Trinity Elder Law - April 2022

Trinity Elder Law - April 2022

Peace of Mind Post

APRIL 2022

WHY COMMUNICATION IS THE CRUX OF ESTATE PLANNING A MODERN PONY EXPRESS

much a part of our lives as communication is, it’s something a number of us struggle with — especially as we age. There are the technical issues, like hearing impairments, and generational gaps that can limit the ways in which we connect and communicate the older we get. Yet, it’s a vital component to our survival. This April, in the spirit of the pony express or one of the countless other communication milestones celebrating an anniversary this month, I encourage you to think about the ways in which you can improve your communication. An important piece of this is sharing your medical and financial wishes with your family or those whom you have trusted to care for your assets after you pass or become incapacitated. We always tell families that the worst possible time for your loved ones to learn about your wishes is in the emergency room or an intensive care unit. All it does is compound the grief or cloud their judgment. A clear conversation today can prevent this. That being said, I know this isn’t easy. I’m not a perfect communicator, and I know technical, generational, and personal limitations make it difficult for us to share what we’re thinking or what we want. In these cases, we often recommend our clients send their loved ones a letter (via the U.S. Postal Service or email — not pony express style). We can help draft it. It includes all of the details of your wishes in a

While growing up, I created my own version of the pony express like the one established 182 years ago this April. I have always enjoyed getting the mail. I’m the kind of person who writes handwritten thank-you notes and birthday cards, and I am always excited to receive cards on my birthday. Sure, the allure of the mail dissipated a bit when I grew up and saw just how many bills adults receive in the mail, but I still get a small buzz of excitement when I open my mailbox. As an excuse to ride my horse as a girl, I would often volunteer to get the mail by climbing on the back of my horse and riding to the mailbox. This probably looked strange since our driveway wasn’t very long, less than a mile from our home. Still, every day I always wanted to get on my horse and check the mail. I felt important, like I ran my own little pony express. I’m pretty sure I liked the idea of it more than my horse did. The pony express is a facet of history that I find fascinating. It wasn’t an easy system to establish, but people persisted because they knew how valuable this would be for cross-country communication. It had a short life — just 18 months before the telegraph system went nationwide — but it remains as a symbol of ingenuity and grit. From the postal service to the invention of telephones and cellphones, communication history has been diverse and lengthy. For as

My not so willing partner in the Pony Express

way that breaks the tension surrounding this conversation. It gives your loved ones the control of how, when, and if they respond. Communication is so much a part of how we survive and grow, so don’t miss out on this critical opportunity this April. These days, you don’t need a horse or a persistent network to communicate effectively. You just have to try.

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Outdoor Activities Yo

4 JOINT-FRIENDLY HOBBIES TO TRY There’s something about this time of the year that just beckons you to be outside! Perhaps it’s the increased presence of sunshine or the calls of the songbirds, but whatever it is, spring is the perfect season to get back out there. So, don’t let aging and joint pain stop you. Instead, try one of these outdoor activities — none of which are simply just walking! Golfing: Enjoy the outdoors, walk for miles, and participate in a joint-friendly sport that will keep your competitive edge sharp. Numerous studies and experts have found that golf is a great way for aging populations to stay active, social, and mentally focused. Head to your local driving range and give it a putt! Gardening: What could be better than a hobby that rewards you with delicious food? How about a hobby that is actually good for you? Gardening can improve your mobility and flexibility, as you reach and stretch around your garden and tend to your favorite plants. Plus, gardening benefits your mental well-being, too! If you’re a lifelong farmer, don’t

GETTING UP AFTER A FALL

STEPS TO TAKE WHEN YOU FALL AND CAN’T GET HELP

“Help! I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!”

The phrase was part of a major advertising campaign by a medical alert company aimed at helping seniors after a fall. The advertisement pushed a device that would call 911 with the press of a button. And there’s a good reason for this advocacy! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that between 2012–2018, older adults reported approximately 36 million falls annually, and 32,000 of these incidents resulted in death. But what happens when alert technology is out of reach? Keep this article on hand and follow this process if you fall and actually cannot get up. Stay calm and check for injuries. It’s easy to panic, but doing so could exacerbate your injuries. After a fall, take a few deep breaths, and starting at your feet, try to wiggle your extremities. If you can move these, move into a position that’s comfortable. If you cannot or if you are in pain, continue breathing deeply, stay calm, and do not attempt to get up. Try to lift yourself up. If you cannot get yourself up, skip to the next step. But if you feel strong enough to do so, roll onto your side and slowly get onto your hands and knees. Then, place one or both of your hands on a sturdy item, and position your leg into a 90-degree angle, with your foot flat on the ground. Once there, pull yourself up. Take breaks and go slowly and be sure to rest once you stand up. Call for help. You must seek medical attention after a fall, even if you are able to get back up, to prevent further damage or worsening injuries. If you are able to get up, call a friend or family member so they can drive you to the hospital. If you cannot, try to reach for your phone or press the button on your medical alert device. If none of these options are available, don’t give up. Try sliding toward one of these devices, yell for help, or bang on the floors or walls. Remember to protect yourself; for instance, use a pillow or clothing item for support and warmth.

Puzzle Time!

Answers:

If you have additional questions, please consult with a trusted medical professional.

