July 2024 | Baltimore Beacon

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A passion for keeping healthy

Conway grew up in a military family, moving frequently during his childhood. He graduated from Ohio University with a degree in communications and media studies.

He went on to spend 43 years in surgical device sales, 23 of them as a senior manager.

A year after Conway retired, he started volunteering full time for AARP Maryland.

“It brings me joy and keeps me engaged with my community,” he said.

The organization sponsored his fellowship at America Walks, a national nonprofit dedicated to improving walkability for all Americans.

Since 2018, Conway has stepped forward to help with many other AARP projects. In addition to co-writing an op-ed for

JULY 2024

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2024

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Community residents volunteer in-house

By Margaret Foster Retired Baltimore County music teacher Keith Derrickson enjoys performing on the piano, sometimes wearing a powdered wig.

For almost seven years he has lived at Oak Crest in Parkville, Maryland, volunteering his talent at the community’s open houses.

“I play while people are coming in and give them some ambiance. I have a Bach wig and a Beethoven wig,” he said.

Indeed, Derrickson spends most of his days volunteering in various ways at Oak Crest. He even helped establish a “Resident University” — a monthly lecture series for his fellow residents.

“It’s time-consuming, but we all have time here,” he said.

Many other Baltimore-area retirement communities also have robust in-house volunteer programs, offering residents a chance to help out without going far from home.

Many ways to chip in At Oak Crest, one of 17 communities managed by Erickson Senior Living, 436 of its 2,100 residents “work” both on and off its 87-acre campus. They teach classes to their peers, exchange letters with local elementary school students, and even make casseroles for a Baltimore food pantry.

“We have groups who crochet baby caps for local hospitals and make lap blankets for veterans,” said Dana Huntington-Smith, Oak Crest’s community resources manager.

“With 211 resident groups and more starting every week, the residents have a lot of opportunities to get involved,” she said.

Oak Crest residents lead groups and teach classes to their peers in everything from woodworking to quilting to writing.

They also volunteer as “helping hands” in Oak Crest’s care center, where they provide company to fellow residents by reading to them or striking up a conversation.

INSIDE A wide variety of local housing options

“Volunteerism works both ways; not only do we get to help others, but it makes us feel good in the process,” HuntingtonSmith said. “All of this leads to a more vibrant life by keeping us socially connected.”

Every April, during National Volunteer Appreciation Week, Oak Crest honors all of its resident volunteers at a Volunteer Appreciation Open House “for food, fellowship and entertainment,” Huntington-Smith said. Each attendee receives a pin at the ceremony for their years of service.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OAK CREST

Volunteering as a way of life

PHOTO BY TORI CLEVELAND

By Robert Friedman Quick: What’s Maryland’s official exercise?

David R. Conway, the new volunteer president of AARP Maryland, knows: It’s walking.

“We are very focused on walking,” he told the Beacon in a recent interview about the nonprofit that advocates for 850,000 members in Maryland and their families.

Conway, 70, said walking 30 minutes a day is the best way for older adults to stay healthy. Getting others out and about daily has been one of his major interests since he retired in 2017.

“I’ve always been a fitness kind of guy. I was an athlete growing up and try to stay active. So, I got involved in walking and became a walking advocate.”

As part of AARP Maryland’s Executive Council, Conway spearheaded a program that promotes walking as perhaps the key exercise for people over 50.

He also oversaw the organization’s involvement in the state Department of Transportation’s Walktober events and Howard County’s Streets for All pedestrian safety campaign.

Maryland was the first state to designate a state exercise back in 2008. According to the state’s website, “The health benefits of walking include improved cardiovascular fitness, reduced risk of developing high blood pressure, and prevention of heart attacks, colon and breast cancer, and osteoporosis.”

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Resident-run store and more Pickersgill Retirement Community in West Towson also honors its hundreds of volunteers every year with a luncheon and lecture. Its residents mostly volunteer at Pickersgill’s country store, which is entirely run by residents.

About 15 to 20 residents volunteer multiple times a week at the store. Others do many different things — gardening, teaching watercolor and meditation classes, planning religious services, and helping fellow residents get to activities.

“There’s always something going on all day pretty much every day,” said Heather Meyer, volunteer coordinator and activities assistant at Pickersgill.

Residents in independent living who help their neighbors in assisted living, even with just a daily visit, can really make a difference in their lives, she noted.

“They kind of take them under their wing and go to see them and take them to activities. That really cheers a lot of residents up,” Meyer said.

Keith Derrickson, a resident of Oak Crest Senior Living, hosted a piano concert in his community in Parkville, Maryland. Derrickson and others stay busy by volunteering at their retirement communities. “When we volunteer here, it’s all about our legacy.

What are we leaving behind?” Derrickson said.

Empowering residents At Seaton Towson, a Discovery Senior Living assisted living community, residents help water the flowers, deliver mail and newspapers, distribute menus, and even help other residents go for walks.

“We have a lot of residents who have de-

Is now a good time to sell your house?

mentia of some sort, and we give them jobs to make them feel empowered and give them a sense of responsibility in the community — and help keep them busy,” said Stephanie Osorio, celebrations director at Seaton Towson.

“They love it, and they take it very seriously,” Osorio said. “It’s great because it allows them to interact with each other and help each other out.”

See VOLUNTEERS, page B-3

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Columbia retiree David R. Conway took over as volunteer president of AARP Maryland this year. Volunteering is a full-time job for Conway, a retired sales executive. “It brings me joy,” he said.

the Sun on his favorite topic, he has appeared several times on WBAL-TV on AARP’s behalf, speaking about the importance of voting, getting Covid vaccines, and sick leave for family caregivers.

For his dedication, the organization gave him the Communications Volunteer of the Year award in 2021.

Conway is also keen on encouraging others to volunteer — and for the same reason as he promotes walking. Volunteering can keep us healthy by giving us a sense of purpose, he said.

“A study from Carnegie Mellon showed that adults over age 50 who volunteer regularly were less likely to develop high blood pressure than non-volunteers.

“Another study released by Johns Hopkins University in 2009 revealed that volunteers actually increased their brain functioning,” he added.

In addition to his volunteer work for AARP, Conway is a caregiver for his 98year-old mother. He also helps at his church in Columbia and at the Howard County Arts Council.

Conway said he learned the importance of service from his parents.

“Both my father and my mother were active volunteers, even while in professional careers — his in the U.S. Air Force and hers as a public school teacher,” he said.

See CONWAY, page 6

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JULY 2024 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Is it me?

Or everyone else?

I wonder if you’ve had an experience one way to me and exactly the opposite like this yourself: way to others.

I was pulling into a parking A few days later, I got a spot at my doctor’s office the kind of answer to that quesother day, and as I attempted tion. My wife and I were travto apply the brakes, I discoveling to New Jersey for a wedered they weren’t working. ding, and we pulled into a My car was continuing to rest stop along the highway move forward no matter how for a break. hard I applied my foot to the Just as I was heading out of pedal. the restroom, a young I really started to panic, woman waltzed into the enafraid I was going to hit sometrance and started to pass by thing in front of me. me. She stopped dead in her FROM THE Then, suddenly, I realized PUBLISHER tracks, locking eyes with me. that I was not actually doing By Stuart P. Rosenthal I silently mouthed “men’s the moving. The car next to room,” and she very quickly me was backing out just as I was driving turned in embarrassment and left. in, and the relative motion of our cars to For a fraction of a second, though, I each other — which I was sensing through wondered: Was I in the wrong place, or my driver’s side window — felt exactly as was she? But this time, having just used though I was continuing to move forward. the facilities myself, I knew I was right.

Boy, was that a relief! But it was also For the last year or so, I’ve been watchvery disorienting in an “everything is rela- ing scientific lectures and programs ontive” kind of way. line, trying to better understand what we It made me wonder how many other ex- know about the universe. While I took a periences I might be having in life that feel (non-science major) course about relativi-

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ty in college, I know I never really understood it.

Today, I’m not even sure that the “experts” understand it, since the more we learn about the behavior of matter in the realm of quantum physics, the less sense it all makes. But the fact that many things in life are relative (including our perception of time, as Einstein proved) is undeniable.

You know the old saw: where you stand depends on where you sit. That means we each view reality from our own unique perspective based on our personal history and knowledge base.

As a result, it can be difficult to talk about the same situation or event with others who have a completely different take on things.

That type of relativity seems especially true in politics today. And it’s reinforced by the algorithms that operate social media feeds and online search engines.

They’re designed to show us more of what we’ve already shown a predilection for, which means they confirm our pre-existing biases.

I was taught early in life that keeping an open mind is considered a virtue. But I have also learned from experience that it’s not wise to open your mind so wide that your brains fall out.

There’s an art to living in the real world: We need to filter our experiences through

past experiences and our new knowledge through prior knowledge.

But at the same time, we need to think critically about both what we already “know” and what we are learning anew about the world. While we are all prone to jump to conclusions, we need to give new information a fair shake.

Emotions also enter into the picture, of course. We might consider ourselves rational creatures, but in so many situations, it’s our hearts that rule our heads.

Rather than our rational mind directing our behavior, the human brain is facile enough to justify almost any conclusion our heart wants to reach.

I think we should all at least occasionally make an effort to see things from another person’s (possibly very different) perspective.

When we do so, it may briefly feel like our brakes have failed, that we are about to crash, that we are finding ourselves in the “wrong” room.

But such feelings can be educational if they help us grasp, even briefly, just how differently others may see the same things we see.

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 info@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

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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 Vice President of Operations – Roger King Advertising Representatives – Steve Levin, M.K. Phillips, Alan Spiegel Assistant Editor – Ana Preger Hart

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Dear Editor: I completely agree with the June “From the Publisher” column, “I’m not a doctor, but…”

It is so true that conversations of the “elderly” are always about medical treatments and issues. And everyone is a doctor and gives advice!

The publisher’s suggestion to go to medical professionals, but consider other options is SPOT ON. Certainly second opinions are usually a good choice.

And I 100% agree with acupuncture as a choice. I was treated this way and had wonderful results.

Barbara Sherr Baltimore, MD Dear Editor: I read your column on fitness in the May edition of the Beacon (“See You at the Gym!”). I found it to be well written and timely. I have been sharing it with my neighbors.

