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HEARING NORTHWEST
1321 King Street, Suite 2
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 738-3958
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Senior Editor and Publisher - Diane Turner
Nwretirement1@gmail.com
ARTICLES
Travel Editor - Doris Clark Kennedy, Travel Photographer - Gary Kennedy
Staff Writers - Earl Erickson, Carolyn Leeper, Jim Carney
ADVERTISING SALES
Sales Manager - Diane Turner (360-927-3991)
Skagit & Snohomish Counties - Diane Turner
Whatcom County - Earl Erickson
(C: 360-927-5181) (H: 360-733-2011)
Seattle - Ed Ramirez (206-335-8859)
CREATIVE
Graphic Design, Layout & Ad Creation - Michelle Van Diest
DISTRIBUTION
Business & Distribution Manager - Gary Turner (360-927-3990)
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Dear Readers:
As we enter the closing months of summer and the beginning of fall in this tumultuous
environment of uncertainty and re-evaluation of our ways of life…I hope you appreciate the articles we have chosen to help you through some pertinent issues. Our cover
story on Joette Lookabaugh’s return to work after retirement may inspire some of you
to take another look at the benefits of continued or renewed work instead of premature
retirement.
If you are currently working but dread a lay-off in the current recession, you will find “3
Top Ways for WA Home Owners to Prepare for a Layoff” a valuable tool as you evaluate
your options. Another interesting article by Women & Company is “Stress –Test Your
Financial Future.” This article walks you through the steps necessary to insure that there
will be a comfortable retirement down the line.
“Five Ways to Increase your Brain Power” is a review of a book that may change the way
you view aging. You can keep your mental agility by practicing the tips outlined in the
article and you may want to keep this new book on your shelf for reference.
Another article on re-entering the workforce by Captain Karen Kahn who has written a
book, Flight Guide for Success. This article gives good advice for how to use your knowledge and age to obtain a new position in this competitive job market. Her philosophy
that “Being to old is a state of mind” pushes you to view society’s stereotypical portrait
of a senior.
“The Healing Touch of Pet Therapy” will bring smiles to pet owners and perhaps the
desire to start a “Pet Program” in your local community for seniors who are living where
they cannot retain pets.
Again, please consider using the services offered by our loyal advertisers. They offer
valuable services to the communities where we reside.
Diane Turner, Editor
Northwest Retirement Magazine
Developed in the United States of America. The Editor welcomes company product information for seniors. Such materials should be
addressed to: Editor, NW Retirement Magazine, 1313 E Maple ST. ste.498, Bellingham WA 98225. Entire contents copyright 2008, NW
Retirement Magazine. All rights reserved; reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Northwest Retirement is a subsidiary of Turner Senior Services. Products named in these pages are trade names or trademarks of their respective companies.
PUBLISHER LIABILITY FOR ERROR The Publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen
the value of an advertisement. The publisher’s liability for other errors or omissions in connection with an advertisement is limited to
republication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue or the refund in whole or in part of any monies paid for the advertisement.
INDEMNIFICATION The advertiser and/or Advertising Agency agrees to defend and indemnify the publisher against any and all
liability, loss, or expense arising from claims of libel, unfair competition, unfair trade practices, infringement of trademarks, copyrights, trade names, patents, or proprietary rights or violation of rights of privacy, resulting from the publication of the Advertiser’s
statement.
Northwest Retirement Magazine - www.nwretirementmag.com - August / September 2009
Diane Turner and Joette Lookabaugh
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover Photo courtesy of Joette Lookabaugh
In This Issue:
Page 1: What it can mean to come out of retirement: Joette Lookabaugh has a new life.
Page 2: Patients Have the Right To Ask Questions
Page 4: Five Ways to Increase Your Brain Power
Page 5: Curmudgeon’s Corner
Page 6: Economic Uncertainty Forcing Retirees to Re-enter the Workforce: In Honor of Older
Americans Month Career Expert Shows Aging Workers How to Market Their Experience
Page 11: Top 3 Ways WA Home Owners Can Prepare for a Layoff
Page 12: Veterans Health Care
Page 13: Stress-Test Your Financial Future: Tips to Keeping Your Retirement Plan On Track
Page 15: EverGreen Quilters Quilt Show
Page 17: The Healing Touch of Pet Therapy
COVER STORY
What it can mean to come out of retirement: Joette Lookabaugh has a new life.
Joette Lookabaugh sits by the Snake River
in Idaho many evenings in the summer and
smiles in satisfaction at the surprising turn in
her life. She is the newly elected Prosecuting
Attorney for Fremont County, Idaho, which
covers the southeastern corner of the state to
the Montana, and Wyoming borders.
Joette has been hard at work since her first job
at 15 yrs. old. She’s done many things in her
life, school teacher, restaurant owner, police
officer, vice and narcotics undercover officer,
waitress in a reggae bar, exotic car salesperson. After a divorce at age 40 she decided to
go to law school and had a successful career
as a consumer rights attorney and pro tem
judge in California.
Her husband, Steve Lookabaugh, a successful owner of a manufacturing business, was eager to escape Southern California right
after the 9/11 catastrophe. He felt it was time to retire to a quiet
life where hunting, fishing and enjoying the beautiful Idaho landscape would soothe the impact of an event that shook the world.
