Like so many others, an elderly woman in Illinois is having trouble making her mortgage payments every month, even though she has been living in her home for the past 33 years. With only her monthly Social Security check to survive on after losing her job as a cook at a local church, she can barely afford her monthly mortgage. This leaves her with little to pay for food, utilities and basic necessities. Foreclosure seems inevitable in the near future.

This situation was similar for approximately 648,000 homeowners age 50 and older a few years ago. They represented more than a quarter of all U.S. citizens who may be in need of legal assistance or debt relief as they were delinquent on mortgage payments or already in foreclosure in 2007. Many if not most of the people in this situation would like to stay in the homes they love. These individuals have worked hard to establish their homes, credit and way of life.

What makes these homeowner's situations even worse is that the housing market continues to struggle, making it nearly impossible for some people to sell their homes. Unfortunately, many senior citizens think they are facing limited options, and they may feel overwhelmed. Often times, they simply don't know who to turn to for help.

Fortunately, there are local and national organizations that can provide the appropriate assistance and referrals. Moreover, those who are fighting to stay in their homes may find it beneficial to seek legal assistance. It may be possible to create a debt relief plan and even prevent foreclosure.

Source: Medill Reports Chicago, "For older adults facing foreclosure, options are scarce," Ali Durkin, Jan. 24, 2012