Van Dyck Law - Quarter 4 2020

Take a look at the latest newsletter from Van Dyck Law!

VanDyckLaw

VANDYCKFIRM.COM

QUARTER 4 2020

How I Got Over My Fears and Can Help You With Yours, Too ‘Challenge Accepted’

Being that Halloween is almost upon us, the idea of fear, and the things that I’ve found scary throughout my life, are easy to bring to mind. When I was young, up until I was in high school, I was terrified of bugs and insects. I wouldn’t touch them, and I wouldn’t go near them at all costs. But, because of one project in my honors biology class, I had to change that. Unbeknownst to me when I signed up for honors biology, there was a section on entomology — the study of insects. The culmination of this section was a bug collecting project. I would have to collect as many different insects as I could find, put them in a “kill jar,” which would, well, kill them, and then pin them to a display board with the correct identification information.

minute I heard there would be a prize, my first thought was ‘challenge accepted.’ I carried that kill jar with me everywhere. Anytime I saw an insect, instead of letting fear put me in a corner, I cornered the insect, grabbed it, and added it to my ever-growing collection. I ended up winning the prize and getting a good grade to boot. But the real long-lasting reward of that project was that it helped me conquer my fear of insects. In fact, now I’m something of an insect wrangler. I have no fear of spiders and other creepy crawlers. If they’re not supposed to be there, wherever they are, you can count on me to get rid of them.

“Anyone who knows me well can tell you that I’m probably the most competitive person on the planet. So, the minute I heard there would be a prize, my first thought was ‘challenge accepted.’”

Exposing myself to the source of my fear helped me conquer the fear itself. Before that project, I was scared of bugs in concept. Once I realized they weren’t really all that scary, my false concept of bugs faded away. I see something similar happen with many of my clients. They come to me with estate planning problems that they believe are unsolvable (I call these the “rocky road” cases — full of obstacles and nuts) and that they’re scared to even begin tackling. However, many of their fears about the estate planning process are like my fear of insects — they exist only in concept, and in practice, they can get through them with my help.

My rocky road cases are also where my desire to take on any seemingly impossible task comes into play. If you come to me with an estate planning problem that you believe is unsolvable, it won’t deter me — it will only make me more determined to find a solution. When it comes to getting your estate plan in order, no matter how scary that road might seem, I’ll just say “challenge accepted,” and start down that road with you. -Fiona Van Dyck

The entire ordeal sounded horrific to me, but two things caused me to soldier on. First, my grade depended on my completion of the project. Second, my teacher was offering a prize to whomever could collect the largest variety of insects. Anyone who knows me well can tell you that I’m probably the most competitive person on the planet. So, the

609-580-1044

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com

DOES VITAMIN D HELP OUR BONES AND OUR MUSCLES? APreviously Unknown Benefit of Vitamin D

As the weather cools and the days get shorter, we can’t rely as much on the sun for our daily dose of vitamin D. The primary function of vitamin D is regulating the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are necessary for strengthening our bones and teeth, which becomes increasingly important as we age and our bones naturally become more brittle. While these benefits of vitamin D are well documented, did you know that getting your daily dose of vitamin D can also contribute to healthier muscles? A few years ago, researchers published a study that seemed to show that vitamin D could potentially help people gain muscle mass. While the research team said their results weren’t conclusive, their findings were certainly interesting.

Vitamin D enters the body in an inactive form. It doesn’t become active until it comes in contact with the right enzymes in either the liver or the kidneys. To learn more about what factors affect this vitamin’s rate of absorption and activation in the body, researchers observed the levels of inactive vitamin D in 116 women ages 20–74. What they found was that women with higher muscle mass had lower levels of inactive vitamin D, while women with lower muscle mass had higher levels of inactive vitamin D. The conclusion researchers drew was that active vitamin D might help optimize muscle strength. While that conclusion is not ironclad, vitamin D’s other well-known benefits still make it worth getting your daily dose. It can aid weight loss, enhance mood, support cardiovascular health, boost the immune system, and strengthen bones,

among many other benefits. So, its potential muscle-boosting properties are just another reason to get more vitamin D. To get more of this important vitamin in your diet, try adding salmon, mushrooms, and even canned tuna to your menu. Also, as winter approaches, it might be time to start taking a vitamin D supplement. Whether you’re 20 or 74 years old, it’s never too late to find ways to strengthen your muscles.

Upcoming (Virtual) Events

BECOME A CERTIFIED DE Van Dyck Law is proud to offer the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Seminar for health care professionals in The Education Center at Van Dyck Law. This is the required seminar for those who are eligible to pursue certification as a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) or for those who just want to enhance their dementia education! This seminar is suited to health care professionals and those valuable front- line staff with training or experience in a geriatric care setting who are eligible to apply for the Certified Dementia Practitioner designation. The seminar is valuable to nurses, CNAs, geriatric care managers, social workers, administrators, facility owners, OTs, PTs, speech therapists, activities staff, as well as therapeutic recreation and pastoral care personnel.

AT THE EDUCATION CENTER AT VAN DYCK LAW

Nov. 18: Creating a Gratitude Practice During Challenging Times Time: 10 a.m. Dec. 9: Holiday Stress for the Family Caregiver Time: 10 a.m. Other Information: This is a virtual presentation. Dec. 17: What You Need to Know for the Second Half of Life Time: 11 a.m. If there is a topic you would like to hear more about through The Education Center, we will do our best to make sure that topic gets on our calendar. For any questions about these events or the Education Center in general, call (609) 580-1044.

While you might still be hesitant about leaving your home for unnecessary trips around town, you can still participate in any of these upcoming events through The Education Center at Van Dyck Law since they will be available to attend virtually. If some of these events interest you, stay up to date on the latest info on our website and social media.

Oct. 14: Dementia and Driving Time: 10 a.m.

Oct. 21: Grieving the Living Time: 10 a.m.

Nov. 4: The Gift of Gratitude Time: 2 p.m.

VANDYCKFIRM.COM

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com

Tips for Communicating With Loved Ones With Dementia It Doesn’t Have to Be Frustrating

BE PATIENT AND LISTEN While this tip might seem intuitive, it can be incredibly hard to listen well — especially if your loved one takes a long time to answer a simple question. While you shouldn’t try to hurry their response along, you can suggest words if they seem stuck. Ultimately, though, what will mean the most to them is for you to listen and truly consider their words before responding. You should watch for any nonverbal cues and body language, and take those into account when responding. If you’re trying to help a family member who has been diagnosed with dementia, the road ahead might seem impossible. However, you should remember you’re not alone, and there are people who can help you. At Van Dyck Law, we can answer questions about making a plan with regard to your loved one’s condition. Call us today at (609) 580-1044.

Conversing with a loved one who has dementia can feel frustrating and time-consuming sometimes, but it doesn’t have to feel that way. By guiding the conversation and curating the environment for that conversation in a few key ways, you can make your conversations with loved ones with dementia not only bearable but also enjoyable and meaningful. Here are a few tips for your next conversation. KEEP DISTRACTIONS TO A MINIMUM When you want to talk to your loved one, find somewhere quiet and away from all the hustle and bustle. Turn off the TV and the radio and avoid crowded areas in cafes, restaurants, or stores. Instead, try to find somewhere less noisy, where it’s easy for you to hear one another, and where your loved one can focus fully on the conversation at hand. KEEP YOUR QUESTIONS SIMPLE Questions that people without dementia might find simple could be overwhelming to your loved one, causing them to become agitated. Even just asking them what they would like to eat, or what they want to wear can present too many choices. Instead, try asking them yes or no questions, such as whether they would like to wear a striped shirt or a polka-dotted shirt. Having simple choices with visual cues is far less frustrating for them.

Classic Pumpkin Soup

EMENTIA PRACTITIONER! This class is approved for eight continuing education credits for social workers, nurses*, certified assisted living administrators, licensed nursing home administrators, certified case managers, and certified activity directors. Please visit VanDyckFirm.com/cdp or reach out to Sheli Monacchio, director of Life Care Resources, for more information. Fiona Van Dyck, Esq., and Sheli are certified trainers (CADDCT) of this seminar, and we welcome our partners to contact us to schedule a private, socially distanced seminar for your team. *Nursing CE contact hours are available through CEU Network for a nominal fee paid to CEU Network. Such fees are not included in this seminar. It is the responsibility of the participant to send the additional fee to the CEU Network.

Pumpkins aren’t just for pie — they make delicious soup, too! This fall, try your hand at this healthy soup recipe and warm up with a bowl.

INGREDIENTS • 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 shallots, diced • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 2 1/4 cups pumpkin purée (homemade or canned) • 2 cups vegetable broth

• 1 cup canned light coconut milk • 2 tbsp honey • 1/4 tsp sea salt • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1/4 tsp cinnamon • 1/4 tsp nutmeg

DIRECTIONS 1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, sauté olive oil, shallots, and garlic for 2–3 minutes. 2. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer. 3. Transfer the soup to a blender and purée. Pour the blended soup back into the pan. 4. Cook over medium-low heat for 5–10 minutes. Taste and add additional seasoning as desired, then serve!

Inspired by MinimalistBaker.com

609-580-1044

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

707 State Road,, Suite 102 Princeton, NJ 08540 VANDYCKFIRM.COM | 609-580-1044

Inside 1 2

‘Challenge Accepted’

A Previously Unknown Benefit of Vitamin D Upcoming Events Through the Education Center Tips for Communicating With Loved Ones With Dementia Classic Pumpkin Soup

3 4

3 Healthy Spices to Try This Fall

THE BEST FALL SPICES TO BOOST YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH

It’s the season of fall spices. Pumpkin spice — which is actually a mix of many different seasonal spices — is a favorite, but it’s not the only one we should try this year. Seasonal spices are a fun way to literally spice up your meals, and many of them also have surprising health benefits! SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART: CINNAMON Cinnamon can actually help lower your blood sugar levels, which is especially beneficial for folks with Type 2 diabetes. The Johns Hopkins Medicine website also reports that cinnamon has heart- healthy benefits. For example, studies show that cinnamon can reduce high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thus decreasing the risk of developing heart disease. How to add more cinnamon to your diet: Sprinkle cinnamon on oatmeal or plain yogurt for a warming boost of flavor. You’ll also find cinnamon in pumpkin spice, a seasonal favorite. SOMETHING FOR YOUR BRAIN: TURMERIC Recent research has found that turmeric can reduce inflammation. A compound in turmeric called curcumin has been shown to help reduce the pain and swelling associated with arthritis. The

anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric may also help reduce inflammation in the brain, which has been linked to depression and Alzheimer’s. How to add more turmeric to your diet: Homemade curries are a great way to get a good dose of turmeric. You can also add turmeric to roasted vegetables or taco seasoning. SOMETHING FOR YOUR STOMACH: GINGER If you’ve ever drunk ginger ale on a plane to calm your upset stomach, then you’ve already experienced the healing properties of ginger. Ginger can be used to treat nausea, including nausea due to motion sickness and pregnancy. Studies show that ginger can also offer relief to cancer patients suffering from nausea caused by chemotherapy. How to add more ginger to your diet: There are many baked goods that call for ginger. Your morning coffee or tea could also benefit from a hint of ginger.

These are just a few spices that are also superfoods! Do some research to discover the secret benefits of your favorite spices.