Home money pits that sap your savings
There are so many expenses associated with paying the bills for a home that it is easy to miss money leaks that are costing you big dollars. Putting a plug into these leaks can make a big difference in your budget.From old-school thermostats to faulty plumbing, here are some of the top money-pits to watch for:1. Old School ThermostatsI recently replaced my 1980s-era thermostat with a new... READ MORE
Innovative housing options are on the rise
Volunteer resident members from CSI Support & Development Maryland Region Co-Op apartments enjoy "A Day of Art" presented by Abrakadoodle at Highlandtown Plaza Co-Op on Feb. 6.Photo courtesy of CSITraditionally, housing options offered older adults were a choice between living alone, which often meant growing increasingly isolated; moving in with their kids; or moving to a... READ MORE
Opposing views on immigration
Should Howard County become a “sanctuary” for immigrants, where county employees, including police and other law enforcers, would be barred from volunteering to work with federal officials on immigration matters or inquiring about the immigration status of those they encounter in their official duties? That’s the hot topic question that county officials and residents alike are... READ MORE
Many upsides to downsizing
Roberta and Ira Greenstein had never lived in a city. So when they started to consider downsizing four years ago, they thought downtown Baltimore might be just the spot for them. In short order they sold their four-bedroom Columbia home, purchased a two-bedroom condominium in Fells Point, and have wholeheartedly embraced this new stage in their lives. While many people have intense... READ MORE
Use a gentle touch in helping hoarders
The moment the elevator doors opened, the stench was overpowering. Eyes watered, nostrils burned, fight or flight impulses activated.We hadn’t even gotten into the apartment yet — the trash was crammed so tightly floor to ceiling it was nearly impossible to open the door. Inside: Narrow paths from room to room. Boxes filled with junk mail, old newspapers, invitations to... READ MORE
Residents who look beyond themselves
Today, so many retirement communities take such good care of their residents, you might think they were waited on hand and foot, as my mother liked to say.Restaurant-style dining, a plethora of clubs and activities, pools, golf courses and state-of-the-art exercise facilities, movie theaters, beauty salons — you name it, and there are places that offer it.But a seldom-heralded benefit ... READ MORE
Convert a spare room into a dream closet
Longing for a bigger closet?The simplest way to convert a small room is by lining the walls with clothing racks on wheels and with free-standing wire shelving units. You can customize the space by adding colorful bins and baskets.To fill the center of a room that Sherrod converted to a closet, she brought in two large bureaus of the same height and arranged them back-to-back. She had a... READ MORE
A variety of affordable housing options
Dorothy Tolliver has been living at Weinberg House for almost 11 years and couldn’t be happier. The former government employee, who is now 80, had been living in another senior residence in downtown Baltimore but wanted to be closer to her family. She now enjoys her one-bedroom apartment and the convenience of the Pikesville neighborhood. “I’m right across the street from the Giant ... READ MORE
Another option: find a caregiver online
Thanks to the internet, finding a caregiver privately is easier than ever. Instead of wading through the local paper or taking out advertisements, some websites now offer online services that match clients with caregivers. Online services are similar to an agency’s, but are generally less expensive. Private caregiving is not covered by Medicare, however, and sometimes not by long-term... READ MORE
Many sources provide home care workers
Home care providers can come from a variety of sources — whether agencies, direct hire, or through online services. Here are descriptions of the differences between various types of home care agencies.Independent providers are nurses, therapists, aides, homemakers and companions who are privately employed by individuals who need such services.Aides, homemakers, chore workers and... READ MORE
