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MAY/JUNE 2025
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When a Client Says, ‘I Have Cancer’ BE A ROCK FOR CLIENTS FACING LIFE’S TOUGHEST CHALLENGES
JOIN US FOR THE WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S! Mark your calendars! On Saturday, Oct. 4, our firm is walking to support the fight against Alzheimer’s, and we would love for you to join us. You can walk alongside us or donate using our QR code to help make a difference!
We often work closely with clients during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Inevitably, we find ourselves in conversations where words do not come so easily. One of the most challenging moments is when a client tells you they have been diagnosed with cancer. What do you say? How do you respond in a way that is meaningful and supportive? June is Cancer Survivors Month and a time for us to better understand how we can uplift those battling this disease as best we can. For me, cancer is not just something I have encountered in my work — it is personal. My Aunt Judy passed away from metastasized liver cancer, and her experience, along with that of many clients I have worked with, has shaped my understanding of what real support looks like. Cancer is overwhelming, not just for the person diagnosed but for their families and entire support networks. When a client shares this kind of news, our response matters . The first and most important thing we can do is listen . Listen actively, without judgment or interruption. It can be tempting to offer reassurance and try to find the right words to ease their burden. But the truth is, what most people need at that moment is simple: to be heard . Acknowledge what they are saying, offer your full attention, and resist the urge to fill the silence with empty platitudes. A simple “I am here for you” can mean far more than any well-intended but misplaced optimism.
As advisors, we have the opportunity to provide more than just professional guidance. We can also offer practical support. Cancer often brings not only emotional strain but also financial and legal complexities. Encouraging clients to review their estate plans, ensuring they have the right documents in place, and helping them navigate long-term care considerations are all ways we can ease some of their stress. At the same time, it is essential to recognize what not to say. Comparisons to others who have faced cancer, unsolicited medical advice, or statements meant to uplift can feel dismissive. Instead, let them set the tone for the conversation. If they want to talk, listen. If they need space, respect that too. Here are a few phrases that can help you navigate these conversations with compassion:
Cancer is isolating, but staying present and keeping in touch can make all the difference. Some people hesitate to reach out, afraid of saying the wrong thing, but silence can be lonelier than any well-meaning misstep. A simple check-in, an offer to help with something tangible, or just being available can be incredibly meaningful . As professionals, our role is more than legal guidance. We also have the opportunity to become a steady presence for our clients during their most vulnerable moments. We cannot fix what they are facing, but we can walk beside them, offering both expertise and genuine care. And sometimes, that makes all the difference. – Brian Eagle
Positive phrases: •
“I am here for you.” “How are you doing?”
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“Please let me know how I can help.”
• “If you feel like talking, I am here to listen.” • “You have been going through a really tough time.”
Phrases to avoid: •
“I know exactly how you feel.”
• “I know someone who had the same diagnosis.” • “Don’t worry, I am sure you will be fine.” • “You are strong, you can beat this.” • “How long do you have?”
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STEP BY STEP Help Your Kids Fall in Love With Hiking
online step-by-step guide at ArborDay.org for identifying a tree by its leaves.
Choose a trail that isn’t too difficult, and allow your children to wander and explore. If your children have a creative flair, encourage them to collect dried leaves, pieces of bark, seed pods, sticks, and other items to use in a collage. For adventurous kids, you can draft an age- appropriate list for a scavenger hunt to keep them from growing bored on the walk. You can include different insects native to your area, specific colors of leaves, and types of flowers, and you can even have them keep an ear out for different bird calls. Challenge your kids to make a list of all the plants or animals they can identify while they walk. Apps like Leafsnap help you identify plants using photos of their leaves or other parts. Additionally, the Arbor Day Foundation offers an
Keep the learning going by having your kids record their distance based on trail signs or a map app on their phones and calculate their average speed. You could also invite your youngsters to become cartographers, tracing the trail and surroundings on paper, including landmarks, rivers, and lakes. Older kids can add topographical information using their phones or an altitude app such as Altimeter or My Altitude. Hiking is a fantastic activity to help your kids appreciate the outdoors rather than their phone screens, but being in nature takes energy. Remember to pack snacks and a water bottle before you leave, or pack a favorite picnic meal to savor the rewards of exploring the outdoors!
Getting your kids outdoors to enjoy nature is a goal worth pursuing, but smartphones, video games, and social media have made it far more challenging in recent years. We celebrated Earth Day on April 22, and a nature walk is a great way to keep the appreciation for nature going. Planning games, creative projects, and other challenges to engage them during your hike can get kids involved from the start.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WHILE SUPPORTING A LOVED ONE Caring for the Caregivers
HOW CAREGIVERS CAN PROTECT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH. • Ask for help: You do not have to do it all alone. Seek support from family, friends, or professional care services offering transportation, meal deliveries, housecleaning, and more.
Caring for a loved one with a severe illness is an act of love and dedication, but it is also one of the most demanding roles a person can take on. Whether they’re supporting a family member battling cancer, navigating the challenges of Alzheimer’s, or assisting with another long-term illness, caregivers often find themselves burdened by the responsibility. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to highlight the mental and emotional well-being of caregivers. While their focus is often on the health and comfort of their loved ones, caregivers must also prioritize their well-being. THE EMOTIONAL TOLL OF CAREGIVING. Being a caregiver means balancing many responsibilities, managing medical appointments, providing physical assistance, and making difficult decisions, all while trying to maintain some sense of normalcy in their own lives. There is an immense sense of duty and responsibility, often accompanied by stress, frustration, and guilt. Many caregivers put their own needs on the back burner, but over time, this can take a serious toll on their mental health.
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Join a support group: Connecting with others in similar situations can provide emotional relief and practical advice ( alz.org/help- support/community/support-groups or cancer.org/support-programs-and- services/online-communities.html ). Prioritize your health: Exercise, sleep, and hobbies matter — taking care of yourself allows you to care for others more effectively.