He promptly sold his business, packed up and left for what he
thought would be a long and happy retirement. Joette thought
that sounded fine. Time to take it easy and relax. WRONG!!!
It took Joette several years to close her practice, wind down her
pro-tem judging responsibilities and pick out a perfect piece of
land in which to build their retirement home. Building and decorating their new home took up much of her time at first and she
decided to try crafts and baking as hobbies. Joette confides that
she is a lousy crafter and though she was pretty good at baking,
she and Steve gained 25 pound testing out her recipes. After
hunting and fishing as much as possible Steve became bored by
the activities and longed to be involved in challenging work once
again. Once the forest had been his refuge from the world…and
then it became his home.
Joette finally decided to take the Idaho Bar Exam, encouraged by
Steve who saw that cooking and crafts did not satisfy her need to
interact with people and contribute to her community. After passing the Idaho Bar, Joette was eagerly recruited to become the City
Attorney for Ashton, Tetonia, and Sugar City Idaho. In the entire
State of Idaho there are 4,000 attorneys and only 10% are women.
That introduced her to the field of Prosecution. “I had done some
criminal defense work in California but never considered the exciting trial career of government work because frankly, I was making
way more money as a civil lawyer there.”
The mainly Mormon community came to her and asked her to run
for the County Prosecutor position. She laughingly remembers
her amazement at the notion that the citizens in these rural communities would actually want to vote for a woman Buddhist from
California for the DA position.
Winning the DA position by a large majority
assured Joette that she actually had the confidence of her constituency. Today, she works
because she loves what she is doing and not
because of any financial incentive or career
ambition.
She says, “I can follow my conscience and do
what is right, that’s a good feeling.” “I believe
that each person comes into the world with
certain talents and abilities. It is our destiny
to use those talents for the good of society.
I don’t think the world needs anymore quilts
or cookies from me. I made some jam once
that nearly choked everyone who tried it. (too
much pectin). What I’m good at is the law.
I now have a hefty felony and misdemeanor
caseload, as well as advising the County Commissioners on civil issues. I have to use everything I’ve ever learned and I have to keep
learning. That is stimulating and challenging for me and makes me
eager to face the day. It’s kind of that old cop thing, “what will the
next call bring?”
“My husband and I had to decide how we want to spend the
remaining years of our life. We actually sat down and said what
makes us feel alive, happy, and energetic? We like to work at what
we’re good at.” Steve has also come out of retirement and has
taken a position as the Planning and Zoning Administrator for Island Park, a booming tourist destination near their home. “We
have a nightly de-briefing over a good glass of wine on the riverbank. We have a LOT to talk about.”
Their dogs, Lucy and Thelma roam freely around the acreage that
surrounds their home and Thelma often goes to work with Joette
as a “Therapy Dog” for victims of domestic abuse. Pets can have
a calming effect when victims need to tell their stories, according
to Joette.
“Some people love retirement activities, Joette says, but why
should a person who loves the dynamics of exercising their excellence quit just when they finally have the life experience, humility,
training, and commonsense to really do a bang up job in the workplace? It seems a shame to quit just when you’re at the top of your
form and don’t have to worry about “getting ahead.”
Though Joette and Steve have been all around the world, they love
to come home where they are 50 feet from the Snake River and
the ever-changing Idaho sky. “I’m bored by golf, hate camping,
don’t like our trailer much, can’t grow a tomato, but I’m one hell
of a lawyer. I’ll do it till it’s not fun.”
Joette maintains her California law license and goes there to see
her children when she has the time.
Page 1
MEDICINE
Patients Have the Right to Ask Questions
By: Alan Sokolow, M.D.
Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer
Ovations
The last time your physician prescribed a medication for you, did you ask if there were any
side effects? If you’re like most people, you probably did not. Generations of Americans
have been raised with the notion that we do not question those in a position of authority. Moreover, people want to assume that their doctor always know best. But that doesn’t
mean you shouldn’t ask your doctor questions.
You’re the Customer
Never forget that you’re a customer paying your doctor for his or her time and expertise. If
you have questions, don’t allow yourself to be rushed or interrupted. Make sure all of your
questions are answered to your satisfaction before you leave the office. If your physician
prescribes a new medication, ask why it is the best one for your condition. Ensuring that the
drug prescribed is on your plan’s formulary, or that it is the lowest copay for the class of drug
you need can minimize your out of pocket expenses. You can also ask if generic alternatives
are available. Be sure to ask about side effects and how soon you should see improvement.
Also be sure that you understand any instructions concerning how and when to take the
medication. Most of all, be sure your doctor is aware of any other prescription and over-thecounter medications you are currently taking. Over-the-counter drug interactions can be
every bit as severe as those caused by prescription drugs.
Test Questions
As a patient, you should be prepared to ask questions about any tests, treatment or surgery
your physician recommends. When tests are ordered, ask about their accuracy and how the
results might affect your treatment. And, as you would with medications, ask about any risks
or side effects that might be associated with the tests. Be sure you understand any special
instructions you must follow prior to, during and after the tests.
