Take a look at our September newsletter!
Makin’ It Better NEWSLETTER
September 2022
Oregon Workers’ Compensation | Personal Injury | Social Security Disability
1139 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103 • 503-325-8600 • JoeDiBartolomeo.com
Celebrate the Season With the Whole Family JUMP INTO FALL
GO CAMPING. Before the weather gets too cold, pack the family up and
Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year. From the cooler weather to pumpkin patches, it is a great time to bond as a family. Sure, we’ll miss the pool parties and backyard barbecues, but there are so many fall activities to look forward to that will help create lasting memories for your kids and teach them the beauty of the changing season. I always find myself wondering what I could do to encourage my family to still enjoy the outdoors and learn more about the season of autumn. That’s why I came up with a great idea to build an autumn bucket list! There are so many activities that my family and I all enjoy, so what’s better than writing them down and marking them off as we go? Check out these great fall activities the whole family can enjoy. JUMP INTO A PILE OF LEAVES. As the leaves begin to fall and the piles that are raked up begin to grow, jumping into a pile of leaves is always exciting. It might sound a bit cliche, but nothing beats the smile on your kids’ faces when they poke their heads out of the leaves. If you’re feeling a bit nostalgic, jump in with them! It’s the little things that create core memories for your family. HEAD TO A PUMPKIN PATCH. Pumpkin patches have so many great family activities. The corn mazes, pumpkin picking, hay rides, and farmers markets are just a little taste of what autumn has to offer. You can even make it a challenge to see who can find the biggest pumpkin to bring home! EXPLORE FALL COLORS. Take the family on a nature walk in your backyard or for a picnic at your local park where you’re able to see the changing colors of the leaves. This is also great to gather autumn treasures — colored leaves, rocks, pine cones, acorns, etc. — for nature crafts! You can use acorns to make an acorn necklace or leaves for leaf art. If you can find some sturdy, colorful leaves, try to press and preserve them for art you can hang on the fridge.
take a trip to your local campground or even just in the backyard. You can pitch a tent, build a fort, or
use your sleeping bags to experience autumn in its natural state. The whole family can play fun camping games or snuggle up under a blanket and stargaze.
VISIT AN APPLE ORCHARD. If there is an apple orchard near you, apple
picking is always an enjoyable experience. They usually have fun activities like bobbing for apples or making cider from scratch to bring home. You can also pick apples for crafting or baking delicious pies.
CHECK OUT LOCAL HARVEST FESTIVALS. Most farms, local schools, and communities host a fall festival in town. They typically include small amusement rides, fair games to win prizes, and all the best autumn-themed foods like apple pie, corn on the cob, and every pumpkin-tastic food imaginable.
If your town doesn’t host one, host one yourself! There’s no better way to celebrate fall than with a backyard celebration.
Autumn is one of the greatest times of the year to get outside and enjoy nature’s seasonal sights, whether the outing is for educational purposes or pleasure. Try any of these fun fall activities with the whole family to create unforgettable fall memories that everyone will love!
–Joe Di Bartolomeo
The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
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Find Your Balance School’s Out! What Can You Do? 5 EXERCISES TO IMPROVE BALANCE
THESE EXERCISES HELP WITH BALANCE. Balance training involves exercises to strengthen the muscles that help keep you upright and improve stability. These types of exercises can be done as often as you like or even every day.
Several different federal benefits programs provide financial assistance to older adults and persons living with disabilities. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are two of the most common programs from the Social Security Administration (SSA). WHAT IS SSI? SSI provides minimum basic financial assistance to older adults and persons with disabilities (regardless of age) who have very limited income and resources. These monthly payments are also made to adults ages 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications. It provides monthly payments to meet the basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter. The base monthly federal amount varies depending on your living arrangement and countable income, so not everyone gets the same amount. For example, you may receive less if someone pays for your household expenses or if you live with a spouse and they have income. Navigating Federal Benefit Programs What Are They, and Do You Qualify? Though we may not always think about it, balance is essential to just about everything we do in our daily routines. From simply getting out of bed, leaning over to tie our shoes, or even walking to the mailbox, we need good balance to keep ourselves steady while performing normal tasks. KNOW WHY BALANCE IS IMPORTANT. Balance is the ability to control your body’s position, whether stationary or moving. It is a key component of fitness that many people neglect while developing their fitness regimen. Balance training is a great way to help your body recognize where it is and control movements in a given space. When the body knows where its limbs are in space — known as proprioception — it is able to produce smooth, controlled movements with fewer risks of injuries. Reaction time and agility are also improved with balance training. The body learns how to quickly correct itself but not overcompensate and has the ability to quickly change direction effectively and efficiently. Though balance training is important for everyone, it is especially important for those who have problems due to illness, weakness, or dizziness. It allows them to overcome stiffness or unsteadiness and to develop an awareness of body segments and how to align them.
Consider trying the following exercises:
WHAT IS SSDI? SSDI supports individuals who are disabled and have a qualifying work history, either through their own employment or a family member (spouse/parent). The criteria for an applicant to receive SSDI in Oregon are the same as the rest of the country, though initial approval is done at the state level. Your disability must be severe enough to impact your ability to work and must be listed in the SSA Blue Book. These conditions can be intellectual, physical, or developmental disabilities. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? The major difference between these two programs is that an SSI determination is based on age/disability and limited income and resources, whereas an SSDI determination is based on disability and work credits. SSI is financed by general funds of the U.S. Treasury — personal income taxes, corporate, and other taxes. The benefits begin on the first of the month after the month you submit your application. SSDI applicants have a five-month waiting period for benefits, meaning the SSA will not pay benefits for the first five months after someone becomes disabled. But SSDI recipients can get retroactive payments going back to a year before their application date. Navigating through federal benefit programs can be a complex journey, so if you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at (503) 325-8600 and we can point you in the right direction. • Standing with your weight on one leg and raising the other leg to the side or behind you. • Putting one heel right in front of the other foot, as if you were walking a tightrope. • Standing up and sitting down from a chair without using your hands. • Walking while alternating knee lifts with each step. • Stretching and gentle movement as part of yoga or tai chi. Balance is essential to living a healthy, functional life. It’s important to incorporate balance training into your fitness regimen. That way you can decrease the risk of injuries and help move freely and confidently.
