HOUSING SCENE The elderly need to beware of lenders--and relatives;recent conviction of a Long Island woman who stole the home of a 93-yr http://ping.fm/2hib3

In this tough economy, more seniors, whose retirement funds have been sorely depleted by the downturn, are turning to the reverse mortgage,http://ping.fm/ce2PT

Caregivers helped with Reverse Mortgages by giving relief: 1/3 of US population are caregivers, average age is 48 yr old female http://ping.fm/2QBA5

New York Times interactive graphic which calculates unemployment rates by age. 6.3 % for those 45+ http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/06/business/economy/unemployment-lines.html

New York Times reports that there are more American's 65+ in the job market. Nearly 1/2 million 65+ workers who want to work are looking http://ping.fm/DOzqf

Peter Bell, president of National Reverse Mortgage Assoc. testifies before Subcommittee on Housing & Comunity Opportunity. http://ping.fm/Xj0pd

This is an excellent consumer information program on reverse mortgages, AARP's Inside E Street, Kiplinger's Mag, Barney Frank, just the facthttp://ping.fm/fiKFU

Planning for Your Elder Years: IF we were to ask an older person what his or her most important concerns for aging are, we would get http://ping.fm/ceZL7

Appropriations committess for the House & the Senate propose keeping Reverse Mortgage Limits at $625,500 through end of 2010. http://ping.fm/5N52D

aconrard@gmail.com says: "Grandparents.com Runs Feature on Reverse Mortgages"


Reverse Mortgage Counseling for Seniors - FAQ and Information

Reverse mortgage sounds appealing - pull equity out of your house, use the money (tax-free!) for whatever you want. Get sound counseling for seniors with our FAQ and information guide to reverse mortgage.

To view it, use the link below:
http://ping.fm/3cobT

HUD is considering developing a smaller reverse mortgage. Lower proceeds ad COSTS! Better for folks who needs smaller amounts. read more: http://ping.fm/nc7TD

If you are considering a Reverse Mortgage and your home value is over $417k pls read
http://ping.fm/aa3Zw

*Please note, the sender's email address has not been verified.



CNN Money recently did a piece on how a reverse mortgage works. Unfortunately it was not accurate. To get the facts, ask an expert.




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Sept. Consumer Reports uses "National Enquirer" type reporting on reverse mortgages. A clear failure in service to their loyal consumers http://ping.fm/LD5Xf

For the first time in a generation, millions of older people face shrinking Social Security checks next year says the Star Tribune.
http://ping.fm/QLJdO

Reverse mortgages growing in popularity (corrected post)



By Lisa Chamoff Staff Writer Updated: 08/08/2009 11:23:26 PM EDT

More than a year ago, Dee Lewis was struggling to afford her escalating
property taxes, plus pay the mortgage on the small Glenville farmhouse where
she's lived since 1982. Lewis, now 64, had been considering a reverse
mortgage, which allows senior citizens to tap into the equity of their
homes, providing them access to money without the burden of monthly
payments. The loan is repaid when the borrower sells the house or dies.

http://ping.fm/KRpUy
st.com

Reverse mortgages growing in popularity



By Lisa Chamoff
Staff Writer

Updated: 08/08/2009 11:23:26 PM EDT

More than a year ago, Dee Lewis was struggling to afford her escalating
property taxes, plus pay the mortgage on the small Glenville farmhouse where
she's lived since 1982.

Lewis, now 64, had been considering a reverse mortgage, which allows senior
citizens to tap into the equity of their homes, providing them access to
money without the burden of monthly payments. The loan is repaid when the
borrower sells the house or dies.