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STAY SOCIAL, STAY SAFE 3 Ways Older Adults Can Safely Use Social Media You may choose to use social media to connect with your family, find a community of like-minded hobbyists, or stay informed, but scammers are just as active! Older adults are among the most vulnerable populations that people scam, and a lack of digital education for aging adults has created gaps in smart and safe social media usage. Protect yourself and stay connected with these three key reminders that are great for using social media as you age! Update your privacy. Every social media platform has privacy settings that allow you to control what others can see on your profile. On Facebook, you can examine what other users see on your profile by doing a privacy checkup, which allows you to update any settings you want to change. This may include viewing what people who are not your friends can see as well as checking your advertisement preferences. Be sure to perform similar checkups on other platforms. Only friend people you know — usually! Only accept requests from people you know, and if you are unsure if the person “friend requesting” you is the person you think they are, verify this with that person. There is a caveat though: Scammers will re-create social media profiles by using photos they find from existing profiles. So, if you receive a friend request from someone you know or think you are already friends with through that social media outlet, don’t accept the new request. And if you do, don’t respond to any messages from this profile without first verifying who the person is with a text message or phone call. If you do suspect that a scammer is trying to impersonate someone you know, you can always file a report with the social media provider, and they can look into the issue for you. Think before you post. Often, the rule is “if you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see it, don’t post it to social media!” But what is the rule when you are the grandmother? Try this: Don’t post anything online that you wouldn’t want someone else to use. Before every post, do a quick scan. Is there anything in the post that could put you at risk? Is there anything you would be embarrassed to share, or are there disturbing items in the background? If the answer is yes, it’s best not to post this specific information.

ou Actually Want to Do!

discredit the act of gardening as “work.” Creating your own personal garden can be a welcome escape and offer a respite space. A local nursery can help you get started, if you need expert advice from people who really know your area.

Bird-watching: Admittedly, this activity involves a little walking, but birdwatching is an easy way to move and learn more about our community. You may worry that bird-watching will officially classify you as “old,” but we encourage you to think about it as a scientific obligation! Audubon societies rely on the observations from local bird watchers to track, predict, and research bird populations. Learn more at PA.Audubon.org.

Bags: Calling all card players! Why not take your gaming skill set outdoors and join a bags (or cornhole) league? Bags is a low- impact game that sparks competition, teamwork, and mathematical understanding. You can join a league with your friends or sign up to meet new people! Find local tournaments and leagues by joining the PA Cornhole Tournament Calendar group on Facebook.

PECAN CREAM PIE

Ingredients

• • • •

1 9-inch uncooked pie crust 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1/4 cup powdered sugar 2 8-oz bars of cream cheese, softened

• • •

1/2 cup light brown sugar 1/4 cup pure maple syrup 1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans, divided

Directions

1. Cook pie crust according to package instructions. 2. In a small bowl, combine heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar. Beat for several minutes with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form. 3. In a separate larger bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Beat together until combined and creamy. 4. Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture and stir together until combined. Stir in 1 cup of chopped pecans. 5. With a spatula, spread mixture into the baked and cooled pie crust. Sprinkle the remaining pecans on top of the pie. 6. Cover and refrigerate overnight before serving. Inspired by TogetherAsFamily.com

If you or a loved one are the victim of a scam or have been approached by a scammer online, please report it at FTC.gov.

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340 N. Main St., Suite 103 Butler, PA 16001 724.256.8850 www.TrinityElderLaw.com

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INSIDE This Issue

1

Let’s Promise Better Communication in April

2

Your Guide to Getting Up After a Fall 4 Joint-Friendly Hobbies That Aren’t Walking!

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Pecan Cream Pie 3 Social Media Safety Reminders for Older Adults

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A Heroic Dog Saves Her Owner

She Saved Her Human!

MEET TINSLEY, A CAR CRASH SURVIVOR

Tinsley’s owner, Cam Laundry — were on the ground, badly hurt and hypothermic! Thanks to Tinsley’s bravery, the cops called an ambulance that rushed them to the hospital. “This was almost like a real-life Lassie situation,” one lieutenant told CNN. “It’s really quite remarkable. This dog definitely saved their lives. I don’t think they would have survived the night given the temperatures.” Tinsley is a real hero on four legs, just like Lassie, a fictional pup who saved two little boys from dying of hypothermia in the snow. Fortunately, Tinsley’s grateful owner, Cam, made a full recovery. He also knows just how special his pup is. “She gets spoiled all the time,” he told the WPTZ news station. “She’ll get some venison, probably [a] burger tonight, and probably some back scratches with it.”

On Jan. 3, 2022, New Hampshire State Police responded to a call about a lone dog wandering around on the interstate near Veterans Memorial Bridge. When they got there, the pup — a Shiloh shepherd named Tinsley — led the officers on what seemed to be a wild goose chase. “When Trooper Sandberg and the Lebanon police officers attempted to get close to the canine, it continued to run northbound on Interstate 89, crossing into Vermont,” the police department wrote in a Facebook post. “A short time later, Trooper Sandberg and the Lebanon police officers located a damaged section of guardrail near the Interstate 91 and Interstate 89 junction.” It turns out Tinsley had a destination in mind: an upside-down pickup truck that had crashed through that very guardrail.

BY DIALING 911

Tinsley is not the only dog who has saved a human from the cold. In the winter of 2017, a rescue pooch named Peanut saved the life of a 3-year-old girl in Michigan who had wandered away from home, and a golden retriever named Kelsey saved her owner after he slipped in the snow and broke his neck. She kept him warm for 19 hours and barked until help came. To read the full story of Tinsley’s roadside rescue, visit CNN.com and search “real-life Lassie.”

The truck had rolled off the highway, and the people who were inside — including

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