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their home. Forming a habit of stepping outside for a walk every day could mean the difference between staying healthy or suffering a tragic fall.
MEET NEW FRIENDS!
While you’re strengthening your heart, you may find yourself creating strong bonds with other older adults — which can also be vital to your health! According to a study at the University of California, San Francisco, more than 40 percent of seniors experience loneliness on a regular basis. Spouses pass on, children become busy, and seniors may start feeling like they’re all alone. Living with constant loneliness can be just as detrimental as smoking 15 cigarettes every day! Studies have also found enhanced mental well-being when people remain active. So, joining an exercise class at your local gym or senior center can help you flex those muscles and build new relationships. Before you begin any physical fitness regimen, consult with a medical professional. They can give you advice on what types of activities to try and what pains to look out for. Whatever you do, just get out there and move!
HAVE FUN!
Spending even 20 minutes of every day devoted to some kind of physical activity is a huge benefit to your heart and joints. Yet, one of the biggest misconceptions about physical activity is that it has to be a specified workout regimen to qualify as physical fitness. Instead of slapping on your sweatband to get your heart rate up, try strengthening your body with leisurely activities or even household chores. Try a local dance class or spruce up your garden. Tackling the mess in the garage, walking to lunch with a friend, or volunteering to walk the dogs at your local humane society are all fun ways to work physical fitness into your daily life. The best part is you can mold your workout to your lifestyle. Do what feels right, fun, and active!
Leaving a Legacy of Giving Making Charity a Part of Your Estate Plan Your estate plan is far more than just a set of documents. It’s a declaration of what you findmost important and a roadmap of the legacy you’d like to leave. Not only does a proper estate plan ensure that your loved ones will be taken care of when you’re gone, but it also allows you tomake an impact on the wider world through charitable giving. Many avenues exist for making planned gifts to nonprofits, but here are some of the basics on how tomake giving a part of your plan. NAME A CHARITY INYOURWILL The most basic way to give to a charity is by naming it in your will. Simply name the charitable organization you wish to support among your beneficiaries, and specify the assets you wish to give. If estate or income taxes are a concern, ensure your chosen organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. These are the charities the IRS deems tax-exempt. MATCHTHE ASSETS TOTHE CHARITY Almost all charities will accept cash bequests, though it is always a good idea to notify an organization about what you are planning to give. Smaller philanthropies may not accept complex assets, such as stocks or real estate. On the other hand, some charities may specialize in specific assets. For example, if your home is considered a historic site within your town, youmay want to gift it to a preservation society so that it stays properly maintained.
DECIDE HOWTO GIVE There are different ways to structure a charitable bequest, giving you the flexibility tomake sure your estate planning goals are met. If you have a set sumof money or a particular asset you wish to leave to a charity, you can make a specific bequest in your will. However, if you want to ensure your loved one’s needs are met before giving a portion of your estate to charity, you canmake what’s known as a residuary gift. With a residuary gift, once debts have been paid off and your other beneficiaries have received their bequests, a specified percentage of your remaining estate will go to a charity of your choice. OTHER AVENUES Depending on your income level and the kinds of assets in your estate, more complex means of making a planned gift may be available to you. Talk to your estate planner to see if creating a charitable trust or establishing a foundation is the right move for you.
2 • StanoLaw.com
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