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W hen my
g
daughter, Sara, was a little girl, she begged me and
my wife for a puppy. This went on for years! I grew up with dogs and cats
myself — there were always litters of kittens at our house — so my wife and I knew what a great companion a dog would be for our kids. Still, I was hesitant to give her that much responsibility. So, being a lawyer, I drew up a contract. Sara was about 8 years old when she signed a piece of paper promising to take care of our new dog. Once we had her signature, we went out and got our family’s first puppy: a sweet golden retriever named Jazmine. Despite that contract, my wife ended up doing most of the dog feeding, walking, and mess-handling. I used to hold that contract over Sara’s head, but when she grew up, became a lawyer, and joined our firm, she reminded me that anything
Our family lost Jazmine years ago, but I’ve been thinking about her a lot ever since I learned this time of year is called “the dog days of summer.” She’s never far from
my mind anyway because pets come up often in my estate planning and elder law work. Our clients are very passionate about their pets, whether they’re dogs, cats, horses, lizards, or snakes! Fortunately, there are several ways to work your pets into your estate plan if they feel like part of your family. Sometimes it’s as simple as letting us know who should take over their care when you pass, but we can also set up something called a pet trust if you want to truly ensure your pet has a safety net. These trusts are basically funds created to provide for the care of your pet and can cover food, veterinary bills, and other expenses. They’re a great idea if you have expensive, long-lived pets like horses.
she’d signed before she turned 18 wasn’t legally binding. She got me! Jazmine became a part of the family. She was a great dog. Thanks to
“I’ll never forget the day one of them hugged Jazmine after she had surgery, even though we’d told them not to. She seemed to realize they were just toddlers who didn’t know any better.”
her, we always knew when someone was at the door, and she provided an amazing amount of unconditional love. There’s nothing better than coming home after a long work day to a dog that’s happy to see you!
As you’ve probably figured out, I’m a big fan of bringing a pet into the house. Pets are a huge source of joy, and they can also inspire you to get outside, exercise, and breathe the fresh air. Some studies have even shown that owning a dog will help you live longer because it has a calming effect and decreases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. So, if you’re reading this and don’t already have a pet, you might want to consider adopting one! If my experience with Jazmine is anything to go by, you won’t regret it.
Jazmine was a bit of a scaredy-cat. As soon as a stranger came through the door,
her mean bark would turn into a tail-between-her-legs act. But she had a very calming personality and was wonderful with the kids. I’ll never forget the day one of them hugged Jazmine after she had surgery, even though we’d told them not to. Instead of snapping or biting, she treated them gently. She seemed to realize they were just toddlers who didn’t know any better.
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While you may be happy for the years of wisdom you’ve gained since being in your 20s and 30s, you might be missing the mental sharpness you once had. Why not have the best of both worlds? Scientists have found that the human brain changes with age — neurons fire more slowly, for example, and short-term memory recall can be more challenging — but that we often underestimate our capacity to continue learning as we grow older. Negative stereotypes about aging can reinforce these beliefs. Stay Sharp as You Age BY GOING BACK TO SCHOOL Most colleges are designed with the traditional, 20-something college student in mind, which may not appeal or be a great fit for adults in their 50s, 60s, and beyond. But many universities are starting to cater to an older crowd with lifelong learning programs. One example is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Washington (UW). UW’s program offers a full course schedule on subjects in the arts, sciences, and current events taught by qualified faculty and provided at an affordable rate. There are over 100 such programs at universities across the U.S.
Have a longtime dream to write children’s books? UC San Diego Extension has a certificate program for that! If you’re looking to dive into a single subject or perhaps you’d like to continue working in retirement or shift gears later in your career, certificate programs are a great option. No previous education is required. Most certificate programs are open to all, typically run for less than a year, and easily accommodate part-time learners.
However, new research is showing that older adults who’ve committed to immersive study of a new subject show brain function akin to someone 30 years younger. This goes beyond the tired advice to do a crossword puzzle or work a sudoku puzzle every day. The participants in this research study were learning entirely new-to-them subjects, like how to speak a foreign language, use a new piece of technology, or make art.
