April 2017
Vol. 44, No. 3
Formerly Senior Focus
Published by The Daily Herald and Senior Services of Snohomish County
Senior Services to launch new brand Page 2
A house filled with pets — and love Page 7
Tips for boosting your recall ability Page 10
Program stimulates seniors with memory issues Page 12
www.homage.org
Walker, 90, keeps on truckin’ Page 13
Columns
PUBLISHED BY THE DAILY HERALD AND HOMAGE SENIOR SERVICES
Husband has a wondrous appreciation for all things ordinary. Page 5
Everett threw a gigantic welcoming party when Old Ironsides visited. Page 6
You can find spirited adventures along the Bourbon Trail. Page 8
Heartburn can indicate you need lifestyle changes or medical help. Page 9
Still considered risky, reverse mortgages draw renewed attention. Page 12
Safeguard your data when preparing to discard a digital device. Page 13
Columns
Washington Watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Savvy Senior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Volunteers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Tech Talk .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Senior Focus is a publication of SENIOR SERVICES OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY 11627 Airport Rd., Suite B Everett, WA 98204-8714
NON PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID SOUND PUBLISHING 98204
Learn about programs and services available to seniors by visiting www. homage.org.
Broadway Plaza.
By Caitlin Tompkins
Herald Writer
Pam Timm is standing door with a cart of brown at his front grocery bags. “She’s my favorite lady,” Mike Kerasotes, 67, said. Timm, 66, delivers meals to him each week. She has been a volunteer with Meals on Wheels for six months. During that time, Kerasotes has battled cancer. “When you get $80 in food stamps, it doesn’t go very far. Without you, I wouldn’t have made it through radiation,” he said to Timm. Last year, Meals on Wheels volunteers
and staff served more than ple throughout the county 1,000 peoof 152,000 meals. Senior — a total Snohomish County has Services of managed the local chapter of Meals on 42 years. Each of the meals Wheels for is approved by a nutritionist. Most are low sodium and have helped diabetics blood sugar under control, keep their said Martha Peppones, director of the nutrition program.
“That’s 60 too many,” Peppones said. “Those are people who still need The program may be facing meals.” tial financial cuts if PresidentsubstanDonald Trump’s proposed budget approved. Nearly half of for 2018 is the program’s funding comes from the ernment through the Olderfederal govAmericans Act and Community Development Block Grants. The grants are removed under the budget slated to be plan. That would affect 150 meal recipients in Snohomish County, Peppones said. “Fortunately, it’s only a proposal,” she
Learn about programs and services available to seniors by visiting www .sssc .org .
Since the program started, been a growing demand. there has Staff were able to bring the waiting list about 300 to 60 people last down from year.
SHIBA volunteers dedicated to guiding Medicare choices Adaptation helps couple battle
Music wellness facilitator Noah Plotkin leads a drumming and singing session with Michael Folio as Cheryl Levin-Folio looks on.
Chicago Tribune
HIGHLAND PARK, Illinois Levin-Folio can’t anticipate — Cheryl milestone of memory loss every new as she and her husband, Michael Folio, navigate his Alzheimer’s disease. Sometimes quick thinking comes in handy, as it did when Michael forgot one day to take off his clothes before stepping into the shower. Rather than correct her husband, Cheryl joined him in the shower with her clothes on
NON PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID SOUND PUBLISHING 98204
(Mark Ukena, Chicago Tribune)
By Rashod Ollison
Homage Senior Services (formerly Senior Services of Snohomish County) sponsors the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisor Program in Snohomish and Skagit counties. The program provides free, unbiased and confidential help with Medicare and health-care choices. Known as SHIBA, it is part of the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Protection Division. The SHIBA program, or SHIP as it is called in other states, started in Washington and became the model for other state health
insurance programs in the nation. Volunteer advisers assist consumers in the following ways: ■ Help them assess their health care coverage needs. ■ Determine eligibility for health care coverage plans and programs. ■ Screen for income guidelines, being mindful of programs that might help them pay for Medicare and help with fraud and general complaints. ■ Talk to Medicare on clients’ behalf. ■ Provide enrollment help when clients first come onto Medicare and annually during open enrollment make referrals to other agencies and programs. SHIBA is a noteworthy program in
for a laugh. “I think the next time we our clothes off,” she gently should take told him. “I made light of it,” she said. “I never correct him. That’s not fair to In the five years since Michael.” Michael Folio was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at age 56, the Park couple has adapted Highland routine many times over. their daily They’d been together for years, but married less than four months, when CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
Music therapy enables stro to regain some languag ke patients e through song
The Virginian-Pilot
By Michelle Frye Homage Senior Services
CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
early-onset Alzheimer’s
By Karen Berkowitz
years, who sits within arm’s reach
of him, nodding. They’re all in a small NORFOLK, Virginia — When the Johnny Cash room inside Fort Norfolk melody frustrates James Medical Center — RodriRodriguez, he chuckles, guez in his wheelchair and shakes his head and says, Bowdish on a low stool sandwiched between “I don’t know.” an Tracy Bowdish gen- imposing keyboard and a tly pushes him, taking computer desk. Bowdish is his hand into hers as she a music therapist with Sentara’s Music and Medicine leans closer and sings in bell-clear perfect pitch lyr- Center. In a promotional ics from “I Walk the Line. clip for the program, she ” The goal is to get Rodri- mentions that her blindguez to find the words, still ness helps her to engage patients, to “see who they a difficult task since Music therapist Tracy J. his Bowdish plays the guitar stroke in summer 2011. are beyond the stroke.” As Bowdish holds Rodri- leads James “Jim Bob” Rodriquez in singing songsand But his progress has been during their session “remarkable,” says San- guez’s hand, singing lyrics in Norfolk, Virginia. at Sentara Neurology Specialists Rodriquez suffered a stroke dra, Rodriguez’s wife of 47 CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 2011 and Bowdish is helping him regain some in speech through music. (Bill Tiernan / The Virginian-Pilot)
that it’s made possible by the dedication of volunteers who receive intensive, ongoing training provided by the Insurance Commissioner’s office and its regional training staff. Volunteers begin by taking two days of basic training and then mentoring with a volunteer who has been with the program five years or longer. New volunteers are typically mentored a minimum of three months, coming once a week for three- to four-hour shifts. They then attend monthly training meetings one day a month and then volunteer once a week. Forty-eight percent of the advisers have been CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
Your help’s needed around the house Some occupants have difficulty keeping up with the demands of yardwork By Nicole Warren Homage Volunteer Manager Are you a community group or corporate organization looking for a meaningful way to give back? Along with the nice weather comes lots of yardwork for most homeowners. When older adults and people with disabilities are unable to keep up with the physical demands of yard work, there is nowhere to turn, no services to help. So Homage Senior Services is calling on the community to fill in the gap. Homage Senior Services recently hosted a group of Wells Fargo employees for a day of service helping clean up the yard of an older adult with mobility issues. Before, the yard was an eyesore to the neighborhood with overgrown blackberry bushes, waist-high weeds and debris scattered across the lawn. The Wells Fargo group immediately got their hands dirty and worked tirelessly mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, cutting down trees and trimming hedges. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Volunteers from Wells Fargo recently spent a day pulling weeds and cleaning up the yard of an older adult with mobility issues. (Homage photo)
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My commitment to our great city: • •
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See more of my vision at my website: judytuohy4mayor.com
Endorsed by Rep. June Robinson Paid for by the Committee to Elect Judy Tuohy for Mayor of Everett, PO Box 12401, Everett, WA 98206
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for Lorna Jenkinson at
| VOL. 44 NO. 6 | JULY 2017
The Focus is a publication of SENIOR SERVICES OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY 11627 Airport Rd ., Suite B Everett, WA 98204-8714
Commentary: Rewrite of health-care bill doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.
