Check out our November newsletter!
Peace of Mind Post November 2024 Gobble, Gobble, and a Bit of Estate Planning:
Make the Most of Family Gatherings
Checking in on Aging Parents and Loved Ones For many, Thanksgiving might be one of the few times in the year they can spend time with aging parents or other loved ones. This visit can be a great opportunity to check their health, especially if they’ve been living independently or handling their care. You might notice changes that signal it’s time for more support: Changes in Memory or Focus: Repeating questions, forgetting names, or struggling with routine tasks might indicate cognitive changes that could benefit from further assessment. Physical Mobility Decline: If they’re moving slower, appear unsteady, or have had recent falls, it might be time to discuss home modifications or in-home support. Changes in Mood: Unexplained irritability, sadness, or anxiety can be signs of isolation or other mental health challenges that need attention. Neglecting Daily Tasks: A messier-than-usual home, bills piling up, or trouble with personal care can indicate difficulty managing everyday responsibilities. If you notice any of these signs, a gentle conversation with your loved one is worth it. Start with an observation rather than a judgment. For example, “I noticed you seem a bit more tired than usual. How have things been lately?” This supportive approach avoids making your loved one feel like they’re losing control or being criticized. Approaching Estate Planning Conversations If you notice signs that your loved one may need more support, the holidays also offer an opening to discuss whether they have considered putting their plans in place. Conversations about estate planning can feel heavy, so approach it gently! Over the holidays, let the spirit of the season guide the conversation so it remains positive and supportive. If you’re discussing your plans, you can frame it as expressing gratitude for their presence in your life and ensuring they’re cared for. The holidays may feel like an unusual time to talk about estate planning, but they also provide a unique opportunity to connect, reflect, and prepare together for the future. From my family to you and yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
Where did the year go? Thanksgiving is already just around the corner. As the holiday season approaches, many of us eagerly anticipate a joyful time with family, delicious food, and cherished traditions. It’s a time of gratitude and connection, making it a wonderful opportunity to broach the sometimes sensitive topic of estate planning. Why Talk About Estate Planning During the Holidays? If you groaned, I don’t blame you. Who wants to talk about something sensitive and serious during this fun time of year? But talking about estate planning doesn’t have to be a somber or uncomfortable topic. It’s all about ensuring that everyone’s wishes are known and respected. By letting your family know you have an estate plan, you create peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones. You don’t need to go into the details if that feels too personal; simply sharing that your affairs are in order is a thoughtful way to let your family know you’ve prepared. If you feel comfortable, you can even give them a general sense of where to find important documents or who to contact if something happens to you — think about how much stress is lifted off your loved ones with this information! This open line of communication can prevent confusion and potential conflicts down the road, sparing your family from added confusion during difficult times.
One of the things I’m thankful for - the beautiful trees around the office.
We Would Love to Hear From You!
If you have any great experiences or stories from your time working with Trinity Elder Law, we would love to hear from you! Please leave a Google Review to let others know about your experience. Thank you for your continued support — we wouldn’t be where we are today without all of you.
1 724.256.8850
With the holidays just around the corner, it’s important to keep your loved ones with Alzheimer’s engaged in social activities. However, it’s crucial to approach these gatherings with sensitivity, as too much stimulation or change can lead to stress and confusion. Here are some tips to keep them engaged while also prioritizing their comfort. Making the Ho How to Create a Comfortable Cel
When Marine William “Bill” Lins returned home from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, he felt ruined. He wasn’t the same man anymore and felt like he didn’t fit in anywhere. After sustaining multiple injuries and witnessing the horrors of battle, he never thought he would be able to go back to living a normal life. That is until the nonprofit K-9s For Warriors helped him find his missing link — a rescue dog appropriately named Link. K-9 For Warriors has been pairing highly trained service dogs with military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma since 2011. The free program strives to better the lives of veterans through special canine bonds and ultimately end veteran suicide, which claims the lives of roughly 20 veterans every day. When Bill returned from deployment, he had to recover from two surgeries and realized he had PTSD. He had developed severe alcoholism, drinking every day nonstop as his only coping mechanism. In a hopeless place, the Marine felt like he was losing every piece of his identity and had nothing left. After seeing a friend at the VA bring in his service dog, he noticed a remarkable change in him and decided to apply for the program. Bill felt an instant connection to the goofy rescue dog Link, who was recovering from his own trauma after living a rough life in a kill shelter. Bill said his canine companion is his 24/7 therapist, providing him with support and safety at all hours. Link doesn’t just impact Bill’s life; he makes a difference with everyone he encounters, from Bill’s children to the youth athletes he coaches. “Together, we kind of make each other whole,” Bill said. “He makes everyone’s world better, and he makes it seem effortless.” Link has inspired Bill to help others and spread a message of awareness that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a symbol of strength. Bill has since earned his master’s in social work and provides mental health services with his tail-wagging companion by his side for every session. Together, the pair are showing veterans everywhere that there is hope and that life can get better with a little help from a four-legged friend. How a Rescue Dog Changed a Veteran’s Life A WARRIOR’S BEST FRIEND
Choose Familiar and Simple Activities To avoid overwhelming them, stick to familiar activities they enjoy. Simple traditions, like helping decorate cookies or singing favorite holiday songs, can offer a sense of routine and belonging. These activities provide a calm, enjoyable way for them to participate without feeling pressure to remember steps or details. Keep Gatherings Quiet and Small Large gatherings can be overwhelming for someone with Alzheimer’s. Try to create a cozy, quieter environment with fewer people, where they can enjoy time with family in a more
relaxed setting. If there will be a lot of people at the event, consider setting aside a quieter room or area for them to retreat to when they need a break.
