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FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
616-514-3831
www.MattsonFinancial.com
NOVEMBER 2023
TOUGH CONVERSATIONS WITH AGING PARENTS Independence, Assistance, and Acceptance
I’ve told you all about my wonderful mother many times. She’s turning 100 in February and still lives independently with my stepfather, who is 90. They mostly do well in caring for themselves — but recently, Mom tried to lift something she shouldn’t have, fell, and hit her head. An ambulance needed to rush her to the emergency room.
It’s frustrating because I want to help them, but they won’t let me. Despite some memory lapses, they’re cognitively sound and handle their finances. I can only offer guidance and hope they listen.
Your relationship changes with your parents as they age, and knowing how and when to push back is challenging. My mother and I recently disagreed about a photograph of me and my middle brother, who passed away some years ago. She was insistent that it was my older brother in the picture. Even when my older brother confirmed the image was not of him, she still wouldn’t believe it. So, where does that leave us? Should we continue to argue with her and tell her she’s wrong? Or should we accept and love her for where she is right now? Similar questions will arise for baby boomers. We’re among the so-called sandwich generation, often helping our parents and providing financial support to our children. It’s a challenging position.
She is doing fine now, but the incident worried me. Though she can live independently now, what about the future? Trying to be a good son, I contacted the local commission on aging for guidance and set up an appointment for my mom and stepfather. I wanted the agency to discuss their options so they know what’s available if and when the time comes for them to need assistance. But my stepfather canceled the meeting when they called him to confirm the appointment. “We don’t need it,” he said. He explained they can cook for themselves, and a cleaner helps them with household maintenance. He believes it’s working well for them.
A 99-year-old defends her home
I explained that they may not need the agency’s services now, but they could someday. Would they rather know their options upfront or learn them during a crisis? An upheaval will be more traumatic if you don’t know what to expect. None of my arguments moved him. My mother has always said she never wants to live in an assisted facility. Her father lived in one for the last 10 years of his life during the 1960s, but assisted living wasn’t what it is today. She’s stuck in that mindset and believes she can do everything herself.
The Council on Aging of Kent County (COACK.org) can help you gain perspective and find the answers you need. Whether your aging parents use that information is up to them. Although I’m still learning, I advise you to be gentle with them as you continue to offer care, and don’t forget to always hug them — because one day, you may not be able to.
–Gary Mattson
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BOOST YOUR CHILD'S COGNITIVE SKIL
If you’re looking for a family activity requiring minimal supplies and effort, origami should be next on your to-do list! Origami might seem too challenging or even not stimulating enough for children,
Practice patience and mindfulness. No running, jumping, or yelling involved. Children can partake in a soothing activity requiring their undivided attention when practicing origami. Origami is even considered a form of focused attention meditation , which involves concentrating on a single object to induce a
but there are plenty of accessible and delightful shapes to keep your kids endlessly entertained. Plus, they won’t be able to stop themselves from filling your home with paper swans, dragons, and more! Not only is origami a simple activity that just requires paper, but it also offers a variety of benefits to children and adults alike. Discover how origami can boost your family’s brains and the perfect way to start folding!
relaxing state. Calmly focusing on folding a piece of paper into a unique shape requires you to be present in the moment and can be a fantastic way to introduce mindfulness to your family. Improve hand-eye coordination. Origami also helps younger children better understand spatial concepts such as measurements, shapes, and directions. Studies show
that origami helps children improve their dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and spatial reasoning skills.
THE TRUST ADVANTAGE SMART STRATEGIES FOR DESIGNATING BENEFICIARIES
As a parent, you want to do everything possible to ensure your children are cared for if you pass away or become incapacitated. Many people start a life insurance policy, thinking they’ll be able to leave a large sum to their children if the unthinkable happens. Many
employers offer life insurance as a job benefit, or you can get coverage through an insurance agent. Once you establish what you want from your life insurance package, you have to name the beneficiaries of your policy. While most people choose their spouse or partner, many
to become the beneficiary, but this still opens you up to the problem already mentioned. Even if they’re good with your kids, they might not be the best money managers. The best path forward is to create a living trust and name the trust as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy. With a trust, you can name a bank or money manager as the trustee while setting specific guidelines for who gets access to the funds and when. This means you can set up the trust to help pay for your children’s education and other expenses as well as a monthly stipend for the guardian without giving anyone untethered control of the funds. You can even determine the age your children will gain full access to the trust. Don’t make the mistake of naming your minor children as beneficiaries of your life insurance policy. Establish a trust — it’s the best way to take care of your legacy.
consider naming their children as the beneficiaries. It sounds like a great idea on paper, but complications arise when it’s implemented. When you name a minor as a life insurance beneficiary, they won’t be able to receive the proceeds directly. Instead, your appointed legal guardian (if you don’t have a legal guardian named in your estate plan, the state will appoint one for you) will manage and distribute the money. And they could make decisions that don’t coincide with your wishes.