Formerly Senior Services of Snohomish County
Savvy Senior . . . . . . . . . . 3 History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Washington Watch . . . . . 6 Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Volunteers . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Tech Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Meals on Wheels volunteer Pam Timm places food (Dan Bates / The Herald) in the refrigerator and freezer
Meals on Wheels’ future uncertain under president’s propos ed budget
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July 2017
Homage
Working later in life can increase benefits By Kirk Larson Social Security Washington Public Affairs Specialist For many Americans, reaching retirement age no longer means the end of an active working life. Many people are choosing to work past 65, according to the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you’re willing and able, maintaining gainful employment later in life could go a long way toward ensuring a secure future for you and your family. Besides providing you with additional income to pay your bills, extending your employment or working for yourself could boost your lifetime Social Security benefits. Here’s how: Waiting to claim your Social Security retirement benefits could grow them by up to 32 percent. Through delayed retirement credits, your monthly benefit amount increases by about 8 percent for each year you wait between your full retirement age and 70. Full retirement age is between 65 and 67, depending on when you were born. To learn more about delayed retirement credits, visit www.ssa.gov/planners/ retire/delayret.html You get credits on your earnings record for each year of additional work income. Once you start
COMMENTARY
Scrutiny of Trumpcare reveals harmful flaws
receiving benefits, Social Security will automatically review your earnings record each year to determine if you’re entitled to an adjustment. When calculating your retirement benefit amount, they use your best 35 years of earnings. Social Security will increase your benefit amount if your new year of earnings are higher than they were in one of the years they used to calculate your initial benefit amount.. To see just how Social Security calculates your benefits, visit www.ssa.gov/ pubs/EN-05-10070.pdf An increased benefit amount for yourself could mean more support for your family, too, through Social Security spousal benefits, child benefits, and survivor benefits. You’re also encouraged to set up your own my Social Security account so you can verify your lifetime earnings record, check the status of an application for benefits, and manage them after you’re receiving them. You can create your personal my Social Security account today at www.ssa. gov/myaccount Social Security is committed to helping you prepare for a secure today and tomorrow for you, your family, and future family. You can access all of its retirement resources www.ssa.gov/planners/ retire
By Rick Larsen U.S. Representative If there were a book on common sense for Congress, I am sure it would include a chapter on holding public committee hearings before voting on legislation. Trumpcare would be a perfect case study: Congressional Republicans found out on May 24, 20 days after ramming Trumpcare through the House, how awful this bill truly is. Shortly after the House vote on Trumpcare, the nonpartisan scorekeeper for congressional legislation, the Congressional Budget Office, released its report detailing the Senate bill’s impact. If this legislation becomes law, 22 million more Americans will lose health insurance over the next decade, and $772 billion of critical federal health-care funding to states will be lost. Under Trumpcare, states will have the power to forgo essential health benefits and make health care for individuals with preexisting conditions unaffordable. That means if you are one of the 25 percent of Washingtonians with a preexisting condition such as diabetes, cancer or heart disease, your premiums could increase dramatically. In addition, insurers will be able to charge their oldest
Let’s be honest — while the rewrite made slight changes, the Senate version does not solve any of the major problems in the House-passed Trumpcare bill. enrollees five times as much as their youngest. What would this look like? A 64-year-old making $26,500 a year could pay up to $16,100 out-of-pocket for insurance under Trumpcare. By comparison, under the Affordable Care Act, that individual only pays $1,700 out-of-pocket. No one can afford to spend more than half an annual salary on health care and nor should anyone have to, especially when the Affordable Care Act is working for so many people in Washington state. After seven years of promising to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, Congressional Republicans, and now President Trump, are treating health-care reform as a political imperative rather than a serious problem that impacts the lives of millions of Americans and needs serious solutions. Maybe that explains why Trumpcare received zero public hearings in the House or Senate. Or why Speaker Paul Ryan pushed Trumpcare
to the House floor before the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office could evaluate the bill’s impact. Or why 13 Republican senators rewrote Trumpcare behind closed doors, without public hearings, female senators or their Democratic colleagues. And let’s be honest — while the rewrite made slight changes, the Senate version does not solve any of the major problems in the Housepassed Trumpcare bill. Both versions would make detrimental cuts to Medicaid (a program that supports our nation’s most vulnerable communities) and significantly raise premiums and slash financial assistance for hard-working families – all to provide major tax cuts to the wealthy and big businesses. Additionally, Trumpcare would eliminate vital protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen represents Washington’s 2nd Congressional District.
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Published monthly with a readership of 100,000+, the Homage Senior Services educates and entertaines readers (senior, family caregivers, service providers and other interested persons) with news and information that reflects the diverse interests and needs of the senior community. Signed articles are the opinon of the writer and not the opinion of Homage Senior Services or The Daily Herald
Published by Homage Senior Services www.homage.org 11627 Airport Rd. Suite B, Everett, WA 98204 425-513-1900 in partnership with
The Daily Herald www.heraldnet.com Josh O’Connor, Publisher 425.339.3007 | publisher@heraldnet.com Jerri Lynn Shumate, Sales Representative 425.339.3020 | jshumate@heraldnet.com 1809930
or visit www.aholisticafh.com
Distribution: Over 11,000 papers are mailed to households and senior-friendly businesses;1,900 papers are distributed at drop-off locations including senior centers, retirement communities, libraries, etc.
VOTE BY AUG. 1ST
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Advertising: The existence of advertising (including political advertisements) in this publication is not meant as an endorsement of the individual, product or service by anyone except the advertiser.
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July 2017
Some folks need a Social Security ‘representative’ By Kirk Larson Social Security Washington Public Affairs Specialist
BEFORE: Resident needed help with debris, weeds and blackberry bushes . (Homage photo)
Yardwork: Donate time or equipment From Page 1 After four hours of work (and a little fun), the yard was transformed and the results were astounding! Thanks to all their hard work, this older homeowner could easily walk around her property — able to get in and out of her home safely. Her neighbors were so overjoyed with the transformation they came over and thanked the volunteers for their amazing efforts. Homage Senior Services is currently seeking groups and individuals interested in helping
with yard work and minor home repairs to help keep older adults and people with disabilities living in their homes longer. If you are unable to give your time and would still like to help, consider donating gently used yard equipment and household tools, such as loppers, hammers, lawn mowers, shovels, drills, etc. Contact Nicole Warren, volunteer manager, at 425-740-3787 or nwarren@homage.org for more information on how you can keep Snohomish County beautiful and a wonderful place for people to age.
AFTER: Here’s the cleaned up condition in which the volunteers left the yard. (Homage photo)
According to the Census Bureau, there are nearly 57 million people living with disabilities in the United States. Thirty percent of American adults help provide care for a sick or disabled family member. Social Security works closely with caregivers through its Representative Payee Program. A representative payee is someone who receives and oversees a Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for an adult or child who cannot manage his or her benefits. A payee’s main duties are to use the benefits to pay for the current and future needs of the beneficiary, and properly save any benefits not needed to meet current needs. A payee must also keep records of expenses. When Social Security requests a report, a payee must provide an accounting of how he or she used or saved the benefits. You can learn more about our Representative Payee Program at www. socialsecurity.gov/payee. A representative payee is usually a trusted family member or friend of the beneficiary, but when friends or family are not able to serve, Social Security looks for qualified individuals or organizations to represent a beneficiary. Being an authorized representative, having power of attorney or a joint bank account with the beneficiary is not the same as being a payee. These arrangements do not give legal authority to negotiate and manage a beneficiary’s Social Security and/or SSI benefits. In order to be a payee, you must apply for and be appointed by Social Security. Currently, more than 6 million payees manage $80 billion in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for more than 3.5 million adults and 4 million children determined to be incapable of managing their benefits. If you are concerned that someone you know becomes incapable of managing or directing the management of his or her benefits, call 1-800-7721213 to request an appointment to discuss your concerns.
