Prime April 15, 2014 by The Times of NWI

prime. A LIFESTYLE RESOURCE • MAY 2014

Harmonica harmony Musician Bud Boblink keeps the tunes coming ROOFTOP GARDENS Sky-high nature

Amatulli & Associates “The Safe Money People”

60-SOMETHING Skin care dilemmas

“ W e c h e r i sh l i f e a n d h e l p p a t i e nt s d o e v e r yt h i n g t h e y c a n d o . ”

prime.

VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 4

publisher CHRISTOPHER T. WHITE

vp of sales JOHN TUCKER

associate publisher/editor PAT COLANDER

advertising operations manager ERIC HORON

managing editor KATHLEEN DORSEY

advertising managers CRAIG CHISM, DEE DEE WHITE

associate content producer TARA MCELMURRY design director BEN CUNNINGHAM designer MARY GARRISON

Joanne, Registered Nurse

Hospice of the Calumet Area

“At Hospice of the Calumet Area, we ask each patient, ‘What is your goal?’ And our whole team tries to help meet that goal. “We have patients that garden, still drive, go places. By providing expert care, support and equipment, we help patients stay home and focus on living life. We encourage families to begin hospice as early as possible, so we can help more.” Hospice of the Calumet Area seeks to make every day fulfilling. To learn more, call or visit our website.

contributing editors JANE AMMESON, DENISE DECLUE, JANE DUNNE, JULIE DEAN KESSLER, KATHRYN MACNEIL, CAROLYN PURNELL, CARRIE STEINWEG

creative production manager TOM KACIUS published by LEE ENTERPRISES The Times of Northwest Indiana Munster 219.933.3200 Crown Point 219.662.5300 Valparaiso 219.462.5151 Copyright, Reprints and Permissions: You must have permission before reproducing material from Prime.

calendar. APR 15-20 Harre Union Jazz Fest, call for times, Valparaiso

University Harre Union Ballroom, 1509 Chapel Dr, Valparaiso. 219.464.5415. valpo.edu. The Midwest’s largest non-competitive jazz event spans six days and features a variety of jazz performers, including John Fedchock on the trombone on Thursday and Friday and Grammy award-winning New York Voices performing on Saturday.

APR 16 Osteoporosis and Bone Health, noon, Valparaiso Family YMCA, 1201 Cumberland Crossing Dr, Valparaiso. 888.909.3627. valpoymca.org. Kristy Darnell, RN, MSN, FNP-BC, CNRN presents this seminar about overall bone health and the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. APR 26-27 Waterscape Weekend Garden Pond Expo, 9am-5pm, Lake County Fairgrounds, 889 S Court St, Crown Point. illianagardenpond.org. Wind twirlers, stone bird houses, hot tubs, outdoor fireplaces and yard art are just a few of the many exhibits guests will encounter at this 13th annual event. The day also includes water features, lighting and garden experts, plus educational seminars and workshops. APR 29 Can You Hear Me? 6pm, Strongbow Inn, 2405 E US 30, Valparaiso. 800.541.1861. porterhealth.com. ENT Dr. Matthew discusses how hearing loss is diagnosed and the best new treatment options. Refreshments provided. Registration by phone required.

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MAY 3 16th Annual Munster Car Show, 9am-4pm, Munster Community Pool Parking Lot, 8837 Columbia Ave, Munster. 219.836.7275. munster.org. Car enthusiasts can show of their ride at this annual car show for a chance at “Best in Show,” “People’s Choice “or a top-three finisher in each class. Entry forms are available in the park office. The event also features a vendor/arts and crafts fair, music, food and a chance to vote for the best entry at the car show.

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

heart health

I ‘HEART’ YOU:

Marriage linked to better prognosis for cardiac issues GREENSHOOT MEDIA

recent large-scale study conducted by researchers in Finland says that being married and cohabiting – especially among middle-aged couples – is associated with considerable better prognosis of acute cardiac events. In short, marriage is good for your heart. The study was published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology and based on nearly 10 years of register data. The information driving the study included more than 15,000 acute cardiac syndrome events, with more than half resulting in death within 28 days. Among this group, mortality rates were found to be 60 to 168 percent higher in unmarried men, and 71 to 175 percent higher in unmarried women. So what exactly is the connection between marriage and the heart’s ability to recover from a major event? Study researchers offered the following explanations.

