5626 | www.dacl.dc.gov

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Living Boldly

Thanks for Riding Along the Senior Pride Trolley!

June was Pride Month, and whether you chose to walk or roll, DACL welcomed seniors aboard the Senior Pride Trolley for the Capital Pride Parade.

We transformed the trolley into a vibrant and joyous celebration on wheels, adorned with colorful decorations that sparkled in the sunlight. The trolley became a beacon of inclusivity and love, radiating pride for our senior LGBTQ+ community. Thank you to all the seniors who celebrated Pride Month with us. Let’s continue to honor the diversity of our community by remembering to LOVE Boldly.

J U L Y 2 0 2 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Introducing our Queen Cerise Elaine Turner, 2023 Ms. Senior DC

This year, DACL, in partnership with Seabury Resources for Aging and the DC Seniors Cameo Club, hosted the 2023 Ms. Senior DC pageant. Nine talented District women, including the first hearing-impaired contestant, competed for the title of Ms. Senior DC

2023, sharing their talents and philosophy of life with the District.

On Saturday, June 3, Ms. Cerise Elaine Turner was crowned DC’s newest queen! Congratulations to Ms. Turner and all of this year’s contestants.

Apply for DACL’s FY24 Lead Agency Grant

Mayor Bowser and the Department of Aging and Community Living are seeking District residents, age 100 years or older, to celebrate.

Call (202) 724-5626 or email dacl.communications@dc.gov if you know a DC resident who has celebrated, or will celebrate their 100th birthday by July 31, 2023.

Please send the name, date of birth, contact information, and a bio for each individual that you are registering.

Registration ends August 1, 2023.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U L Y 2 0 2 3

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J U L Y 2 0 2 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Downsizing a big home is not for sissies

By Lynne Vance How many towels do I use in a week?

How many pots and pans do I really need?

I never had to ask these questions until I faced the daunting task of downsizing from my five-bedroom, 3,000-square-foot house to a 1,071-square-foot apartment.

The decision to downsize from the home I’d lived in for 57 years, where I’d raised my two children, was agonizing. But when an apartment became available that met all my requisites at my chosen relocation, Riderwood Village, an Erickson community in Silver Spring, Maryland, I snapped it up.

“You’re 82 years old and in relatively good health,” I told myself. “It’s now or never.”

With no idea how I would fit the con-

tents of a nine-room, two-level house into four rooms, I panicked. Luckily, my good friend Gail had the answers.

She committed to working every day to help me downsize, and assured me that my seven-week move-in time frame was doable.

Gail could be detached, objective and tough, yet compassionate when needed.

Also, Riderwood’s moving company offered a free consultation with its professional downsizer as part of my contract. As a first step, she advised going through the house to identify and label my “must have” furniture and other possessions with different colors of painter’s tape.

She then measured them and devised a floor plan for my new apartment. Once we had an idea of what would fit, we got to

JOIN US FO OR A SP ECIAL E VENT!

work on discarding the rest.

First, I asked my kids what they wanted.

“What on earth would I do with all that fancy china, crystal and silverware?” my daughter asked. “Half the time, I use paper plates and plastic utensils when I entertain.” My son’s only request: a brass eagle and some of his dad’s old tools.

That settled, Gail and I fell into a routine.

She set the daily agenda with organizing skills that resembled those of a military officer preparing for battle. Everyone involved soon dubbed her “The Commander.”

As we marched on, slaying “the clutter enemy” surrounding us, she declared, “We have to be ruthless and take no prisoners.”

Keep, sell, donate or trash We went through the house room by room, using the categories Keep, Sell, Donate and Trash (KSDT).

“When did you last use this? Why will you need it?” This was the test Gail and I applied to each item as we plowed through closets of outdated clothing, yards of unused fabric, stacks of vinyl records, and enough nail-filled baby food jars to reconstruct a city.

If I wavered the tiniest bit in deciding, Gail’s irrevocable verdict was, “You don’t need it.” And the object met its appropriate KSDT fate.

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When, for instance, I removed a baking dish from a kitchen cabinet, Gail gave it the evil eye. “But that’s the lasagna dish I use for family holidays,” I said. “And,” she asked, “how many more of those will you host?”

Gail was at her ruthless best when it came to my many travel mementos. “You don’t need a hotel stub from the Greek islands to remind you of the place. You have those 20 boxes filled with photo albums when you want to revisit.”

With few exceptions, Gail outlawed sentimentality as a “keeper” reason. When I retrieved a stuffed puppy from underneath a crib mattress, I stroked it tenderly, telling her, “This was my son’s favorite sleepy-bye toy.” Gail patted my hand gently, took it from me, and agreed to create a Maybe keeper box.

On other occasions, when I expressed undue emotion over something like my sorority pledge paddle, she’d say, “Take a picture with your cell phone and it’s yours forever.”

Every night, overcome with a numbing weariness, I’d collapse in bed, asking myself, “Why didn’t I do this 10 years ago when I had more energy and less severe arthritis?”

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Downsizing From page B-2

Yard sales can help Halfway toward our downsizing goal, when we could barely move among the boxes and bags, I suggested a yard sale to give us some room.

Gail agreed — with the caveat that whatever didn’t sell could not re-enter the house. It would be left for curbside pickup or stacked on the porch for donation.

Surprisingly, the yard sale proved a successful downsizing tool and a muchneeded break. It introduced me to a host of neighbors, too.

By the end of that day, a spirit of conviviality prevailed. Kids were riding their bikes and kicking soccer balls around the perimeters of the sale area while their parents chatted amiably over carry-out coffee cups.

Many volunteered trucks and SUVs to haul stuff away, tables to display more goods, and muscle power to help cus-

tomers carry purchases to their cars.

One neighbor actually brought a friend to the sale who ended up buying my house! That night I felt euphoric.

But the next morning, when the rejects littered the porch and curb, my balloon burst. A petite older woman knocked at my door and asked if she could take some things. “Fine,” I told her.

I watched from my kitchen window as she stuffed her SUV to capacity. Soon she returned for a second round, taking what was, by then, mostly junk. To me, she appeared like a bird of prey, descending on the scraps of the good life I had lived in my house.

Her callous manner brought me to tears, releasing feelings of loss, doubt and fear I had suppressed for weeks. Gail’s hug and shoulder to cry on helped cushion the blow.

Thanks to the love and support that I had all through the draining journey of downsizing, I was able to close the front door of my house on the day of my move

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with a wide smile, stripped of the debris of my past — and filled with excitement about opening a new chapter in my future.

Freelance writer Lynne Vance has been

published in the Washington Post, Journal Newspapers and the Montgomery County Sentinel. She currently resides at Riderwood in Silver Spring, Maryland.

What I learned about downsizing • You can’t do it alone. If you don’t have a close friend like Gail in your life, hire a professional. Use senior moving companies, realtors, the internet or word-of-mouth, and look for experience and a caring personality.

• Start planning early. Decide what to keep and what to give away. Then research your options. Again, ask your realtor, mover and friends and family who’ve already walked the line.

The internet is full of sales outlets like Craigslist.org and Maxsold, or you can donate to nonprofits like Lupus Foundation, A Wider Circle and Goodwill.

Determine what each will take, the condition they require and whether they will pick up or you must deliver.

When selling, demand cash only [or a payment app like Venmo or Zelle], and don’t give out your personal information (address, phone number or other ID) until the transaction is almost com-

plete and a transfer point agreed on.

• Stock up on supplies. The tools you need to have on hand throughout the house include yardsticks, measuring tape, packing tape and multi-colored rolls of painter’s tape, plastic trash and paper bags, packing boxes, boxcutters, pens, pencils, markers and notepads.

• Check to see if your town provides free bulk trash pickups. In some counties, residents are entitled to four such pickups a year. Some may even designate special dates for removal of items like electronics or hazardous chemicals.

• Donate to schools. Local public and private schools welcome office supplies, and educational programs like social studies are eager for teaching materials like all those yellowing newspapers from your attic that headline events such as the Kennedy assassination.

—Lynne Vance

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J U L Y 2 0 2 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Quick cash for your home? Not so fast!

By Better Business Bureau The real estate market is hot, and, for those who own a home, you may have received offers or seen advertisements promising to buy it quickly and for cash.

Selling a home is time-consuming, and the promise of a quick close is tempting.

However, it’s important to understand the difference between selling your home to a traditional buyer and making a deal with a home investor, sometimes called an opportunity investor.

Professional home investors make offers to sellers willing to sacrifice profit in exchange for a faster and simpler sale process.

In recent years, “iBuyers” have emerged, too — internet companies who use algorithms and proprietary valuation data to

make no-obligation, all-cash offers to sellers.

BBB recommends the following tips to help you find the right kind of buyer for your home and avoid getting scammed.

Do you have time constraints?

With traditional home sales, buyers can require a 45-day escrow period to allow time for appraisals, mortgage approval contingencies, inspections and the like, which means completing a sale could take several weeks.

On the other hand, home investors can usually close in a month or less, and iBuyers can give homeowners a tentative offer within 24 to 48 hours and close in as little as a week.

If time is of the essence, it may be worthwhile to consider the faster options, although you’ll sacrifice profit for speed.

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How much profit do you need?

The biggest con of working with a home investor or iBuyer is that you will almost always get a lower offer than you would from a traditional buyer.

Traditional buyers may be willing to pay even more than market value for a home they’ve fallen in love with, while home investors are buying your home solely as an investment.

Determining in advance how much profit you need to make on the sale of your home can help you make a sound decision when you receive an offer from any kind of buyer.

Factor in prep work When marketing your home to traditional buyers, you’ll need to do a fair amount of prep work: cleaning, decluttering, painting, staging, landscaping, photographing and listing your home. When you sell to an investor, you won’t need to do this.

“Typically, investors offer to purchase a property ‘as is,’ many times sight unseen,” according to Forbes magazine. “As a seller, that allows you to avoid any costly repairs that would normally be considered your financial responsibility.”

Research companies beforehand Always look up businesses on BBB.org before you share personal information or

agree to use their services. Make sure the company has an official name, phone number and physical address. Read customer reviews, keeping a close eye on any complaints or reports of dishonest dealings.

Beware of home investor scams Scammers prey on a seller’s desire to make a quick sale by offering deals that seem too good to be true. They also take advantage of the fact that home investors don’t need credentials to buy property.

When considering an offer, ask plenty of questions and don’t settle for vague answers.

Never give money to an investor before the closing date. Complete all transactions through a closing or escrow agent or a real estate specialty attorney. Don’t be pressured into payments “off the books.”

If you aren’t pressed for time, consider working with a full-service brokerage. Although you’ll need to do some prep work, and it will take more time, you’ll likely make a much larger profit on the sale of your home.

You can also think about renting your home for an amount that covers your mortgage payments or setting up a leaseto-own agreement.

If you encounter a scam, report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Also, sign up for BBB Scam Alerts at bit.ly/BBBscamalerts.

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Designed for seniors with military and government backgrounds, their spouses, and surviving spouses, this nonprofit Life Plan Community offers the chance to be among peers with a common bond of service. Falcons Landing is the ‘2022 Best Retirement Community in the Northern Region,’ as well as ‘2022 Best of’ in Loudoun County in two local reader surveys. Contact 703-293-5054 or visit www.falconslanding.org to schedule your tour today!

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J U L Y 2 0 2 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Sensible ways to tackle a home remodel

By Annie Millerbernd Spring and summer are kickoff season for many kitchen remodels, bathroom updates and deck repairs. But recent economic turmoil may have homeowners questioning their home improvement plans.

Spending on home renovations is expected to slow this year because of factors such as declining home sales and values, rising interest rates, continuing inflation and rumblings of a coming recession, said Abbe Will, senior research associate with Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.

As economic growth slows, planning and prioritizing will be key to remodeling confidently. Here are five tips to help you remodel in an uncertain economy.

Start with an emergency fund Even when the economy is doing well, it’s ideal to have an emergency fund before starting a remodel, said Eric Maldonado, a certified financial planner based in San Luis Obispo, California.

“What you’re trying to avoid is starting [a project] with nothing saved, taking out debt to afford [remodeling] and not really providing yourself with a smart foundation to start from,” he said.

A six-month fund [to cover living expenses] is a good goal, he said, especially if you’re concerned about losing your job.

or insulation that may lower your utility bill.

Look for opportunities to mix “nice-tohaves” with “must-haves,” she said. For example, “Maybe you have something behind a wall that needs to be fixed, so you have to open up a wall, and then you have to repaint,” she said.

“Maybe you take this opportunity to fix a need and get a want at the same time.”

Compare financing options The Federal Reserve’s persistent interest rate hikes over the past year have led to raised rates on most financing options, so you’ll likely pay more interest on a new home improvement loan than you would have before.