Millions of Californians are facing medical debt or go without healthcare because of high prices. I your one of them check out this consumer website that (among other things) will show you how to negotiate your hospital bills down like the the health insurance companies do. Very Cool Site! www.hospitalbillhelp.org

ONE STOP SHOPPING FOR ELDERCARE SERVICES

A fast-growing generation of elderly people, needing care, is starting to put a great deal of pressure on caregiving family members. More and more we are seeing articles and books about the burden of long term care on families.
According to research By the National Care Planning Council, only about 16% of long-term care services are covered by the government. The other 84% are provided free of charge by family caregivers or provided by services paid out-of-pocket by families or from those receiving care. And the bulk of government care services are provided only after a care recipient has depleted all of his or her savings. The Council also estimates that at any given time approximately 22% of the population over age 65 is receiving some form of long term care support. About 44.4 million adult caregivers provide 21 hours a week of care with 4.3 years average time spent providing care. “National Care Planning Council”
Dilemma of Finding Eldercare ServicesThe need for care usually occurs without warning, when a stroke, heart failure or other medical condition or illness incident to age suddenly happens to an aging senior. Family members end up in panic mode trying to understand and educate themselves on what needs to be done and what resources are available. If they need to take time from work to handle the crisis then it becomes urgent to find answers and solve caregiving needs. The need to balance work with urgent caregiving responsibilities creates untold stress on employed family caregivers.
Most family caregivers simply don't know where to turn for help and advice.Long term care services are complicated and provider contacts are fragmented throughout the community. For the majority of Americans, eldercare becomes a frustrating do-it-yourself process. How do you find out what government services are available and what they will pay for? What legal documents are necessary and how do you protect assets? What type of home care or facility care is needed? Should you quit your job to become the caregiver? Will the government or insurance pay you for caregiving to help replace your lost income?
The question often arises as to whether to use long term care professionals or go it alone in arranging care and services.
“Using care professionals is the most cost effective and efficient way to provide help for a loved one. Hiring professional advisers or providers to help with long term care is no different than using professionals to help with other complex issues such as car repairs, dealing with taxes, dealing with legal problems, or needing trained employees to help run a business. With their education and training, long term care professionals also bring experience that only comes from dealing with countless hands- on caregiving challenges”. “The 4 Steps of Long Term Care Planning”
One Central Source for Locating Help and AdviceThe National Care Planning Council recognizes the need for family caregivers to educate themselves and find the needed resources and professional help quickly.To fill the need for caregivers nationwide, the National Care Planning Council web site "Long Term Care Link", was developed as a comprehensive resource for long term care planning. There are hundreds of pages containing articles on long term care covering all aspects of caregiving and care services. Books are also available on how to plan for long term care and how to apply for your veterans benefits for long term care. NCPC books
If you are looking for government and community resources, there are lists with applicable website links. Some of those lists include National and State Area Agency on Aging Services, Senior Centers and Veterans Service Offices.
There are over 100 links to websites filled with reference materials. For example; the Gerontological Society of America, National Nursing Home Survey, Elder Law Answers, Senior Corps.
Find Eldercare Professional Service Providers in Your AreaThe National Care Planning Council lists eldercare specialists and advisers who help families deal with the crisis and burden of long term care. These specialists can be found under the services category lists like the ones below, on the website. Each professional is listed under the State and area in the State that he or she services. A caregiver can go to the National Care Planning Council website and find someone in the area of need and read about the services of the listed company, individual or facility. Website visitors needing help can then call, email or fill in a request form to receive contact from a listed provider.
Listing categories on the website include the following specific services.
Care Management, Guardianship, Conservatorship and Dispute Resolution
Non-Medical Home Care
Home Health Agency – Medicare-Covered Home Care and Hospice
Home Maintenance, Deep Cleaning, Remodeling and Yard Work
Veterans Benefits -- Consultant for the Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit
Geriatric Health Care Practitioner or House Call Doctor
Reverse Mortgage Specialist
Elder Law Advice and Medicaid Advice
Estate Planning, Tax Planning, Trust Management Services and End-Of-Life Planning
Care Facility or New Home Search, Relocation, Downsizing and Real Estate Services
Adult Day Care Services
Insurance Products, Retirement Planning and Financial Advice
Funeral & Burial Preplanning
THE NATIONAL CARE PLANNING COUNCIL INTRODUCESITS STATE CARE PLANNING COUNCIL WEBSITES
A state care planning council is an informal statewide alliance of eldercare specialists and advisers that helps families deal with the crisis and burden of long term care. When you go to your state care planning website, your search for help is right in your neighborhood.
Purpose of the State Care Planning Council
Educate the public on the need for care planning before a crisis occurs.
Provide, under one source, a list of providers representing most of the available
government and private services for eldercare.
Offer a trusted team of providers and advisers that the public will recognize in their area and can turn to for expert help in dealing with the challenges of long term care.
One Stop Shopping for Eldercare Services State Care Planning Council websites offer a closer-to-home option for finding help and services to solve caregiving problems. Many of the local service providers work together as a team to help meet specific eldercare needs of the individual.
For example:Tim and Debra, both in their late 80’s, were adamant about staying in their home. Both were taking medications and were mobile with walkers. Their daughter, Julie was concerned about their safety in the home, especially with avoiding hazardous falls, bathing and preparing meals. Tim insisted he could drive his car, even though he was a hazard on the road. Julie had taken the car keys and therefore faced an argument every time she went to their home.
Lately, Julie noticed that the required medications were not being taken. Tim was a diabetic and required monitoring with his insulin and diet. Julie ordered “Meals on Wheels” which her mother quickly canceled. Frustrated at having no cooperation from her parents, Julie realized she needed outside help.
Checking the internet for resources in her area, she found the name of a Professional Care Manager in her area listed on her State Care Planning Council website. Jackie -- the professional care manager and family dispute professional -- had worked many times with families like Julie and her parents.A meeting was arranged where all parties to the caregiving were involved. Tim expressed that he did not want to give up his freedom driving to the store or other places he liked to go. Jackie suggested selling the car and using the money to pay a taxi or community transit. She arranged for Tim to see a geriatric physician to get his diet under control for his diabetes. Some in-home help with bathing, meal preparation and medication reminders was arranged by having a local non-medical home care company come in daily. Jackie gave Julie explicit instructions on how to organize the house to help prevent falls. To pay for the extra expense, Jackie introduced a reverse mortgage broker who explained how their home equity-- on a risk-free basis --could provide the money they needed for their care.
Every service provider or adviser Jackie brought in worked side-by-side with her on the state care planning council. Jackie knew they could provide the needed help with expertise and integrity.
Julie found that using professionals gave her peace of mind and confidence that her parents' care was in good hands.
The State Care Planning councils are just starting to grow and be populated with professional service providers throughout the Untied States. Like the National, the State websites are filled with resource material and articles for the public use.
Locate a State Care Planning Council at http://www.longtermcarelink.net/a15state_councils.htm

