A home equity line of credit can be a valuable piece of a comprehensive retirement plan — but not all home equity line of credit loans are the same. If you are age 62 or older, you may be eligible for a reverse mortgage line of credit. A reverse mortgage can give you greater control…

“I am 75 years old, my wife is 56, and our home is worth $400K. Our equity in the house will be her main financial resource when I have ‘departed’. She wants to live in our home until the end. What is the best way to use a HECM reverse mortgage to meet her needs…

Middle-aged and older adults who start eating better also tend to live longer, a large new study shows. The findings, reported in the July 13 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, might not sound surprising. Health experts said they basically reinforce messages people have been hearing for years. But the study is the…

Health experts often say that your body offers telltale signs that something is wrong, such as changes in your skin and nails indicating serious internal illnesses. But even your earlobes could be sending you a crucial message about your cardiovascular health, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Medicine. The condition,…

Forget downsizing or migrating to warmer weather, an overwhelming number (83 percent) of pre retirees and retirees today say they want to remain in their homes for as long as possible, according to a new survey from The American College of Financial Services. For seniors on a fixed income, a reverse mortgage can be a…

If seniors want to start a vigorous exercise program, there’s a good chance their lungs can keep up with the extra demand, a new study finds. Researchers assessed younger and older adults to determine their lungs’ capacity to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide (lung-diffusing capacity) during physical activity. This exchange between the lungs and blood…

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…

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,”…

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…

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…