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5 Reasons Why 
Leisure World of Maryland Is 
a Great Place to Live

 Many happy residents confirm that Leisure World of Maryland is so much more than the embodiment of the active senior lifestyle. A safe and secure community with security gates.  Its rich diversity may just make it the ideal retirement choice for active seniors.

Here are the five reasons why:

1) Leisure World Transportation Service.

You will enjoy the convenience of a transportation system that travels throughout the community on a frequent schedule. You can travel from building to building, or to the local shopping centers.  A WDC Metro bus is also available at the main gate entrance.

2) Recreational and educational activities for everyone.

Enjoy golfing, swimming, theater, the performing arts, tennis, walking paths, clubhouses, fitness center and a myriad of other stimulating recreational opportunities.

3) A vast selection of building styles and pricing.

Whatever your life-style preference, it’s probably available in this diverse community.  Choose from patio homes with attached garage, garden style, townhomes, or hi-rise style buildings.

4) Excellent health care.

Combine the convenience of the Leisure World Medical Center facility and major medical facilities such as Montgomery Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital, and Shady Grove Hospital, quality healthcare is available. The Medical Center located within Leisure World offers a wide selection of physicians, dentists and other specialists and medical practitioners and a pharmacy.

5) All inclusive facilities available.

Many people when they retire want to downsize from a large home where they have raised their families to a smaller place that is more manageable and yet allows them the freedom to live an active lifestyle.  

Show Your Seniority! $5.00 Movies for Seniors at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, MD

$5.00 Movies for Seniors 
Monday - Friday
Before 6:00 PM

Begins August 15

The Movies at Montgomery Mall
7101 Democracy Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20817
P: 301.469.6000

Westfield Montgomery is conveniently located near the intersection of I-270 and I-495 in Bethesda.

For more information call 301-469-5180 or
visit online at www.themoviesat.com

What I Love about Leisure World of Maryland

1.   Selection
Whatever you prefer, there are a variety of different types of housing styles to choose from including: Patio Homes, Garden Style (1-4 floors), Mid-rise (1-8 floors), Hi-rise (1-10 floors), Townhouses and Larger Executive Style Detached Homes.

2.   Amenities
This appealing 55+ senior community offers so much to choose in activities, clubs, restaurants, 18-hole golf, medical center, clubhouses, church, swimming pools, fitness center, transportation within and outside.  You enter Leisure World through 3 secure, manned gates that allow you the comfort of living in an extremely safe community.  In addition, Leisure World Plaza shopping just outside the main gate is convenient to all residents for a variety of shopping and services.

3.   Pricing
There‘s a home for every price range in Leisure World.  From the lowest $43,000 for a 1 bedroom / 1 bathroom, interior 635 square feet Coop in Montgomery Mutual to $789,000 for a 4 bedroom / 2.5 bathroom Executive-style Detached Home in Regency.

4.   Location
Conveniently located in Montgomery County just a few miles from Glenmont Metro. The Metro bus picks up within Leisure World at Clubhouse 1.  Easy access off Georgia Avenue (Rt. 97) to the beltway (I-495/I-95), shopping malls, hospitals, concert halls, and more.

5.   Diversity
Leisure World residents enjoy a variety of lifestyles within this 55+ age group.  Some residents are still working full-time, semi-retired, fully retired and volunteering in the community.  From small art classes and book groups to active sports minded individuals, there is truly something for everyone.

Contact Barbara Michaluk, Realtor to find out more details about the homes for sale or rent in Leisure World of Maryland. Phone 240-506-2434

Planning for Power Outages This Winter is Especially Important for Seniors
and Individuals Who Use Life-Support Equipment

Everyone should plan for emergencies during the winter months. 
Each individual must take responsibility and have a contingency plan ready for potentially long-lasting service interruptions in power.

Here are some steps you can take during the winter:

• Make arrangements ahead of time.  Identify a relative, friend or neighbor who you can stay with if you lose power.
• Make a "Storm kit." Include battery-operated radio or television, flashlight, first aid kit, battery- powered clock, extra batteries, insulated cooler, emergency phone numbers.
• Keep 5-7 day supply of nonperishable foods and bottled water.
• Check your supplies of medications.
• Gather supplies for your pet.
• Make sure you have a telephone or cell phone to use.

Emergency Phone Numbers for Pepco in Montgomery County, Maryland:

Pepco
Power Out 1-877-727-2662

Customer Service 202-833-7500

AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM - Helping Your Parents Stay Mobile

You can help your parents and loved ones continue to drive safely, assess their own driving abilities, and find other means of transportation if driving is no longer an option.

