Imagine the bank depositing monthly checks into your account instead of you writing a mortgage check. That is one way a reverse mortgage can work.
Traditional mortgages involve people paying down the interest and principal on a home loan. The goal is generally to pay off the property and enjoy retirement without that monthly installment. A home that has been paid off means that those previously allotted finances can be used to relax and enjoy your retirement to the fullest. That is a best-case scenario!