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Memberships: Lawrence P. Dolan has over 25 years experience in representing elder law attorney and assisting clients through the legal process. National Academy of Elder Law
Lawrence P. Dolan has over 25 years Attorneys experience representing assisting Wills, Trusts and Estate in Planning Probate Powers ofand Washington LAWRENCE State Bar Association Attorney Health Care Directives Special Needs Trusts Elder Law Section clients through the legal process. Guardianships Medicaid Planning Real Property, Probate
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We are hiring drivers for our DART program, funded by Community Transit. Full-time and Part-time opportunities are available to provide safe and reliable transportation for frail, elderly, disabled and/or vulnerable adults. Commercial Licensed (A,B,C) drivers with Passenger Endorsements are encouraged to apply, but if you don’t have these credentials, don’t worry. WE will PAY YOU to TRAIN while you learn the skills required for this type of license. Earn a $1,000 HIRING BONUS and enjoy competitive wages and great benefits. Pay is union scale, starts at $15.00 per hour and increases to $16.31 per hour at six months.
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This position is considered safety sensitive under the U.S. Department of Transportation and is subject to drug and alcohol testing under both DOT and Homage Senior Services authority; this position must pass physical examination and drug/alcohol testing, as well as a criminal history.
For further information including job requirements and to apply online go to: www.homage.org.
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WASHINGTON WATCH
A change is coming to your Medicare card By Cheryl M. Keyser A major change is coming to the Medicare card used by all existing and new beneficiaries. Starting in April 2018 and continuing through April 2019, new Medicare cards will be issued bearing a “unique and randomly assigned number” instead of the current Social Security number. The new number will consist of a combination of numbers and uppercase letters. This change has been a long time coming, and has been the subject of multiple hearings in Congress. Motivating the change has been the great concern that using the Social Security number leads to a greater risk of identity theft. During this 21-month transition period, beneficiaries can use either the old or the new card and healthcare providers will also be able to use either for billing purposes. “We’re taking this step to protect our seniors from fraudulent use of Social Security numbers which can lead to identity theft and illegal use of Medicare benefits,” said the new Medicare administrator Seema Verma. This change will not affect benefits. For information, visit www.nahc. org.
Help for glaucoma Glaucoma is a sneaky disease of the eye that can creep up by surprise and, in extreme cases, cause blindness. More than 3 million Americans have this condition, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation,
and those over 60 are at greatest risk. There is no cure for this illness, but research being conducted at Purdue University’s Center for Implantable Devices has come up with a novel possibility which may represent a major breakthrough. According to Dr. Pedro Izaroqui, of the Center, “the potential looks promising.” The device is a little confusing. It is based on a set of contact lenses with “a gold trace,” which is placed in the eye. The gold is “totally biocompatible,” noted Izaroqui. The lens receives an electric impulse from a special pair of glasses delivered wirelessly to the eye. This converts into a current that helps drain the fluid build-up that causes glaucoma. Its advantage is the speed of the results — with this device a patient can see better in 10 to 15 minutes. Bionode, a university affiliated startup, expects to begin clinical trials soon. For information, visit: www.purdue.edu/discoverpark or http://www.bionode.net
Closing VA facilities Dr. David Shulkin, the new head of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is moving aggressively as he promised, to improve VA services for veterans and eliminate unnecessary expenses. The latter consists of a plan to dispose of VA buildings that are falling into disrepair and costing a whopping $25 million a year to maintain. Many of these are vacant buildings more than 60 years old, and some even date from the Civil War and
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The IRS will never demand a payment by phone using any kind of card and will never send the police. World War I. “As I said in my State of the VA presentation,” said Shulkin, “We will work through the legal requirement and regulations for disposal…and we will do it as swiftly as possible.” For information, visit http://www. va.gov
As the agency states, “no legitimate United States Treasury or IRS official will demand that payments via Western Union, MoneyGram, bank wire transfers or bank deposits be made into another person’s account for any debt to the IRS or Treasury.” The TIGTA goes on to state quite firmly that if you receive a call like this “hang up.” The TIGTA offers tips for recognizing frauds: The IRS will never demand a payment by phone using any kind of card and will never send the police. It will always give the taxpayer time to question or appeal any amount if owed. For information, visit the website at http://treasury.gov/TIGTA
Income tax fraud
Check your choices
Reports of scammers calling people claiming to be representatives of the Internal Revenue Service, even to the point of providing the IRS address in Washington, D.C. (public information that anyone can obtain), have been circulating for a while. Now the Inspector General for the Treasury Department has announced that eight persons have been arrested for this impersonation scam. These eight presented themselves as IRS agents for the purpose of obtaining money by falsely threatening individuals, telling them they owed back taxes which needed to be paid immediately or the police would arrest them. According to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), these individuals have stolen over $8.8 million from more than 7,000 victims. One suspect is still at-large. The TIGTA notes that the scammers require payment for these false taxes using prepaid gift cards.
When retirement day comes, do you choose a lump sum or a guaranteed monthly payment, known as an annuity? Many soon-to-be retirees are faced with this dilemma. According to MetLife’s Paycheck study, one in five individuals who opted for the lump sum depleted it, on average, in 5½ years. That means that a 60-year-old would have spent that retirement income by 65½ — and still be facing a possible 15 or more years of life. “Today people may live 20 or 30 years in retirement, and while lump sums may meet retirement-plans participants’ immediate needs, they may fall short in providing funds that can last a lifetime,” said Robin Lenna, MetLife executive vice president. Although retirees who took either option were, in the main, happy with their choice, those who had a monthly annuity found it easier to manage their expenses. For information, visit www.metlife. com.
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Homage
July 2017
5
Hubby gloriously embraces the humdrum By Saralee Perel If I ignore the simple things, I’ll be ignoring most of my life. My husband, Bob, never ignores the simple things. Instead, monotony just intensifies his lunacy. Now, before you think, “Saralee always makes her husband look nuts,” please know that he is. And before you think, “Poor Bob. He’s such a good sport,” please know that when I talk about him in a column, he sucks it right up. If I don’t include him, he mopes around the house for days. Last week at the supermarket, Bob shouted from the other end of the fruit and veggie aisle, “Saralee, smell this!” He was holding up a tomato.
