How area villages protect their members
The pandemic has its silver linings. Last month, for instance, a group of older adults in Arlington, Virginia, toured D.C. embassies without leaving their homes. The free tour, organized by Arlington Neighborhood Village, was a popular event, according to the group’s executive director, Wendy Zenker, with more than 60 attendees. “We had twice as many people joining us on Zoom than ... READ MORE
Home care services: Questions to ask
Home care services range from medical care to help with daily household chores. Whether you’re considering a home care services agency or a home health aide, you might ask these questions about services: —How does the agency train and monitor caregivers? Does the agency provide continuing education? —Are the caregivers licensed, insured and accredited? —Do the agency’s... READ MORE
Retired? Good luck getting a mortgage
Just before James Heath (name changed for privacy) retired, he began the search for the home where he hoped to spend his senior years. Heath, 70, certainly had the means to make the transition. He spent the last 30-some years living in his existing home, a 5,200-square-foot property situated on two acres outside Denver. Throughout his career as a physician, Heath had also accumulated a... READ MORE
Who is renovating during the pandemic?
During the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, some Americans are counting every penny to ensure a roof over their heads, while other homeowners are using this time to renovate their homes. “For some, this recession, like any, is also a good time to get good deals on many desirable consumption goods and services if [they] have the money and ability to do so,” said... READ MORE
Adjust your home to prevent falls
Every day in the United States 5,000 adults age 65 and above are hospitalized due to fall-related injuries. But falls are not a normal part of aging — they can be prevented. Common fall risks include: having fallen before, balance problems or problems walking, muscle weakness, arthritis, depression, memory problems, hazards in the home, taking many medications and vision... READ MORE
Some practical downsizing, moving tips
Moving is stressful, especially when it involves downsizing from a home you’ve lived in for years. Yet many of us plan to do just that. According to the Demand Institute, four out of 10 Boomers plan to move, and 42% of these expect to move into a smaller home. If the decision to downsize is keeping you up at night, you are in good company. With the right planning and support, your... READ MORE
When the insurer denies your valid claim
You’d think if you had an all-risk insurance policy, your home or business would be covered for just about anything, right? Wrong. There are always exclusions and gray areas, and in these cases, how you deal with a claims adjuster “can be the difference between receiving compensation or a denial letter,” said San Francisco-based attorney Daniel J. Veroff. Veroff specializes in... READ MORE
Tricky balancing caregiving and working
For the past three years, Paula Gomes said that she has sometimes felt she is working two full-time jobs: her human resources position at Emory University in Atlanta, and her role as a caregiver to her mother and mother-in-law. “There’s just a lot to learn” when you become a caregiver, said Gomes, 60, executive director of Emory’s Faculty Staff Assistance Program. “You’re... READ MORE
Communities addressing racial justice
Last June, after four Minneapolis police officers were charged in the murder of an unarmed black man named George Floyd, many Americans became upset by police brutality, particularly against minorities. Some marched in rallies, and others displayed signs on their lawns or windows. At Broadmead, a Life Plan Community in Cockeysville, residents began talking about racial justice. First, ... READ MORE
Communities expand use of technology
The rapid spread of the coronavirus is quickly dispelling the idea that older adults won’t use and can’t understand advanced technology. Several senior living communities in the D.C. area are implementing new technological innovations, or are relying more heavily on established ones, due to the isolation imposed in response to the pandemic. “These perceived boundaries of seniors with ... READ MORE