Seniors are urged to find and acquaint themselves with other seniors. This social interaction can pay large dividends in all types of health, including mental, emotional and physical. EARLY INTERVENTION Researchers hypothesized that married couples may be more likely than unmarried people to seek medical assistance in the case of a health issue. A recent study agrees. It was conducted by the University of Missouri Department of Human Development and Family Studies and found that if spouses understand their partners’ disease and treatment requirements, both people’s health could improve.

BETTER CARE Married people may seek better treatment once in the hospital and after discharge. The study found that a larger proportion of married and cohabiting men received specialized therapy at acute stage. This intervention has been known to contribute to better survival after hospitalization. Lower adherence to OVERALL HEALTH aspirin, statins or beta-blockers among Married couples may have a heart advantage because of their health habits the unmarried may have an adverse and social connectivity to other married effect on long-term prognosis, the researchers claim. couples like them. Marriage and cohabitation is linked to a better prognosis for cardiac events, studies say. GREENSHOOT MEDIA

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

APRIL 15, 2014 |||||| PRIME |||||| 3

60-something.

A Baby Boomer moment

for skin care products When all is said and done, it seems like nothing is ever finally said and done. Research continues at a maddening pace into the efficacy of the anti-aging products we put on our skin. Maybe it’s because 8,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every day (and we have a ton of wrinkles!).

aybe it’s because as a group, humans are totally susceptible to advertising. Whatever, anti-aging skin care is an $8 billion business in this country. Count in the rest of the world and the amount probably doubles. Just trying to find out what might work to make your skin look better turns out to be a journey down a long, dusty, and oxidizing road. The FDA does not regulate “cosmeceuticals,” as they are called in the industry. Individual brands conduct tests designed to produce results vaulting their own particular potions. Plus everybody is different and some folks might feel that a certain product makes their skin look and feel better than others do. If you’re really worried about your skin, see a dermatologist and ask your mother what she uses. I think a lot of skin doctors who are not on the payroll for a specific product are reluctant to endorse any particular mixture. Dr. Michael O’Donoghue, dermatologist with the Franciscan Alliance, was kind enough to point out some products that actually do have the kind of active ingredients that might penetrate into older skin cells and encourage them to act more like younger cells. First of all, he says, “stick to the more heavily advertised brands like Olay or Revlon. They spend a lot of money testing their products, and they probably come closer to delivering than ‘offbrands.’ So far, none of the research I’ve seen shows any permanent changes with any of these creams. One break-through product might be StriVectin.” StriVectin is a stretch-mark cream that was tested extensively in France and is now being used to reduce wrinkles. “The active ingredient is PAL-KTTS,” says Dr. O’Donoghue. “This complex improves the skin’s health by enhancing the

4 |||||| PRIME ||||| April 15, 2014

production of protein in the skin.” With more protein, the skin gets more plump and elastic (think blow-up life raft). It’s available on the Internet. Another product containing PAL-KTTS is Oil of Olay Regenerist. Retinol has been tested and proved to diminish wrinkles and helps DENISE DECLUE skin cells produce new proteins like elastin and collagen. Dermatologists can prescribe the strong stuff, and will advise patients how to be careful not to burn themselves with it. I asked some of my 60-something friends, who take pretty good care of their skin what they thought about miraculous new skin creams. BARBARA: “Cheap vs. expensive doesn’t seem to matter. The active ingredients are the key. Longevity magazine did a great piece several years ago about this. Retinol works by exfoliating the dead skin and leaving something behind to improve the new skin. I use Cetaphil to wash, SPF 30 day cream (not brand specific), a night cream after washing and an exfoliant once a week—and what do I know? Nothing. What does work is a professional facial one a month. It does make the skin peachy.” MARIA: I just stumbled across this cake. facesoaping.com in New Orleans. The person who makes the soap also does these other products and she sent me the moisturizer when I ordered six months worth of soap. I have had tons of problems with moisturizer—cheap, expensive—whatever because they all seem to make me break out. (A doctor told me that having laser treatments

