5 minute read
Keeping Your Brain Healthy
When you lose a spouse, partner, or parent, the grief can be overwhelming. In the midst of that grief, life goes on.
There are arrangements to be made, things to be taken care of – and in recognition of this reality, here is a checklist that you may find useful at such a time.
First, gather documents. Ask for help from other family members if you need it. Start by gathering the following. n A will, a trust, or other estate documents. If none of these exist, you could face a longer legal process when settling the person’s estate. n A Social Security card/number. Generally, the person’s Social Security number will be retired shortly following the death. If you are uncertain, consider checking with the Social
Security office.
Then, gather these additional highly important items. n Any account statements n Deeds/titles to real estate n Car titles or lease agreements n Storage space keys/account records n Any bills due or records of credit card statements n Any social media platform information, if applicable
Last, but not least, look for a computer file or printout with digital account passwords. Prior to their loved one’s passing, some family members may try to centralize all this informa-
A Checklist for When a Spouse or Parent Passes tion or state where it can be found. In addition, see if the person left a letter of instructions. A letter of instructions is not a legal document; it’s a letter that provides additional and more-personal information regarding an estate. It can be addressed to whomever you choose, but typically, letters of instructions are directed to the executor, family members, or beneficiaries.
Following these steps, address financial, insurance, and credit
matters. Investment and retirement plan accounts and insurance policies should have beneficiaries, so reach out to the financial and insurance professionals who helped your loved one as well as the person overseeing their workplace retirement plan. Talk with these professionals to learn about the possible tax implications from inheriting these assets. State and federal taxes for your loved one will also need to be paid, and possibly, other taxes for the year of their death. Remember, this article is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for real-life advice, so make sure to consult your tax, legal, and accounting professionals before modifying your any tax or estate strategy. If your loved one owned a small business or professional practice, a discussion with business partners Continued on page 43
Concerned about interest rates? Let’s talk.
Kelli Olsheski, AAMS®
Financial Advisor 265 G East 29th Street | Loveland, CO 80538-7811 970-593-9658 | www.edwardjones.com/kelli-olsheski
FINANCIAL ADVISORS
Edward Jones – Kelli Olsheski, AAMS
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265 G East 29th St, Loveland 80538
970-593-9658 RTI Wealth Management– Anthony Cisneros
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400 E Horsetooth Rd, Ste 201, Ft Collins 80525
970-236-8800
FLU SHOTS
LARIMER COUNTY Health Department – Estes Park
1601 Brodie Ave, 80517 970-577-2050
– Ft Collins
1525 Blue Spruce Dr, 80524 970-498-6700
– Loveland
200 Peridot Ave, Loveland 80537 970-679-4580
FORT COLLINS Health District of N Larimer
120 Bristlecone Dr, Ft Collins 80524 970-224-5209
UCHealth Senior Services – Aspen Club
1025 S Garfield, Ste A, Ft Collins 80524 970-495-8560
GREELEY Aspen Club
6767 W 29th St, Greeley 80634 970-652-2796
LOVELAND McKee Wellness Services – Banner Health
970-820-4640
PVHS Senior Services – Aspen Club
FOOD RESOURCES
Sliding scale or income qualifying food resources for seniors and also list of congregate meal sites.
Hunger Free Colorado
HOTLINE (ad on page 33)
1355 S Colorado Blvd #201, Denver 80222
855-855-4626
Toll-free, bilingual hotline is a free resource that offers referrals to public & private assistance programs.
Keeping Your Brain Healthy
Many people expect to live to age 90 and beyond. The chances of developing Alzheimer’s (the most common type of dementia) or other types of dementia increase as we get older. Many of my patients ask me, “How do you keep your brain healthy?”
It would be nice if there were a simple supplement or medication to prevent dementia, but unfortunately, this is not the case. The good news is there are things you can do to improve your overall health and well-being as you get older, and these things also help keep your brain healthy.
First, it’s important to take care of
your physical health. Avoid tobacco or too much alcohol. For people over 65, that means no more than one drink per day. Some medications, including over the counter, can harm the brain, so review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist at least once a year. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, work with your health care team to keep these conditions under control. Enjoying a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is also helpful.
Second, get plenty of physical
activity – this is one of the best things you can do for your brain health. With more physical activity, you’ll feel better, sleep better, have less stress, and have more energy. Choose an activity that you enjoy and invite a friend or family member to join you. If you are just starting
out, go slow and gradually increase, with a goal to get to at least 30 minutes of moderate activity (like a brisk walk), at least five days a week.
Third, learning new things helps form new connections in your brain.
Dusting off an old musical instrument, learning a new language, or solving puzzles are examples of fun activities to try.
Finally, it’s essential to stay socially connected. Spend time nurturing friendships and family relationships. The same things that make life enjoyable are also the things that help to keep your brain healthy. ~
Editor’s Note: This article submitted by Tracy Lippard, MD. Dr. Lippard is a Geriatric Medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente and may be reached at 303-338-4545, or by email at tracy. ellen.lippard@kp.org. See ad on facing page.
