U.S. home prices were 6.6% higher in May 2017 than the same point in 2016, pulling home equity up along with it. “For current homeowners, the strong run-up in prices has boosted home equity and, in some cases, spending,” said Frank Martell, the president and CEO of real-estate research firm CoreLogic, in its latest report…

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It isn’t unusual for older people to slow down a bit as the years go by. But for seniors, slowed walking may signal mental decline, and now a new study suggests why. “Typically when physicians notice a slowing gait in their patients, they’ll consider it a mechanical issue and refer the patient to physical therapy,”…

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The summertime is a time of fun and relaxation for most people. But for seniors, the heat and sun can be dangerous if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Here are some great tips that the elderly, as well as their caregivers, can use to make sure they have a fun, safe summer. 1. Stay Hydrated…

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Heavy drinking may hasten muscle loss in older women, a new study warns. Both aging and menopause can lead to loss of muscle mass and strength, a condition called sarcopenia. Muscle mass loss typically starts in midlife, and progresses at a rate of 6 percent per decade, the researchers said. Usually, only three-quarters of midlife…

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Reverse mortgage professionals know that partnerships with financial planners could hold the key to endorsement growth, and a national business publication found an advisor who recommends Home Equity Conversion Mortgages over long-term care insurance. MarketWatch this week featured George Gagliardi, a financial planner from Lexington, Mass., who’s “growing increasingly fond” of the reverse mortgage option…

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As the first major heat wave of the season has much of the eastern United States sizzling, people need to take steps to prevent heat-related illnesses, an emergency doctor says. Hot temperatures and high humidity are likely from the shores of New England through the Great Plains. Temperatures could reach into the 90s for days,…

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Pain that continues, day in and day out, may trigger an unexpected and unwanted side effect — a bigger risk of mental decline and dementia, a new study suggests. The findings suggest that chronic pain may be related to changes in the brain that contribute to memory problems. The findings may also point to new…

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Joining the chorus of popular media outlets that have covered home equity’s role in retirement, USA Today ran a lengthy piece this week about ways homeowners can tap into their wealth — including with a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage. Quoting experts such as reverse mortgage researcher Wade Pfau and wealth advisor Randy Bruns, the national…

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The rising nighttime temperatures that come with climate change could mean poorer sleep for millions, a new study suggests. Americans’ reported nights of insufficient sleep more than double as nighttime temperatures rise during summer months, an analysis of federal health data and weather records concludes. And people will have even more trouble getting rest in…

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Older, obese adults need to shed weight, but dieting can worsen their frailty. A new study addresses this conundrum, suggesting seniors take up both aerobic and resistance exercise while slimming down. Engaging in aerobic and resistance exercise while losing weight enabled study participants to maintain more muscle mass and bone density compared to folks who…

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