Shoppers were staring. Begrudgingly I smelled the tomato, and remarked, “There’s no smell.” “Are you kidding me?” So he picked up one fruit after another — a banana, a cantaloupe, a strawberry — and held them in my face saying way too loudly, “Feel the smell. Relish the smell. Be the smell!” Shoppers flew out of our aisle to get as far away from him as they could. I took an obligatory sniff and then kept shopping. He grabbed my arm. “You walk right by so many things without even noticing them.” “Bob, we’ll never get through shopping if you keep smelling every single thing.” He said, “Just look around us. We’re so lucky to be here, where foods from
Volunteers: Busy during fall From Page 1 with the program five years or longer and come from professional work backgrounds where they had direct contact with the public. During Medicare’s open enrollment, Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, it isn’t uncommon for SHIBA volunteers to put in hours equivalent to a part-time job. They are out in the community almost every day providing outreach and assistance concerning changes clients can make during open enrollment. Volunteers also double-check coverage people currently have to see if it’s the best coverage, based on the doctors they see, the clinics they go to and the medications they take. Between April 2016 and April 2017, each SHIBA volunteer attended 11 monthly training meetings and, as a group, they contributed 6,429 hours and saw 8,258 clients – 6,830 in Snohomish County and 1,428 in Skagit County. We also hosted 47
community enrollment events. Our volunteer advisers helped individuals save a little more than $1 million. Here are recent complaints SHIBA volunteers have facilitated: Example 1: A client with very restricted income had been making co-pays to primary care providers and specialists as well as paying bills she received from three hospitals/ clinics. The volunteer adviser discovered that when the client’s insurance information was initially processed by the provider’s billing office, they neglected to list Medicaid as secondary payer and enter her Provider One number. This meant none of the referrals to other providers included this important information. As a result, her doctor’s office resubmitted her claims and reimbursed her out-of-pocket expenses for $4,750. Example 2: A client contacted an insurance agent during Medicare
all over the world are available. You never appreciate it. How many people in the world would be ecstatic to walk down these aisles and pick out anything they wanted?” He was right. He walked up to a store manager and solemnly said, “I appreciate your potatoes.” The manager stared blankly. When I was a practicing psychotherapist, a patient taught me, “We spend over 50 percent of our lives doing chores. We might as well enjoy them.” While driving home, Bob said, “Tonight, I’ll be giving thanks for such a special day, when you and I were together buying food.” I thought to myself, “While Bob’s
immersed in gratitude, I’ll be thinking about how we did nothing important. Just a few chores. Bob, though, will be thinking that even if a day was routine, every day counts.” I looked at my husband, suddenly realizing that it wasn’t how we spent the day that mattered. It was, instead, all about our different ways of thinking about the very same activity. Bob’s mindfulness versus my nonchalance. I don’t want to skip over days, no matter what we do. It was only then I fully understood what he meant when he said, “Today was a day dreams are made of.” Award-winning columnist, Saralee Perel, can be reached at sperel@ saraleeperel.com or via her website: www.SaraleePerel.com/.
open enrollment to see if she could reduce her costs. Her current coverage was a Medicare Advantage Plan. The agent was supposed to enroll her in a Medigap Plan N, but instead enrolled her only in a prescription plan. This left the client with the wrong insurance coverage. SHIBA was able to prove misrepresentation on the part of the agent, and the client was reinstated to her Medicare Advantage plan without any gaps in coverage. This was critical to the client, who had received cancer treatment in the past, and it provided great peace of mind knowing there would be a safety net for medical expenses. This client called our SHIBA adviser “her hero.”
different tiers. In some cases, SHIBA volunteers saw that clients’ current medications weren’t even covered in the next year’s plan. There were many examples in which clients save $3,000 to $5,000 after being advised to buy their medications at different pharmacies. At least seven of our volunteers alone saw savings by checking their own benefits and changing to preferred pharmacies. One volunteer evaluated her adult son’s coverage for the next benefit year and was able to save him $10,000. To learn more about the SHIBA program, go to www.insurance. wa.gov/shiba. Remember, in the fall you can doublecheck your benefits for the upcoming year by attending one of our open-enrollment events in communities throughout the county. Reservations for these events begin Oct. 2.
Example 3: Great examples of cost savings to clients were evident during Medicare’s open enrollment period. In many cases, just double checking people’s benefits and prescriptions and comparing them with other plans offered in the next enrollment year delivered substantial savings to clients. Every health and prescription plan offers different drug formularies and they place medications on
If you have questions about your Medicare coverage, suspect Medicare fraud, or if you would like to volunteer, call the SHIBA program at Homage Senior Services, 425-2901276, or email shiba@homage.org.
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July 2017
Homage
PERSPECTIVES ON THE PAST
During Old Ironsides’ visit to Everett, vessel logged nearly 56,000 visitors By Bob Mayer Perspectivepast@gmail.com On July 4, we celebrate Independence Day with parades, floats and the flying of our flag. By July 5, the celebration is over and all is put away for another year. But in July 1933, residents of Snohomish County enjoyed an extended patriotic celebration thanks to the visit of the frigate USS Constitution to Everett from July 7 to July 14 . The 175-foot USS Constitution, one of the first ships of the U.S. Navy, was built in 1797 originally to protect U.S. merchant ships from pirates. It then served in the War of 1812 and as a training ship during the Civil War. During the War of 1812 in a battle with HMS Guerriere, the opposing British commander and crew nicknamed the Constitution “Old Ironsides” as they watched their 18-pound iron cannon balls bounce harmlessly off the copper sheathed 24-inch-thick oak sides. In 1830, Old Ironsides had fallen into disrepair and the Secretary of the Navy suggested that it be scrapped. Public uproar fueled by the poem “Old Ironsides” by Oliver Wendell Holmes reversed the decision and the ship was restored to seaworthy condition. Cruises eventually included an around-the-world tour from May 1844 through September 1846. By 1900 another restoration was needed, but funds were not available. In 1905 the Secretary of Navy recommended that the ship be towed to sea and used for target practice. Again, public outcry resulted in granting of funds for a partial restoration sufficient for use as a museum ship. In 1925, Congress authorized complete rebuilding but did not appropriate money. The Elks and other organizations led a “Save Old Ironsides” campaign soliciting public donations and “Pennies from School Children.” Money also was raised through sales of pictures and souvenirs. The restoration work was done at the Boston Navy Yard from 1926 to 1931 at a cost of nearly $1 million. About $700,000 came from donations and the balance was eventually authorized by Congress.
