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A Home Away From Home There’s No Place Like Narragansett
People from all across the nation come to Florida to get a change of pace from their everyday lives. So, where do those of us who already live here go? For me, the answer is Narragansett, Rhode Island. I grew up visiting the area every summer and have just returned from my annual trip there. The house belonged to my grandparents and became my parents’ after my grandfather passed away. They spend the summers there, and my brother and I try to make it every year. My fiancé David has also joined in on the trips over the past five years, and while I’m not a seafood fan, he loves the opportunity to indulge in endless lobsters and crab cakes. Narragansett feels like a whole different world. There’s no oppressive heat during the summer like here in Florida. The summer weather is usually in the high 70s or low 80s and dips further at night. Most homes don’t even have air conditioning; opening the window to the breeze is cooling enough. Things also happen much more slowly here. We didn’t even have internet at the house until last summer, and it’s relaxing to unplug and enjoy nature and good company. Chain restaurants used to be restricted, so the area has many small, locally owned restaurants that opened more than 50 years ago. There are also a ton of spots for fun day trips locally. We often visit Newport, where I once saw sailors compete for America’s Cup. Then there’s Block Island, which has incredible beaches, shops, and inns. People must take a ferry to reach the island, and it’s a summer hot spot. One year, David bought me tickets on the ferry for my birthday. We thought it would be fun to bring bikes and try to make it around
the whole island. We now call it
the “Tour de Block Island.” The island is small, only 7 miles long and 3 miles wide,
but that added up to more riding time than we’d anticipated. The island is also very hilly, which made it a much more extreme biking experience than we thought when we signed up!
Since Narragansett is my favorite place to be, it’s where David decided to propose to me last year. He popped the question near the town’s beautiful lighthouse that overlooks the ocean. We also plan to get married in the area in 2023 and just nailed down some finer details during this year’s trip. I can’t wait to celebrate this happy milestone in such a meaningful location. Many of our clients have family homes that are profoundly meaningful to them. They often want to do everything possible to ensure the property remains within the family with the proper maintenance and care. I understand why their wishes are often so detailed because I know just how deeply these ties can bind. My life and my family wouldn’t be the same without Narragansett, and it’s a piece of us I hope to never lose.
–Hayley Donaldson
1 (239) 265-9779
SEPTEMBER 2022
Find Your Balance 5 Exercises to Improve Balance 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.
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. Consider trying the following exercises: • 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
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.
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.
T h e S e n i o r S l
Are You Getting Enough Shut-Eye?
There’s a persistent myth that the older we get, the less sleep we need. But by the time we reach our 20s, adults of every age need the same amount of shut-eye to stay healthy, alert, and functional. That’s 7–9 hours each night — and many of us aren’t getting it. Sleep is crucial for happiness and health, but researchers estimate that 40%–70% of seniors have chronic sleep issues. Even worse, as many as half of them may be going undiagnosed. There are two problems. First, our natural sleeping habits change with age. Second, the factors that create sleepless nights are more likely to affect us as the years pass. The older we get, the less melatonin we create — this is the hormone that regulates our sleep cycles. The part of our brain that controls our circadian rhythms also starts to deteriorate, affecting when we get (and don’t get) tired. Our sleep cycles shift, beckoning us to go to bed and rise earlier. Unfortunately, many people continue their late-night routines only to find themselves unable to sleep in the early morning, resulting in less sleep overall.
Many medical conditions also play a role. Sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome are more frequent among older adults. Seniors are also more likely to experience chronic pain, making it difficult to fall asleep. Meanwhile, heart problems, frequent urination, and other underlying conditions can leave us staring at the ceiling into the wee hours. So, what should you do if you’re not getting enough sleep? Start by telling your doctor about your sleeping problems. They’ll ask questions about your symptoms and habits and work to eliminate medical causes for insomnia or other sleep trouble. If your doctor cannot find a medical reason for your insufficient sleep, there are other steps you can take to improve your chances of getting a good night’s rest. “Sleep hygiene” works to promote sleep through environmental factors. Best practices include exercising during the day, sticking to a sleep schedule (even on weekends), and keeping your bedroom cool, dark, and comfortable. Avoid light-emitting devices (like your phone or TV) for a couple of hours before bed, and don’t stay in bed while you’re wide awake and tossing and turning. It can be frustrating to put so much effort into something that once came naturally, but the physical and mental health benefits of getting enough sleep are well worth it.
