Trinity Elder Law - May 2023

Check out our latest edition!

Peace of Mind Post MAY 2023

How Planning Can Help You Navigate Different Situations

after we shared our story with him, he made us a cup of coffee and breakfast sandwich. We all had a good laugh, and once we finished our coffee and food, we made the final stretch of our journey.

My brother and I didn’t have a plan — we decided that we were going to go with the flow. So, around 4 p.m., we jumped in my car and took off! But we somehow forgot we were about to take a nine-hour drive.

As the weather gets warmer, you, and many others, will likely soon pack up your car and load your family inside the vehicle as you start a summer road trip. Maybe you’re only driving for a couple of hours, or perhaps you and your family will be making your way down the coastline! Either way, preparation is essential. When taking a road trip, you have more factors to consider; it’s not as easy as driving a few minutes down the road or venturing to a nearby city. On top of that, every family is different, so how you organize things depends on your unique situation.

So, we thought about getting a hotel. However, that wouldn’t work because I had little money to spare since I was coming straight out of law school. The next best thing was to camp, but all the camping locations we found were booked.

I learned a very important lesson during this trip — if you fail to plan, you will end up sleeping in your car and eating breakfast at a bar. But failing to plan in other aspects of your life, particularly with your estate planning, can have much worse consequences than

As it got later and later, we decided that the best thing to do would be to pull over

When I was growing up, my family and I spent a lot of time on road trips. One of our favorite places to travel to was to our annual family vacation in eastern Ontario, Canada. We would go fishing at a small family owned lodge we found years prior. I have many great memories

Once we finally made it, the fishing was good!

sleeping in your car and eating breakfast in a bar. Planning ahead can help you prepare for life changes and protect your family. Even if you already have plans in place, review them often and make the necessary changes that tend to your needs. This is especially important for your estate plans! If you or someone you know needs assistance creating or updating an estate plan, I would be more than happy to help! Please don’t hesitate to call me.

on the side of the road and sleep in the car if we got tired — and we did just that! The next morning, we were starving and in need of coffee. But there was one problem: We were close to the destination, which meant we were in the middle of nowhere. Eventually, we

Trapper’s Lounge - Northbrook Ontario

came upon a tiny town, Northbrook, and found a bar that seemed open — and they had a breakfast sign on their window. When we walked inside, the place was deserted. Despite that, we sat down and contemplated what to eat. When a person finally appeared, he looked at us with a perplexed expression. He told us that breakfast was only served on weekdays – and this was Saturday. However,

from these trips, and I’m happy to experience this time with my family. For the most part, our road trips were seamless! My family did a fantastic job organizing everything and ensuring my siblings and I were ready for the long journey ahead. Because we’ve made this trip to Canada many times, I believed I could jump in my car and make the trip myself when I wanted. So, the summer after graduating from law school and just a day after taking the bar exam, my brother and I decided that we would drive to Canada to meet our family for the annual fishing trip. I remember us looking at each other and saying, “How hard can it be?”

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

Well, we were in for an interesting journey.

While entering the golden years is seen as a time of relaxation, many people fear getting older. As we age, it becomes more difficult to do the things we normally do. Because of this, many older adults feel like they are hindering their loved ones, causing seniors to feel unappreciated and undervalued. 3 Lessons We Can Learn from Our Celebrate Older Americans Mo

Everyone wants to be fit and trim, and many avoid all fats because of this. However, healthy fats are vital for aging bodies. Fat keeps your brain functioning optimally, provides energy, and helps your body absorb minerals and vitamins to maintain your health. When making dietary choices, it’s important to remember that healthy fats are your friend and, when consumed in the recommended amounts, will not lead to weight complications. What are healthy fats? Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats help our bodies feel full and work to slow down the digestion of carbohydrates. These fats improve blood glucose and insulin levels, lower LDL cholesterol, and keep our heart healthy. Also, eating healthy fats is easy — they’re in tuna, salmon, flaxseed, chia seeds, eggs, avocados, nuts, olive oil, yogurt, and tofu. When you think of fats, your mind likely immediately turns to weight gain. However, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, when consumed in proper amounts, help with fat loss and maintaining a healthy weight. To trim down, eliminate unhealthy saturated and trans fats from your diet instead. Trans fats are those that are partially hydrogenated and are common in processed foods. 2. They reduce inflammation. Omega-3s, a polyunsaturated fat, have anti-inflammatory properties that can help your body heal faster. No matter how much exercise you do, combating inflammation with your diet is beneficial. Omega- 3s can even be taken as fish oil supplements if you can’t work it into your diet. However, just be careful not to consume too much, as omega-3s can become fattening when consumed in excess. 3. They boost brain function . Healthy fats play an essential role in our brain function and development. Your brain is roughly 60% fat, and it’s important to note that your brain cells rely on a steady supply of good fats to operate correctly. 4. They provide energy. Healthy fats combat fatigue and provide your body with Why are healthy fats vital as we age? 1. They aren’t fattening fats. energy. When we consume omega-3s, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats, our body absorbs them and converts each calorie into energy for our cells to function. FAT IS NOT EVIL It Can Be Healthy!

But that is far from the truth.

Older adults bring so much joy and value to our lives! Your family would not be here today if it weren’t for the older adults in your life. In honor of May being Older Americans Month, we wanted to share with you the key lessons we can all learn from the seniors in our lives. 1. Learn about your family’s history. We all have a lineage — do you know yours? If not, the older adults in your life can share with you their experiences from their childhood, where their parents came from, and what life was like before technology and other advancements. You and your loved ones can review family photo albums and family trees to better understand where you came from.

Puzzle Time!