Official program from the USS Constitution’s Everett visit, above. Restoration and tour souvenirs. (Courtesy of Bob Mayer collection)
With restoration complete and Old Ironsides seaworthy again, it conducted a “thank you” tour under tow by the minesweeper USS Grebe from 1931 through 1934. The ship visited nearly 90 ports from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, down the East Coast, the Gulf Coast, Cuba and the Canal Zone, through the Panama Canal and up the West Coast to Bellingham. On March 10, 1933, Old Ironsides moored in Long Beach, California. A few hours later, a
devastating earthquake struck the city. The ship suffered only minor damage, and people on board were shaken but unhurt. Between May 31 and July 30, Old Ironsides visited the Puget Sound ports of Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Bremerton, Edmonds, Everett, Bellingham, Anacortes and Port Townsend. On July 7, she passed close by the shore of Edmonds at about 1 p.m. to give a good view to the waiting crowds before proceeding to Everett where it was moored on the north side of Pier 1. Everett was prepared for the visit. Plans for moving visitors safely to and from the ship were made. Parking areas were defined. Lighting was installed and a fire truck was stationed at Pier 1 during the stay — in case of emergency and to wash down the ship when needed. Bus rides were scheduled to transport school children to the ship. Rumbaugh’s department store at 2504 Wetmore decorated a large display window for the occasion featuring a 5-foot 9-inch-long black-and-white photo of Old Ironsides. Deans Pharmacy at 1610 Hewitt decorated its display window with a 4-foot-square painting by Henry Bernahl of Old Ironsides at sea with sails unfurled. The painting, valued at $25,000, was considered to be the most authoritative painting of the ship. Associated Oil Company sponsored a paper program containing a brief history of Old Ironsides and a listing of lunches, dinners and activities for the week. Capt. Harry Ramwell and Mayor C. Edwards were listed as chairmen of the executive committee for the reception of the USS Constitution. Regulations prohibited commercialization of the ship and onboard sale of souvenirs. To satisfy visitors’ wishes for mementos, postal covers with cachets designed for each port were available to be posted on board and canceled at each city. In Everett, 8,513 covers were issued. Commercial souvenir vendors followed the route of the ship and set up stands on shore nearby. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
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July 2017
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Photos of Flora Hoekendorf, left, and Louise Hoekendorf flank Old Ironsides at Everett’s Pier 1. (Photo courtesy of Ruth Heib)
Ironsides: Kids proud to have donated pennies From Page 6 On July 7, John Dwyer, 80, of Startup toured Old Ironsides. In 1863 at the age of 10, Jack had enlisted in the Navy as cabin boy on the Constitution. After three years, he entered the Merchant Marines. July 11 was designated Stevens Pass Booster Day with a caravan of visitors driving from Eastern Washington to tour the ship. A luncheon for representatives featured speeches by Constitution executive officer Lt. Cmdr. Henry Hartley and former Washington Gov. Roland Hartley. My mother was 11 when Old Ironsides visited Everett. She told of donating pennies at school to save
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the ship and of then touring the ship. She saved news clippings about the visit in her scrapbook. Her stories sparked my interest in the story. Ruth Heib of Everett was too young to visit Old Ironsides during the 1933 visit but remembers the stories told by her mother, Flora, and older sister, Louise Hoekendorf. Her family album holds wonderful photos of Flora and Louise on the deck of the ship during their tour. Betty Lou Gaeng, who grew up in Alderwood Manor and Edmonds, has fond memories of the visit of Old Ironsides. She toured the ship when it visited Seattle in June. She was quite small but remembers in particular how tight the living
quarters were and felt sorry for the men who had to sleep in such confined areas. During her visit, Gaeng was given a picture of the USS Constitution with a flattened penny attached to the wooden frame to signify the pennies donated by school children to restore the ship. She was too young for school, but she remembers her older brothers taking their pennies to school to donate. She will always remember the travels of Old Ironsides as a bright spot during the tough days of the Great Depression. Between arrival in Everett at 3 p.m. on July 7 and departure at 6 a.m. on July 14, 55,797 visitors toured the ship. The city’s population at the
time was 30,000. Sixty eight years later, Gaeng again visited the ship in Boston, where it remains and is open to visitors. It is seaworthy and frequently sails for Tall Ship celebrations. The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned ship in the US Navy and a National Historic Landmark. There is a valuable lesson from those who went before us about appreciation of history and historic preservation. Even during the Great Depression, people refused to let such an important piece of our nation’s history be destroyed but instead stepped up personally to contribute to its preservation for the benefit of future generations.
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July 2017
Homage
TRAVEL WITH KATHY
Find spirited adventures on the Bourbon Trail By Kathy Witt Just as Dorothy followed the Yellow Brick Road, bourbon neophytes and aficionados alike can pursue a similar storied path: the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Both lead to a world of magic and mystery, adventure and pure awesomeness – and to the Master Distillers who control the levers, so to speak, behind the curtain. In the world of bourbon, those first steps should be taken in Bardstown, Kentucky, the bourbon capital of the world.
Bardstown A land of Oz awash in bourbon, Bardstown is home to six distilleries, four of which are on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, including Heaven Hill and Jim Beam. Also here are Barton 1792, and Willett, the former the oldest fully operating distillery in Bardstown, the latter still using some of the original bourbon recipes developed by master distiller John David Willett in the 19th century. As if the touring and tasting possibilities at some of the world’s most celebrated bourbon distilleries aren’t enough, Bardstown is also home to the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History, a great first stop to brush up on the history of American’s only native spirit through displays that include President George Washington’s confiscated copper still, Prohibition-era “prescriptions” and a stunning Art Deco bottle collection. One might get the idea that Bardstown is the place to live, eat, sleep and breathe bourbon — and one would be correct. At Bourbon Manor, the world’s first bourbon-themed bed and breakfast inn, the innkeepers keep guests steeped in the bourbon experience. Sip bourbon in The Bunghole lounge and bar and enjoy a breakfast of bourbon and
Everyone’s favorite redhead: a bottle of Maker’s Mark dipped in red wax. (Tribune Content Agency) bacon flapjacks covered in a secretrecipe bourbon caramel syrup. Beyond bourbon: Go gourmet in vintage, linen-draped splendor aboard My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, www.kydinnertrain. com, murder mystery served a la carte.
Frankfort Perhaps the granddaddy of ‘em all — some might say grand-pappy (as in Van Winkle) — Buffalo Trace holds the distinction of being the world’s most award-winning distillery, oldest continually (legally) operating distillery in the country and one of four distilleries allowed to remain open during Prohibition. For medicinal purposes only, wink-wink. “Each member of the family was allowed up to two pints of bourbon a month and would receive a prescription written by a doctor, which they would take to a pharmacy to fill,” said tour guide Fred Mozenter.
These days, the distillery has another claim to fame: A 2016 archeological dig uncovered ruins inside the former O.F.C. Distillery building — and now “Buffalo Trace Pompeii,” as the site has been nicknamed, is offered as a tour. Visitors see the foundation ruins from the 1869 and 1873 distilleries (christened by Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr. in 1870). Also on the tour: the renovated circa 1700 Old Taylor House — the oldest structure on the grounds — and Warehouse C, a barrel warehouse Taylor built in the late 1800s. Beyond bourbon: Beauty and tranquility are yours at free-admission Josephine Sculpture Park www. josephinesculpturepark.org, where some 50 works of art are set amidst native plants and wildlife habitat.
wants to dip a bottle into the signature molten red wax. It is a coveted part of going behind-the-scenes to see what makes this legendary distillery tick. A new attraction is The Cellar, carved from a natural limestone shelf on distillery grounds to provide a place to finish Marker’s 46. Beloved among bourbon enthusiasts everywhere, this particular bourbon is made by placing seared French oak staves into a barrel of fully aged Maker’s Mark for about nine weeks. The result? Satisfyingly complex flavors — not to mention a tour showing off the finishing process and one seriously cool tasting room. Lebanon is famous as the only place on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to witness both bourbon and bourbon barrel making. Watch the barrels get charred at Kentucky Cooperage and learn how this adds an exquisite depth to bourbon. Beyond bourbon: The 3.2-mile Gorley Naturalist Trail, www.visitlebanonky.com, encircles Fagan Branch Reservoir, its beautiful wooded backdrop made even more scenic by 47 bridges. — Tribune News Agency
Plan your visit Bardstown: www.visitbardstown.com Frankfort: www.visitfrankfort.com Harrodsburg: http://harrodsburgky.com Kentucky Bourbon Country: www.bourboncountry.com Kentucky Bourbon Trail: www.kybourbontrail.com
Lebanon Two words: red wax. Pretty much everybody who tours the hallowed grounds of Maker’s Mark Distillery
Lebanon: www.visitlebanonky.com
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SAVVY SENIOR
Heartburn happens, but it can be a bad sign By Jim Miller Q. Is regular heartburn or indigestion anything to worry about? My 60-year-old husband eats a lot of Tums or Rolaids throughout the day to help him manage it, but it keeps him up at night too. What can you tell us? — Inquiring Spouse A. Almost everyone experiences heartburn or acid indigestion from time to time, but frequent episodes can signal a much more serious problem. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips and treatments to help relieve your husband’s symptoms. It’s estimated that more than 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month, including about 15 million people who suffer from it daily. If your husband is plagued by heartburn two or more times a week, and it’s not responding well to overthe-counter antacids, he needs to see a doctor. Frequent bouts may mean he has gastroesophageal reflux disease, which can severely irritate and damage the lining of his esophagus, putting him at risk of Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer if it’s not treated.