I have been a faithful gym member since 2009 and frequent my gym at least five times a week (the other two days are reserved for fencing practice). About a third of my gym’s members are older adults.

Seniors consistently adhere to their

physical fitness goals at my gym because they get to know the staff, they can take low- to high-impact classes and, with a significant number of seniors who are members, they “see people like themselves” and are more likely to continue going to the gym, which can become a place to socialize.

I am a great enthusiast for fitness and have found that my local gym ensures I can exercise safely regardless of the weather. I hope to encourage more seniors to seek out local gyms that have these characteristics, because they can help older adults participate in physical activities on a long-term basis.

Bettie J. Graham Via email Dear Editor: Thank you for helping guide me through the most difficult transition of my life…becoming a Senior Citizen at a time and place I had never experienced.

As my four sons with their families slowly left home to become the stellar citizens I knew they would be, it was time for me, “Mom,” to leave the roost and now choose to follow them to begin my new life as a retired young lady of 82.

Maryann Weider Via LinkedIn

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2024

Say you saw it in the Beacon

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Ask the Ho H me Care Exper xpert Tom Smith, To h, Reegional gional Manager, Bu Business D Dev evelopm elopment, Family & Nursing ng Carre e

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ince 1968, Family & Nursing Care has helped tens of thousands of families by providing access to caregivers who help older adults with activities of daily living — including bathing, dressing, mobility assistance, errands, meal prep, light housekeeping,

inders, medication rreminders companionsship and more. ore.

Now servving the Balitmore region, Fam mily & Nursing Care is a leading res resour source fo for private duty home care services, providing clients and their families with access to compassionate and

expeertt-level careggivers exp ve to help older adults maintain m their i d independence and quality of liffe as they age. Ninety-eight percent of surveyed clien clients nts have said they would recomm mend d or these services to a ffrriend family member.

Q: Why are mom and dad so resistant to the idea of home care?

Many people do not know there is a lot of flexibility in home care services. There is no long-term obligation. Care can be fo for just a few hours a day, y, or around the clock if needed. There are people who try home care fo for a week, and after seeing the positive changes in their liffee and/or the liffee of their loved one, end up u continuing services.

The emotional and phy hysi of an urgent need can be stressffu ul on the entire fam We recommend taking th time to consider options beffo ore a crisis arises.

Indeed, the right help at at home can often prevent crises fr from occurring.

Initiat ating the emotional conversat ation about home care with your loved one can be difficult. But ut once families begin working with i Family & Nursing Care, the overwh whelming

a to resist A: It’s’s human nature help. Our goal at a Family & Nursing Care is helping older adults realize that at with home care they can hav ave a better quality of liffee. Help fr from a qualified caregiver can enable a senior to remain in the home where they raised their family or regain strength and confidence after a fall or illness.

While many clients need help with everyday tasks like bathing, d dressing, i ambulation b l ti and d meals, l the goal of home care is m much broader. Scheduled, conssistent help prevents the isolatio on and depression that often acccompanies aging-in-place. That’s’ beccause caregivers can get seniorss out of

Q: When is the right time to explore home care?

nth, we asked To Tom This mon Smith, Regio onal Managerr,, Business Developmen nt at at Family & Nursing Care, to disccuss how to approach the idea of receiving home care services and d to advise on the right time to o consider home care optionss

A: The rigght time to explore home caree is b bef effo oree iit’ts needed. ded But But in rer ality, y, many p people don’t call fo for help l until they facce a crisis — may aybe their motherr is increasingly fo forgetfu ull and keeps leav aving the stove on, or dad fe fell an nd broke his hiip p.

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Health

JULY 2024 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Fitness &

Get paid to start walking. See story on page 7.

How to find and evaluate a new doctor

Dear Savvy Senior, from trusted friends, along with any docCan you recommend some good tors, nurses or other healthcare profesresources to help me losionals you know. cate some quality doctors You also need to check with in my area? your insurance provider. Call I’m looking for an orthoyour insurer for a list of appedic doctor for my 77proved doctors or ask year-old mother and a new whether the doctor you’re internist for me, since my considering is in your netdoctor retired last year. work.

—Searching Susan If your mother is enrolled in Dear Susan, original Medicare, you can use Finding and researching SAVVY SENIOR the Care Compare tool at doctors is a lot easier than it By Jim Miller Medicare.gov/care-compare used to be. Today, there are va— click on “Doctors & Cliniriety of websites you can turn to that provide cians.” This will let you find doctors by databases of U.S. doctors, their professional name, medical specialty or by geographic lomedical histories, and ratings and reviews cation that accept original Medicare. from past patients on a number of criteria.

If she’s enrolled in a Medicare AdvanHere are some good sites to help you tage plan, call or visit the plan website to get started, along with a few additional tips get a list of approved candidates. that can help you find the right doctors.

Once you find a few doctors, call their office to verify that they still accept your insurFirst steps ance, and if they are accepting new patients.

To help you locate good doctors in your You should also consider hospital affiliaarea, a good first step is to get referrals tion. Your choice of doctor can determine

which hospital you go to, if needed, so find out where the doctor has admitting privileges.

Then use some hospital ratings services like Medicare.gov/care-compare (click on “Hospitals”) to see how it compares with other hospitals in the area.

Where to do research

After you find a few doctors you’re interested in, there are various websites you can consult to help you evaluate them.

For example, the Federation of State Medical Boards offers a tool at DocInfo.org that will let you find out doctor’s board certifications, education, states with active licenses, and whether or not a physician has been disciplined by a state medical board.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS Data) is also a good source for researching doctors. For example, it will help you find out how many times a doctor did a particular procedure and what they charge for it. Go to Data.CMS.gov/tools and click on “Medicare Physician & Other Practitioner Look-up Tool.”

And to learn about the financial relationship that doctors have with drug and medical device companies, visit OpenPaymentsData.CMS.gov.

Healthgrades (healthgrades.com) and Vitals (vitals.com) are also good websites to find and research healthcare professionals. Both sites provide substantial information on physicians’ education and training, hospital affiliations, board certification, awards and recognitions, professional misconduct, disciplinary action, office locations and accepted insurance plans.

They also offer five-star ratings scales from past patients on issues such as communication and listening skills, wait time, time spent with the patient, office friendliness and more.

But be aware that while physician-rating websites can be helpful, sometimes they can be misleading and unreliable.

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.

Less alcohol, or none, for better health

By Carla K. Johnson It’s wine time. Beer Thirty. Happy hour.

Five o’clock somewhere.

Maybe it’s also time to rethink drinking?

Moderate drinking was once thought to have benefits for the heart, but better research methods have thrown cold water on that.

“The scientific consensus has shifted due to the overwhelming evidence linking alcohol to over 200 health conditions, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases and injuries,” said Carina Ferreira-Borges, regional adviser for alcohol at the World Health Organization regional office for Europe.

The United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Holland and Australia recently reviewed the new evidence and lowered their alcohol consumption recommendations. Ireland will require cancer warning labels on alcohol starting in 2026.

“Drinking less is a great way to be healthier,” said Dr. Timothy Naimi, who directs the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research at the University of Victoria in British Columbia.

Views are slowly changing

From Dry January to Sober October to bartenders getting creative with non-alcoholic cocktails, there’s a cultural vibe today that supports cutting back.

“People my age are way more accepting of it,” said Tessa Weber, 28, of Austin, Texas. She stopped drinking for Dry January this year because she’d noticed alcohol was increasing her anxiety.

She liked the results — better sleep, more energy — and has stuck with it. “It’s good to reevaluate your relationship with alcohol,” Weber said.

True, for some time, we’ve been hearing that moderate drinking has health benefits. That idea came from imperfect studies comparing groups of people by how much they drink.

Usually, consumption was measured at one point in time. And none of the studies randomly assigned people to drink or not drink, so they couldn’t prove cause and effect.

People who report drinking moderately tend to have higher levels of education, higher incomes and better access to health

care, Naimi said.

“It turns out that when you adjust for those things, the benefits tend to disappear,” he said.

Problems with earlier studies

Another problem: Most studies didn’t include younger people. Almost half of the people who die from alcohol-related causes die before the age of 50.

“If you’re studying people who survived into middle age, didn’t quit drinking because of a problem, and didn’t become a heavy drinker, that’s a very select group,” Naimi said. “It creates an appearance of a benefit for moderate drinkers that is actually a statistical illusion.”

Other studies challenge the idea that alcohol has benefits. These studies compare people with a gene variant that makes it unpleasant to drink to people without the gene variant. People with the variant tend to drink very little or not at all.

One of these studies found people with the gene variant have a lower risk of heart disease — another blow to the idea that alcohol protects people from heart prob-

lems. [Ed. Note: Similarly, studies of the cardiovascular effects of resveratrol, an antioxidant in red wine and grape juice, once thought to suggest a benefit from moderate drinking, now show mixed results.]

Alcohol boosts cancer risks

How many drinks per day are safe? That depends.

Drinking raises the risk of several types of cancer, including colon, liver, breast, and cancers of the mouth and throat.

Alcohol breaks down in the body into a substance called acetaldehyde, which can damage your cells and stop them from repairing themselves. That creates the conditions for cancer to grow.

Thousands of U.S. deaths per year could be prevented if people followed the government’s dietary guidelines, which advise men to limit themselves to two drinks or fewer per day and women to one drink or fewer per day, Naimi said.

One drink is the equivalent of about one See LESS ALCOHOL, page 5

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Makes a great gift! | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2024

Ways to cope with ringing in your ears

By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I have persistent ringing in my ears, mostly in my right ear. My hearing test showed mild hearing loss.

What can I try before spending money on hearing aids?

A: You are one of the estimated 15% of American adults who suffer from tinnitus.

For many, it’s a high-pitched ringing, while for others, it sounds like whistling, whooshing, buzzing, chirping, hissing, humming, roaring or even shrieking. It may be constant or intermittent, steady or pulsating.

While there presently is no cure for tinnitus, there are many ways people can manage it so the symptoms do not disrupt their daily lives.

Tinnitus commonly begins in older age and has a close association with hearing loss. It may also occur because of long-term exposure to loud noises, medication side effects, or something as simple as earwax buildup.

It’s unclear what happens in the brain to create the noises. One explanation is that the auditory nerve (which connects the ear to the brain) begins to fray, diminishing normal sounds.