Prior to committing to any treatment or surgery, ask about the benefits and risks and how
soon your condition will improve. Have your physician identify alternative treatments or
suggest other doctors who can give you a second opinion. If surgery is recommended, ask if
it can be done on an outpatient basis.
The one question we often fail to ask is how much the prescription, test, treatment or surgery will cost. Make sure you always ask the question, especially if you have limited financial
resources or concerns about deductibles or co-payments. If you foresee a problem, ask your
provider about any payment or discount options that might be available to you.
As executive vice president and chief medical officer for Ovations, Alan Sokolow, M.D., is responsible for
the clinical organization, health quality and medical cost management for all of Ovations’ members.
Before joining Ovations in December 2008, Sokolow was chief medical officer at Blue Shield of California
and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield in New York. In these positions, he was responsible for all aspects of
health care management and oversight, including medical policy, medical management, disease management, quality management, medical informatics, pharmacy services, behavioral health and network
contracting. Sokolow graduated from Pomona College and the University of California-Los Angeles
School of Medicine. He trained in internal medicine at the University of Utah and at the University of
Rochester in New York. He is board-certified in internal medicine.
Page 2
Page 3
BOOK REVIEW
Five Ways to Increase Your Brain Power By Sondra Kornblatt
If you can’t remember where you left
your keys or the name of a new colleague, it’s probably not stupidity or
dementia. More likely, your brain has
gotten caught in ruts and information
overload. But you can help your brain
learn and remember. Create new connections—big or small—and your brain
becomes more active and stays flexible. Even the brains of older people
can grow new neurons. Here are five
ways to create new neural pathways
and to help your brain stay plastic:
2.
3.
1.
Laugh. It’s good for your
brain! Humor works in the whole brain,
and quickly. Less than a half-second after you hear or see something funny, an electrical wave moves
through the higher brain functions of the cerebral cortex: the left
hemisphere analyzes the joke’s words and structure; the right
hemisphere interprets the meaning. Meanwhile, the visual sensory area of the occipital lobe creates images; the limbic (emotional system) makes you happier; and the motor sections make
you smile or laugh. In short, laughter improves alertness, creativity, and memory. Those who study the new field of gelotology,
which explores the benefits of laughter, have found that laughter
lowers blood pressure, increases vascular blood flow and oxygenation of the blood, provides a workout to the diaphragm and
various other muscles, reduces certain stress hormones, increases disease- and tumor-killing cells, and defends against respiratory infections. Help your brain by smiling, reading a few comics,
or faking a chuckle or two. It’s infectious.
Exercise. Movement helps you think. The brain’s cognitive and
movement functions work side by side, sharing the same automatic process. When you solve a problem, you imagine moving
through the steps. Exercise also stimulates the production of
brain chemicals, such as BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which encourages growth of new nerve connections. If you
already exercise, great – keep going. If you resist exercising, then
add variety to reengage yourself. If you don’t exercise at all, then
it’s time to begin. Park two blocks from the store or the office,
and walk the distance. Take the stairs rather than the elevator.
The invigoration and joy of movement will build over time. Here
are other suggestions: schedule a walk with a friend, join a gym,
and mark out your exercise time on a calendar as a reminder of
your commitment.
Balance light and darkness. Changes in light can affect the brain,
even if you’re not aware of it. For example, the lack of sufficient
brightness in the wintertime can lead to seasonal affective disorder, otherwise known as the blues. When we move the clocks
back and forth (from Daylight Savings to Standard Time), there
are more accidents on the road. We need light. The brain uses
it to enhance alertness. Even ambient light positively influences
hormone release and heart rate. We also need darkness to synchronize our body clock. Indoor lights, compu ters, street lamps,
and television sets can create too much brightness at night. To
restore the balance between light and dark, go outside in the
morning for a walk in the daylight, use light boxes in the winter,
turn off or dim the television and computer, darken the rooms of
Page 4
4.
5.
your house at dusk, and wear a good
eyeshade when you sleep.
Learn. New skills help you do more
than just say merci in French. Learning
strengthens the whole brain. Start by
simply trying new things: visit a new
place, learn a song, and rearrange
the furniture—they all stimulate your
neurons. Or do normal things in odd
ways, such as brushing your teeth with
your left (non-dominant) hand, taking
a new route home, or sleeping on the wrong side of the bed.
At first you might feel a little awkward or silly, but then you will
begin to enjoy the challenge. Learn something new like quilting
or bridge, or take a community class in engine repair or gourmet
cooking. You can also try a new or harder Sudoku or a crossword
puzzle. As a reward, you’ll come away with new skills and possibly give your brain a better chance against Alzheimer’s.
Create. For years, scientists believed the right side of the brain
was responsible for creativity. However, recent functional brain
scans show that the whole brain engages in creative thinking.
You can stoke your creativity by getting bored (reducing time
spent watching TV and movies, turning off the computer and video games, or not reading). Your brain will turn to itself for inspiration. You can also build time for creative experience: try a new
craft, put a sketch pad on your desk, or make a date to spend a
half hour each week writing, painting, knitting, or building a bird
house. Pump the creative well, and you’ll inspire yourself while
building new neural connections.
Remember, your brain is flexible and alive regardless of your age, and
no matter how many keys or words you misplace. By reducing stimulation and making little changes, you’ll appreciate your wonderful brain.