Lifestyle adjustments Depending on the frequency and severity of his heartburn, there are a number of lifestyle adjustments he can make that can help provide relief and avoid a more serious problem down the road. Consider these tips: Avoid problem foods: Certain foods can trigger heartburn symptoms: citrus fruits, tomatoes, fatty
foods, chocolate, garlic, onions, spicy foods, mints, alcohol, coffee and sodas. Your husband should keep a food diary to track which foods cause him the most problems and avoid them. Eat smaller, slower and earlier: Smaller portions at mealtime and eating slower can help reduce heartburn symptoms. He should also wait at least three hours after eating before lying down or going to bed. Lose weight: Having excess weight around the midsection puts pressure on the abdomen, pushing up the stomach and causing acid to back up into the esophagus. Quit smoking: Smoking can increase stomach acid and weaken the valve that prevents acid from entering the esophagus. If your husband smokes, the National Cancer Institute offers a number of smoking cessation resources at SmokeFree.gov or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Sleep elevated: To help keep the acid down while sleeping, get your husband a wedge-shaped pillow to prop him up a few inches. If that’s not enough, try elevating the head of his bed six to eight inches by placing blocks under the bedposts or insert a wedge between his mattress and box spring. Wedges are available at drugstores and medical supply stores. Sleeping on his left side may also help keep the acid down.
His doctor can help him determine which one is best for him. Treatment options include: H-2 Blockers: Available as both over-the-counter and prescription strength, these drugs (Pepcid, Tagamet, Axid and Zantac) reduce how much acid your stomach makes but may not be strong enough for serious symptoms. Proton-Pump Inhibitors: If you have frequent and severe heartburn symptoms, PPIs are long-acting prescription medications that block acid production and allow time for damaged esophageal tissue to heal. They include the brand names Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, Zegerid, Protonix, Aciphex and Dexilant. Prevacid 24 HR, Prilosec and
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If the lifestyle adjustments don’t solve the problem, or if antacids (Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, Mylanta or Alka-Seltzer) aren’t doing the trick, there are a variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications that can help, along with surgery.
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Zegerid OTC are also available over-the-counter. But you should be aware that longterm use of PPIs can increase your risk for osteoporosis and chronic kidney disease. Surgery: If the medications don’t do the trick, there are also surgical procedures that can tighten or strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter so gastric fluids can’t wash back up into the esophagus and cause heartburn.
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July 2017
Homage
BOOKS
Journalist writes as a grandma By Heidi Stevens Chicago Tribune Lesley Stahl knows momentous. The 12-Emmy-winning “60 Minutes” correspondent has interviewed Margaret Thatcher, Yasser Arafat, Boris Yeltsin and multiple U.S. presidents, including Donald Trump in his first television interview as president-elect. She’s reported from Guantanamo Bay prison, the Middle East and Ground Zero after the Sept. 11 terror attacks. Decades ago, when her daughter, Taylor, turned 4, Stahl recalls, “I threw her fourth-birthday party on the beach with a cake, a clown and Sam Donaldson.” But a career filled with big names and big events did nothing to prepare Stahl for the shock and awww! she would feel when she became a grandparent. “I was bowled over,” she said. “I didn’t expect it. No one warned me. It hit with a wallop.” Taylor, Stahl’s only child, is now grown and married, with two daughters of her own: Jordan and Chloe. Stahl writes about the ways her granddaughters have changed her life and worldview in “Becoming Grandma: The Joys and Science of the New Grandparenting” (Blue Rider Press.) The book explores everything from the chemical changes that occur in your body when you first hold your grandchild (stronger than romantic love) to the evolving role modern grandparents play, now that they’re living longer and staying healthier than previous generations. “Here we are trying to figure out what we’re going to do with these healthy years,” Stahl said. “And here are these grandchildren and children who really need our help.” High-powered careers are often still in the mix when grandchildren arrive. “We’re part of the first generation of grandmothers who are not defined by our family roles,” Stahl writes. “And yet … we’re the ones going bananas over our grandchildren.” It’s a tricky setup, without question. But it can be a winning one, Stahl argues, if grandparenting takes top priority. Grandparents and grandchildren both benefit physically and emotionally from spending time together, and Stahl writes about the healing
Lesley Stahl’s book is subtitled: ‘The Joys and Science of the New Grandparenting.’ (Penguin Random House photo) properties her two grandchildren appear to pass along to her husband, Aaron Latham, who has Parkinson’s disease. Stahl is careful not to assume her experience is universal. She interviews grandparents and children from various cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. She explores stepgrandparenting. She connects with women who’d rather get a facial than play house with the grandkids, and she travels to rural and urban group homes where children without access to their biological grandparents connect with elderly residents to gain the love and lessons they would otherwise miss. But for grandparents who are able, the book is an unabashed call-to-arms. “If you’re not already pitching in, start now,” she writes. “Become actively engaged in your grandchildren’s lives. If you’re already babysitting and sending money, do more. If you live in another state, build into your retirement plan a way to be with those children more often. And if the path to your own grandchildren is blocked for whatever reason, then get involved helping other young children.”
t c e l Re-e ht g i r W a n n Do
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES By John McAlpine RSVP Program Recruiter Sponsored by Catholic Community Services, RSVP is America’s largest volunteer network for persons over 55. RSVP exists to help volunteers 55+ find fulfillment in their volunteer work. Volunteer opportunities exist all over Snohomish County. Monroe fair volunteers: Each year, RSVP has a fundraising event at the Monroe State Fair. We have 144 slots to fill. Can you fill a shift? One responsibility is the information booth, where we answer questions and give directions as needed. We also rent strollers, wagons, wheelchairs and power scooters. The fair runs Aug. 24 to Sept. 4. Shifts are 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2-6 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. Duties include having paperwork filled out, handling money (making change, etc.), wiping down the equipment and so on. There is training, a lead person is always on site, you work with someone that has fair experience and your parking is paid. Volunteer transportation: Without personal transportation, life can be a challenge. If you have
We help people age where they’re most comfortable. At home. Alzheimer’s/ Dementia Care Personal Care Medication Assistance Housekeeping Meal Preparation Transportation Respite Care Hourly/Live-in Care
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an insured, safe vehicle (lights, brakes and horn all in working condition), consider volunteering as a driver. In an community like Snohomish County, with large rural areas, getting to doctor appointments and other essential errands can be demanding. You drive when and where you want. Mileage reimbursement is provided. Department of Emergency Management, Snohomish County: If you’d like to assist the first responders in the event of a countywide emergency, this might be for you. There are several support jobs that allow those working the event to be successful. These jobs are NOT on the scene of the event, they are in the office. Food banks: There are opportunities to volunteer all over the county. All food banks need help repacking food, assisting clients and so on. Washington is the 23rd hungriest state in the nation. According to the Volunteers of America more than 48,000 people in Snohomish County visited a food bank last month. You can help in Arlington, Everett (two locations), Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Marysville (two locations), Mill Creek, Monroe, Mountlake Terrace, Snohomish and Stanwood/ Camano. SHIBA: SHIBA means Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors. It is a free, confidential and impartial counseling resource sponsored by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Volunteer advisers help callers understand their rights and options and offer up-to-date information to help them to make informed decisions concerning health insurance needs. You get 30 hours of training. Volunteer chores: Imagine no longer being able to run the vacuum, change bedding, or cut your lawn. What would life be like if you couldn’t manage these everyday household tasks? We seek volunteers to assist others in precisely this manner. Helping someone with these routine chores allows them to “age in place” and stay in their home. If you have any questions about RSVP, volunteering or any of the agencies you see listed here please contact RSVP at 425374-6374 or email johnm@ccsww.org. DEBBIES’ HAIR DESIGN OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE
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Homage
Reaching 100, her diploma recognizes lifetime of learning By Jerry Davich Chicago Tribune PORTAGE, Indiana — Wanda Piazza revealed the smile of a schoolgirl when she noticed the black cap and gown on a hanger. “This is for you,” Renne Reed told her while draping the gown around Piazza’s shoulders and adjusted her cap. Piazza didn’t understand at first. In just a few days, she would be turning 100. She figured all the hubbub was in advance of that milestone. But that celebration would come later. “This is your graduation day,” explained Reed, admissions director at Miller’s Merry Manor in Portage. Piazza, who’s been a resident there for only a few years, chuckled to herself and peeked into the center’s therapy room. It was crowded with guests, including several family members, fellow residents and quite a few nursing care staff members. Together, they burst into applause as “Pomp and Circumstance” played in the background. “Please stand, if you’re able, and help us welcome the graduating class of 2017!” announced Beth Ingram, the facility’s top administrator. Reed escorted Piazza into the room, past all the guests. Piazza turned toward them, still slightly stunned, and gently smiled. Her oldest son Joe, who’s 80, was among the guests, along with nieces, grandsons and other extended family. “Oh … my … God,” Piazza sighed after realizing what was happening. Reed, the mastermind behind this surprise ceremony, guided Piazza into a chair in front of the guests. It was flanked by several black and gold helium balloons, imprinted with “Congrats!” and “2017.” Piazza looked at everyone and shook her head in disbelief. She never dreamed of graduating since dropping out of Froebel High School in Gary in 1933. She was 16, the Great Depression ruled the country, and her mother had needed help paying the bills. Piazza decided to take off just one semester to work in a nearby factory, Bear Brand Hosiery. She earned 6 cents an hour for the first week, then 35 cents an hour after that. She operated a machine that sewed together the toe section of socks and hose. She got so good at it that her boss later bumped her pay to 50 cents an hour. Piazza never made it back to school. At 18, she married Sam Piazza and they lived with his family for 18 months before moving to the Glen Park section of Gary, where they purchased a home for $3,500. “It was brick,” said Piazza’s niece, Margie Herzog, of Hobart.
