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Peace of Mind Post APR 2023
Don’t Be Left in the Dark! How Sharing Information Can Ease Your Concerns
hunger for learning, none of us would have the life we have today. Many of us wouldn’t understand how to do certain activities, how to enhance our lives, or what to put in our estate plans! At Trinity Elder Law & Estate Planning, providing assistance and information is something we value. As I mentioned in last month’s newsletter, we are always finding ways to better serve our clients. We will participate in training to provide better information and resources to help you and your family. One of the main reasons I create free books, send out newsletters and other printed materials, and meet with you is to ensure you receive information from various outlets. I want to provide you with knowledge that will help you no matter what phase of life you’re in. If you have any questions or clarification on anything within elder law or estate planning, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I would be more than happy to ease your concerns and help you create a plan that protects you and your family’s needs.
Furthermore, while you may have completed your estate plan, you might be caring for a loved one with special health conditions. Do they already have a plan in place? Or will you need to look more into the topic to help them understand and create their own estate plan? As you sift through all of your research, you may feel as if you’re alone, but I promise you don’t need to go through it by yourself! I understand how confusing this time can be for you and your family. Many of my clients have been in your shoes — they were concerned about their or their loved one’s future and didn’t know what to do. I could see the confusion and stress on my clients’ faces, and it was heartbreaking to see them in despair. But as I guide my clients through the process, explain different procedures, and outline the documents they need to complete, their concerns and stress vanished! Seeing the weight lift from their shoulders as things begin to make sense is incredible. One of my favorite parts about my job is having the opportunity to assist others. No one deserves to be left in the dark — that’s why I will provide light to help you navigate to the other side of the tunnel. Sharing information is so important — it helps us grow and improve our skills. If we didn’t share knowledge or have a
“I can’t deal with this right now.” This sentence may have come out of your mouth when you felt like you had too much on your plate or when you feel overwhelmed. It’s not a feeling anyone likes — it can cause you to misinterpret something, not understand certain concepts, and feel like you’re buried in documents.
Feeling overwhelmed? Take time to smell the flowers!
You may have experienced these feelings when estate planning. While estate planning is a beneficial tool for everyone, navigating its terms, paperwork, and other processes can become confusing, causing you to become overwhelmed. Some may think that all estate plans are universal. But it’s so much more than that! Everyone’s plans are different because of the circumstances surrounding their lives. Certain documents your friends complete may not apply to you and vice versa. So, how do you know what you need to complete your estate plan? If you were to research estate planning online, you would find thousands of articles, firms, and other resources about the topic. You may have even entered a rabbit hole filled with information that may or may not apply to your situation. “Do I need a special needs document?” “Is this paperwork necessary?” “What does this term mean?”
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When searching for the perfect nursing home or care facility, it’s essential that you do your homework. You want to research each facility to see if it will promote your loved one’s way of living. However, it can be overwhelming as you venture through all your options. Here are some tips before you dive into any research on nursing homes. What do you need to look for online? You may be bombarded with various options when you search “nursing homes near me.” The best thing you can do is look at the facility’s website, see what services are available, and check out their reviews. You can also use websites like NursingHome411.org/states to help you find the best care facilities in your area. Be sure to create a list of the nursing homes you like and any questions you may have. What should you ask about and look for when visiting nursing homes? Even if you find a care facility with everything you’re looking for on paper, visiting the site in person is best so you can: • Talk to staff: Speaking to a wide range of employees can help you learn about their experience at the facility. Be sure to ask what activities and amenities are available to How Do You Pick Right Nursing Hom
Spring has arrived! However, rebirth and renewal aren’t the only things in the air. During spring, trees, weeds, plants, and grasses release small grains of pollen into the air to fertilize other plants. Because the pollen is small and light, it travels through the wind and frequently causes allergic reactions. Symptoms of seasonal allergies include congestion, sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, an itchy throat, watering eyes, and irritation in the roof of your mouth. If you’re prone to experiencing allergies all spring long, here are some useful tips to keep them at bay. Reduce your exposure. During spring months, keep the windows in your home and car closed. On particularly windy or dry days, avoid spending time outdoors, and do not hang your clean laundry outside to dry. After you have been outdoors, remove your clothing and wash your hair and skin to remove any traces of pollen. Do not cut the grass, pull weeds, or do any gardening. Remove pollen from indoor air. It’s inevitable that pollen will get inside your home and vehicle. To combat this, utilize your air conditioning or invest in a certified allergy air filter! A dehumidifier and/or an air purifier will help to lower the pollen spore count in the air. Rinse out your sinuses. When pollen overwhelms your sinus passages, one of the best things to do is to rinse out your airways. A sinus flush with a saline solution is one of the easiest and most effective ways to eliminate the pollen that irritates your respiratory system. Take over-the-counter medications. After checking with your doctor or health care provider, choose an over-the-counter medication that is right for your symptoms. Medications like oral antihistamines, oral decongestants, and corticosteroid nasal sprays are all beneficial in reducing the effects of seasonal allergies. WHEN POLLEN STRIKES Nipping Spring Allergies in the Bud
Puzzle Time!