Start big or small, and you’ll find your brain coming back to life.
Sondra Kornblatt is the author of “A Better Brain at Any Age: The Holistic
Way to Improve Your Memory, Reduce Stress, and Sharpen Your Wits”
(Conari Press, December 2008). Learn more at ww.redwheelweiser.
com/.
Sondra Kornblatt is a health and science writer with special interest in wellness, spirituality, and parenting. She originated the Restful Insomnia program,
which helps people rest when they can’t sleep. She is the author of A Better
Brain at Any Age: The Holistic Way to Improve Your Memory, Reduce Stress,
and Sharpen Your Wits (Conari Press). She and her family live in the Pacific
Northwest. Learn more at www.redwheelweiser.com/.
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Cartoon by Ethan Van Diest
CURMUDGEON’S CORNER
“Sin is geographical” – Bertrand Russell
Greetings Curmudgeon fans from “SIN CITY”. Yes, this article is
sent from Las Vegas and I have been camping out down here for
a few weeks, wearing shorts and sandals, enjoying the triple digit
temperature (I remember cursing last winter’s snow) and looking
for a church that would have me as a member. Well, not actually
on the last part, but I have been doing my part for the local economy because Las Vegas is ground zero in our national economic
disaster. Also, I have been doing some research on back pain. But
more about my observations of “Sin City” and my research I’ll cover later in this article.
First, a brief profile of a local guy that many of you know and a
fellow I am sure you would agree, is definitely not a Curmudgeon!
Earl Erickson or aka “The Old Jalopy Guy” has been a fixture in
B’ham for many years and a contributing writer for this magazine
from its inception. I met Earl in 2007 and liked him once I found
that we shared some common values and life experiences. Most
important among these were prior military service and admiration
for both those now serving our country and our veterans.
However, in Earl’s case he has devoted many of his 70 plus years in
advocating for veterans, or “putting his money where his mouth
is”. Earl has educated me on a number of issues related to veterans including the high ranking of Washington State in the number
of retired veterans, funding (or lack of) for vets, the burden of access to health care, etc. So you can imagine the smile on his face
to share in the celebration of the new Veterans Medical Clinic in
Mount Vernon. And why shouldn’t he smile for he had contributed his voice of advocacy through many meetings and letters to
the politicians that could make it happen. It finally took the shame
of our worthless Congress to fund the project.
Still, this worthy project has happened in Earl’s lifetime though
I am sure he had his doubts at time. There is much about Earl’s
character that needs to be shared so I am soliciting “anecdotal
stuff” from those of you that know him best, so email me at
nwretiremnt1@aol.com with your name, telephone number
and a brief explanation of your relationship with “The Old Jalopy Guy”. I will be getting back to you for further information.
Now about my research here in “SIN CITY”; the subject is on back
pain and the proper treatment for this ubiquitous problem that
will touch about 80% of us at some time in our lives. For me the
onset was about five years ago and it was sudden with getting out
of bed one morning and nearly falling to the floor with intense
back and leg pain. After treating it with massive amounts of aspirin
without relief I went to my physician and without any examination
he said “It’s old mans back”. Huh? What? Well, he took an x-ray
in his office and ordered an MRI and sure enough, this procedure
confirmed his diagnosis of “old mans back” or “things are wearing
out”! So in the following five years there have been 3MRI’s, physical therapy, and multiple injections of steroids into my spine by 3
physicians and 1back surgery by another.
So about now you are asking, what worked? Answer; NOTHING!
The best of intentions by medical minds and many thousands of
dollars has been unable to reverse the advancement of “old mans
back”. So here is my research into the problem and the results
which I fully expect to have published in all of the prestigious
medical journals; treat with daily doses of scotch whiskey and a
minimum of 30 minutes in a hot water, jetted spa and get on with
your life as best you can!
I think I’m on to something with this treatment plan and the
results may have a profound economic impact on “Big Government’s Health Plan”. Just think about the billions of dollars that
could be saved or diverted to some medical problems with more
promising outcomes. How about this money being spent on our
grandchildren’s health? Now don’t get me wrong regarding health
care reform for I agree with most folks that what we have been
doing for forty some years does not work and I should know as the
“business of health care” has been my career for all those years. I
will have more to say on the subject in future issues of Northwest
Retirement.
In closing, by the time you read this I will have had a hot date with
my “Satin Doll” for the IL Divo concert at Mandalay Bay. If you
don’t know the group IL Divo, shames on you for these are some
very talented guys and we are lucky to catch them while on tour
here in Vegas. And speaking of lucky, isn’t my “Satin Doll” lucky to
have a hot date with me? I am sure her friends would agree.
Keep those emails coming to nwretirement1@aol.com with the
issues on your mind.
Postscript to Curmudgeon’s Corner
Just prior to going to press, I found a solution to the church idea.
Now here is the plan; the “Satin Doll” arrives on Tuesday the 14th,
the Il Divo concert is on the 17th and on Sunday morning The
House of Blues has a Sunday brunch with Gospel singers, This plan
could work and if it does I am going to get my Bro down here because his soul needs just as much redemption as my own. I’ll keep
you posted in the next issue on how this turns out.
