Take a look at the latest edition of the Legal Navigator!
THE LEGAL NAVIGATOR APRIL 2021
Hello, everyone! So, this month I wanted to pause the interview schedule to focus on a fairly significant change in law relating to veterans benefits. First, H.R. 6395, became law on January 1, 2021. This bill added parkinsonism, hypothyroidism, and bladder cancer to the presumptive list of conditions related to exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. If someone has these conditions now, they may be eligible for VA Compensation. This is much different than the VA Pension, which is normally my focus when planning for home health, assisted living, or nursing home care. VA Compensation is not a means tested benefit. So, unlike pension, your assets and income do not matter for qualifications purposes. It is also important that if you had a claim denied previously for one of these presumptive conditions, you may have the ability to have retroactive benefits awarded through a “Nehmer” claim. Second, H.R. 7105 changed the beginning date of the Vietnam War to November 1, 1955. It appears as if this were to change the war timeframe for those who were in Vietnam, not on active duty elsewhere. This change could allow the potential for many additional pension claims. There are many additional changes as well which can be found at: FROM THE DESK OF Mike Bryan
The older I get, the rustier my brain feels. I can’t count the number of times that I’ve walked into a room this month only to stop in the doorway and ask myself, “Wait, what was I doing in here again?” I know that sounds like a cliche, but I think it has become one for a reason, and I bet you can relate! After one of those “rusty brain” moments, I sat down to do some research. I wanted to know what I could do to decrease my risk of having more serious memory problems like Alzheimer’s and dementia down the road — and you won’t believe what I found. Apparently, you can actually cook (and eat) your way to a healthier brain. According to a bunch of sources I dug into, including the Mayo Clinic, Healthline, and Harvard Medical School, a Mediterranean diet can help reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other woes of aging. You might have read about the Mediterranean diet in a health magazine. Here are some of the main foods included in it: fish, olive oil, avocados, fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, whole grains, and red wine (in moderation). Basically, if you can imagine a Greek grandmother cooking it, then it’s on the list. COOK YOUR WAY TO A HEALTHIER BRAIN The Link Between Food and Alzheimer’s
www.Congress.gov/bill/116th- congress/house-bill/7105 www.Congress.gov/bill/116th- congress/house-bill/6395
If you have any questions about these changes, feel free to contact our office.
Have a great month!
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Apparently, a study published in 2015 and updated in 2018 found that healthy older adults who followed a Mediterranean diet (with extra olive oil or nuts) have better cognitive performance outcomes than people on a “control reduced-fat diet.” The results were positive but the “why” was a mystery until June of last year when the Alzheimer’s Association published a new study examining the link between the Mediterranean diet and cognitive function. After evaluating more than 7,700 people, the researchers found that fish was the big secret! Eating seafood a few times a week lowered people’s risk of cognitive impairment and decline. Some good options, according to Harvard, which are also easy to find at your local grocer include salmon and trout, white-fleshed fish (cod, tilapia, flounder), shellfish (lobster, crab, clams, scallops, crawfish, shrimp), and canned fish (light tuna, sardines). The study also found that eating vegetables helped participants ward off cognitive impairment. The Mayo Clinic recommends eating green leafy veggies at least six times a week and other vegetables at least once a day. Nuts are recommended five times a week, beans more “After evaluating more than 7,700 people, the researchers found that fish was the big secret! Eating fish a few times a week lowered people’s risk of cognitive impairment and decline.”
than three times a week, and berries at least twice a week, among other things. Google “The MIND Diet” to see the full list. Meanwhile, Healthline warns that sugary snacks, starchy food, and processed meats can increase our risk of Alzheimer’s (dang it!). Personally, I was excited to learn that I could actively do something to ward off Alzheimer’s and dementia. Even better, I discovered that trying new things can create neural pathways in our brains and fight off mental decline, so experimenting in the kitchen is a win-win. This month, I’m going to test out some new recipes and cooking techniques for fish and vegetable-based dishes. Here are a few on my list: • Poached Lobster With Vegetable Macedonia , a delicious- looking dish with lobster, four kinds of vegetables, French beans, and Greek yogurt from Epicurious.com . • Baked Stuffed Fish Fillet , a recipe for flounder stuffed with breadcrumbs, sage, and celery from TheSpruceEats.com . • Greek Orzo Salad , a very Mediterranean dish packed with chickpeas, Kalamata olives, and herbs like dill, mint, and oregano that I found on ACoupleCooks.com .
Want to join me in this tasty mental exercise? If you do, let me know what you think of the recipe(s) that you try. I’d love to test out your finds.
LULU THE POT-BELLIED PIG’S CUNNING PLAN TO SAVE HER OWNER Man’s Smartest Friend
According to animal experts, pigs are smarter than any other domestic animal, including cats and dogs. That may seem hard to believe, as you probably associate pigs with a pink, smelly animal that oinks and rolls around in the muck. However, the story of how Lulu the pot-bellied pig saved her owner’s life might persuade you to reconsider. Back in 1998 (otherwise this story would have certainly gone viral), Lulu the pig was a permanent fixture at Jo Ann and Jack Altsman’s property in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. They had initially only taken Lulu from her original owner, the Altsmans’ daughter, for a temporary stay, but they ended up bonding with Lulu, and she was with them for much longer than expected. On Aug. 4, Jo Ann suffered from a heart attack. Jack was out of town on a fishing trip, and even though Jo Ann cried for help and even threw an alarm clock out the window, no one heard her cries from their somewhat secluded home. The family’s dog, Bear, barked and barked to no avail. Lulu, however, knew Jo Ann needed help quickly and waddled into action.
