Category: Articles

  • Hearing Loss Types & Tips

    Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults. Approxi mately 47 percent of adults 75 years of age or older have a hearing impairment. Men are more likely to experience hearing loss than women. It may be embarrassing and often leads to social isolation or depression, as many find it hard to have a conversation with friends and family. There are other unintended consequences to a person’s quality of life such as trouble understanding a doctor’s advice, responding to warnings and hearing phone calls or alarms.Generations Magazine - Hearing Loss Types & Tips - Image 01

    Hearing loss is a common problem caused by noise, aging, disease and heredity. Hearing is a complex sense involving both the ear’s ability to detect sounds and the brain’s ability to interpret those sounds.

    What are the different types of hearing loss?

    There are two general categories of hearing loss.

    • Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. This type of hearing loss is usually permanent.
    • Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves cannot reach the inner ear. The cause may be earwax build up, fluid or a punctured eardrum.

    What is Presbycusis?

    A type of sensorineural hearing loss is called Presbycusis and comes on gradually as a person ages. Presbycusis can occur because of changes in the inner ear, auditory nerve or hearing pathways in the brain. Some of its causes are aging, loud noise, heredity, head injury, infection, illness, certain prescription drugs and circulation problems such as high blood pressure. Presbycusis may make it hard for a person to tolerate loud sounds or to hear what others are saying.

    How is hearing loss treated?

    Seek help right away, hearing problems that are ignored or untreated can get worse. The physician will refer to an audiologist, otolaryngologist or ear, nose and throat specialist. The audiologist uses an audiometer to test the ability to hear sounds of different pitch and loudness. These tests are painless. Audiologists will select a hearing aid best suited to the senior. Assistive and adaptive devices such as telephone amplifying devices, TV and radio listening systems can help seniors to live well with less than perfect hearing. Hearing aids, special training, certain medicines and cochlear implants are some of the choices for people with hearing problems.

    Tips to use when talking with someone who has a hearing problem:

    • Face the person and talk slowly and clearly.
    • Stand in good lighting and reduce background noises to a minimum.
    • Use facial expressions or gestures to give useful clues.
    • Repeat if necessary, using different words.
    • Include the hearing-impaired person when talking, this helps keep the senior from feeling alone and excluded.
    • Be patient and stay positive.

    Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults. Approxi mately 47 percent of adults 75 years of age or older have a hearing impairment. Men are more likely to experience hearing loss than women. It may be embarrassing and often leads to social isolation or depression, as many find it hard…

  • Are Your Medications Working?

    Generations - 2014-02 - Medications Working - Image 01It is sometimes difficult to be sure whether we, as seniors, are taking our multiple medications correctly. Help has arrived. If you have a Medicare drug plan and take medications for more than one chronic health condition — such as hypertension, diabetes or cardiac disease — you may be eligible for Medication Therapy Management (MTM) at no cost to you. Local pharmacists can review your medications and discuss any concerns. Contact your drug plan to see if your plan will cover MTM.

    • Get more benefit from the drugs you’re taking.
    • Know how to best take your medications.
    • Clear up any concerns about reactions, side effects, costs and insurance.

    Whether you qualify for MTM or not, remember that each medication prescribed by your doctor is meant to serve a particular purpose, but when taken incorrectly, a drug can become ineffective or even dangerous. Problems often arise when no one has a clear record or understanding of all the medications you have been prescribed.

    If you are prescribed drugs by more than one doctor, or visit more than one pharmacy, you will want to be sure that all of your doctors and pharmacists are aware of all your prescriptions. Be sure to include all herbal and nonprescription agents as well.

    For more information, call Pharmacare Hawaii at 808-840-4123.

    It is sometimes difficult to be sure whether we, as seniors, are taking our multiple medications correctly. Help has arrived. If you have a Medicare drug plan and take medications for more than one chronic health condition — such as hypertension, diabetes or cardiac disease — you may be eligible for Medication Therapy Management (MTM)…

  • Boo! Now Give Me Your Money

    Fear has always been a tool criminals use to get money from others. Whether it is created by holding a weapon to a cashier to get their compliance, or simply using a verbal threat against someone on the street to make him/her surrender their wealth, a robber wants his victim to believe they have to act quickly to avoid being harmed.

    The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Elder Abuse Unit has seen fear also being used to scam seniors out of their money and assets. Unlike direct threats to their safety, however, many fear-based scams involve the illusion that the victim will lose their wealth, their security, or someone close to them if they don’t act quickly.

