Carolina Family Estate Planning - August 2021

Carolina Family Estate Planning - August 2021

ESTATE & ASSET PROTECTION PLANNING NEWS FROM CAROLINA FAMILY ESTATE PLANNING

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AUGUST 2021

TAKEAWAYS FROM AN ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA CONFERENCE In case you didn’t already know about it, our firm has a special division called The Alzheimer’s Planning Center. It’s dedicated to helping families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s and dementia, as it is something we at Carolina Family Estate Planning care very deeply about. not just caretakers or those with dementia. At the very least, first responders, medical and clinical organizations, and local community members should seek to become more aware about dementia. For World Alzheimer’s Month

In short, everyone should have some knowledge of this disease and how to interact with people who have it. So, below are a few ways that you can be more aware when interacting with someone who has dementia. Think for them. Ask people with dementia simple questions, offering statements with fewer options. For example, instead of asking them “Are you hungry?” say, “Come have dinner with me. I’m hungry right now.” Join them in their feelings. People with dementia don’t remember things that happen to them or people that they see. But they do remember how certain people and things make them feel. If you’re trying to stop some sort of behavior of theirs, try to redirect their feelings rather than their actions. For example, if they refuse to come on a walk, don’t try to change their mind. Instead, say, “It’s a beautiful day out, we should go for a walk and enjoy it.” Only share the information that they can handle. Instead of trying to reason with them with lots of facts and long explanations, communicate through gentle, positive statements. Negative subjects can be difficult for them to understand and can evoke sadness, fear, anger, or anxiety. Accept that you can’t fix or change their symptoms or behaviors. Allow someone with dementia to experience whatever emotions they’re feeling, and don’t try to correct any behaviors unless there is an immediate safety hazard. Dementia awareness is all about learning to manage a person’s dementia symptoms, and that can vary for each individual. You must always be willing to ask for help. Seek out support in your community and find ways to continually educate yourself about dementia. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of anyone else. At the Alzheimer’s Planning Center, we know that it takes a village to care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and dementia. We’re here to help you in any way we can. Additionally, if you want more information, download our free Alzheimer’s care guide at GuideToAlzCare.com. And remember, you’re not alone.

Back in June, I attended a conference dedicated to furthering people’s knowledge of Alzheimer’s and dementia with several other elder-law and estate-planning attorneys from around the country. I attended panels and talks from a variety of different experts and learned a lot that I could take back to our firm, as well as share directly with you. Even if you don’t have a family member or loved one who is suffering from dementia, anyone can benefit from knowing a little more about it! The keynote speaker at this conference was a man named Dr. Dale Bredesen, who authored the book “The End of Alzheimer’s” and founded the only program to have ever reversed the effects of cognitive decline. He has a theory that Alzheimer’s disease is a type of protection mechanism that the brain employs to withstand inflammation and toxins, shutting down various “nonessential” functions of the brain, like memories, in order to preserve “essential” functions such as breathing and eating for as long as possible. It’s an interesting theory, and Dr. Bredesen’s multifactored approach to staving off the inflammation and toxins in the brain have helped hundreds of people avoid serious cognitive decline. He also pointed out that the term “mild cognitive impairment” is misleading, since that’s the stage that comes right before full-blown dementia. “Mild” implies that it’s not yet serious, but the reality is that the cognitive decline is already significant and needs to be treated a bit more seriously. At another panel, Laura Wayman, also known as “The Dementia Whisperer” and author of “A Loving Approach to Dementia Care,” discussed the importance of communities as a whole having some knowledge of dementia,

–Jackie Bedard

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WILL A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES CHANGE FOREVER?

Movie Theaters in Post-Pandemic Times

Out of all the businesses hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, few were affected more than movie theaters. For the past year, as movies have debuted on streaming services rather than in theaters, many industry leaders, critics, and theatergoers alike have raised the alarming question: Did COVID-19 kill the movie theater industry? In short? No. Not by a long shot. Though the past year has left the industry somewhat beleaguered (AMC closed 60 theaters permanently, Cineworld reported losses totaling $2 billion, and the Alamo furloughed more than 5,000 employees). Yet, despite all of this, a night at the movies is here to stay. When a Vox reporter reached out to various moviegoers about whether they would attend theaters once the pandemic ends, many of them said yes because streaming a film in their living room just can’t provide the same experience. Watching a movie in a theater completely immerses one in the experience — you can’t pause the film to watch later or do chores. And you’re in it with the whole theater. Comedies are funnier when you laugh with others. A hero’s triumphs are more spectacular when you cheer them on together. (Who didn’t go nuts when Captain America caught Thor’s hammer in “Avengers: Endgame”?) When you leave the theater, you feel a little closer to the strangers around you, and having been immersed in the movie alongside your friends, you can discuss how you liked the movie on the way home. Of course, movie theaters will still change as a result of the pandemic. Theaters are working to become more digital, some even moving to eliminate paper tickets and creating options to order concessions before your arrival. More theaters may promote private viewings of movies so people can be more careful about whom they watch movies with. Some theaters are also trying to create more of an “experience” for moviegoers by offering a wider array of food and even comfier seats.

WHATWE CAN LEARN FROM CELEBRITY CHILDREN

The Pressures of Internet Fame

A few months ago, USA Today ran an article titled “Leni Klum, Lori Harvey, Lourdes Leon, and more celebrity kids becoming fashion trendsetters.” The article shared how the Gen Z children of big-name celebrities such as Steve Harvey, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, and Madonna have sought to create their own fame through their fashion choices. Children of celebrities often have to work hard to leave their parents’ shadows, and in the age of social media, that means a lot of posts, tweets, snaps, and videos. None of that may shock you. Members of Gen Z are on their phones and other electronic devices watching videos, viewing posts, and commenting on and discussing the ones they like and don’t like. Why wouldn’t Gen Z celebrities’ main avenue for bolstering their fame be their social media accounts? Still, that phenomenon has downsides. The pressure of fame has been exacerbated by social media, especially among minors. Today, one of the most popular answers to the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” among children ages 7–14 is to be an influencer, a comedian, a vlogger, or an entertainer. As more young people make money (some enough to live quite lavishly) by posting pictures and videos online, more of their viewers aspire to do the same without understanding the pressures or consequences that can come with that lifestyle. The more public you make your life, the more public your mistakes and flaws become along with it. Just as many children of celebrities are starting to come into their own fame, many other celebrities have kept their children out of social media, at least until they themselves consent to be on it. Celebrities like Ryan Gosling, Ashton Kutcher, and Adele understand better than most the pitfalls of a social media presence, especially when famous, which is why they’ve all elected to keep their kids off it for as long as they can. Perhaps many other parents and children would do well to follow suit. In a world where avenues to becoming famous are multiplying online, it’s best to understand the pressures of internet fame before pursuing it.

However, these changes, especially given the circumstances of the past year, are hardly surprising. The movie theater industry has been evolving for over

100 years, and it certainly won’t stop evolving now.

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CAFFEINE: THE SKIN CARE STIMULANT?

How This Coffee Ingredient Could Energize Your Skin Care Routine

We all know caffeine is the stimulant in our morning cup of coffee that energizes us for the day. But could it also leave your skin looking and feeling refreshed? Most Americans (62%, in fact) would agree that a cup of coffee a day keeps the drowsiness away. According to some dermatologists, though, the caffeine that keeps us awake may also liven up our skin as part of our daily skin care routine — but how? As it turns out, caffeine can help keep your skin healthy in a number of ways. For one, it has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals, which are unstable atoms that can destabilize cells, leading to illness and aging. Free radicals cause wrinkles, so using skin care products with caffeine in them can minimize the amount of wrinkles on your face.

Caffeine can also get rid of subdermal fat and cellulite by metabolizing fatty acids as well as aid in the production of collagen (the most abundant protein in the body, aka what’s literally holding you together). However, before you start applying skin care products with caffeine to your face and expecting all of the above results, you should know that not all dermatologists agree on the extent of these purported benefits. Paula Begoun of Paula’s Choice skin care products says that caffeine “doesn’t work well” for puffy eyes or cellulite. On the other hand, Jennifer L. MacGregor, MD of Schweiger Dermatology Group, insists that caffeine is best for brightening puffy eyes. In any case, the potential benefits of adding caffeine to your daily skin care regimen far outweigh any possible drawbacks. So, what are you waiting for? Energize your skin with a little caffeine!

3 SECRETS TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FREE ONLINE SEMINAR Secondly, caffeine can reduce eye puffiness because it increases circulation in the blood vessels just below the skin. However, it should be noted that this effect doesn’t last long, so you should apply the right caffeinated skin care products daily to maximize this benefit. Attend this powerful FREE online seminar to discover: • Why your power of attorney may be powerless to protect you and your family ... and what you must do about it • How to avoid having your life savings wiped out by nursing home costs • How to provide for your children or grandchildren for years to come • How to protect the inheritance you leave behind from greedy in-laws or creditors

For Introducing Your Friends and Family to Carolina Family Estate Planning! We’re devoted to delivering first-class service. As a result, our valued clients, partners, and friends refer their friends, family, and associates to us. As our way of paying it forward, we make a charitable donation for each referral our office receives.

Coastal Federal Credit Union Daneene Barton Brian Farkas Attorney Edward S. Clay Brian B. Bunn, CPA

Josh Lipstone, Lipstone Insurance Group Dr. Terri Zacco Lynn Sutton Pam and Jim Diamond Darryl Banks, Edward Jones Attorney Andrew Kagen Ron Sorrentino

Nena Ikwechegh Shelly Fredricks, Brookdale Senior Living

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INSIDE

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Raising Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness for World Alzheimer’s Month

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Internet Fame and Lessons From Celebrity Children

Will a Night at the Movies Change Forever?

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How Caffeine Could Energize Your Skin Care Routine

3 Secrets to Protect Your Family

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Why Are So Many Young People Lonely?

WHY SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LONELY And How to Stop It

The Post-Dorm Friendship Drought Even before the advent of social media, people moved away from the conditions that created friendships when they left their college dorms. According to sociologists in a 1978 study, there are three conditions that lead to making friends: “proximity, repeated and unplanned interactions, and settings that encourage people to let their guard down.” Young people are much less likely to come across these conditions in their lives after college.

Given the choice between an elderly person living alone in the countryside and a young recent college graduate living in a major metro area, who do you think would have a greater chance of experiencing loneliness? While many seniors do suffer from loneliness, you may be surprised to learn that people in their 20s and 30s experience loneliness today more than any other age group. In fact, the post-college years are when loneliness peaks despite opportunities to interact with others in the workplace or other social environments.

How to Fix It Loneliness isn’t easy to tackle. It takes time and effort to alleviate, and it starts with actively looking for opportunities to form relationships with other people. It can be scary putting yourself out

A Front Row Seat to Everyone’s Highlight Reel When you view someone’s social media, chances are you’re seeing a “highlight reel” of their life. When you compare

your behind-the-scenes footage to that highlight reel, it can leave you feeling unaccomplished and isolated, which further leads to loneliness. Given that millennials are very involved with social media, it’s no wonder their age group is lonelier.

there, but you might be surprised by how accepting other people can be. Rejection is always a possibility, but so is the remedy to your loneliness. You’ll never know how many future friends you may have until you get out and look around for them!

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