The perception of reverse mortgages as a “last resort” loan to fund retirement is diminishing, but persistent. Still, reverse mortgages are increasingly being seen as a viable financial tool for eligible borrowers even though prospective users should be aware of high upfront costs, according to a new piece at Dow Jones financial news subsidiary Barron’s.…

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Want a quick brain boost? A morning session of exercise and short walks throughout the day provide a number of brain benefits for older adults, a new study says. The findings show that people should avoid uninterrupted sitting to maintain good mental function throughout the day. The study also indicates that moderate-intensity exercise such as…

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Alzheimer’s and dementia are not an inevitable part of normal aging, and a little exercise might help keep them at bay, a new study suggests. The researchers found that every hour of light exercise on top of recommended weekly levels of more intense activity reduced brain aging by about a year. “This study emphasizes the…

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Most seniors expect their doctor to recommend testing of thinking and memory when it’s needed. But a new survey discovered that is rarely the case: Only one in seven seniors received a regular assessment for memory and thinking (or “cognitive”) troubles. That finding is in sharp contrast to those who receive assessments for other common…

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Over a third of all American workers retire earlier than planned, and do so for various reasons that can relate to health, employment, family and finances, but these kinds of shocks still only comprise only a quarter of recorded early retirements. This indicates that other factors are at play, according to a new research brief…

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Richard McIntosh hadn’t had any pets since his childhood farm dogs, but then he started a relationship with a competitive dog trainer and found his life filled with Golden Retrievers. Now McIntosh, 59, of Cornelius, Ore., can’t imagine growing old without a dog or two by his side. “There was a little something missing from…

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Less than 10 minutes a day of a brisk walk can help prevent disability in people with arthritis pain in their knee, hip, ankle or foot, researchers report. Just one hour a week of brisk physical activity “is less than 10 minutes a day for people to maintain their independence. It’s very doable,” said lead…

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Seniors are more likely to hold home-secured debt, and to hold more of it today than in years past. Their percentage of held debt held has also increased, with seniors aged 75 and up having become four times more likely to hold home-secured debt in 2016 when compared with 1989. The value of debt held…

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If you’re a couch potato, better move. Your life could depend on it. Researchers say replacing 30 minutes a day of sitting with physical activity could cut your risk of premature death by nearly half. They examined 14 years of data on inactivity and activity with more than 92,500 people in an American Cancer Society…

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A new article at U.S. News and World Report giving recommendations on strengthening retirement security offers reverse mortgages as one of the potential tools a senior can use to bolster their financial security in retirement. Among the recommendations from U.S. News contributor Craig Stephens, downsizing a home is included and offers ways for a senior…

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