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VanDyckLawGroup
QUARTER 2 2022
VANDYCKFIRM.COM
At Van Dyck Law Group, we’re dedicated to helping you and your family with any estate planning and elder law needs, but elder law has not always been one of our main focuses. It was actually my dad who inadvertently brought the elder law side of our practice into reality since he was our first elder law client back in 2008. Father’s Day takes place in June, and I can think of no better way to show my appreciation to my dad than by sharing a little about him and how he became our first elder law client. My father was the son of Irish immigrants and was never afraid to go out on a limb. He joined the Coast Guard when he was 17 during the Korean War. When he returned from service, he enrolled in college and discovered how important education was. When he had children of his own, he wanted to ensure they continued their education so he was always encouraging us to advance our studies. He was always our biggest cheerleader and motivated us to attend college. He knew how much I enjoyed arguing with him, so he encouraged me to pursue a career in law. I became a litigator after graduating law school and represented many large manufacturers of automobiles and heavy equipment. We had to represent these groups all across the country so we would have to travel and live in hotels for six weeks at a time. Over time, I developed a reputation as a pit bull but was unsure if I enjoyed my job enough. I had done many depositions of people who were widowed after serious car accidents. This made me realize that I wasn’t working for people but for big companies. This didn’t sit well with me, so I opted for a change. I slowly transitioned to estate planning so I could help more people. It was nice sitting down with them and actually working to solve their problems. Van Dyck Law Group’s BeginningsWith Elder Law It All Started With My Dad ...
Eventually, I decided to start my own firm where we specialized in estate planning law. During this time, my dad developed Alzheimer’s, and I quickly realized that everything I brought to the table as an estate planning attorney was useful but didn’t necessarily transfer over to the world of elder law. Additionally, my sister was a nurse, so you would think we were the two most capable people to handle the situation, but we weren’t yet. My dad ended up being our first elder law client because we knew we had to do more for people in his situation and we wanted to extend these services to our other clients. With estate planning, I could give people peace of mind. By adding elder law, we’ve been helping people on a greater level. We’re making sure both they and their families are okay while also protecting their assets. We’ve made sure that everyone on our team has extensive training and is certified to work with those with dementia. We’re here to help you when you need us. We wouldn’t have the elder law part of our firm without my dad. I still have great memories from our shared experiences. About a year before the dementia set in, my sister and I got to spend some time with him working on a ramshackle house. We worked on it every weekend for an entire year. If you handed him a paintbrush, he was ready to go. All he wanted in return was a cheeseburger and a beer. I still hold those memories near and dear to my heart. -Fiona Van Dyck
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Thought Back on Track
ToughWinter? Check Out These Snowbird Spots With record levels of snow along the East Coast and crushing, subzero temperatures in the Midwest, you may be considering moving away from your northern home. “Snowbirding,” the act of leaving your home residence during the cold months, is a popular alternative to permanently moving, so you can escape winter, travel, and stay connected to the community you have up north. If you’re considering the snowbird lifestyle, don’t choose just any city. Check out four of the “hottest” spots for migrating! PHOENIX, ARIZONA If you want a naturally warm winter without humidity, look no further than Phoenix! It’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., but it certainly doesn’t feel like it. Residents appreciate the small-city feel of Phoenix while enjoying large-city amenities. Bask in the beautiful weather and spy the scenic, red-orange mountains that surround the city, knowing that you don’t have to shovel snow or deal with beachgoers. It’s a win-win!
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA If you want an ocean lifestyle, why not find one with some Southern hospitality? Charleston, South Carolina, enjoys pleasant year-round temperatures, is just a short drive from the beach, and is known for its welcoming community! History buffs will love Charleston’s rich preservation, and there is an outdoor activity for pretty much anyone. TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA This option may not be on everyone’s budget, but it’s definitely worth exploring. Temecula is a great spot for those who want to be by the action — it’s just 90 minutes away from Los Angeles — but prefer scenic views and
a quiet lifestyle. Enjoy locally made wine, hot air balloon rides, and a little gambling. Plus, you could bring the camper and tour the California coast, making Temecula your little home base away from the RV. FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS Don’t recognize the name? That’s the point! Friendswood, Texas, is a small-town destination worth adding to your list. Enjoy the warmth and wonderful Tex-Mex cuisine found in Texas without living in busy, expensive places like Austin or Dallas. Plus, Texas is a big state, so imagine all the places and experiences you can have if you lived in Friendswood all winter!
At Upcoming Events at the Education Center OBTAIN VALUABLE INFORMATION
INNATE EMOTIONS — CREATING MOMENTS OF JOY FOR THOSE WITH A DEMENTIA DIAGNOSIS When: Wednesday, April 13 It can be difficult to understand what emotions someone with dementia is feeling, especially if you’re trying to figure it out based on their expressions. This event will focus on understanding the emotion behind an expression and turning negative emotions into positive ones. SURROUNDINGYOURSELFWITH THE APPROPRIATE RESOURCES WITH A DEMENTIA DIAGNOSIS When: Wednesday, May 11 If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, you’re probably wondering what resources and support systems you need to get in place. We’ll walk you through the resources you will need as the disease progresses.
BECOME A CERTIFIED DEMENTIA PRACTITIONER! When: Tuesday, May 17 This seminar is required for healthcare workers who want to obtain their Certified Dementia Practitioner Designation or available to families who want further education on dementia. Attendance will count as 8 professional CE hours for social workers, nurses, CALA, and LNHA. Breakfast and lunch will be served. For more information, please contact sheli@vandyckfirm.com.
When we first opened the Education Center at Van Dyck Law Group, we wanted it to be a place where individuals from our community could receive materials and information related to dementia, estate planning, and healthy aging. Over the next few months, we have some informative and valuable events scheduled that you don’t want to miss! All programs take place at the Education Center at Van Dyck Law Group (located at 707 State Road, Suite 102, in Princeton) from 10–11 a.m. These events are open to all members of the community, clients, and professionals unless otherwise noted. Please call 609-580-1044 to register.
MONTESSORI-STYLE DEMENTIA METHOD When: Wednesday, June 8
It’s important to empower your loved one to stay independent for as long as possible. We’ll discuss activities you can incorporate into their life that are purposeful and meaningful to ensure a quality of life at home.
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YOU’RE NEVER TOO YOUNG FOR AN ESTATE PLAN Tips for Millennials
If you’re in your 20s or maybe even your 30s, it’s possible that you haven’t even given estate planning a second thought. When you make plans for the future, you may be looking at potential job opportunities or making education decisions for your child. You probably aren’t looking at what happens after you pass away or become incapacitated. But you should! It’s never too early to get your estate plan in order. One of the strongest reasons a younger person should get an estate plan is so they can name a power of attorney and a health care proxy. If you become incapacitated, you want someone there to be able to make decisions on your behalf. In order for a doctor to communicate with your parents or anyone else about your medical condition after you become incapacitated, they have to be named as an agent in your
health care proxy. Similarly, you need to grant someone power of attorney so they can access your accounts to pay bills while you’re incapacitated. Additionally, you also need to decide what happens to all of your assets. Without a will, your assets are subject to New Jersey’s intestate laws, which decide who receives your assets and how they are distributed. If you want to make sure that certain assets go to certain people, you’ll need a will. This is especially important if you have children, since you name who you want to be guardian for them in your will. Another important reason to get an estate plan in place is so you can name your beneficiaries for your life insurance policy, retirement account, 401(k), and more. If you don’t have a beneficiary named when you pass away, the money from these accounts
and policies will flow through your estate and will need to be handled by a personal representative. Naming the beneficiaries ensures that each asset goes directly to the person you want to receive it. It is never too early to put together an estate plan, and it’s an important thing for adults of any age to have. If you don’t have an estate plan in place or need to update yours, give our office a call today.