Page 5
RE-ENTERING THE WORKFORCE
Economic Uncertainty Forcing Retirees to Re-enter the Workforce: In Honor of Older Americans
Month Career Expert Shows Aging Workers How to Market Their Experience
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - February 24, 2009 - In an American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) survey conducted last May, 25
percent of respondents between the ages of 45 and 54 said they
planned to delay retirement due to the economy. More than one
in four of these respondents indicated they’re finding it difficult to
pay the mortgage or rent, and a third stated that money is so tight
they’ve stopped contributing to their retirement accounts In honor
of May as Older American’ s Month, Captain Karen Kahn a career
expert is reaching out and offering advice to those who may be
contemplating delaying retirement or re-entering the work force to
maintain financial stability.
Having spent the last 30+ years at 30,000 feet with other people’s
lives in her hands, Captain Kahn certainly has mastered the art of
confidence, determination, communication and professional and
personal growth. Today, as an inspirational speaker, author, career
counselor, environmental activist and one of the few pioneering
female pilots still working, she is motivating and inspiring others
on how they too can harness their inner Captain and soar through
their careers and lives embodying these traits.
Despite the current economy, Captain Kahn says, “Retirees and
others who are considering re-entering the workforce, need to remember that desire, determination and persistence matter most.
However, many younger job competitors will not possess the same
level of maturity. This is a bonus skill that should be highlighted in
the search process.”
Captain Kahn provides this additional advice for people considering re-entering the workforce after retirement or who are changing
professions.
1. Use your “maturity” to substantiate your experience and credibility.
2. Use current situations to demonstrate the value of your skills.
3. Remember you know a whole lot more than the person you
are talking to does. Let them feel you are excited to share your
knowledge with them.
4. Use your skills to consult with a previous employer or competitor. You have valuable inf ormation to share with them about
your generation as consumers as well as how younger audiences can benefit from your knowledge.
5. Mentor seniors or pre-college groups on your specialty and
how they can apply your knowledge to benefit their career
pursuits.
6. Network with friends, family and others to determine if they
may be good sources for job referrals that will help you move
your career goals forward.
7. Don’t set impossible goals for yourself. You didn’t achieve your
current workplace status overnight, so don’t expect to transition to something else with minimal effort. Your future employer will appreciate your careful, considered transition and
Page 6
recognize you are serious about your career change
if you show that you’ve made well-timed steps that
reflect realistic planning.
8. The art of networking is a time-honored process.
Strive to cultivate people who can help you with future employment, making repeated contacts, if necessary to strengthen the networking bond.”
Using your Age to your Advantage
Captain Kahn added, “Being too old is mostly a state of
mind. It is up to you to scrutinize your available resources
and determine what you are willing to sacrifice to realize
your lifelong dream. Impress them with your maturity,
good sense, attention to detail, and concern for providing
a high-quality service. An excellent performance will make
them want to hire you, regardless of your resume statistics. Once again what’s left unsaid can often be the key to
unlocking an elusive job opportunity.”
More career tips and tactics can be found in Captain Kahn’s
book, Flight Guide for Success available at www.CaptainKarenKahn.com.
About Captain Karen Kahn
Kahn has been actively involved in the aviation industry
for 30+ years. Prior to starting her airline career in 1977,
she instructed at the SierraAcademy in Northern California and operated her own weekend ground school teaching Private, Commercial and Instrument courses.
As a professional speaker, Kahn has presented numerous
career workshops and professional aviation events helping audiences of all ages reach their personal career goals.
She also provides professional advice, personal resources
management, and airline interview coaching through her
firm Aviation Career Counseling (www.aviationcareercounseling.com).
She holds ratings through Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), including type ratings on the Boeing 757/767 and McDonnell-Douglas MD-80. She was the first woman to be typerated in a Lockheed JetStar. Her other ratings include: CFII
MEI, Flight Engineer, Turbojet, Seaplane, Helicopter, and
the coveted Master CFI (MCFI) designation from the National Association of Flight Instructors.
For more information, to schedule an interview or for a
review copy of Flight Guide for Success, contact Renee
Cooper at Christie Communications: (805) 962-1347 or
rcooper@christiecomm.com.
ADVERTISING
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3,260 sq. feet with main floor living, grand
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REALTOR
360.303.1023
Lynda@LyndaHinton.com
If you are looking to simplify your life
without sacrificing on amenities,
you must see these homes!
1924 Blakely Court
$699,000
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MIL suite is handicap accessible.
To view more information on these homes
or for any real estate needs,
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Coldwell Banker Miller-Arnason
Page 7
Page 8
FINANCE
Page 9
ADVERTISING
Page 10
HOME OWNERS
Top 3 Ways WA Home Owners Can Prepare for a Layoff
Kirkland, WA June 9, 2009 – “The unemployment rate in Washington recently broke above 9%, and is likely to climb further
before the economy recovers,” said Keith Tibbles, President
of Cobalt Mortgage, one of the largest privately owned Mortgage Bankers in the state of Washington. “There are three distinct strategies that home owners can implement in order to
be prepare d for a potential layoff.”
