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 Thanks for joining us in this edition of our Active Living News e-Newsletter and welcome! As usual we have a great issue for you. It’s an exciting day for us too! Today, Lisa and I celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary!
Our household is a busy one these days. In the midst of rearing and home schooling our 9 year-old twin sons, Lisa has also been busy adding 25 active lifestyle communities every week to our www.ActiveAdultLiving.com website.
Ever the overachiever, Lisa has also been putting the final touches on our upcoming interactive CD-ROM, which is an enhanced directory
detailing over 1,500 communities!
Please
click here if you would like to purchase
a CD ROM.
In this issue, we share our thoughts with you on how to keep our parents (and ourselves) young, plus we have an insightful article on reverse mortgages from Financial Freedom Senior Funding. Our In-Depth Community Review for October is a great maintenance-free community in Rockford, Illinois “The Villas at University Centre”; plus our 5 Spotlight Communities from across the nation.
To navigate through our newsletter you can use the links on the left, or simply scroll down. If this is the first monthly e-Newsletter you've received from us, you can view last month's edition by clicking on the hyperlink in the Links section below.
We'd also really appreciate it if you would "tell a friend", just click here.
Thanks,
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Seven Ways To Keep Our Parents Young
What are some things we can do to help keep our parents young? Here are seven ideas to explore, which may slow down the ageing process and help keep your folks sharp and young at heart for years to come…
Physical activities are a great way to help keep everyone younger. Even if your parent is housebound or confined to a wheelchair, there are ways to get exercise. My mother-in-law is in her early 80’s and still does her Jane Fonda workout tape every morning right in the privacy of her bedroom. My father-in-law is less motivated to do structured exercises, but he does join mom for a daily brisk power walk through a local indoor shopping mall. If your parent has trouble with back, hips or legs then water aerobic exercise may be just the key.
Mental exercise is important too! Nowadays, many community colleges and universities offer the opportunity to ‘audit’ classes (that is, to take the class for personal enrichment and not to earn a grade). Are your folks homebodies and not so social? My mum loves to do crossword puzzles and prides herself on her mental acuity, while my step dad enjoys seemingly endless hours surfing the Internet.
 Having a proper diet goes hand in hand with the ability to enjoy physical and mental activities. My mum has always been very docile and became very overweight. She’s always been passionate about buffet restaurants and gave in to too much food and too many calories. Unfortunately it led to type II diabetes; she still loves the buffets but through self-control and determination she shed 80 pounds and went down 10 dress sizes. My husband and I have tried on several occasions to encourage her to write The Buffet Lover’s Diet book (but she’s content just to do her crossword puzzles). The bottom line on diet is that a person needs a balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and calorie intake commensurate with their activity level. Of course, vitamins and minerals will likely be recommended by their physician to supplement their diet, and plenty of water every day is crucial, too.
 Social interaction is wonderful to help them connect with others of similar age and/or interests. Here again, even the housebound can now enjoy social interaction with online chat rooms or blogging. If they are able to get out and about, many seniors find great satisfaction in volunteerism, which provides social interaction as well as a sense of worth.
Having a soul mate is a richly fulfilling experience. If your parents are no longer together or one has pre-deceased the other, it’s never too late to find love and/or companionship. Even if there’s resistance to finding a soul mate, pets make wonderful companions.
Environment is an unfortunate necessity to consider these days. Adding years of life or improving one’s quality of life must take into consideration how to effectively deal with such 21st century realities as pollution, additives, preservatives, toxins, and even stresses such as terrorism and living in an inflationary world on a fixed income. Obviously, anything that you can do to relieve or diminish your parents’ exposure to any or all of the environmental factors will certainly add quality, and likely, years of life.
 Spirituality and the practice of faith is definitely a way to add years to one’s life. There are certainly numerous benefits in turning over your cares and worries to a higher power through prayer or mediation. Additionally, the very gathering together with others of your faith to worship provides a forum for social interaction.