Neurons in the brain’s auditory processing center compensate for this loss by becoming more sensitive. The sensitivity knobs get turned up so high that neurons begin to respond to the activity of other nearby neurons, which creates the perception of a sound that does not exist.

Here are some techniques that may help reduce the symptoms: Learn your triggers. Write down the circumstances when tinnitus symptoms bother you. It helps to anticipate, prevent or adjust situations that may make tinnitus worse.

Try a masking device. This device looks like a hearing aid and produces sounds (such as nature sounds) that make tinnitus seem quieter. The sound

Less alcohol

for men to one drink per day. That advice was considered and rejected when the federal recommendations came out in 2020.

“The simple message that’s best supported by the evidence is that, if you drink, less is better when it comes to health,” Naimi said.

—AP

From page 4

12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine or a shot of liquor.

Naimi served on an advisory committee that wanted to lower the recommendation

distracts the brain, and tinnitus symptoms become easier to tolerate. [Ed. Note: Some hearing aids have a setting to reduce tinnitus with “fractals,” or atonal chimes, which your brain learns to tune out.]

But you don’t always need a fancy ear device to mask tinnitus sounds. Listening to music or “white noise” helps distract your brain, so you pay less attention to the tinnitus.

Exercise. Regular physical activity can reduce the frequency and intensity of tinnitus, and the distress it causes.

Tr y mindfulness. A program called Mindfulness Based Tinnitus Stress Reduction builds skills in deep breathing, yoga, relaxation and meditation to help a

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person deal with tinnitus. Mindfulness programs have been shown to reduce depression and anxiety while improving social functioning and overall mental health in people with tinnitus.

Consider cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or tinnitus retraining therapy. CBT helps you identify negative thoughts about tinnitus and reframe the way you think about and react to tinnitus.

CBT is often used in conjunction with mindfulness. Tinnitus retraining therapy uses counseling and sound masking to help the brain relearn hearing patterns so tinnitus is less noticeable. © 2024 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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JULY 2024 — BALTIMORE BEACON

When should an older driver stop driving?

By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D. When my grandmother repeatedly clipped the mailbox backing out of her driveway, she always had a ready explanation: “The sun was in my eyes,” or “Your grandfather distracted me.”

Our family knew we needed to take action. But no one wanted to be the one to ask her to stop driving. She was fiercely independent, didn’t agree that her driving was a problem, and didn’t appreciate our concerns.

Maybe a similar story is unfolding in your family — or maybe you’re starting to wonder about your own skills.

This article, part one of a two-part series, aims to help people understand the red flags to watch for and why driving abil-

ities change as people age. It also describes a few ways to improve impaired driving and challenges to navigate.

A second article will address ways to strike a balance that respects dignity — and safety — while providing action plans for older drivers and their families.

How safe are older drivers?

Unsafe drivers can be of any age, particularly when drinking is involved. But fatal traffic accidents have risen in both young drivers and older drivers, according to data from the National Safety Council: • Fatalities occurring in crashes involving drivers ages 15 to 20 rose nearly 10% between 2020 and 2021, accounting for

5,565 deaths.

• Among drivers 65 or older, fatalities rose 15% between 2020 and 2021, accounting for more than 8,200 deaths.

While younger drivers may be inexperienced or more likely to be distracted or reckless, older drivers often overestimate their driving abilities. That may be one reason many unsafe older drivers continue to drive despite failing driving skills.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the rate of motor vehicle accidents per mile driven is higher for drivers ages 80 and older than for almost

every other age group. Only the youngest drivers have higher rates.

And the rate of fatal motor vehicle accidents per mile driven is higher for drivers aged 85 and older than for every other age group.

These statistics reflect the reality that an older driver may not be the only one injured or killed in a crash — occupants in one or more vehicles may be, too. And then there are pedestrians and cyclists at risk.

The stakes are high when any unsafe

Conway

“The price of prescription drugs is too high because some pharmaceutical companies charge too much,” Conway said.

“Many companies spend more on salaries, stock buybacks and advertising than they do on research and development.”

Conway noted that, in 2019, Maryland was the first state to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The board’s stated goal is to help state employees, Medicaid recipients and others afford medications.

In his new position, Conway will also work to combat loneliness in older adults, which can shorten lives. One of the best ways to do this, Conway pointed out, is to get outside and take a walk with friends.

He shared a story about one of his friends: One October, Conway encouraged the friend to participate in Walk Maryland Day, just to get out of the house. The friend recruited 10 neighbors to join him, and they formed a walking club that continues to this day.

For more information about activities and volunteer opportunities with AARP Maryland, visit aarp.org/md.

From page 1

Addressing prescription drug costs

Conway began his term as AARP state president in January. The organization said in a press release that Conway “will help shape AARP’s strategic priorities, build community partnerships with key decision makers, and serve as AARP’s principal volunteer spokesperson in Maryland.”

“Over the past five years, David has been a trusted advisor and respected volunteer leader at AARP Maryland,” said Hank Greenberg, AARP Maryland state director.

Conway “brings a wealth of experience in team development that will be of great value to AARP as we strategically build out and prepare volunteers throughout the state to improve and enhance the lives of the 50-plus and their families.”

Among the concerns that AARP Maryland and Conway will be looking into are healthcare costs — particularly the high price of prescription drugs, which in Maryland and most other states are a major problem for older residents.

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A place of caring Each assisted livingg resident re enjoys three chef-prepared meals per day, ho housekeeping and laundryy services, se medication administration, help with daily tasks an and more—always by reques quest, and all included in a reasonable monthly fee. Eachh re resi s dent also has access too all of the Pickersgilll amenities.

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7

Health Studies INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS Study volunteers needed for daily walks

By Margaret Foster We all know that exercise is good for us, but as we age, our joints might feel creaky or we may have more aches and pains.

That may make exercise harder.

Now a new study at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health hopes to help people age 65 and older get moving again. Compensation is provided.

“Sit less by moving more,” explained Amal Wanigatunga, Ph.D., the principal investigator of the Sedentary to Active Rising to Thrive trial, also known as the START Trial.

Federal guidelines suggest that we get 150 minutes of exercise every week. However, Wanigatunga said, “Those guidelines are hard to reach, particularly for older adults.

This trial is trying to find easy, simple, gradual ways to start on a path to be more active.”

Two visits to Hopkins

After a short phone call, participants will visit Hopkins’ Bayview campus for some tests and bloodwork. Then they’ll go home and walk just three minutes a day, adding three minutes each day for 10 days.

At the end of 10 days, they will be ran-

domly assigned to one of two groups: One group will continue to walk for 10 minutes three times a day, and the other will walk for 30 minutes once per day.

Wanigatunga emphasized that this is “very light walking.” His message to everyone who participates is: “I don’t want you to sweat; I don’t want you to push yourself; I just want you to get up and walk very lightly. We’re just building the behavior, the consistency.”

During the two months of the study, participants will wear a wrist monitor that records their activity levels. They’ll also record their experience in a diary. Hopkins researchers will call them periodically to check in.

In the summer months, researchers will remind participants to stay hydrated.

“We’re asking them to only walk at the pace they normally walk, like to their mailbox. This is not an exercise trial per se.”

will tell them how active they’ve become.

Then, four months later, researchers will check in by phone. They’ll also mail another wrist monitor to measure movement for seven days.

Light walking is something almost everyone over 65, no matter how sedentary, can try.

Cognition And Metabolism in Prediabetes (CAMPS) Study Are you 50 years or older?

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Volunteers get to see results

After two months of walking — either three times a day or once a day — participants return to Bayview for the same tests they took on the first day. They’ll get to see the results of their wrist monitor, which

If so, you may be eligible for a new research study in which you learn about your daily blood sugar fluctuations and cognitive abilities.

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Have confidence in every conversation.

Do you find it difficult to use a standard phone? Do people ask you to repeat yourself during telephone conversations? Do you miss important calls because you can’t hear the phone ring? The Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) program is here to help by giving Maryland residents the opportunity to apply for State-provided telecommunications equipment to independently make and receive calls. Once you qualify, a skilled evaluator meets with you to determine the best device to support your day-to-day communications. The MAT program has a variety of equipment solutions to support clearer communication, including: • • • • • •

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“People can reach the 30-minute [goal].

I’m confident that they can do it. They are resilient. They can do it. You just have to give them a process,” Wanigatunga said.

“We’re trying to remove all perceived barriers to starting” a walking habit, he said.

To learn more about the START study, or to volunteer, call (410) 550-3362.

8

JULY 2024 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Fitness & Health | Subscribe online! See how on p. 14

Older drivers From page 6 driver is on the road. For older drivers with waning driving skills, it’s important to recognize the problem and understand why it’s happening.

Watch for red flags

As people get older, driving skills may decline so slowly that it’s not obvious that worrisome changes are happening.

Even when mishaps and near-misses occur, there are so many possible contributors — especially other drivers — that it may not be clear that the older driver was at fault.

Red flags that might mean an older person is an unsafe driver include:

• concerned comments from family or friends • reluctance of others to ride with them • input from other drivers (“Why is everyone honking at me?”) or traffic authorities (“Why am I getting all these traffic tickets?”)

• getting lost on familiar roads • consistently driving too slowly or too fast • unexplained dents or scratches appearing on the car • frequent accidents or near-misses.

• medications, such as sedatives or certain antidepressants • age-related changes in reaction time • trouble with vision or hearing • other physical changes related to aging, such as less flexibility or strength • difficulty processing rapidly changing information. For example, an older driver may be more likely than a younger driver to accidentally press the gas pedal instead of the brake when needing to stop suddenly.

Driving skills can wane with age

What steps may improve driving?

While people of advanced age can safely drive (and many do!), driving skills may wane due to: • medical conditions, such as arthritis, neuropathy or dementia

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Some changes that impair driving can be reversed, or a workaround can be found.

For example, if driving is impaired due to cataracts, cataract surgery can restore vision and improve driving. If night driving is difficult, it’s best to drive only during the day. If memory problems are starting to arise, it may still be possible to drive safely in more limited circumstances.

Driving problems due to advanced dementia or a major stroke affecting judgment and physical skills are much less likely to improve.