    One such scam that is occurring in Hawai‘i is the Distressed Relative Scam. This scam relies on the victim making a quick emotional decision, before they have time to verify the facts or to ask for advice from others. The victim will get a message, either a telephone call or an email, relating to them that a family member is in dire straights and money will solve the problem.

    An example of the charade can include a “doctor” calling the victim to inform them that their family member was injured while traveling and money needs to be sent immediately so that the loved one can be saved. Another has involved the con-man (or woman) claiming to be their grandchild or some other relation to the victim and informing them they were unlawfully arrested and need bail money to escape the mistreatment they are receiving in jail.

    Generations - 2014-02 - Boo Now Give Me Your Money - Image 01
    The Scream by Edvard Munch (1893)

    The perpetrator of this scam goes on to instruct the victim how they can either wire the money to them or tells them to get a Green Dot loadable charge card from Walgreens or Wal-Mart and put money into the card’s account and relay the account number on the back of the card to them.

    When hearing about this scam in the light of day, one can easily realize that there is something suspicious about the above scenarios. But as any parent or grandparent will tell you, the call they dread the most is one informing them that someone precious to them needs help. It is a message like this that will force them to panic and act before they think clearly about what is being said.

    Fear is also incorporated into other types of scams seniors encounter — such as when seniors receive a call from “the bank” saying that suspicious activity is occurring on their account, and then they are asked to give the caller their personal account information so that “the bank” can secure the account’s money. Additional scams include the lottery and sweepstakes scams featured in the December/January 2014 issue of Generations, and Sweetheart Swindles featured in the August/September 2013 issue.

    If you are ever contacted by someone and feel pressured to make a decision out of fear, then it is time to stop and verify the facts. This can be as easy as calling a relative to compare notes or calling Crime Stoppers at 808-955-8300.


     

    To Report Suspected Elder Abuse, call:
    Adult Protective Services
    808.832.5115
    ElderAbuse@honolulu.gov
    or visit www.ElderJusticeHonolulu.com.
    All reports are confidential.

    Fear has always been a tool criminals use to get money from others. Whether it is created by holding a weapon to a cashier to get their compliance, or simply using a verbal threat against someone on the street to make him/her surrender their wealth, a robber wants his victim to believe they have to…

  • Tony Lenzer Recognized With 2013 Andrus Award for Community Service

    Dr. Anthony (Tony) Lenzer was recently selected as the Hawai‘i recipient of the 2013 Andrus Award for Community Service—AARP’s most prestigious volunteer recognition. He accepted the award from AARP national president Rob Romasco at a volunteer recognition luncheon in November. The Andrus Award is an annual award for exemplary volunteer leadership named after AARP’s founder Ethel Percy Andrus (1884-1967) who exemplified AARP’s motto: “To serve, not to be served.”

    Lenzer’s distinguished career in gerontology began in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as executive secretary of a legislative council on aging. He held that job for four years, while doing doctoral work, then taught seven years at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health where he helped set up a Chronic Disease and Aging Program.

    He came to Hawai‘i in 1969 with his wife and five children to help the University of Hawai‘i develop its gerontology program, teaching the first course on aging in 1970.

    In ensuing years he helped to establish key aging-related organizations. Among them: Hospice Hawai‘i, the Hawai‘i Pacific Gerontological Socie- ty and the Hawai‘i Family Caregiver Coalition, of which he is president. He also chairs the legislative committee for the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs in the Executive Office on Aging.

    Lenzer has been volunteering with AARP and other organizations since retiring from the UH Center in 1994. He’s a volunteer board member for five organizations that advocate for aging, caregiving and disability policies at the Legislature. He helped create the annual “Aging and Disability Issues” report and is working with AARP now to help people understand the complex Affordable Care Act.

    In the words of AARP Hawai‘i state director Barbara Kim Stanton: “No one has done more to advance our understanding of what it means to grow older in Hawai‘i and prepare a generation of state policymakers to begin addressing the challenges and opportunities of our aging population.”

    Generations Magazine - Tony Lenzer Recognized With 2013 Andrus Award for Community Service - Image 01
    Left to right: AARP state director Barbara Kim
    Stanton, AARP volunteer national president Rob
    Romasco, 2013 Andrus Volunteer Award Winner
    Tony Lenzer and volunteer Hawai‘i state president
    Gerry Silva.

