Sheppard Law Firm - September 2020

Gardening, Gold, and Photo Shoots 3 Fun Family Activities for Fall

Pan for gold. Here’s one that’s really off the beaten path: Take your family on an adventure panning for gold! Start by planning a road trip out to an old ghost town. Many of them have great tourist attractions that include gold panning. You probably won’t get rich, but it will still be a fun story. If you’re not able to make the trip, you can always create a gold panning operation at home! Visit MessForLess.net/panning-for-gold-activity for a great step-by-step guide on how to go panning for gold in your own backyard. Plan a fall photo shoot. It’s time to freshen up those family pictures hanging around the house. The changing leaves provide a beautiful background for any family portrait. Better yet, the cooler temperatures mean that an outdoor photo shoot won’t be nearly as uncomfortable as it would be in the summer. You can take your pictures by the trees in the front yard or make a daytrip of it. What about pictures at the corn maze or pumpkin patch? It’s never too soon to start planning this year’s holiday card.

It’s fall, whichmeans social media will soon be saturated with pictures of

your friends enjoying“classic” fall activities. Photos of leaf peeping, apple picking, and the occasional scarecrow run rampant. But rather than following the herd, you canmake your family the trendsetter of unique fall

activities! Here are a few outdoor endeavors your family will love. Get gardening. Fall is the time for harvest, but if you want to enjoy flowers in the spring, it’s also a time for planting. The cooler autumn air is easier on plants, but the soil is still warm enough for roots to grow before the ground freezes for winter. Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are all spring bulbs that need to be planted in the fall. Do a little research with your family to determine the best time to start planting in your area.

Spend this fall outdoors and create great new memories with your family!

3 Steps to Lower Your Risk of Falling at Home

Many of us are spending more time than usual at home in 2020. As this has become the norm to curb the spread of COVID-19, we are working from our home offices, attending happy hours and weddings from the couch, and finding endless ways to entertain ourselves. Let the Leaves Fall Instead

As you sluggishly maneuver from your bed to the hallway, a table blocks your way, and despite being the expert of your home, you trip and land on the ground. Imagine that fall results in a broken hip or causes a back spasm. Getting up would be impossible. Keep your home’s hallways clear to limit the risk of a fall. Give yourself room tomove!

Still, home isn’t a sanctuary for everyone.

Step 2. Improve Lighting: Dimly lit rooms can limit visibility, which can ultimately also lead to a tripping scenario similar to the one described previously. Lights with a motion sensor can illuminate the way as you walk, and bright bulbs can ensure you don’t miss anything in your path. Step 3. MoveMore: Moving is beneficial inmany ways and it lowers your risk of a fall. Our bodies were made tomove, and when we remain sedentary, our joints andmuscles get weaker, which can result in poor balance. Mitigate this with daily walks, physical therapy regimens, or workout programs designed for balance. As you work toward prevention, also consider what will happen after you fall. Are your medical powers of attorney up to date? Are your affairs in order, God forbid something happens? Does your family have access to your passwords? Don’t wait until a fall happens to remember to address your estate plan. Please give our team a call if these preventive measures remind you that it’s time for an update.

According to the World Health Organization, anywhere from 50% to 75% of falls among older adults happen at home. The National Council on Aging reports that 1 in 4 older adults will fall each year, and those falls are the leading cause of injuries —which can result in death — among older adults. With proper prevention, the home can become an oasis for everyone. Take these three simple steps to lower your risk of falling this fall. Step 1. ClearWalkways: Imagine waking up in the middle of the night with that all too familiar urge to use the restroomor a hankering for a midnight snack.

2 floridaestateplanning.com

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