Here are some steps to take to ensure a loved one stays safe on the road:

1. Assess the person's driving abilities. Recent accidents or traffic tickets could signal a problem. Try to drive with your loved one, or ask someone else to observe. This will give you information so that you can be specific when you discuss driving with your loved one. Some community groups offer to assess older people's driving abilities by having a volunteer ride along. 
2. Watch for warning signs. Are you observing these behaviors? 
   a. Changing lanes without signaling
   b. Going through stop signs or red lights
   c. Reacting slowly
   d. Problems seeing road signs or traffic signals
   e. Straying into other lanes
   f. Going too fast or too slow for safety
   g. Exhibiting problems making turns at intersections, especially left turns
   h. Performing jerky stops or starts
3. Discuss driver safety with your loved ones. Ask your parent or loved one to consider personal abilities (vision, hearing, reaction time, and flexibility) before driving. Ask your loved one what he or she needs to feel comfortable behind the wheel. 
4. Recommend a driving "tune-up." AARP offers its Driver Safety Program to all drivers nationwide. The course is available in classroom or online settings, and there are no tests. To learn more, or to register for the AARP Driver Safety Program, please call toll-free, 1-888-227-7669, or visit www.aarp.org/drive.
5. Check your loved one's car. Does his or her vehicle have the recommended safety features? Can your father still see over the dashboard easily? Do your mother's feet reach the pedals? Are the steering wheel, mirrors, and seats properly adjusted? Are windows and mirrors free of clutter? Is the car in safe operating condition?
6. Help your loved one find other means of transportation. You can help him or her learn how to get around without a car. Work with your loved one to identify the public, private, and community transportation services in your area. These may include public buses, subways, taxis, private drivers for hire, senior transportation services, and voluntary driving services.

How to Get Senior discounts on travel, restaurants, movie theaters, museums, and more

Senior Citizens deserve discounts and many places offer them, but many times you have to ask for them. Here are some discounts you need to know about so you can take advantage of them.

Step 1

Call the airlines or go online to find out about discounted tickets for seniors. Bus and rail carriers also offer discounts.

Step 2

Enjoy the arts on the cheap. Most movie theaters, museums and cultural events offer discounts for seniors.

Step 3

Check if department stores or other retailers have special days or hours for senior discounts. Some stores offer 10 to 15 percent off during those times.

Step 4

Ask about early-bird specials, senior menus or senior discounts before you order a meal at a restaurant or fast-food chain.

Step 5

Explore the outdoors. For a small fee, seniors can get a Golden Age Passport, which gives them a lifetime pass to all U.S. national parks. Go to NPS.gov and click on "Info Zone" for details.

Step 6

Contact city hall or a senior center to find local discounts, including public transportation, salons, barbers, pharmacies and grocery stores.

Step 7

Join the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP.org) to qualify for more senior discounts if you are 50 years old or older.

Check out these websites for more information about Senior Discounts:

 AARP - Official Site

Join AARP Today for Discounts on Travel, Insurance & Much More!

www.AARP.org

Senior Cell Phone Plans

Easy cell plans for seniors. AARP discounts and more. Learn more.

www.ConsumerCellular.com

Senior People Meet

Meet Other Seniors. Profile, Pics and Videos. Find Your Perfect Match

www.SeniorPeopleMeet.com

Safety Tip for Seniors - Protect Yourself From Falls

Let's face it - Life is too precious for any of us to take our safety for granted. We must think actively about eliminating or reducing safety risks. We must plan our response to events we hope willnever take place.

Protecting Yourself From Falls

Falls are the #1 risk to safety experienced by seniors. More than one-third of all seniors fall each year. Approximately 10% of these falls results in an injury that requires medical attention.

Contact Montgomery County Fire & Rescue at 240-777-2430 to request a FREE FALLS PREVENTION CHECKLIST.  Use it to help identify and minimize hazards in your home.

Winter Driving Safety Tips for Seniors

Driving in Snow and Ice

The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it.

Don't go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.

If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared, and that you know how to handle road conditions.

It's helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you're familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner's manual for tips specific to your vehicle.

Driving safely on icy roads

1.       Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.

2.       Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.

3.       Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.

4.       Keep your lights and windshield clean.

5.       Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.

•6.       Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.

7.       Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.

8.       Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.

9.       Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid...

1.       Take your foot off the accelerator.

2.       Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.

3.       If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.

4.       If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.

5.       If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse - this is normal.

If your front wheels skid...

1.       Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.

2.       As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck...

1.       Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.

2.       Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.

3.       Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.

4.       Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.

5.       Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.

6.       Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first - it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

Sources: National Safety Council, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Washington State Government Information & Services

 Senior Services in Montgomery County, Maryland

 http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/sentmpl.asp?url=/content/PIO/senior/index.asp

Looking for services for seniors in Montgomery County, MD? This website is designed to provide information on County services in one easy-to-find place. The Montgomery County Senior Site will provide information on a variety of topics.

Check out this comprehensive senior resource website for Montgomery County, MD Seniors including:

1. Consumer Issues
2. Employement
3. Volunteering
4. Health
5. Recreation
6. Libraries
7. Safety
8. Housing
9. Social Support
10. Taxes and Finance
11. Transportation

For telephone assistance and information, call the Senior Resource Line at 240-777-3000.

Senior Trends in Chice of Where To Live

Although many Americans still travel to the south to enjoy their retirement years, studies show that an increasing number of seniors are moving back home to the North.  Other seniors are moving in a more northerly direction but are settling somewhere in the middle. They have become know as "half-backs."   The University of Florida uses the term "temporary migration" to document this trend. It was determined that many of those seniors who moved to Florida went there seeking a change in lifestyle but returned home within six months. Younger families who had moved to Florida were inclined to stay longer.