Maldonado said home equity loans and lines of credit are typically the lowest-rate options, but he recommends comparing financing options to find the best rate and terms.

Most home equity and personal loans come in a lump sum and have fixed interest rates, so your monthly payment remains the same for the full term.

A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, provides more flexibility for large projects because you can draw on it as needed for up to about 10 years. However, HELOCs typically have variable rates, which means monthly payments can fluctuate.

Consider delaying to save money Narrow your financial goals After your emergency fund is set, put remodeling on a short list of your financial priorities for the year and distribute your budget accordingly, Maldonado said.

For example, if your main goals are to pay off debt, contribute to your kids’ college funds and begin home improvement projects, determine how much each goal costs and how much you can afford to spend on them every month, he said.

“It’s kind of like putting the big rocks into the jar first,” he said.

This may mean slowing progress toward other financial goals, like early retirement or purchasing a new car.

Prioritize repairs and small updates If high gas and grocery bills have left you with less to spend on home improvements this year, prioritize projects that have the potential to affect your finances the most, said Katherine Fox, a certified financial planner based in Portland, Oregon.

Fox recommends starting with fixes that would be costlier to delay, such as a leaking pipe. Then, consider updates that will save you money in the future, like new windows

While prioritizing projects, decide whether you can delay any for a year or more. As fickle as the economy has been, there are signs that those who wait could pay less.

The pandemic-induced remodeling frenzy triggered a sharp increase in labor and materials costs that homeowners felt last year, according to a March 2023 report from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. Cement, brick and plywood prices rose 20% to 25% between March 2020 and December 2022, the report found. Insulation material costs rose 34%. This year, materials may get cheaper, the report said.

Likewise, home improvement spending is expected to decline in early 2024 for the first time in more than a decade, according to the center’s Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity, which measures and projects remodeling spending.

If you can tolerate the guest bathroom as it is or stomach that non-load-bearing wall for another year or two, you could get the work done at a discount, Fox said.

Just be sure you’re in a secure financial position and feel good about your employment prospects if you bet on a recession, she said.

—AP/NerdWallet

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U L Y 2 0 2 3

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A reverse mortgage can help pay for care

By Kate Ashford Someone turning 65 has nearly a 7-in-10 chance of needing long-term care in the future, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and many don’t have the savings to manage the cost of assisted living.

But they may have a mortgage-free home and the equity in it, giving them the potential option of a reverse mortgage to help cover care costs.

Here’s how to evaluate whether a reverse mortgage might be a good option:

What is a reverse mortgage?

A reverse mortgage is a loan or line of credit on the assessed value of your home.

Most reverse mortgages are federally backed Home Equity Conversion Mortgages, or HECMs, which are loans up to a federal limit of $970,800. Homeowners must be 62 years old to apply.

If you have at least 50% to 55% equity in your home, you have a good chance of qualifying for a loan or line of credit for a portion of that equity. How much you can access depends on your age and the home’s appraised value.

If you qualify for the mortgage, you must still keep paying taxes and insurance on the home, and the loan is repaid when the borrower dies or moves out. If there are two borrowers, the line of credit remains until the second borrower dies or moves out.

A reverse mortgage is a non-recourse loan, meaning if the loan amount exceeds the home’s value, the borrower or inheritor won’t have to pay more than the loan amount owed or what the home could be sold for.

Paying for long-term care A reverse mortgage can provide a crucial stream of income to pay for long-term care, but there are some limitations.

For instance, a reverse mortgage requires that you live in the home. If you’re the sole borrower of a reverse mortgage and you have to move to a care facility for a year or longer, you’ll be in violation of the loan requirements and must repay the loan [Ed. Note: or allow the house to be sold to pay off the mortgage].

For this reason, and also because of the costs to obtain the loan, reverse mortgages are best suited for a situation where you plan to stay in your home long-term.

They don’t make sense if your home isn’t suitable for aging in place, or if you plan to move in the next three to five years, said Marguerita Cheng, a certified financial planner in Potomac, Maryland.

But for home healthcare or paying for a second borrower who’s in a nursing home, home equity can help bridge the gap.

If you want to pay as you go and not pull money out of securities in a down market, you can pull it out of your home equity, said Dennis Nolte, a CFP in Winter Park, Florida.

Advantages of reverse mortgages Your home is generally one of your biggest assets, and using its value to handle long-term care costs can make sense.

— You’re tapping an “up” asset.

“Most people will find that their home is the only asset they own appreciating this year, and that makes it a good source to utilize for income needs,” said Byrke Sestok, a CFP in Harrison, New York.

— You can lock in value. If you think you’ll have trouble covering a future longterm care need, you can get a reverse mortgage now when home values are high. An unused line of credit grows over time, so your balance will have increased by the time you need the money.

— The income is tax-free. All money you withdraw from your reverse mortgage line is tax-free and doesn’t affect your Social Security or Medicare benefits.

Disadvantages to consider Reverse mortgages can solve a problem, but there are downsides to using the equity in your home to cover costs.

— They’re expensive. Getting a reverse mortgage costs about as much as a

traditional mortgage — expect to pay about 3% to 5% of the home’s appraised value. However, you may be able to roll the costs into the loan.

— You must pay interest. Interest accrues on any portion you’ve used, so you will eventually owe more than you borrowed.

— You’ll leave less to heirs. The more of the reverse mortgage you use, the less you’ll leave behind.

Whether to use your home equity as a stream of income can be complicated and depends on your other assets and future plans.

A financial planner can help you run the numbers and point you toward a vetted reverse mortgage specialist if the product makes sense for you.

—AP/NerdWallet

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J U L Y 2 0 2 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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#

FOR FREE INFORMATION FROM ADVERTISERS Check off advertisers of interest and mail this entire coupon to the Beacon with your contact info.

Or you may take a picture of your completed coupon and email it to housing@thebeaconnewspapers.com.

All coupons received by August 4 will be entered into a random drawing to win two tickets to see Sister Act at Toby’s Dinner Theatre. You need not request advertiser info to win.

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INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

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INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

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J U L Y 2 0 2 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

For cleaner air, go electric with lawn care

By Harry Campbell, Doug Myers and Joseph Wood, Chesapeake Bay Foundation If you use a gas-powered lawn mower, there’s a good chance that maintaining your lawn is worse for the environment than your morning commute. In some cases, far worse.

Running a typical gas mower for one hour creates roughly the same amount of smog-forming air pollution as driving a passenger car 300 miles, according to the California Air Resources Board. For some gas-powered leaf blowers, an hour’s use is equivalent to driving 1,100 miles.

All told, according to the authors of a 2021 study published in the International Journal of Life Cycle Assessments, the small, inefficient gas engines used for lawn mowers, blowers, weed trimmers and other garden equipment account for a quarter of all nonroad gasoline emissions nationwide each year.

Why does this matter for the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams across the watershed?

For starters, one-third of the nitrogen pollution that ends up in the water comes from air pollution, according to the Chesapeake Bay Program. That makes air emissions a big challenge for Bay restoration.

Lawns make a big difference But we should also see it as a big opportunity. Changing the way we care for lawns — or better yet, reducing the amount of lawn we need to care for — offers a way to make significant water quality improvements.

The Bay watershed states are not on track to meet targets for implementing pollution-reduction measures by 2025.

This is something individuals, localities and states can do quickly and at a much lower cost.

One reason lawns matter is their sheer scale. A 2010 report by the Chesapeake Stormwater Network, based on data from 2000 to 2005, found that turf covers as much as 3.8 million acres in the Bay watershed, which is about 10% of the total land area. Development has likely increased that amount.

While residential lawns make up much of that acreage, turf also proliferates along roadways and around commercial buildings.

All of this has big implications for water quality, especially as more forests and farmlands are developed.

A 2020 assessment showed that polluted runoff from urban and suburban areas is the only significant source of pollution in the watershed that is still growing — and in some cases, even offsetting some of the pollution reductions made to date in wastewater management and agriculture.

that, during a rainstorm, lawns can act more like green-carpeted concrete than a forest floor, soaking in only one-tenth the amount of precipitation, and often less.

The reason is that yards have more compacted soil, less organic matter, and shallower root systems than forests. As a result, in a heavy rainstorm, much of the water that falls on a lawn rushes quickly into storm drains and out into local streams, often taking fertilizer and pesticides along with it.

The volume and speed of water running off the land can erode streambanks, contribute to localized flooding, and negatively affect aquatic insects and fish. As climate change drives more frequent, severe storms, this becomes even more problematic.

We can do much more to address this source of pollution. Maryland and Virginia have passed statewide limits on phosphorus fertilizers for lawns, but Pennsylvania is still considering legislation to do so.

Phosphorous limitations are a good start, but the partnership also needs new initiatives to find ways to address this source of pollution.

A ban on gas-powered leaf blowers took effect this year in the District of Columbia, but a measure that would allow Virginia localities to regulate leaf blowers has been tabled. In Maryland, a General Assembly bill to ban sales of gas-powered leaf blowers was withdrawn earlier this year.

Addressing these sources should be considered at a much broader scale across the watershed as a way for Bay states to meet their pollution-reduction commitments.

Solutions you can implement In your own yard, the best solution is to convert more lawn to native trees, shrubs, plants and low-maintenance groundcover.

This allows more water to soak into the soil, provides food and shelter for wildlife, and reduces the harmful air pollution emitted by lawn equipment.

Another important step is to limit fertilizing. Get your soil tested first to determine what is or isn’t needed.

Better yet, instead of fertilizing, use an electric mulching mower, which naturally fertilizes the grass by leaving the clippings in place to decompose and add nutrients and organic matter back to the soil. The clippings also provide food and habitat for pollinating insects.

The same goes for leaves in the fall.

Don’t bag them and send them to a landfill; use an electric mulching mower to return them to the soil.

Finally, switch from gas-powered to electric lawn and garden equipment. Electric mowers, blowers, trimmers, edgers

Dangers of storm runoff What many people may not know is

See CLEANER AIR, page B-11

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U L Y 2 0 2 3

How to plant a container like the pros do

By Jessica Damiano Have you ever gone to the grocery store for, say, milk, and left with a cartful of impulse buys? Well, I visited a couple of nurseries last week in search of one specific plant and left with nearly everything except that plant, which both retailers had sold out.

As usual, I was seduced by the colorful, pre-planted annual containers on display, and hemmed and hawed about whether I should buy them or make my own.

I often do the latter, but sometimes can’t resist the allure of all that beautifully arranged eye candy.

Those thoughtfully planted pots and baskets are often created by talented garden center workers, sometimes following recipes provided by the plants’ wholesale nursery growers. They’re a great option if you’re looking for instant gratification, which, if I’m being honest, I often am.

However, creating your own mixed container is an easy, fun and often money-saving project that will reward you with flowers and pride all season long.

I’d love to tell you that you’re limited only by your own tastes and desires, but the truth is there are some killjoy considerations that need to be taken into account when selecting plants.

What to consider first You’ll need to consider the mature sizes and aesthetic coordination of the plants you combine in a planter, and ensure they all have the same watering and sunlight requirements.

Choose a pot or window box that will accommodate plants when they’re fully grown, and make sure they have holes in the bottom for drainage. If not, poke or drill the holes.

Never use garden soil in containers. It’s heavy and too dense for young, tender roots to grow through. It also may contain weed seeds, or harbor fungal spores, bacteria or viral diseases that can kill plants.

Instead, use a prepared potting mix that’s formulated for the types of plants you’re growing. Or make your own by combining: • One-third peat moss, coco coir or rice

Cleaner air From page B-10 and such are widely available, usually with cordless or plug-in models.

This significantly reduces air pollution that contributes to smog — a major threat to human health — and the nitrogen pollution that harms waterways.

Addressing stormwater pollution through retrofits can be expensive and challenging,

hulls (if using peat, add ¼ cup of garden lime per 6 gallons to balance the pH of your final product) • One-third compost • One-third vermiculite (replace with perlite if planting succulents, cacti or other plants that require quick-draining soil) • A slow-release, balanced fertilizer (read the label for dosages)

What plants to combine For lush, abundant container arrangements, the traditional recipe includes a cute, rhyming threesome of plant types: thrillers, fillers and spillers.

Thrillers are tall upright plants intended to draw the eye upward. Plant your thriller first, placing it in the center of the container.

Surround the thriller with fillers, which are shorter plants that will spread to fill in the space between the thriller and spillers.

Spillers are vining plants that will cascade over the edge of the pot as they grow.

Place them just inside the perimeter of the container.

If your potting mix doesn’t contain nutrients, apply a fast-release fertilizer right after planting.

Plants growing in containers will need more attention than their in-ground counterparts. That’s because plants growing in the garden can spread their roots far and wide to reach distant nutrient and water resources. Potted plants are limited by the contents of the container, so they’re entirely reliant on you.

