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VanDyckLawGroup
QUARTER 2, 2025
VANDYCKFIRM.COM
Dementia Support by Design
CONCIERGE SERVICES FOR FAMILIES DEALING WITH DEMENTIA
DEMENTIA SUPPORT BY DESIGN We are offering one-on-one coaching for individuals and also group consultations for families. In each case, we home in on how we can best help that individual or family, wherever they are in their journey. One husband who was caring for his wife with dementia wasn’t sure she even knew she had dementia, and he wasn’t comfortable talking with her about it. We were able to help him see that his wife was actually keenly aware that something was wrong. We helped him find ways to talk with her about it and provide support. As his wife’s disease progressed, we met with him for weekly coaching. Sometimes, he would call to ask, “Can I meet you for coffee? I am just overwhelmed!” When the time came to transition his wife’s care to a memory care community, he was again overwhelmed. “I don’t even know where to start,” he told us. We helped him find a quality community, pack his wife’s belongings, and set up her new room. TRUSTWORTHY REFERRALS Too often, people facing a caregiving crisis run to Google, which sends them down a dark alley of misinformation. When they bring the resulting misunderstandings to us, we help them with actionable, reliable resources and
We could not be more excited to announce our latest news: The Dementia Center at Van Dyck Law Group has launched! This marks a major expansion of our caregiver support, education, and referral capabilities. We are committed to providing Dementia Concierge Services for the families we serve. Just as a hotel concierge is a guide and primary contact for travelers in transition, our center will serve as a primary contact for families in transition during their dementia care journey. Many of you already know the center’s executive director, Sheli Monacchio. A former family caregiver herself, Sheli is certified as an Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer and a support group facilitator. She has 26 years of experience in the field and a broad network of professionals throughout our six-county region. Our combined ability to offer Dementia Concierge support in addition to legal services for elder law and dementia care is unique among law firms. Our mission is to make sense of the chaos that a dementia diagnosis can cause and break it down into manageable pieces so families can get the customized guidance and support they need. Here are a few examples.
referrals, customized to their specific needs. We have vetted all the care communities in our region, but we work independently of them so we can provide accurate, unbiased referrals. We helped one family of four adult children who had locked horns trying to decide how to care for their mother, who was no longer safe living on her own. One lived out-of- state and the others each wanted their mom near their own homes. “We need a mediator for all this,” the siblings told us. “We need somebody to sit down with us so we can throw everything we are dealing with out onto the table, and you can sort it out.” We gave them honest, objective information about their options for their mother’s care. After we had laid out their choices, the siblings were able to agree on a community for their mom. We also gave them a map for their journey, including a long-term care plan,
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Praising your child has always been a “tricky” area of parenting. You want to raise your child to be a confident human being while also embodying what it means to be humble and appreciative. So, how do you stay within the bounds of instilling self-assurance without going overboard? While every child is different, several parenting approaches allow you to praise your child’s efforts without enabling arrogance. Raise Confident Kids 4 Tips Every Parent Should Follow RECOGNIZE YOUR CHILD’S EFFORT IN ADDITION TO THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT. As parents, it’s easy to praise your child’s accomplishments without acknowledging all their hard work to achieve them. Suppose your child won first place in their school’s spelling bee. Instead of praising them for being the best, acknowledge how all their studying paid off. EXPRESS CONFIDENCE IN THEIR ABILITY TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS. Let your child know you’re not only proud of them but also that you know they can achieve their goals. This praise sets the stage for your child to share future goals — for example, making the basketball or cheerleading team. AVOID FORESHADOWING PRAISE WITH NEGATIVITY. This may be difficult for some parents, especially if they’ve had repeated obedience issues. If you’re proud of your child’s game- winning catch, avoid prefacing the statement with “Even though you
didn’t cut the grass as I asked …” This can be considered the equivalent of a backhanded compliment, and no one responds well to those.
ALIGN THE LEVEL OF PRAISE WITH THE ACCOMPLISHMENT.
In other words, don’t overdo it. Parents are their children’s biggest cheerleaders, so it can be challenging to tame your emotions when they win or overcome a fear. This is, of course, at your discretion, but it’s something to be mindful of. Does winning the season's first game warrant a big backyard party with all the bells and whistles? Everyone’s parenting styles differ, but instilling values such as believing in oneself, empathy, gratitude, and determination are qualities any parent can nurture in their children for the betterment of themselves and those around them.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can tax your patience, understanding, and insight. Trying to communicate, even about seemingly simple issues, can be a daunting challenge. At The Dementia Center, we understand these frustrations, and we have designed seminars to support caregivers and to lighten their load. Here is a brief glimpse of the practical tools we will be offering at our Memory Cafe, Caregiver Support Groups, and other events. Please see our events listing on Page 3 of this newsletter to learn more! COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY Do This: Use short, simple sentences and speak clearly. Not That: Speak in long, complex sentences with long explanations. ‘DO THIS, NOT THAT’ WHEN SPEAKING TO A LOVED ONE WITH DEMENTIA
RESPECTING INDEPENDENCE Do This: Encourage the person with dementia to do what they can, even if it's slow or imperfect. Not That: Take over tasks without asking or assuming they can't do it simply because it’s easier. KEEPING A ROUTINE Do This: Keep a consistent daily routine to provide a sense of security. Not That: Change their routine frequently, leading to increased confusion. SOCIALIZING WITH OTHERS Do This: Engage in gentle social activities that the person with dementia enjoys, like looking at old photos or listening to familiar music. Not That: Force them into social situations that may cause anxiety or confusion. PROVIDING REASSURANCE Do This: Offer gentle reassurance when the person with dementia seems anxious or confused.
