The New Year means new starts, and thattypically involves making New Year'sresolutions. While the old-faithful standbysstill exist, adults over the age of 65 can greatlybenefit from making healthy resolutions –especially those that help prevent illness andinjury. Here are five New Year's resolutionsthat will keep you feeling young and vibrant.

Here are five resolutions that we recommendfor seniors entering the new year:

Participate in cognitive health activities

Mental health is an important aspect of healththat we tend to overlook as we extol thebenefits of staying physically fit. Keep yourmind engaged and stimulated through a

language class, book club or by playing braingames and trivia on the computer.

Exercise or start a new physical activity

Exercise doesn't have to exhausting, and itcertainly doesn't have to feel like work. Olderadults are increasingly looking to classes suchas yoga and tai chi to not only increase physicalhealth, but to meet people and widen theirsocial circles. Other activities like localwalking clubs can be found at many seniororganizations and community centers.

Eat more fresh foods

Processed foods are easy to throw together fora meal, but they come with a host of healthissues and concerns, and frankly, they're not

worth the hassle. Make a promise to eat morefresh, healthy fruits and vegetables and you'llsee a noticeable difference in the way you lookand feel – and it takes very little work on yourend.

Make your home safer

According to the Centers for Disease Control,one in three adults over the age of 65 falls eachyear. Many of these falls are preventable,especially if home safety tips are implemented.Tips like moving cords out of walkways,having good lighting near beds and tapingdown edges of carpet and rugs can helptremendously to decrease the number andseverity of falls for seniors.

Schedule regular checkups

Unfortunately, with age comes an increasedrisk of illness and other complications such ashigh blood pressure, osteoporosis and othermedical conditions. Making sure that youschedule a regular annual checkup can help inearly detection and prevention.

Not only will these New Year's resolutionsimprove your mental and physical health,they'll provide social opportunities and benefityour life in multiple ways. What are some ofyour goals and resolutions for the upcomingyear?

Financial uncertainty deters manyfrom considering long term care planning,according to Genworth Financial’s 2012State of Planning Survey.

The study shows that 58% of peopleages 45-54 said they do not have plans forlong term care. Citing psychological causeslinked to inferiority and pride, one reasonrang out among surveyed subjects: money.

Given this startling majority,Genworth encourages Americans toovercome current fears or uncertainties andeducate themselves on the optionsavailable to them.

Though money concerns are aninevitable part of seeking long term care,the potential costs of not planning are farmore expensive and worrisome thanwithstanding financial anxieties.

“People often cite money restrictionsas a reason to not create a plan, however,not having a basic game plan that allowsloved ones to have a general understandingof your wishes could prove to have seriousfinancial repercussions,” said Steve Zabel,senior vice president of Long Term CareInsurance at Genworth.

For solutions, have conversations withloved ones to clear the air of any anxieties

or uncertainties regarding individuals’wishes for future planning, among seekingthe help of trusted long term care partnerswho can help address personal concernsabout the future.

HomeSafe can provide you with a planthat makes sense for you, your spouse andfamily. We will clearlydefine the benefits youwill receive, such as:debt reduction, smallermonthly bills, morespendable cash, and theadditional income youreceive will be tax-free.

from the desk of bryon pyle >>>

in this issue >>>Healthy New Years Resolutions

Travel Tips for Seniors

Preparing to Visit an Alzheimer’s Family

Reverse Mortgages…Changes Coming 2013

Many Do Not Have Plans for Long Term Care

time to

Making the most of your retirement years

1601 Dove Street, Suite 199Newport Beach, CA 92660

IssueThree

Bryon Pyle,President of HomeSafe

compliments of HomeSafe | A Division of Crossmark Financial >>> Annual Subscription rate: $39.99

Government insured reverse mortgages arechanging in 2013 and the agency thatmanages the program says there are twodirections that change can take.The agency prefers to make “refined” changesthat would limit the amount borrowers canwithdraw up front, implement a financialassessment, and possibly establish some typeof escrow account.

That second approach, which is not preferred byHUD, would be a moratorium on the fixedstandard product. HUD had stated that it prefers to make thecalculated changes with these specific goals inmind rather than face more drastic programchanges that would limit the product’s availabilityto seniors who need it.

“We all have a strong vested interest in ensuringthis program serves borrowers consistently overthe long term and having a program that isseniors to seniors and is economically v i able,” a HUD repres entative said. “Weneed to worktogether towardthat outcome.”

Healthy New Year's Resolutions For Seniors

PREPARING TOVISIT AN

ALZHEIMER’S FAMILYvacation travel isn't for the faintof heart. From long airport linesto full parking lots, the entire

experience can be stressful. Factor in the(usually) high cost of travel, and you maybe left wondering whether the experiencewas worth the price you paid.

We can't make the crowds go away butwe can offer some tips for reducing thecost and stress of your vacation.

Research, research, research. The old"time is money" cliché certainly applies totravel planning. If you book tickets online,remember to check airlines' websites aswell as the big aggregators' sites. You mayfind a better airfare on your airline's ownsite. Remember to check travel pricetrends, too. Kayak offers a "chart view"that shows airfare trends by travel date. Ifyou have a flexible schedule, this type offare comparison can help you pick theleast expensive time to travel. Checkingmultiple rental car websites and pickuplocations is a good way to minimize carrental costs.