Soil in containers dries out much more quickly than in the garden. Sometimes I water pots in the morning only to return to wilting, thirsty plants at night. Check them twice a day, especially during hot, dry spells.

Follow fertilizer directions for potted plants. Typically, they need more frequent fertilizing than for beds and borders.

Got questions about gardening? Send them to Jessica Damiano at jessica@jessicadamiano.com with “Gardening Question” in the subject line. She’ll answer selected questions in a future Associated Press gardening column.

—AP

but changing the way we care for our yards is not. It also benefits our health, improves wildlife in our yards, and can save us some time in the process. We can’t afford not to take these steps.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Harry Campbell, Doug Myers and Joseph Wood are, respectively, director of science policy and advocacy for its Pennsylvania Office, Maryland senior scientist and Virginia senior scientist.

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ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

Chevy Chase House 202-905-0708 5420 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20015 www.chevychasehouse.com Chevy Chase House provides boutique assisted living for older adults looking for personalized care without compromising lifestyle and active living. In addition to 24-hour nursing available, the community features Life Inspired, the daily activities program that promotes overall wellness, socialization, and a Chef-prepared dining experience. Unique to the Chevy Chase House is its partnership with FOX Rehab to not only provide on-site physical, occupational and speech therapies, but also employs a full-time exercise physiologist to help residents with improving balance and mobility, strength training, and fall prevention programming.

Conveniently located on Connecticut Avenue in DC. Call 202-905-0708 to schedule a tour or stop by Chevy Chase House to learn more.

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INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Woodleigh Chase Senior Living 1-877-211-6968 4595 Burke Station Rd. Fairfax, VA 22032 www.EricksonSeniorLiving.com/Woodleigh-Chase Woodleigh Chase Coming Soon to Fairfax. Erickson Senior Living is known for creating and managing vibrant continuing care communities. Their newest, Woodleigh Chase, will offer active, independent living and higher levels of care on a beautiful campus in the heart of Fairfax, Virginia.

Woodleigh Chase residents can choose from a variety of stylish, open-plan apartment homes that suit every need and budget.

Amenities will include a state-of-the-art fitness and aquatics center, multiple restaurants, and spaces for learning, hobbies, and socializing. A full range of health and well-being services will be delivered at the on-campus medical center.

Get your FREE brochure today! Call 1-877-211-6968 or visit WoodleighChase.com.

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INDEPENDENT & PERSONAL CARE COMMUNITIES

B’nai B’rith Homecrest House 301-244-3579 14508 Homecrest Road Silver Spring, MD 20906 www.homecresthouse.org Homecrest House is a non-profit, affordable, subsidized senior adult community nestled amidst 10 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds with its own lake, neighboring Leisure World, The three residential buildings on the B’nai B’rith Homecrest campus provide 235 apartments for Independent Living, some designed for adults with physical mobility challenges, and 42 apartments offering Enhanced Care Services. We are excited to have you come and see our elegantly renovated community buildings. You’re invited to tour this incredible transformation.

For a personalized tour now, call 301-244-3579 or visit us at www.homecresthouse.org

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

The Grandview Senior Living 1-855-479-8096 710400 Fernwood Rd. Bethesda, MD 20817 EricksonSeniorliving.com/The-Grandview Introducing The Grandview. The Grandview, a brand new senior living community by Erickson Senior Living™ is coming soon to Bethesda, Maryland. Offering active, independent living and higher levels of care on a beautiful campus, it will be close to local shopping, dining, and entertainment. The Grandview will feature a variety of stylish, maintenance-free apartment homes that suit every need and budget, with impressive features and finishes. Residents can stay engaged with a host of amenities and enjoy predictable spending with a single, streamlined monthly bill. Perhaps best of all, experience peace of mind with a variety of health and well-being services right on campus. Call 1-855-479-8096 or visit TheGrandviewSeniorLiving.com today to learn more about vibrant senior living coming soon to Bethesda.

REHABILITATION

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

J U L Y 2 0 2 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

What to look for in choosing rehab care

By Patricia Mertz Esswein After a stay in the hospital, most people would prefer to go home to recuperate.

But that may not always be possible.

If you or a loved one needs more medical care, rehabilitation or supervision, you’ll have to find a nursing home or skilled nursing facility before the patient is discharged from the hospital.

But what should you look for, and who is a good source of impartial information?

Nursing homes are a business with marketing personnel whose job is to sell you on the place. But you need more than glossy brochures and vague promises to go on.

Nursing homes often specialize in areas of care, like stroke recovery or long-term ventilator support. Ask the hospitalist assigned to your case and your family physician about the kind of care your loved one will need.

Also, a geriatric care manager can often recommend facilities and coordinate the transition from hospital to nursing home.

“A geriatric care manager, usually a licensed nurse or social worker who specializes in geriatrics, is a sort of ‘professional relative’ who can help you and your family to identify needs and find ways to meet your needs,” according to the National Institute on Aging. You can find one by visiting eldercare.acl.gov or by calling 1-800677-1116.

Where to start your search Whether you have names of places you want to check out or are starting from scratch, kick off your search at Care Compare (medicare.gov/care-compare) for nursing homes certified by Medicare and Medicaid, which most are.

There, facilities are rated for overall care with one to five stars, from lowest to highest quality, based on health inspections, staffing levels and evaluation measures. Search by facility name or location, and filter the results for those rated with four or five stars.

If few options turn up, expand your search geographically and include threestar facilities, which are considered average.

Avoid one- or two-star facilities and

those that are “special focus facility” candidates or have already been designated that way, as they have been cited for serious deficiencies or problems over multiple years and need additional oversight.

Next, filter your results for nursing homes rated four or five stars for their staffing of nurses and aides. This represents the level of care that residents receive, such as the number of services they get, how long they must wait for them, and the amount of time that the staff spends attending to each person, said Lori Smetanka, executive director of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care.

Care Compare isn’t perfect; nursing homes self-report the information, and their data is prone to inflation and manipulation. But the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which manages the tool, has improved its accuracy over the past several years by basing data on verifiable sources, such as staffing levels from payroll data.

Problems? Contact ombudsman Every state has an office of ombudsman for long-term care that fields and resolves complaints about nursing homes and other care facilities. In Maryland, Montgomery County’s long-term care ombudsman program can be reached at (240) 777-3369; Prince George’s County at (301) 265-8483.

In Washington, D.C., call (202) 434-2190. In Northern Virginia, call (703) 324-5861.

State survey reports are another resource. To be certified by Medicare and Medicaid, facilities must show they comply substantially with federal and state requirements.

The report lists deficiencies cited and enforcement actions taken, with up to three years of survey reports accessible on Care Compare. Nursing homes and your state’s health department should also make the reports available.

Patricia Mertz Esswein is a contributing writer for Kiplinger’s Retirement Report.

For more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com. © The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS VIRTUAL BOOK DISCUSSION: STOLEN Dr. Richard Bell, professor of history at the University of Maryland, discusses his book Stolen: Kidnapping and Enslavement in Antebellum America, about the reverse Underground Railroad. Join this free online book talk on Thu., July 13 at 1 p.m. Register at bit.ly/StolenBookTalk. ASL interpretation is available. For more information, call (410) 396-5430.

July 13

Aug. 3

FREE DANCE CLASS AND FILM

Join Julissa Cruz from Latin Vintage and DJ Hercules for a free bachata dance class on Thu., Aug. 3, at 7 p.m. on the southeast lawn of the Thomas Jefferson Building, located on the corner of 2nd St. SE and Independence Ave. A screening of the film Mary Poppins follows. This free event is part of the Summer Movies on the Lawn series, presented by the Library of Congress. To find out more, visit bit.ly/2023SummerMovies.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U L Y 2 0 2 3

Getting paid as a family caregiver Dear Savvy Senior, serve as caregivers for veterans who need asI have been taking care of my elderly sistance with daily living activities because of father for over a year, and it’s taking a toll an injury or illness sustained in the line of on my finances because I can only work duty. (See bit.ly/comprehensiveassistance.) part-time. Are there any resources you know about that Other sources of can help family caregivers payment get paid?

If your dad has some savings —Seeking Support or other assets, discuss the posDear Seeking, sibility of him paying you from Caring for an elder parent his savings for the care you procan be challenging in many vide, or talk to your siblings to ways, but it can be especially see if they can chip in. difficult financially if you have If they agree, consider draftto miss work to provide care. ing a short, written contract SAVVY SENIOR Fortunately, there are a numthat details the terms of your

By Jim Miller ber of government programs work and payment arrangeand other tips that may be able ments so everyone involved to help you monetarily while you care for knows what to expect. A contract will also your dad. Here are some options to explore: help avoid potential problems should your father ever need to apply for Medicaid for Medicaid assistance nursing home care.

All 50 states and the District of ColumAlso, check to see if your dad has any bia offer self-directed Medicaid services long-term care insurance that covers infor long-term care. These programs let home care. If he does, in some cases those states grant waivers that allow income- benefits may be used to pay you. qualified individuals to manage their own long-term home care services. In some Tax breaks states, that can include hiring a family There are also tax credits and deducmember to provide care. tions you may be eligible for as your dad’s Benefits, coverage, eligibility and rules caregiver. differ from state to state. Program names For example, if your dad lives with you also vary. What’s called “consumer direct- and you’re paying at least half of his living ed care” in one state, may be called “par- expenses, and his gross income was less ticipant-directed services,” “in-home sup- than $4,400 (in 2022) not counting his Soportive services” or “cash and counseling” cial Security, you can claim him as a dein another. pendent on your taxes and get a $500 tax Contact your state Medicaid program to credit. ask about its options or to start the sign-up If you can’t claim him as a dependent, process. There may be a waitlist. you may still be able to get a tax deduction if you’re paying more than half his living Veterans’ benefits expenses, including medical and longIf your dad is a U.S. military veteran, term care costs, and they exceed 7.5 perthere are several different VA programs he cent of your adjusted gross income. You may be eligible for that provide financial as- can include your own medical expenses in sistance to family caregivers, including: calculating the total. To see which medical • Veteran-Directed Care: Available in expenses you can deduct, see IRS Publicamost states, this program provides a tion 502 at IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf. needs-based monthly budget for long-term Or, if you’re paying for in-home care or care services. (See bit.ly/directedcare.) adult day care for your dad so you can work, • Aid & Attendance or Housebound you might qualify for the Dependent Care benefits: These programs provide a Tax Credit which can be worth as much as monthly payment to veterans and sur- $1,050. To claim this credit, you’ll need to fill vivors who receive a VA pension and who out IRS Form 2441 (IRS.gov/pub/irseither need assistance with activities of pdf/f2441.pdf) when you file your federal redaily living (e.g., bathing, dressing, going turn. to the bathroom), or are housebound. (See Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senbit.ly/aidattendance.) ior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or • Program of Comprehensive Assis- visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contance for Family Caregivers: This provides tributor to the NBC Today show and author a monthly stipend to family members who of The Savvy Senior book.

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They always ensure that they have interesting and exciting things going on. Some of the fun includes: Garden Party Cookouts, Trips to Washington, DC to see the Cherry Blossoms, the Franciscan Monastery, and the National Zoo, Black Hills Pontoon Boat Ride, Low-Impact Fitness Classes, Resident Birthday Celebrations, Craft Classes and Potlucks. Also, many guest speakers are invited to speak to our residents on topics that are relevant to them.

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Benefits of short- and long-term home care

By Lori Johnston, AgingCare.com Whether Dad needs help around the house for a few weeks after he’s discharged from the hospital or Mom requires around-the-clock dementia care, inhome care can meet these needs and everything in between.

Best of all, home care enables aging loved ones to live as safely and independently as possible in their own homes.

In-home care services are flexible One of the biggest advantages of home care services is that they can be customized to accommodate unique needs.

This care option can be increased or dialed back as an elder’s condition declines or improves.

In-home care plans are evaluated regularly and evolve along with changes in client’s physical and mental health.

While the difference between unskilled and skilled care is an important part of deciding whether to hire in-home services, it is also helpful to understand that home care can be provided with different timeframes in mind.

Elder care companies offer both shortterm and long-term home care services so that individual care plans can be adjusted to meet a senior’s needs.

Below are brief descriptions highlight-

ing the differences between short- and long-term home care.

What is short-term home care?

Short-term home care services can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of months while one is recovering from an illness, injury or surgery. In these instances, home care is a temporary service.

For example, some home care companies offer special short-term service packages to help people make smooth transitions from the hospital back to their homes. Generally, Medicare only covers short-term home healthcare services that a doctor deems medically necessary.

Depending on a person’s needs, one or more professional caregivers may be assigned. A “custodial caregiver” can provide unskilled assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and household tasks like bathing, dressing, walking and transferring, laundry, light housekeeping and meal preparation.

