Check out our May newsletter!
t C
Teachers had a significant impact on my life — and there’s a good chance they altered the outcome of yours, too. National Teacher Appreciation Day falls on May 2 this year, and there’s never a wrong time to stop and think about everything our educators have done for us. I wouldn’t be the person I’ve become without teachers’ guidance and wisdom, so I want to take a moment to applaud the work they do every day. My appreciation for teachers is personal. My wife, Jamie, has a teaching degree, though she only taught professionally for a year before she resigned to raise our family. She was following in the footsteps of her father, who was a teacher and coach for decades. Sadly, he passed away this March, and we’ll deeply miss his presence in our lives. The teachers I had growing up also changed the trajectory of my life. I grew up attending a small school where most students were not college-bound. Typically, they graduated from high school and went straight to work. There are many options to make a good living that way, but it wasn’t the path I wanted to follow. Thankfully, many of my teachers noticed. They took time to pay attention to their academically inclined students and showed us a world beyond our small town. They motivated us to work hard and dig deeper into our math, science, and history courses. Instead of attending class to pass, they taught us how to truly learn. One teacher took interested students to an engineering camp at the University of Florida (UF). It was my first time visiting the campus, and it left an impression on me. Until then, I’d been a Florida State A Teacher’s Influence How Educators Transform Lives
University (FSU) fan, and I probably would have ended up at FSU if it wasn’t for that trip. Instead, I’m proud to say I attended UF. (No offense to you FSU graduates and fans!) Teachers have stuck with me throughout life in more ways than one — many of our clients are current or retired teachers. To anyone reading this newsletter right now, I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that teachers are underpaid and underappreciated. Unfortunately, I don’t have the power to change that, but I can tip my hat to all educators and thank you for your work. Speaking of those we often don’t appreciate enough, Mother’s Day is also rapidly approaching. Mothers, too, deserve more than one day’s worth of gratitude, but it’s the least we can offer. We should all take a moment to celebrate or remember the women who raised us. If you’re a mom, I hope you know the world needs you, and we’re so thankful for all you’ve done.
–Mike Hill
1 (239) 265-9779
MAY 2023
The Ageless Benefits of Yoga How Seniors Are Finding New Vitality For many seniors, maintaining an active lifestyle can be a challenge. Your
By holding poses and moving through sequences, yoga helps to lengthen and stretch muscles, increasing the range of motion and reducing stiffness. You’ll also build muscle strength, particularly in your core. Your balance and posture will improve, which will help lessen physical discomfort and reduce your risk of falls. In addition to physical benefits, yoga is also mentally stimulating. The practice of yoga can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. By incorporating breathing techniques into their practice, seniors can improve cognitive function and memory. There’s also a social aspect involved. Many yoga studios offer classes specifically for seniors, which can provide a supportive and welcoming environment for everyone to practice together. It’s a great way to meet new people and have fun while staying active. There are advantages for people of all ages to practice yoga. If you’ve been interested in trying this activity for a while, now is the time to get out and get involved. You may be surprised by how much you enjoy it!
body might not be as flexible as it once was, and new pains or discomforts seem to appear out of nowhere as time passes. This change can be problematic and will require some adjustment on your part, especially if you’ve lived an active lifestyle. Thankfully, there are some activities you can do to help you stay
active, like yoga! You might think that yoga is just for young people, but that’s not the case at all! Yoga is a low-impact exercise that can be modified to suit a wide range of abilities, making it accessible to people of all ages. There is no expectation of perfection, as each individual is encouraged to listen to their own body and move at a comfortable pace. So even if you have health limitations or concerns, yoga is a safe and pleasant activity. Plus, you’ll gain a host of benefits from participating.
A d u l t s N e
How to Know if Your Supplements Are Helping
As we age, we tend to become more concerned about our health, and many people turn to dietary supplements. While over-the- counter supplements like vitamins are popular among all ages, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports they’re most common with women over 60. With over 80% of this group taking at least one supplement, it’s worth asking whether they’re safe and necessary. Experts suggest that many of the supplements we take serve little purpose. For example, most people who take multivitamins don’t have vitamin deficiencies and see little to no benefit. But evidence suggests that people are more likely to miss crucial nutrients as they age, often due to poor diet or low caloric intake. For example, our bodies have more trouble absorbing B12 in our golden years than when we’re younger. B12 is essential to our red blood cell production, and an inadequate supply can cause weakness and fatigue. We’re also likely to be deficient in B6 later in life, which is a problem for older adults in particular because it supports cognitive function. Adults over 60 also tend to consume less calcium, essential for strong bones. Meanwhile, vitamin D helps us absorb calcium. But
we produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, so those who spend more time indoors with age will likely have less vitamin D in their systems. And as with B12, we absorb magnesium less readily when we’re older, affecting our immune systems and heart health. But not everyone will develop vitamin deficiencies. Those who feel healthy, strong, and energetic are less likely to need supplements. Still, everyone should be on the lookout for telltale signs of insufficient nutrients. People with vitamin deficiencies often experience fatigue, loss of appetite, slow-healing wounds, and significant hair loss. Anyone with these symptoms should visit their doctor for guidance rather than immediately purchasing a supplement. While most supplements aren’t dangerous, some can pose health risks, particularly when combined with prescription medications. Your doctor can diagnose a vitamin deficiency and rule out a more serious condition. Most people taking supplements without a doctor’s guidance will be fine, but they could be wasting money. Remember that the recommendations you read in the news or suggestions from friends should be guidance only. Keep your doctor looped in on your health concerns so you can collaborate on the best approach.
