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QUARTER 3, 2023
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A Journey From Youth to Our Golden Years The Ever-Evolving Meaning of Independence
As we head into summer, Independence Day is upon us. As Americans we hold independence and freedom as core values. As individuals we are taught to value independence from an early age. As our parents teach us to be self-sufficient, we dream of the day we can do things our own way. I can remember being a child and constantly yearning for my independence, “When I am a grownup, I will be able to do whatever I want. I will eat a tub of chocolate frosting if I want and follow it up with raw chocolate chip cookie dough. No one will boss me around.” Of course, as a “grownup” the naivety of that thought is apparent. As adults we realize that independence is not as clear-cut and defined as we like to think. We quickly realize that with freedom comes responsibility and accountability. The government officially considers us independent when we turn 18. We’re technically adults at that point, which means that our parents are limited in what they can do for us. Without the proper documents in place, parents can’t gain access to their adult children’s medical records or even speak to medical professionals or authorities about certain situations. I recently worked with a client whose daughter experienced a mental health crisis in college. The mother received a call from her daughter’s roommate. She then called the school to get more information, but the school was unable to share any information with my client because she didn’t have the proper
documents in place. (If you want to learn more about these documents, make sure you read our article on page 2.) Most 18-year-olds do not have estate planning on their minds as they head off to college, but this is one of the most important times to prepare basic estate planning documents. Again, after we graduate college and start our working lives, our idea of independence may change again. We may have spouses or children to consider. We certainly can’t do “whatever” we want (although maybe that chocolate chip cookie dough is an option)! Now, we can’t focus solely on ourselves and our own needs. The needs of our entire family must be considered. This is a really important time to update our estate plans. Planning is the best way to provide for our children and spouse in case something unexpected happens to us. Remember that estate planning documents are meant to keep up with our lives, and we need to update them regularly. As we continue to age and the children are fully grown and out of the nest, our idea of independence changes again. This is the time when we need to start thinking about long-term care. Another estate planning update is required here so others can step in and help as needed. At this age, we really need to shake that preconceived idea of what independence truly means. When we reach our senior years, we might not be able to do as much as we used to on our
own, but that doesn’t mean that we’re not independent. Although you may need more assistance, independence can be maintained in choices and by accepting help. You may need to rely on family members more than in the past. Maybe you even need to move into a setting with more assistance. Although no one wants to move from their own home, it can sometimes give a person more independence, even if it doesn’t appear to be true at first. As it becomes more difficult to move around the world on their own, many seniors spend more and more time alone in their homes and think of it as independence. A move to an assisted living facility does not mean a complete loss of independence. It is yet another step in the ever-evolving definition of independence in our lives. Living in a supportive environment can give a senior more choices in their everyday lives than living alone in a home where it is difficult to independently manage the activities of daily living. Once we turn 18 and gain independence for the first time, it never really disappears. It just changes as we age. You don’t lose your independence; you just redefine it. And eat that cookie dough if you want! -Fiona Van Dyck
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Thought Back on Track
‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ Entertains a New Generation
Say Hello to Your Friends Again
Many modern parents grew up with “The Baby-Sitters Club,” Ann M. Martin’s beloved middle-grade book series that debuted in 1986. The novels were an instant sensation, capturing the imaginations of 8- to 14-year-olds until publishing ended in 2020. Since debuting, they spawned a 1990 television series, a 1995 movie, and endless nostalgia. And with Netflix’s 2020 reboot of the series, you can live it all over again — this time, as a family. “The Baby-Sitters Club” on Netflix garnered positive critical reviews, excitement from old fans, and interest from current tweens. The creators updated their two-season series for modern times while maintaining the beloved friendships and scenarios that made the original series so popular. And unlike most teen television programs, Netflix cast actors the same ages as their characters, making them more relatable for viewers.
For the uninitiated, “The Baby-Sitters Club” follows the wholesome exploits of several 12-year-old girls who decide to make extra money babysitting. Kristy Thomas, Mary Anne Spier, Claudia Kishi, Stacey McGill, and Dawn Schafer always have each other’s backs despite their sometimes conflicting personalities. Though babysitting plays a crucial role in the series, the main focus is on the relationships between the sitters. The television series is and isn’t the same one parents initially loved. The Netflix version includes plenty of nods to ’90s nostalgia; Alicia Silverstone plays Kristy’s mom, and the club members use a “retro” landline telephone for their business. But there’s also lots of fresh material for those meeting the babysitters for the first time.
additional nuance to the stories. Similarly, the characters’ fashion is familiar yet updated for today’s looks. The series is also set in the here and now, with cellphones, social media, and more. This adaptation keeps old and new fans in mind and works hard to please them both. Unfortunately, Netflix canceled “The Baby-Sitters Club” after two seasons, but all 18 episodes remain on the streaming service. In a time when most media targets niche audiences, this series is something the entire family can enjoy and discuss together. You might even consider reading the books alongside the episodes and sharing which version you prefer. Ultimately, “The Baby-Sitters Club” is more than a blast from the past, but a way for generations to bond over beloved characters and stories.
