Aulsbrook Law Firm - July/August 2022

Aulsbrook Law Firm - July/August 2022

JULY/AUG 2022

I COME TO FIGHT. I DON’T BARK. I BITE! WWW.THETEXASLAWDOG.COM 817.775.5364

People tend to think that being a car fan or “gear head” is only about showing off, but it’s also about having a true love for cars, engineering, and design. My first car was a 1985 S10 Chevy Blazer. I loved that Blazer, but many times, it wouldn’t even start. I got it when I was 14, and I started driving it on the day I turned 15 with my hardship license. That license allowed me to work my lawn service that you may remember me mentioning. I carried a little tilt trailer behind the Blazer, and I was able to transport my riding mower and other lawn equipment. Like most warm-blooded teenagers, I loved music. The Blazer had a subwoofer box in the back with kicker 10s. One memory that has always stuck with me about that Blazer involved my dog, Rambo. Rambo wouldn’t quit barking one night, and my older brother put him in the Blazer. I woke up the next day to find that Rambo had destroyed the ceiling liner. I still had good music, though! In 1996, I got my next vehicle — a fully loaded Isuzu Rodeo with a 12-disc CD changer. I was acting up, so this car got taken away from me. My parents replaced my fully loaded ride with a Chevy Lumina sedan. This might sound catastrophic, but while I can’t tell you how many cars I have had, I will say this: No matter what car I was driving, there was something I loved about it. I was always having a good time. CARS I’VE DRIVEN THAT I’LL NEVER FORGET Looking Through the Rearview Mirror

I’ve mainly driven my Chevy Silverado for the past 10 years. I love my truck. My wife Alison drives a Chevy too. In the past year when Alison and I would attend church, she would call my attention to Corvettes in the parking lot. She likes Corvettes, old and new. She made a comment that we needed a little sports car to putter around in, even though we both know we probably would never buy one. We tend to be pretty practical when it comes to vehicles. However, for our anniversary, I decided to do something impractical and rented a Corvette to surprise Alison for a night out. I got home early to take her to dinner, and when I opened the door, I said, “Look what I bought. Happy anniversary!” She knew I wasn’t being serious, but the smile on her face was priceless. We had so much fun that night just driving around our community and going to an early dinner. Although July 1 was Drive Your Corvette to Work Day, I drove the Corvette to work back in April, and that one day was enough for me. If you are ever interested in renting a fun car — or just need a ride because you don’t have transportation — Turo is a great app to use. I had a great experience, and so did my wife!

–Matt Aulsbrook

1

WWW.THETEXASLAWDOG.COM

817.775.5364

Finding a trustworthy nursing home is no small task, and it’s not always for lack of funds. Nursing homes receive tens of billions of federal taxpayer dollars every year, despite the fact that few nursing homes comply with federal guidelines. From 2013 to 2017, the Government Accountability Office found that 82% of all inspected nursing homes had an infection prevention and control deficiency, including lack of regular handwashing. Research shows that in particular, private equity-owned nursing homes tend to have significantly worse outcomes for residents — yet this problem is still growing. In 2000, private equity firms invested $5 billion into purchasing nursing homes. By 2018, this number ballooned to $100 billion. Today, about 5% of nursing homes are now owned by private equity firms. ARE PRIVATE EQUITY-OWNED NURSING HOMES TRUSTWORTHY? New Research Reveals Shocking Statistics

IT’S BATH TIME — OH NO!

We’ve all been there — you find your pet outside rolling around in mud or dirt, or you find them extremely wet. That means you have to give them a bath. Do you dread bathing your pet? First, it’s difficult to get them to cooperate, and then, getting them to stand in the tub while soaping and rinsing them off can be back- breaking! This is normal for many pet owners, but these tips can make bathing your furry friend easier. Gather supplies before you begin. Make sure everything you need to give your pet a bath is within arm’s reach. You don’t want to start washing them and then realize you forgot something. Your pet may take the opportunity to escape the washing station while you’re distracted. You need several supplies for a successful bath: a pet brush, towels, pet-friendly shampoo (and conditioner, if they have long hair), and treats. Give lots of praise and treats. Bath time can be anxious for your pet. It’s best to soothe them before, during, and after baths. Praise them for coming into the bathroom or wherever you wash them, and praise them for getting in the tub and after every rinse. Who doesn’t love compliments? Your pets sure do! Along with the praise, give them treats. These two things will help calm their nerves, and eventually, getting a bath will become more enjoyable for them. Purchase a licking mat. Sometimes, your pet will lean against the wall or move away from you. A licking mat may be beneficial to keep them still and entertained. These silicone tools stick to your wall, and you can put pet-friendly peanut butter on the device. This will distract your pet and give them something to do while standing upright so you can work quickly. Bath time can be challenging. But with these three tips, it can become far less stressful for you and your furry friends. Perhaps, in time, you won’t dread giving your pet a bath anymore! Happy washing! 3 STRATEGIES TO MAKE BATHING YOUR PET EASIER

But why do these homes tend to be more dangerous for seniors? Here’s what research has found.

Seniors will be more likely to have emergency health events or hospitalization. A recent study found that residents in private equity- owned homes were 11.1% more likely to experience a preventable ER visit and 8.7% more likely to experience a preventable hospitalization when compared to residents of for-profit nursing homes (non-associated with private equity). The rate of senior mortality and medical prescription are significantly higher. A working study examining 18,000 nursing home facilities over a 17-year period has found that private equity-owned homes increased excess mortality for residents by 10%, increased prescription of antipsychotic drugs for residents by 50%, decreased hours of frontline nurse staffing by 3%, and increased taxpayer spending per resident by 11%. This may mean an additional 20,150 lives lost due to private equity ownership. Seniors may be much more likely to get contagious diseases, like COVID-19. In a New Jersey case study, private equity-owned nursing homes had a COVID-19 infection rate and death rate that were often 30% and 40% higher than statewide averages, respectively. If you suspect that your loved one is being mistreated at their nursing home, don’t hesitate to give our offices a call. We represent our nursing home abuse clients fiercely. Your loved ones deserve to live in comfort, peace, and happiness at every stage of life.

2

5 Fun, Family Outdoor Activities for All Ages

Beat the Heat With Family Quality Time!

No. 2: Take a walk. It’s an old-fashioned way to pass time and have a conversation, but it’s one of the best options! On a walk, no matter what age, everyone can go at their own pace. No. 3: Have a picnic or outdoor tea party. A shared meal and/or beverage can be a great way to spend time with our loved ones, especially while outdoors! No. 4: Create a treasure hunt. Kids love finding knickknacks and old treasure! Create your own outdoor treasure hunt, which will allow kids and adults alike to safely explore any outdoor area and make exciting discoveries. No. 5: Paint, read, or collect rocks for designated ‘quiet time.’ No matter how much we love kids, they will almost always have more energy than adults! During downtime, or whenever grandparents need to rest, you can have kids collect things from the nearby outdoor area to keep themselves busy. Of course, if on public grounds, this depends on your local park or trail rules. You can also give kids art supplies or interesting books to help keep them entertained when you need an afternoon nap.

Here in Texas, as the temperatures climb higher in summer, families often take their get-togethers indoors. However, there are plenty of safe, low-impact outdoor activities for all ages! Try a few to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and create new family memories. Just make sure to bring plenty of drinking water! No. 1: Share old photos and go to where they were taken. It’s tough to imagine our parents as kids themselves. But, if you have any outdoor pictures of yourself as a kid, it might be a real treat to revisit the places where those pictures were taken. Your kids and grandkids can hear all the stories of your youth and how times have changed. You can even bring your parents to enjoy the trip down memory lane! Texas-Sized LAUGHS

No matter who’s attending your next get-together, we hope these activities can help involve the whole family! Enjoy the beautiful summer while it lasts.

MOUTHWATERING SOUTHERN BBQ

INGREDIENTS

•

3 lbs boneless pork loin roast, trimmed

• • • • •

18 oz barbecue sauce

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp hot pepper sauce 10 hamburger buns, split Deli coleslaw (optional)

• • • •

1 cup water 1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp pepper

1/4 cup brown sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. In a 4-quart slow cooker, add the roast and 1 cup of water. 2. Cover and cook the roast on high for 7 hours or until tender. 3. Once tender, shred the meat. 4. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker. Stir in salt, pepper, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire, and hot pepper sauce. 5. Cover and cook on the lowest setting for an hour. 6. When finished, serve barbecue on buns with coleslaw (optional).

Inspired by JustAPinch.com

3

WWW.THETEXASLAWDOG.COM

817.775.5364

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

WWW.THETEXASLAWDOG.COM 817.775.5364 420 E. LAMAR BLVD. #110 ARLINGTON, TX 76011

INSIDE

Cars I’ll Never Forget 1

It’s Time for a Bath! The Truth About Private Equity-Owned Nursing Homes 2

5 Outdoor Family-Friendly Activities Mouthwatering Southern BBQ 3

What Exactly Is the Rosetta Stone? 4

Cases We Handle: • Personal Injury • Wrongful Death

• Car Wreck • Truck Wreck

Not Just a Language Tool

THE HISTORY BEHIND THE REAL ROSETTA STONE

Rosetta Stone is one of the world’s most popular and well-known language- learning softwares, but many users have wondered about where its name came from. The original Rosetta Stone was once the most enigmatic Egyptian artifact that confounded scholars for a number of years. When they finally cracked the code, one of the lost secrets of ancient Egypt was revealed.

in 1801. Under the terms of the Treaty of Alexandria, the British claimed the Rosetta Stone, along with other Egyptian artifacts found by the French.

The British relocated the stone to the British Museum in London, where it was stored in a temporary structure until they could strengthen the floors of the museum to support its incredible weight. Various scientists

studied the artifact with no success, and it was ultimately deciphered by French linguist Jean-Francois Champollion.

The Rosetta Stone is a slab of granite that has inscriptions of a decree issued in 196 B.C. by Egypt’s ruler at the time, Ptolemy V, and a group of Egyptian clergy members. The decree was written in hieroglyphics, ancient Greek, and Demotic, which was a script used by the common people. Experts estimate the stone’s creation was over 2,000 years ago.

Champollion discovered that hieroglyphics were a combination of phonetic and ideographic signs. Earlier scientists had falsely inferred that hieroglyphics were simply symbolic picture writing and nothing more. For his discovery, Champollion was named the founding father of Egyptology.

If you’re interested in viewing the Rosetta Stone, it is still on display at the British Museum in London where it’s been displayed for 220 years, with the exception of a temporary relocation during World War I. While the Rosetta Stone has called London home for hundreds of years, there have been recent requests to return it to its homeland in Egypt.

The slab was discovered in July 1799 by a group of French army engineers who were operating under Napoleon

Bonaparte’s orders near the Egyptian town of Rosetta. The British Army would go on to defeat France in Egypt during the French Revolutionary Wars

4

REGAL INSURANCE AGENCY

817.532.8963