DC Housing News — April 2023

By Beacon Staff
Posted on April 07, 2023

New community open in Waldorf In February, a new senior living community opened in Waldorf, Maryland, 45 minutes south of Washington, D.C. Harmony at Waldorf has studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. The community offers three levels of care: 78 independent living apartments, 67 assisted living units, and 38 memory care rooms. “We have some of the largest floorplans in the... READ MORE

What do independent living sites offer?

By Scott Witt and Taylor Shuman, SeniorLiving.org
Posted on April 06, 2023

You have a dilemma. The home where you raised your children, the place you came home to for 30 years, and the yard you manicured, is now too much to manage. You no longer have the desire to weed the flower bed, lug the vacuum upstairs, and listen to your neighbor’s car stereo booming at night. But maybe the memories of this place stretch your entire adult life. Your kids took their... READ MORE

Volunteers perform needed home repairs

By Glenda C. Booth
Posted on April 05, 2023

Awad Tanios, a double amputee, did not have an accessible bathroom or shower and could not get to the second floor of his townhouse in Montgomery Village, Maryland, so he slept in his living room. Now, thanks to a nonprofit, Tanios has a customized chair lift to bring him to his second-floor bathroom, where he can access a new shower with his wheelchair. A Maryland retiree was living ... READ MORE

Workshops help residents tell life stories

By Margaret Foster
Posted on April 04, 2023

There’s power in telling your story. Last fall, at Brooke Grove Retirement Village in Sandy Spring, Maryland, a group of residents listened to each other’s life stories at an event led by a speaker from the nonprofit Story Tapestries. “People loved the opportunity to share their voice as well as listen,” said Arianna Ross, founder and CEO of Story Tapestries Inc., based in... READ MORE

Baltimore Housing News — April 2023

By Beacon Staff
Posted on April 03, 2023

Getting their goats at Inspirations Memory Care Two pygmy goats were born this winter at Inspirations Memory Care of Westminster, Maryland. More baby goats are on the way this spring at the farm-like six-acre community, which also has alpacas and chickens. Residents can feed, pet and hold the goats. “It’s animal therapy,” explained Christina Green, executive director of regional... READ MORE

When your adult child moves back home

By Kimberly Palmer
Posted on January 18, 2023

When Amanda Claypool was 28, she left a government contracting job in Washington, D.C., and moved back to her parents’ house in upstate New York while she figured out her next step. Then the pandemic struck, and her temporary return lasted longer than she’d planned. Living with her parents for several months “helped give me more flexibility to pivot to a new career,” said... READ MORE

Are heat pumps or solar panels better?

By Ben Demers
Posted on January 13, 2023

Solar panels or a heat pump? Both can improve your home’s energy efficiency, reduce your carbon footprint and, crucially, save you money on your energy bills. Heat pumps use electricity to extract heat from the air and pump it into your home. This thermal energy can be used to heat your water supply and keep your home warm. Heat pumps produce so much thermal energy that they can... READ MORE

The role of a geriatric care manager

By Joel Theisen, RN
Posted on January 11, 2023

It can happen in an instant. One day your dad is living on his own, independent and mostly healthy despite advancing age. The next he’s in bed with a broken something, dependent on his grown children, and forced to move into a long-term care facility because you don’t have time to research alternatives. I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve seen it happen hundreds of times. Dad ... READ MORE

Many benefits of intergenerational living

By Glenda C. Booth
Posted on January 10, 2023

In Fairfax City, a unique apartment complex is being built adjacent to the George Mason University (GMU) campus. Named One University, it will open in the summer of 2024 with 333 units for college students, 120 units for families, and 120 units for people over age 62. One University’s 10.8-acre site will have multi-family and senior apartments for people and families earning up to 60... READ MORE

Where family caregivers can find support

By Beth Albaneze
Posted on January 06, 2023

Few experiences in life are more difficult than caring for a loved one who is in mental decline, who is unstable, or who requires long-term care. Most family caregivers aren’t trained and don’t have any outside support, and it’s easy to imagine how overwhelming that situation would be. But give yourself a break: Do not take every burden upon yourself, or you’ll risk developing... READ MORE