Government insured reverse mortgages are That second approach, which is not preferred by changing in 2013 and the agency that HUD, would be a moratorium on the fixed manages the program says there are two standard product. directions that change can take. HUD had stated that it prefers to make the The agency prefers to make “refined” changes calculated changes with these specific goals in that would limit the amount borrowers can mind rather than face more drastic program withdraw up front, implement a financial changes that would limit the product’s availability assessment, and possibly establish some type to seniors who need it. of escrow account.
“We all have a strong vested interest in ensuring this program serves borrowers consistently over the long term and having a program that is seniors to seniors and is economically via ble,” a HUD repres ent ative said. “We need to work together toward that outcome.”
in this issue >>>
Issue Three
Healthy New Years Resolutions Travel Tips for Seniors Preparing to Visit an Alzheimer’s Family Reverse Mortgages…Changes Coming 2013 Many Do Not Have Plans for Long Term Care
from the desk of bryon pyle >>>
The study shows that 58% of people ages 45-54 said they do not have plans for long term care. Citing psychological causes linked to inferiority and pride, one reason rang out among surveyed subjects: money. Given this startling majority, Genworth encourages Americans to overcome current fears or uncertainties and educate themselves on the options available to them.
Though money concerns are an inevitable part of seeking long term care, the potential costs of not planning are far more expensive and worrisome than withstanding financial anxieties.
or uncertainties regarding individuals’ wishes for future planning, among seeking the help of trusted long term care partners who can help address personal concerns about the future.
“People often cite money restrictions as a reason to not create a plan, however, not having a basic game plan that allows loved ones to have a general understanding of your wishes could prove to have serious financial repercussions,” said Steve Zabel, senior vice president of Long Term Care Insurance at Genworth.
HomeSafe can provide you with a plan that makes sense for you, your spouse and family. We will clearly define the benefits you will receive, such as: debt reduction, smaller monthly bills, more spendable cash, and the additional income you Bryon Pyle, receive will be tax-free. President of HomeSafe
For solutions, have conversations with loved ones to clear the air of any anxieties
Making the most of your retirement years
time to compliments of HomeSafe | A Division of Crossmark Financial >>>
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Healthy New Year's Resolutions For Seniors The New Year means new starts, and that typically involves making New Year's resolutions. While the old-faithful standbys still exist, adults over the age of 65 can greatly benefit from making healthy resolutions – especially those that help prevent illness and injury. Here are five New Year's resolutions that will keep you feeling young and vibrant. Here are five resolutions that we recommend for seniors entering the new year: Participate in cognitive health activities Mental health is an important aspect of health that we tend to overlook as we extol the benefits of staying physically fit. Keep your mind engaged and stimulated through a
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Financial uncertainty deters many from considering long term care planning, according to Genworth Financial’s 2012 State of Planning Survey.
language class, book club or by playing brain worth the hassle. Make a promise to eat more fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables and you'll games and trivia on the computer. see a noticeable difference in the way you look Exercise or start a new physical activity and feel – and it takes very little work on your Exercise doesn't have to exhausting, and it end. certainly doesn't have to feel like work. Older Make your home safer adults are increasingly looking to classes such as yoga and tai chi to not only increase physical According to the Centers for Disease Control, health, but to meet people and widen their one in three adults over the age of 65 falls each social circles. Other activities like local year. Many of these falls are preventable, walking clubs can be found at many senior especially if home safety tips are implemented. Tips like moving cords out of walkways, organizations and community centers. having good lighting near beds and taping Eat more fresh foods down edges of carpet and rugs can help Processed foods are easy to throw together for tremendously to decrease the number and a meal, but they come with a host of health severity of falls for seniors. issues and concerns, and frankly, they're not Schedule regular checkups Unfortunately, with age comes an increased risk of illness and other complications such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis and other medical conditions. Making sure that you schedule a regular annual checkup can help in early detection and prevention. Not only will these New Year's resolutions improve your mental and physical health, they'll provide social opportunities and benefit your life in multiple ways. What are some of your goals and resolutions for the upcoming year?
Vacation & Travel Tipsfor Seniors
PREPARING TO VISIT AN ALZHEIMER’S FAMILY
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acation travel isn't for the faint of heart. From long airport lines to full parking lots, the entire experience can be stressful. Factor in the (usually) high cost of travel, and you may be left wondering whether the experience was worth the price you paid.