Ensuring that a loved one is taking their medications as directed, eating nutritious meals, and does not have to handle chores will help them recuperate faster.

Skilled home care (often referred to as “home healthcare”) includes services like wound care, administering medications, monitoring vital signs, physical therapy,

speech-language therapy and occupational therapy.

For example, following a stroke, a visiting physical therapist might be needed on a short-term basis to help one regain their balance and coordination.

Of course, an in-home care company can provide both unskilled and skilled services simultaneously, depending on a person’s needs. Once the user has recovered, these services will no longer be needed.

It is important to mention that some of us do not make a full recovery after a medical setback. What was supposed to be temporary support at home may evolve into a need for long-term in-home care.

What is long-term home care?

Long-term in-home care services are best for those who are disabled or living with chronic and/or progressive conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, lung disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

In these instances, regular assistance and care are required, and the client’s needs are likely to increase. People who wish to continue living at home but need help doing so often make in-home care services a permanent part of their routines.

Most family members have no experience or training in caring for a chronically

ill person at home. Even assisting with ADLs can become very challenging and time-consuming.

Skilled nursing tasks, such as injections, wound care, changing a colostomy bag, suctioning secretions from a tracheotomy tube or monitoring a ventilator, are often more than most family caregivers can safely take on. Around-the-clock supervision and higher levels of care and training may become necessary.

In these cases, home healthcare is hired on a long-term basis until the patient’s needs exceed what can be provided in the home.

In theory, the same level of care provided in nursing homes can be provided by professional caregivers in a home environment.

However, 24/7 home care is pricey — especially when needed for an extended period.

Many families eventually decide that inhome care is no longer the best option.

Services usually conclude when a person moves to a higher level of residential care, such as an assisted living facility, a memory care unit or a nursing home. [Ed. Note: At the same time, there are occasions when a resident of one of these facilities may also want to hire a part-time home care aide, for example, during a period of recovery from a hospitalization.]

See HOME CARE, page B-15

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Is your new home in your kids’ back yard?

By Patricia Mertz Esswein When Cary Childre, 65, considered moving closer to her daughter living in an Atlanta suburb, she realized she couldn’t afford to buy “much of anything.” So, her daughter researched building a cottage in her own back yard.

They made a deposit on a Craftsmanstyle design by a local architect who will manage the project from permits to completion. The 429-square-foot home will have one bedroom and bathroom, a galley kitchen and living area, and a small, covered porch.

Fueled by an aging population and a scarcity of affordable housing, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are a hot new trend in multigenerational living. You may know them better as in-law suites, garage apartments, carriage houses, casitas and granny pods. Freddie Mac said the share of for-sale listings with an ADU rose 8.6% year-over-year since 2009.

These homes can be created by finishing a basement or attic, converting a garage, reconfiguring unused space, adding or custom-building a detached unit, or installing a prefabricated one.

Home care

tions and learn as much as possible about your loved one’s health status and current and future needs.

If you’ve determined that in-home care is the right fit, you’ll want to seek referrals from physicians, friends and family members and begin the interview and in-home consultation process with providers in your area.

This article was originally published by AgingCare.com. It has been reprinted with permission.

From page B-14

Hiring home care services Finding the best type of care for an aging loved one can be tricky. Regardless of whether services are intended to be temporary or permanent, in-home care can keep people happy and healthy in their own homes, and can often delay or completely prevent the need for a long-term care facility.

Do your homework, ask lots of ques-

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Over time, you could rent the ADU for income; house a parent, child or caregiver; downsize into it yourself and rent the main house; or make it an office or guest quarters.

Cost varies considerably How much you’ll spend varies by city, type and degree of customization, said Kol Peterson, an ADU advocate and consultant in Portland, Oregon. He said the cost ranges from $20,000 for a basement unit to more than $400,000 for one built above a garage.

Converting existing space is cheaper than building a detached unit. Because of the fixed costs of building a detached home of any size, a larger unit will be only marginally more expensive than a smaller one. So he recommends building up to the largest allowable size.

A prefab ADU is cheaper and quicker to install than one built on site, but a custom

design lets you include aging-in-place features, such as a step-free entry, wider doorways and a curbless shower.

If you hire a design builder, look for an aging-in-place specialist certified by the National Association of Home Builders.

An ADU should also allow elders privacy so they will feel at home, not like visitors or intruders, said Michael K. Lenahen, an architect and president of Aurora Builders in Jacksonville, Florida.

If creating an in-law suite with shared walls, consider creating a private entrance and adding soundproofing.

Sitting areas indoors and outdoors will allow you or a parent to enjoy solitude, entertain friends without asking for permission and avoid feeling confined. © The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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17

To learn ways to simplify and reduce financial clutter, see page 19.

You’ll probably live longer than you think

By Liz Weston Women often don’t score as well as men in surveys of financial literacy. One area where they seem to do better is “longevity literacy,” or understanding how long they’re likely to live.

Longevity literacy is essential to smart retirement planning. Overestimate your longevity, and you could retire too late or scrimp too much. Underestimate it, and you could run short of money.

In a recent TIAA Institute study, 43% of women correctly estimated the life expectancy of 60-year-old women in the U.S. (The right answer was 85.) Only 32% of men chose the correct answer for the life expectancy for 60-year-old men, which was 82.

Men also were far more likely than women to underestimate life expectancy — and that’s a huge potential problem for both sexes. A man who expects to die in his 70s might draw too much from retirement funds or start Social Security too early. That could leave him — and the spouse who may outlive him — with too little income later on.

“A lot of people do OK in their first 10 or 15 years of retirement,” said actuary Steve Vernon, a former research scholar at the Stanford Center on Longevity. “It’s often in their late 70s and 80s that they start to struggle.”

Our life expectancy ‘grows’ The life expectancy statistics that often make headlines aren’t the ones that matter for retirement planning, Vernon said.

For example, in December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that U.S. life expectancy dropped for the second year in a row.

But the number the CDC cited, 76.4 years, is life expectancy from birth. That figure includes infant mortality as well as the accidents, diseases, overdoses, homicides and suicides that end lives too early.

The thing about longevity is that it’s persistent. The longer you live, the longer you are likely to live.

One out of three men and 1 in 2 women in their mid-50s will live to 90, according to the Society of Actuaries. There’s a 50% chance that at least one member of a heterosexual married couple age 65 will be alive at 92.

With longer lives comes “longevity risk” — the chance that people will outlive their

savings. Understanding and addressing that risk is an important element of retirement planning, but most Americans are falling short, said Surya Kolluri, head of the TIAA Institute, which conducts research on financial security.

More than half of Americans don’t understand how long people tend to live in retirement, according to a 2022 survey of more than 3,500 adults nationwide by the TIAA Institute and the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center at the George

Washington University School of Business.

How to minimize your risk The single most powerful way to mitiSee LIFE EXPECTANCY, page 18

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You may qualify for Lifeline service if you can show proof that you participate in certain government assistance programs or your annual income is 135% or below the Federal Poverty Guideline. If you qualify based on income, you will be required to provide income verification. For a list of qualifying government assistance programs and income guidelines, please see your state’s application form from this same website.

In addition, the Lifeline program is limited to one discount per household consisting of wireline, wireless or broadband (internet). You are required to certify and agree that no other member of the household is receiving Lifeline service from Verizon or another provider.

Lifeline service is a non-transferrable benefit.

Consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain the benefit can be punished by fine or imprisonment, or may be barred from the program.

You must meet certain eligibility requirements in order to qualify for the Lifeline service. An application for Verizon Lifeline service can be obtained at this same website, www.verizon.com/lifeline, or an application can be mailed by calling 1.800.VERIZON (1.800.837.4966).

To find out more information, you may also call the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), which administers Lifeline for the FCC by calling (1-800.234.9473) or by accessing their website at www.LifelineSupport.org.

All rates, terms and conditions included in this notice are subject to change. For current Verizon Lifeline information and rates, visit www.verizon.com/tariffs. See Link titled “Verizon Lifeline Information” for state specific pricing.

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Protecting yourself from Medicare fraud

By Family Features Anyone on Medicare is at risk of Medicare-related fraud. Watch out for scammers who steal Medicare numbers and other personal information to exploit beneficiaries’ benefits.

Broadly speaking, Medicare fraud occurs when someone makes false claims for healthcare services, procedures and equipment in order to obtain Medicare payments. Medicare fraud costs taxpayers billions of dollars and puts the health and

welfare of beneficiaries at risk.

How to spot Medicare scams There are many types of Medicare scams — taking the form of unsolicited emails, phone calls, text messages, social media posts and phony websites.

Scammers often claim to be from the Medicare office, an insurance company or a government office. They’ll ask for your personal and financial information, such as your Medicare or Social Security number, so that

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they can submit false claims for payment.

Remember that Medicare will never call, text, email or contact you through social media asking for your Medicare number.

To protect yourself from potential fraudsters: —Guard your Medicare number just like your Social Security card and credit card.

—Share your Medicare number only with trusted healthcare providers.

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Life expectancy

the first spouse dies.

A 2022 paper for the National Bureau of Economic Research found that virtually all American workers ages 45 to 62 should delay their applications beyond age 65 to maximize their benefits, and that more than 90% should wait until age 70. But currently, only about 10% of applicants wait that long, the researchers found.

“Most people just don’t understand how long they could live in retirement, and they don’t plan for it,” Vernon said.

Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and the author of “Your Credit Score.” © 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

From page 17 gate longevity risk is to delay claiming Social Security, Vernon said.

Social Security retirement benefits can start as early as age 62, but applying before your full retirement age — which is currently between 66 and 67 — means your check is permanently reduced.

Delaying your application beyond full retirement age can add 8% each year you wait until your benefit maxes out at age 70.

Delaying is particularly important for the higher earner in a married couple, since it’s the higher earner’s benefit that determines what the survivor gets after

If you or someone you know have experienced Medicare fraud or suspect an offer you’ve received is a scam, report it as soon as possible.

To learn more about Medicare fraud, visit Medicare.gov/fraud. To report potential Medicare fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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19

Simplify and reduce your money ‘clutter’

By Liz Weston Professional organizers might define household clutter as a pile of unmade decisions. Money clutter is much the same.

Those credit cards you no longer use but haven’t closed? That’s money clutter.

So is the retirement account you left behind three jobs ago, and the financial paperwork you keep but no longer need.

You can simplify your financial life by streamlining how you manage your money.

Here are five ways:

1. Consolidate accounts The more financial accounts you have to monitor, the more stress you’re likely to feel, said Chicago financial planner Sheila Padden, president of the Alliance of Comprehensive Planners. It’s too easy to lose track of an account, miss a due date, or fail to notice a fraudulent transaction.

“Like any machinery, if there’s a lot of moving parts, then it’s more likely to break down,” Padden said.

One relatively easy way to consolidate is to combine workplace retirement accounts. You may be able to transfer old 401(k) accounts to your new employer’s plan, for example, or roll them into a single individual retirement account (IRA).

Closing unused credit cards is another task worth considering, although shuttering accounts may ding your credit scores.

Minimize potential damage by hanging on to your oldest and highest-limit cards. If you have multiple cards with the same issuer, ask whether the credit limit on a card you want to close can be reallocated to one you want to keep.

And don’t close cards if you’re about to apply for a major loan, such as a mortgage or an auto loan. [See “Your credit score affects mortgage, more,” in the June Beacon.]

2. Get it all on one page Budgeting apps allow you to link your bank accounts, credit cards and investment accounts so you can view all your transactions in one place. [Free options include Mint.com and Goodbudget.com.]

Your bank may offer a similar feature that allows you to link accounts.

Learning how to use these tools takes a little time, but getting this overview can help you better manage your money without having to log in to multiple accounts, said Pamela Ladd, senior manager of personal financial planning at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.

“You can get a really good snapshot of your finances in one place,” Ladd said.

3. Automate what you can Automating bill payments with online billpay services can help you avoid late fees and damage to your credit scores from missed payments. Start with bills that stay consistent, such as your mortgage or auto loan.

Where automating really shines is with saving, Padden said. She recommends figuring out how much you need to save for your goals, such as retirement or an emergency fund, and then automating regular contributions.

4. Reduce paper clutter Ladd admits she was a latecomer to the digital world and didn’t switch to paperless statements and bills until a few years ago.

Now she relies on email reminders to check her monthly bills, rather than receiving a paper “trigger” in the mail.

Financial institutions typically store statements for six or more years, so she doesn’t have to deal with filing or shredding paperwork. She finds the change “liberating.”

“It’s less clutter, one less thing to do,”

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Ladd said.