    Dr. Anthony (Tony) Lenzer was recently selected as the Hawai‘i recipient of the 2013 Andrus Award for Community Service—AARP’s most prestigious volunteer recognition. He accepted the award from AARP national president Rob Romasco at a volunteer recognition luncheon in November. The Andrus Award is an annual award for exemplary volunteer leadership named after AARP’s founder…

  • Caregiver Legislation On The Table

    Family members, partners and close friends are an important source of support for older people who need help taking care of themselves at home. In Hawai‘i, these caregivers provide most of the care for loved ones who need help with activities such as bathing, dressing and transportation. Many caregivers also perform complex tasks such as providing wound care, managing medications and operating medical equipment.

    But despite the importance of caregivers in the day-to-day care of our ku¯puna, they are often left out of discussions involving a patient’s care while in the hospital. And when loved ones are discharged from the hospital, caregivers often receive little or no instruction on how to help prevent readmission.

    To address this issue, AARP Hawaii is urging passage of a bill in the 2014 state Legislature that would allow patients to designate a caregiver as part of their medical record — or that hospitals voluntarily adopt this practice. The bill requires hospitals to notify and meet with the designated caregiver to discuss the patient’s plan of care prior to discharge or transfer to another facility. It also requires hospitals to instruct caregivers in how to care for loved ones after they are discharged.

    “This bill will have the two-pronged effect of supporting family caregivers and keeping health care costs in check,” says Steve Tam, AARP Hawaii director of advocacy. “It enables caregiv- ers to support their loved ones at home and in the community, and discourages costly and unnecessary hospital readmissions.”

    The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates that $17 billion in Medicare funding is spent each year on unnecessary hospital readmissions. The bill is intended to reduce readmissions by engaging caregivers more intentionally in the care of their loved ones. It also comes as hospitals across the country are seeking to avoid admission penalties under the federal Affordable Care Act.

    In Hawai‘i, family caregivers already play a critical role in the care of our elderly and disabled populations. On any given day an estimated 247,000 residents provide unpaid care valued at a staggering $1.9 billion annually, according to 2009 data. Caregivers are often members of the individual’s immediate family, but friends and other community members also serve as caregivers.

    AARP is dedicated to helping Hawai‘i’s caregivers by providing the tools, information and support they need to care for their loved ones and themselves. For information on the status of this legislation, or to get involved as an advocacy volunteer, contact Steve Tam at 808-545-6005.

    For information on resources for caregivers available online, visit the AARP Caregiving Resource Center at www.aarp.org/caregiving.


    AARP Hawai‘i state office: 808-545-6024 | Toll-Free: 866-295-7282 | aarp.org/hi | facebook.com/AARPHawaii twitter.com/AARPHawaii

    Family members, partners and close friends are an important source of support for older people who need help taking care of themselves at home. In Hawai‘i, these caregivers provide most of the care for loved ones who need help with activities such as bathing, dressing and transportation. Many caregivers also perform complex tasks such as…

  • Welcome to the Generations808.com

    Main navigation menu: Use these topics to navigate to the various pages in our site. As you run the cursor over the word, it’ll become bold. These topics will always exist on every page. Throughout the homepage, there are also various other buttons that’ll take you to any one of these topics.

    Home is the main page.

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    Contact Us via mail, phone or email.

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    Generations - 2014-02 - Web Navigation - Image 01

    Main navigation menu: Use these topics to navigate to the various pages in our site. As you run the cursor over the word, it’ll become bold. These topics will always exist on every page. Throughout the homepage, there are also various other buttons that’ll take you to any one of these topics. Home is the…

  • Healthy New Year’s Resolutions

    Every one of us, regardless of our age, can make plans and set goals. Each new year is a new beginning … a time to start fresh and hopefully get it right.

    Write down what you would like to see happen in the year ahead. It’s a way to solidify your dreams and desires, and move into the new year with an upbeat, positive attitude.

    The top New Year’s resolution is to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. We all start with good intentions and then seem to fall back into bad habits. Experts say it takes 21 days for a new activity to become a habit and six months for it to become part of our personality. It doesn’t happen over night, so be persistent and patient. Obsessing over the occasional slip won’t help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day and take one day at a time. The key is to start small and set realistic goals for yourself.

    Here is a list of things you can start doing today to feel better and move toward a healthier lifestyle in 2014.