probably made my skin more sensitive—duh, after I had laser treatments in his office.) When the Cakeface moisturizer arrived I noticed it was different, heavier than other moisturizers and unscented. Moisturizers I’ve tried usually have scents. You’re putting it on your face so they want it to smell good. Anyway, it works and it doesn’t make me break out. So I love it, I’m using it every day now. ” JULIE: “For most of my life I’ve been either too thrifty or too broke to invest in high-end skin care products, however a couple of years ago I did buy $300 worth of 100% organic products from an outfit in the Bay Area called ‘Dr. Alkaitis’ (alkaitis. com) because one of my girlfriends is related to the good doctor, who is a chemist and plant product enthusiast. Aside from the name which is pronounced almost exactly like ‘Al Qaeda’s,’ I was tremendously pleased with cleanser, lotion and oil in this line. If I were to budget a couple of grand annually for skin care products I would probably start with these. “Meanwhile, a friend of mine once told me that, in the low end, good skin-care products are pretty much all the same, but that Olay is a quality cut above the others, so I use those.” When all is said and done: any product that sounds too good to be true is probably too good to be true. The beautiful red-headed woman-of-a-certainage across the street uses olive oil. Even as I write this I am about to become part of the $8 billion problem, not the solution. The ingredients in the products I want include olus oil, chondrus crispus powder, sodium borate, dicaprylyl ether, and hydrolyzed quinoa. Why? Because it makes me glow. Note to Heather-with-the-Frye-Boots-fromthe-Coffee-Shop—Call me. Note to Self: If there is anything close to reincarnation, I promise to pay a lot more attention in chemistry class.

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

88% LUNG CANCER HAS AN

SURVIVAL RATE

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LUNG SCREENING

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To learn more or schedule an appointment, please call

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inspiring health

FranciscanAlliance.org/Cancer *In a recent study published in the NEJM, lung cancer diagnosed at stage 1 resulted in a survival rate of 88% at a projected 10 years. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:17.

A Special publication of the Times Media Co.

April 15, 2014 |||||| Prime |||||| 5

cover story

Local harmonica player

BY DIANE POULTON

toured the world doing what he loves

t was the perfect Christmas gift which kept on giving, leading the recipient to a career spanning more than 50 years and world-wide travel doing what he loves best—playing the harmonica. Growing up on Chicago’s south side, Bud Boblink received that first harmonica from his dad when he was 13. “I fell in love with it and I have been playing ever since,” Boblink says. His inspiration back then was a the legendary harmonica trio, the Harmonicats, known best for their recording of “Peg O’ My Heart,” which sold more than one million copies by 1950 and reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Chart. Little did Boblink know back then that one day he would have the opportunity to play the harmonica with his idols. At age 18, Boblink and two friends, Bob Laas and Al Fontana, formed their own harmonica trio The Bobcats. The trio toured Europe, the Far East and the United States entertaining at United Service Organization (USO) shows. While in Europe, the Bobcats performed over Radio Free Europe. There, Boblink met retired two-time world middleweight boxing champion, Tony Zale, who also participated in the traveling show. “Tony was a great guy and from Gary,” Boblink says. “He had worked at U.S. Steel and was known as ‘Man of Steel.’ Tony would play a couple comical notes on his harmonica with the Bobcats. It was humorous and fun. The troops loved it.” Through the years the self-taught Boblink entertained audiences alone and with other groups eventually working with the original Harmonicats, Jerry Murad, Don Les, and Al Fiore. “It was an honor to play with them,” 6 |||||| PRIME ||||| April 15, 2014