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If there is no simple way to reverse or work around declining driving skills, accept that there will be many challenges to navigate, whether you’re the older driver or a family member.

It’s not easy for older drivers to acknowledge declining function. Driving impairment is an unsettling milestone, an indication that the future may include further loss of independence and abilities.

After all, most older folks facing a decision about whether it’s safe to continue driving were good drivers not so long ago.

They may still see themselves as competent drivers and see efforts to restrict their driving as overly cautious or demeaning.

Even when all the signs are there, it may be tempting for a poor driver to deflect

blame to other drivers.

Often, the older driver doesn’t share their family’s concerns about driving safety. This can lead to arguments, confrontation and resentment.

However, the safety of others is at stake.

The older driver with waning skills may endanger many people besides themselves: passengers in their care, other drivers and their passengers, cyclists and pedestrians.

It’s hard to know when the time is right.

Speaking up too soon may lead to unnecessary restrictions on a loved one’s favored means of transportation, not to mention family strife. Waiting too long can lead to avoidable tragedy.

Finding a path forward

As for my grandmother, none of us knew what to say. Should we try to get her to agree to stop driving entirely or let her ease into the idea over time? Should we bring it to the attention of her doctor? Or should we take an even harder step and report her to the authorities?

If you’re asking similar questions — or if you’re starting to wonder about your own driving abilities — you may feel strongly that it’s important to respect individual preferences, dignity and independence. Yet you also want to protect everyone from harm.

What are the best ways to strike a balance? Can you test and improve how an older driver is doing behind the wheel?

Can you navigate tough conversations in ways that allow room for both independence and safety? The next column will tackle these subjects.

Robert H. Shmerling, M.D., is a senior faculty editor and an Editorial Advisory Board member for Harvard Health Publishing. © 2024 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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B-1

Community residents volunteer in-house

Many ways to chip in

At Oak Crest, one of 17 communities managed by Erickson Senior Living, 436 of its 2,100 residents “work” both on and off its 87-acre campus. They teach classes to their peers, exchange letters with local elementary school students, and even make casseroles for a Baltimore food pantry.

“We have groups who crochet baby caps for local hospitals and make lap blankets for veterans,” said Dana Huntington-Smith, Oak Crest’s community resources manager.

“With 211 resident groups and more starting every week, the residents have a lot of opportunities to get involved,” she said.

Oak Crest residents lead groups and teach classes to their peers in everything from woodworking to quilting to writing.

They also volunteer as “helping hands” in Oak Crest’s care center, where they provide company to fellow residents by reading to them or striking up a conversation.

INSIDE A wide variety of local housing options

“Volunteerism works both ways; not only do we get to help others, but it makes us feel good in the process,” HuntingtonSmith said. “All of this leads to a more vibrant life by keeping us socially connected.”

Every April, during National Volunteer Appreciation Week, Oak Crest honors all of its resident volunteers at a Volunteer Appreciation Open House “for food, fellowship and entertainment,” Huntington-Smith said. Each attendee receives a pin at the ceremony for their years of service.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OAK CREST

By Margaret Foster Retired Baltimore County music teacher Keith Derrickson enjoys performing on the piano, sometimes wearing a powdered wig.

For almost seven years he has lived at Oak Crest in Parkville, Maryland, volunteering his talent at the community’s open houses.

“I play while people are coming in and give them some ambiance. I have a Bach wig and a Beethoven wig,” he said.

Indeed, Derrickson spends most of his days volunteering in various ways at Oak Crest. He even helped establish a “Resident University” — a monthly lecture series for his fellow residents.

“It’s time-consuming, but we all have time here,” he said.

Many other Baltimore-area retirement communities also have robust in-house volunteer programs, offering residents a chance to help out without going far from home.

Resident-run store and more

Pickersgill Retirement Community in West Towson also honors its hundreds of volunteers every year with a luncheon and lecture. Its residents mostly volunteer at Pickersgill’s country store, which is entirely run by residents.

About 15 to 20 residents volunteer multiple times a week at the store. Others do many different things — gardening, teaching watercolor and meditation classes, planning religious services, and helping fellow residents get to activities.

“There’s always something going on all day pretty much every day,” said Heather Meyer, volunteer coordinator and activities assistant at Pickersgill.

Residents in independent living who help their neighbors in assisted living, even with just a daily visit, can really make a difference in their lives, she noted.

“They kind of take them under their wing and go to see them and take them to activities. That really cheers a lot of residents up,” Meyer said.

Keith Derrickson, a resident of Oak Crest Senior Living, hosted a piano concert in his community in Parkville, Maryland. Derrickson and others stay busy by volunteering at their retirement communities. “When we volunteer here, it’s all about our legacy.

What are we leaving behind?” Derrickson said.

Empowering residents

At Seaton Towson, a Discovery Senior Living assisted living community, residents help water the flowers, deliver mail and newspapers, distribute menus, and even help other residents go for walks.

“We have a lot of residents who have de-

Is now a good time to sell your house?

mentia of some sort, and we give them jobs to make them feel empowered and give them a sense of responsibility in the community — and help keep them busy,” said Stephanie Osorio, celebrations director at Seaton Towson.

Making aging-in-place affordable with free loans and grants

“They love it, and they take it very seriously,” Osorio said. “It’s great because it allows them to interact with each other and help each other out.”

See VOLUNTEERS, page B-3

Tips for easier gardening this summer

B-2

Housing Options | Subscribe online! See how on p. 14

JULY 2024 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Housing options abound for older adults

By Dina Cheney The search for the right living arrangements for older adults can be challenging, particularly as our needs regarding assistance and care evolve with age.

Fortunately, a variety of choices exist, ranging from simple adjustments in a current home to retirement communities and assisted living or nursing facilities.

Here are some effective strategies for gracefully navigating the often stressful — and sometimes emotional — task of locat-

ing appropriate housing options.

Aging in place

Many people prefer to remain in their homes as they age. This often requires renovations to make their home easier to navigate, as mobility decreases and things like stairs get harder to manage.

The costs of these modifications can vary wildly, from a few hundred dollars for grab bars in a bathroom to thousands for bigger projects or additions.

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Plus, if these fixes are not aesthetically pleasing or look hospital-like, they could decrease a home’s value.

To avoid taking on these projects, you can investigate other real estate options, like purchasing a home that’s already been renovated.

To summarize, aging in place has: Pros: • No need to move • Might be cheaper than other options Cons: • Requires renovations • No community, help or care on-site

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Imagine aging in place, but with a roommate (and sometimes, even a roommate who pays rent).

With this option, people can live independently while having someone to talk to and assist them with daily living. Plus, people living together can slash their expenses significantly.

Online resources like HomeShareOnline.org can help you find a good housesharing match.

Pros: • Companionship • Cost-effective Cons: • Might need to spend money on renovations

S T Y L I S H S E N I O R L I V I N G AT

Charlestown and Oak Crest Find the perfect apartment home to fit your style and budget at Baltimore County’s premier communities.

Call 1-800-590-4091 for your free brochure, or visit SeniorLivingMaryland.com.

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• Risk of problematic tenant-roommates

Moving in with kids

Financially, this option could be ideal: Moving in with adult children means older adults and their families avoid the cost of assisted living. As with aging in place, though, home modifications might be necessary.

Homeowners planning to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), or separate housing unit on their lot for their parent to live in, should check local laws first.

ADUs, often called mother-in-law suites, are not legal everywhere.

Pros: • Cost-effective • No need for assisted living facilities Cons: • Home renovations might be necessary • Adult children must oversee care

Independent living communities

As the name indicates, these developments allow their residents to live independently — they do not provide medical care or help with daily living.

However, they do offer plenty of amenities, often including pools, gyms, activities, transportation, and sometimes daily meals and laundry service.

As you might imagine, buying or even See HOUSING CHOICES, page B-3

Makes a great gift! | Housing Options

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2024

Housing choices From page B-2

renting in one of these resort-like communities is not cheap. If you can afford it, this is an ideal option for couples and singles who are still in good physical health and want a low-maintenance lifestyle and neighbors similar in age.

Pros: • Community and activities • Lots of amenities Cons: • No medical care or support • May be expensive

Assisted living

Assisted living facilities can be similar to independent living, but with an additional layer of medical care and offering assistance with daily necessities.

These facilities are ideal for those who require help with things like bathing and taking medications, but not the 24/7 skilled medical care that nursing homes provide.

The care plans and levels differ by facility.

What is the difference between assisted living and a nursing home? Generally speaking, nursing homes provide more extensive medical care than assisted living facilities.

Assisted living is ideal for people who are able to take care of themselves for the most part, but might need some help when it comes to things like dressing, preparing

meals, etc.

Nursing homes, on the other hand, are more for people who need round-the-clock care or highly skilled medical treatment.

Both can be expensive, but nursing homes are more so due to the heightened level of care.

Pros: • Help with daily needs and medical care • Community and activities Cons: • Costs can be steep • Might feel more like a nursing home

Subsidized housing

Public housing may be available for lowincome older adults — but receiving it often requires navigating a lengthy process and plenty of paperwork.

The financial requirements differ by area, so those interested should check with their local Public Housing Agency or ask a housing counselor from HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) for guidance.

HUD also offers a Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program, which helps place older adults in affordable housing that meets their physical needs.

Alternatively, people can rent traditional apartments, offsetting their costs with HUD’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program or Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program.

How do you apply for such low-income housing? Contact your local Public Housing Agency or HUD to find out about what housing programs you may be eligible for.

Pros: • Most economical • Sometimes includes care and community Cons: • Applying can be time-consuming • Receiving housing can take a while

Life plan communities

These communities, formerly called continuing-care retirement communities

B-3

or CCRCs, offer ascending levels of care, which people can transition through as they age.

A single campus might encompass independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing or memory care. Residents either pay monthly rent or an initial payment followed by monthly maintenance or service fees.

This is not a practical option for those living on Social Security, as costs tend to be high: According to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, the average monthly rental fee in the first quarter of 2023 ranged from $3,450 to $7,303.

Pros: • Can age in place within one campus • Tiered care levels Cons: • High costs • May need to move from one building to another © 2023 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Leet Th The

Go ood Timess Rolll ood

Volunteers From page B-1

Volunteer dean

Getting to know others is what Oak Crest’s “Resident University” is all about.

Two years ago, Derrickson helped establish the monthly lecture series after an experience in Oak Crest’s restaurant.

He and some other residents were chatting at the bar and were speechless when a resident told some fascinating stories about his firefighting days. They decided to organize a lecture series by residents and staff.

As “dean” of the university, Derrickson works to line up speakers. He also helped organize the first graduation in May — complete with caps, gowns and tassels.

“When we volunteer here, it’s all about our legacy. What are we leaving behind?”

Derrickson said. “We don’t have to cut the grass anymore or repair the roof or even cook, so we have time.

“Those of us who have had a work ethic for years and years enjoy working and giving back to the community.”

For more information, call Erickson at (800) 590-4091, Pickersgill at (888) 8779883, or Seaton Towson at (410) 417-9113.

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JULY 2024 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Is this a good time to sell and downsize?

By Kate Ashford Your home is your sanctuary, but it’s also one of your biggest budget items. And after you retire, it may feel like more house than you need.

But in this housing market, when a smaller home with upgraded features may be about as expensive as the one you’re selling, is it still smart to downsize?

In some cases, downsizing is appropriate, but not necessarily money-saving. You may be able to sell your house and buy something cheaper, but it might also make sense to downsize to move closer to family or have less house to clean.

It’s important to be clear on what you want. “Goals are so crucial,” said Juan HernandezAriano, a certified financial planner in Houston. “There are multiple pathways people can take.”

Here are some situations that may match up with a “For Sale” sign.

You’re in a cash flow bind

In retirement, you might find that rising prices combined with a fixed income make you feel a little squeezed.

HernandezAriano notes that his clients in southeast Texas are bothered by high home insurance premiums due to severe weather events, plus high property taxes.

“A lot of insurance companies are drop-

Y EA

ERV FS O RS

ping coverage on the southeast side of Texas,” he said.

If downsizing is a question of money, consider all your housing costs. Weigh the mortgage, property taxes and insurance, plus basic bills like electricity and water services for your current and future homes.

One client in Houston did the math and moved 90 minutes away, where they got a cheaper home and dropped their homeowners insurance by 60%.

“Property taxes also went down since they weren’t in a highly competitive school district,” HernandezAriano said. “They still spent more on gas and water and had to pay for relocation expenses, but overall, they saved monthly.”

You’re in a pricey area

If you live in an expensive city, you have a better chance of selling your home and finding something cheaper. “When you’re in a lower-cost area, it’s going to be difficult to find something even (more) lower cost,” said David Demming, a CFP in Aurora, Ohio.

Just do some looking before you leap.

Inventory is low in many places and competition is steep for a smaller home with upgrades.

To save money overall, the value of the home you’re purchasing should be at least

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20% less than the house that you’re selling, according to Diane Pearson, a CFP in Wexford, Pennsylvania.

You can’t live there safely anymore

Your health may require you to find a new home with fewer stairs, a first-floor primary bedroom or an accessible bathroom.

Michael Maye, a CFP in Gillette, New Jersey, notes that his clients who’ve seen parents go through long-term care or health issues are more likely to consider future mobility when planning their retirement.

“Recently, I proactively worked with a couple, and they knew that they didn’t want to age in place because they have a bigger house,” he said.

They wanted to buy into a continuing care retirement community, where they could take advantage of graduated levels of care as they needed it. “They could stay in their house, but they don’t plan to,” Maye said.

You want to be closer to family

While being closer to children or aging parents is a good reason to downsize, don’t count on this being the cheaper option, especially if you’re moving into a hotter market.

Consider one of Demming’s clients, who moved from one part of Ohio to an-

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You’re prepared to create a new support network

If downsizing means a new city, keep in mind that you may have to rebuild your community. Even if you’re moving to be near family, you shouldn’t count on them to be your activities hub.

“Are you a social person who’s going to be able to get out and about and make your own way?” Maye asked.

You’ll need to make new friends, find new medical professionals, find a new gym. “Those are the trade-offs,” Maye said. “None of them are deal breakers, but I think people should really think about all these other things.”

This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Kate Ashford is a writer at NerdWallet.

Email: kashford@nerdwallet.com.

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other part of the state. “It cost her $150,000 more to move there, to get a house that was acceptable to her,” Demming said.

Even with the higher cost, Demming said, it was worth it to be closer to her children and grandchildren. And her new city is booming.

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Call us for Reservations 410-602-1704 Visit www.superiortours.com today!

Makes a great gift! | Housing Options

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2024

FREE HOUSING AND OTHER INFORMATION #

For free information from advertisers in this special section, check off those that interest you below and mail, or take a picture of and email, this coupon to the Beacon. All coupons received by July 20 will be entered into a random drawing for tickets. You need not request advertiser info to win.

Adult Day Programs ❑ St. Ann Adult Day Services . . . .B7

Housing ❑ Brightview Senior Living . .B4, B6 ❑ Caritas House Assisted Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B7

❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Catholic Charities . . . . . . . . . . . .B7 Charlestown/Erickson . . . .B2, B6 Christ Church Harbor Apts . . . .B7 Harmony at Enterprise . . . .B3, B6 Harmony at Waldorf . . . . . . . . . .B3 Oak Crest/Erickson . . . . . . .B2, B6 Park View Apartments . . . . . . . B8 Westminster House Apts . . . . . . .B2

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation ❑ St. Elizabeth Rehab/Nursing . . .B7

Theater/Arts ❑ The Lyric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B5

Travel ❑ Superior Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B4

Check the boxes you’re interested in and email a photo of it to housing@thebeaconnewspapers.com or mail this entire coupon to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227.

You may return this coupon together with the coupon on page 5 of this issue.

Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________ E-mail______________________________________________ City _______________________________________________________ State ______________________ Zip ____________________ Phone ______________________________________________________

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LIFE PLAN COMMUNITY

Charlestown 1-800-989-6981 715 Maiden Choice Lane Catonsville, MD 21228 CharlestownCommunity.com The Best of Everything is at Charlestown Experience the finest in maintenance-free senior living at our beautiful 110-acre campus.

You’ll enjoy resort-style amenities, clubs and activities, delicious dining, and services that promote your health and well-being, including on-site medical care for every stage of your life. Our stylish apartment homes feature modern finishes and floor plans to suit every need.

Our predictable Monthly Service Package takes the guesswork out of managing your expenses. And our 90% Refundable Entrance Fee* means your legacy is protected. *Carefully read the Residence and Care Agreement for the conditions that must be satisfied before the Provider is required to pay the Entrance Fee Refund.

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Harmony at Enterprise (240) 203-7380 12000 Traditions Blvd.

Bowie, MD 20720 harmonyatenterprise.com Imagine a senior living community that feels more like home, where the dining is always delicious, the apartments are spacious and inviting, and your days are filled with activities that are meaningful to you.

Harmony Senior Services communities are designed to offer residents an unparalleled living experience, surrounded in comfort, free from the burdens of home maintenance, and always supported to their highest level of independence.

Take the first step toward a brighter future. Schedule a tour and have lunch on us!

LIFE PLAN COMMUNITY

JULY 2024 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Housing News

By Beacon Staff

Edenwald purchases historic mansion for expansion After more than five years of eyeing the historic Bosley Mansion in West Towson, Edenwald Senior Living purchased the 4.4acre property in February.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity to do something in that neighborhood,” said Mark Beggs, president and CEO of Edenwald Senior Living, located about a five-minute drive from the $2 million parcel.

The mansion, built in the 1930s by Towson co-founder Grafton Bosley, operated as a retirement community until 2016 and has been in limbo ever since. It was slated to be renovated for condominiums, but the developer backed out.

Edenwald is working with a developer, Delbert Adams, to transform the property, but they haven’t finalized any plans yet, Beggs said.

“We know it’s going to be senior housing. We want it to be something that’s integrated into the community. It’s a twominute walk to the Y, so we want the people who live there to go to the Y and go to the restaurants,” Beggs said. “We want it to be a place for people to live who want to be engaged in the community.”

In the meantime, Edenwald is focused on its expansion with Goucher College.

(Edenwald plans to become a Universitybased retirement community in order to develop three high-rises near Goucher.)

After that project is completed, the company will turn its attention to the Bosley property at 400 Georgia Court. They hope to create something very different there.

“Maybe ‘game-changer’ is too strong a phrase, but we want it to be something that you haven’t seen in senior living,” Beggs said. “We want people to be looking at this property and not saying, ‘I don’t need that yet,’ but saying, ‘I want to move there.’”

For more information, visit edenwald.org or call (410) 339-6290.

Pickersgill continues renovations Earlier this year, phase three of Pickersgill Retirement Community’s renovation began. Its common rooms and dining rooms will be upgraded, and the project will add a new wellness center and gym.

The Towson-based community offers independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care.

The facility began its $6 million, multiyear expansion in 2018. So far, it has redesigned and expanded its nursing center and tripled the size of the rehabilitation center.

What is now called Pickersgill Retirement Community grew out of a nonprofit founded in 1802 to fund Baltimore children’s education, find jobs for women and house retirees.

Mary Pickersgill, who sewed the flag that inspired the “Star-Spangled Banner,” was its president from 1828 to 1851. When the community opened its current location in Towson a century later, its leaders named it after her.

For more information about Pickersgill Retirement Community, call (888) 877-9883.

Tell them you saw it in the Beacon!

INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE

Oak Crest 1-888-429-6391

Brightview Hunt Valley (443) 933-8880

8820 Walther Boulevard Parkville, MD 21234 www.OakCrestCommunity.com

11509 McCormick Road Cockeysville, MD 21030 www.BrightviewHuntValley.com

Experience Vibrant Living at Oak Crest

Brightview Hunt Valley will have everything residents need to live their brightest lives, including a vibrant carefree lifestyle, the convenience of services and support, access to resort-like amenities, and a continuum of care if or when it's needed.

A warm, welcoming environment. Modern apartment homes with contemporary finishes. Resort-style amenities. Clubs and activities for engaged living. All of this and more awaits you at Oak Crest, a beautiful 87-acre senior community nestled in northern Baltimore County. You’ll enjoy maintenance-free living with a predictable Monthly Service Package that includes virtually all services. Our 90% Refundable Entrance Fee* provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Plus, should you ever need them, advanced care options are available right on campus. *Carefully read the Residence and Care Agreement for the conditions that must be satisfied before the Provider is required to pay the Entrance Fee Refund.

Senior Living g Hunt Va Valley

It's the peace of mind of support, the financial flexibility of a monthly rental, and the extraordinary lifestyle seniors deserve— all in one community.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2024

Not everyone can afford to age in place

By Anne D’Innocenzio Brenda Edwards considers the fourbedroom ranch-style house where she has lived for 20 years her forever home. It’s where the 70-year-old retired nurse and her 79-year-old husband want to stay as their mobility becomes more limited.

So, she hired an interior designer for $20,000 and spent another $95,000 to retrofit their house in Oakdale, California.

She had the kitchen aisles widened to accommodate a wheelchair in case she or her husband ever needs one. The bathroom now has a walk-in steam shower and an electronic toilet seat that cleans the user when activated.

“We felt comfortable,” Edwards said in explaining why the couple decided to invest in the property instead of downsizing.

“We have a pool. We have a spa. We just put a lot of love and effort into this yard.

We want to stay.”

Even if they wanted to move, it wouldn’t make financial sense, Edwards said. Their house is almost paid for, and “it would be too hard to purchase anything else,” she said.

Most homeowners want to stay

Like Edwards and her husband, a vast majority of adults over age 50 prefer the idea of remaining in their own residences as long as possible, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll.

But staying put is becoming less of a choice. Some baby boomers and older members of Generation X are locked into low mortgage rates too good to give up.

Skyrocketing housing prices fueled by lean supply further complicate the calculations of moving house.

Despite feeling tied down, a subset of these older adults have enough extra cash to splurge on upgrades designed to keep their homes both enjoyable and accessible as they age.

The demand for inconspicuous safety bars, lower sinks, residential elevators and other amenities has given home improvement chains, contractors, designers and architects a noticeable lift.

Home Depot, the nation’s largest home improvement chain, is revamping its Glacier Bay brand to include sleeker grab bars and faucets that are easier to use.

Rival Lowe’s created a one-stop shop in 2021 that offers wheelchair ramps, teak shower benches, taller toilets and other products geared toward older boomers.

“They aspire for bathrooms that exude beauty and elegance, with essential accessibility features seamlessly integrated,” Lowe’s Trend and Style Director Monica Reese said of the target customers.

Toto USA, a subsidiary of a Japanese company that introduced a luxury bidet toilet seat in 1980, markets the bathroom fixture to older people by saying it can help prevent urinary tract infections and reduce the burden on caregivers.

Toto USA research showed a 20 percent spike in ownership of the Washlet seats among consumers ages 46-55 between early 2020 and the end of last year.

The increase indicates customers are thinking ahead, said Jarrett Oakley, the subsidiary’s director of marketing.

“The growing older demographic is more knowledgeable about renovations and planning for their future needs, especially as they prepare to age in place,” Oakley said. “They’re looking to future-proof their homes thoughtfully and with a focus on luxury.”

renovation in California costs $45,000 to $75,000, she said.

“Your home is your safe place,” Glaister said. “Your home is where you hosted your family for holidays.”

The need to age-proof properties will become more urgent in the decade ahead.

By 2034, people 65 and older are expected to outnumber those under age 18 for the first time in U.S. history, according to a U.S. Census report revised in 2020.

But the issue has exposed a divide between well-heeled and lower-income boomers regarding their ability to remain in place safely.

Cathie Perkins, 79, a retired teacher who has chronic fatigue syndrome, had a local nonprofit group modify the first-floor apartment she owns in Beaverton, Oregon. The changes, which cost about $3,000, included replacing her tub shower with a walk-in version and installing a higher toilet.

Perkins values her independence and said retirement facilities are beyond her means. “I am on a fixed income,” she said. “I have Social Security and I have a pension.”

According to a 2023 analysis of the 2011 American Housing Survey by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, fewer than 4% of U.S. homes combine single-floor living with no-step entry, and halls and doorways wide enough for wheelchairs.

The Harvard center analysis found that 20% of survey respondents 80 and above with incomes below $30,000 reported accessibility challenges, compared to 11% for those with incomes of $75,000 or more.

More affordable options needed

Jennifer Molinsky, director of the center’s Housing an Aging Society program, urges policymakers to address the shortage of affordable housing that’s a good fit for older adults.

“There are all these options for those people who have a lot of money,” Molinsky said. “But there’s a lot of disparity. There are people, through no fault of their own or for systemic reasons, who may not have the money to modify.”

—AP [Ed. Note: If you are 55 or older and need to modify your home, you can take out a 0% interest loan up to $25,000 from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Applications are available at local County Housing Offices or the Maryland Access Point Agencies.

In addition, eligible Baltimore County homeowners (residents 65 years or older who are at or below 50% of area median income) can receive up to $4,500 for home modifications through the BCAUSE program. For more information, email DHCD.SpecialLoans@maryland.gov or call (410) 429-7409 or (410) 887-2594.]

Remodeling for long-term safety

Wendy Glaister, an interior designer in Modesto, California, who worked with Edwards, reports more clientele in their late 50s and early 60s remodeling their homes for the years ahead. The typical bathroom

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24 locations for older adults in Maryland Senior livingg,, services and supports ffoor older Marylanders and their ffaamilies.

St. Elizabeth Rehabilitaation and Nursing Center

667-600-2600

Senior Com mmunities

667-600-2280

TAX C APART REDIT M AVAILAENTS BLE

– 2024 Newsweek –

Email – hou using@cc-md.org Supportive, aff f foordable apartment communities. To Total o of 24 locations in Marylandd, home to more than 1,800 Maryland, 1 800 older adults.

4TH YEAR IN A ROW

Caring Hom me Service Pro ogram

Shortt-term rehabilitation and skilled s nursing, g, longg-term and memorry care.

St. Ann Adult Day ay Services

The Caring Hom me Servi vices (CHS) S) Program, ava vailable at ninee of our communities, off f fers services to t support safe fely aging in place. Servi vices include i daily meals ls served in a group settinng, g, weekly housekeeping, g, laundry, y, and peersonal services, and servi vice management prrovi vided by the on-site CHS Supervisorr.

See cc-md.org/s /seniors r- communities fo for list of 9 locationns where CHS is ava vailable.

Activities, socialization and meedical supervision so older adults can continue to live at home.

ON O NE APPLICATION ION NO APPLICATION FEE

Caritas House Assisted Living

667-600-2660

A residential community of carre with personalized assistance inn daily activities fo for adults 62 and oldder.r.

667-600-2680

www w.cc-md.org/sen niors i

Inspired by b the Gospel mandates to love, serve and teach, Catholic Charities providees care and services to improve the lives off Marylanders in need.

06/06/24

C th li Ch Catholic Charities iti welcomes l peo ople l regardless dl off ffaith ith and d iis an EEquall H Housing i Opportunity O t it provider. id

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JULY 2024 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Ways to make gardening easier as you age Dear Savvy Senior, What gardening tips can you offer to older people? I love to putter around and work in the garden, but my back and knees have caused me to curtail my gar-

dening activities, which I miss greatly.

—Older Gardener Dear Older, There’s no doubt that gardening can be hard on an aging body. Joints stiffen up,

BEACON BITS

July 16

LEARN ABOUT CROWDFUNDING

Join this free virtual presentation to learn about crowdfunding online, starting a campaign, contributing to campaigns, and crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe, Kickstarter and Indiegogo. The meeting takes place on Zoom on Tue., July 16 from 6 to 7 p.m. For more information, including the Zoom link, visit tinyurl.com/CrowdfundingOnline. If you need help joining the presentation, dial 1-888-713-3495.

July 27

DANCE FOR HEALTH WORKSHOP

Join Peabody Preparatory’s Adult Dance Ensemble and faculty member Nicole Bealand to take in a performance, learn some foundational dance steps, and better understand the health benefits of dance. This free event takes place on Sat., July 27 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Creative Arts Center, Central Library, 400 Cathedral St., Baltimore. Register at tinyurl.com/DanceBaltimore. For more information, call (410) 396-5430.

kneeling for prolonged periods hurts, and bending and reaching can strain muscles.

But that doesn’t mean you have to give up your hobby. You just need to garden differently, add some special tools, and know your limits.

Here are some tips that may help you:

Limber up

With gardening, good form is very important, as is not overdoing any one activity.

A common problem is that gardeners often kneel or squat, putting extra pressure on their knees. Then, to spare their knees, they might stand and bend over for long stretches to weed, dig and plant, straining their back and spine.

To help protect your body, you need to warm up before beginning. Start by stretching, focusing on the legs and lower back.

And keep changing positions and activities. Don’t spend hours weeding a flowerbed.

ENTERPRISE RESIDENTIAL MOST COMMUNITIES ARE 62 AND BETTER ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

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

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

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

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

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

HOWARD COUNTY

BALTIMORE COUNTY Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344 Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660 Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888 The Greens at English Consul: 410-789-3000 The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100 The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000 The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988 Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464 Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 • 55 & Better Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665 Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375 Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673

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

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

Call the community of interest to you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour.

EnterpriseResidential.org PET-FRIENDLY

After 15 minutes of weeding, you should stand up, stretch and switch to another activity, like pruning the bushes, or just take a break.

It’s also important that you recognize your physical limitations and not try to do too much all at once.

And, when lifting heavier objects, remember to use your legs to protect your back. You can do this by keeping the item close to your body and squatting to keep your back as vertical as possible.

Buy better tools

The right gardening equipment can help too. Kneeling pads can protect knees, and garden seats or stools are both back and knee savers.

Lightweight garden carts can make hauling bags of mulch, dirt, plants or other heavy objects much easier.

And long-handled gardening and weeding tools can help ease the strain on the back by keeping you in a standing upright position versus bent over.

There are also ergonomic gardening and pruning tools with fatter handles and other design features that can make lawn and garden activities a little easier. Fiskars and FELCO make a number of specialty tools that you can buy online or at local retail stores that sell lawn and garden supplies.

Also check out Gardeners.com and RadiusGarden.com, two online stores that sell specialized gardening tools and equipment that are very helpful to older gardeners.

Make watering easier

The chore of carrying water or handling a heavy, awkward hose can also be difficult for older gardeners.

Some helpful options include lightweight fabric or expandable hoses instead of heavy rubber hoses; soaker or drip hoses that can be snaked throughout the garden and left there; thin coil hoses that can be used on the patio or small areas; a hose caddy and reel for easier transport around the yard; and a self-winding hose chest that reels in the hose automatically.

There are also a variety of ergonomic watering wands that are lightweight, easy to grip, and reach those hard to-get-to plants.

To find these types of watering aids, check with your local lawn and garden supply stores or visit Gardeners.com.

Bring the garden to you

If your backyard garden has become too much to handle, you should consider elevated garden beds or container gardening — using big pots, window boxes, hanging baskets, barrels or tub planters.

This is a much easier way to garden. It eliminates much of the bend and strain of gardening but still provides the pleasure of making things grow.

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.

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2024

Makes a great gift!

Money

9

Law &

What does pet insurance cover?

See story below.

Switch banks for higher savings interest

By Michael Joseph, CFA Interest rates are pretty high these days. That’s great for retirees who need their savings to generate income.

But don’t assume that just because rates are high you’re automatically getting them. The going rate at many banks and brokerage houses is abysmally low.

The national average interest rate paid on savings is 0.45% (as of May 2024), according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Considering the Effective Federal Funds Rate is 5.33% (as of May 2024), if you have money in a savings account, there’s a good chance you could be earning a lot more interest somewhere else.

There’s good news: If you’re among those receiving lower interest on your savings, it’s a problem that’s easy to remedy.

In most instances, it only takes a few clicks online or a few taps on your phone.

It’s easy to secure an interest rate of around 5% these days. Money market funds, certificates of deposit (CDs) and U.S. Treasuries are all low-risk ways of generating a nice return.

Gain a lot by switching

In most instances, your financial institution isn’t going to do it for you.

The time invested to move your cash

around is well worth it. If you’re earning the national average on $100,000 of savings, you’re being paid $460 a year. By switching to one of the many investments that offer a 5% yield, you could put an extra $4,540 in your pocket this year.

So which instrument should you use?

That depends on you and your situation.

Option No. 1: Money market funds.

Money market mutual funds (not to be confused with a bank money market account, which is different) are great for providing liquidity, as they are easy to get in and out of.

However, there are new rules that create liquidity fees and redemption gates in place when investors want to cash out during “times of uncertainty.” That’s a vague description to be sure, but you can imagine an instance where we’re in a deep financial crisis and everyone is trying to liquidate their money market funds.

Fees and gates mean you could either be charged to access your own money or limited in how much you can withdraw.

The chances this ever applies to you are slim, but most people aren’t aware of this risk, and you should be if you own a money market fund.

Option No. 2: CDs. CDs don’t have the immediate liquidity of money market funds. In fact, there’s typically a penalty to

access your money early. So, you’ll want to be thoughtful about how much money you need for expenses and when you’ll need it before buying a CD. However, they come with a feature that money market funds don’t. CDs (like other deposit accounts) are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000. That means in the event of a bank failure, you’re covered.

Option No. 3: Treasury bills and notes. Short-term U.S. Treasury bills (issued for terms of four weeks to one year) and notes (issued for terms of two, three, five, seven and 10 years) are also attractive.

The U.S. Treasury securities market is the largest and most liquid government securities market in the world. You shouldn’t have any trouble buying or selling your Treasuries whenever you want.

And the U.S. government is generally considered an ultra-low-risk debtor. However, the recurring threats of government shutdowns and general political divisiveness do make these a shade riskier than they may have been in the past.

Outlier risks aside, Treasuries, money market funds and CDs are all conservative options to potentially increase what you’re earning on your cash.

But don’t overdo the cash.

Cash and cash-like instruments are an

essential part of your retirement portfolio.

They can be used to cover your expenses and as an emergency fund.

But having too much cash on hand comes with its own price. Cash typically lags behind the returns of riskier assets.

And the purchasing power of the dollar has steadily eroded thanks to inflation.

Cash is an important part of an overall investment allocation. But for many investors, it should be a small part.

At SAM, we generate income using a variety of different securities. Short-term Treasuries are our favorite cash proxy.

But we’re finding higher cash yields in real estate investment trusts (REITs), closed-end funds, and merger arbitrage opportunities, just to name a few. We also use cash tactically — we like to keep dry powder on hand to deploy opportunistically.

If you haven’t already, you may want to work with a professional to figure out exactly how much cash you should be holding. Then make sure you’re getting paid fairly for the cash you’re sitting on.

Michael Joseph is with Stansberry Asset Management (SAM) in New York. © 2024 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

What pet insurance covers (and doesn’t)

By Sarah Schlichter If you’ve ever spent a fortune at the emergency vet, pet insurance might sound appealing. By paying some of your vet expenses, these policies can save you money and help you make care decisions based on what’s best for your pet rather than what you can afford.

But insurance doesn’t pay for everything. Before you buy pet insurance, you’ll want to understand exactly what it will — and won’t — cover.

cer and director of veterinary affairs at Fetch Pet Insurance, said in an email.

The vet’s examination fee may or may not be covered, depending on your policy.

And some companies may charge extra to cover prescription medication.

Most pet insurance policies have a waiting period between when you buy the plan and when coverage takes effect. Your plan won’t reimburse you if your pet is injured during the waiting period.

medication, surgery and hospital stays.

However, exclusions may apply. “Some companies separate out certain types of treatments,” Kristen Lynch, executive director of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, said in an email.

For example, your plan might not cover treatments like acupuncture or physical therapy unless you pay extra. There may also be limitations for hereditary conditions or dental disease.

Covered: accidents

Usually covered: illness

Usually not: preexisting conditions

If you want coverage for unexpected vet expenses, you can choose an accident-only plan or an accident and illness plan. Both can pay to treat injuries such as broken bones, snakebites or swallowed socks.

Coverage varies by company, but you can expect most pet insurance policies to pay for diagnostic tests, surgery and medications, Dr. Aliya McCullough, chief veterinary offi-

The most common type of insurance, accident and illness coverage, also pays for treatment if your pet gets sick.

Some of the most frequent reasons for vet visits are allergies, infections, stomach issues, arthritis and cancer, according to McCullough. These conditions generally fall under a plan’s illness coverage, which can reimburse you for diagnostic tests,

Some people don’t think about buying insurance until their pet gets a serious diagnosis, like cancer or heart disease — but by then, it’s likely too late. Most pet insurance providers won’t cover conditions that showed symptoms before you bought your policy or during the waiting period.

Some insurers will pay to treat curable preexisting conditions if they haven’t shown

symptoms for a certain period of time, McCullough said. Curable conditions could include respiratory infections or broken bones.

Usually not: preventive care

A standard pet insurance policy won’t cover many common vet expenses a new pet parent faces — such as spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations and annual checkups. Insurers consider these services routine care and won’t pay for them under an accident and illness plan.

However, many companies offer preventive care coverage as an add-on. Compare the cost of this coverage with what your vet charges for routine services to make sure it’ll save you money.

Not: pre-deductible costs

A deductible is the amount you pay See PET INSURANCE, page 10

10

Law & Money | Subscribe online! See how on p. 14

JULY 2024 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Mediation for family caregiving conflicts

By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any services that you recommend that can help families resolve conflicts over the care of an elder parent?

My 86-year-old father was recently diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, and to make matters worse, my sister and brother and I have been perpetually arguing about how to handle his future caregiving and financial needs.

—Conflicted Siblings Dear Conflicted, It’s not unusual for adult children to disagree with each other regarding the care of an elder parent. If you and your siblings are willing, a good possible solution is to hire an “eldercare mediator” who can help you work through your disagreements peacefully.

Here’s how it works:

Pet insurance From page 9

toward vet expenses before your insurer starts reimbursing you. For example, if you have an annual deductible of $500 and your pet needs $300 of treatment in a given year, your plan won’t pay anything.

You can often lower the cost of your plan

Eldercare mediation

While mediators have been used for years to help divorcing couples sort out legal and financial disagreements and avoid court battles, eldercare mediation is a relatively new and specialized service designed to help families resolve disputes that are related to aging parents or other elderly relatives.

Family disagreements over an ill or elderly parent’s caregiving needs, medical care, living arrangements, driving issues, as well as legal and financial decisions are just some of the many issues that an eldercare mediator can help with.

But don’t confuse this with family or group therapy. Mediation is only about decision-making, not feelings and emotions.

The job of an elder mediator is to step in as a neutral third party to help ease family tensions, listen to everyone’s concerns, hash out disagreements and misunder-

by choosing a higher deductible. Just be sure to pick an amount you can afford, said Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communication at the Insurance Information Institute.

How to avoid surprises

— Read sample policies. Reading the policy is one of the best ways to see what is and isn’t covered. Many pet insur-

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standings, and help your family make decisions that are acceptable to everyone.

Good mediators can also assist your family in identifying experts such as estate planners, geriatric care managers and other healthcare and financial professionals who can supply important information for family decision-making.

Your family also needs to know that the mediation process is completely confidential and can take anywhere from a few hours to several meetings depending on the complexity of your issues.

And if some family members live far away, a conference or video call can be used to bring everyone together.

If you’re interested in hiring a private eldercare mediator, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to more than $500 per hour, depending on where you live and who you choose.

Or, if available in your area, you may be able to get help through a communitybased nonprofit program that offers free or low-cost services by volunteer mediators.

ers have sample policies available on their websites, Lynch said. Don’t understand the coverage? Reach out to the company for clarification.

— Ask about policy limits. See whether the plan you’re considering has maximum payouts for certain conditions or services, or for all treatment in a given year.

— Check the reimbursement rate.

After you hit your deductible, most insurers will pay a set percentage of your vet expenses, typically 70% to 90%. The higher the reimbursement, the more expensive the plan.

— Research the claims process.

See how much time you have to file a claim, McCullough said. “You don’t want to have a claim denied because you didn’t submit it on time.”

—AP/NerdWallet

To locate an elder mediator in your area, start by asking for referrals from health professionals or hospital social workers, or search online at The Academy of Professional Family Mediators website (apfmnet.org) or Mediate.com.

To search for free or low-cost communitybased mediation programs in your state, see the National Association for Community Mediation website (nafcm.org).

Make sure the person you choose has extensive experience with elder issues that are similar to what your family is dealing with.