We can't make the crowds go away but we can offer some tips for reducing the cost and stress of your vacation. Research, research, research. The old "time is money" cliché certainly applies to travel planning. If you book tickets online, remember to check airlines' websites as well as the big aggregators' sites. You may find a better airfare on your airline's own site. Remember to check travel price trends, too. Kayak offers a "chart view" that shows airfare trends by travel date. If you have a flexible schedule, this type of fare comparison can help you pick the least expensive time to travel. Checking multiple rental car websites and pickup locations is a good way to minimize car rental costs. Think outside the box. Consider driving, taking the train or traveling by bus instead of flying. If you normally fly into a large city, consider some nearby regional airports. You might have to drive a little farther at the end of your flight, but you could end up saving money, too. Bus and rail passes might or might not save you money, too. Amtrak now offers U.S. residents the opportunity to buy rail passes. Amtrak also gives seniors a 15 percent discount. Greyhound's senior discount, available on most routes, is 5 percent. (Tip: If you buy a rail pass, book all of your travel segments as early as possible. Rail pass seats go quickly on Amtrak.) Plan your route around low-cost lodging. It isn't always fun – or comfortable – to sleep on a different sofa bed every night, but staying with friends along the way can save you a lot of money. No friends with guest rooms? Use a travel guidebook, such as the Mobil Travel
Guides, or travel website to find inexpensive places to stay en route. If you're retired military, don’t forget about military lodging chains, such as Navy Lodges and Air Force Inns. Stay close to home to save money. You may not be able to take a two-week cruise this year, but there are plenty of things to see in your own area. Get a map and travel guidebook and draw a circle that encloses the distance you're able to travel. Then, look up museums, parks, restaurants and shopping districts in a few of the towns within your circle. You'll probably find that there are many places nearby that would make great weekend or d ay t r i p destinations. Insure your trip if you can't afford to lose your t r ave l investm ent. Be sure your travel insurance policy covers weather-related cancellations as well as financial default and baggage loss coverage. Reduce Trip-Related Stress
Read the fine print. This i s especially important if you're booking non-refundable tickets or working through travel bidding sites like Hotwire or Priceline. Be sure you understand what you're getting (and not getting). Pay special attention to things like cancellation policies, insurance requirements for rental cars and fees and surcharges. If you're traveling by air, print out a copy of your airline's contract of carriage and bring it along. Plan for crowds. Be aware if you are traveling during peak travel periods, and you'll need to allow extra time to park your car at the airport, check your bags and pick up suitcases and rental cars at the end of your flight. Allow extra time to change planes or trains. Pack the clothing you'll need for the weather so you don't have to buy – and bring home – extra items. Check the weather. Weather delays during the winter can cause all kinds of difficulties, from missed flights to traffic jams. If you're flying, try to arrange your flights so you change planes in snow-free cities
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n advance of a visit, ask about the person’s physical and mental condition. The more you learn, the more comfortable you will be around someone with memory problems. When visiting, what counts are the moments shared together – not what the person may or may not remember. Sharing time together matters more than what is said and understood. Prepare for potentially embarrassing or unusual behaviors (such as the person with Alzheimer’s seeing people who aren’t there or experiencing sudden angry outbursts.) The person is confused and does not remember what is polite or expected. The offending behavior is because of the disease, don’t take criticism or accusations personally. Quiet and simple activities are often the best. (This is
reassuring to those who think they should be “doing something” – they may never have considered that “just being” is a gift.) Keep visits short to avoid unnecessary stress and fatigue for everyone. People with Alzheimer’s can usually pull themselves together for a brief visit as long as they get enough rest. Holiday visiting may disrupt the person’s secure routine. This can create some stress and anxiety. If the person becomes restless, it may be time to leave. Begin new rituals meaningful to the Alzheimer’s family at home or in a care facility. Develop a ritual honoring the person with Alzheimer’s. Set a place at the table, acknowledge the person in the prayer or blessing, or include a dish that the individual prepared well in the past and provide others with the recipe.
Choose to celebrate a spiritual aspect of the holiday. Visiting or reaching out to others who are not a part of your family or circle of friends can be a surprisingly healing experience. It gives meaning to the holiday sentiment, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Elizabeth Hall, author of Caring for a Person with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Christian Perspective, shared her meaning of Christmas. Each year Elizabeth would buy a token present for a young man who had returned from the Vietnam War mentally impaired and homeless. His face would light up with such joy at receiving the gift. He, in turn, would give it to the very next person he encountered. "I never felt it was Christmas until I had given him his gift. By Nancy Parode
HomeSafe’s Monthly Useful Household Tips: Use empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to. (sorry, Chicago!). Once your trip is ten days away, start checking weather forecasts so that you're prepared for storm-related problems. If you're driving, pack emergency road trip supplies. While on vacation, continue to check
weather forecasts so you're ready for your return journey. Double-check your medications. Make sure you have enough on hand for your entire trip. If you're flying or going to another country, be sure to pack your prescriptions in their original containers. Set up your pill
organizer once destination.
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Pack your smile. This could be the most important thing you bring along on your vacation. It can help you change your airline seat, get help placing your bag on an overhead luggage rack and find a sympathetic customer service representative.