Merlino & Gonzalez August 2018

TRANSPORTAT ION SAFETY T I PS Protect Your Children During Their Commute them where they should stand when the bus approaches — a minimum of three large steps or 6 feet from the street. Tell your kids about the importance of sitting still and not standing in the bus while it’s in motion. YOUNG PEDESTRIANS ON THE ROAD Whether your child is biking, walking, or even skateboarding, it’s vital that they know and follow the rules of the road. All children should practice road safety behavior, such as riding on the right side of the road, wearing helmets, stopping at stop signs, and watching out for cars. Internalizing these habits will help them stay aware of their surroundings when traveling to and from school. SHARING THE ROAD When school starts, the roads become even more cluttered than usual. On top of people heading to work, there are large buses making frequent stops, parents rushing to drop their kids off, and young kids biking or walking to school. With the added tension on the road, it’s important to be alert and move cautiously. Slowing down in school zones or around young pedestrians will keep you vigilant and could potentially save lives.

With the school year fast approaching, families are in preparation mode. Parents are busy buying new clothes and school supplies and thinking about the best way to get their kids safely to school. Keeping your child safe on their commute starts with knowing the transportation method that works best for you and the rules that accompany that method. TAKING THE SCHOOL BUS According to the United States Department of Transportation, the school bus is the safest means of transportation to and from school. Buses are built to withstand a hit and distribute the damage throughout the vehicle, keeping its passengers safe and sound. Knowing basic bus safety will help kids be mindful when taking the bus. Before the school year starts, take your children to the bus stop and show

Teach your kids to be prepared and safe on the road to ensure that they have a healthy and safe school year.

PROTECT ELDERLY LOVED ONES From Financial Fraud

Watching a loved one suffer with Alzheimer’s or dementia is a difficult process. The progressive nature of these brain disorders leads to increased memory loss and difficulty with communication. Most, if not all, dementia patients reach a point where they can no longer care for themselves. As much as we’d like to believe that all caregivers have the best interests of their patients at heart, we’ve heard enough horror stories to know that isn’t always the case. Less-than-reputable caregivers have coaxed dementia patients into signing over assets. Proper vetting of any care professional working with your loved one is crucial, but it’s not the only step you can take to ensure that your elderly loved one’s finances will be protected. Here are a few steps we recommend. DESIGNATE FAMILY MEMBERS Assigning powers of attorney to trusted family members should happen as soon as your loved one is diagnosed. Taking this step early, before symptoms accelerate, will limit the chance for any designation to be overturned. Your loved one should also name a “trusted contact” for any accounts with financial advisors.

SPEAK TO A DOCTOR Obviously, those dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia will be visiting a doctor regularly. During those visits, it’s a good idea for you to ask the doctor to sign written statements attesting to their inability to manage financial issues. Pass these documents on to any financial institutions so that banks and creditors will be mindful of your loved one’s condition. SAFEGUARD AND MONITOR DOCUMENTS Personal financial statements such as tax returns should be kept in a safe, private location. Any document with your loved one’s Social Security number could potentially be used to open fraudulent accounts. You should also regularly read your loved one’s bank statements to make sure they haven’t incurred any suspicious charges. CONSULT AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY At Merlino & Gonzalez, we have years of experience handling estate planning and elder law matters for families dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia. We can help you put a plan in place that safeguards your loved one’s finances and wishes. Dealing with dementia is hard, but protecting your loved one doesn’t have to be.

2 realestateplanninglaw.com

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