Inspired by LiveEatLearn.com Healthier, Lighter Deviled Eggs
Van Dyck Education Center’s Upcoming Events The Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Seminar will be held May 17 from 8-5 p.m . Breakfast and lunch will be provided. This event is open to healthcare professionals only. COMMUNITY EDUCATIONTOPICS (OPENTOTHE PUBLIC) April 13, 10 a.m.: Innate Emotions — Creating Moments of Joy for those with a Dementia Diagnosis
Hard-boiled eggs are essential for Easter, so why not transform them into a healthy appetizer?
INGREDIENTS • 6 large eggs • 3 tbsp Greek yogurt • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp lemon juice • Optional: Hot sauce, to taste • Optional: Paprika and chives, chopped, for garnish
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large pot, add eggs and cover with water. Put on high heat, and then boil eggs for 10 minutes. 2. Once boiled, peel eggs by gently tapping and removing the shell. (Adding the eggs to an ice bath after boiling can make this task easier.) 3. Cut eggs lengthwise and place yolks into a medium mixing bowl. Set egg white halves open side up on a plate. 4. In a bowl, combine yolks, yogurt, mustard, lemon juice, and hot sauce (if desired) until smooth. 5. Transfer the yolk mixture into the egg white halves. Garnish with paprika and chives if desired.
May 11, 10 a.m.: Surrounding Yourself with the Appropriate Resources with a Dementia Diagnosis
June 8, 10 a.m.: Montessori-Style Dementia Method
For a deeper summary of these events, see Page 2 of this newsletter!
Please register by calling 609-580-1044.
For more information, emailsheli@vandyckfirm.com.
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707 State Road, Suite 102 Princeton, NJ 08540 VANDYCKFIRM.COM | 609-580-1044 Inside 1 2
HowWe Started Taking Elder Law Clients
Snowbirds Are Loving These Locations! Upcoming Events at the Van Dyck Education Center Estate Planning Tips for Millennials Healthier, Lighter Deviled Eggs Education Center Events in Brief
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How to Drink MoreWater
Raise a Glass —Or Several 6 Ways to Drink More Water Without Thinking About It
DRINK A FULL GLASSWITH MEDICINES. Many of us get in the habit of only taking a large sip of water with pills. However, whether you take a supplement, medication, or vitamin, wash it down with a full glass of water. CARRY AROUND A LARGEWATER BOTTLE. Taking your water with you in a large bottle reminds you to keep sipping wherever you go. Every chance you get, fill it up. The bottomless water bottle is a perfect
Staying hydrated is one of the pillars of healthy living. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, women should drink 11.5 cups (92 ounces) of water a day, and men should drink 15.5 cups (124 ounces) a day. But, if we’re being honest, water can be pretty boring to drink — there are things we’d rather be drinking, and busy schedules make it difficult. Here are some ways to work more water into your daily routine to promote optimal health. BEGIN AND ENDYOUR DAYWITHWATER. Make it a routine to drink a large glass of water upon waking up and before going to bed. “Bookending” your day like this ensures that your body is hydrated for both the day and night ahead. DRINK A CUP OFWATERWITH EACH CUP OF COFFEE. Many of us are used to drinking more than one cup of coffee throughout the day. If you drink a glass of water with each cup of coffee, you’re sure to stay hydrated. Keep in mind that while coffee is a liquid and contains water, it’s not very thirst-quenching. ICE IS YOUR FRIEND. Each time you pour a drink or make a smoothie, use lots of ice! Your taste buds will hardly notice the difference, and you’ll still have lots of flavor while boosting your hydration.
way to work more water into your day. As a bonus, you can use a measured bottle to see how much you’ve actually drank throughout the day! INFUSE YOURWATER. Try giving your H2O an extra kick. Add berries, lemon, lime, or mint to your water to give it some flavor and help make it more enticing to drink! Water is important for a healthy body and mind, so follow these tips and stay hydrated!
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