Wanda Piazza poses with her diploma at Miller’s Merry Manor. (Jerry Davich / Chicago Tribune) At 45, Piazza became a widow when her husband died from a heart attack. She’s lived a good life since. High school became a hazy memory, obscured by the daily necessities of raising a family and paying bills. The kids grew up and Piazza moved from Gary to Hobart and eventually Lakes of the Four Seasons, where she lived with her son, Jerry. In 2012, she moved into Miller’s Manor in Portage, where she’s become a friend to staff members and a close friend and mentor to Reed. Last June, around high school graduation time, Piazza joked to Reed about never graduating from high school. “It’s never too late,” Reed told Piazza, who dismissed the idea. Reed, however, never forgot their conversation. Earlier this year, she was determined to get Piazza an honorary diploma of some kind. Without revealing her plan, she did some homework. Reed contacted Neo Adult Education learning center in Portage to ask if Piazza could take an assessment test for a certificate of high school equivalency. It may have been the longest hour in Piazza’s long life. She passed most of it, enough to earn an honorary certificate, which Reed secured a copy of for Piazza’s “graduation” day earlier this week. Reed also ordered online an honorary diploma, embossed with “Froebel High School,” as if it were from the long-gone school. In front of the guests, Reed pulled out the fancy diploma, framed with a photo of Piazza taking her assessment test. “Miss Wanda, I love you to death and I’m happy to present this diploma to you,” Reed said, her voice quivering with emotion. “I hope if I ever make it to 100 that I’m as wise as you are.” Piazza clutched her diploma and looked up at Reed. “Well, you sure kept everything a secret, didn’t you?” Piazza said.
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Homage
Still risky, use of reverse mortgages grows Legal experts still advise caution, but reverse mortgages are showing a mild resurgence both in the Pacific Northwest and nationally. As baby boomers age, the trend could grow. Some seniors consider themselves cash-poor and house-rich, or facing major medical costs, if they’ve built equity in a home. Still, issues can emerge for them and heirs, so it pays to read the fine print, said Julia Dooris McGann, Washington state assistant attorney general in the consumer protection division. A reverse mortgage is a type of home loan allowing homeowners who are 62 or older to access the home equity they’ve built up and defer payment of the loan until they die, sell or move out. If approved, homeowners borrowing against equity take the cash in a lump sum or as monthly income, as a line of credit to tap when needed, or a combination. “The bottom line is, it’s not free money,” McGann said. “There are some circumstances under which reverse mortgages make sense, but they’re rare,” she said. “It really depends on the need and their circumstances. I’d urge caution whenever anyone is considering a reverse mortgage, and it’s well worth a second look before getting into them.” Money gained isn’t free because the loan balance grows over time and must be repaid eventually, she
said. Other costs can be similar to a regular mortgage such as origination fees, closing costs, interest charges, and sometimes a loan service fee and mortgage insurance premiums. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development tightened lending criteria for reverse mortgages in recent years. Changes require that lenders determine whether wouldbe borrowers have enough income to keep up with property taxes and homeowners insurance so they don’t default on the loan and, possibly, lose their home.
Under financial pressures Many people who get reverse mortgages do so because they’re strapped for monthly income and want to stay in their homes, said Jack Tenold, a Spokane branch manager for Caliber Home Loans. If a loan amount comes due because of death or a move, he said he’s found that most banks will work with families. “The banks I’ve found have been very good at working with heirs and survivors to let them market the home and sell it,” he said. “They send letters and try to help people.” Tenold says another kind of reverse mortgage borrower might be a professional who just turned 62. Some younger seniors would rather have it arranged as a line of credit that grows over time and is tied to the course of interest rates, with unused portions converted to monthly income years later. Others might need immediate cash for a
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specific reason. “Up until a few years ago, you could take all of it in cash in one big lump sum, but that has changed,” Tenold said. Now, people can receive a bulk amount to pay against an existing lien, but otherwise, “only 60 percent can be given to you during the first 12 months.” Money received is usually tax-free, McGann said. Dick Sayre, a Spokane elder law attorney, has seen scenarios of homeowners with a high-value home but large costs to maintain that house and very little income, so they seek a reverse mortgage. But generally, he said, “They aren’t appropriate for most people.” In December, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau took action against three reverse mortgage companies for deceptive ads, including claims that consumers couldn’t lose their homes. The CFPB ordered American Advisors Group, Reverse Mortgage Solutions, and Aegean Financial to cease such advertising practices, implement systems to comply with laws, and pay penalties. AAG commercials often depict actors Tom Selleck or Fred Thompson, two people who portrayed TV characters in positions of trust, a police commissioner and district attorney, McGann said. “Many reverse mortgage contracts have a clause that says when the surviving of two spouses dies or leaves the home, the entire balance of the reverse mortgage is due within 30
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Loss of equity People arranging estate matters consider equity in a home as part of what is passed on after someone dies, said Michael Whipple, of Whipple Law Group in Spokane. “Among general concerns I have about a reverse mortgage is you lose all your equity,” Whipple said. Some homeowners might consider reverse mortgages as they face costs from aging in place and look for ways to qualify for Medicaid. But Whipple cautioned that people should consider other lending vehicles. “I don’t think people want to crunch the numbers,” he said. “Certainly it’s a way to cash out equity in the property and receive money, but you need to look at the terms. If I take out a reverse mortgage and I die three days later, what happens?” The loan amount has to be paid back, or the institution that did the lending would sell the home to get money owed, he said. Whipple suggests three crucial questions when reviewing terms: ■■ What is the rate, and calculation of all costs? ■■ How does that compare to another financial vehicle such as home equity loan or line of credit? ■■ What happens after you die or for a spouse to remain?