    • Start each day with a 8 oz. glass of water. Water has many benefits. It carries nutrients to our cells, flushes the kidneys, lubricates joints and prevents constipation. The goal is to work up to 1 to 2 liters a day.
    • Eat more fruits and vegetables. Start by adding a salad to your daily diet or making yourself a green smoothie. Fruits and vegetables protect your body from disease and help fight cancer cells. The goal is 3 to 5 servings a day.
    • Eat a handful (1 oz.) of raw nuts every day. Walnuts, macadamia nuts, almonds. Healthy proteins and fats are important for preserving muscle and brain function.
    • Move your joints every day. Moving helps keep and improve function. Start at your neck, look left to right and then up and down. Go to the shoulders, arms out to the side, palms up and make small to large circles from the shoulder joint. Go both directions. Same with the wrist. Work your way down the body.
    • Try not to sit for longer than 15 minutes. Sitting for long periods slows the metabolism and can raise insulin and cholesterol levels. Taking a 10-minute walk every 2 hours can improve your health dramatically.
    • Practice taking deep breaths. Breathe in through the nose and out the mouth. This clears the lungs of toxins, increases energy, calms the mind and allows you to think more clearly.
    • Educate yourself on staying healthy. For example, Dr Oz came out with an updated version of YOU: The Owners Manual. It contains a lot of great info on health and longevity.

    Remember empowerment comes from doing!


     

    Join Diane online at www.shapingup808.com,
    or call 808-221-3905; email shapingup@hawaii.rr.com.

    Every one of us, regardless of our age, can make plans and set goals. Each new year is a new beginning … a time to start fresh and hopefully get it right. Write down what you would like to see happen in the year ahead. It’s a way to solidify your dreams and desires, and…

  • The First Thing

    At the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii we are often asked about Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and what a person should do to find out how if he or she has the disease.

    There is good reason for concern. According to recent research, the lifetime risk of having moderate kidney disease for Americans is nearly 60 percent. Moreover, CKD is often called a “silent killer” because people can have the disease without exhibiting any apparent symptoms until the disease is in late stages.

    CKD is a disease in which the kidneys are unable to filter blood as well as they should. The effect is to have waste products build up in the body and lead to further health problems, including cardiovascular disease, among other things. The disease is usually irreversible and can lead to kidney failure over time if it is not treated. However, if CKD is detected early, treatment with medication and lifestyle changes may slow down the progress of the disease or even prevent kidney failure altogether. There is no cure for CKD, and the only treatment options for kidney failure are dialysis or a kidney transplant.

    So what’s the first thing someone should do if they want to know whether they might have Chronic Kidney Disease? Since early stages of the disease do not typically involve symptoms that a person can “feel” perhaps the first thing to do is have yourself screened for CKD. Your personal physician can order a simple blood test and/or urinalysis that will provide good indications of your kidney health. You might also attend a free screening offered by the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, which is designed to provide basic information that might warrant a visit with your doctor. Also, you may want to visit www. kidneyhi.org about an upcoming screening currently scheduled for March 14 at the Ala Moana Hotel as part of World Kidney Week.

    Screening is particularly important for people who have high blood pressure or diabetes, as these two conditions are the leading cause of CKD. Additionally, you may be at greater risk if members of your family have a history of kidney failure or if you are over the age of 60 (although CKD can strike people at any age). Certain ethnic groups have a higher incidence of CKD, including Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, Asians, African Americans and Hispanics, although no ethnic group is immune.

    First Thing: Learning the truth by getting a simple screening will enable you to make changes that just may save your life.

    __________________________________

    National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i
    808-589-5976 | jeff@kidneyhi.org
    www.kidneyhi.org | www.kidney.org

    Generations - 2014-02 - The First Thing - Image 01

    1 Epidemiology. 2007 July; 18(4): 501–506. doi: 10.1097/EDE.0b013e3180646338
    2 AKA Framingham Offspring Study
    3 http://www.kidney.org/news/monthly/phosphorus.cfm?homestatic=PhosphorusInfographic?homeslider=Phosphorus
    4 Food and Nutrition Board, Institute

    At the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii we are often asked about Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and what a person should do to find out how if he or she has the disease. There is good reason for concern. According to recent research, the lifetime risk of having moderate kidney disease for Americans is nearly…

  • Finding Funds for Long-Term Care

    Preparing for aging and care is not easy and many do not anticipate the costs associated with long-term care. Some of us assume that relatives will be able to provide care, however this doesn’t always pan out. Those who are not prepared for long-term care costs are left wondering how they will afford their care or the care of a loved one. Whether assisted living, in-home care or a nursing home is the type of long-term care needed, the costs can be overwhelming. Nursing homes on O‘ahu can charge $6,000 to $10,000 per month. This is why it is important for families to explore all of their options.