#1 – Reduce Your Mortgage Payments Now, Before the Layoff
Hits
The best time to refinance your mortgage is when you are currently employed. This is due to the fact that you are unlikely
to qualify for a mortgage refinance after you get laid off. Refinancing strategies that lower your payments could include:
• Refinancing into the lower interest rates that are available due to recent government interventions in the mortgage markets
• Refinancing from a 15 year loan to a 30 year loan in order
to lower your monthly mortgage payments
“The key is to ease the burden on your cash flow while you look
for another job,” said Tibbles. “Lowering your expenses can
also help you maintain your lifestyle if you find it necessary to
accept a lower paying job.” For example, if you are able to save
$200 per month on your mortgage payment, this translates
into $2,400 per year in real after-tax cash flow savings. For an
average household in a 25% federal income tax bracket, this
$2,400 in cash flow savings from refinancing would be equivalent to $3,333 in taxable wages they would need earn from
their employer. In this example, a household earning $75,000
per year could take up to a 4.4% pay cut in their wages without a negative impact on their lifestyle or cash flow.
#2 – Prepare a Hardship Package for Your Lender
If you’ve already lost your job and are currently unemployed,
you may qualify for a mortgage modification due to your hardship situation. “The key to qualifying for a loan modification is
to prove to your lender that they are better off renegotiating
your loan than by sending the home into foreclosure,” said
Tibbles. This is most effectively accomplished by preparing a
“hardship package” that includes three essential elements:
• A letter outlining how your current financial situation is
worse than at the time you initially qualified for the mortgage (talk about the job loss and illustrate your loss of
income)
• Financial documentation and a budget that proves how
you would be able to afford reduced monthly payments
(for example, show how your household could afford the
new reduced payments based on the remaining income
from the spouse who is still employed, etc.)
• Documentation (such as comparable sales data) showing
how the lender would be forced to take a huge loss if they
were to foreclose on the property and try to sell it into a
declining housing market
#3 – Sell Your Home with Creative Financing Incentives
If you can’t qualify for a refinance or loan modification, the
only remaining option may be to sell your home. If you have
equity remaining in the property, you could recover some cash
from the home sale. However, you may need to consider a real
estate short sale if you are in a negative equity situation. A real
estate short sale is when a home owner sells their property for
less than what they owe on the mortgage, and the lender gives
their permission to do this by forgiving the difference and/or
releasing the mortgage lien on the property. “Short sales are
not very common yet in Washington due to the fact that only
9.8% of20homeowners are in a negative equity situation compared to over 40% in places like Michigan or Nevada where
short sales are more common,” Tibbles said. “However, short
sales may become more common if the Washington economy
and job market worsens in the near term.”
If you decide to sell your home, make sure that the home is
marketed properly. “Offering creative financing incentives for
potential buyers makes your home stand out from the glut of
available inventory in the market,” said Tibbles. “Creative financing incentives could include seller-paid points to reduce
the buyer’s monthly payments, and/or matching the $8,000
first time home buyer tax credit. Instead of reducing the price
of your home, simply take those same dollars and reduce the
buyer’s monthly mortgage payments. This makes your home
more affordable to a wider variety of potential home buyers.”
About Cobalt Mortgage:
Cobalt Mortgage is one of the largest, privately owned Mortgage Bankers in the State of Washington. Headquartered in
Kirkland with 7 branch offices, they are able to service their
real estate partners in numerous local markets. Cobalt employees are committed to the needs of their clients and to creating
a great mortgage lending experience . Their state-of–the-art
technology is considered one of the best in mortgage lending. They offer Internal Underwriting, Processing and Funding,
meaning they close loans quickly, efficiently and effortlessly.
Cobalt strives to make a positive impact in the communities
they serve, sponsoring many benefits and charities. The last
two years the company has produced over $2 billion of loans,
exceeding expectations within the mortgage industry. Cobalt
Mortgage is committed to more than just great service; their
consultative approach to lending recognizes that one needs to
find the right mortgage solution and that that decision is far
more complicated than it was a few years ago.
Contact:
Shelagh Stoa
Cobalt Mortgage
shelagh.stoa@cobaltmortgage.com
425.605.3185
Page 11
VETERANS
Veterans Health Care
By Earl Erickson
Veterans that live in the North Puget Sound five country area now have easier access to V.A.
health care checkups. A new community based outpatient clinic has been centrally located
in the second floor of the Mount Vernon medical building. The CBOC is 16,700 square feet
and was officially dedicated July 2nd with VA and elected officials.
There were 60,000 (male and female) veterans that will benefit from this clinic. There are
2,100 veterans that are enrolled. Any eligible veteran can request enrollment by completing form 10-10EZ application for medical benefits. Contact V.A Puget Sound health care
system at (206) 762-1010 extension 62170. Forms are available at www.va.gov.
The clinic does not serve “walk in” or emergencies. Your non V.A physician is still necessary
for these services. V.A patients that require surgical, critical care or other services will still
be required to go to Seattle V.A Hospital. The DAV bus will continue daily Monday to Friday
bus trips to Seattle V.A Hospital for non handicapped veterans.
The CBOC will have facilities for vision, hearing and dental issues by the end of 2009. Veterans and veteran organizations have lobbied V.A officials, federal elected senators and
representatives for over a decade to get this much needed clinic. It will also serve active
military, reserves and military that have completed their tours of duty.