So, what do you do instead? You could directly name an adult guardian
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LLS WITH ORIGAMI
November Health Solutions Walk-In Event Nov. 13–17, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 3226 28th St. SE, Kentwood, MI 49512 Join us for our FIRST Health Solutions walk-in event! Complimentary 45-minute meetings to assist those who are seeking information about 2024 Marketplace and Medicare options. No scheduling required. Questions? Call the team at 616-514-3831! December Virtual Event: Market Update Release Dec. 8, 12 p.m. From the comfort of your own home! No in-person First- Friday event. A market update from one of our advisors and a Gradient Investments portfolio manager will be released via email at 12 p.m.
Encourage a mathematic mindset. The shapes and measuring involved in origami are also an incredible way to implement geometric concepts, terms, and formulas. For older kids, you can make origami a geometry lesson! Use different geometric formulas and apply them to various paper shapes. This will help students better visualize and understand these mathematical concepts. Get started. There are endless resources online or at your local library to create age-appropriate origami activities. While you can purchase special origami paper, you can also use standard paper and scissors to cut sheets into the proper size. Fill your table with a rainbow assortment of colored papers and let your kids pick the origami shape of their choice. Before you know it, origami rabbits and birds will be lining your shelves!
Karren's
BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISOTTO
Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com
Ingredients
•
2 cups butternut squash, cubed 4 tbsp olive oil, divided
• • • • • •
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• • • • •
2 cups sliced leeks
5 cups veggie or chicken stock
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 to 3 handfuls spinach 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
8 sage leaves
1 cup Arborio rice
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. On a parchment-lined sheet pan, toss squash with 2 tbsp olive oil. Roast until tender (30 minutes) and set aside. 2. In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat and add leeks. Sauté until tender, then add garlic and sage. Sauté for 2 more minutes. 3. Add rice and sauté for 1 minute, stirring. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add 1–2 cups of stock to cover the rice and bring to a simmer. Cook until the liquid is absorbed. Continue to add broth 1 cup at a time, stirring occasionally until rice is plump (20 minutes). Stir in spinach, roasted squash, and Parmesan cheese.
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FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
3226 28th Street SE Kentwood, MI 49512
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Delicate Art of Providing Support to Aging Parents
1
Paper Folding Fun for All Ages The Right Way to Protect Your Children's Inheritance
2
3
Butternut Squash Risotto Upcoming Events and Seminars
Pack These 4 Items for the Best In- Flight Experience
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**Reminder: If you have any changes to your financial situation, please notify us as soon as possible.
Investment advisory services offered through Mattson Financial Services, LLC, an SEC-Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance and annuities offered through Lakeview Financial Group, LLC. Mattson Financial Services, LLC and Lakeview Financial Group, LLC are affiliated companies.
UNCONVENTIONAL ITEMS TO PACK ON YOUR NEXT FLIGHT ELEVATE YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
When preparing for your flight, it’s essential to pack the basics, such as clothing, medications, toiletries, and your travel documents. However, there are some surprising and often overlooked items that can greatly enhance your flying experience. These unexpected additions in your carry-on can make your air travel experience more comfortable, enjoyable, and stress-free. Electrolytes Flying is dehydrating! Because airplane cabins are kept at a lower humidity level, your body dehydrates quicker than normal. To help keep
provide a peaceful oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the airplane. They block out ambient noise and allow you to relax, listen to music, or enjoy in-flight entertainment without any distractions. Compression Socks Wearing compression socks on an airplane is crucial for maintaining healthy circulation during long flights. Prolonged periods of sitting can lead to blood pooling in your legs, causing swelling, poor circulation, and even deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Compression socks apply gentle pressure to your legs, reducing discomfort and circulation complications. Portable Charge r While you may have remembered to pack your plug-in phone charger, bringing along a portable charger and power bank is a lifesaver! Sometimes, finding an available charging station in a crowded airport can be tricky. But having a backup power source on the plane makes it possible to keep your devices charged throughout your journey! When packing for your next flight, don’t forget to include these trip- saving items in your carry-on for a more pleasant travel experience — you’ll be glad you did!
your body hydrated without a dozen trips to the bathroom over the course of your flight, pack some electrolyte packets to mix into your water. Speaking of water, pack an empty water bottle with you, and after passing through security, you can fill it up at a water fountain! Noise-Canceling Headphones Flights can be noisy. You can never predict crying babies, loud talkers, or hyper kids traveling alongside you. Noise-canceling headphones can
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