Most paperwork from the past can be safely scanned or downloaded into a computer — as long as its hard drive is backed up regularly. You can search online for lists of when to shred existing paperwork or ask a tax pro or financial planner for guidance.

5. Consider hiring help Padden said she understands the urge to do it all yourself. As a certified public accountant, she felt she should be able to handle her own finances, but eventually realized she didn’t know enough to do so successfully.

Padden’s response to this revelation was to study for and obtain a certified financial planner credential and open her own financial planning practice. She recommends

that others consider hiring the help they need if they can.

A tax pro can file your returns and answer tax questions. An accredited financial counselor or financial coach can assist with budgeting, debt management, retirement savings and more. A financial planner can help with virtually every aspect of your finances.

Hiring help can give you the personalized information you need to make decisions and stress less. Ultimately, that’s what simplifying your financial life is all about.

“If you feel like you’ve always got things that need attending to, you really cannot live your most fulfilled life and live with ease,” Padden said.

—AP/NerdWallet

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For more information, call 240-567-5188.

Looking to return to work?

Companies are hiring now, including workers age 55 and above. Here are some Montgomery County programs that can help you prepare for and obtain employment.

For 50 years, JCA® — the Jewish Council for the Aging® — has been enabling older jobseekers to find the jobs they need and want. With support from Montgomery County Aging & Disability Services, JCA offers Virtual 50+ Employment Expos to connect workers with age-friendly employers, as well as offering The Career Gateway! -- a five-day job search skills training program to assist 50+ job seekers update their resumes, improve interviewing and skills, and develop job search plans.

JCA programs and services are for all those age 50 and better from every faith, ethnicity, and income level. JCA also offers on-the-job training with the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) — a minimum-wage-stipend training program for qualified, unemployed low-income county residents 55+.

The career advisors at WorkSource Montgomery work oneon-one with jobseekers.

Staff at its American Job Centers have a deep understanding of local industry demands.

They can identify a wide range of resources for you, including workshops, job postings, computer access and job counseling.

Check out WSM’s monthly calendar of events here: https://worksourcemontgomery. com/calendar. See the 50+ Resource Link at bit.ly/MoCoWorksource to find a handy directory for 50+ workforce assistance in Montgomery County.

For FREE job skills classes, visit WorkSource Montgomery’s “virtual” job center — an online platform called SkillUp® Montgomery that offers all county residents free and unlimited access (for up to 6 months) to more than 5000 workplace skills, business and IT courses. Sign up at http://wsm.skillupamerica.org.

Also sign up for our newsletter and follow us on our social media channels to stay abreast of all the latest WSM news. Visit our monthly calendar of events at: https:// worksourcemontgomery.com/calendar.

All of these programs are important because finding a job can be a challenge.

While the economy is recovering from the pandemic, complete recovery won’t be speedy. That makes this is an especially good time to hone your skills and prepare for the world ahead. Check out the listed resources — they can help!

Ready to Help At JCA, www.AccessJCA.org

50+ Employment Expos: 301-255-4209, www.accessjca.org/employment-expos

Career Gateway and Career Tech courses: 301-255-4215, www.accessjca.org/ career-gateway

The Senior Community Service Employment Program for low-income jobseekers: 301-255-4249 or email cnestoriak@accessjca.org At WorkSource Montgomery, www.worksourcemontgomery.com

The American Job Center 11510 Georgia Avenue, Wheaton 301-929-6880

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ WorkSourceMontgomery

50+ Resource Link – for a directory of

workforce assistance – bit.ly/MoCoWorksource

General resources for 50+ jobseekers:

Cynthia Grissom, 202-770-0686, cgrissom@worksourcemontgomery.com

At Montgomery College, visit bit.ly/MoCollegeWorkforce

www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior

Makes a great gift!

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U L Y 2 0 2 3

JASON LIGON | DREAMSTIME.COM

Travel Leisure &

21

Want to take the grandkids on a trip?

See advice on page 22.

A stroll through LA’s historic downtown familiar to fans of the movies La La Land and 500 Days of Summer as well as the streaming TV series “Goliath” and “Bosch.”

At the top of the short railway is California Plaza, a spacious concrete area with an amphitheater for summer concerts. The plaza is surrounded by the soaring glass office towers and hotels that replaced the working-class houses of Bunker Hill.

PHOTO © ANDOSE24 | DREAMSTIME.COM

By Don Mankin Despite Los Angeles’ reputation to the contrary, the city does have a walkable downtown. In fact, it’s a surprising mix of old and new, classic and modern, with a smorgasbord of places to eat and drink.

This past June, I spent a day with my wife and several friends strolling through the city’s history and present, exploring its ethnic, architectural and gustatory diversity.

Our urban adventure began at the Grand Central Market, one of the oldest “food halls” in the western U.S., dating from 1917. The market is usually packed with people of all ages and ethnicities cruising among food stalls that offer cuisines ranging from Thai, Chinese and Korean to Mexican and Jewish deli fare.

We got there before most of the food stalls opened, but our destination, Eggslut (yes, that is really the name), already had a long line of hungry customers. I chose the gourmet bacon, egg and cheese sandwich.

After wiping yolk off my mustache, we headed to Angels Flight, just across from the market.

Angels Flight Railway is a historic funicular that ferried blue-collar workers from the cramped, clapboard boarding houses on Bunker Hill (before it was leveled in the 1960s) to the stores and businesses on Broadway below. Angels Flight should be

From modern art to Disney We walked across the plaza in a northwesterly direction, past the Museum of Contemporary Art (worth a visit if you have the time), to Grand Avenue, then up Grand past the Broad Museum with its striking collection of modern art (also worth a visit).

Our destination was Walt Disney Concert Hall, one of the city’s most important buildings, architecturally, aesthetically and culturally. Designed by Frank Gehry, Disney Hall soars above the avenue like a gigantic surreal sailboat buffeted by turbulent waves of glistening steel.

We found the winding aerial pathway that wraps around the outside of the hall and inside the swirling, soaring waves of the external facade.

The unique pathway is accessible via a stairway behind a lovely rose-shaped fountain made of shards of blue-and-white Royal PHOTO © WALTER CICCHETTI | DREAMSTIME.COM

Grand Central Market’s food vendors have been cooking up international dishes in downtown LA since 1917.

The Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry, opened in downtown Los Angeles 20 years ago. Free self-guided audio tours of the architectural icon are available year-round. Be sure to get “under the skin” to admire its engineering.

Delft pottery. Gehry dedicated this fountain to Lillian Disney, who supported him through the often difficult and contentious design and construction of the hall.

This pathway is one of my favorite features of Disney Hall because it allows a close-up view of the innards of its infrastructure, giving a glimpse of the building’s intricate, complex engineering. As the walkway emerged from behind the facade, we paused for an expansive view of the city.

Music Center to the Cathedral From there, we crossed First Avenue to an iconic architectural and cultural landmark of another era: Music Center Plaza, a wide, open plaza surrounded by three of the largest performing arts venues in the country, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Ahmanson Theater and Mark Taper Forum.

Unlike the undulating, free-form architecture of Disney Hall, the style of the Music Center is 1960s modern, typical of the important institutional and civic buildings of the era.

The fountain in the center of Music Center Plaza, which surrounds the “Peace on Earth” work by famed sculptor Jacques Lipchitz, is the first in a series of graceful,

modern, “walk on water” fountains that spill (figuratively) down the hill through Grand Park in the direction of City Hall, a building recognizable to any fan of the 1950s TV show “Dragnet” and its taciturn, “Just the facts, ma’am” Sgt. Joe Friday.

Before reaching City Hall, we headed to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, a majestic modern structure markedly distinct from the shiny steel of Disney Hall or the white marble of the Music Center. The 21-year-old cathedral, which has no right angles, is the color of sun-baked adobe.

My favorite part of the cathedral is the mausoleum in the basement. The first thing you see at the bottom of the stairs is Gregory Peck’s crypt — creepy but also cool. Stained-glass windows line the walls of the mausoleum.

From the cathedral, we walked one block east to Broadway, then two blocks to the Bradbury Building, a National Historic Landmark built in 1893 and one of the oldest buildings in Los Angeles.

The five-story, red brick building is best known for its ornate filigree ironwork railings and open cage elevator. Filled with natural light that streams through the skylight that stretches across the entire ceilSee LA ON FOOT, page 23

22

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J U L Y 2 0 2 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Tours for traveling with grandchildren

By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, My husband and I are interested in taking our two grandkids on a big trip this summer and are looking for some good ideas. Can you recommend some travel companies that offer special travel packages for grandparents and grandkids?

—Doting Grandmother Dear Doting, Grandparents traveling with just their grandchildren has become a growing segment of the multigenerational travel indus-

try. Not only is this type of travel fun, but it’s also a terrific way to strengthen generational bonds and create some lasting memories.

To help you with your traveling aspirations, there are a number of travel companies today that offer specialized grandparent/grandchildren and multigenerational trip packages.

This is a nice way to go because they plan everything for you, with most activities together but some just for adults so you can get an occasional breather.

BEACON BITS

July 24

ENERGY SAVING AND ASSISTANCE

Learn about available energy assistance programs and energysaving resources when you stop by Quince Orchard Library on Mon., July 24, between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. Registration isn’t required; visit the information tables staffed by the Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services and Pepco at 15831 Quince Orchard Rd., Gaithersburg, MD. For more information, call (240) 777-0200.

FRINGE FESTIVAL MUSIC The Capital Fringe Festival, which has been showcasing up-andcoming artists since 2006, will take place July 11-21 in Georgetown. While most plays and dance performances cost $15 per ticket, several live music performances are free. Visit the Powerhouse, located on the C&O Canal in Georgetown at 3244 Grace St., on Sat., July 15, Fri., July 21 and Sat., July 22. Doors open at 7 p.m. For a list of all of this year’s offerings, visit capitalfringe.org/events.

July 11

Available in various trip lengths and price ranges, these tours are designed for children, typically between the ages of six or seven up to 18, and are usually scheduled in the summer or sometimes during winter breaks when the kids are out of school.

Here are some top tour companies to check into that will take you and your grandkids on a fun, well-planned vacation: Road Scholar (RoadScholar.org): This well-established nonprofit organization has offered educational travel to older adults since 1975. They currently offer 83 different programs geared toward grandparents and grandchildren. About 75% of the grandparent trips are domestic.

Some popular trip destinations include the U.S. National Parks, Canada, France, Italy, Iceland, Costa Rica and the Galápagos Islands. The average cost per person per night is around $265 for domestic and $365 for international trips.

Intrepid (IntrepidTravel.com): An adventure travel tour operator that offers “grandparent holiday” tours that bring together the young and the young at heart.

They offer 35 one- and two-week tours in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, as well as in Alaska and Wyoming. To find these trips, go to bit.ly/grandparenttours Tauck (Tauck.com): This large tour operator offers 19 foreign and domestic multigenerational trips called Tauck Bridges Family Tours. Some of their most popular trips are Costa Rica, European riverboat cruises, and Cowboy Country, which tours you through Wyoming and South Dakota.

Smithsonian Journeys (SmithsonianJourneys.org): They offer 10 family journey trips to Iceland, New Zealand, Italy, Greece, Japan, Ireland, Costa Rica, South

LIVE YOUR ADVENTURE

Africa, Yellowstone and a Rhine River cruise.

Journeys International (JourneysInternational.com): They offer customized multigenerational trips primarily to Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific.

Travel documents Depending on where you go and your mode of transportation, you’ll need to gather some documents for your grandchildren to make sure everything goes smoothly.

In general, most travel experts recommend that you bring a notarized travel consent form (letter of permission from the parents) and a medical consent form in case emergencies or problems arise. Also bring copies of insurance cards.

If you’re traveling domestically, you should know that airlines and trains don’t require any form of ID for children under 18. But if you’re traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or other areas of the Caribbean by land or sea, grandchildren 15 and under will need certified copies of their birth certificates.

And if your grandkids are 16 or older, or you’re traveling to these locations via air, passports will be required.

If you’re traveling overseas, all children, even infants, must have a passport. Some countries also require a visa for entry, and vaccinations may sometimes be required.

Before booking a trip, check the U.S. Department of State’s website at Travel.State.gov for country-specific information.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

Makes a great gift! | Leisure & Travel

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U L Y 2 0 2 3

LA on foot From page 21 ing, the Bradbury Building has been the location for many TV shows and movies, including Chinatown and Blade Runner.

Historic Theater District Conveniently, the Bradbury Building is located just across the street from the Grand Central Market, where we stopped again to rehydrate and refuel with Thai iced tea with boba from Moon Rabbit and strawberry rhubarb pie from Fat and Flour.

By this time, the market was packed and bustling, so the people-watching enhanced our snack time.

After our break, we headed south on Broadway to the Historic Theater District, the first and largest theater district on the National Register of Historic Places.

