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VanDyckLawGroup
QUARTER 4, 2025
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Stronger Together NEW RESOURCES CAN EMPOWER DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS
After actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative brain disease, he and his wife walked out of the doctor’s office with nothing but a pamphlet and a crushing sense of uncertainty, writes Emma Heming Willis in her new book, “An Unexpected Journey.” After undergoing years of isolation and uncertainty about how to manage her role as her husband’s primary caregiver, Willis says she wrote the book she wished someone had given her that day. Willis' account left not one dry eye in the house during a recent event for caregivers of loved ones with chronic diseases. Journalist Anderson Cooper led a conversation with Willis at this "Talk With Authors" gathering in Somerset, N.J. Sheli and I were pleased to serve as expert panelists and resources at the event before the conversation between Anderson Cooper and Emma Hemming Willis took place. Uncertainties abound for caregivers like Emma Willis. She was woefully unprepared when she began helping her husband of 14 years deal with the 2023 diagnosis of frontotemporal disorder (FTD), a condition that affects personality, behavior, and language. Caregivers deserve all the support they can get, Willis says, and one of their most important roles is to take care of themselves. Another important step, as we told participants, is to lay the legal and financial groundwork for potential long- term care needs well in advance.
In recognition of November as Long-Term Care Planning Month, this is a good time to take a holistic approach to long-term care planning. Left alone in uncharted waters, many caregivers turn to the internet for legal and financial advice and come away with really bad information. Google is great for finding out what celebrities wore to the latest Hollywood event, but not so great at giving legal advice about where to look for long- term care, how to pay for it, and what legal documents are needed to make sure those plans come to pass. Families really need an experienced attorney for help. Our firm has helped countless clients with multi-faceted long-term care planning by integrating essential medical, financial, and legal plans, as well as the funding strategies for long-term care. Here are a few advantages of laying the legal groundwork well in advance:
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Our trusting relationships with long- term care facilities in the area, coupled with our thorough understanding of our clients’ finances, enable us to negotiate the best possible care placements.
We don’t want any caregiver facing a new dementia diagnosis to have to leave their physician’s office with nothing but a brochure. In addition to beginning your long-term care planning journey early, it is important to reach out for caregiver support early. We are launching monthly support groups this Fall, The Journey Begins , with a new focus on supporting caregivers facing a new or recent diagnosis of dementia and helping them feel less alone in their journey. Please see our Events listing on Page 3 for more information. If you are a caregiver in need of support, don’t hesitate to contact us today at dementiacenter@vandyckfirm.com . We can help you find the resources you need. -Fiona Van Dyck
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Advance planning can help you gain access to more choices among facilities if you need to place your loved one in an assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing facility. Skilled legal planning can avert pitfalls in meeting the asset and income limits to qualify for Medicaid coverage. The legal power of attorney documents we help you create can ensure that a trusted relative or friend can manage your assets after you are no longer able to do so.
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UNPLUG AND RECONNECT WITH THESE AT-HOME FAMILY ACTIVITIES Beyond Board Games
Whether it's kids versus adults or a free-for-all, cooking together (and maybe making a mess) turns an ordinary evening into a delicious adventure. You can even offer bonus points for a judging panel and silly chef hats! INDOOR CAMPOUT Turn your living room into a wilderness escape. String up fairy lights, pull out sleeping bags, and break out the spooky stories. Don’t forget to roast marshmallows over the stove, microwave s’mores, and get the giggles going with a game of Would You Rather? under your blanket fort. DIY MOVIE THEATER Pick a movie, create homemade tickets, pop some popcorn, and let each person take a role: usher, snack stand operator, director of pre-
movie trivia. It’s a great experience, especially if pajamas are part of the dress code!
THE ‘YES DAY’ CHALLENGE Designate a day where each family member gets one “yes,” within reason. Whether it’s choosing dinner, picking a game, or deciding the music playlist for the evening, it’s a great way to give everyone a turn to feel heard and special. STORY TIME WITH A TWIST Pass around a notebook (or take turns typing) and write a progressive story. Each person adds a paragraph without knowing what the next one will be. The results are usually hilarious and fun and make for great bonding experiences!
Sometimes, the best memories happen without ever leaving the house. In a world of busy schedules and nonstop notifications, slowing down at home with the people you love is more important than ever. However, “family time” doesn’t have to mean sitting silently in the same room, scrolling on separate screens. Here are some fun, creative at-home bonding activities that go beyond the usual board game night. FAMILY COOK-OFFS Pick a theme: pizza night, taco bar, or “mystery ingredient challenge,” and split into teams.
A NEW MODEL FOR MEMORY CARE Visionary Founder to Deliver Keynote at Academy Event
A neighborhood-based long-term care model in the Netherlands called Dementia Village has been hailed as a groundbreaking concept for people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Now, we are excited to host the founder and senior managing advisor of Dementia Village, Eloy van Hal, as the keynote speaker at our Professional Dementia Academy event on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The Dementia Village has inspired many elder care facilities throughout Europe and Australia to replicate its model of humanizing care. We recently visited Dementia Village, where van Hal educated us on this care model. Many of our professional colleagues were so excited to hear about our visit that we invited van Hal here to share his knowledge in person. The Dementia Village approach, also named the Hogeweyk Care Concept after the Dutch village where it is located, was founded in 2009. It offers shared housing, some medical care, and psychosocial support in a small-scale community setting. The concept marks a radical change in direction, emphasizing autonomy and community engagement for dementia patients over separation and confinement.