2
floridaestateplanning.com
5 Reasons Baby Boomers Must Update Their Estate Plans
Many baby boomers were wise to create estate plans early, but not everyone has updated them as times changed. Craig Hersch reviews why your estate plan likely needs a refresh, and you can read his full thoughts on our blog at FloridaEstatePlanning.com. The oldest baby boomers are retiring, but we’re all prone to believing in the mirage of never-ending youth. It’s what traps those who haven’t looked at their estate plan in quite some time. When baby boomers arrive at my office, they generally pull out existing wills that call for guardianships for their children (now grown adults) and name long-deceased parents as executors and trustees. This brings me to today’s topic: the top five reasons that baby boomers MUST update their estate plans. RELATIONSHIPS CHANGING Trusts and power of attorney documents might name people no longer close to you. Further, you may be in a different relationship or marriage than when you first prepared your estate plan. Blended families typical of second marriages require a thoughtful, detailed plan to prevent problems between a surviving spouse and step-relations. CHILDREN GROWING UP Your will drawn 20 years or more ago may have contemplated making distributions for your young children who are now fully grown with their own kids. You may also want to protect the inheritance you leave them from adult issues, such as divorce or lawsuits.
YOUR HEALTH While none of us like to admit it, age usually presents more health issues. You want to ensure that your healthcare surrogate documents are up to date as well as your living will that designates what you want to happen should you end up on life support with no hope of recovery. YOUR STUFF As the types and amounts of assets that we own change, it is important that our estate plan change with them. An estate plan built around a young family should look drastically different than an estate plan for someone in the prime of their working career or nearing retirement. YOUR LEGACY Many of us like to consider what kind of legacy we leave behind. It might include a charitable gift to institutions or causes near and dear to our hearts, or it might mean how we want our progeny to carry on with the wealth that we’ve accumulated. Make it a priority to dust off the will or trust that you’ve neglected
for so long and use these five points to write down what concerns you the most about your own planning. Then, take it to your attorney to provide a framework for your discussions and plans.
S a
TAKE A BREAK!
INGREDIENTS
•
1 1/2 cups plain yogurt or fat-free sour cream
• • • • • •
4 celery stalks, finely chopped 1 large white onion, finely chopped
• • •
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
4 large eggs, beaten
6 sprigs fresh dill, chopped 2 14.75-oz cans salmon packed in water
1/2 tbsp salt 1 tbsp pepper 2 tbsp olive oil
DIRECTIONS 1. In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, Dijon mustard, and dill to make the dill sauce. Set aside. 2. Drain the salmon, then remove and discard the bones and skin. In a large bowl, mix the salmon, celery, onion, eggs, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into 8 patties. Coat a medium skillet with olive oil and heat it over medium-high heat. Cook the
patties until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. 3. Put a dollop of the dill sauce on top of each patty and serve.
ANSWER ON TOP OF PAGE 4
3
(239) 265-9779
9100 College Pointe Court Fort Myers, FL 33919 (239) 265-9779
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE this issue
SUDOKU ANSWER
A Special Shout-Out to Teachers PAGE 1 Healthy Aging Through Yoga PAGE 2 When Dietary Supplements Are Necessary PAGE 2 Is Your Estate Plan Out of Date? PAGE 3 Take a Break! PAGE 3 Salmon Croquettes With Dill Sauce PAGE 3 Host an Unforgettable Murder Mystery Dinner 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.
M
h e B
Host a Murder Mystery Dinner!
Did you know May is Mystery Month? There are dozens of ways to celebrate this enigmatic occasion, from playing Clue to rewatching “Glass Onion” — but why not bring those experiences to life and host your own murder mystery dinner at home? Thanks to a plethora of kits
If your friends and family don’t like the idea of acting and dressing up,
that’s okay — you can still solve a mystery over dinner! Look into kits available through
on the market, doing so is easier than ever! WHAT IS A MURDER MYSTERY DINNER?
Unsolved Case Files (UnsolvedCaseFiles.com) or Hunt A Killer (Shop. HuntAKiller.com), which involve collaborative mystery-solving without the character work. STEP 2: CURATE YOUR GUEST LIST. Most murder mystery dinners require at least four people, while some include characters for six, eight, or more! Check the number of players on your kit and invite your most creative, analytical, theatrical, and mystery-loving friends. STEP 3: DECORATE AND PLAN THE MENU. If you choose a themed murder mystery, level up your event with a matching menu and decor! For games taking place in England, whip up a shepherd’s pie and make a cardboard cutout of Big Ben. For Havana Nights, plan a build-your-own Cubano bar and throw on an Afro-Cuban playlist. You can be as over-the-top as you like. Remember, it’s Mystery Month!
A murder mystery dinner is essentially a real-life game of Clue. You invite friends over for dinner and turn your home into the set of “Knives Out” — without the blood, of course. Each of your friends takes on the persona of a character in the story, and when one of them is “murdered,” you compete to uncover who dunnit. STEP 1: PICK YOUR KIT. Planning a murder mystery dinner from scratch would take the ingenuity of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Luckily, you have several ready- made mysteries to choose from! You can find boxes from Masters of Mystery and My Mystery Party at your local board game store, but you can find many options available online, too. Night of Mystery (NightOfMystery.com), for example, sells both in-person and virtual kits with themes ranging from ‘80s prom to Christmas homicide.
4 floridaestateplanning.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator