Survey: How we feel about aging in place

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar
Posted on June 27, 2022

The older you are, the less you fret about aging in your own home or community. That’s a key insight from a new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, which found that U.S. adults ages 65 or older feel much better prepared to “age in place” than those 50 to 64, who are mostly still in the final stretches of their working years. The poll also documented... READ MORE

What can you do with boxes in the attic?

By Margaret Foster
Posted on June 23, 2022

Preserve, share good memories while downsizing If you’ve ever tried to clear out your attic, basement or garage, you’ve likely unearthed treasures you’ll never be able to part with. Your wedding album, for one thing. Or yellowing scrapbooks, loose photographs, VHS tapes and slide carousels. What exactly should you do with these items that represent precious memories of a life... READ MORE

Sources that cover long-term care costs

By Harry S. Margolis
Posted on April 28, 2022

This story was originally published on Nextavenue.org. The state of Washington is taking steps to fill a huge gap in our country’s patchwork long-term care system. Beginning this year, workers in that state must pay 58 cents of every $100 they earn into a fund to help pay their long-term care costs in the future. In 2025, those Washington state residents who have paid in for at... READ MORE

Your vacation home needs an estate plan

By Tracy Craig and Emily Parker Beekman
Posted on April 26, 2022

Do you have a treasured second home, summer property or another vacation residence that your family enjoys? Have you thought about what happens to this beloved property when you die? If you do not plan appropriately and thoughtfully, problems may arise when you are gone. In fact, problems are almost unavoidable when emotional attachment mixes with family relationships. Planning can help ... READ MORE

How ‘smart’ devices can make life easier

By Jackie Stewart
Posted on April 21, 2022

Hank Norsworthy was tired of having to walk down a dark hallway to get to bed. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 40 years ago, he uses a rollator (a walker with wheels) to get around. After several friends adopted smart home technology to automate certain features, he decided to give it a try. He bought an Echo Dot as well as some smart lightbulbs and smart plugs to help automate his... READ MORE

Some countries where it’s easy to retire

By InternationalLiving.com
Posted on April 19, 2022

While a huge part of the adventure and challenge of moving abroad involves becoming immersed in a new culture, exploring the unknown and navigating a new language, having access to home comforts and people who speak English can help transform an overseas destination into a forever home. Things like the friendliness of the locals, the size of the expat community, activities on offer, and... READ MORE

After a fire, how to deal with insurance

By H. Dennis Beaver
Posted on April 14, 2022

Two of my readers, “Anna” and “Danny,” woke up early one morning when their carbon monoxide (CO) detector went off, notifying them of a fire. “It was a smoldering ceiling fire in our attic with little smoke, but which created carbon monoxide. Our CO detector woke us from a deep sleep, giving us time to call 911. Only a small bathroom and laundry area off of the kitchen were... READ MORE

Sharing home benefits owner and tenant

By Margaret Foster
Posted on April 08, 2022

After living alone in her 1,600-square-foot house for decades, Susan (a retiree whose last name is withheld for privacy) decided to roll out the welcome mat at her home in Silver Spring, Maryland. She started renting her spare room to medical students about 10 years ago. Now she rents her room to people over age 60 through a new program called Montgomery County Home Sharing. “It’s ... READ MORE

DC Housing News — April 2022

By Beacon Staff
Posted on April 06, 2022

New community opens soon in Olney, Md. A new retirement community in Olney, Maryland is “getting close” to opening, according to its executive director, Amy Rader. Located on 37 acres near a golf course, Cadence at Olney has 88 independent-living and assisted-living apartments; 41 of those are for residents needing memory care. Independent living apartments come in studio, one-... READ MORE

More couples move to assisted living

By Catherine Brown
Posted on April 05, 2022

When Arlene Fingerhut was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2020, her family members weren’t surprised. “When I got the official diagnosis and had to tell my children, I said, ‘Guess what else I inherited from Grandma?’” Arlene, now 79, said in an interview with the Beacon. “My daughter answered right away: ‘Parkinson’s.’” In many ways, Arlene’s life stayed ... READ MORE