Think outside the box. Considerdriving, taking the train or traveling by businstead of flying. If you normally fly intoa large city, consider some nearby regionalairports. You might have to drive a littlefarther at the end of your flight, but youcould end up saving money, too. Bus andrail passes might or might not save youmoney, too. Amtrak now offers U.S.residents the opportunity to buy railpasses. Amtrak also gives seniors a 15percent discount. Greyhound's seniordiscount, available on most routes, is 5percent. (Tip: If you buy a rail pass, bookall of your travel segments as early aspossible. Rail pass seats go quickly onAmtrak.)

Plan your route around low-costlodging. It isn't always fun – orcomfortable – to sleep on a different sofabed every night, but staying with friendsalong the way can save you a lot of money.No friends with guest rooms? Use a travelguidebook, such as the Mobil Travel

Guides, or travel website to findinexpensive places to stay en route. Ifyou're retired military, don’t forget aboutmilitary lodging chains, such as NavyLodges and Air Force Inns.

Stay close to home to save money.You may not be able to take a two-weekcruise this year, but there are plenty ofthings to see in your own area. Get a mapand travel guidebook and draw a circlethat encloses the distance you're able totravel. Then, look up museums, parks,restaurants and shopping districts in a fewof the towns within your circle. You'llprobably find that there are many placesnearby that would make great weekend ord a y t r i p destinations.

I n s u r eyour trip ifyou can'tafford tolose yourt r a v e li n v e s t ment. Besure yourt r a v e linsurancep o l i c yc o v e r sw e a t h e r - r e l a t e dcancellations as well as financial defaultand baggage loss coverage.

Reduce Trip-Related Stress

Read the fine print. This i sespecially important if you're bookingnon-refundable tickets or workingthrough travel bidding sites like Hotwireor Priceline. Be sure you understand whatyou're getting (and not getting). Payspecial attention to things like cancellationpolicies, insurance requirements for rentalcars and fees and surcharges. If you'retraveling by air, print out a copy of yourairline's contract of carriage and bring italong.

Plan for crowds. Be aware if you aretraveling during peak travel periods, andyou'll need to allow extra time to park yourcar at the airport, check your bags and pick

up suitcases andrental cars at theend of your flight.Allow extra time tochange planes ortrains. Pack theclothing you'll needfor the weather soyou don't have tobuy – and bringhome – extra items.

Check theweather. Weatherdelays during the

winter can cause all kinds of difficulties,from missed flights to traffic jams. Ifyou're flying, try to arrange your flights soyou change planes in snow-free cities

Vacation & Travel Tips for Seniors

In advance of a visit, ask about theperson’s physical and mentalcondition. The more you learn, the

more comfortable you will be aroundsomeone with memory problems. Whenvisiting, what counts are the momentsshared together – not what the person mayor may not remember. Sharing time togethermatters more than what is said andunderstood. Prepare for potentiallyembarrassing or unusual behaviors (such asthe person with Alzheimer’s seeing peoplewho aren’t there or experiencing suddenangry outbursts.) The person is confusedand does not remember what is polite orexpected. The offending behavior is becauseof the disease, don’t take criticism oraccusations personally. Quiet and simpleactivities are often the best. (This is

reassuring to those who think they shouldbe “doing something” – they may neverhave considered that “just being” is a gift.)Keep visits short to avoid unnecessary stressand fatigue for everyone.People with Alzheimer’s can usually pullthemselves together for a brief visit as longas they get enough rest. Holiday visiting maydisrupt the person’s secure routine. This cancreate some stress and anxiety. If the personbecomes restless, it may be time to leave.Begin new rituals meaningful to theAlzheimer’s family at home or in a carefacility. Develop a ritual honoring theperson with Alzheimer’s. Set a place at thetable, acknowledge the person in the prayeror blessing, or include a dish that theindividual prepared well in the past andprovide others with the recipe.

Choose to celebrate a spiritual aspect of theholiday. Visiting or reaching out to otherswho are not a part of your family or circleof friends can be a surprisingly healingexperience. It gives meaning to the holidaysentiment, “It is more blessed to give thanto receive.” Elizabeth Hall, author of Caringfor a Person with Alzheimer’s Disease: AChristian Perspective, shared her meaningof Christmas. Each year Elizabeth wouldbuy a token present for a young man whohad returned from the Vietnam Warmentally impaired and homeless. His facewould light up with such joy at receiving thegift. He, in turn, would give it to the verynext person he encountered. "I never felt itwas Christmas until I had given him his gift.

By Nancy Parode

(sorry, Chicago!). Once your trip is tendays away, start checking weatherforecasts so that you'reprepared for storm-relatedproblems. If you're driving,pack emergency road tripsupplies. While onvacation, continue to check

weather forecasts so you're ready foryour return journey.

Double-check yourmedications. Make sure youhave enough on hand for yourentire trip. If you're flying orgoing to another country, be sure

to pack your prescriptions in theiroriginal containers. Set up your pill

organizer once you reach yourdestination.

Pack your smile. This could be themost important thing you bring along onyour vacation. It can help you changeyour airline seat, get help placing your bagon an overhead luggage rack and find asympathetic customer servicerepresentative.

HomeSafe’s Monthly Useful Household Tips:Use empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write

on the roll what appliance it belongs to.