Check out our latest edition!
Peace of Mind Post MAR 2023
It’s All About Being Patient and Mindful How to Communicate With Your Loved Ones
them, make eye contact while talking and call them by their name. You should also be aware of your tone, how loud your voice is, how you look at the person, and your body language. To encourage your loved one to communicate with you, offer easy-to-follow instructions and repeat them if necessary. You can even use different words if your loved one doesn’t understand what you’re saying. Instead of pointing out mistakes, suggest a new method or limit the number of choices when asking a question. Communicating and caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be challenging for both parties involved. However, if you listen to their needs and remain sensitive and patient, you will find a method that works best for you both. If you would like more information on the strategies you can use as you adapt to your role as an Alzheimer’s or dementia caregiver, visit TrinityElderLaw.com/470-2 to receive your FREE copy of my book, “You’re Not Alone: Living as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver.” Or you can stop by the office and speak to someone from our team. We will be happy to assist you during this time.
Additionally, be sure you’re not speaking too fast or using compound sentences. It may be more difficult for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia to comprehend what you’re saying if you string together multiple ideas in one sentence or if you tend to speak faster.
Recently, I’ve had more people coming to the firm who care for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia. They want my team’s help with estate planning, understanding their care treatment options, and how to plan and prepare for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. When interacting with these clients, we have to engage with them
By participating in additional training, my team and I are learning ways to effectively communicate and listen to our clients so we can tend to their needs in a way that works best for them. It shows how much we care about our clients and their circumstances. But I know that communicating with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients occurs outside
differently to understand their needs better and serve them to the best of our abilities. Amy and I are certified dementia practitioners, and Megan, our new care coordinator, is currently pursuing the certification. But I wanted to provide my team with additional training on better communication and care for our dementia and Alzheimer’s clients when we meet with them.
You don’t have to have ears like Betty the Donkey to be a good listener.
our firm. So, my team and I like to provide resources and strategies to our clients caring for their loved ones with this disease. So, here are additional tips you can use daily while caring for your loved ones. Individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s may struggle to find the right words, lose their train of thought, or have a hard time paying attention during long conversations. I understand it can be frustrating, but please be patient with your loved ones — they are doing their best! While engaging with
During our training, we learned about the 90-second rule. Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients process and absorb information slower than we do — and sometimes, we may forget this. So, when we ask them a question or share a statement, it’s vital to wait at least 90 seconds for them to process the information and respond. I know what you’re thinking: “Ninety seconds isn’t that long of a wait!” But when you’re sitting there for a minute and a half, it can seem like an eternity. Some of us may feel like silence within a conversation is uncomfortable — but it doesn’t have to be. Be patient, and keep in mind you are providing enough time to engage and converse effectively.
We Would Love to Hear From You!
If you have any great experiences or stories from your time working with Trinity Elder Law, we would love to hear from you! Please leave a Google Review to let others know about your experience. Thank you for your continued support — we wouldn’t be where we are today without all of you. 1 724.256.8850
As life expectancy continues to increase, the need for long- term care will also rise. Because of this, some people may begin to worry about how they will pay for these expenses. But did you know that Medicaid can cover long-term care costs? Unfortunately, many misconceptions surround this topic, and some people are confused about what Medicaid covers. Here’s what you need to know. While Medicaid can provide financial assistance to those in a nursing home or assisted living facility, it can also cover at- home care. If you receive or need home health care, Medicaid will cover the expenses of your caregiver, therapy services, and any assistance you need with cooking meals, bathing, cleaning, and other daily activities. However, your health care provider will have to outline these needs as a part of your care for it to be covered by Medicaid. Myth No. 1: Medicaid only covers long-term care if you’re in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Myth No. 2: You can’t have any financial resources to qualify for Medicaid to cover long-term care. There are four requirements to receive long-term care from Medicaid: you’re a resident of the state where you want benefits from, you’re 65 years old or have a permanent disability, you have had difficulty performing daily activities for more than three months, and your monthly income and assets are under a specific dollar amount. 3 Misconceptions to Look Ou Medicaid Can Cover Long-
Cars are an American way of life, but they don’t come cheap. Motor vehicles are many families’ highest-value assets, second only to their homes. With the high cost of purchasing and repairing a car, many consumers feel comforted that lemon laws are on the books to protect them. Unfortunately, they may not cover as much as you think. At the federal level, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects consumers who purchase a new product worth more than $25 that includes a written warranty. Under the law, manufacturers must Fresh Off the Lot Understanding Your Rights as a Car Buyer
follow specific stipulations and can face a lawsuit for not abiding by their own terms and conditions regarding a defective product. Meanwhile, the Uniform
Commercial Code entitles consumers to refunds or replacements for “lemon” products. But crucially, it is up to the courts to decide whether or not a product is a lemon. Additional lemon laws exist at the state level that vary in their scope.
Most assign a limited time window in which consumers can report problems and get
Puzzle Time!
free repairs. Generally speaking, the manufacturer must make several good-faith efforts at repair and then offer a replacement or refund if the problem persists. The buyer can sue those that refuse to comply. But most Americans don’t buy new cars. In 2021, roughly 73% of all car purchases were for used vehicles. Consumers have less stringent rights under these purchases. Dealerships selling used cars must include a “buyer’s guide” on the car’s side window disclosing important information and buyer’s rights. But used cars do not necessarily have a warranty. Most states allow “as-is” purchases through dealerships, which means the consumer receives no guarantee that the product will function. Further, all private used car sales operate under an “as-is” rule unless the seller opts explicitly to provide a warranty. Consumers must be cautious in as-is sales, as they have no right to return the vehicle to the seller, even if it breaks down immediately. Always source a vehicle history report before making the purchase. You should also ideally take the car to a mechanic before buying. If the dealership or private seller will not allow a mechanic’s inspection, it is usually safer to find another vehicle. If you make a poor decision about your used car purchase, the law will often not protect you.
Answer:
2 www.TrinityElderLaw.com
-Term Care!
It’s the Luck of the Irish!
ut For
Several factors are considered when determining the
4 Facts About St. Patrick’s Day
dollar amount you have to fall in when looking at Medicaid for
long-term care. Additionally, Pennsylvania has a “medically
In honor of this special day, we wanted to highlight some facts about St. Patrick and the holiday that’s named after him. Here are four tidbits that stood out to us! Saint Patrick was British, and his name wasn’t originally Patrick. In 390, Maewyn Succat was born in England, Scotland, or Wales — no one knows for sure. When he was 16, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland. Once he escaped from slavery and traveled to Gaul (which is now modern-day France), Maewyn converted to Christianity. Maewyn became a priest shortly after, eventually becoming a bishop. As bishop, he changed his name to Patrick. Then, in 432, he traveled back to Ireland as a missionary to spread Christianity to its people. While in the country, Patrick abolished the Druids’ pagan rites and helped convert thousands of people to Christianity. After he passed away, Ireland claimed Patrick to be their patron saint. March 17 is not St. Patrick’s birthday. Each year, people worldwide celebrate this holiday to honor St. Patrick and the impact he had on Ireland’s citizens. However, some may think we celebrate on March 17 because it’s his birthday. But according to the legend, this is actually the day St. Patrick died. Green was considered an unlucky color. Initially, the color blue was associated with St. Patrick and symbolized Ireland, as green was seen as a bad luck color. So, why is green now associated with Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day? Several Irish rebellions occurred when Ireland was fighting for independence from English rule, and the rebels’ uniforms were dark green. When Irish immigrants traveled to the U.S., they talked about the importance of green as part of their history, and it spread around the country to eventually become St. Patrick’s Day’s official color. The First St. Patrick’s Day parade didn’t happen in Ireland. On March 17, 1601, the first-ever St. Patrick’s Day parade occurred in what is now St. Augustine, Florida. However, hosting a citywide parade didn’t become popular until a century later, when Irish troops serving the English army marched in the streets of Boston and New York City in 1737 and 1762.
needy only” medical assistance program that helps seniors over the income limit. Because it is so complex, it’s best to contact your local Medicaid office or reach out to an elder law attorney who provides long-term care services.
Myth No. 3: Medicare and Medicaid can be used interchangeably.
If you were to research long-term care with Medicare, you would find different results than if you searched Medicaid. The expenses covered by Medicare or Medicaid are also different and use different requirements. Therefore, it’s best not to use these two terms interchangeably. Applying for long-term care with Medicaid is confusing. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this alone. We will be happy to help you in any way we can. Please call our office today if you have any questions or concerns.
Classic Cabbage Rolls Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
• •
1 medium head cabbage 1 1/2 cups chopped onion, divided
•
1 1/2 tsp salt, divided
• • • • • •
1 cup cooked rice 1/4 cup ketchup
• •
1 tbsp butter
2 14.5-oz cans Italian stewed tomatoes
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp pepper
• •
4 garlic cloves, minced 2 tbsp brown sugar
1 lb lean (90%) ground beef
1/4 lb Italian sausage
Directions
1. In a Dutch oven, cook cabbage in boiling water for 10 minutes; drain. Rinse in cold water; drain. Remove 8 large outer leaves; set aside. 2. In a large saucepan, sauté 1 cup onion in butter. Add tomatoes, garlic, brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Simmer sauce for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. In a large bowl, combine rice, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and remaining onion and salt. Crumble beef and sausage over mixture and mix. 4. Remove thick vein from cabbage leaves for easier rolling. Place 1/2 cup meat mixture on each leaf; fold in sides. Starting at an unfolded edge, roll leaf to completely enclose filling. Place rolls seam side down in a skillet. Top with sauce. 5. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low; cook 20 minutes longer or until a thermometer inserted reads 160 F.
Did you know any of these fun facts? Is there any information you would like to share? We would love to hear from you.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone!
3 724.256.8850
P.O. Box 154 ● Renfrew, PA 16053 724.256.8850 www.TrinityElderLaw.com
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Inside
1
Have You Heard of the 90-Second Rule?
2
Your Rights When Purchasing a Car 3 Myths Regarding Medicaid Covering Long-Term Care Classic Cabbage Rolls Green Was Initially Considered an Unlucky Color!
3
4
How a Cat Saved Her Humans’ Lives
Schnautzie Saves the Day
Facing a Gas Leak, She Thought Fast
her bathroom, pumping gas into the basement. “The gas was just fuming,” Trudy remembered. “Our house was saturated in a short time.” The Guys quickly vacated the house with Schnautzie in tow and called the fire department. Only upon the rescue workers’ arrival did the Guys realize the extent of the danger they had faced. While the gas alone could have killed them, it was also an unseasonably frigid night in October. Had the heater or water tank turned on, it would have ignited the fumes and caused an explosion. Schnautzie was a hero to the Guys, but extra treats and a permanent home were thanks enough for her. Still, she received a bit more than that in 2010. The Great Falls Animal Foundation learned how Schnautzie had saved the day and decided to honor her with the Purple Paw Award. While Schnautzie appreciated the thought, Greg said she didn’t enjoy the reception. “She’s shy around strangers,” he explained. But there’s no doubt that Schnautzie deserved her award. Sally Cerny of the animal foundation told Catster.com that the Purple Paw is given to pets who uniquely demonstrate the bond between animals and humans. And, she concluded, “There’s no more special way to show that than to save your family.”
Besides a fire, a gas leak is one of the worst things that can happen in the middle
of the night. Fortunately for one Montana couple in 2007, Schnautzie the cat was on the case. She woke up her owners to alert them to the danger, preventing a deadly — and explosive — tragedy.
People magazine reported that Greg and Trudy Guy adopted Schnautzie from a local pet store in April 2007. They’d gone with hopes of adopting a puppy but instead fell in love with a tiny black kitten. The couple only intended to foster Schnautzie, but she proved herself a hero and became a permanent family member. That October, Schnautzie climbed up on Trudy’s chest at 2 a.m. and started pawing at her nose. Since cats sometimes do strange (and annoying) things, Trudy didn’t think too much of it — until Schnautzie kept at it. Now, Schnautzie had her attention, especially when Trudy noticed her persistently sniffing the air around her.
Once fully awake, Trudy noticed a hissing sound somewhere in the house. Getting up to investigate, she found a broken pipe outside
4 www.TrinityElderLaw.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator