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B & A BULLETIN Q4 2026
A Plan for Purpose, Passion, and Possibilities Retirement Reimagined When it comes time for you to say goodbye to working for a living, will you be retiring from something or retiring to something? To be honest, it’s a question that too few of my clients ask themselves when they’re making plans for the future. Sure, most people envision retirement as their well-earned time away from the hustle and bustle of their careers and a chance to finally put up their feet and relax, but they rarely consider how such a drastic change will impact their lives. Without breaking confidences, I’ll say I’ve known more than a few people whose retirements turned out to be nowhere near the dreams they expected them to be. In the best-case scenario, they experienced an identity crisis (and, as a result, a loss of meaning in their lives) once their jobs were over, and they struggled to find a comfortable place in daily life. In the worst-case scenario, they lost a spouse shortly after retiring and ultimately fell into ill health themselves through the stress of the situation. In every situation, they worked their entire lives to achieve a milestone they believed would bring them happiness. Unfortunately, reality had other plans. Whether retirement is right around the corner or you’re still a few years away from taking the leap, here are a few fundamental questions you should ask yourself. Why are you retiring? Are you burned out at your job to the point where you want to retire as soon as possible, or are you considering
retirement simply because of your age? The truth is that there’s no solid time frame for when you should retire. Some people leave their careers behind as soon as they’re able, while others find purpose by working well into their 80s or 90s. Retiring is something you should want to or need to do, not something you should feel you’re expected to do. What are you going to do now? While a “mental health” day in front of the TV with our feet up on the couch never hurt anyone, stretching one over weeks, months, or years could have considerable consequences for your well-being. What hobbies do you plan to pursue in your retirement? Is there a lifelong passion you can finally explore? What will fill your social calendar? Who will be the company you’ll keep? How will you keep your mind engaged and stimulated? Have you considered volunteering or community activities? Your life may no longer revolve around work, but that doesn’t (and should never) mean that your life becomes empty in retirement.
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Would part-time work help? For most people, working provides benefits beyond earning a paycheck. Sometimes, the social aspects of our careers are just as important to us. If retiring in full could affect your daily desire to connect with others, slowing down your retirement by taking on part-time work may be a better alternative than ending your career abruptly. Have you factored in unexpected life changes? In a perfect world, you and your spouse will enjoy many years of retirement together. Unfortunately, a sudden death or unexpected illness may tragically uproot this plan. Have you made appropriate plans for caregiving, medical directives, and powers of attorney in the event that you or your loved one becomes incapacitated? Do you have a plan for remaining emotionally and economically secure if you’re suddenly single at retirement age? Would you still find meaning and purpose in life if you now suddenly had to go it
alone? While these questions may be unpleasant to consider, they’re essential to crafting a retirement plan that addresses as many of life’s unknowns as possible. Naturally, these questions can introduce several considerations for your estate and financial planning. Rest assured that we’re here to help you address these matters so you can enjoy the meaningful and fulfilling golden years you deserve.
Your later years should bring you peace and joy. We’re ready and happy to help you get there.
Alzheimer’s Awareness and Action Cognitive Clues for Caring Families Last September, Bott &
Associates LTD had the honor of participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Although the event has ended, you can donate to the cause year- round! Please scan this QR code to learn how.
One of the best things we can do for the people we love is help them enjoy the longest, healthiest, and most fruitful lives possible, especially as they get older. And November is perhaps the best time of the year to put that loving goal into action. In addition to ushering in the holiday season, November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. As estate planners, we often work with families to address the realities of this disease in ways that protect both the affected loved one and those who care about them. We’ve also encountered situations where the signs of Alzheimer’s were not detected until the condition had become severe. Here are three warning signs of early Alzheimer’s or dementia to keep in mind when spending time with older loved ones over the holidays or at any time of year. 1. Memory Loss That Makes Daily Life Difficult People may joke about having a “senior moment” from time to time, and a minor incident of forgetfulness may not be an immediate cause for concern, but habitual memory loss that affects a loved one’s daily routine shouldn’t be overlooked. Signs of ongoing memory loss include forgetting important dates and events, repeating the same questions, or relying on notes and other memory aids to maintain everyday schedules. 2. Changes in Organization and Planning Skills Anyone can be distracted enough by life to miss a bill or two, but several missed payments or critical deadlines
could be a sign that your loved one is having difficulty keeping track of dates, numbers, and other information. Having difficulty following recipes or other directions may be another sign that all isn’t well. 3. Vocabulary Changes (Including Oddly Used Words) If conversations with a loved one regularly trail off as they struggle to find the right words (or fill that space with a word that may not make sense), it could be a sign of cognitive changes. Steps Toward Prevention As with many health conditions, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia may be reduced by following healthy lifestyle habits throughout adulthood. Quitting smoking, monitoring our blood pressure, exercising regularly, managing diabetes, challenging our minds by learning new skills, and maintaining a healthy weight all contribute to our lasting cognitive health. For additional early signs of Alzheimer’s disease and more tips for prevention, please visit the Alzheimer’s Association website at ALZ.org .
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Stories That Stay THE GIFT OF FAMILY HISTORY
you. Available to clients on request, “My Legacy: The Best Things in Life Aren’t Things. Here’s My Story” is a printed book full of colorful prompts to get you thinking about and compiling the events, milestones, and memories that define who you are, where you’ve been, and how your life will be remembered and celebrated. Additionally, if you’d like to record a video about a particular heirloom or memorable event from your life (or even tell your life story!), Bott & Associates LTD would be delighted to record it for you. We’ll even be happy to serve as the interviewer(s) to help you craft the best narrative possible. An hourlong video detailing something meaningful from your history could be worth more than gold to the recipient(s). This Family History Month, take the time to consider how your family’s past can inspire its future and connect future generations with all the love, struggles, victories, and cherished moments that make your family’s history unique.
What does your family history mean to you ? I’ve been considering this question a lot lately for three big reasons. First, October is National Family History Month, a perfect time to reflect on how your family roots and experiences have shaped who you are today. Second, as an immigrant who moved to the U.S. from the Philippines with my mother in 1976, my family history began in another country and continues here today with my children and me. Third, as an estate planner, I have the privilege of working with families to document and preserve their histories in unique and meaningful ways.
Over the years, I’ve learned that estate planning can be much more than protecting your assets; it can also be about preserving your stories. We’ve had clients use technology to upload family videos to the cloud as part of their plans, and others have included written stories or photo albums as part of what they pass on to future generations. These things add a deeply personal touch to your legacy and can give your beneficiaries greater insight into who you are and what you’ll be leaving behind for them. If you’re interested in incorporating more of your family history into your estate plan, we have great resources for
Upcoming Events Please call us at 847-818-9084 for more information on our events.
FREE ESTATE PLANNING SEMINARS We invite you to attend our upcoming free seminars and take the first step toward peace of mind by creating or updating your estate plan. This is an educational seminar in which Attorneys Maritess Bott and Janki Patel highlight some of the concerns many families face and how an estate plan can help. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 10–11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2–3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 10–11 a.m. Location: 3701 Algonquin Rd., 1st Floor, Conference Room B, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 *The seminars scheduled for November will be available for on-demand viewing after the live events. PIE DAY It’s time for everyone’s favorite day … PIE DAY!
We’d love to see you there! Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2–5 p.m. Clients can pick up their pie at our office: 3701 Algonquin Rd., Suite 1070 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 MEDICAID WEBINAR Join us for an informative Medicaid Webinar featuring our Medicaid Specialist as a guest speaker! Gain valuable insights and learn what you need to know about Medicaid and planning for the future. Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1 p.m.
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Inside This Issue • New Goals for Your Golden Years • November Notes on Memory Health • A Legacy Beyond Wealth • Check Out Our Upcoming Events! • Take a Break • Curiosity Never Gets Old
THE MOST DANGEROUS THING ABOUT AGING? Thinking You Already Know Enough
Curiosity may have killed the cat, but for us humans, it opens the door to discoveries, experiences, and the ability to … age better? Each of us is born with a certain level of curiosity that drives our efforts to learn more about ourselves and the world around us. You probably remember being a kid and learning everything you could about your biggest passions, whether that was animals, history, science, sports, or anything else. As we get older, that curiosity can wane, but if it goes too far, you may be in trouble. Recent research by an international team of psychologists explored the impact of curiosity on health. Researchers invited participants aged 20–84 to complete an online survey that determined how naturally curious they were, also known as trait curiosity. Researchers then measured participants’ state curiosity (i.e., a temporary desire to know the answer to a specific question or topic) by encouraging them to guess answers to difficult trivia questions. After guessing, they were asked
They found that trait curiosity (a person’s more stable tendency to continually seek new knowledge) declines with age, whereas state curiosity is less predictable. Generally, it declined in early adulthood, then increased consistently in middle age and the senior years. The researchers suggested that this data shows people naturally focus on learning as much as they can about the world, their jobs, and everything they need for success. But as they grow older, their curiosity levels out, and once the kids leave the nest, they can dedicate more time to their biggest interests and passions. In other words, we’re more selective about what we learn. Further, the research also suggested a link between maintaining curiosity as we age and the risk of dementia. Always looking to learn new things may be able to offset or prevent dementia, while those who show disinterest may be at a greater risk.
No matter how you view it, curiosity remains one of humanity’s most valuable traits.
how curious they were to discover the real answer.
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