Veterans in Skagit and Whatcom Counties worked over a long period of time to facilitate
this new veteran’s clinic.
Page 12
FINANCE
Stress-Test Your Financial Future
Tips to Keeping Your Retirement Plan On Track
Summer is just around the corner, but that’s no excuse to take
a vacation from checking up on your retirement plan. A recent
Women & Co. study found that women feel personal traits —
hard work, discipline and intelligence — are more important
to financial success than external factors such as education,
family and luck. So when it comes to achieving a comfortable
retirement, it’s up to you to stay in the driver’s seat.
Lisa Caputo, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Women & Co.,
and Linda Descano, CFA®, President and COO of Women &
Co., offer the following 5 steps you can use today to help ensure financial security tomorrow:
1. Know Your Numbers: Calculate how much retirement savings you will need in order to live comfortably for an average
of 20–30 years. Remember, women typically spend more
years in retirement and need to plan accordingly. Inflation
will lessen the value of your money over time. Historically, the
inflation rate is about 3% so be sure to factor that into your
calculation*. Once you know your number, determine how
much you should be saving monthly and annually to achieve
it.
2. Maximize Contributions: Contribute the maximum amount
to your employer-sponsored retirement plan each year and
take advantage of any employer match that is available to you.
This is particularly important for women who are more likely
to take time out of the workforce to care for family members.
Take advantage of “catch up” rules — if you’re 50 or older —
that allow you to put even more money into your retirement
plan.
3.
Review Your Benefits: Make sure you know the types
of benefits you will be entitled to from your pension plans
(from both current and past employers), as well as the Social Security Administration (ssa.gov), once you reach retirement age. Check your annual Social Security benefit statement for accuracy.
4. Cover the Long-Term: Plan for the unexpected. Be aware
that Medicare, health insurance, and/or disability insurance
often do not cover long term care costs (e.g., nursing home
and assisted living). Learn about long-term care insurance
and evaluate whether it is suitable for your situation.
5. Make a Date: Your retirement plan should evolve along
with you so it’s important to evaluate it regularly. Meet with
your financial advisor a minimum of once a year to reassess,
and perhaps rebalance, your retirement plan in response to
your changing life goals and needs.
If you need help, ask. Speak with a financial advisor or visit
womenandco.com, which provides access to a suite of financial education resources and a vibrant community of
financially-minded women.
About Women & Co.
Women & Co. is a financial resource program from Citi,
dedicated to helping women achieve their financial goals.
Women & Co. provides members with education on a vast
array of financial and investing topics, which members access through womenandco.com, where members can read
newsletters, listen to audio conferences, and find out about
Master Class seminars in major metropolitan areas. For
more information, visit womenandco.com.
Page 13
Page 14
QUILTING
EverGreen Quilters Quilt Show
During EverGreen Quilters Quilt Show on Sept. 11 and 12 at Birchwood Presbyterian Church in Bellingham, local quilt artist,
teacher, author, and lecturer, Reynola Pakusich will be featured with her latest work. Demonstrations are scheduled several
times during the two day event where Reynola will tell us how she “listens” to her fabric when making selections for her
quilts.
REYNOLA PAKUSICH is a third generation member from a family of
quilters who settled in Eastern Washington and Idaho. She began
quilting seriously in the 1970’s and teaching for quilt shops shortly
afterward. She has had numerous photos of her quilts published in
books and magazines, as well as several one woman shows. Reynola
retired from 30 years of public school teaching in Sedro-Woolley
School District and now combines quilting with her husband’s interests of fishing and hunting (i.e. paper piecing in a car, boat, on a ferry
or working by gas light at a lake cabin.) Residing in Bellingham, Washington, she is an
active member of several Northwest Washington quilt/study groups and continues to
take workshops, attend lectures, and experiments with the latest techniques to keep
herself on the cutting edge of the craft.
As an Artist she says, “In my work I begin with the fabrics – seeking to see what shapes
that special fabric might want to be cut into, what kinds of fabric textures, colors and
values might support that special piece. The fabrics seem to almost speak – rejecting,
accepting and sometimes eagerly clicking with one another.”
Autumn Star 42.5” x 42.5”
Page 15
ADVERTISING
Health Heart fair will be held on Saturday,
September 12th from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM.
For further information
contact Mary Chenoweth at
www.lyndencommunitycenter.org
Scott Caldwell
4164 MERIDIAN
SUITE 104
BELLINGHAM, WA 98226
scaldwell@wradvisors.com
COMPARE
US!
x FIXED ANNUITIES
x RETIREMENT PLANS
x LONG TERM CARE
x LIFE & DISABILITY
x MEDICAL BENEFITS
We do the shopping for
you.
Call for a Quote today!
Bob Wallin and Sandy
BOB WALLIN INSURANCE, INC.
800-562-8834
A History of Caring
Professional
Service since 1976
Ph. 360-734-5204
FAX: 360-734-5207
insurance@bobwallin.com
Online: BOBWALLIN.COM
Page 16
ANIMALS
The Healing Touch of Pet Therapy
By Nicole Gruendl
If you are a pet owner, you know that animals can have a
positive effect on the physical and psychological wellbeing
of individuals of all ages.
