How ‘smart’ devices can make life easier
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
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
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
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
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
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
10 questions to help choose a community
Choosing the right senior living community that aligns with your vision can be challenging. Whether you’re looking to simplify your lifestyle or get the care that you need to thrive, you may struggle to navigate the many options out there. To help you focus your research and planning, here are 10 questions to ask when trying to find the perfect community for you: What care levels... READ MORE
Home modification tips for aging in place
Dear Savvy Senior, My wife and I would like to make some affordable changes to our home so we can remain living there for as long as possible. Can you recommend some good resources that can help us determine what all we need to consider? —Getting Old Dear Getting, Many older adults, like you and your wife, want to stay living in their own home for as long as possible. But being... READ MORE
Reasons to move sooner rather than later
A survey conducted by myLifeSite, the company I founded in 2011, uncovered some interesting information about prospective residents of life plan communities, formerly called continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). One of the survey questions that was particularly revealing was about people’s reasons for delaying a move to a community. Respondents were asked to choose up to... READ MORE
Baltimore Housing News — April 2022
New Continuing Care at Home program Many older adults hope to live in their homes as long as possible, but maintaining a house can be difficult. Now The Wesley at Home, a nonprofit established in 1867 to serve older adults in the Baltimore area, is seeking licensure to offer a new option for those in Baltimore City and Baltimore County: the Continuing Care at Home (CCaH)... READ MORE