Many of the old theaters are in an advanced state of decay, but it doesn’t take much imagination to conjure up their for-

mer grandeur. Some have been renovated and can be rented for special events.

The theaters are embedded among a funky mish-mash of jewelry stores, doughnut shops and bridal gown emporiums.

We strolled through Pershing Square toward the Millennial Biltmore Hotel, the grand dame of old Los Angeles money and movie fame, as well as a location for many movies and TV shows, such as “Columbo,” “Murder She Wrote,” Ghostbusters and Rocky III. Inside the hotel we walked through Rendezvous Court, where high tea is served under a beautiful Moorish ceiling. In the Historic Corridor’s gallery, we checked out an exhibit of photographs from Academy Award ceremonies held in the grand ballroom of the Biltmore in the 1930s.

Next, we made our way to the rooftop restaurant atop the Pershing Square Building to enjoy a cold drink or two, along with excellent views of downtown LA. Then we headed a couple of blocks to our final destination, the Los Angeles Central

BEACON BITS

Aug. 12

NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL

The Library of Congress holds its 2023 Book Festival on Sat., Aug. 12, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in person at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Pl. NW, Washington, DC, with select events live-streamed on loc.gov/bookfest. This year’s theme is “Everyone Has a Story,” featuring authors Mary Louise Kelly, Ada Limón, George Saunders, David Grann, Elizabeth Acevedo, Jesmyn Ward and more. The festival is entirely free, and tickets are not required. For more information, visit bit.ly/2023BookFestival.

July 26

FREE BUSINESS HELP

Get advice on starting and growing your business at a free one-onone session with a SCORE mentor. The appointments are 30 minutes long and take place online on Wed., July 26, between noon and 1:30 p.m.

Register at bit.ly/BizHelpOnline to receive the Zoom link. For more information, call (240) 777-0140.

Library, to check out the famous pastelhued murals inside the Grand Rotunda, which offer a 360-degree view of the history of California.

After turning slowly and craning our necks for several minutes, we decided to head back to the Grand Central Market for one last bite because, well, I like to eat. I chose a taco from Roast to Go, one of the oldest vendors at the market.

Our early dinner was a fitting conclusion to our historic, cultural, architectural and gustatory exploration of downtown Los Angeles — an urban center that, despite popular belief, is still thriving. There was still much more to explore, but that would have to wait for another day.

If you go Nonstop round-trip airfare to LA from

23

the D.C. area starts at $300 on several major carriers.

At Grand Central Market, I recommend Broad St. Oyster Co., McConnell’s Ice Cream, Wexler’s Deli and Sticky Rice.

For more upscale dining, try Asterid in Disney Hall (asteridla.com) and Clifton’s Republic (theneverlands.com/cliftons-republic), a makeover of the historic, forestthemed, fantasyland cafeteria in the heart of the theater district into an even more hallucinatory experience.

Rooms at Millennial Biltmore (millenniumhotels.com/en/los-angeles) start at $178/night. The Omni Los Angeles (omnihotels.com/hotels/los-angeles-californiaplaza) is located on the California Plaza and has rooms starting in the low $200s.

For more information, see visitlosangeles.com.

We Want to Know What You Think Are you interested in attending a virtual listening session to share your insights on Washington DC’s livability? Simply scan the QR code in this ad, or call (202) 341-4149 to let us know. Age-Friendly DC will reach out to you.

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J U L Y 2 0 2 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Style Arts &

These short story collections are perfect for a quick read. See reviews on page 25.

Macbeth’s outdoor set adds atmosphere the current king and take his crown. Yet, as Shakespeare reminds us in this tragedy, “vaulting ambition…o’erleaps itself.”

Even if they succeed, will Macbeth and Lady Macbeth be able to allay their consciences, or will the bloody deed of several murders cause visions of ghosts and restless sleepwalking in the night?

Effective acting The cast is excellent in bringing this Elizabethan play to life, particularly DeJeanette Horne as Macbeth. He effectively enacts the many contradictory aspects of Macbeth’s personality, which the character reveals throughout Shakespeare’s text: courage, self-doubt, fear, remorse, cruelty, defiance and — of course — ambition.

While ambition is sometimes looked upon askance, especially in religious traditions, in modern U.S. society it is considered a positive attribute. Macbeth is a highly relevant play precisely because, from a vantage point of hundreds of years ago, Shakespeare wrestles with the morality of ambition in a way that we still do today.

After a recent performance, Horne said that the scene he most enjoys is the mo-

ment when Banquo’s ghost appears to a guilt-ridden Macbeth, for this gives an actor a chance “to really cut loose.”

In that scene, Horne engages with audience members, who for that moment serve as banquet guests. He also adds moments of humor, which work to great effect.

Horne is well-matched by an outstanding Dawn Thomas Reidy playing Lady Macbeth, especially in the famous sleepwalking scene.

Gregory Burgess is regal and engaging as the doomed King Duncan, who will be felled

by Macbeth.

Lloyd Ekpe has a particularly fine moment as Macbeth’s chief antagonist, Macduff, particularly in the scene in which he displays his grief at the Macbethordered murder of his wife and son (“All my pretty ones?” he See MACBETH, page 27

PHOTO BY KIIRSTN PAGAN

By Mark Dreisonstok Summer evenings are the perfect time to watch a Shakespeare play outdoors.

This month, the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company — in particular, its Black Classical Acting Ensemble — presents an outstanding outdoor version of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, directed superbly by Lauren Davis. The ensemble was established in 2021 “for Black artists to find and nurture their authentic voices in classical drama.”

The stage is set at a historic park amid the ruins of a boarding school built in 1837, the Patapsco Female Institute. This picturesque setting, overlooking historic Ellicott City, adds to the ambience of the production, particularly as the old architecture takes on the appearance of medieval castle walls as night falls.

Many readers may recall the plot of “the Scottish play.” First, the nobleman Macbeth and his friend Banquo meet three witches — the Weird Sisters — who seem to reveal the men’s fates and encourage them to aim for high offices.

Macbeth’s wife further fuels his ambition to be king and fulfill the witches’ prophecy. In short, they conspire to kill

Dawn Thomas Reidy, as Lady Macbeth, urges DeJeanette Home, Macbeth, to do whatever it takes to hang on to power. The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company production of Macbeth runs at PFI Historic Park’s theater in the ruins, in Ellicott City, Maryland, through July 23.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U L Y 2 0 2 3

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Murder, mystery and more for summer Many readers prefer short bursts of cre- British Crime Writers’ Association and ativity in short story form. This summer, named a Grand Master by the Mystery enjoy these selections.

Writers of America.

Reader, I Buried Them & Hotel California: An Other Stories, by Peter Anthology of New Mystery Lovesey, 384 pages, Soho Short Stories, edited by Don Crime paperback, 2023 Bruns, 236 pages, Blackstone Murder most efficient is the Publishing paperback, 2023 theme of this superb anthology These murder mysteries by an octogenarian award-winare crafted by eight highly ning mystery writer. Follow skilled authors who manage to along as each crime is solved grab your attention. Each with speed and panache. spins a yarn of suspense and THE Sixteen stories and two death in short story format.

BIBLIOPHILE bonus articles portray murderThe settings span the entire

By Dinah Rokach ers as victims and heroes moticountry, from D.C. to the vated by lust, greed, honor and beaches of Hawaii. Suspects inlove. The plots are as clean and swift as a clude Mob hitmen, hired assassins, forknife dispatched to the jugular vein. No room mer service members gone astray, lovers, for meandering and character development; brothers, abductors, drifters, and even a just a short thrust, and the deed is done. highly regarded member of Congress.

Best of all, the killer is disclosed in a few Cold cases are revived, vendettas of old short pages. The perpetrator may come as a fester unabated, and greed never strays far surprise, but you needn’t read through hun- from the plot line. Human nature at its dreds of pages to get to the heart of the mat- nadir is examined. ter. Nary a trickle of blood, gore and guts — However, readers are also introduced to just a masterful writer plying his trade. more lofty idealistic characters. Be amazed Reader is Lovesey’s sixth collection of by the altruism of some, the resourcefulshort stories. The prolific, popular writer ness of others, and the duplicity of many.

Jack Reacher, the protagonist in a series has also published 43 novels. He has been honored with the Cartier Diamond Dag- of crime novels, appears in the opening ger for Lifetime Achievement by the story of Hotel California. The last story,

whose title is the same as the anthology, intersperses the lyrics of the hit song by the band The Eagles with a tale of ambition, penance and wild imaginings.

Enjoy the smorgasbord of delights, but keep your doors locked and lights on. If you venture to read it outdoors, keep your belongings close by, and make sure your phone is fully charged.

Short biographies of each of the authors are included at the end of the volume.

They allow readers to learn about the writer’s careers and pursue their favorite authors in book length.

After the Water Level Rose: Seven Short Stories, by Joan Gil, 285 pages, Joan Gil paperback, 2022

Seven novellas will keep readers enthralled as they plumb their own emotions, attitudes and prejudices. Follow the lives of people on the margins of society in various times and places. The author writes these stories with a masterful touch; the surprise endings are reminiscent of O. Henry.

Several of the protagonists are older people who live alone. They are widowers who live independently, are able to withstand the pressures of society and do what is right and just.

Other stories touch upon individuals who are inhibited introverts, those with disabilities, and people born in difficult

Rockville Musical Theatre p es pr presents esen e ts en

See BIBLIOPHILE, page 26 DATES: DATES:

June 30, July 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 8 p.m.; July 9 and 16 at 2 p.m.

TICKETS: TICKETS:

$26 Adults; $23 Seniors/Students Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and Book by James Lapine

Fun for the whole family!

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F. SCOTT FITZGERALD THEATRE 240.314.8690 Dance • Entertainment • Theatre • Music ROCKVILLE’S HOME FOR THE ARTS 603 EDMONSTON DR.

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26

Arts & Style | Subscribe online! See how on p. 29

Foodies From page 1 her home, an endeavor so successful that, in 1987, she moved it into a commercial building in Herndon, Virginia, where it is today.

The faithful customers of Grace’s Pastries adore her sweet and savory breads, scones, croissants, strudels, cakes, cookies, fruit and meat pies, which she sells at eight Virginia farmers markets, from McLean to Old Town, Alexandria.

She and her personal “army” of four sons often work into the night and load the van for the next morning’s markets.

Banahene said she loves meeting people as they ogle her multi-table spread.

“When I don’t see my regular customers, I ask, ‘What’s goin’ on?’” she said.

Growing green Virginia farmer Sabry Alsharkawi was a “green” farmer before the practice became de rigueur. He started his business, Sharkawi

J U L Y 2 0 2 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Farm, because he couldn’t find quality products grown without chemicals in stores.

Why launch his own company? “Because I love it,” he said.

Since 1985, Alsharkawi has grown chemical-free herbs and blooming plants in Broad Run for a loyal clientele at Northern Virginia farmers markets.

His stall bulges with rosemary, thyme, basil, cilantro, stevia, sage, spearmint, dill, bay leaf and more. From April to November, he also grows plants like lemongrass, nasturtiums, Japanese and patio eggplants, and fig and guava trees.

Trained in agriculture, Alsharkawi carefully plants seeds on top of the soil so the sun can promote germination, mists them hourly for seven to 10 days, hand irrigates some plants and uses drip irrigation for others.

For pest control, he uses neem oil and insecticidal soaps. Commercial producers do not give plants this kind of hands-on attention, he maintains. They focus on quantity; Alsharkawi strives for quality.

Alsharkawi also mixes and sells teas.

Growing up in Egypt, he drank tea daily.

Egyptian hosts routinely serve tea to guests without asking, he said with a chuckle. He gently dismisses American brands of tea, asserting that if people knew the contents, they would not drink them.

He imports tea leaves from India, Ceylon and Japan, and mixes leaves with flavors like orange, anise and hibiscus. He makes and sells 20 popular teas, such as Paradise Black, Fiji Green, Imperial Spice, Cold Comfort and Relaxing Tea.

Healthy ketchup When Fairfax County resident Abe Karmarck learned that a leading ketchup brand has more than half a pound of sugar in each 20-ounce bottle and watched his children slather it on and slurp it up, he knew he had to do something.

Karmarck’s research found that most ketchup has proportionally more sugar than vanilla ice cream (six grams per ounce).

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And many commercial barbecue sauces are “diabetes in a bottle,” according to Karmarck, with one-and-a half times more sugar than a Krispy Kreme donut.

So, he started making his own ketchup in 2017, creating other healthy sauces later.

His True Made ketchup, sold on local grocery store shelves and Amazon, has no added sugar and contains only two grams of natural sugars from carrots, butternut squash and spinach.