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Guarding the Golden Years
Flexible Reverse Mortgages Satisfy Broad Range of Needs for Senior Homeowners
 Many seniors are discovering that their homes can make their golden years a little more comfortable financially. Increasingly, the home has become a versatile and surprisingly liquid asset to spin off large amounts of cash that can help an elderly homeowner cover unexpected expenses, prepare for the future, or enjoy a more fulfilling lifestyle. The key to unlocking a home’s cash potential is called a reverse mortgage.
A reverse mortgage enables senior homeowners 62 or older to convert part of the equity in their home or co-op into income without having to sell the home, give up title, or take on a new monthly mortgage payment. Borrowers will never, under any circumstances resulting from the reverse mortgage, be forced to leave their homes providing they make their real estate property tax, insurance payments, and maintain the property in a reasonable condition.
Reverse Mortgage Options
Borrowers can choose to receive the reverse mortgage funds as a lump sum, monthly income (for up to life), or line of credit, or any combination. Borrowers make no monthly payments on a reverse mortgage during the life of the loan. The loan becomes repayable when the borrower sells the home or permanently moves out. In addition, the repayment amount can't exceed the current market value of home at the time the loan matures. Most important – the funds from the reverse mortgage are tax-free and can be used for any purpose.
A growing number of seniors have used reverse mortgages to help them generate the cash needed to assist with a wide variety of financial needs. In fact, reverse mortgages last year helped over 43,000 seniors enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle. This year, the industry is on pace to close a record 75,000 loans.
There are many factors behind this growth as senior homeowners realize the broad range of needs these loans can satisfy. According to a research study by Financial Freedom, the nation’s largest lender and servicer of reverse mortgages, borrowers identified their top needs these loans have helped fulfill. The list included:
- Having more money to live on;
- Making home repairs or improvements;
- Paying off bills;
- Eliminating an existing mortgage; and
- Maintaining an emergency or rainy day fund.
The most widely available reverse mortgage is the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM). Accounting for nearly 90 percent of the total market, HECMs are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Financial Freedom Senior Funding Corp introduced a "jumbo" proprietary reverse mortgage product called ‘Cash Account Advantage’ to benefit homeowners living in higher-priced homes valued above the FHA lending limits.
Consumer Safeguards
As record numbers of senior homeowners use reverse mortgages as part of their retirement financial management, numerous safeguards have been built into today’s reverse mortgage programs. Some of the important features include:
- Borrower retains title to home;
- Cannot be forced to leave providing they make their real estate property tax, insurance payments, and maintain the property in a reasonable condition
- Cannot owe more than the current market value of home at the time the loan matures (protects heirs also);
- Limits on interest rates and origination fees;
- Mandatory counseling ensures that right product/choice is matched to the homeowner;
- Line of credit/life tenure payments cannot be outlived/lender assumes risks.
The National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association, based in Washington, DC, has also developed a Code of Conduct and Best Practices to establish the highest standards for customer service and consumer protection in the business of reverse mortgage lending.
About Financial Freedom
Financial Freedom Senior Funding Corporation, a subsidiary of IndyMac Bank, F.S.B., based in Irvine, California, is the largest originator and servicer of reverse mortgages in the United States. Financial Freedom is a founding member of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association, a nonprofit trade association, based in Washington, DC, whose mission is to support the continued evolution of reverse mortgages as an important financial option for senior homeowners.
To learn more about Financial Freedom and its product offerings, please visit www.financialfreedom.com. Financial Freedom also offers a free educational reverse mortgage video. Click here or call 1-866-719-8249 to request a copy of free Reverse Mortgage DVD or VHS.
