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www.MonteforteLaw.com (978) 653-4092 Practical wisdom, trusted advice.
November 2021
Providing Support REMEMBERING MY GRANDFATHER AND OUR MISSION
If you’re a longtime reader of this newsletter, then you know just how influential my grandparents were to my family and my career. They taught me the value of helping others, gave me a healthy appreciation for all Boston sports, and were my biggest supporters. They were also my inspiration for starting Monteforte Law, P.C., and every day, I try to honor their legacy. The very nature of the work we do at this firm is inspired by my grandfather. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and we watched him slowly become a different person as the disease took over. It was devastating to watch the man we all knew become someone who barely recognized us, especially as those “good days” became less frequent. Going through that, and wanting to ensure that families in similar situations were in a better position to live with and fight this disease, inspired me to open Monteforte Law, P.C. Today, Alzheimer’s awareness is at the very core of what we do. I centered the firm’s work around creating legal documents — like designation of powers of attorney, medical directives, and wills — that protect families, legacies, and older adults from loss of wealth and uncertainty as they navigate a chronic illness, aging, or death. For families living with Alzheimer’s, this can be crucial. As the disease progresses, a person’s cognitive abilities are compromised, but without tools like medical directives, it can be incredibly difficult to ensure a patient’s wishes are met during this time. This can add more stress, grief, and pain to families already coping with very difficult circumstances.
Tune Into ‘Mike’s Mic’! I started a podcast! On every episode, I provide support and guidance to listeners on some aspect of elder law, including an overview of in-home care and guidance on making the right decisions for your family. If you’re looking for more support, I encourage you to tune in! Listen to “Mike’s Mic” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening!
These documents are essential for older adults — particularly those with Alzheimer’s. But our goal at Monteforte Law, P.C. is to add to this value.
Because of my family history, I know seeking legal assistance after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be difficult. Often, experts speak about the person with the disease rather than talking directly to them, diminishing their existence. At Monteforte Law, all of our employees are taught to treat each client with patience and to never dismiss a client with dementia simply because they may be having a “bad day.” Understanding that these clients may need a little more patience and guidance than others is critical to making families and those with Alzheimer’s feel supported. This is also why I ask that all of my employees undergo Alzheimer’s training within their first few days at the firm. This is such an important opportunity for them to learn empathy and best practices for helping our clients and their families receive the services they need with care and compassion. By the time you read this newsletter, our team will have also participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association. This is a great event to fund research, and we’re honored to participate in it every year. It’s touching to see the tributes to those we have lost to this disease, and the support is overwhelming. As the grandson of a man who had Alzheimer’s and an attorney who represents many others in similar situations, I’m honored to do what I can to battle this devastating disease. It’s a painful diagnosis — one that I wish we could eradicate — but my hope is that the work we do here at Monteforte Law makes the process a little easier.
If there’s any way we can help you or your family do just that, give us a call today. We’re in this fight together.
–Mike Monteforte Jr.
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Overcoming the Impossible Task Improving Your Mental Health One Step at a Time
Almost everyone at some point has encountered a task that is seemingly simple, but no matter what they do, they can’t complete it. These tasks can be as straightforward as making the bed or something bigger, like cleaning an entire room. For many, this is an obstacle that they may want to do but can’t, which weighs heavily on them and becomes detrimental to their mental health. It’s important to understand that the impossible task is not a sign of laziness; depression and anxiety can make any task feel much bigger and more difficult than it actually is. If you find yourself unable to do the things you need or want to do, try these techniques to help overcome your obstacles.
area of the house or folding a basket of laundry may earn you time to play video games or watch TV. Alternating tasks and rewards is a great way to overcome any task, big or small. It can help to consider why the task feels so impossible, especially if you used to enjoy it. Try to remember what made it enjoyable and see if you can return to that state of mind. If the objective is not so urgent, determine its importance and if the task can be saved for another day. When all else fails, you can always ask someone for support or even pay someone else to do the task for you. No matter what you decide, there are ways to defeat the impossible task.
Break up the task.
When the overarching task feels daunting, breaking it up into smaller segments can help you manage it. If you’re cleaning the kitchen, clean for only a few minutes at a time before taking a break. It might take longer, but the space will be clean at the end of the day.
Make the task more enjoyable.
Play music or involve your pet in some way to make the task fun or create a reward system for yourself. For example, tidying a specific
Thanksgiving Dinner for All How to Cook for Diabetics and Vegans on Turkey Day
for diabetics as overeating, so it’s important to include appetizers in your Thanksgiving menu. Healthy options include raw vegetables and hummus, roasted nuts, shrimp cocktail, or a cheeseboard. For the main meal, turkey is fine if you hold off on any brown sugar or honey glaze. Green bean casserole is safe as well, and stuffing can be included as long as you use whole-grain bread. For dessert, parfaits made with Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, and sliced almonds are healthy and tasty and can round out the perfect meal.
Alongside family and football, food is often the highlight of Thanksgiving. But if you’re cooking dinner for a large group, crafting the perfect menu can be difficult. Veganism and vegetarianism are more popular than ever, and it can be frustrating finding dishes that everyone can enjoy — or even eat at all, in the case of a diabetic friend or family member. Luckily, there are plenty of options to create an amazing meal for any group of diverse diners.
Diabetics
Thanksgiving is a stressful time for anyone who monitors their blood sugar. Sweet potato casserole and sugar-packed pies can tempt even the most diet-conscious diabetic. But undereating can be as unhealthy
Vegans
The best thing about cooking Thanksgiving for a vegan is that there are plenty of substitutes for classic dishes. Vegan turkeys are available at most grocery stores. It may not look like your traditional turkey since there are no bones, but it still cooks and tastes like a turkey. If a vegan turkey is out of the question, you can try making a mushroom Wellington or roasted cauliflower as a replacement. For side dishes, vegan macaroni and cheese and roasted Brussels sprouts are easy and safe. As for dessert, most grocery stores carry a variety of gluten-free and vegan desserts at their bakery, such as nondairy ice cream and flourless cookies, that taste similar or identical to their gluten-filled, non-vegan counterparts.
The holidays are a great time to come together, and with these options, you can make everyone feel included in the celebration.
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TAKE A BREAK
CAN YOU LEGALLY MOVE
A STATE’S BORDER?
THESE OREGON COUNTIES HOPE SO
Earlier this year, several counties in Eastern Oregon voted to break away from the Beaver State and join their next-door neighbor, Idaho. Led by a grassroots organization called Citizens for Greater Idaho (or Greater Idaho, for short), this push to move the Oregon-Idaho border further west was fueled by an urban/ rural and liberal/conservative divide within the state. In short, rural Oregonians, who are mostly conservative, don’t feel like their state government, which leans liberal, represents their interests. However, rather than leave their homes and livelihoods behind for a government that better represents their values, they’ve decided they want to bring Idaho’s values and government to them. While the social and political dimensions of this movement are fascinating, the more pragmatic question of whether moving a state border is possible at all is an essential element to explore. What do legal experts say about the possibility of moving Oregon’s state border? Well, proponents of the move shouldn’t hold their breath. While some counties have “voted” to leave Oregon, those votes don’t hold any legal power. They’re more like a poll, gauging interest in an idea before further action is taken. To make Greater Idaho a reality, however, both state legislatures and the United States Congress will have to approve the move. Idaho’s state border is enshrined in its constitution, which means that in order for the borders to change, so would the state’s founding document. It’s a tall bar to clear, but state borders have moved before. In 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that much of Ellis Island actually belonged to New Jersey rather than New York. The mere legal possibility, plus the affirmation of some representatives in the Idaho state government, including Governor Brad Little, is enough for Greater Idaho to continue hoping that they’ll have a say in the kind of government they want to have.
EASY PUMPKIN BROWNIES
Inspired by TheCookieRookie.com
If you have a hard time choosing between chocolate cake and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, this 2-for-1 treat will knock your socks off.
Ingredients
• 1/2 can pumpkin purée • 6 oz cream cheese, softened • 3 tbsp sugar • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 box brownie mix, plus other ingredients listed on box • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Directions
1. Preheat the oven as directed on the brownie box, then make the brownie mix. Fold in chocolate chips. 2. In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin purée, cream cheese, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. 3. Choose your pan as directed on the brownie box. Grease it if needed. 4. Pour half of the brownie mix into the pan and spread evenly. 5. Add the pumpkin mixture to the pan, evenly or in a pattern. Cover with the rest of the brownie mix and spread evenly. 6. Bake as directed on the brownie box, adding 10 minutes to account for the pumpkin. Test for doneness, and when your toothpick comes out clean, cool and enjoy!
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(978) 653-4092 www.MonteforteLaw.com 300 TradeCenter, Suite 5640 Woburn, MA 01801 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Mike Honors the Firm’s Purpose for Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
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Overcoming the Impossible Task Thanksgiving Dinner That Everyone Can Enjoy
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Easy Pumpkin Brownies Can You Legally Move a State’s Border?
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How COVID-19 Worsened America’s Opioid Crisis
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How COVID-19 Worsened America’s Opioid Crisis Lockdowns Made Things Tough
have gone up for men and women of every race and age, and the numbers aren’t slowing down.
Since the mid-1990s, over 500,000 deaths have been attributed to opioids. Many factors fueled the problem: corporate greed, economic recession, and changing attitudes toward pain treatments. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which escalated the opioid crisis to untold levels. Data released by the National Center for Health Statistics on July 14 show a large increase in overdose deaths. Between December 2019 and
The question still lingers — why have opioid deaths increased during the pandemic?
The first reason focuses on the lockdowns. Many people were furloughed or completely cut off from work. This led to isolation, which is unhealthy for most people. For those already using opioids, they had more free time to use and their habits only grew worse.
Then, hospitals became overloaded during the pandemic. Those already recovering from addiction found it more difficult to get medical treatment when the pandemic started. Most medical attention focused on COVID-19 patients, and many former opioid users fell to the wayside. The impact was even worse if they had lost their job — which led some people to return to old habits. As the pandemic continues to rage on, the opioid crisis has not waned. It could take years for opioid use to level out. And that assumes it won’t continue to increase.
December 2020, more than 93,000 Americans died from drug overdoses. That’s nearly 29.4% higher than the previous 12 months. This means that, on average, 255 Americans were dying from overdoses every day. One of the most notable things about the opioid crisis during the pandemic is the increase in death by overdose throughout the country. States like West Virginia have always been at the center of the crisis, but states like California, Arizona, and Colorado have seen shocking increases in overdoses. Opioid-related deaths
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