News & Insights
Health Tip: Friendships May Stem Cognitive Decline in Seniors
Forging new friendships and maintaining old ones may help slow cognitive decline among seniors, the U.S. National Institute on Aging says. For seven years, researchers at Northwestern University studied a group of so-called “superagers” — people 80 and older who had maintained long-standing friendships. The researchers found that the group collectively had memories of past…
Read MoreWarming Climate, More Sleepless Nights?
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…
Read MoreCould a Reverse Mortgage Save Your Retirement?
As baby boomers retire at the rate of 10,000 per day, many of them are woefully underfunded for their future retirement needs. While reverse mortgages have gotten a bad rap over the last decade, the product has changed and become more regulated. Reverse mortgages are now gaining a lot of attention as a viable option…
Read MoreHealth Tip: Balance Moves for Older Adults
Balance exercises can help prevent falls, especially among older adults. But before you begin any exercise program, always consult your doctor. The American Council on Exercise mentions these common balance exercises for active older adults: Side X Balance Reach — Stand on the right leg and lean the body toward the right. Point the right…
Read MoreEating Healthy As We Age
To guarantee a long and healthy life, seniors can make simple changes in their diet to prevent disease and increase energy. Below are some easy recommendations to follow for optimal senior nutrition: -Eat more fruits and vegetables with moderate amounts of whole grains and lean protein. -Reduce the amount of sweets in the diet. Seek…
Read MoreReverse Mortgage Line of Credit Could Fund Long-Term Care
There’s a 70% chance that people over 65 will need some kind of long-term care, including services such as home care, assisted living and skilled nursing, according to government statistics. There are lots of ways to pay for long-term care services, including Medicare, Medicaid, traditional health insurance, long-term care insurance, life insurance and annuities. Some…
Read MoreHealth Tip: Sleep Better
Poor sleep increases your risk of health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and obesity, the U.S. National Institute on Aging says. Poor sleep also has been linked to memory problems and increased risk of falls, the agency adds. You should aim for at least seven hours of quality sleep each…
Read MoreHealth Tip: Build Your Strength
As you age, it’s important to keep up your strength. To build your muscles, you’ll need to lift or push weight, the National Institute on Aging says. Here’s the agency’s advice for starting a strength-training program: Talk with your doctor if you are unsure about starting a specific exercise. Don’t hold your breath during strength…
Read MoreTwo Key Reverse Mortgage and Retirement Resources
Two recent scholarly articles take a look at how Americans don’t always make the best pre-retirement decisions — and how they can adjust their outlook to incorporate home equity and other sources of cash for a more comfortable life in their later years. First up: “The Power of Working Longer,” a January working paper from…
Read MoreRetirement Plans Soar in Strong Market, But Half of Americans Missing Out
Americans with 401(k)s have had reason to celebrate the last two years, as record stock market performance has inflated retirees’ nest eggs. But despite all the sunny news, a huge swath of Americans is missing out, according to a Thursday post from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. The CRR, which has written…
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