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QUARTER 3 2024
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Social Ties Support Seniors’ Quality of Life CRUCIAL CONNECTIONS
In recognition of International Day of Friendship on July 30, this is a good time to consider how the presence or absence of vibrant social relationships affects well-being.
Social isolation is also linked to a 50% increase in the risk of dementia. Researchers believe that participation in community activities and senior clubs activates and maintains neural networks in the brain. Adults who had more social connections performed better on tests of cognitive skills at both the beginning and end of a study of 1,189 older adults. Older adults who feel lonely and isolated face a higher risk of depression and psychological distress. Contact via email, phone, and text is not enough to ward off emotional pain. Seniors need face-to-face contact with family and friends to help them avoid depression. Getting involved in meaningful activities can ease feelings of loneliness and help stave off illness. Seniors who are socially active are also more motivated to engage in active leisure time pursuits, including taking a walk or doing repairs around the house, according to the Penn State study. These findings may eventually open the door to classifying certain leisure activities as “behavioral medicine.” While seniors appreciate help from adult children with tasks and chores, they tend to turn to close friends and other relatives for emotional support. Seniors can gain this vital sense of connectedness by volunteering to work for service or charitable organizations, joining clubs, or participating in religious groups. Playing music with others, singing in a choir, and attending cultural events also have been linked in research to a longer life. For seniors battling illness, joining support groups with others dealing with the same condition can also foster meaningful interpersonal ties. At Litherland, Kennedy and Associates, we recognize that social ties are a powerful tonic for body, mind, and spirit. Actively building new connections with others can increase the odds of a longer, healthier life. We offer
Amid the many challenges of aging, one aspect of seniors’ lifestyles shapes nearly every other dimension of their lives.
This essential aspect is simple: social interaction. An older adult’s involvement in social relationships and frequent face-to-face contact with others leads to better physical health, reduced rates of depression, and improved cognitive functioning late in life, according to a study at Penn State University.
Some 28% of people 65 and older are socially isolated. This can arise from life changes that are entirely natural. A retiree may miss interacting with customers or coworkers, friends may move away, or a grandparent may feel a lack of purpose after grandchildren no longer need their care. The resulting feelings of social isolation are linked to a one-third increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke and a 50% increase in the likelihood of premature death, according to a report by the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.
numerous social, educational, and charitable events for clients each year to help them build enjoyable social ties and a sense of family among team members, clients, and their family members.
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Have you ever wondered how moviemakers can afford to blow up piles of money on the big screen? It turns out that it’s tricky, as the government has a set of strict rules to follow when studios feature U.S. currency on screen. So, roll out the red carpet because we’re about to explore the laws of prop money. IDENTICAL BILLS ARE ILLEGAL. Prop money can’t look identical to actual bills because of concerns about whether it could be circulated to the public and used. This happened after a “Rush Hour 2” scene where they blew up billions of dollars in prop money. Extras took home some of the fake cash and tried to use it in Las Vegas. The Secret Service got involved immediately, shutting down the shoot and confiscating the bills. If the money is a replica, it must be either 75% smaller or 150% larger than real bills. One of the most common methods studios use is printing only one side of the fake money. The design can also be altered slightly, like changing the shading or picture. REAL CASH CAN’T BE DESTROYED. Even though blowing up or burning money on camera can pump up the action for the audience, legal tender cannot be destroyed in movies. Anyone can be charged with a federal crime, punishable by 10 years in prison and fines for destroying money. Only the Federal Reserve has that power. Technically, it’s illegal to even flatten a penny. YOU CAN’T PRINT MONEY. Real currency is printed on a unique blend of cotton and linen available only to the U.S. government. Prop money can’t feel like the real deal. It has to be on paper and printed at a lower resolution. Robert De Niro didn’t like how the prop money felt in his hands while filming “Goodfellas.” To get around it, the prop master withdrew money from his bank account for De Niro to use. At the end of each scene, no one could leave until all the money was counted and returned. Why Real Money Can't Take Center Stage
Creating Peace of Mind Through Education and Support FAMILY FEELING
I joined Litherland, Kennedy & Associates in 1992, and in my current role at the firm, I use a wide variety of skills I developed in past positions as a music teacher, PTA leader, legal researcher, paralegal, and office manager. In everything I do, my mission is to help educate our clients and community and to free people from worry about the legal aspects of estate planning, so they can focus on their family’s emotional well-being.
I enjoy working with non-profit organizations, support groups, local business, and community groups to coordinate estate planning and elder care speaking engagements. For example, I am proud we are making a commitment to seniors’ future well-being by matching donations and participating as a team in the Silicon Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s on September 28. One of the things I love most about my job is educating others about life transitions that can be difficult to navigate, including aging, incapacity, and death. As our firm’s director of marketing and client relations, I plan and oversee about thirty educational and social events each year and coordinate speaking engagements that inform and educate our clients and community. In all that I do, I try to help our team provide peace of mind for our clients through all phases of life. Our law firm is different from other firms because we strive to develop a lifetime relationship with our clients, rather than a transactional one. Our flat fee covers trust and estate planning services, educational seminars, ongoing access to our attorneys and geriatric care manager for support, and a free consultation for the successor trustees when a client faces incapacity or passes away. As part of this relationship, we also seek to educate the next generation. Our Trustee and Power of Attorney School informs family members across the country about what to do when something happens to their loved ones. In recognition of July as National Ice Cream Month, we are hosting one of my favorite social events — our nineteenth annual Ice Cream Social on July 23. This festive gathering gives clients a chance to get to know the attorneys and staff, enter a raffle drawing, and hear answers to their estate planning and elder care questions. Meeting our team members in person helps our clients develop a sense of comfort with the experts who answer their questions when they call our office. I am
So, next time one of your favorite movie characters has cash to burn, remember, those are fake bills in the flames!
proud that that through events like this one our law firm strives to create a sense of family among our clients and team members.