Puzzle Time!
2 www.TrinityElderLaw.com
olidays Special lebration for Alzheimer’s Patients Involve Them in Holiday Preparations Including them in simple holiday preparations can be grounding for them — after all, it helps to establish a sense of purpose. Setting the table, wrapping presents, or even stirring ingredients while someone else cooks can help them feel productive and included. Remember to keep tasks straightforward and l ow-stress — the goal is engagement, not perfection. Use Visual and Sensory Cues Familiar smells, sights, and sounds can bring comfort and spark memories.
Less is sometimes more! Use Less Stuff Day, celebrated on Nov. 16, reminds us that sometimes less is more. Simplifying our spaces can lead to lower stress, increased clarity, and a greater focus on what matters most. This is especially relevant for seniors and patients with Alzheimer’s, as cluttered environments easily overwhelm and overstimulate them, affecting their well-being and comfort. Streamlined spaces can help foster a calming, peaceful atmosphere that’s easier to navigate. For Alzheimer’s patients, extra items or visual clutter can contribute to confusion and anxiety. Minimalism in the home, with carefully chosen items that offer familiarity and comfort, provides a sense of ease. For instance, rather than a table covered in various knickknacks, just one item evokes memories without causing distress. Reducing visual clutter is safer, as having fewer obstacles will help prevent falls and other accidents. Simplifying environments benefits not only those with cognitive challenges but for everyone. Clutter increases stress levels, impacts focus, and even leads to decision fatigue. By creating organized, intentional spaces, we open ourselves up to a sense of calm and greater enjoyment of the things that truly add value to our lives. For example, having fewer but meaningful holiday decorations makes the season feel special without feeling excessive and over the top. And for daily routines, reducing what’s around us helps us stay more organized and present. To start celebrating Use Less Stuff Day, consider small steps like donating items you don’t use, organizing spaces with a clear purpose, and focusing on quality over quantity. Whether it’s clearing out a crowded closet or streamlining a workspace, remember that the goal is to make our environments support us, not overwhelm us! The Simple Joys of Celebrating Use Less Stuff Day DECLUTTER AND DE-STRESS
Play their favorite holiday songs softly in the background or share old family photo albums. Engaging senses like smell and sound can help them feel connected and bring back positive memories. Maintain Their Routine
Changes in routine can be stressful for those with Alzheimer’s, so try to keep mealtimes, medication, and rest periods as consistent as possible. If they’re used to a midday nap,
arrange activities around that schedule to
prevent irritability and confusion.
Spinach, Lentil, and Roasted Beet Salad
Inspired by MinamalistBaker.com
Ingredients
Dressing • 1/4 cup tahini • 1/2 medium lemon, juiced • 2 tbsp maple syrup • 3–4 tbsp olive oil • 1 pinch each salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup green lentils, rinsed clean • 1 cup vegetable stock (or water)
• 3 medium leeks, chopped • 1 medium beet, quartered • 1–2 tbsp olive oil • 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper • 4 big handfuls of spinach
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F and grease a rimmed baking sheet. 2. To a small saucepan over medium-high heat, add lentils and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20–30 minutes uncovered until all liquid is absorbed. Set aside. 3. Add leeks and beets to the baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Bake 15–20 minutes. For crispier beets, bake for an additional 10–15 minutes. Set aside. 4. In a small bowl, whisk all dressing ingredients until combined. 5. In a larger serving bowl, combine spinach, beets, leeks, and lentils. Add dressing and toss to coat.
3 724.256.8850
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
P.O. Box 154 ● Renfrew, PA 16053 724.256.8850 www.TrinityElderLaw.com
Inside 1
The Gift of Preparation
2
Paws of Hope Holiday Tips to Keep Alzheimer’s Patients Engaged and Comfortable Simplify Your Space, Simplify Your Life Spinach, Lentil, and Roasted Beet Salad
3
4
Discover Fabergé’s Playful Potato Masterpiece The $93,750 Spud Uncover Fabergé’s Unexpected Masterpiece
The Humble Potato’s Journey Fast-forward to 2016, and this extraordinary potato was again in the spotlight. When Christie’s auction house announced the sale of a Fabergé potato, the bidding war was intense, with collectors and Fabergé
When you think of the name Fabergé, you probably imagine jewel- encrusted eggs that epitomize luxury. But did you know the famous Russian jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé also created a humble potato? And not just any potato, but one that fetched an astounding $93,750 at a Christie’s auction in 2016. Fabergé’s Glorious Spud In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Peter Carl Fabergé was the go-to jeweler for Russian royalty. His lavish creations, particularly the famous Fabergé eggs, were commissioned by Czars Alexander III and Nicholas II as Easter gifts for their wives and mothers. Each egg was a masterpiece, often containing hidden surprises like miniature portraits, mechanical wonders, expensive jewels, or even tiny replicas of royal palaces. But amidst these exquisite creations, Fabergé had a sense of humor. Enter the Fabergé potato — a far cry from the shimmering eggs but equally fascinating in its own right. This potato, crafted from pink agate, was a whimsical departure from his usual opulent fare.
enthusiasts eager to own this unique piece of history. When the gavel finally came down, the potato had sold for a staggering $93,750. Not bad for a root vegetable! Why a Potato? You might wonder why Fabergé, a jeweler known for his elaborate designs, chose to make a potato. Perhaps it was his way of showing artistry could be found in the simplest of things. Or maybe it was a playful nod to the significance of potatoes in Russian culture — a staple food that sustained many through tough times. Whatever the reason, Fabergé’s potato reminds us that even the most mundane objects can be transformed into something extraordinary.
4 www.TrinityElderLaw.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator