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QUARTER 4, 2023
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Our Dementia-Centric Approach Caring Beyond the Diagnosis
Those of us who have witnessed a loved one fall victim to Alzheimer’s disease know how heartbreaking and traumatic the situation can be. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 6.7 million Americans over the age of 65 are currently living with Alzheimer’s. Experts predict the number of Alzheimer’s cases will likely double over the next 25 years. Because of this, it’s imperative that every American increases their knowledge and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease. At Van Dyck Law Group, we are dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. I’ve had firsthand experience with the illness in my own family, so I know how hard it can hit. My dad’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis is actually one of the reasons our firm started taking elder law clients. Now, we have a dementia-focused
In addition to my books, our firm also hosts educational seminars to support our community, our clients, and their families with information
regarding dementia and Alzheimer’s. One of my favorite seminars to present discusses the importance of estate planning after receiving an early dementia diagnosis. It can be incredibly challenging to receive that diagnosis, but you have to take action immediately. Having an estate plan is always essential, but it becomes even more critical when a dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis appears. Memory care services in New Jersey are quite costly. On average, it costs $10,000–$11,000 per month. You might think that you can avoid that cost by becoming a caregiver yourself, but many don’t
practice here at Van Dyck Law Group. Every member of our long-term planning team is a certified dementia practitioner, and some even serve as educators, teaching the dementia practioner certification classes. An important part of our mission as a firm is to educate our clients and their families about the dementia journey. I have authored a few books that try to make living with Alzheimer’s disease easier for caregivers and patients. “You’re Not Alone: Living with
realize the challenges that come with the caregiver role. Your loved one could have increasing physical and emotional
needs that can make care difficult to provide. With strong estate planning, you can put these worries aside, and be better prepared for the future. Our team will provide education and guidance to help you plan for long-term care expenses without losing everything you have worked so hard for.
An Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis is a difficult pill to swallow for all involved. Don’t let it overwhelm you. We’re just a phone call away if you need any assistance or guidance. -Fiona Van Dyck
Alzheimer’s Disease,” “You’re Not Alone: Living as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver,” and “You’re Not
Alone: Living with Dementia” are all books I wrote to help individuals and families facing dementia. These books are free to clients of our firm. If you’re
interested in any or want to improve your dementia knowledge, call or email our office today to get a copy.
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Thought Back on Track
Let’s Unmask Halloween: The Origins and Legends Behind Your Favorite Traditions
Here come the scary decorations, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, and spooky costumes because Halloween is just around the corner! These traditions are what make Halloween fun and exciting year after year. However, did you know that jack-o’-lanterns come from an Irish legend or that trick- or-treating comes from a historical ritual called “souling”? As we prepare for Oct. 31 activities, here are some fun facts you might not know about Halloween! Halloween is based on a Celtic festival. Samhain, a pagan festival held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, celebrated both the harvest and the “dark” second half of the year. During this celebration, it was believed the barrier separating the spirits from the physical
world would come down, allowing demons to enter and the spirits of all who passed away that year to move on to the next life. ‘Stingy Jack’ helped evolve jack- o’-lanterns. The Irish myth of a man named “Stingy Jack” goes like this: Stingy Jack invited the devil for a drink, and because he didn’t want to pay, he convinced the devil to turn into a coin so he could buy their drinks. However, instead of paying, he placed the “coin” next to a cross in his pocket that prevented the devil from returning to his original form. Once he freed the devil, Stingy Jack continued to trick him. When he died, God turned away Stingy Jack with only coal to light his way, so he placed the coal in a carved-out turnip to create a lantern. From there, people slowly transformed his “lantern” into the modern- day jack-o’-lantern!
Candy corn was once called chicken feed.
Candy corn, which the Wunderlee Candy Company began producing in the late 1880s, is an extremely popular Halloween candy. In fact, today, about 35 million pounds of the candy are sold each year! When the Goelitz Candy Company brought it to the masses at the turn of the century, they called the sweet tricolored candy “Chicken Feed” because so many people worked on farms at the time. Their early ads exclaimed, “Something worth crowing for!”
Now you know! Happy Halloween!
OUTSMART THE SCAMMERS
How Seniors Can Stay One Step Ahead
Scam artists make a living by tricking unsuspecting people out of their hard- earned money. Oftentimes, seniors find themselves on the receiving end of these financial scams, but thankfully, most noticed something was off and pulled themselves out of the situation before removing funds from their accounts. However, as the years pass and technology evolves, scammers are growing more cunning and developing new strategies to swindle others. Below, you’ll find some of the more common scams targeting seniors and how you and your loved ones can thwart the scammer’s attempts. The Grandparent Scam Picture this scenario: It’s the middle of the day, and you receive a call from a number you don’t recognize. You answer the phone to hear a panicked voice claiming to be your grandchild calling from a friend’s phone. They say they’re in a bad situation and desperately need money, asking you to wire money to a bank account. Of
course, you want to help your grandchild, but how do you really know it’s them? End the call and try calling your grandchild’s actual number. If they don’t answer, call their parents, siblings, or anyone else who may know their whereabouts. Don’t let the scammer take control of your emotions and scare you into sending money. Bank Fraud You may get a text, email, or phone call from someone claiming to be a representative of a bank (not always your bank) stating that there are issues with your account. They’ll say they need to verify information and begin asking you questions regarding your address, Social Security number, bank account information, and more. They’ll use this information to access your accounts or even open up new ones in your name. Don’t fall for this scam. Your bank will likely never call you, and they definitely aren’t going to ask for such sensitive and personal information over the phone. If you ever get a message from someone claiming to be from your bank, hang up and call your bank directly.
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AN EVENT YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
Our Elder Advocacy Bootcamp
Please join us on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the RWJ Fitness and Wellness Center in Hamilton for our third Elder Advocacy Bootcamp! This seminar will last from 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., costs $75 to attend, and will provide six CEUs for licensed social workers, nurses, CALAs, and LNHAs. This year’s event “Perspectives in Independence” will be an all-day event, discussing many topics related to critical elder care issues. Some of the items we will discuss include: • What does independence mean? What does it look like? How does it change? • How does a care community create a higher level of independence for an aging senior? • How can we plan for success? • How to cover the financial cost of a care community in the face of ever-rising costs. • Medicaid — case studies and cautionary tales. • The importance of nutrition for successful aging. • Move it or lose it — good health and its role in independence. • Creating community support for successful independence. In addition to all these essential topics, Rev. Katie Norris will be joining us as our keynote speaker. Katie is a dementia care specialist with over 13 years of experience. She focuses on trauma-informed, Montessori-based dementia care. Katie and her son, Jeffrey, run a The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
popular Instagram account called Creative Connections Dementia ( Instagram.com/creativeconnectionsdementia ) that you should definitely check out. We hope you can join us on Oct. 18 for this exciting event. Pre- registration is required. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Register at VanDyckFirm.com/bootcamp . If you have any questions or want more information, don’t hesitate to reach out!
TAKE A BREAK
These ultra-soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies will melt in your mouth!
INGREDIENTS • 2 1/4 cups all‑purpose flour • 1 tsp baking soda • 1 tsp salt • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened • 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar • 1 tsp vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. 3. In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy. 4. To creamed mixture, add eggs one at a time, beating until blended. 5. Gradually beat in flour mixture. 6. Stir in chocolate chips. 7. Arrange dough in rounded teaspoonfuls on ungreased baking sheets. 8. Bake 8–10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; move to wire racks to cool completely.
CANDY COSTUME GOURDS HALLOWEEN HAUNTED MOON
RAVEN TRICKS VAMPIRE WEREWOLF WITCH ZOMBIE
• 2 large eggs • 2 cups (12-oz
package) semi-sweet chocolate chips
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707 State Road, Suite 102 Princeton, NJ 08540 VANDYCKFIRM.COM | 609-580-1044
Inside 1 2
It’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
Halloween’s Haunting History How to Recognize and Respond to Financial Scams
Van Dyck Law’s Upcoming Elder Advocacy Bootcamp The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Take a Break
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Stress-Proof Your Life: Embrace a Happier You
Mind and Body Harmony: Combat Stress With Mindfulness, Exercise, and Healthy Eating
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, stress can often take center stage — it leaves you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, irritable, uncomfortable, and burnt out. Sometimes, stress can consume you. According to the American Medical Association, over 80% of health complications and diseases result from stress that begins in the mind and transfers to the body. The American Psychological Association reports that high stress levels can negatively impact the respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, nervous, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems of the human body. As we enter the latter years of our adult lives, relationships, finances, careers, and retirement can cause anxiety. To eliminate stress and promote a happier and healthier
life, we need to manage it to mitigate the adverse effects on our health and well-being. Stay Active: Cultivate a healthier mind and body. While it’s well known that working out and staying active are healthy ways to burn off steam, studies show that regular aerobic exercise works wonders for mental and cognitive health. The most important thing is to pick an activity you enjoy! Practice Mindfulness: Find peace amidst the chaos. How do you quiet your mind when thoughts are racing? We all want to be present instead of worrying about situations that may have happened in the past or that are yet to come. So, in the face of adversity, appreciate what is right in front of you —
the past can stay in the past, and the future will be here soon enough. It’s important to remember what is essential now. Nourish Your Body: Elevate your stress-fighting abilities. Nutrition is vital, and when we are stressed or anxious, it’s even easier to pick up a snack with little to no nutritional value and munch away. Many people find it tough to eat well when stressed, but remember that proper nutrition helps improve your body’s ability to combat stress. Life is too short to allow stress to consume you! Stay active, live in the moment, and eat nutritious foods — it will work wonders for your physical and mental health!
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