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How Purposeful Living Prolongs Life’s Journey
Many older adults work hard for decades to reach retirement. Crossing that threshold can spark exhilaration and also a sense of unease and uncertainty about what they will do next. That transition is a perfect time to cultivate a renewed sense of purpose. Seniors who fill the gap with activities and goals that have personal meaning have a strong chance of enjoying better health and a significantly longer life. Those predictions may seem exaggerated, but numerous peer-reviewed studies show that seniors who report a greater sense of purpose tend to have fewer functional disabilities, better memory and cognitive processing skills, and lower rates of depression, according to an 18-year study of 1,475 older adults published in 2015 in the journal Developmental Psychology. They also have a substantial increase in life expectancy.
Researchers measure participants’ sense of purpose by asking if they feel good about what they hope to do in the future, have a sense of direction in life, and are enjoying making and carrying out plans for the future. In all, purpose-driven seniors seemed to have a sense of flourishing. Much of the garden-variety retirement advice given to seniors focuses on finding activities to keep them busy, such as taking a class or doing puzzles. Developing a sense of purpose requires deeper effort and engagement. It involves embracing an activity or project you have chosen yourself and pursuing it with persistence. Many seniors find meaning in family activities, such as caring for grandchildren or hosting get- togethers. Beyond that, seniors who appreciate family ties may enjoy volunteering at hospitals
to support patients and their families. Those who love working with children may appreciate volunteering in the classroom or as a tutor for their local school district. Animal lovers may enjoy walking dogs or providing companionship for cats at an animal shelter. The Humane Society of the United States links volunteers with networks of rescue teams. Mentoring young people through such organizations as Volunteers of America or Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America can provide a sense of purpose. Other seniors enjoy volunteering in a community garden. Identifying an activity that matches your interests and motivates you may take some time. But the rewards are likely to be worth the effort!
QUINOA VEGGIE BOWL
This recipe is packed with protein-rich quinoa and a colorful array of vegetables. It’s ideal for a healthy lunch or a quick dinner!
INGREDIENTS:
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2 tbsp olive oil
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1 cup diced mushrooms
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1 red bell pepper, diced
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1 tsp dried oregano
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1 yellow bell pepper, diced
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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1 cup diced zucchini
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2 cups cooked quinoa
SOLUTION ON PAGE 2
DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
WHAT DID THE OCEAN SAY TO THE BEACH? NOTHING, IT JUST WAVED.
2. Add bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add oregano, salt, and pepper and stir to combine.
4. Add the cooked quinoa and mix thoroughly.
5. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, then serve.
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Social Ties: A Powerful Tonic for Body, Mind, and Spirit page 1 Meet Marketing Director Wendy Harshbarger The Surprising Rules of Movie Currency page 2 The Power of Purpose in Boosting Health and Well-Being Quinoa Veggie Bowl page 3
Tips for a Stress-Free Backyard Barbecue page 4
Host a Summer Barbecue for Everyone GRILL AND CHILL
Enjoying your own party can be more complicated than it sounds. Backyard barbecues are a high point of summer, but hosting one you enjoy with your guests requires planning. “If swimming is on the agenda, consider protecting new or light-colored indoor furniture with water-resistant covers so guests in wet swimsuits can sit wherever they want without stressing out their host,” says Calla Quinn, a TikTok influencer who recently posted tips on hosting up to 50 friends at your home. Another tip she shares is using portable misting fans in dry climates. These devices create a fine mist to refresh passersby in seconds, and they are especially popular on patios and decks. If attendees offer to bring something, don’t hesitate to accept, and be specific about what you want — from lawn chairs to beach towels. Martha Stewart recommends having a stain
remover on hand to manage stains and cloth towels that guests can use to wipe up spills.
Expert hosts also recommend a self-serve bar for casual summer gatherings. Consider filling several 3-gallon drink dispensers with popular options. Depending on your guest list, you might offer family fare such as lemonade, iced tea, ice water, or premixed cocktails like strawberry vodka lemonade or passion fruit margaritas. Martha Stewart suggests allowing amateur mixologists to concoct their own beverages by setting out bottled juices, artisanal sodas, and kombucha. A stylish yet simple way to serve hors d’oeuvres and side dishes to complement your grilled entree is to assemble or have catered a charcuterie board. These feature finger foods such as meats, cheeses, olives, spreads, fruits, nuts, chips, and crackers. A fully stocked charcuterie board adds a decorative touch while
keeping guests well-fed for hours, adding what Quinn calls “a real wow factor.”
And to make sure your day ends well, look for disposable, compostable bamboo or wooden dishes. Searching for “eco-friendly tableware and cutlery” should turn up some good options. This one last detail can go a long way toward supporting sustainable living while ensuring you don’t spend any valuable party time cleaning up broken glass or washing dishes.
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