Karmarck also makes low- and no-sugar barbeque sauces, srirachas, hot sauces and mustards. True Made’s sriracha (called veracha) has tomatoes, spinach, carrots, butternut squash, jalapeno peppers, cayenne, vinegar and salt, but no added sugar.

His products sell without the high-fructose corn syrup, refined sweeteners, artificial sweeteners and preservatives found in most commercial products. The company motto: “We turn junk food into superfoods.”

Hot sauce adds spice to life Cooking fiery hot peppers in his home kitchen almost made U.S. Army Special Forces veteran Chris Crum pass out. But the peppers’ allure inspired him and his partners, Russ and Doug Clift, to create eight flavors of hot sauces and to found Crum’s LLC in 2014.

The partners have mastered hot sauce gastronomy by melding multiple ingredients with pepper varieties, such as ghost and scorpion chiles, red jalapenos and Carolina reapers.

Their Ghost Pumpkin and Fatali Chile sauces won first place Scovie awards, a competition for fiery foods. Their Grim, Hot Ta Molly and Peach Habanero sauces have won Flave awards, an international competition for small- to medium-sized businesses that make original products.

Crum’s sauces are sold in many local stores as well as in Kansas, Oregon and Colorado. For each bottle sold, the company donates to the Green Beret Foundation.

You can put Crum’s hot sauces “on everything and in everything,” the website touts, from “breakfast time to cocktail hour.” And Crum insists that Grim’s hot and salty qualities make it a perfect topping for vanilla ice cream.

For more information, visit Falling Bark Farm, fallingbarkfarm.com; Grace’s Pastries, thegracespastries.com; Sharkawi Farm, marketspread.com/vendor/4870/sharkawi-farm; True Made Foods, truemadefoods.com; and Crum’s Hot Sauce, crumssauce.com.

Bibliophile From page 25 straits. Some succeed and others fail in their search for companionship.

The settings are diverse, including 22ndcentury America, 19th-century Germany, and Barcelona of 1939. The issues in these stories are universal. Trekkies will enjoy the final story — a visit from Namuhs in their spaceship from many light-years away. Their observations of life on Earth are profound.

Octogenarian Joan Gil is a retired physician who resides in Bethesda. He was born in Barcelona where the Catalan-language masculine name Joan is still in use.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U L Y 2 0 2 3

27

My latest birthday is setting records Another birthday has crept up and landed. So has the oldest cliché.

Yes, I have considered the alternative.

No, I’m not ready to embrace it.

But while rummaging through the usual birthday emotions — ho-hum, boohoo, bah-humbug, just-another-day — I suddenly got zapped by a bolt of reminiscence.

I just turned 78. What does that number evoke?

Why, 78 RPM records, of course.

They have not been made since the 1950s. They were supplanted, in very short order, by 45s and 33s. But this child of the 1940s remembers those stiff platters

made of shellac resin very well.

Walk down Memory Lane with me, if you will…“Blue Suede Shoes” by Carl Perkins, “El Paso” by Marty Robbins, “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and the Comets, “Sixteen Tons” by Tennessee Ernie Ford.

I owned these and many more 78s. It’s a wonder I didn’t wear out the grooves, so often did I play them. Of course, I knew each number by heart. So, I’d sing along, as loudly as I could.

There were two major benefits to that.

One, I would cement those lyrics of long ago into my brain forever. Two, I would greatly annoy my younger brother, who shared a

Macbeth

wearing crowns as they emerge from the audience, also gives the play a haunting atmosphere.

The use of shadow projections during the final battle scene between Macbeth and Macduff makes excellent use of the large outdoor space. Larger-than-life silhouetted projections of sword fighters upon the large walls appear behind the two men as they clash.

Before the production begins, there are welcome musical moments in which the entire ensemble “breaks character” and sings spirituals as well as songs from the Great American Songbook, including “Dream a Little Dream of Me.” The play, which runs through July 23, is highly recommended for seasoned fans of Shakespeare plays as well as to those new to Macbeth. For more information, visit chesapeakeshakespeare.com/shows-tickets/macbeth.

From page 24

cries in disbelief).

The three witches are a true highlight.

Both helping to guide and frame the story as well as providing playful humor and transitional comic relief between scenes, the “Weird Sisters” (portrayed by Mecca Verdell, Keri Anderson and Jordan Stanford) are crucial in maintaining the lively spirit of this production, especially in making use of the ruins-and-park setting.

Costume designer Kristina Lambdin strikes a fabulous balance between the rag-like and the elegant in the witches’ arresting costumes — their white, net-like shawls lend the performance a strange and spooky air.

The witches’ conjuring of Banquo’s descendants as future kings, shrouded but

room with me (but never my record collec- flexible 45s. As for 33 1/3s, the future cleartion or my turntable — some things are just ly belonged to them. Who wouldn’t want too precious). eight songs per side as opSometimes, for the sake of posed to one? variety, I’d raid a cabinet in the And yet… living room, where the 78s beFor an art project at school, longing to my parents were I combed through my colleckept. Welcome to Bing Crostion and pasted a few 78s onto by, show tunes and some kid a large piece of cardboard. from New Jersey named SinaThe project did not win any tra. prizes, but no one else thought I would borrow a stack of to use records in such an unthem and head back to my usual way.

HOW I SEE IT room. As you’ll recall, each For a dance at the home of

By Bob Levey side of a 78 lasted three and a The Girl I Had Designs On, I half minutes at most. So as each final chord brought along an armful of my hottest hits. sounded, I’d lift the still-spinning record off Make that two arms full. Alas, the girl was its base and replace it with another. not impressed, either by my arm strength As the disk jockeys of that era would al- or me. ways say, the hits just kept on coming.

Then there was the time my brother and But 78s did not. They were brittle and I had a major fight, conducted with 78s. He prone to cracking. They were harder to See BIRTHDAY, page 29 handle and store than smaller and more

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Crossword Puzzle Find a new crossword every day on our website at www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com/puzzles.

Quiet, Please 1

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Jumble answers on p. 31.

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Scrabble answers on p. 31.

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1. Mainframe-era computer language 6. ___ The One That I Want 11. Just out of the pool 14. Foot swelling 15. One supports Bob Ross’ “happy little trees” 16. Miner’s major find 17. “You are doing a great job holding up all those books” 19. Tell a whopper 20. Like 10 of Shakespeare’s plays 21. Letters on Jesse Owens’ shirt in 1936 22. With equal pros and cons 23. Nelson Mandela’s org.

24. Alma mater of both Mr. Burns and Sideshow Bob 26. Like Daisy Duke on wash day, with 29 Across 29. See 26 Across 35. Flowery necklaces 37. Give five stars 38. Drug also called “poppy tears” 39. Horseman’s weapon 41. Actor Affleck or Stiller 42. Gossipmonger 43. Fall below the frost line 44. “The wise man does at ___ what the fool does finally” (Machiavelli) 46. Stags and does 47. Last ones to the beach 50. All the encyclopedia volumes 51. Like the 13th bagel, often 52. “___ your age, not your shoe size” 54. Flout conventions 56. Broken-hearted 59. Sneaker stuffer 63. ___-Wan Kenobi 64. Mediterranean craft with cargo from Tuscany 66. 70 at Pine Valley Golf Club 67. Pet that nearly everyone has 68. One declared guilty 69. Cyclops’ central feature

65

70. Update the navigational charts 71. Abundances

Down 1. Smallest unit of US currency 2. Febreze foe 3. One after alpha 4. Last after alpha 5. Cuban American, for example 6. Sycophant’s usual response 7. Hawaii’s “gathering place” 8. “Nature ___ as little as possible of anything” (Kepler) 9. Track and field events 10. Far-north toy craftsman 11. Winners of the first Rose Bowl in 1902 12. First of the Great Lakes (alphabetically) 13. Betty or Veronica 18. Transpire 22. Fled to wed 25. “Hello, sailor” 26. ___ fair in love and war 27. Contaminate gradually 28. Vulnerable position 30. Social prohibition 31. Pizzeria appliances 32. Deal in stolen goods 33. One getting extra math guidance 34. Like most of the Big Bang Theory gang 36. Scamper away 40. Dueler’s sword 45. Greek muse who usually holds a lyre 48. Rent-payer 49. Pooh-poohs 53. Linen closet item 54. Ali’s rope-a-___ 55. The second busiest e-commerce site in 2023 57. “um, pardon me...”

58. Prima donna 60. Only one in Scrabble has a “Q” 61. School delay cause 62. Hankerings 64. Natl. Frog Month 65. Opposite of lethargy

Answers on page 31.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U L Y 2 0 2 3

Birthday From page 27

29

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

stole a bunch of them from my stash, without asking. Outraged, I went after him with murder in my eyes.

He retaliated by flinging one 78 after another at my approaching self. Those hard disks really hurt when they bash against one’s ribs. But you go to war with the weapons you have. Mine were on the ground, around my ankles.

Without considering how many of my precious 78s I might be about to break, I picked up an armful and frisbeed them at my brother, one after the other. An improvised carpet-bomb attack, if you will.

The good news: No one was injured.

The better news: None of my collection was harmed. Of course, my brother claimed to my parents that I had started it.

Don’t younger siblings always do that?

As the 1960s approached, it became obvious that 78s deserved to go the way of running boards and silent movies. My collection of 78s moldered on a shelf. My collection of 33s and 45s grew like a summer weed.

I don’t recall what became of my 78s.

Probably, my mother gave them away — the same way she gave away my collection of baseball cards (sob).

Any or all of them would be worth zillions today, I’m sure. But Mama was more concerned at that moment with shelf space and eliminating dust.

So maybe this 78th birthday I’ve just celebrated — though it doesn’t end in a five or a zero — is really as epic as those milestones.

It calls to mind a stiff, awkward jetblack slab that kept kids smiling and dancing. Seventy-eights had their deficits, for sure. But like other products of yesteryear, they still bring grins of remembrance.

Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

BEACON BITS

July 15

ONE-ACT PLAY

Written by Tony winner Lisa Kron, the funny, autobiographical play “2.5 Minute Ride” relates two trips Kron took with her Holocaust survivor father: one to an amusement park and another to AuschwitzBirkenau. The nonprofit Jewish Community Theater of Montgomery County, in cooperation with the Temple Beth Ami Players, presents two performances of the one-person show, one at 7 p.m. Sat., July 15, and the other at 2 p.m. Sun., July 16, at Temple Beth Ami, 14330 Travilah Rd, Rockville. Tickets are $10 and available at the door or bit.ly/minuteride.

July 21

FREE ACCESS TO CONSUMER REPORTS

Visit Kensington Park Library on Fri., July 21, from 11 a.m. to noon to learn how to access Washington Consumers’ Checkbook and Consumer Reports online. These publications offer reviews of local services, safety and reliability test scores for products and services, how-to videos, buying guides and recall updates. Registration isn’t required; stop by 4201 Knowles Ave., Kensington, MD. For more information, call (240) 773-9515.

FREE WEST AFRICAN DANCE CLASS

Aug. 5+ Learn the basics of contemporary West African dance in this free three-week series at the National Museum of African Art. The class runs on Saturdays, Aug. 5, 12 and 19, from 9 to 10 a.m. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. at 950 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC. To reserve a spot, visit bit.ly/FreeDanceClassDC. For more information, call (202) 633-4600.

WB723

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Caregivers HOME HEALTHCARE- Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving.

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SEEK EXPERIENCED CAREGIVER. Personal care, bathing, light housekeeping, errands, 20-40 hours per week, competitive rates. CNA bonus. 301-828-8451 A CARE AGENCY - Been in business for more than 10 years. Experienced nurses, CNAs, GNAs. Any hours you need. Flat rate for live-in.

Duties include cooking, housekeeping, bathing, errands, etc. Tel: 667-231-8235

Computer Services PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call David G. at: 3013282112 / 3016424526

J U L Y 2 0 2 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

For Sale

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CASH FOR RECORDS, CDS AND DVDS. Best price guaranteed. Free appraisals. All types of music {33, 45, 78 & CDs.} Also buying turntables and stereo equipment. Will make house calls with CURBSIDE PICKUPS. Call or text Steve at 301-646-5403.

TWO CEMETERY PLOTS AT NATIONAL MEMORIAL PARK, Falls Church, VA. Retails for $6,495 each. Will sell for $1,995 each OBO. Transfer fee to be paid by buyer, but the fee is waived if vault, etc. purchased from the park.

Contact David at (336) 508-6648 NATIONAL MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY. KING DAVID MEMORIAL GARDENS. 4 choice burial sites in desirable block BB. Currently sell for $6995/ea Asking $3495/ea. or $12,000 for all 4. Located in Falls Church. Call or text Gail @ 541-698-0473 BURIAL PLOT FOR SALE. National Memorial Park on Lee Hwy in Falls Church, Va. TWO Choice Sites / desirable “Garden of the Last Supper”. Double Depth A&B Sites/ Reg $16,995 for both. Sale: $9,995 for both. Contact Jeff at jpolucci@mieleusa.com. I will call you to discuss when I get your email.