Van Hal managed the former nursing home, Hogeweyk, for several years
before its transformation in 2008 into the neighborhood, the Hogeweyk. He was heavily involved in all stages of development, from design and construction to implementation. He has years of experience and knowledge about dementia care.
After a visit to the Hogeweyk, Mark Rutte, former prime minister of the Netherlands and the current secretary general of NATO, said that if he were ever diagnosed with dementia, “this is the place I’d like to be.” The Hogeweyk isn’t the exclusive province of wealthy patients, but works within families’ budgets. We are grateful to all the amazing sponsors who are supporting this event, and we are looking forward to spreading the word about this remarkable innovation.
Stay tuned for our Family Caregiver Academy by Van Dyck Law to be held in Spring of 2026.
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Mark Your Calendars for These Events!
We welcome local residents to visit our Bridgewater office to learn how we can help meet your estate planning and elder law needs. For inquiries or appointments, visit
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS The Journey Begins: For those who recently received a new dementia diagnosis, or for a family member who is just beginning their family caregiving journey with a loved one living with dementia or another long-term illness.
When: Oct. 15, Nov. 19, and Dec. 17 (the third Wednesday of each month), 2 p.m. Where: The Dementia Center at Van Dyck Law, Princeton
FAMILY DEMENTIA ACADEMY Join us for an afternoon of education. We will touch on having hard conversations, effective communication, planning for the future, taking care of yourself when caregiving, and other resources in response to your most concerning questions.
VanDyckFirm.com or call us today at
609-293-2562 . We look forward to serving you!
When: Nov. 7, 2–4 p.m. Where: Health Center, Liberty Hall, Fellowship Village 9000 Fellowship Rd., Basking Ridge, NJ To register: Please email khardy@fellowshiplifeinc.org .
PROFESSIONAL DEMENTIA ACADEMY Hear a keynote address by a global innovator in memory care! Healthcare Professionals will join us for a day of inspiration and education about emerging trends in dementia care, keynoted by Eloy van Hal, founder and senior managing advisor of the Hogeweyk Dementia Village in the Netherlands. When: Nov. 11, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Where: Laurel Circle, 100 Monroe St., Bridgewater, NJ To register: Please email Sheli Monacchio at sheli@vandyckfirm.com .
CONTINUING EDUCATION Presented by Sheli Monacchio, CDP, CADDCT.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Seminar Become a Certified Dementia Practitioner! Offering 8 Credits for SW, CALA, LNHA, NACCM, nurses. Where: The Dementia Center at Van Dyck Law, Bridgewater When: Dec. 2, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Fees and Discounts: $200, or sign up for both classes for only $300! To register: Please email dementiacenter@vandyckfirm.com .
The Montessori Concept in Dementia Care Become a Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional!
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Where: The Dementia Center at Van Dyck Law, Bridgewater When: Dec. 9, 9:30 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. presentation Fees and Discounts: $200, or sign up for both classes for only $300! Past students of The Dementia Center receive a discount for this class. To register: Please email dementiacenter@vandyckfirm.com .
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Inside 1 Caring for Caregivers: Support for Dementia’s Front Lines 2 Make Unforgettable Moments Right at Home Keynote Spotlight on Dementia Care Pioneer 3 Pay Us a Visit Take a Break 707 State Road, Suite 102 | Princeton, NJ 08540 750 US 202 S, Suite 120 | Bridgewater, NJ 08807 VANDYCKFIRM.COM | 609-580-1044
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4 Reimagine a Retirement Routine That Works for You
Retirement is a well-earned chapter in life, but transitioning to it can feel like stepping into the unknown. After decades of routines built around work, it’s easy to feel adrift. Fortunately, structure can go a long way in finding your freedom. START WITH PURPOSE Waking up with something to look forward to is one of the simplest ways to infuse your day with purpose. Whether it’s reading the newspaper, taking a morning walk, or working toward a long-held dream, these purposeful starts add rhythm to your day. Set small goals that excite you: Learn a new hobby, volunteer in your community, or dive into a creative project you’ve always wanted to try. Learning and progress feel good at any age. BALANCE PLANNING WITH PLAY Planning isn’t about creating a rigid schedule; it’s about sprinkling your calendar with things you love. Doctor appointments and errands can sit comfortably beside lunch dates, gardening time, or a painting session. Mix the predictable with the spontaneous. After all, retirement is your time, so make it flexible and fun. REIMAGINE YOUR ROUTINE Establishing new routines adds a sense of comfort and control. A consistent morning routine, complete with your favorite breakfast and a bit of movement, can kick-start your day with energy and intention. End your day with a relaxing ritual to wind down, reflect, or connect with loved ones. KEEP IT FRESH Avoid falling into autopilot mode. Challenge yourself to try something new regularly, whether exploring a new walking path, attending a local workshop, or picking up a new skill. Your retirement life should be anything but dull. This is your time to thrive!
Build a Retirement Routine That Feels Right FIND YOUR RHYTHM IN RETIREMENT
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