JOHN J. WATKINS PROVIDED Bud Boblink plays his chord harmonica with the Goldtones at the Lake Boblink has been playing the County Fair in 2013. instrument since he was 13. Boblink says. “I became friends with all of them. I was very fortunate to have known them.” The Harmonicats lived in the Chicago area, Boblink says. He recalls visiting Murad at his south side apartment, drinking Kool Aid and thinking “life doesn’t get any better than this.” “They were all very friendly guys and very encouraging to us when we were younger,” Boblink says. “Al Fiore had a connection with Wrigley Field so we were able to play at the park with him a couple times before ballgames.” Boblink says Les, who was partially

blind most of his life, lived in Marina City. “He was a great base harmonica player,” Boblink says. “I did shows with him in Pittsburgh.” Boblink toured Florida with Harmonicats leader Murad performing 21 shows across the state in 1996. “I got to know all of them during my life,” Boblink says. “I am really glad I did. They were all great guys.” In 2004, Boblink was honored by the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica (SPAH), as the Harmonica Player of the Year. Boblink says he loves playing all

types of music whether classic, country, popular rock, or even the blues. He plays all types of harmonicas from the two-foot long chord harmonica, which he plays in the groups, to the one-inch pee wee. “Careful, don’t swallow it,” Boblink says. Boblink, who retired from Sears after working there 38 years in various jobs, has shared the stage with many individual harmonica artists including Pete Pederson, Howard Levy, Harry Bee, Madcat, Lee Oskar, Stagg McMann, Cappy LaFell, Sandy German, Mo Vint, Frank Warner, Don Klein, Buzz Krantz, and Joe Filisko.

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

orthopaedic specialists

of Northwest Indiana

“Visionaire Instrumentation” Custom Alignment for Knee Replacement Here the imaging is used to precisely measure how much bone and cartilage is removed so that the knee replacement components have the ideal fit for each individual patient.

PROVIDED Windy City Harmonica Trio Bud Boblink, Ron Agnew and Bill Morris. For several years, he joined Don Allen and Dan Wilson to judge and perform at the Yellow Pine Harmonica Festival in Idaho. Boblink and Warner joined Pederson to record ten of Pederson’s original compositions. He has spent years performing on radio, television, cruise ships and stages across the country and around the world. Around 2007, Boblink toured with Mo Vint and Michael Burton on the Holland American cruise line for several weeks traveling from Florida through the Panama Canal then flying to Honolulu and performing on another cruise ship sailing back to Vancouver, British Columbia. “While on the cruise ship somebody asked me if I was one of the original Harmonicats,” Boblink says. “By that time the original Harmonicats were gone. I says ‘if I were one of the original Harmonicats, I would have to probably be 100 years old.’ So he says ‘are you?’”. To keep his performances entertaining, Boblink says he can’t resist adding humor and even some magic, all relating to the harmonica, to his shows. With the Windy City Harmonica Trio, Boblink, Ron Agnew and Bill Morris, have volunteered to play at Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn for the Easy Breather’s club. “The best exercise for those with lung problems is playing the harmonica,” Boblink says. “It’s the only instrument that you must blow and draw to play.” In 2005, with Phil Caltabellotta and Warner, known as the Yellow Pine Trio, Boblink toured to Singapore and Malaysia putting on concerts. “It was a wonderful experience,” Boblink says. “At the end of one of our shows, and during a standing ovation,

young girls brought bouquets of flowers up to the performers and musicians on stage. It was heartwarming and emotional. The folks there were very warm and hospitable.” Boblink recently returned from Florida where he performed at the Lakeland Center and on one of the town squares in the Villages with Mo Vint and Warner as today’s current Harmonicats. Boblink suspects there are many Northwest Indiana residents living at the Villages, a community catering to adults 55 and older, because when it was announced he was from Schererville Indiana there was a burst of applause from many audience members. Boblink was also a featured performer at the 2014 Virginia Harmonicafest in March at Virginia Beach On March 14 the Windy City Trio appeared on Harry Porterfield’s “Someone You Should Know” TV segment. This trio performed at North Western’s Pick-Staiger concert hall on April 4 at an all-harmonica concert with harmonica greats Howard Levy, Corky Siegel, Pablo Fagundes, and Jim Conway. Almost every Saturday, during the summer, Boblink joins three talented close friends, Art Handley, Marty McCarthy, and former Crown Point Mayor Jim Forsythe, to entertain the crowd with their music at the weekly Farmers Market in the shadow of the historic old Lake County Courthouse. Handley, McCarthy and Forsythe all play the guitar with McCarthy playing base guitar. “Stop by and say ‘hello,’” Boblink says. “We have a great time together.” For videos and more information about Boblink and his upcoming performances visit his web site budboblink.com.

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

One orthopedic manufacturer, SmithNephew,uses a preoperative MRI,which is used for the measurements.That data is reviewed by the company engineers and the patients surgeon and when all that information appears correct, custom-made cutting blocks are created for component placement during surgery. Branded “Visionaire” technique, the cutting blocks are made of a hard nylon material, come sterilized for use in the operating room and fit exactly over the bone. Once secured to the bone, they have a cutting slot where the bone cuts are completed.

New Techniques in Joint Replacement Computer modeled cutting blocks, custom designed for each patient and based on their own X-Ray and MRI imaging helps the surgery become even less invasive, faster and with less blood loss. There are several advantages to this. One, as already mentioned, is precision and customized component placement. Additionally these blocks are smaller than even the minimally invasive instruments, so the surgery can be less invasive. Since they come “pre-aligned,” there are no larger alignment instruments needed, so the surgery is often done in significantly less time. Finally, there is no rod placement down the central bone canal as in traditional techniques, which can lead to extra post-op blood loss.

ARTHRITIS UPDATE:

ADVANCES IN JOINT REPLACEMENT ♦ Residency/Training: Univ. of Chicago ♦ Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons (ABOS) ♦ Member American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS)

For more information about Visionaire Custom Alignment Knee, I can be contacted at:

Joseph Hecht, M.D

Orthopaedic Specialists of Northwest Indiana 730-45th Street, Munster, IN 46321 www.josephhechtmd.com

Phone 219-924-3300 Fax (219) 922-5424

April 15, 2014 |||||| PRIME |||||| 7

living by design.

Rooftop gardens

elevate the landscape

WORDS BY JANE AMMESON

he urban cool of rooftop gardening can easily transfer to smaller cities and rural areas as well. “Creating a green roof or a roof garden is a great way to utilize space that you already have,” says Corbett Miller, horticulturist at Taltree Arboretum and Gardens in Valparaiso. From the simplistic—potted plants and containers brimming with blooms—to sophisticated seating arrangements, walking paths and plantings, these gardens create more outdoor living spaces or, at the least, turning the top of a small outbuilding such as a garden shed or even a dog house, into a visual focal point that becomes another part of an eye catching garden design. But, for those of us new to the concept, there’s a distinction between green roofs and rooftop gardens. “For a green roof, think of it as more like a prairie transported to the top of you building, something solidly planted sometimes with pathways,” says Allan Smessaert, Owner and General Manager at Acorn Markets based in Kankakee, who has created rooftop gardens in Northwest Indiana. “Rooftop gardens are more like a living space with no hardscape. It’s more about the seating with built in and portable container.” At Taltree, one of only eight arboretums in the world to be awarded Level III accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program sponsored and coordinated by The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, they’ve created a green roof in their Adventure Garden using a preexisting roof structure to harbor

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JANE AMMESON Rooftop gardens can make the most of a small space and bring some greenery to a drab area. species of plants tolerant of weather conditions like high heat and low water. For this particular roof, three varieties of sedum were planted in a diamond shape central design because this hardy perennial, with its thick, fleshy leaves retains water, tolerates both intense sun and periods of drought, requires little to no maintenance and upkeep and look as good in fall as they do in the spring. Other plants that work well when designing a rooftop garden are hardy daylilies, ajuga—which is good for attracting butterflies and ornamental grasses like Blue Fescue and Maidengrass.

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

“In the city everyone has a rooftop garden because they don’t have any other space,” says Ann Marischen, owner of Flower Power Gardens and Chicago Mayor Daley’s Landscape Award winner in both 2000 and 2001, who created many roof top gardens in Chicago. Marischen, who moved from Chicago to Valparaiso over a decade ago, is currently creating a 60-foot-long by 30-foot-wide rooftop garden atop of a converted commercial building that is now a residence in Valparaiso. “We’re looking a maybe adding a pergola as well as some big planters for trees,” say Marischen, who also creates containers with evergreens, shrubs, grasses and perennials as well — for yearround beauty. “We’ll have seating areas and lounging areas and maybe, because of upkeep, artificial turf.” Smessaert says sees rooftop gardening as not much more difficult than land gardening except for technical issues. “You need to consult with an engineer or architect to see how much load an area can hold,” he says noting that dirt adds a lot of weight to a rooftop. “And you have to watch everything you add to the garden because it really adds up. I have an eight foot container that’s eight foot tall and looks like aged copper but it’s not. Those types of containers are perfect for rooftop gardens. Though flat roofs lend themselves more easily to creating an up top garden, Smessaert says that even pitched roofs can be garden-able. “They do it a lot in Europe and some even have goats grazing on them,” he says. “And if you just want to have a green roof for energy savings, it’s very doable as long as it’s not too high of a pitch. What is important is that it’s planted heavily and the roots are holding, like you find on a hillside.” Maddie Grimm, Director of Education

at Taltree, says that gardens on top of roofs are a great place to show gardening techniques that are both simple and aesthetically pleasing. She notes that besides being attractive some of the other benefits of a green roof and/or roof garden include an increased lifespan of roofing materials because there’s less erosion and weather damage and the gardens provide insulation by keeping hot sun from affecting inside room temperature in summer and decreasing heat loss through the roof in winter. Public buildings are also adding rooftop and green roof gardens as both places to gather and to enhance the view. Bill Hutton of the fifth generation Hammond based Hutton and Hutton Architects and Engineers says that when they worked on the design of the Hammond Academy of Science and Technology (HAST), they look at outdoor areas and rooftop gardens as a place for students to study and meet. “We developed the concept of having several areas with seating and plantings,” he says. A rooftop garden was also part of the design when planning the North West Indiana Veteran Village in Gary which provides supportive housing as well as other facilities for veterans. Smessaert, who has designed rooftop gardens in New York where the weather is milder, says that Chicago and Northwest Indiana have more severe weather and the cold and the wind are more intense up on the roof which needs to be taken into consideration when landscaping. “It’s a whole other world up there,” says Marischen about rooftop gardens. “You really have to make sure everything is weighted down. In the summer it’s very hot, very dry and all year round it’s very windy. It’s easier to take care of a ground garden but rooftop gardens can be so distinctive and so special.”

Small containers such as window boxes can maximize growing space while leaving plenty of floor for recreation. JANE AMMESON

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

The St. Catherine Hospital Pharmacy team is committed to helping our patients stay healthy. The pharmacy offers: • Comprehensive Retail Pharmacy Services • Low-cost Prescriptions • Automated Refills by Phone • E-Prescriptions Accepted • Bilingual Staff • State-of-the-Art technologies to fill prescriptions quickly and accurately • Personal Medication Consultations • Prescription Delivery

Pictured from left, St. Catherine Hospital pharmacists: Sparkle Box, Andrew Trgovich, Zorana Momirovich, Clinical Manager of Retail Pharmacy, Larry Peters and Koula Tsahas, Director of Pharmacy.

Outpatient Retail Pharmacy Hours: Monday - Friday from 9 am - 5:30 pm To learn more, call 219-392-7691.

The Outpatient Retail Pharmacy is conveniently located on the first floor of the Professional Office Building off the North Entrance of the hospital.

4321 Fir Street, East Chicago, Indiana 46312 www.comhs.org April 15, 2014 |||||| PRIME |||||| 9

distant horizons

Traveling Soon?

STAY SAFE Y GREENSHOOT MEDIA

our cruise or cabin getaway is planned and your bags are packed. Now don’t forget to double-check your lists, make sure you have all medication and let people know you’re heading out of town. Yes, taking a trip may be require more work as you age, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time away from home. Proper planning can make all the difference in ensuring safe, enjoyable travels.

being away from home. Your physician may need to update your shots or explain any potential health risks ahead of your trip. The sooner you can schedule a sit-down with your doctor, the better. Overseas traveling may require certain vaccinations up to six weeks before you depart.

WRITE IT DOWN Especially if you take various forms of medication requiring different dosages, make a physical list of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you take. Also write down the dosage and what TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR One of the first things you should do time you should take these medications. to prepare for an extended trip is to set Being on vacation can throw off your daily schedule, so it is crucial that you up an appointment with your doctor. Explain your travel plans and discuss keep this list with you to remind you of medicinal requirements. any concerns you may have about You can also set alarms on your phone to alert you when it is time to take your medication. OTHER SAFEGUARDS Any kind of travel—especially international—can open you up to the risk of infection or dehydration. The air inside planes is dry, so health experts urge you to bring a large bottle of water with you for the ride. The Centers for Disease Control for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you think twice about what you eat or drink in a foreign country. The CDC’s travel site (cdc.gov/ travel) offers a comprehensive list of illnesses that are prevalent in different countries and tips on how to avoid them. GREENSHOOT MEDIA Staying safe while traveling starts with being aware of your risks.

10 |||||| PRIME ||||| April 15, 2014

GREENSHOOT MEDIA Watch out for reverse mortgage scams, which can be difficult to detect.

Reverse mortgages: Legitimate or scam? GREENSHOOT MEDIA

re reverse mortgages a smart way to enjoy your golden years or a scheme to line the pockets of unscrupulous companies? Some senior citizens have found the latter to be true, which is reason enough to arm yourself with more information on the topic. Reverse mortgages allow homeowners 62 and older to borrow money against the value of their homes and not pay it back until they move out or pass away. The number of these loans continue to decline, but the rate of default is at a record high 9.4 percent, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. And the default is attributed, in some cases, to dishonest lending practices. Know the ins and outs of reverse mortgages and their potential impact on your finances before deciding whether or not to pursue one. THE FACTS Reverse mortgages are low-interest, federally regulated loans that allow senior homeowners to convert a portion of the value of their home into tax-free cash. Seniors can opt for a lump sum payment, monthly payments, a line of credit or a customized plan to fit their needs. Although reverse mortgages

require no monthly payments, they still leave the homeowner responsible to maintain the home, pay real estate property taxes and carry homeowners insurance for the life of the loan. THE SCAM Some lenders who offer reversemortgages attach fees to them that many seniors find difficult to take on. Some offer false hope of financial freedom without explaining the risks. Others leave widows without a home after pressuring them to leave their name off the deed—only to face foreclosure after their spouse passes away. DON’T BE WOOED Some unscrupulous lenders are swaying seniors into risky mortgage deals through persuasion. Be on the lookout for deceptive sales pitches and high-pressure tactics. If you are considering a reverse mortgage and feel pressured by your lender to take prompt action, step back and consult with a housing specialist. These professionals, as well as regulators and elder-care advocates, can help walk you through your options. It’s always best to make major financial decisions at a slow, thoughtful pace. If you feel pressured to make a quick decision, that’s a bad sign.

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

photo finish.

ARE YOU A PHOTOGRAPHY ADDICT? Do you carry your camera with you wherever you go, looking for the perfect shot? If so, send your photos in to prime@ nwi.com and you will be entered for a chance to see your photos in an upcoming edition of Prime. The photos should be no larger than 4 MB in jpeg format. Please provide your full name, address, telephone number and caption information for the photo. Good luck, and happy shooting!

First Place: “Oregon Barn” by Michael Koscielniak. “While on vacation in Oregon and staying on a nearby ranch, saw this storage barn. The more I thought about it perhaps the barn will be torn down by the weather and just had to record the scene. The harmony of the ochre is what caught my eye,” he says. Second Place (left): “Dedo Norman and his plates” by Kim Kurtis. “This is a shot of my father-in-law Norman in front of his Indiana license plate collection. He was mid-story when I took the shot for a portrait assignment in photography class. He’s an absolutely amazing man with a huge heart of gold and incredible sense of humor,” she says. Third Place (right): “City Beyond the Beach” by Shannon Egendoerfer. A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

April 15, 2014 |||||| PRIME |||||| 11

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