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VOL.19, NO.10
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5 0 OCTOBER 2022
More than 125,000 readers throughout Greater Baltimore
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I N S I D E … BALTIMORE BEACON — OCTOBER 2022
COURTESY OF CYCLING SENIORS OF BALTIMORE
Makes a great gift!
SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION
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When family caregivers need help By Ana Preger Hart Baltimore County resident Joanne (last name withheld for privacy) spent the last few years finding caregivers for her motherin-law, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s. After she passed away in March, Joanne jumped in to organize care for her father-inlaw. “I’m not going to say it’s a full-time job, but I spend a tremendous amount of time doing, organizing, dealing with insurance issues, medical insurance, long-term care insurance, doctor’s appointments, things like that,” Joanne said in an interview with the Beacon. If you know someone like Joanne, November is the time to show your appreciation. Celebrated every November, National Family Caregivers Month is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers. In 1994 Caregiver Action Network, a nonprofit that provides free education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers, proposed the idea of a caregiver awareness month. President Clinton proclaimed the first National Family Caregivers Month in 1997, and every subsequent president has followed suit by issuing an annual proclamation recognizing and honoring family caregivers in November.
Many Americans are caregivers In the United States, families are the primary source of support for older adults
and people with disabilities. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC), more than 65 million people — 29% of Americans — provide care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend during any given year. They spend an average of 20 hours per week providing unpaid care for their loved ones. The NAC estimates that these “free” services are valued at $375 billion annually. That is almost twice as much as is spent on homecare and nursing home services combined ($158 billion). Approximately 66% of family caregivers are women, and more than 37% have children or grandchildren under 18 years old living with them. Most caregivers also work part time or full time and juggle other responsibilities, thus experiencing conflicts between competing obligations. Research has shown that caregiving takes a significant emotional, physical and financial toll: 40% to 70% of family caregivers have clinically significant symptoms of depression, with approximately a quarter to half meeting the diagnostic criteria for major depression. And with nearly half of all caregivers aged 50 and older, many are vulnerable to a decline in their health. In addition, 47% of working caregivers indicate that an increase in caregiving expenses has caused them to use up all or most of their
P H O T O B Y S A B I N E V A N E R P, P I X A B A Y
By Margaret Foster When Marge Ewertz was working fulltime as a nurse at Johns Hopkins, she started taking Mondays and Fridays off so she could bike with Cycling Seniors of Baltimore County, a group of about 150 bikers who are over age 60. “I had to retire because I was having way too much fun biking,” Ewertz said. Now 70, she rides 3,600 miles per year and leads fellow bikers on rides each month. “I love the Cycling Seniors because it’s such a diverse group. It’s fun to find out what people did before they retired. We communicate when we ride,” she said. “It’s just fun to meet people with all different backgrounds.” We humans are social beings by nature. Indeed, scientists announced three years ago that loneliness is as bad for our health as smoking cigarettes or being obese. Another large study in 2018 found that loneliness increases the risk of dementia by 40 percent. But it’s not always easy to make connections with others, particularly with COVID still in the background. Fortunately, many clubs and social groups in our area are available to boost both mood and health. Most clubs welcome people of all ages, and regular attendance isn’t required.
Millions of Americans provide round-the-clock care for their older or disabled family members. Home care agencies can step in to help families cope.
savings. Coordinated support services, like those promoted in November, can reduce caregiver depression, anxiety, and stress.
Caregiving is a full-time job Joanne is grateful that her father-in-law has long-term care insurance, but paperwork builds up, she said. “The major thing is trying to find agen-
LIFE PLAN COMMUNITY
cies that will be more than the liaison but will handle the billing so that I don’t have to spend the next five years, or however long, dealing with the insurance company,” Joanne said. “Another problem is finding an agency that has aides that you like. It’s not so See CAREGIVER, page 12
LIFE PLAN COMMUNITY
Charlestown 1-800-222-9651
Oak Crest 1-800-333-5693
715 Maiden Choice Lane Catonsville, MD 21228 CharlestownCommunity.com
8820 Walther Boulevard Parkville, MD 21234 www.OakCrestCommunity.com
The Best of Everything is at Charlestown Experience the finest in maintenance-free senior living at our beautiful 110-acre campus. You’ll enjoy resort-style amenities, clubs and activities, delicious dining, and services that promote your health and well-being, including on-site medical care for every stage of your life. Our stylish apartment homes feature modern finishes and floorplans to suit every need. Our predictable Monthly Service Package takes the guesswork out of managing your expenses, because almost everything is included. And our 90% Refundable Entrance Fee* means your legacy is protected. Call 1-800-222-9651 to request your free brochure or to arrange an in-person or virtual tour.
Experience Vibrant Living at Oak Crest A warm, welcoming environment. Modern apartment homes with contemporary finishes. Resort-style amenities. Clubs and activities for engaged living. All of this and more awaits you at Oak Crest, a beautiful 87-acre senior community nestled in Baltimore County. You’ll enjoy maintenance-free living with a predictable Monthly Service Package that includes virtually all services. Our 90% Refundable Entrance Fee* provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones. And should you ever need them, advanced care options are available right on campus. We’d love to send you a free brochure and answer your questions. Please call 1-800-333-5693 today.
*Carefully read the Residence and Care Agreement for the conditions that must be satisfied before the Provider is required to pay the Entrance Fee Refund.
*Carefully read the Residence and Care Agreement for the conditions that must be satisfied before the Provider is required to pay the entrance fee refund
SEE SPECIAL INSERT Housing & Homecare Options following page 10
Hiking Around Baltimore The 20-year-old group Hiking Around Baltimore, for instance, has some members who are in their 30s and some who are in their late 70s. Hikes range from easy to difficult. Retiree Greg Eder, who joined Hiking Around Baltimore in 2010 and now is a hike leader, has made many friends through the club — and even met a girlfriend on the trail.
Bikers over 60 ride together with Cycling Seniors of Baltimore County, above. The group offers rides of various levels of difficulty several times a month throughout the metro area. Joining local social groups — from pickleball clubs to online chats — can improve one’s mental and physical health.
“The older you get, the harder it is to meet people,” said Eder, who lives in Ellicott City. “People sometimes are intimidated coming to something for the first time, but in general, no one wants to hike alone,” Eder said. “There’s security in hik-
ing in a group. You don’t have to worry about getting lost.” During the pandemic, hiking has remained a safer way to be around people.
STYLE & ARTS
Daytime talk show host and Emmy winner Tamron Hall is thriving in her new TV role page 19
See CLUBS page 20
Compassionate, reliable home care for more than 50 years
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