A PDOP is a carefully structured roadmap that ensures a loved one’s wishes are honored during
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incapacity or after passing. Estate planning provides peace of mind, allowing caregivers to focus on what matters most: Spending meaningful time with their loved ones without the additional stress of uncertainty. If you or someone you know is caring for a loved one, we are here to help. Let us guide you in creating a plan that supports your loved one’s needs and your well-being. Because caregivers deserve care, too.
THE POWER OF A PURPOSELY DESIGNED ORGANIZED PLAN (PDOP). One of the most stressful aspects of caregiving is navigating the unknown. What happens if their condition worsens? What are their final wishes? What will happen to their estate? Creating a PDOP can ease this burden by ensuring that all medical, legal, and financial decisions are in place before they are needed.
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Swipe Less, Live More TEENS ARE
SUDOKU
EMBRACING MINDFULNESS AND WELL-BEING IN 2025
solution
While it may seem like teens are constantly glued to their phones, chasing likes and snapping selfies, today’s young adults are looking for more balance and zen than ever before. This year’s top trends for teens and young adults are mindfulness, financial wellness, and school-life balance while spending less time staring at screens. They’re looking for a mindset upgrade that keeps them happy, healthy, and focused on the future. Get ready to connect with Gen Z on a new level with these top trends for 2025. MINDFUL MOMENTS Mental health and well-being are at the top of teens’ to-do lists this year, and they’re embracing the newest technology alongside old-school self- care methods. Apps like Calm and Headspace help young people track their feelings and turn negative thoughts into tools for growth. Various apps are also available to help teens journal, meditate, or utilize AI to organize their lives. Gen Z also engages with digital resources that gamify and simplify self-care, making it fun and easy to develop a positive mindset. BUDGETING BEYOND THE BASICS Teens have buying power, making up a large portion of sales with online retailers and popular companies like Target, Sephora, and Grubhub. Young spenders want convenience, fast deliveries, and access to everything from concerts to gaming consoles. But they are also thinking about larger investments like cars, vacations, and college. As teens and young adults seek financial independence, they are working with financial planning apps like Current to help them create a budget and achieve savings goals. DISCONNECT TO RECONNECT Surprisingly, some of Gen Z are stepping away from constant screen time and social media updates. They seek more personal interactions and an escape from the stresses of crafting the perfect life on Instagram. Gen Z is tracking their time on apps, prioritizing social time or groups, and taking steps to prevent the urge to doom scroll. Apps that make it more challenging to use social media through programmed interventions like HabitLab and Moment hold them accountable for their social media habits.
INGREDIENTS
• 12 oz spaghetti or linguine • 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced (8 oz)
• 3 oz Parmesan cheese • 4 oz pancetta or bacon, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 cup pasta water • 1 tbsp chopped parsley, optional
• Salt and pepper • 1 tbsp olive oil • 4 large eggs
DIRECTIONS
1. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Save 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain. 2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, and cook chicken until golden and fully cooked. Remove chicken. 3. In a bowl, mix eggs and Parmesan cheese until smooth. 4. Add pancetta to chicken pan, cook until crispy, then stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds. 5. Toss pasta with pancetta, then remove from heat. Stir in egg mixture, adding reserved pasta water gradually until creamy. 6. Mix in chicken and garnish with parsley before serving.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1.
Provide Comfort and Support to Clients With Cancer Tips for Engaging Your Kids in a Nature Hike The Toll of Caregiving and the Power of a Purposely Design Organized Plan™ Gen Z’s Top Trends Creamy Chicken Carbonara The Emotional and Financial Rewards of Giving
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Giving is about making a difference in a deeply personal and fulfilling way. Whether it is supporting a cause close to your heart or ensuring your legacy carries on long after you are gone, charitable giving is a powerful act. And here is the best part: Giving back gives back to you by uplifting your well-being, strengthening family values, and even offering financial benefits. THE GIFT OF GIVING BACK. It is no secret that acts of kindness can lift our mood. Giving stimulates the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, often called the “helper’s high.” Studies demonstrate that acts of generosity reduce stress, improve overall happiness, and even lower blood pressure. When you support a cause you believe in, you feel confident that you are making a tangible impact on the world. A FINANCIAL WIN-WIN. Charitable giving is not just good for the soul; it can also be good for your wallet. With careful planning, donations can lead to significant tax benefits, reducing income tax liability and even lowering estate taxes down the road. Many people wonder if they should give during their lifetime or leave charitable gifts in their estate plan. While both are meaningful, giving while alive allows you to see the impact firsthand while maximizing financial advantages.
And if the idea of receiving a tax break for your generosity makes you feel a little uneasy, remember: the government actually wants you to give. Tax laws are designed to encourage philanthropy because private giving is often more impactful than government-run aid programs. Whether or not you claim a deduction, your contributions make a real difference. PASS DOWN A LEGACY OF GENEROSITY. Charitable giving is also a powerful lesson for future generations. When your family sees you prioritizing philanthropy, they learn the importance of compassion, responsibility, and community engagement. Whether you volunteer together, establish a family charitable fund, or simply talk about why giving back matters, you create a lasting impact beyond financial donations. GET STARTED WITH CHARITABLE PLANNING. Not sure where to begin? Start small. Choose a cause that resonates with you, set an achievable goal, and allow yourself the flexibility to adjust over time. Working with a legal or financial advisor can help ensure that your charitable plan aligns with your values, financial status, and long-term goals. Let us help you craft a plan that reflects your values and leaves a lasting imprint on the world.
THE JOY OF GENEROSITY CHARITABLE GIVING BENEFITS YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY
– Brian Eagle
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