Celebrate your years of hard-earned wisdom but commit to keeping your brain young by going back to school this fall.
Convinced of the benefits but not sure where to turn to learn? Try these two sources.
5 Simple Ways to Avoid Heat Stress
Usually, we have mild summers here in Michigan, but if 2021 has taught us anything, it’s that the weather is unpredictable. The heat domes that swept across the U.S. in June and July pushed Portland and Seattle to 108 and 112 degrees F, respectively, despite their reputations as cool, rainy locations. Will the heat come to Michigan? It’s hard to say, but if it does, it’s best to be prepared. Here are five tips from the CDC that will help you and your family prevent dangerous conditions like heat stress, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion. 1. Drink water — even if you’re not thirsty. According to National Geographic, you can sweat out as much as 1.5–2 quarts of liquid in an hour when it’s hot! To keep yourself hydrated, you need to replace that liquid, so make sure you’re constantly drinking water, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
3. Take cool showers or baths. The water will bring down your body temperature. If you’re feeling daring, you can turn the handle to cold for other health benefits. Cold showers boost your immune system by increasing your white blood cell count, fight anxiety and depression, and give you more energy. 4. Avoid your stove and oven. Using the oven will increase the temperature in your home — so those cookies, pies, and roasts can wait! One poster on an eGullet Society for Culinary Arts & Letters forum found that her oven increased her house’s temperature a full 5 degrees F. 5. Use the buddy system . Find an older friend to be your “heat buddy” and make a plan to check in on each other when the mercury spikes. When you do, look for signs of heat stress like confusion, slurred speech, and profuse sweating. (Find more information on symptoms at CDC.gov.)
Of course, the safest bet of all is to stay indoors in a place with air conditioning. But barring that, these tips could save your life!
2. Wear light, loose clothing . Clothes in thin, light-colored fabrics with roomy cuts will help you stay cool in the heat.
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You may only have a few more weeks of great pool weather left, so soak it up while you can! Afterward, you may find yourself taking stock of the pool toys that survived this season or notice an end-of-season sale on pool noodles. Don’t scoff! These fun pool toys can also be handy tools around the home. 3 Noodle Hacks You Have to Try After Pool Season Don’t Throw Away Those Pool Noodles!
Solution on Pg. 4 Helpful Resources • Is your estate plan up to date? Ask us about our FREE estate planning checkup. Call our office or email Julie@MTOLaw.com.
Check out these affordable life hacks that are all thanks to the common pool noodle.
Protect Your Vehicle Create extra padding and prevent scratches and dings just by manipulating a few pool noodles. If you have a tight garage space, cut pool noodles lengthwise and slide them over garage beams, work benches, or other items that are frequently hit by your car door. The noodle will take the blow, and your car won’t get dinged! Another easy way to protect your car is to attach pool noodles to the top of a vehicle’s luggage rack. This will prevent your cargo from scratching the top of your vehicle! ( Just be sure to strap everything down so it doesn’t slide off.) Stop the Pinch Pool weather may be ending, but trampoline season is still in full swing. Despite how fun trampolines can be, they can be risky. But pool noodles can help relieve some of your fears. Simply measure the length of a single spring on your trampoline and cut pool noodles into same-length sections so you have one piece for every spring. Then, cut the noodle pieces lengthwise and fit them over the springs. You may need to replace the noodles every few months, but fingers and hair will be protected from those sturdy metal jaws. Relieve Pain As we age, life takes its toll, so why not have a little cushion? A pool noodle is an easy solution for this. You can cut a pool noodle the length of your keyboard, and then cut it in half to create a soft and affordable wrist guard at your desk. Try the same method with ladder rungs to protect your knees and shins or cover handles with noodles for an easier grip!
• Don’t miss our upcoming estate planning and elder law workshops — our website has our entire educational calendar for the year. • Learn about estate planning and elder law topics in plain English. Check out our Elder Care Whiteboard Videos at MichiganEstatePlans.com.
