text: I looked at reverse mortgages. The younger the borrower the less money advanced( 33% to a 65 year old ). The  reverse mortgage is a good option for the 80 year old looking to live out their days in the family home. The loan advanced is never more than 50 to 60 % and is likely to be paid out within 10 to 15 years.  I advocate that CMHC backstop all lenders so as to provide reverse mortgages as an option for older 75+ seniors. Surely it makes sense to lend money to seniors to allow them to stay in their own home instead of warehousing them in expensive facilities. If more lenders offered this kind of mortgage perhaps the interest rate could come down. What is needed is a complete rethink of risk management for reverse mortgage portfolios. The property taxes should be paid by the lender and tagged onto the loan . Also the loan need not be paid out in one sum, it could go out as annuity payments .