Lulu made her way to the nearest road, scraping her skin in the process and leaving it torn and bleeding.
Once she reached the road, she laid down as if to play dead. Not long after that, a passing driver saw Lulu
and stopped to check on her. Once Lulu was sure she had the driver’s attention, she got up and waddled back toward her home, leading the driver to where Jo Ann lay on the floor. When the driver found Jo Ann, he immediately called 911, and emergency services took her to a medical center for open-heart surgery. Had just 15 more minutes passed without help, Jo Ann would have died. For her heroism, Lulu received the Tiffany gold hero’s medal from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and made multiple television appearances as her fame spread. Hopefully, she was smart enough to know just how much she was appreciated.
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A TAIL THAT INSPIRED THOUSANDS Winter the Dolphin Winter the dolphin was only 2 years old when rescuers found her with a crab trap line wrapped so tightly around her tail it was cutting off the circulation to her flukes. Unfortunately, this led to the eventual loss of her tail. In most cases, dolphins can’t survive without their flukes. When Winter first arrived at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, her caregivers worried about her overall health. The infection that had taken over her tail due to loss of circulation was spreading, and if it reached her spinal cord, they knew she would die. Fortunately, her spinal cord remained untouched. Winter adapted to her situation, but then a new problem arose. Without flukes, Winter began moving her body side-to-side to swim, which caused scoliosis in her spine. However, an expert created a custom prosthetic tail for her, enabling her to swim normally again without impacting her spine. Since then, Winter has thrived! The story of what Winter went through, her struggle to recover, and how she fought to live has inspired thousands of people. Children and adults who have lost their limbs or were born with disabilities travel from around the world to meet her. She encourages people to keep fighting, and many feel that if Winter could overcome her obstacles, they can, too. There was even a film made about her called “Dolphin Tale.” In fact, many of the scenes from the movie were shot at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and Winter starred as herself. The film captures her triumphant story and chronicles how she inspires people around the world. To learn more about Winter, read inspirational stories, or donate to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, visit CMAquarium.org. And, of course, “Dolphin Tale” is a great film for your next movie night!
Photo: Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Take a Break
Spring Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake
Inspired by TheSeasonedMom.com
Ingredients
• •
1 cup cooked chicken, diced 1 14-oz can artichokes, drained and quartered 1 cup fresh asparagus pieces
and divided
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1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided
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• • •
2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 cup carrots, grated
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In the prepared dish, stir together cooked chicken, artichokes, asparagus, carrots, uncooked pasta, chicken broth, half the chives, half the parsley, garlic, salt, and 2 tbsp Parmesan. 3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. 4. Uncover and stir. At this point, check the pasta to make sure it is al dente. If it’s undercooked, cover the dish and return to the oven until pasta is tender. 5. Remove from oven and garnish with remaining Parmesan, chives, and parsley.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Mike PAGE 1 How to Cook Your Way to a Healthier Brain PAGE 1 How Lulu the Pig Saved Her Owner From a Heart Attack PAGE 2 A Tail That Inspired Thousands PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Spring Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake PAGE 3 Vacations That Pay PAGE 4
Vacation Destinations That Will Pay You to Visit In the wake of COVID-19, tourist destinations worldwide have been hit hard. To lure travelers back, some places are offering steep discounts and other incentives throughout all of 2021. With cheap airfare and great deals on accommodations, tours, food, and more, you can take a luxury vacation on a dime this year.
Mexican Caribbean Few words evoke the image of beaches, sun, and saltwater like “Cancun” does. This Mexican locale has become synonymous with leisure, as have other destinations in the Caribbean — beautiful places like Isla Mujeres or the Riviera Maya. Tourists can visit all of them at a steep discounted rate until the end of 2021 thanks to promotions from the Hotel Association of Cancun and the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion’s council. Head to En.Come2MexicanCaribbean.com to find vouchers for two free nights in a hotel for every two you pay for, steeply discounted airfare, and even options for free food and drinks.
Thai Paradise Although it’s no longer the hidden destination it once was, there are still a lot of good reasons to visit Thailand. In addition to being an affordable place to travel, Thailand also has great food and an amazing climate. To make up for the financial hit due to suspended travel because of the virus, the Cape Fahn Hotel is offering incentives into 2021 including a complimentary upgrade to the next class of care, which gives economy spenders access to executive accommodations. Other incentives include free meals, round-trip airport service, and discounted beach picnics and boat tours. Check out CapeFahnHotel.com/offers for more information.
Whistler, British Columbia Although this destination in British Columbia might be known for its winter activities, there’s a lot to love about Whistler in late spring and early summer! One great thing? The amazing array of money-saving options you can find here. The Riverside Resort, for example, is offering mountain-view cabins at a 3-for-2 discount — pay for two nights and get a third for free! Traveling to Canada can be tricky at the moment, but if you use a good travel agent, you can take advantage of some great deals. Other incentives in the region include free meals (or a per diem meal rebate) as well as discounts on guided tours.
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