Aging Well October 8th 2013

If you are struggling to pay your bills - as the cost of living constantly increases, and yet you have paid off your house - which you purchased for $35,000 forty years ago and is now worth four times that much, you are one of thousands of American older adults who are income poor but “house” rich. To help older adults in this kind of situation, reverse mortgages, also known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), were created to allow homeowners aged 62+ to convert a portion of their home equity into cash while they continue to live at home for as long as they want.

According to the National Council on Aging, reverse mortgages can be a useful financial tool for older homeowners and have become increasingly popular in recent years - but they’re not for everyone. And because there are unscrupulous people and companies that sometimes use reverse mortgages to exploit consumers, counseling is critical in providing unbiased information to equip the borrower with the knowledge needed to make an informed choice.

There is more information on the National Council on Aging’s (NCOA) Home Equity Advisor website, (http://www.homeequityadvisor.org/)  including other  options for saving money and remaining in your home, as well as additional questions and answers about reverse mortgages.

In addition, at the Center’s Tuesday Lecture on October 15th at the 11:00, Jim Bishop, from Westcorp Mortgage, will discuss the pros and cons of reverse mortgages to help you can better understand whether a reverse mortgage is a good option for you.

Thanks to everyone who attended the Back Rib Dinner fundraiser to support Meals-on Wheels and the Senior Center. Once again the attendance was great, the ribs were excellent and Hardshell Harmony entertained everyone with their “foot tapping, knee slapping, good time” music. Thanks to all the volunteers, businesses that donated to the silent auction, and especially The Springs at Mill Creek which with their sponsorship made it all possible.

But the success of the dinner is just one example of how so many folks support the numerous local civic groups that make our communities so healthy and strong. And you can find out what else is going on at The Dalles Chamber of Commerce’s “Community Calendar” website including other great fundraisers such as the “Book Lover’s Ball” at the Sunshine Mill on Friday the 11^th and The Dalles Art Association’s “Art-a-ritaville Auction” on Saturday November 2nd.

Last month I mentioned to reduce your risk of falling, you should try activities that improve your strength, flexibility, and balance. To help you better understand the importance of balance, there will be a Balance and Falls Awareness Event at The Dalles Fitness and Court Club on October 30^th from 9:30 – 11:00 presented by the therapists at Gorge Spine and Sports Medicine. There will be tests for postural alignment, functional reach, standing balance, and the ability to go from sitting to standing to walking. For more information call 541-386-9511.

On Tuesday nights, the Center pulls up the carpet and pushes back the tables, so you can dance and listen to some fine local talent - which on the 15^th will be Truman playing his County Gold. And whether you come as a single, couple or as an entire family, everyone is welcome. The doors open at 6:00, music starts at 7:00 and the suggested donation is $2.00 per person.

Many remembered “Easy Rider” - the 1969 film starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson that depicted the societal tensions of the 1960’s as two bikers travelled through the American southwest and south. (And the randomly selecterd winner of a free breakfast on October 19^th is Sandy Haechrel.) But for this week’s “Remember When” question, I’ll stick with movies but change to brand new genre: science fiction movies of the 50’s.

If you were like me when you were younger, you were scared silly by the science fiction thrillers of the time: Godzilla, The Fly, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers. What was the name of this 1958 horror/science fiction movie classic that was Steve McQueen’s debut as a leading man and depicted a growing amoeba-like alien from outer space that terrorized the small community of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. E-mail your answers to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or mail with a 45 of the title song (which has the same name as the movie) written by Burt Bacharach and Mack David. 

Well, it has been another week trying to avoid turning on the heat in a drafty house. Until we meet again, don’t waste your time looking in a dark room for a black cat - when there isn’t one.