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Julia Dooris McGann, Washington state assistant attorney general, uses a 2016 case in Florida as an example: The daughter of deceased parents who had a reverse mortgage was named in a foreclosure. However, the bank should have taken over ownership before the home sat empty, property value declined and it went into foreclosure. “So things can go very, very wrong,” she said. If the woman had contacted the bank and made sure the home was sold, she might have received a portion from the sale long before the value declined. Home sale proceeds beyond the amount owed belong to a spouse or estate, which means any remaining equity can be transferred to heirs, and no debt is passed along to the estate or heirs, HUD information says. If someone suspects questionable lending practices, McGann said people can file a complaint online at www. atg.wa.gov. People can locate an FHA-approved lender or find information to contact a counselor by going online at www. hud.gov and searching under Home Equity Conversion Morgage. AARP also offers information at www. aarp.org (search for reverse mortgages).
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days,” McGann said. “The heirs may have to immediately sell the house or let it go to foreclosure, unless the heirs have money to pay off the reverse mortgage balance.”
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Homage
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July 2017
TECH TALK
Safeguard security when recycling devices Q. How do I dispose of a smartphone? A. These guidelines apply to most electronic devices, everything from smartphones to PCs. There are two concerns, protecting your privacy and proper recycling. If the device is only a few years old and still operates, you could sell it, extend its life by passing it along to a family member or donate it to a charitable organization. The longer the device can be used, the less impact there is on the environment. Eventually, every smartphone reaches the end of its useful life. No matter what, do not dispose of it in the household trash. Electronics are packed with hazardous chemicals that should never be discarded in a landfill. Recycling options will depend on where you live. Many stores that sell new devices accept old ones for disposal, even if it was purchased somewhere else. If you are lucky, they might offer a gift card in exchange. When stores are inconvenient, do a Google search for a local e-waste recycler. Generally these businesses accept electronic waste without charge, but check first to make sure. There may be one affiliated with your local municipality or household waste collector, so check their websites also. Businesses that charge disposal fees will sometimes offer free collections once or twice a year. Chances are with a little research, you will find several options nearby. Before you dispose of any device, give some thought to your privacy. Our devices know
a great deal about our lives, and the information on each one should be erased before disposal. Once your new device is set up, erase and reset the old device to its factory settings. On Apple devices, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. On Android devices, search Google for “Android Factory Reset” along with the model name to find the correct steps. Q. When I plug in my computer I can see that it is getting electricity, but it still does not come on. Help! A. Two things I would check first. Confirm the video screen is connected to the CPU and plugged in to an electric outlet, and make sure the brightness level has not been reduced to zero. Beyond that, unfortunately, there are a dozen different things that could cause this behavior, far more than I can cover here. My advice for anyone whose computer breaks, if they are unable to fix it themselves, is to replace the computer entirely. PCs are too complex and they require an unreasonable amount of skill to troubleshoot, especially when things go wrong. It is like buying a musical instrument to fill your house with music. For most people, the better choice is to buy a radio instead. When it comes to personal computers, the better choice for nearly everyone is an Apple iPad. The entry level model is priced at $329, which is often less expensive than a computer repair bill. Go to an Apple Store if at all possible. They will help set up your new iPad, show you
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how to use it, and they might be able save the important files from your older device as well. I admire people with the talent to play a musical instrument, but it is not for everyone. Often, simpler is better. Q. My husband has a new habit, watching Netflix on his tablet before going to sleep. His hearing is not perfect, so the volume is too loud for me to ignore. Any suggestions? A. Get your husband a pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones. A great set of headphones can cost hundreds of dollars, and stores tend to put the expensive ones on prominent display. But the good news is you do not need to spend anywhere near that much to get a good night’s sleep. Decent headphones with good sound can be found for as little as $20, and they will allow your husband to enjoy his late night video binges without disturbing your sleep. There are two different types of Bluetooth headphones: overear models and earbuds. The choice is mostly about personal comfort. Some people like the lightness of earbuds that fit inside the ear canal, whereas others prefer the larger, padded over-ear models. If headphones appear too cumbersome, try a Bluetooth headset. Although they are usually connected to a smartphone, these single earbuds are good enough to listen to the audio on a tablet. A tech enthusiast his entire life, DeLaurentis is currently developing an educational software project. He can be contacted at techtalk@bobdel.com.
Here are my picks for some worthwhile browsing this month: Electronics Recyclers: This site offered by the Consumer Technology Association is full of information about safely using and disposing of household electronics. Enter your ZIP code into the search engine to find local e-waste handlers. greenergadgets.org One Exposure: In order for images to appear in this site’s gallery pages, the photos have to pass through a curation process that tends to promote unique photographs. There are tutorials and community forums for photographers, but the heart of the site is focused on galleries. It is a great place to view high-quality fine art photography. 1x.com National Park Service: The NPS Web site has detailed information about the over 400 locations under its care. You can search for a specific park, or activities, or for general information. Of special note this year is “Eye on the Sky,” a section on viewing this summer’s total solar eclipse from a prime vantage point. nps.gov — Bob DeLaurentis
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Homage
Careful habits offset tendency to forget stuff By Wina Sturgeon Adventure Sports Weekly Have you ever spent half an hour or more frantically looking for your keys? Is there a book that you know is on one of your bookshelves, but for some reason you can’t find it? Do you often have to look for a few minutes before you find your parked car? These are fairly common problem, especially as you get older. You can’t just automatically “fix” a memory in your brain without actual momentary concentration. You don’t pay the same kind of acute attention you did when you were younger. The sad part is that you were once easily able to remember where you put your keys, but the ability to build those neural circuits may have slowed a bit once you hit your mid-50s. It’s a kind of “tip of the tongue” thing. You almost know where your keys are. You almost remember where you left that book. You certainly remember the general area where you parked your car. But recall may take longer if you’re not concentrating or not using memory tricks. There are several disciplines you can use to
boost your recall ability. One of them is to create a place for an object and concentrate on always putting the object in its proper place. You may choose to put your keys in the inside lock of your entry door, or in a special dish on a cabinet. But don’t let your mind wander once you’ve unlocked the door. Make it an automatic habit to put your keys in the place you’ve chosen for them. I enjoy mountain slopes or mountain bikes in summer when it’s hot. A friend once gave me a really good piece of advice. She said, “Place your keys in the left pocket of your ski pants and fasten the pocket closed. In summer, you’ll probably always bring a jacket. Put your keys in the left pocket of the jacket, safely close the pocket and either wear the jacket or put the jacket in your backpack, concentrating on remembering that your keys are in the jacket pocket.” Make this such a priority that you will always find your keys by looking in that pocket when outdoors. Place them there immediately after you get out of the car. Don’t ever hold the keys in your hand while getting other things out of the car.
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Never, ever put your handheld keys down on the seat. There will eventually come a day when it will skip your mind that you did this, and you will lock up your car — with the keys inside. One of the most embarrassing things in the world is parking your car but not being able to remember exactly where. You even try pressing the alarm button on the key fob, but the car is out of range. You left your phone in the car. After many minutes of looking, you are really tired of pushing your shopping cart through the potholes of the parking lot, and you still can’t find your parked car. Here’s how to prevent that from ever happening again: When you park your car, look at the entryway of the store or office building. Fix your car’s location by looking for numbered slot signs (B2, for example) or the brand name on the building. For example, you parked in the row of slots directly down from the letter ‘M.’ If parking in an underground lot, memorize how many levels down from the street level you parked. It really helps if you can take an image with your phone of where you parked, with nearby signs showing the location. You may be in the middle of that row or all the way at the end, but at least you can locate the proper row where you parked your car. Wina Sturgeon is active at 55-plus and offers news on the science of anti-aging and staying youthful at adventuresportsweekly.com.
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