Would seeing changes and results like these not make your
heart swell with love and amazement? By bringing pet therapy into your facility, you can create these changes.
Having a pet brings out feelings of comfort, love and excitement. Your pet is there to comfort you when you are sad and
greet you when you come home. Nobody else can show you
the level of unconditional love and loyalty like a pet can. So
it is not surprising to know that having a pet can offer great
health benefits.
Specially trained Therapy Pets can either take up residence
in nursing and care homes, or they are taken to visit to a facility. The patients and residents are encouraged to stroke,
play, and cuddle the animal. Interactions such as these often
result in the improved physical health and mental well-being
of the patient – and the animals enjoy it too!
Imagine how you would feel if you and your pet are forced
apart?
The feelings of sadness, frustration and concerns are the result of when an individual is required to move into a nursing or care home where they will be separated from their
pet. They may experience distress knowing that the pet is
no longer a part of their lives. Wouldn’t that be devastating
to you? This is why Pet Therapy is so important to their well
being.
During a pet therapy session residents might be asked to
do such activities as brushing the animal’s fur, or giving the
dog a command. Such tasks allow the residents to exercise
their physical, emotional, cognitive and social abilities. But
most of all, a pet therapy session gives the residents someone warm and fuzzy to cuddle – a loving recipient of their
affection.
Nursing and care homes can quickly become a very lonely
and boring place to be Residents become withdrawn and
can even suffer from depression. The introduction of pet
therapy means that these people have something to look
forward to. Knowing that today is “pet therapy day” brings
joy to these people.
Interacting with therapy pets brings on a significant improvement to the resident’s health. Their quality of life improves,
as does their sense of well-being.
Improvements shown may include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Lower Blood Pressure
Reduced Cholesterol
Reduced Stress
Reduced Anxiety
Improved Self-esteem
Improved Quality of Life
A Better Sense of Well-being
Improved Dexterity
A Sense of Belonging and Connection
A well organized pet therapy program benefits everyone. It
gives volunteers the opportunity to provide a well-appreciated service to the community, the animals enjoy getting
out into the community, and of course the patients benefit
both psychologically and physiologically. They feel loved
and special for that is what comes naturally to the animals.
They have an intuitive nature and it reflects upon everyone
around them. Animals make people smile and feel better…
period.
So why not give it a try? Become a volunteer or suggest such
a program in your facility. The results will be amazing!
For more articles on Senior and Care Homes please visit my
webpage at www.NicoleGruendl.com or for more information on how I can support you and your facility http://CareHomeCoaching.NicoleGruendl.com
God Bless all of our furry friends;
In fact, research has shown that patients who owned a pet
were most likely to be alive a year after a heart attack than
those without pets.
Also, it was determined that only 6 percent of heart patients
who owned pets died within a year compared with 28 percent of people who did not.
Page 17
List of Advertisers:
Airporter Shuttle
Azteca Construction
Barron Heating & Air Conditioning
Beach Basket Yarns
Berton Construction
Bob & Cyndy’s Trophies
Bob Wallin Insurance, Inc.
Bob’s Burger and Brew
Christian Health Care Center
Creative Construction & Remodel
Creative Mortgage Solutions
Dawn Durand (Windermere)
Elder Services NW
Emerald Suites
Gateway Centre Executive Suites
Gateway Centre Executive Suites
Hearing Northwest
Home Health Seminar
Humbolt Auto
Page 18
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Inside Front Cover
Page 18
Page 10
Joetta Snow (Remax)
John Kole Vehicle Repair
Life Chiropractic Center
Louis Auto Glass
Lynda Hinton (Coldwell Banker)
Merrill Gardens
Nathan McAllister
Northwest Landscaping
Parkway Chateau
Salvation Army
Sandra Mulhern (Century 21)
Skagit Valley Casino Resort
Smitty’s Auto Repair
Sterling
The Willows
To Do For You
Waddell & Reed
Wanek Stein Tax Advisory Group
Page 10
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Back Cover
Page 16
Inside Back Cover
Page 8
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Page 9
“
With Sterling, I’m confident
my clients’ needs
”
are covered.
Sterling Market Manager, Katrina Borth
Are you paying too much
for your Medicare Supplement?
Sterling now offers an affordable alternative
—Sterling Medicare Supplement Plan K.
sLow Premiums
sNo Copayments
sChoose Any Hospital
sChoose Any Doctor
or Specialist
sHas an “Out-of-Pocket Cap”
You can enroll today! Plan K and other Medicare Supplements secondary
to your primary Medicare can be purchased year round.
Call now for more information.
Call: (360) 392-9160
Toll-free: 1-888-302-8332
TTY: 1-888-858-8567
192 E. Bakerview Rd., Suite 201
Bellingham, WA 98226
!DMINISTRATIVE/FlCES0/"OX"ELLINGHAM7!s
For Sterling Premier® and Medicare Select Supplement Insurance, neither Sterling nor its agents are affiliated with Medicare
or the state or federal government. Please contact Sterling for complete details on other plans that may be available.
WA1.18.08
Available from your Sterling Agent: Health, Life, Prescription Drug Plans
and Critical Condition or Cancer Plans.

advertising - Northwest Retirement Magazine

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