Answer:

So, remember when you’re planning your meals for the week: Good fats keep you healthy!

2 www.TrinityElderLaw.com

r onth!

Estate Planning Can Become Stressful

r Elders

2. Understand how to overcome hardships. The older adults in your life may have witnessed the aftermath of global events, such as the

Be Sure to Take Time for Yourself

Great Depression or the Vietnam War, which caused hardships for families around the world. Your loved ones can share their experiences with you and provide insight into how you can prepare and overcome the obstacles in your life. 3. Realize that happiness is a choice, not a condition. You can’t control what happens to you in life. However, you can control how you react to these instances. The older adults in your life prove that you can face anything with a smile and a positive attitude. So, this month, spend time with the elder loved ones and let them know how much you care about them! From your friends at Trinity Elder Law & Estate Planning, happy Older Americans Month! Thank you for everything you do — your kindness and love will never go unnoticed by us.

You may become overwhelmed as you create or update your estate plan or help any older adults in your life create their plans. There are dozens of moving parts when planning for the future and ensuring loved ones remain protected after someone passes away. However, it’s vital that you take care of your mental health during the estate planning process. You can’t take care of others if you don’t care for yourself!

Here are three ways to prioritize yourself and your mental health.

Spend time in the great outdoors. Going outside is a great way to clear your mind and relax. Being outdoors also has several health benefits, such as improving your breathing, helping you get better sleep, boosting your immune system, and receiving your daily dose of Vitamin D! After you spend time outdoors, you may notice a change in your thinking, allowing you to focus better on your estate planning needs. Release your inner child by coloring. Thinking about your future plans involves a lot of mental power, so you need to give your brain a break from time to time. A great way to do that is to color. Coloring allows you to showcase your creativity and decompress while still keeping your mind active. And once you’re finished, you can decorate your home with the drawings you colored! Listen to some tunes. Music plays a vital role in our lives. You may have songs that remind you of certain parts of your life or tunes that automatically make you happy. So, take a step back from your estate planning, crank up your radio, and listen to your favorite songs! However, if you’re worried about estate planning because you are dealing with several mental health issues, consider completing the Mental Health Advanced Directives . You can highlight what a mental health episode looks like, what facility you would prefer to seek treatment from, what medication you do and don’t want to take, and list family members who can assist you if you cannot care for yourself. At Trinity Elder Law & Estate Planning, we want to make this part of your life as easy and seamless as possible. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need assistance creating or updating your estate plan or would like to complete the Mental Health Advanced Directives.

Roasted Sweet Potato Arugula Salad

Inspired by Nutriciously.com

Ingredients

3 medium sweet potatoes, cubed

• • • •

1 bell pepper, thinly sliced 3 small radishes, thinly sliced 2 cups arugula, thinly sliced 1 1/2 cups cooked lima beans, drained and rinsed

• • • • • •

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp turmeric 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Balsamic salad dressing of choice

Salt and pepper, to taste 1 red onion, thinly sliced

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a bowl, toss sweet potato cubes with smoked paprika, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and arrange in a single layer. 3. Roast for 25–30 minutes until sweet potatoes are nicely browned and fork-tender. 4. In a large salad bowl, combine onion, bell pepper, radishes, arugula, and lima beans. 5. Toss the salad with dressing, then top with roasted sweet potatoes.

3 724.256.8850

P.O. Box 154 ● Renfrew, PA 16053 724.256.8850 www.TrinityElderLaw.com

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Inside

1

Road Trips and Estate Planning Are Very Similar Healthy Fats Exist Too This Month, We’re Celebrating Older Adults! Roasted Sweet Potato Arugula Salad You Can Estate Plan for Mental Health Scenarios!

2

3

4

Potbellied Pig Terrifies Burglars

Intruders Flee From Ludwig the Pig A Ham-Fisted Attempt at Robbery

The story of this heroic potbellied pig became a sensation throughout Europe. Countless fans have applauded the Canadian-born hog for his loyalty to his owners. But the owners want to ensure people understand that Ludwig would never hurt anyone. Some fabricated web stories made Ludwig sound more dangerous than he is, so Maughan spoke to the Toronto Star to dispute any defamations against Ludwig’s kindness. “He’s being painted as a vicious creature when he’s actually quite a sweet animal,” he explained. “He didn’t exactly bare his tusks and charge, I don’t think. I think he got absolutely, ‘Arrgh,’ and they just ran for it.” In fact, Maughan detailed that after a two-month separation during their move to England, the pig shed tears during their reunion. Adorable and affectionate, Ludwig would have probably become friends with the intruders in no time. Even if his “bark” is worse than his bite, Ludwig succeeded in keeping his owners safe while also protecting their home. This 240-pound potbellied pig continues to enjoy his comfortable home in Derby and is considered a town hero. Anyone looking for a guard dog may want to consider a hefty hog instead!

On the night of New Year’s Eve in 2014, a group of burglars experienced the

fright of a lifetime. Expecting to rob a quiet home in Derby, England, the intruders instead came face to snout with Ludwig, a 240-pound potbellied pig. Abandoning all thoughts of crime once they spotted the pig, the burglars instantly fled the scene and ran for their lives.

The “hero ham” had already become a popular figure in his town and was well-loved for his gentle demeanor. In fact, Michael Maughan, Ludwig’s owner, is confident that Ludwig wouldn’t have harmed the intruders, even if he does look quite intimidating. Local officers believe the

robbers must have heard Ludwig’s Rottweiler-like “growl” and immediately hit the road, leaving the door wide open behind them.

4 www.TrinityElderLaw.com

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

trinityelderlaw.com

Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator