KNOW: Some vendors of reverse mortgages bundle their transactions with fees, commissions and conditions that older Americans often do not understand. Enticed by the lure of easy money, a growing number of seniors wind up losing their homes and all the equity in them, according to a special report in Consumer Reports.

DO: Trusted advisors alert their clients to the danger of doing business with high-pressure salesmen peddling reverse mortgages who extract outrageous fees. Partner with a reputable reverse-mortgage vendor to refer your clients to. You’ll do your client a favor, and maybe get some referrals from the vendor in return.

KNOW: The acuity of peoples’ financial decision making peaks on average in their early 50s and declines rapidly after 65, says a new Brookings Institution
study. That puts older Americans at risk, especially those who have accumulated significant net worth and still manage complex transactions.

DO: A trusted advisor can help Silent Generation clients cope by urging them to simplify their financial lives: Consolidate debts and investments into a smaller number of financial instruments that they can watch more carefully.