Also, be sure you ask for references and check them.

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Leisure &

What’s in the fine print of your travel contract? See story on p. 12.

We should’ve stayed longer in Tasmania Scenic walks and hikes

Tasmania’s natural beauty is its main draw, and the best way to experience this is to get out of your car and go for a walk or hike.

My favorite hike was the 3.7-mile trail around Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain.

It’s described in the park brochure as “moderate” — which means it’s not easy, but it’s doable for a reasonably fit senior.

Much of the trail follows a boardwalk winding through the rainforest on one side of the trail, with views of the lake on the other. The rainforest was thick with moss, ferns, grasses, reeds and Fagus trees, the only deciduous tree in Tasmania, which had turned gold in the crisp, autumnal air.

Cradle Mountain and other crags loomed over the lake as rainbows emerged from the mist, then faded away.

Other hikes included a short but steep climb to a viewpoint overlooking the cerulean waters of Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park, ringed by one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia, and a walk along an almost deserted beach on the Bay of Fire near St. Helens.

In Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, and Launceston, one of Australia’s oldest cities, we wandered up and down narrow streets lined with well-preserved examples of 19th-century Victorian and Colonial architecture.

We especially enjoyed strolling through Salamanca Market and Battery Point in

PHOTO BY PENNY/PIXABAY

By Don Mankin Aside from its beautiful beaches, Australia isn’t known for breathtaking scenery. Except, that is, for Tasmania — the island only 150 miles off the continent’s southern coast.

What makes Tasmania so special is the variety of geological features crammed into an area comparable in size to West Virginia. That means it’s a relatively short drive to see its empty beaches, craggy mountains, rugged gorges, scenic rivers, pristine lakes and crescent bays.

Since the island is mostly undeveloped, the drives from one stunning destination to another cross a countryside of rolling hills, quaint villages and fields of sheep and cattle.

This past April, my wife, Katherine, and I toured Tasmania’s east coast and central plateau on an all-too-short weeklong drive through the Tasmanian countryside.

I adapted quickly to driving on the “wrong” side of the road, on the “wrong” side of the car — the dearth of traffic helped. My biggest challenge was resisting the urge to sneak a peek at the views unfolding on both sides of the road. The fall colors (it’s autumn there in April) made the views even more dazzling.

Our one-week tour took us to Hobart, the capital city; Cradle Mountain in Lake St. Clair National Park; Launceston, the second-largest city in Tasmania; St. Helens, a coastal town; and Freycinet National Park. It was a week of one highlight after another.

PHOTO BY XISERGE/PIXABAY

Tasmania is famous for the turquoise bays of Freycinet National Park on its eastern coast.

On a hike or walk through the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, tourists can see the country’s lakes and mountains up close.

Hobart and the central business district in Launceston.

protect the town from real and imagined nautical threats.

Culture and history

Wine, cruises and wildlife

Hobart is home to one of the most idiosyncratic museums in the world, the Museum of Old and New Art, or MONA, for short.

It’s hard to reconcile the idea of a worldclass avant-garde museum in a city as small and remote as Hobart, but there it is, on a scenic bluff overlooking the River Derwent.

The passion project of David Walsh, a local boy who made good as a professional gambler, MONA is whimsical, disturbing, self-consciously outrageous, immersive, provocative, silly and futuristic.

Its wide-ranging collection includes a word waterfall, a lady’s lounge that only women can enter, and a wall of decidedly un-erotic plaster cast vaginas.

One of my favorite pieces was a room of monitors displaying abstract, computergenerated images and word strings, reminding me of the proverbial monkey typing at random for an infinite amount of time — who would supposedly eventually reproduce the complete works of Shakespeare.

Aside from their architectural significance, the walks in Hobart and Launceston also illuminated Tasmania’s colonial history and roots. For example, Battery Point was the site of an 1818 gun battery to

Tasmania is also renowned for its food and wine, and we took every opportunity to indulge. Most notable were the oysters, often only a couple of hours from the sea.

My wife, the wine expert in our household, raved about the wine she sampled and said it was among the best she has ever had.

In Launceston, we took a one-hour boat cruise (cataractgorgecruise.com) along the Tamar River, past the historical wharves and the seaport, then glided silently below the sheer cliffs of Cataract Gorge, just a short walk outside of the city.

Tasmania won’t rival Africa, or even the United States, for wildlife, but most of the fauna that roams its hills, mountains, and forest is fascinating and unique.

Katharine and I admired the wallaby, a diminutive and cuter version of its cousin, the kangaroo.

We also saw a couple of hedgehog-like wombats, which are even smaller and cuter than wallabies, and lots of black swans, abundant in Tasmania.

Thankfully, we saw no snakes, which are as venomous in Tasmania as they are on the mainland. Apparently, they want as See TASMANIA, page 13

12

Leisure & Travel | Subscribe online! See how on p. 14

JULY 2024 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Those pesky travel contracts are gotchas Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t tunity to negotiate. And they often require mean they’re not out to get you. that you relinquish your access to some or When everything goes acall of your usual contractual cording to plan, the travel inrights. dustry routinely delivers Your obligation, as a buyer, value for your money, and you is generally cast in concrete: don’t notice much else. But You pay. But sellers’ contracts when anything goes south, have a lot of wiggle room, and the travel industry is, in fact, they typically include condioften out to get you. tions that limit your options The basic business model of when something goes wrong. most travel is stacked against consumers. And one of the TRAVEL TIPS A deck stacked against you weapons suppliers like to use is By Ed Perkins your contract.

For instance: When you buy a ticket, rent a room, buy • Cruise lines and tour operators enjoy a cruise, rent a car, or pay for just about wide latitude in altering itineraries and any travel service, you automatically ac- ports without your right to a refund. Tour cept that supplier’s standard contract that operators reserve the right to substitute governs legal responsibility for both buyer hotels of “equal or higher” rating — yeah, right. and seller.

• Suppliers often limit refunds to credit But travel contracts are contracts of adhesion — ones which you have no oppor- toward future use rather than cash —

Cars, boats, furniture, antiques, tools, appliances Everything and anything is sold on

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OPE E NS JUNE E 21

often with an unacceptably short validity period. A lot of people on a canceled cruise might have trouble using a future credit within six months.

• Many contracts require that you sign away the right to sue the supplier in any court or to join a class-action suit. Instead, they require you to submit any complaint to arbitration rather than using a court. And binding arbitration is notoriously biased against consumers and in favor of suppliers.

• If a contract doesn’t require arbitration, it often includes a “forum” clause limiting the court venues open to you for redress. In the best cases, that’s a court in the supplier’s primary U.S. location, typically Florida for cruise lines. In the worst case, it’s overseas somewhere.

A travel dispute is frequently complicated further by the facts that (1) you typically pay in full before you even start using the service, so the supplier has your money, and (2) when you hit a snag during a trip, you need an immediate fix.

Being in the right legally doesn’t help much when you arrive at a hotel late at night and no rooms are available.

Promises are often empty

Many suppliers make promises or what appear to be promises in their brochures and schedules. But only air travelers enjoy substantial federal government protections with enforcement.

In the other segments of the industry,

those promises — even if they’re included in the contract — are hollow for one big reason: They lack any provision for enforcement.

Take the cruise industry as an example.

The Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) touts a “bill of rights” that promises a wide range of travelers’ rights. But its fatal flaw is that it makes no provision for a cruise line’s obligation when it fails to deliver on these rights.

And the hotel, tour, rental car, and others don’t even have a stated industry standard set of promises, let alone “what happens when we fail” practices.

Unfortunately, options for redress are not great. When a problem occurs during a trip, nobody or nothing can, in tort law words, “make you whole.” You can’t unfoul a fouled-up trip.

At best, you can try to get monetary compensation for your hassle and maybe to cover what you had to spend to save as much of your trip as possible.

I’ll end with my number-one rule: Pay as little as possible up front. You’re automatically at a disadvantage as soon as a supplier has your money.

And avoid non-refundables when you can: Paying a few dollars more for a reservation you don’t have to pay for until after you’ve used it removes a lot of risk.

Email Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net or visit his rail travel website at railguru.com. © 2023 Ed Perkins. Distributed

by Tribune Content Agency LLC.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2024

Tasmania From page 11

little to do with us as we with them.

Encounters with Tasmanian devils are also rare. Primarily nocturnal, they are the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial. We could have seen them if we had signed up for the After Dark Feeding Tour at the Tasmanian devil sanctuary at Cradle Mountain (devilsatcradle.com), but to be frank, we were too pooped after our Dove Lake hike to venture out after dinner.

If we had more time

Besides the After Dark Tasmanian Devil Feeding Tour, we would have also tried some easier hikes at Cradle Mountain. In Launceston, we might have taken a short walk into Cataract Gorge to see the gorge from the top of the cliffs.

For a different perspective on Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park, and one that would have required far less effort, we could have taken a boat cruise (wineglassbaycruises.com.au), or if we wanted to splurge, a helicopter tour (freycinetair.com.au).

It is only 60 miles from Hobart to the

FROM PAGE 14 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

Port Arthur Historic Site, the former penal colony on the coast where convicted British criminals arrived in Tasmania in the middle of the 19th century. The Convict Trail, as the route to Port Arthur is known, is both historic and scenic.

Bruny Island, where “dramatic landscapes are matched by great produce” (discovertasmania.com.au), is just a 30-minute drive and 20 minutes by ferry from Hobart.

One week was just not enough time to do Tasmania justice. I’m not sure I’ll get back there again, but if I do, it will be for at least a week and a half or two — enough time to take more hikes, eat more oysters, check out the Tasmanian devils, and just sit back and gaze at the spectacular scenery.

If you go

Round trip airfare from Washingtonarea airports to Hobart is about $1,600 on United and Qantas with two stops, including one in either Sydney or Melbourne.

We booked all our hotels on hotels.com and stayed at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Hobart for $161 a night; the Cradle Mountain Hotel for $249; the Mantra Charles Hotel in Launceston for $124; the Panorama Hotel in St. Helens for $124; and

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Café and snacked on oysters at Pearl and Co. on the waterfront at Victoria Dock.

For more information, visit Tourism Tasmania at tourismtasmania.com.au, which partially sponsored the Mankins’ trip.

BEACON BITS

July 17

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JULY 2024 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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

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