NATIONAL MEMORIAL PARK-FALLS CHURCH. Two choice burial sites in desirable Block M, Regular price $8995, sale price $7000 OBO. One burial site in Block D, Regular Price $6995, sale price $2995 OBO. Contact Catherine Capotosto @ 240-508-6858

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate OWN A CONDO ON THE BEACH FOR UNDER $90,000. We are selling two efficiencies (sleep 4) In the Surf Club Hotel in Dewey Beach, Del. (surfclubhotel.com). Room 205 is 380 sq ft, and directly faces the beach/ocean; and rm 111 is 480sq ft and faces the beach at an angle. Fractional ownership: you would own the condo one week every month. Positive cash flow if you choose to let paying guests stay there. $89K for 205, $79K for 111. Contact Stuart at 301-943-5153, or Laurie at 301-814-4507.

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Personal Services DECLUTTER, ORGANIZE, DOWNSIZE, AND OFFICE WORK — Personalized services designed for the 55 + community. Take control of your life and your home. Call Christine, Certified Senior Advisor at 301.452.5730, ccallahan@mdseniorhelp.com — visit my website www.mdseniorhelp.com LOVABLE LITTLE CAR LLC (Toyota Prius). Airports: BWI, DCA or IAD $50.00 ONE WAY. Train Stations: Penn Station Baltimore, BWI Train Station or Union Station DC $50.00 ONE WAY. Call Robbie at: 301 792 3932

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Wanted LOOKING TO PURCHASE QUALITY BRIC-A-BRAC AND SMALLS. I collect Royal Copenhagen, Herend, Shelley, English bone China cups and saucers and antique Christmas and Halloween decorations. Have recently changed my look a little and developed an interest in Midcentury pottery and glass and Chinese antiques. Need to clean out a house in a hurry? I may be able to help. Please call Susan (301) 785-1129.

WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, MANDOLINS, UKULELES. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack (301) 279-2158, leave message & phone number (please speak slowly).

CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. Ask for Tom. Call anytime, 301654-8678 (Reg. 883).

COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: helmets, antique weapons, knives, swords, web gear, uniforms, WW2 jeep parts, etc. from all wars and countries. Also slots/pinball/jukeboxes and all coin op machines. Covid safe. call Fred 301-910-0783 CASH FOR JEWELRY; Gold, silver, costume.

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CASH FOR ESTATES; I buy a wide range of items. Art, antiques, jewelry, cultural items, furniture, rugs, collections/accumulations. TheAtticLLC.com. Gary Roman; 301-520-0755 TOP PRICES PAID FOR FINE ANTIQUES, ARTWORK and unusual and rare things including decorated crocks and stoneware, antique clocks and music boxes, classic cars, coin operated devices, toys and dolls, furniture, lamps , art glass and pottery. I am 69 years old, well educated [ law degree ] financially capable and have over 40 years in the business. Why pay outlandish auction house, estate agent or consignment store commissions when you can get a fair upfront price for your valuables with no hassle? If you have something rare, unusual and valuable and are prepared to sell it I would like to speak with you. Please call Jake Lenihan 301 279 8834. Thank you.

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES/ESTATE LIQUIDATION: One call solves it all when you hire us to liquidate and clean out your home. We remove everything! We sell what can be sold (you get the money), donate what can be donated (you get the tax receipts), and haul away the trash. Don’t keep making mortgage payments or delay selling your home and making the big money because you’re wasting time with estate sales and yard sales. See a great 2.5minute explainer video in the Our Services section of www.OrionsAttic.com. No job too big, including hoarder houses. We also buy high-end collectibles of all kinds. Based in Silver Spring MD, we serve the greater DC region. Also provide appraisal services for insurance/estates.

Call Chris on cell 202 731-9447.

BUYING VINYL RECORDS from 1950 to 1990 JAZZ, ROCK, BLUES, R&B, DISCO, SOUL, REGGAE, & GOSPEL, ANY VINYL FORMAT 33 1/3 RPM Albums, small 45 RPM’s & some 78 RPM, Also CD’s, Prefer LARGER COLLECTIONS AT LEAST 100 items, PLEASE CALL JOHN 301-596-6201 CD, DVD OR BOOK COLLECTIONS WANTED. House calls possible. Call Nelson at 240 472 4615. Thank you.

I BUY OLD GUNS (Military/Civilian) and MILITARY MEDALS, uniforms, insignia, books & more from the Civil War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam to present. I have a Federal Firearms License to purchase firearms from estates and individuals. Located in MD -but will travel. I also buy West Point & Naval Academy memorabilia and items from Generals and Admirals. Client testimonials on my website: www.midatlanticmilitaryantiques.com Call, email or text. Tim Frank 703-447-7243 historian1975@gmail.com.

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FROM PAGE 28 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD C O B O L Y O U R E W E T E D E M A E A S E L O R E L I E N O T E T O S H E L F T R A G I C U S A E V E N A N C Y A L E A L L O U T O F S H O R T S R A V E O P I U M L E I S L A N C E B E N Y E N T A O N C E D E E R I C E U P S H O R E L O S E R S S E T F R E E A C T D E F Y S A D T O O T S Y O B I A S H I P O F W I N E P E E V E F E L O N P A R R E M A P S L E W S E Y E

ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: MADLY HOBBY TEDIUM CANDID Answer: The harvesting machine was expensive, so they pooled their money to — BUY A COMBINE

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Harmony Spring Hill ......................1

Freedom Financial Advisors of

HIP Home Sharing......................B-7

Miscellaneous

Memory Care

Western High School Alumni

Technology Senior Planet Montgomery Classes ......................................18 Senior Tech Pro .............................10 TheBeaconNewspapers.com.........27

Theatre/ Entertainment F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre ......24, 25

Maryland...................................19

Homecrest House..............B-4, B-12

Funeral Services

Knollwood.....................................11

Association................................10

Senior Zone Radio Show ..............25

Leggett, The ..............................B-16

Toby’s Dinner Theatre ...........B-9, 24

Going Home Cremation................27

Lockwood House ........................B-7

Real Estate

Home Health Care/Companion Services

Park View Apartments ..................26

Eric Stewart...............................B-14

Riderwood/Erickson .........B-5, B-10

Senior Resources

Best Senior Care .......................B-15 OndeCare ..........................B-2, B-11 Seniors Helping Seniors................11

Housing Ashby Ponds/Erickson ......B-5, B-15 Brooke Grove Retirement

Sommerset ....................................10

Jersey Cape ...................................23

Vida Senior Residences ..............B-7 Vinson Hall Retirement

DC Living Boldly Newsletter ..15-16

Ride-On.......................................6

Montgomery County Age-Friendly

Travel WV.....................................22

Westminster Canterbury at Chesapeake Bay............................B-3, B-6 Woodleigh Chase/EricksonB-5, B-11

Legal Services

Village .......B-8, B-10, B-12, B-15

D’Amore Personal Injury Law........5

Cadence Living Olney ....................7

Farr Law Firm ...............................19

Carnegie at Washingtonian

Law Offices of Paul Riekhof ........18

Center................................3, B-13

Transportation/ Travel

Age-Friendly DC ....................23, 32

Community ...................B-4, B-13

31

Newsletter .................................20

Montgomery County Transit/

Vamoose Bus.................................23

Montgomery County Aging & Disability Services ....................14

Utilities

Montgomery County SHIP ...........18

Pepco.........................................9, 13

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation

Verizon Lifeline Service ...............17

Brooke Grove ..........B-8, B-10, B-12

32

Subscribe online! See how on p. 29

www.agefriendly.dc.gov

J U L Y 2 0 2 3 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Livability Survey

Complete and return this sur s vey for a chance to win $250 cash!

Do you live or work in Washington and are you u 60 years y or older? If so, we invite you to share your opinion on how age-friendly the District is. Questions in this survey were derived fr ed from a World Health Organization age-friendly indicator project that DC took part in along with 14 other cities across the globe. If you have any questions as you go through this survey, call 202-727-7973 and ask to speak to an Age Friendly DC staff member. page to any branch of the DC public library or mail to: Please fill out the survey below or online. Return the entire en Age-Friendly DC, Office of the Deputy Mayor or ffor Health and Human Services, 1350 Pennsylvania Av Ave NW W,, Suite 223, Wa Washington, DC 20004. Or you can an ccomplete the survey online at https://www.surveymonk ke ey.com/r/LivabilittySurvey or use this QR code to complete on a smartphone 1. What DC Ward do you live in?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Other 2. How long have you lived in DC? 0-2 years 3-4 years 5-10 years 11-20 years 21 or more years 3. What is your age? _______ years 4. What is your gender?

Male Female Non-binary Other Preffe er not to say 5. What race do you identify with?

(Check all that apply) American Indian and Alaska Native Asian Black or African American White Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Other 6. Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin or heritage?

Yes No 7. Do you have any major limitations?

(Check all that apply) Deafness or hard of hearing Blind or difficulty seeing Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions Difficulty walking or climbing stairs Difficulty dressing or bathing Difficulty doing errands alone 8 How would you rate your overall quality 8. of liffe?

Very poor Poor Average Good Excellent 9. Do you utilize the rec centers in your neighborhood?

Yes No 10. How accessible are rec centers in your neighborhood?

Not very accessible Somewhat inaccessible Neither accessible or inaccessible Somewhat accessible Very accessible 11. Do you utilize parks in your neighborhood?

Yes No 12. How accessible are parks in your community?

Not very accessible Somewhat inaccessible Neither accessible or inaccessible Somewhat accessible Very accessible 13. What type(s) of transportation do you use to go to work or run errands?

(Select all that apply) Walk Bike Bus Metro rail Car Other: _____________

14. How easy is it to walk to places in your neighborhood, including fo for those who use wheelchairs?

Very difficult Somewhat difficult Neither difficult or easy Somewhat easy Very easy 15. How easy is it to access public transportation from your neighborhood?

Very difficult Somewhat difficult Neither difficult or easy Somewhat easy Very easy 16. What type of housing do you live in?

Detached house Rowhouse Apartment Condo Assisted Living Other: _____________ 17. Do you rent or own the place where you live?

Yes No Other: _____________ 18. Could someone enter your residence in a wheelchair without assistance?

Yes No 19. Is housing in your neighborhood aff ffordable?

Yes No 20. Have you engaged in a volunteer opportunity in the past month?

Yes No 21. Have you participated in any social or cultural activities in the past week?

Yes No 22. Do you fe feel respected in your community?

Yes No 23. Do you fe feel socially included in your community?

Yes No 24. Do you have a neighbor(s) that you can rely on?

Yes No 25. What is your employment status?

Employed full-time Employed part-time Self-employed Unemployed Retired Student Other 26. Are you involved in decision-making about important political, economic and social issues in your community?

Yes No 27. Do you live in a household with internet access?

Yes No 28. How do you use the internet?

(Check all that applies) Emailing Informational searches Online shopping Facebook or other social media Sharing photos Do not use Other:__________

29. How do you typically find out about important health and safety inffo ormation?

(Check all that apply) Word of mouth Print Web Social Media Radio TV Other:__________ 30. How easy is it for you to find local sources of information about your health concerns and service needs?

Veryy difficult Somewhat difficult Neither difficult or easyy Somewhat easy Verry easy 31. How easy is it for you to o access physical activity options in your area? what difficult Very difficult Somew Neither difficult or easyy Somewhat easy Verry easy 32. How easy is it for you to o access healthy food options in your are ea? what difficult Very difficult Somew Neither difficult or easyy Somewhat easy Verry easy 33. Do you feel you know what w to do in an emergency?

Yes No 34. Over the past yearr,, have e you had enough income to meet your basic needs without public or private assista ance (e.g. private loan, family financial support)?

Yes No 35. Over the past yearr,, were e you enrolled in or d any education did you regularly attend her formal or or training sessions, eith non-formal?

Yes No borhood from crime?

36. How safe is your neighb e Somew what unsaffe e Very unsaffe e Somewhat safe Neither safe nor unsafe e Very saffe 37. Do you have any person nal care or assistance needs?

Yes No ou want us to know 38. Is there anything else yo about aging in the Distrrict? _________________ ______________________ AL OPTIONA address so we Please enter your email or home h can send you the prize if you win the random drawing for $250. Yo Your nam me will not be associated with your survey y answers: Email: ____________________ ____________ _______ Name: ___ _________________ ______________ ______ Address: __________________ ________________ ____ City/State/Zip: ___ ____________ _______________ ____ ___