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Becoming a Father-in-Law Attorney Craig Hersch takes a break from his usual estate planning advice to celebrate an important milestone — his daughter’s wedding! Read his full thoughts on the event on the Sheppard Law Firm Blog at FloridaEstatePlanning.com/im-a-father-in-law. Craig Welcomes a New Family Member
The venue was on a farm on the outskirts of town that serves as an event center. As we prepared for the ceremony, I discovered that I brought the wrong suit pants. The photographer was in the cabin taking pictures of us guys getting ready, and the father of the bride had to hide behind others so the pictures wouldn’t reveal my boxer briefs! Luckily, my daughter Courtney’s boyfriend, Phil, drove back to our townhome to retrieve them. A wedding can’t go off without a hitch, of course, and my pants mishap was minor compared to the rain that engulfed the area, causing us to move the ceremony under a tent as opposed to having it out in the beautiful flower garden. The rabbi did a remarkable job. The ceremony was meaningful, touching, funny, and spiritual. Aside from being a proud papa and now father-in-law, I couldn’t be more pleased with our families. Patti and I feel that we gained a whole new branch as the Bernstein and Hersch clans share a lot of similarities and get along famously. There’s no better feeling than that.
Over Independence Day weekend in Asheville, North Carolina, my eldest daughter, Gabrielle, married her longtime boyfriend/fiancé, Benji Bernstein. Benji’s been like a son to Patti and me for quite some time. The married couple met while attending Brandeis and have been together ever since. Benji is a fantastic young man. He always has a smile on his face and radiates positive energy everywhere he goes. The groomsmen and best-men, two of whom were his younger brothers, toasted and shared Benji’s effervescent attitude. He’s the perfect complement to my eldest daughter, who is detail oriented and focused. (I have no idea where she got that from!) Gabi’s two sisters, Courtney and Madison, served as co-maids of honor. Between their toasts and the others, let’s say I learned a few things about Gabi that I didn’t know before! Even though she’s nearly 28 years old, when I look at her, I still see a cute little 5-year-old. This weekend opened my eyes to the confident, beautiful, exceptional young woman she’s become.
No-Fuss Chicken and Rice Soup
INGREDIENTS
TAKE A BREAK!
• • • • • • • •
2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped
•
4 cups chicken broth 4 cups water
2 garlic cloves, minced
• •
3 carrots, sliced 3 celery ribs, sliced
1 1/4 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken thighs 1 cup uncooked white rice
2 chicken bouillon cubes 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• •
Salt, to taste
1/4 tsp pepper
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the carrots and celery, then sauté for 1 more minute. 2. Add the bouillon, parsley, pepper, chicken broth, and water. Stir, then add the chicken thighs. 3. Cover and simmer on medium-low for 30 minutes, then add the rice. Stir, cover, and simmer for 15 more minutes. 4. Remove the pot from the heat and transfer the chicken to a large bowl. Shred the meat and add it back to the soup. Discard the bones. 5. Stir, salt, and serve!
ANSWER ON TOP OF PAGE 4...
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INSIDE this issue
SUDOKU ANSWER
Hayley’s Magical Getaway PAGE 1 Balance Training Key to Quality Movement PAGE 2 Prioritizing Sleep at Every Age PAGE 2 Craig Celebrates His Daughter’s Marriage PAGE 3 Take a Break! PAGE 3 No-Fuss Chicken and Rice Soup PAGE 3 Why Socialization Is Important for Seniors PAGE 4
The best compliments we receive are your referrals. When you refer us to your loved ones, we do all we can to exceed expectations.
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The Importance of Socialization in Retirement
As humans, we thrive on love and companionship. In our golden years, that desire and the benefits that come from it don’t go away. In fact, socialization is especially important for seniors. According to a study from the Harvard School of Public Health, a healthy social life in your 50s and 60s slows down the rates of memory loss and deterioration. It also provides many other positive benefits. Fosters Positivity After your working years come to a close and you no longer interact with coworkers, loneliness and isolation have a higher chance of settling in. Socialization is key to keeping your spirits high. So, to create and maintain positive relationships, make plans with friends and family to keep yourself busy and entertained. Reduces Stress In today’s world, stress can creep up easily. Whether it’s a busy schedule, worry about family members, fear of shifts in the economy, or unstable current events overseas that keep you on edge and anxious, get out and do something! A night out with a friend or
even just time spent chatting with a family member on the phone can
help to reduce stress. Increases Self-Worth Social activities such as exercise
classes, group dinners, walks with a friend, or events at a clubhouse are great ways to build friendships. While friendships are a two- way street, being on the giving side can help you feel needed and increase your self-worth. To be good company is a great way to help others, which makes you feel great about yourself, too! Engagement, socialization, and creating meaningful relationships are necessary components of being happy and healthy, especially as you age. So, sign up for water aerobics, take that group pottery class, go fishing with your friends, take your neighbor up on that walk, and go to that party! You just might have a great time, and you’ll never regret interacting with others!
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