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The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
Strap In and Buckle Up Understanding the Importance of Child Restraint Systems
The week of Sept. 18–24 is dedicated to highlighting the importance of ensuring all children are properly secured in an appropriate car seat or seat belt. Everyone is vulnerable once they step into a car, but children are the most vulnerable. Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children, and many of these deaths can actually be prevented with proper child restraint systems. OREGON STATE CHILD RESTRAINT LAW According to the state of Oregon, all children must be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system while riding in a motor vehicle until the adult seat belt fits them correctly. If a child is 8 years old or younger and is under 4 feet, 9 inches tall, Oregon law requires you to continue to use a child restraint system.
the chest between their armpits. Once they have reached the maximum height and weight of the car seat, they can move to the next stage.
Forward-Facing Car Seat Once they have outgrown the rear-facing seat and until about age 5, they should be buckled in a forward-facing car seat with a harness, in the back seat. Again, the harness should sit at or below the shoulders, and the clip should be positioned on the chest between their armpits. Once they weigh about 40 pounds or reach the upper height and weight limit of this seat, they can transition to a booster seat. Booster Seat After outgrowing the forward-facing seat, they can be buckled into a belt-positioning booster seat with a seat belt, in the back seat, until the seat belt fits properly without a booster seat. It sits properly when the lap belt is across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt is across the center of the shoulder and chest — this occurs typically around ages 9–12. Seat Belt As mentioned before, a seat belt usually sits properly on a child once they reach the age of 9–12. But seat belt fit can vary depending on the vehicle, so be sure to check the belt fit to make sure your child no longer needs a booster seat.
KNOW THE STAGES Rear-Facing Car Seat
From birth to ages 2–4, infants and toddlers should be buckled up in a rear-facing car seat with a harness, in the back seat. The harness should sit at or below the shoulders, and the clip should be positioned on
When it comes to child passenger safety, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
PUZZLE
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. With a fork, poke holes in potatoes. Tightly wrap each in aluminum foil. 3. On a baking sheet, place potatoes and roast for 45–60 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Remove and unwrap foil. 4. With a knife, slit each potato down the middle. 5. Increase oven to 450 F. 6. On a nonstick baking sheet, drizzle the grapes with grapeseed oil. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and toss to coat. Roast for 20–25 minutes. 7. Using a spoon, remove sweet potato flesh while keeping shape intact. 8. In a large bowl, mash sweet potato flesh with 3 oz goat cheese, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and honey. 9. Scoop filling back into potatoes. Top with remaining goat cheese, grapes, and drizzled honey. Inspired by HowSweetEats.com Grape, Goat Cheese, and Honey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Directions
Ingredients
• 4 sweet
potatoes • 2 cups seedless red grapes • 1 tsp grapeseed oil • 1/4 tsp salt, plus a pinch • 1/4 tsp pepper, plus a pinch • 4 oz goat cheese, divided • 2 tbsp honey, plus additional for drizzling • Pinch of cinnamon • Pinch of nutmeg
The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
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503-325-8600 JoeDiBartolomeo.com
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1139 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103
What’s Inside
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Mark Off Your Autumn Bucket List
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Balance Training Key to Quality Movement SSI vs. SSDI
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Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week Grape, Goat Cheese, and Honey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
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Don’t Cross Your Cords!
3 TIPS TO MAINTAIN YOUR ELECTRONICS TANGLED UP IN CORDS?
PROTECT YOUR CORDS. Smartphone and laptop chargers aren’t cheap by any means. Since we use them so often, the cord that attaches to the device is susceptible to fraying and breaking. If you have some painter’s tape lying around, take a small piece and wrap it around the cord close to the connectors on both sides! The tape acts as a brace and keeps your charger cord sturdy. ORGANIZE EXTRA CABLES AND CORDS. If you’re like most people, you probably have a bag or box of tangled wires and cables somewhere. It can become an organizer’s worst nightmare, but there’s a better way.
Technology was created to make our lives easier, and though it simplifies our daily routines, it can be a hassle to maintain — especially if there are cords involved. Keeping the power flowing to multiple devices requires a plethora of cords that can get tangled and annoying. Also, as time goes by, cords may break or simply stop working. Organizing and preserving the quality of your electronics is the best way to extend their longevity, and with these tips, you can save a few headaches along with some money. TIDY UP YOUR CORDS. When you have tons of cords and cables attached to your desk and power strips, they can become a tangled mess.
You end up pulling the wrong cord because they all look the same, and it’s a pain to figure out which is which. A great way to fix this is to use binder clips!
First, find an old shoe box and several empty toilet paper rolls. Then, place the rolls upright in a shoebox, wrap each cord up separately, and place them inside the rolls (one per roll) to keep them separate but together. Maintaining our electronics, especially the cords, allows our technology to continue working for us without worry or breaking the bank. Try these hacks and watch how untangled your cords and life can be!
You can clip them onto your desk to keep cords separate and in one place. Take it up a notch by using colored/ patterned binder clips. Assigning specific colors to certain cords lets you find the one you need at any moment.
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The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
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