    For example, a program called the Community Care Foster Family Home Program under the State of Hawai‘i offers long-term care in licensed adult foster homes within the community. The cost for this program ranges from $3,000 to $5,500 per month. This is half the cost of a nursing home. Moreover, Medicaid covers the cost for care and services under the program for those who qualify.

    For more information, visit online at humanservices.hawaii.gov/ssd/home/adult-services, scroll down and click on the Adult Foster Care Program tab.


    Nightingale Case Management, Inc. has been a part of the CCFFH Program for over 12 years. For a free assessment and consultation, please contact: (808) 484-2205, nightingalecmi@hotmail.com, or visit www.nightingalecasemanagement.com.

    Generations Magazine - Finding Funds for Long-Term Care - Image 01

    Generations Magazine - Finding Funds for Long-Term Care - Image 02

    Preparing for aging and care is not easy and many do not anticipate the costs associated with long-term care. Some of us assume that relatives will be able to provide care, however this doesn’t always pan out. Those who are not prepared for long-term care costs are left wondering how they will afford their care…

  • Start a New Tradition with Social Security

    Generations Magazine - Start a New Tradition with Social Security - Image 01The holiday season has arrived — a time of year that is steeped in tradition. We’d like to suggest that you start a new tradition. It actually starts with breaking the old tradition of trudging to an office when you need to do business with Social Security.

    Sometimes traditions evolve. Many of the things your parents or grandparents did in a Social Security office you can now do online. For example, if you’re not yet receiving benefits, you can request your Social Security Statement or use the Retirement Estimator to get an accurate picture of what your future benefits will be. You can read or listen to our publications, find out whether you qualify for benefits — even apply for Social Security disability, retirement and spouses benefits online from the comfort of home.

    You also can go online to get a replacement Medicare card or appeal a medical decision made about your disability claim. You can do all this and more at www.socialsecurity.gov.

    Set up an online account to:

    • receive your benefit verification letter
    • review benefits
    • view earnings record
    • change your address or phone number
    • start or change your direct deposit
    • check your information

    Join the millions of people and start a new tradition: forego the holiday traffic to the office by going to www.socialsecurity.gov.


    For other information and locations near you:

    1-800-772-1213 (toll free) | 1-800-325-0778 (TTY)
    www.socialsecurity.gov

    The holiday season has arrived — a time of year that is steeped in tradition. We’d like to suggest that you start a new tradition. It actually starts with breaking the old tradition of trudging to an office when you need to do business with Social Security. Sometimes traditions evolve. Many of the things your…

  • Lotteries & Sweepstakes: You’re Not That Lucky

    Generations - 2014-12-01 - Lotteries and Sweetstakes - Image 01When Betty Lau (victim’s name changed) of Kaimuki opened her mail, she could not believe how lucky she was to find out that she won the $3-million Australian Lottery. The official looking letter explained that an unnamed company bought her a ticket as a promotional program and the enclosed Gold Credit Card from VISA contained the prize money. With the plastic card in hand, Betty felt confident this lottery was legitimate. Betty then read that the card had to be activated with a payment in order for her to gain access to the funds she had won. She was told, however, that any funds she paid would be put right back on the credit card. However, after making payment after payment, she received yet another notice that there was one more fee she had to pay in order for her to get access to the money. She had the feeling of playing a slot machine that kept showing “bar” “bar” cherry”— one more spin (or, in this case, payment) and she would win big. For the next three months, Betty sent more than $150,000 in an attempt to activate the card. It was only when she went through her entire savings account that she was forced to stop pursuing this fantasy.

    Unfortunately, the Elder Abuse Unit at the Prosecutor’s Office and the Honolulu Police Department are seeing the above scene being played out repeatedly in Hawai‘i. Letters, emails, and telephone calls are being received by seniors in increasing numbers. Each giving news that is too good to be true.

    These notices are official looking with impressive wording and says the victim must pay a small fee to receive their winnings. Some include credit cards, like in Betty’s case, while others include a real looking check. The victim is told to cash the check and send the money to another party to pay for the transaction/processing fees. The bank cashes the check without verifying it is real (because they are customer friendly after all). The victim then sends the money to the third party. When the bank discovers that the check was fake, they make the victim pay the cash back and threatens to call the police on the victim for passing a bad check.

    These scams have some things in common. Firstly, the notices state that the victim must act soon or the monies won will be put back into some sort of “general lottery fund.” Secondly, the letters advise the victims to not tell anyone they won so that they do not become victims of fraud. And finally, each of these letters ask for an advanced payment of fees in order to access the winnings.