The episodes take titles and basic plot points from the original novels but add
EVOLVING NEEDS, UPDATED PLANS
Estate Planning for Life’s Milestones
If you read our cover article, you learned how the definition of independence changes as we age and reach new milestones in our lives. These milestones also give us the best opportunities to update our estate plans. Here, we’ll discuss some of the most common milestones and the estate planning updates you’ll need to make to keep you and your family covered. Reaching Adulthood You’re finally 18, which means you have much more freedom than ever before. The government now considers you an adult, restricting your parents or guardians from accessing critical information in the future. Anyone who reaches 18 should have a durable power of attorney and an advance directive with a health care proxy. These documents authorize parents to make medical decisions and manage financial affairs if their 18-year-old child becomes incapacitated or unable to make decisions. Getting Married and Having a Family Your wedding day is likely one of the happiest days of your life. Oftentimes, your spouse becomes the most important person in your life. After your wedding,
consider changing your primary decision maker to your spouse so they can make medical and financial decisions for you if needed. You should also prepare or update your last will and testament to your spouse and children so they receive your assets if you pass away. This is an excellent time to update your beneficiary designations as well. If you get divorced, you should review all these documents to ensure everything is how you want it. Retirement You’ve retired from work and are now looking toward your golden years. With time, you’ll need your children’s help more and more often. Now is the best time to look over your estate planning documents to ensure everything is in order. Set up strong powers of attorney and advance directives with health care proxies, review your last will and testament and other estate planning documents, and create a plan to protect your assets from the cost of long-term medical care. You should update your estate plan every five years or as you hit various milestones. If you need help with your estate plan, give us a call today!
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STOP ELDER ABUSE IN ITS TRACKS
The National Center for Elder Abuse estimates that 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 60 has experienced some form of elder abuse in their lives. This number can be concerning if you are a senior or have a close senior in your life. Thankfully, there are strategies you can implement to lessen the risk of having someone you care about fall victim to elder abuse. Keep up communication. If your elderly loved ones live on their own or in an assisted living facility, you should check in with them regularly. This will give you an opportunity to check on their health and ensure that they’re being well taken care of. Talk with them about the tactics scammers may use to swindle them out of their hard-earned money. Tell them to be cautious when opening emails or answering phone calls from unknown individuals. They should also know to never give out their Social Security number or banking information to anyone online or on the phone. Pay attention to their finances and well-being. Do you know how your loved one regularly spends their free time and money? If not, you should figure it out sooner rather than later so you can catch anything unusual that could be elder abuse. Look through their monthly statements to see if they’re paying frequent or large payments that are concerning. Also, review their financial documents, such as their life insurance policy and investment Sazon Grilled Chicken Thighs How to Help Your Loved Ones
accounts, to ensure everything is in order. If necessary, you may need to consolidate their accounts to make them more manageable. Get to know the people around them. If your loved one doesn’t live with you, you should take some time to get to know the people they spend the most time with. This can include any close friends, caretakers, and health care aides. These individuals need to be trustworthy. If you have any doubts about them, speak with your loved one or hire a replacement if applicable. If you believe you or a loved one have been a victim of elder abuse, seek help from law enforcement and give us a call to see how we can assist.
TAKE A BREAK
INGREDIENTS • 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp cumin • 1 tsp ground coriander • 1 tsp turmeric • 1/2 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp oregano • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional) • 1/2 tsp salt • Freshly ground black pepper
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, add chicken, olive oil, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic powder, oregano, cayenne pepper (if desired), salt, and pepper. Toss together to coat chicken; let it marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. 2. Preheat grill to 400 F. Grill chicken thighs for 6–8 minutes per side or until fully cooked and an internal thermometer reads 165 F.
3. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and
BARBECUE CONCERT
PARK POOL SHADE STARGAZING TRAVEL VACATION
cover with foil to keep warm, then chop into bite-size pieces to use in salads, tacos, bowls, and more!
FISHING FOURTH INDEPENDENCE LARKSPUR
Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com
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Inside 1 2
Independence Across the Ages
How ‘The Babysitters Club’ Spans Generations Adapt Your Estate Plan for Every Stage of Life
Safeguard Loved Ones From Elder Abuse Sazon Grilled Chicken Thighs Take a Break
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Solo Travel Not Your Thing?
The More, the Merrier! Experience the Joy of Group Travel
Now that most countries have returned to their pre-COVID-19 travel norms, taking a jaunt around the globe is a great way to take a much-needed break. But doing it alone can seem overwhelming, especially when it comes to planning the details of a trip. That’s why managed travel groups have become popular among middle-aged adults. And no matter which travel agency or website you book through, traveling with a group offers many benefits you can’t get if you go alone. Here are a few! Trip planning becomes stress-free. Traveling abroad can be exhilarating, but planning the details of your trip can be daunting. Flights, hotels, and local attractions all require research and individual reservations, so all the moving parts may be difficult to keep track of — and even more expensive. With managed group tours, the
price you pay for the trip includes all those pesky planning details.
Local guides know their stuff. Taking a tour of the local
a few new friends you’ll get to know over the upcoming days. Meeting new people can be challenging in our normal lives due to our routines, but a managed travel group creates a close-knit environment where you spend enough time with people to bond, laugh, and share a few stories. Set a budget, and stick to it. Most travel companies charge an upfront price that encompasses all the expenses you’d typically spend during your trip, including flights, hotels, and activities. This means that when you shop for a group trip to book, you can decide how much you want to spend ahead of time. You never have to worry about going over budget and finding a surprise on your credit card bill.
attractions in any country can give visitors a deeper understanding and connection to the culture. However, if you don’t know where to find those local attractions, guiding yourself through a city or town might deprive you of insider knowledge or interesting details. With managed group travel, the tours are already arranged for you to enjoy, with local guides who know the best places to visit for an authentic experience. Some groups even employ scholars to travel with you to provide interesting lectures and tours. Group travel is an easy way to make new friends. When you meet with your travel group at your destination, you’ve automatically made
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