The Freestone Family of Companies, a leader in mortgage lending, senior placement services, and aging-in-place solutions, is proud to announce the launch of “Whisper”, a groundbreaking digital tool designed to help older adults explore and compare retirement living options: quietly, safely, and without obligation.

Whisper is an intuitive online calculator that allows users to privately assess their financial readiness for various retirement living paths, from staying in their home with modifications, to downsizing, or transitioning to assisted or independent living. The tool also includes reverse mortgage scenarios, empowering users to evaluate how home equity might unlock greater financial flexibility during retirement.

“We created Whisper to give seniors and their families a safe place to explore life’s next chapter, without pressure or sales tactics,” said Erik Anderson, CEO and Co-Founder of Freestone. “It’s about giving people clarity and control as they plan where and how they want to live.”

A Quiet Revolution in Senior Planning

Unlike traditional financial or housing calculators, Whisper is unique in that it:

• Integrates financial, housing, and care planning into one platform
• Maintains user privacy: no personal info required to view results
• Compares multiple retirement housing paths, including staying at home, relocating, or tapping into home equity
• Estimates reverse mortgage potential, enabling users to visualize the impact of accessing equity to support aging goals
• Connects seamlessly to Freestone’s family of services, including mortgage lending, senior placement, and home modification guidance

Whether a senior is considering staying put and aging in place or planning a move to a supportive community, Whisper serves as a starting point to inform smart, confident decisions.

A Tool for Families, Advisors, and Professionals

Whisper is also designed to support adult children, financial planners, real estate agents, and senior care advisors who are helping loved ones or clients navigate retirement options.

“Families don’t need more stress, they need tools they can trust that provide real data-driven insights,” said Anderson. “Whisper delivers real numbers and peace of mind, so the right conversations can begin.”

Available Now

The Whisper Retirement Living Options Calculator is available now at
www.freestonemortgagereverse.com/whisper-your-retirement-living-options-calculator

About Freestone

The Freestone Family of Companies includes Freestone Mortgage, Freestone Senior Connect, and Freestone Aging-in-Place Solutions. Together, they provide a holistic approach to life transitions, from home financing and renovation support to long-term care planning and senior housing. Freestone is committed to helping people live better, wherever they call home.

What Makes This Retirement Calculator Unique?

Our Retirement Calculator goes beyond simple projections: it lets you compare three different care-home budget options versus staying at home using a reverse mortgage to fund in‑home care. Instantly see how long your savings will last under each path—and make confident, informed decisions.

Why This Retirement Calculator Matters

1. Most Adults Have a Strong Preference for Staying at Home

• Surveys show that 90–94% of older adults prefer to age in place: remaining in their own homes as long as possible (NerdWallet, North American Community Hub).

Because people overwhelmingly want to stay home, our calculator addresses the most popular option and helps estimate whether it’s financially viable.

2. Fast‑Rising In‑Home Care Costs

• In 2024–2025, home care runs around $33/hour (national median), with full-time care reaching $6,481/month or more (SeniorSite).

These figures underline how quickly in‑home care expenses can deplete retirement funds, even if aging in place is emotionally preferred. A reverse mortgage could be the tool that bridges this gap and our calculator will show you how.

3. Care Homes: Lower Base Costs, But Hidden Risks

• Assisted living averages about $5,900/month, while nursing homes run $10,965/month in 2025 (Global One Home Care, SeniorLiving.org).
• Yet even paying $11,000/month doesn’t guarantee quality. Stories reveal hidden charges, understaffing, and overmedication in some facilities (The Guardian).

Understanding both direct costs and potential drawbacks helps users compare carefully.

Why a Reverse Mortgage May Help

• It taps a growing asset—your home—to supplement retirement income.
• Withdrawals are tax‑free and don’t affect Social Security or Medicare (YouTube, NerdWallet, investopedia.com).
• A reverse mortgage line of credit grows over time, giving flexibility if care needs increase (NerdWallet).

⚠️ Be aware: reverse mortgages have fees, accruing interest, and require you stay in the home. They’re not ideal if you plan to move within a few years.

Using This Retirement Calculator For Financial Planning

For many middle-income seniors, long-term care planning falls into a difficult gap: they earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to comfortably afford rising out-of-pocket expenses. In fact, over half of all long-term care is paid privately or through unpaid family support, placing emotional and financial strain on loved ones. And with only about 10% of older adults carrying long-term care insurance that fully covers these costs, the need for alternative strategies is clear. Using a reverse mortgage to fund care at home can offer relief, flexibility, and peace of mind, helping families navigate retirement with greater confidence and dignity.