Not That: Tell them to “just calm down” or change the subject without addressing their emotions. OFFERING MEMORY AIDS Do This: Use memory aids like calendars, clocks, and labels around the house to help with orientation. Not That: Rely solely on your memory or expect them to recall everything without gentle reminders. LENDING EMOTIONAL SUPPORT Do This: Be empathetic and validate their emotions, even if they can’t express them clearly. Not That: Dismiss or minimize their feelings, saying “you’re fine” or “there’s nothing to worry about.” In addition to these topics, we also will explore effective ways to talk about your loved one’s dementia diagnosis, encourage them to engage in activities, and redirect negative emotions. Call or email us today to join us for one of our educational events!
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Check Out These Informative and Helpful Events! OFFERED BY THE DEMENTIA CENTER AT VAN DYCK LAW GROUP
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS When: April 16, May 21, and June 18 (the third Wednesday of each month), at 2 p.m.
Where: The Dementia Center at Van Dyck Law, 707 State Road, Suite 102, Princeton
To Register: Call 609-293-2562 or email DementiaCenter@vandyckfirm.com .
MEMORY CAFE When: May 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Artis of Princeton Junction, 861 Alexander Road, Princeton
Presentations: • “Resilient Legal Planning With a Dementia Diagnosis” Fiona Van Dyck, Esq., Managing Attorney, Van Dyck Law Group
• “Effective Communication in Dementia for a Positive Outcome” Sheli Monacchio, Executive Director, The Dementia Center at Van Dyck Law Group
Lunch will be provided.
To Register: Call 609-293-2562 or email DementiaCenter@vandyckfirm.com .
-Fiona Van Dyck If you are facing a dementia diagnosis, caregiver stress, or questions about legal issues, long-term care resources, or asset planning, please reach out to us today. We will gladly assist you with all of your planning and caregiver needs. which can reach $12,000–$14,000 a month for memory care, and also whether they want to stop the financial drain at some point to preserve assets for the healthy spouse, children, or grandchildren. If that’s the case, we help them create the documents needed to qualify for government long-term care assistance through Medicaid. ... continued from Cover a plan for allocating their assets, resources to help them maintain positive family relationships, and, to the extent possible, some peace of mind. ASSET PLANNING In addition to providing estate planning and elder law services, we also help families plan how to cover long-term care costs. We help clients decide what assets to use for a long-term care community,
Ginger Veggie Stir Fry Inspired by AllRecipes.com
INGREDIENTS • 4 tbsp vegetable oil, divided • 2 tsp fresh chopped ginger root, divided • 2 cloves garlic, crushed • 1 tbsp cornstarch • 1 small head broccoli, cut into florets
• 3/4 cup julienned carrots • 1/2 cup snow peas • 1/2 cup halved green beans • 3 tbsp water • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 1/4 cup chopped onions • 1/2 tsp salt
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, mix 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tsp ginger, garlic, and cornstarch. 2. Add broccoli, carrots, snow peas, and green beans, and toss lightly. 3. Heat the remaining oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the vegetables and cook for 2 minutes. 4. Stir in water and soy sauce. Add onion, salt, and the remaining ginger; cook and stir until the vegetables are crisp and tender.
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707 State Road, Suite 102 Princeton, NJ 08540 VANDYCKFIRM.COM | 609-580-1044 Inside 1 The Dementia Center at Van Dyck Law Group Has Launched! 2 Build a Positive Self-Image in Your Kids Helpful Tips on Communicating With a Loved One With Dementia 3 Mark Your Calendars for VDLG’s Memory Cafe and Caregiver Support Groups!
Ginger Veggie Stir Fry 4 Secrets to the Perfect Cruise
Bon Voyage!
TURN YOUR DREAM CRUISE INTO REALITY
As we grow older, life shifts and creates new opportunities we may not have had before — like the chance to finally turn our travel dreams into reality. For many, few travel experiences compare to the comfort and excitement of a luxury cruise, and these four tips can help make your dream cruise happen. CHOOSE THE RIGHT CRUISE LINE. With luxury cruises, it’s essential to compare lines to get your preferred experience and the most bang for your buck. Consider your personal preferences, but remain flexible with accommodations. A little research will help you find the perfect fit. PLAN YOUR PERFECT ITINERARY. There are many cruise options, so planning an itinerary aligned with your interests and comfort level is easy. River cruises, for example, are perfect
for scenic travel, while ocean cruises provide access to exotic ports of call. River cruises are also quieter and more intimate. If you prefer a lively atmosphere with plenty of activities, an ocean cruise is the better option. BOOK SMART FOR THE BEST DEALS. Just because a cruise offers luxury accommodations doesn’t mean your trip has to break the bank. Take advantage of early-bird deals, off-peak pricing, and loyalty programs to save big. Some companies even include airfare! You can also save with discounts for seniors and military members. YOUR ADVENTURE AWAITS! A cruise offers the ultimate way to see the world, from exploring iconic cities to relaxing on scenic rivers or enjoying stunning ocean views. Now is the perfect time to embrace new adventures on a luxury cruise.
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