How long you live and how long your health holds up are factors that will ultimately impact your legacy. And when you consider the subject of health you have to understand that there are both psychological and physical aspects to the equation. How you feel mentally and emotionally can directly impact your physical health and well-being. It is no secret that loneliness and the loss of a sense of purpose can impact seniors negatively. One way that you may want to consider responding should you find yourself in this situation would be to bring a pet into the household.
Without question a dog or a cat can provide companionship, a unique brand of love, and a great deal of entertainment. In addition, because it is relying on you for food, shelter, and company you can feel a restored sense of purpose that was previously lacking. And of course pets need to get exercise, so this can lead you to being more active which could have a very positive impact on your health.
If you get a pet late in life it is possible that you will pass away before the pet does. For this reason it is important to include your pet in your estate plan. To do so you must first identify a capable caretaker. Then you are going to have to make sure that the caretaker has the financial resources to take care of the pet’s needs. One course of action would be to leave a bequest to the caretaker in your will for the purpose of financing the needs of the pet. In Missouri one may also create a pet trust that will provide for the pet throughout its life. To learn more about pet planning and pet trusts, simply get in touch with an elder law attorney who is experienced in estate planning for pet owners.
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