The term "house rich, cash poor" aptly describes the homeowner who is suddenly faced with high health care bills that take a big bite out of a monthly pension check. Those with costly prescriptions can be particularly hard hit. The need for ready cash--whether for medical bills or house repairs--is common among retirees, and many older people are finding the answer in reverse mortgages, a type of home-equity loan that provides you with a spendable income while you retain home ownership. They work like traditional mortgages, only in reverse. Instead of you paying the lender each month, the lender pays you.
The amount you  may be able to get in a reverse mortgage generally is based on your age, the equity in your home, and the interest rate the lender is charging. A reverse mortgage loan doesn't have to be repaid as long as the borrower is living in the home. No repayment is due until the last surviving borrower dies, sells the house or permanently moves away. Since you retain ownership, you will still be responsible for taxes, repairs and maintenance. A reverse mortgage is nontaxable and won't affect Social Security benefits. It will, however, reduce the amount of your estate left to your heirs.
To find out more, come to the Center on Wednesday, Feb. 5th to hear John Olmstead from the Dept of Housing and Urban Development.

The retina is a light-sensitive membrane that covers the inside of the eyeball. It transmits images from your eye to your brain. Problems with the retina can lead to impaired vision or blindness.
Macular degeneration is caused by damage or breakdown of the part of the retina that provides clear, sharp central vision (the macula). It may occur in one or both eyes. The signs may range from blurry or distorted vision to a blind spot in the center of the visual field. Straight lines may appear wavy and colors may appear faded or dim.
As the condition progresses, central vision is lost. Peripheral (side) vision is not affected, and many people function well, despite the loss of central vision, although walking, reading and other activities that require central vision are more difficult.
Smoking increases the risk of macular degeneration. There is some evidence that a diet that contains plenty of dark, leafy green vegetables (spinach, collard greens) may reduce the risk of macular degeneration.
Laser treatment may prevent or delay further loss of vision if the condition is detected early.
Most retinal detachments are caused by small tears or holes in the retina. Although retinal detachment may occur at any age, older people, those who are near-sighted, and those with a family history of retinal detachment are at higher risk. A blow to the head or eye may also cause the retina to detach. Symptoms of a retinal

detachment or tear may include a sudden onset of flashes of light, partial blindness or seeing dark spots.
Most retinal tears or detachments can be treated if they are detected early, although perfect vision may not always return after treatment.
  Diabetic retinopathy affects people with diabetes and occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to the retina are damaged. It often has no symptoms until it is quite advanced. If untreated, it can lead to blindness. Regular eye exams can detect this problem early, when it can be more successfully treated. Maintaining safe blood sugar levels is important to minimize the risk of damage to the retina.

• Call immediately if you have a sudden onset of vision disturbance such as flashes of light, partial blindness, or dark spots in your field of vision.
  
• If you have vision changes that may be due to a macular problem, such as a loss of sharp vision, a dark spot in the center of your vision, or if straight lines appear wavy or distorted.