Protect your home from deed, title theft
Q: I keep seeing ads for services claiming to protect people from home title fraud or deed theft. Is this even a prevalent problem? Is there an easy way for me to confirm that my title is clean rather than paying for a service? A: In 2008, the FBI identified “house stealing” as the “latest scam on the block.” Since then, it has popped up periodically in cities such as Chicago,... READ MORE
How ‘solo agers’ can stay happy and safe
Retirement coach Sara Zeff Geber visited several Northern California assisted living facilities to interview “solo agers” — people, either single or coupled, who don’t have children to help them as they grow older. At many facilities, she couldn’t find any. That puzzled her until she realized that adult children are often the ones pushing the move into long-term care... READ MORE
Planning too early beats failing to plan
When we were growing up, we were always told to be prepared. Do your homework when you get home from school instead of waiting until midnight, and many other logical preparations. I had a very unstable childhood. We moved around a lot. I was always adjusting to a new school, trying to make new friends. My parents both loved me, but they didn’t love each other. Being prepared ahead... READ MORE
Finding the right home healthcare aide
When it comes to home-care workers — the aides who provide in-home personal assistance and healthcare support to seniors — Brenda Case has seen it all. Case, age 55, a real estate agent in Grand Junction, Colorado, was for several years a full-time caregiver for her mother, who had severe rheumatoid arthritis. And in that time, a constantly rotating cast of home care workers came in... READ MORE
Villages help residents stay independent (DC Edition)
As the saying goes, there’s no place like home. Three out of four adults over 50 want to remain in their homes as they age, according to AARP’s 2018 Home and Community Preferences Survey. Furthermore, a majority of adults surveyed said they would be interested in joining a so-called “village” — a nonprofit supported by volunteers who provide services that help residents “age... READ MORE
Should you move or stay once retired?
Now that I’m retired, people often ask me if I’m planning to move. The short answer: Not anytime soon. My husband and I live in a location that’s easily accessible to activities, friends and family members, both near and far. Our house is large enough to accommodate out-of-town guests but not so big that we rattle around in it. Our mortgage is paid off, and I don’t have a burning... READ MORE
Making retirement safer for LGBTQ elders
Moving into an assisted living facility can be a difficult transition. It is even harder, however, for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer) older adults, who have faced discrimination all of their lives. Cecelia Hayden Smith, a retired drug and alcohol counselor from Essex, hasn’t moved into a continuing care community yet. She’s heard stories about friends in nursing ... READ MORE
Back yard ‘granny pods’ address a need
Remember the above-garage apartment Fonzie rented from the Cunninghams on TV’s “Happy Days”? Today that would be termed an “accessory dwelling unit” (ADU), or a small residence with a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom located on the same single-family lot as a larger house. Accessory dwelling units have been around for centuries, starting perhaps with carriage houses. In recent... READ MORE
Villages help residents stay independent (Baltimore Edition)
As the saying goes, there’s no place like home. Three out of four adults over 50 want to remain in their homes as they age, according to AARP’s 2018 Home and Community Preferences Survey. Furthermore, a majority of adults surveyed said they would be interested in joining a so-called “village” — a nonprofit supported by volunteers who provide services that help residents “age... READ MORE
Beacon celebrates 20th year of 50+Expos
For the past 20 years, the Beacon newspaper has been providing free community education events every fall for readers and their families. Known as the 50+Expos, they are held in both suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia for the convenience of residents throughout the metro area. Between the two events, more than 100 informative exhibitors will provide giveaways and helpful... READ MORE
Housing 2024
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