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VILLAS AT UNIVERSITY CENTRE
ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS
 Another community by
The secrets to the good life await you in this private community that blends the best of both worlds. The peaceful serenity of a community with only 72 Ranch condominium home sites featuring award winning, architecturally distinct condominiums and the convenience of master planned amenities that include over 50 standard features. Villas at University Centre offers you a private clubhouse, fitness room, library, great room with fireplace to entertain friends and family, your own private garden area, and three Ranch floor plans to choose from with optional four-season sunroom available on all home sites. The care and detail we invest in creating signature neighborhoods is becoming our trademark.
It’s about the bonds of real friendship and caring, friendly neighbors. Half the homes have been sold to people who are already enjoying their new lifestyle with the new friends they have made. Come and join the fun and be part of something great. The location is close to the best shopping in Rockford. From here you can enjoy many fine golf courses and parks or easily drive or take a motorcoach to Chicago’s airport, theatres or shopping.
 Villas at University Centre is a private community of 72 Ranch Condominiums offering stair-free living and no age restriction. Whether you’ve lived in Rockford your whole life or you’re just learning about what a great city it is, the decision to come to Villas at University Centre is the right choice.
The Lifestyle you Want… The Quality and Value You Deserve®
Visit our Award Winning model homes Wed—Sun from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or contact our professional condominium experts today at (815) 332-7837 or online at www.graciouslivinghomes.com. All this at prices from $140’s to the $190’s.
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Coming To A Theatre Near You!
Straight from the golden days of Hollywood to a theatre near you, Humana is bringing the 1942 classic "Casablanca" back to the big screen in select movie theatres nationwide as a part of a campaign to preview its 2007 Medicare Advantage health plans. The special screening events are designed to introduce those eligible for Medicare and their caregivers to Humana's 2007 Medicare Advantage plans in a fun and entertaining environment.
In addition to "Casablanca," attendees will also see "Changing Lives," a short film about Humana that features several Humana Medicare Advantages members. Since no trip to the movies would be complete without popcorn and soda, refreshments will be served to all attendees (courtesy of Wal-Mart Pharmacies).
These special screening events mark the first time in more than 60 years that the classic Humphrey Bogart epic will be seen nationally in movie theatres, according to officials at Warner Brothers Studios. Because seating is limited, anyone eligible for Medicare (or their caregivers) who would like to attend should make a reservation by calling 1-866-836-7902 or visiting www.humana-movie.com for more information on the locations, times and dates that "Casablanca" will be shown in their area.
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Cottages of Sanders Grove at The Heritage
Leesburg, FL
Single Family Homes, 1222-1602 sq. ft.
Amenities: Intimate, small town neighborhood with sidewalks that wind through private streets. Elegant designed cottage homes with friendly front porches. Charming old Florida style clubhouse with swimming pool, recreation center, bocce ball and tennis court.
Click Here for more details
Briar Lake
North Lebanon, PA
Choose from a variety of one & two story floor plans
Town Homes from $190's, Single Family Homes from $212's
Amenities: Scenic, park-like setting. Walking & biking trails, fishing, boating, community clubhouse, curb lighted streets with underground utilites. Nearby golf, recreation, shopping & services, airports and major routes.
Click Here for more details
Ocean Hills Country Club
Oceanside, CA
Single Family Homes, 970-2600 sq. ft.
Priced from $400's to over $800's
Amenities: Guard-gated community in North San Diego County with clubhouse, library, workout and club meeting rooms, billiard room, swimming pool, large ballroom, private golf course and just a few miles from the coast. Great ocean breezes and some homes even have ocean views!
Click Here for more details
Pecan Plantation
Granbury, TX
Single Family Homes, from 2291 sq. ft.
Priced from the high $200's
Amenities: Set in over 80,000 acres of pecan trees surrounded by the Brazos River. Gated country club community, parks, tennis, marina. 2 championship golf courses, private golf club, dining, health club, dining, inn, private airstrip, marina, beach and park, equestrian center.
Click Here for more details
Heritage Palms Country Club
Indio, CA
Single Family Homes, 140-2600 sq. ft.
Price from mid $300's
Amenities: Golf, restaurant, bar, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis, fitness club.
Click Here for more details
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