    How can you prevent this from happening to you?

    Watch the news for information about recent scams.

    Review your bank statements for any unauthorized withdraws.

    Never rush into sending money to strangers. Talk to family, friends or financial advisors before taking action.

    Do not fill out contest entry forms. The entries are made into lists that can be bought by scam artists who can then contact you with accurate information you provided for the contest.

    And, finally, realize you are not that lucky to have won a contest you never entered.


     

    To Report Suspected Elder Abuse, call:
    Adult Protective Services
    808.832.5115
    ElderAbuse@honolulu.gov
    or visit www.ElderJusticeHonolulu.com.
    All reports are confidential.

    When Betty Lau (victim’s name changed) of Kaimuki opened her mail, she could not believe how lucky she was to find out that she won the $3-million Australian Lottery. The official looking letter explained that an unnamed company bought her a ticket as a promotional program and the enclosed Gold Credit Card from VISA contained…

  • Home Equity Into Retirement Income

    The long-struggling housing market is finally showing signs of recovery, giving many homeowners more equity in their properties. This is prompting more pre-retirees to consider if, and how, home equity can be turned into a source of cash to help fund their retirement.

    Home equity represents one of the biggest assets for many Americans. However, there are risks in assuming that your home’s equity will be a guaranteed source of income in retirement. For starters, home equity, like any investment, is subject to the fluctuations of the market and may have tax consequences. Also, you will always need a place to live, so you can’t assume that the full value of a home is at your disposal. Remember that the primary function of your home is to provide a roof over your head, and using equity to fund retirement requires careful planning. Here are three primary options:

    • Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC): A HELOCS (second mortgage) is a reasonable option for an employed individual, but it may be less practical for someone in retirement. HELOCs need to be repaid, and using the proceeds from a home equity loan to help fund retirement often means taking on interest costs in order to generate that income. It’s important to note that an individual puts a lien on their home by taking a HELOC, and risks losing it should he or she fail to repay under the terms of the loan.
    • Reverse Mortgage: A popular alternative is a reverse mortgage. This allows a homeowner to tap into the home equity while still occupying it. A reverse mortgage provides payment to homeowners for the bulk of the value of their homes via a lump sum, a line of credit or periodic payments. In essence, this is a loan to the homeowner paid back when the house is sold at some future date. However, interest accrues throughout the duration of the loan and upfront fees apply, so it can be expensive.

    A standard reverse mortgage, also called a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, charges a 2 percent mortgage insurance premium on the full value of the home. The government now offers a lower cost “Saver” loan with a mortgage insurance premium of just 0.01 percent of the home’s value, but applying a higher interest rate. Over time, the combination of fees and interest charges can significantly deplete the value of the home’s equity.

    Reverse mortgage applicants must be at least 62 years old. The older a retiree is, the more he or she can receive from the home’s equity. Understanding the complicated terms of a reverse mortgage before signing on the dotted line is crucial.

    Selling & Downsizing: The other way to tap a home’s equity is to sell it. Many retirees are ready to “downsize” or to buy or rent a smaller residence. If the market is right, they can sell their existing home, buy a new place and have equity leftover to add to their retirement nest egg.


     

    Michael W. K. Yee at (808) 952-1222 ext. 1240

    Michael W K Yee, CFP®, CFS®, CRPC®, is a Financial Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER practitioner™ with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Honolulu, HI. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 25 years. To contact him, michael.w.yee@ampf.com, 808.952.1222 ext 1240, 1585 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1100 Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96814.
    Advisor is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the states of Honolulu, Hawai‘i.
    1 The Money Across Generations IISM study was commissioned by Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and conducted by telephone by GfK in December 2011 among 1,006 affluent baby boomers (those with $100,000 or more in investable assets); 300 parents of baby boomers; and 300 children of baby boomers at least 18 years old. The margin of error is +/- three percentage points for the affluent boomers segment and +/- six percentage points for the parents and children of boomers segments.
    2 United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, Family and Medical Leave Act http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/
    Ameriprise Financial and its representatives do not provide tax or legal advice. Consult with your tax advisor or attorney regarding specific tax issues.
    Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC.
    ©2012 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

    The long-struggling housing market is finally showing signs of recovery, giving many homeowners more equity in their properties. This is prompting more pre-retirees to consider if, and how, home equity can be turned into a source of cash to help fund their retirement. Home equity represents one of the biggest assets for many Americans. However,…