Trinity Elder Law & Estate Planning - December 2020

Trinity Elder Law & Estate Planning - December 2020

Peace of Mind Post

DECEMBER 2020

The Importance of Movement

EVEN IN WINTER

I n the November 2020 edition of our newsletter, in honor of Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, we highlighted prevention and preparation efforts for dementia. With our firm’s specialty focus on elder law and estate planning, this diagnosis is very personal for our team. Every day, we encourage our clients to have the uncomfortable — but very necessary — conversations to answer the big looming question about aging: What if? As we head into the final month of 2020, I wanted to dedicate this cover letter to one of the biggest forms of prevention — one that I believe is crucial to our well-being, especially as we head into the colder, snowier months. According to the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, some studies have found that exercise can lower your risk of Alzheimer’s by 50%. Movement releases endorphins, which make us feel better and strengthen our bodies. Additionally, new research shows that exercise can increase our mental capacities, too. It is essential that we incorporate movement as part of a healthy aging routine, for the prevention of Alzheimer’s and for our overall wellness, too.

Admittedly, finding ways to move in the winter can be a challenge. It’s snowy, slippery, and many of us would prefer to wrap ourselves up in a blanket with a warm cup of cocoa instead of trudging through snowbanks. Though it can be therapeutic to spend evenings inside, it’s vital that we find time to exercise and get outside, too. There are far more cloudy days than sunny ones in our region, so don’t waste the opportunities to get outside to soak up the sun and some vitamin D — even when the temperatures dip below freezing. Winter has to be my second favorite season. I love how serene the region becomes, and our air feels fresher with a blanket of snow covering the ground. It’s my favorite when clouds clear from the wintery skies, and we can see the millions of stars scattered across it. If you were to drive by my farm on one of those freezing, crystal clear nights, you just might see me standing in my driveway bundled up and in awe. When I’m not braving the cold for stargazing, my favorite winter activities are hiking, running, or walking. I know there are also locally sponsored opportunities for hiking, winter bird counting, ice skating, skiing, and snowshoeing. In fact, the local L.L. Bean store even has a sponsored snowshoeing activity in which you can try it out without having to commit to buying the gear. If you’re considering getting outside more this winter, I really encourage you to buy the proper gear. You have to bundle up, and that includes finding the right pair of socks! (We all know how torturous it is to have cold

feet!) I’ve found a great company called Heat Holders, which makes socks, hats, and gloves specifically designed to keep your toes, head, and fingers warm while in use. I’ve even gone out when it was 14 below zero, and my toes didn’t get cold. How amazing is that? I hope you don’t allow the weather to deter you from getting outside and enjoying the winter fun our region has to offer. It just might be great for your brain in the long run.

Have a safe and happy winter!

P.S. If you’re looking for more great ideas to get active outside this winter, check out the article on Page 3.

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Books for Reading an

BE A BETTER LISTENER FOR SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO ‘GET IT ALL OUT’ It’s not always easy to share feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, or other strong emotions — but it’s healthy to share them. Sometimes, we need to vent and get it all out. Venting gives us an opportunity to release these emotions, which often leads to mental clarity. However, when someone comes to you to vent and share their heavy emotional burden, listening can be just as challenging as sharing. You want to be supportive, but you don’t want to interfere. Strong feelings and tough situations may be involved. What can you do to be the listener they really need? It starts with your body language. Open yourself to their emotional needs. Gregorio Billikopf, an interpersonal relationship expert at the University of California, Berkeley says if you begin the conversation standing, invite the person to have a seat with you. Another thing you can do as a listener is position yourself below their eye line. This puts the person venting in a more active “storyteller” position and you in a better “listener” position. While in this position, maintain eye contact. It’s okay to look down or away occasionally, but try to keep steady eye contact. Billikopf also notes that, as a listener, it’s important to avoid interjecting. Don’t offer input, suggestions, or guidance to the person venting until after the person has had the chance to get it all out. “During this venting process, there is still too much pressure for a person to consider other perspectives,” Billikopf says.

After a fun-filled winter day outside with your loved ones, there’s no better way to relax than with a cup of hot cocoa and a great book. As you settle on the couch or in bed for some light reading, be sure to check out one of these late-in-life planning books. You get to relax while continuing

your planning journey. (And we promise they’re not full of jargon!) ‘Your American Legacy’ by Stan Miller At Trinity Elder Law, we believe in the guiding principle behind Stan Miller’s “Your American Legacy: Powerful Strategies That Instill Lasting Values for Generations.” Your life and what you leave behind is about so much more than the

money and assets you have to your name. It’s also about the knowledge you’ve built up over the years, the heirlooms you treasure, and the family stories and traditions you pass down to future generations. In this book, Miller offers readers suggestions for leaving a legacy that’s both monetary and sentimentally valuable.

SUDOKU

While you don’t want to interject, you do want to be an active listener. This means you don’t want to be completely silent. This is where “reflective

listening” comes in. Occasionally repeat what the speaker says — but don’t use their exact phrasing. Reword slightly in a sympathetic manner. Don’t spin their words or mistakenly interject an opinion, as it may not be the opinion they’re interested in hearing. Alternatively, listening cues like “mm” or “hm” and nods are always welcome. One last thing to keep in mind: You do not need to offer a solution to the person’s problem or concerns. They may just be venting to get their negative emotions out, not looking for answers or explanations. If they are looking for answers or guidance, wait for them to ask. In the meantime, lend your ear and let them know you’re there for them going forward.

Solution on Page 4

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Some Cozy nd Learning

3 WAYS YOU CAN GET OUTSIDE THIS WINTER This month, our very own Julie Anderson is challenging you to get outside and stay active! If you’re looking for a few ideas, try some of these locally curated events to get you outside and moving!

‘The Retiring Mind’ by Robert P. Delamontagne As you begin the path to retirement — or perhaps you’re already there! — it’s vital that you create the lifestyle that’s going to help you thrive. “The Retiring Mind: How to Make the

Count Birds and Help Experts What: Christmas Bird Count Where: Jennings Environmental Center When: Dec. 16 Website: Events.DCNR.PA.gov

Psychological Transition to Retirement” offers a guide to shifting away from your life’s work and into your golden years. This book is especially important for those who love their jobs and can’t imagine retiring. Delamontagne offers a glimpse into the barriers you may encounter and a guide to get past them.

Join the Jennings Environmental Center for the 121st annual Christmas Bird Count. For generations, participants have gone for walks and hikes around the region to count and identify the birds they find along the way. The >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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