If you have a question about how to care for a loved one, VA benefits or where to find the financial and nonfinancial resources you need, CALL Angella Conrard, Director of the California Care Council- Orange County. 866-360-0199 or log onto http://www.veteransbenefits.com/.

The New York Times has a blog called "The New Old Age - Caring & Coping". While I am not thrilled with the name as I think it will put off more mature readers, it does have some excellent subject matter, resources and articles. I would add it to my reading list. http://ping.fm/g5eBF

Starting October 1, 2009 all condominium projects approved by FHA prior to September 2009 will have to be recertified. I can only think that any condominium homeower seeking FHA financing will experience significant delays in attaining their loan as the entire project will need to go through the process. Here is a summary of the process: http://ping.fm/7w1op

Bruce Norris is a Southern California Real Estate Investor that has an excellent reputation. He has some interesting comments on today's real esate market and how to expidite our recovery. http://ping.fm/uYaXj

New Mexico Homeowner Attains Reverse Mortgage Without "Pushy Sales Talks" http://ping.fm/lvl9O

New Mexico Homeowner Attains Reverse Mortgage Without "Pushy Sales Talks"
http://ping.fm/lvl9O

REVERSE MORTGAGE PROCEEDS MAY BE GOING DOWN - WHY REVERSE MORTGAGES ARE AN EXPENSIVE LOAN
http://ping.fm/hCYo0

CONDO OWNER’S CONTEMPLATING A REVERSE MORTGAGE MAY WANT TO ACT SOONER TO AVOID LONG DELAYS
http://ping.fm/9BXti

Reverse Mortgage Daily News

Reverse Mortgage Daily News