• Let us be your trusted advisor for all your legal matters. Our clients’ referrals have helped us grow. We want to return
the favor by helping you find a great attorney outside the fields of estate planning, elder law, and probate. Instead of taking your chances on Google or the phone book, let us put you in touch with an experienced attorney who can help you. Our clients often call us in need of an attorney who focuses on family law, personal injury, auto accidents, elder and nursing home abuse, workers’ comp, Social Security disability, and many other areas. To get the best results, you need an experienced attorney to help. If you want a referral, call our office or email Julie@ MTOLaw.com. We are glad to help!
Need a few more noodle hacks in your life? Reader’s Digest has you covered. Check out their extensive list online at RD.com.
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MichiganEstatePlans.com • 888.487.6150
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MichiganEstatePlans.com • 888.487.6150 915 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 6 Howell, Michigan 48843
What’s Inside? 1 2
Meet the Matecun Family Pup
Going Back to School Later in Life
5 Ways to Protect Yourself From the Summer Heat
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Save Your Pool Noodles for an Easier Life
Helpful Resources
Wake Up Without Coffee — Really!
If you can’t start your day without your daily cup — or cups — of joe, you’re not alone. More than 450 million cups of coffee are consumed by U.S. residents every day, and unfortunately, heavy caffeine consumption may not be healthy. (It’s a big reason why celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Jim Carrey, and Kim Kardashian don’t drink it!) Moderate amounts of caffeine can improve your mental health, and some studies suggest it could even prevent some chronic conditions. However, there are major downsides to overconsumption, which equates to more than four cups of coffee each day. These can include high blood pressure, addiction symptoms, and decreased mentality. If you want to break out of the caffeine cycle and reduce how much coffee you drink, try replacing that cuppa with one of these methods! Stretch After lying in one position all night, your body may feel stiff and achy. Stretching awakens your muscles 3 Natural Ways to Boost Your Energy Without Caffeine
and helps you break out of that groggy morning feeling. Start with your back and do some slow core twists. Then, sit on the floor and lay your legs out in front of you. Stretch forward, then sit back up. Next, position your right foot on the opposite side of your left knee. Keeping your hips centered, turn your torso toward your right foot so that your right arm is on your right knee. Switch to the other side and repeat as needed. Finally, pull your head toward your shoulders to loosen your neck. Go for a Walk When you wake up in the morning, head outside! Movement stimulates your brain and improves your mood, and the act of walking is relaxing enough that it doesn’t require much effort on your part. Plus, it’s a great way to get your steps in, wake up slowly, and get outside before a busy day.
Just Breathe This might sound like it will lull you to sleep, but there are actually some breathing techniques that can help you wake up! The “breath of fire” is a rapid- fire breathing technique, during which you inhale deeply, exhale deeply, inhale deeply again, and then exhale quickly. Repeat this as needed. Other practices that focus on breathing, like yoga, can be effective, too. Waking up isn’t an exact science, but once you find a healthy method that works for you, you may never need coffee again. (Gasp!)
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Offices: Howell | Clinton Township | Livonia | Bloomfield Hills
We’ve got important news ...
You count on our firm for your estate planning and elder law needs, but did you know our commitment to your success goes further? That’s why we’re pleased to introduce Brad Jerome, owner of Legacy Financial Group, as our valued partner for integrated financial advice and planning. Perhaps all I need to say is that I have trusted Brad to handle my own financial and retirement planning, and he has done a wonderful job. But more than that, our long-time relationship grew because Brad operates his firm like we operate ours – he educates first to make sure you understand all of your options, then creates a unique strategy to fit you, your family, and your dreams. A great retirement strategy needs to help you live more confidently today and tomorrow. If you’re interested in talking about your financial well-being, Brad meets with our clients right in our office. We will give you updates and more information about our new partnership over the next few months. In the meantime, if you would like to start a discussion about your financial future, you can call our office to set up a strategy session with Brad Jerome (517-548-7400). There’s no cost, no obligation, and no pressure. Just an opportunity to discuss your goals with a top-notch financial advisor to see where your path might lead.
Glenn
MichiganEstatePlans.com • 888.487.6150
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