Answer:
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the me?
Communication Is a Valuable Tool
residents and guests. You want your loved one to
remain healthy and engaged while at the facility and that you and other family members can visit frequently.
4 Strategies When Speaking With Dementia Patients
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Speak with residents: Ask them how their time at the nursing home has been, what they like and don’t like, and if they would recommend the facility to others.
Most of us can follow someone who uses compound sentences, asks various questions, or tends to talk quickly. But for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, it can be challenging to focus on what others are saying if a sentence has multiple ideas. Furthermore, this affects how they listen and pay attention to others and can also impact how they express themselves. An Alzheimer’s or dementia patient may have trouble finding the right words, repeat words or phrases, or use one term when they meant another. Because of these challenges, you or your loved one may feel frustrated when speaking. But there are some strategies you can use to improve your communication during situations like this. Speak clearly and slowly. When you enunciate each word and use shorter sentences, it’s easier for others to understand what you’re saying. Rephrase as needed. If you notice your loved one is having difficulty understanding what you’re saying even after you’ve slowed down, re-word your question or statement. You may have to repeat yourself, so remain patient. Provide time to respond. It takes at least 90 seconds for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia to comprehend what you’re saying. While it may seem like a long time, don’t ask follow-up questions or try to encourage a response. Acknowledge what others say. Even if they don’t answer your question or their response seems out of context, show that you heard them. They may not feel confident speaking to others if you state that they didn’t answer your question or failed to stay on topic. If you or someone you know is caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, please contact us today to receive a copy of our FREE caring and communication handout. It will discuss the unique challenges caregivers face and how to resolve issues. You can also go online at TrinityElderLaw.com/470-2 to receive a copy of our FREE book “You’re Not Alone: Living as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver” for additional information.
• Ask about response times: You want the nursing home to operate like a well-oiled machine. Therefore, ask employees and residents how long it takes for the call lights to be responded to, how long it takes to receive medication, and other response times for other care options. Don’t be fooled by the curated appearance on a facility’s website or in person — while a beautiful home can be beneficial, how it operates and how staff would treat your loved one is what matters most! That’s why conducting extensive research on different places is vital before completing an application. If there is any way we can help you during this time, please don’t hesitate to call us! Easy Fruit Dip Spring is here, which means it’s time to enjoy fresh fruits and refreshing treats! This recipe has only four ingredients and can be made in under five minutes, so it’s great to bring to parties or make before a quick get-together. We recommend serving it with strawberries or cut-up pineapple, mango, and honeydew. Inspired by InspiredByCharm.com
Ingredients
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1 7-oz jar marshmallow fluff 1 8-oz package of cream cheese, softened
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Splash of maraschino cherry juice Fresh-cut fruit of your choice
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1 cup vanilla yogurt
Directions
1. In a bowl, place all the ingredients except fruit and blend with a hand mixer until smooth. 2. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1–2 hours before serving. 3. Serve with fresh-cut fruit. Dip and enjoy!
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Inside
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Say Goodbye to Feeling Overwhelmed!
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Combating Spring Allergies Don’t Be Fooled by the Nice Decor! Easy Fruit Dip Adapting Your Way of Speaking for Dementia Patients
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Roger to the Rescue
One Sniff Can Save a Life Never Doubt a Canine’s Senses
started looking for him, and that’s when she found Roger and Cohen. She immediately called emergency services, and three firefighters came by the home to free Cohen. They quickly took him to the hospital because they worried about hypothermia. Over a week later, medical staff released Cohen from the hospital, and now he gives Roger treats whenever he sees him. “I owe my life to that dog. They [health care professionals] said that if I would’ve been there for a few more hours, I would have been a goner,” Cohen told Bournemouth Daily Echo.
Cohen just got home and parked his car in the garage when he found himself in a spot of trouble. As he tried to exit his vehicle, his walking stick suddenly snapped in half. Unable to keep his balance, Cohen fell and became wedged under his car’s brake and clutch pedals. The man called for help several times, but unfortunately, no one could hear his pleas, and he remained stuck overnight. The next day, Roger’s owners let him roam around outside. Roger began sniffing around Cohen’s home (some believe Roger had
Dogs are known for their
keen sense of smell — on TV, you will often see dogs that can find missing people or even search for drugs and bombs. When dogs use their extraordinary senses for a particular job, they’re often trained for that one purpose, but even without training, dogs do seem to know something is wrong.
Roger, the Jack Russell terrier-poodle mix, is a great example.
heard the man’s calls for help), and once Roger found the elderly man, he didn’t leave his side for the rest of the day. After a couple of hours, Frances Wall, Roger’s owner, began calling for Roger. When
Our story takes place in Ringwood, England, in December 2022. Winter was in full swing, with temperatures below freezing. No one wanted to find themselves outside in the cold for too long because it could be dangerous. Unfortunately, that’s what happened to 94-year-old Morris Cohen, and he almost died.
Fortunately for Cohen, Roger’s amazing canine senses saved the day. It’s always great to have a furry friend around — you never know when their incredible skills will come in handy!
he didn’t immediately come home when she called, she
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