Trinity Elder Law - June 2021

Trinity Elder Law - June 2021

Peace of Mind Post

JUNE 2021

Introducing Four-Legged Family Member Planning

BECAUSE YOUR PETS ARE FAMILY

My horse, Sassy, has had a hard life. When she was still a baby, not even 2 years old, as the result of a cyst in a joint in her hind leg, she had to undergo a surgery and multiple trips to Ohio State Veterinary Hospital. Then she spent 18 months in a program of restricted activity and the equivalent of “physical therapy.” Today, she still requires monthly maintenance medication, and we continue to be mindful of that particular hind leg. Perhaps its because of all she’s been through or perhaps its her natural tendency, but either way, Sassy is a queen. You have to place her hay in particular spot, and heaven forbid you walk past her without petting her or feeding her a treat. You also have to constantly check her for ticks. She just seems prone to them! She’s a sweet girl who has been dealt a hard

the past, pet trusts have served to fulfill the purpose of answering the big question about our pets: “What happens to them when I die?” But

match their needs and goals. I don’t take this responsibility lightly.

But there’s another part of my life I’m just as passionate about: my pets.

I always said I would never become one of those people who considered their pets as their children, but I must confess that I am one. I’ve decided to embrace it. My pets give me companionship and love, and I am honored to be the one to care for them every day. Sassy and all of my other animals add so much value to my life every day, and I want to know they will be protected and cared for if I can’t offer that to them. If you are interested in doing the same, please visit FourLeggedFamilyMembers.com to learn more and get started. Together, we can protect all of your loved ones, both two-legged and four-legged.-

Sassy showing off a bit

what happens if you don’t die? What happens if you become very ill and need to stay in the hospital for two months? What if you become disabled or have to stay in a rehabilitation facility? Unfortunately, this is how many pets end up in shelters looking for new homes.

My goal is to help you avoid that uncertainty and establish plans that protect your four-

hand and deserves every bit of pampering we give her. And if I were to be hit by the proverbial bus tomorrow, I would want someone to care for her just as I do.

legged family member and offer them the same level of care you would want to give them if you were able to do so. I am very excited about this new offering. I believe it’s going to be another way for you to have peace of

“TOGETHER, WE CAN PROTECT ALL OF YOUR LOVED ONES.”

Introducing Four-Legged Family Member Planning

That’s what four-legged family member planning is all about.

mind. If something were to happen to you, those you love — both with two legs and four — are protected. This new offering also blends my two greatest passions. I am honored to do the work I do every day. I’m trusted to help older adults and their families protect their legacies, creating thoughtful trusts and estate plans that

Protect your pets in the event of your death or injury. Four-legged family member planning allows you to determine your pet’s needs, who should care for them, and your wishes for your pet if you are no longer able to care for them. Get started on your plan today by visiting FourLeggedFamilyMembers.com .

This month, in honor of National Pet Preparedness Month, I’m proud to introduce my newest offering at Trinity Elder Law & Estate Planning. Four-legged family member planning will allow pet owners the opportunity to plan for the “what ifs” of pet ownership. In

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‘Too Old’ for Martial A

RIPE FOR THE AGING 3 SUMMER STAPLES THAT HELP OLDER ADULTS As summer gardens bloom and flourish, consider the ways in which the produce found in those gardens can be good for an aging body. In fact, there are many benefits to summer produce! Here are just three of the big foods. Juicy Tomatoes During these warm months, tomatoes are at their fullest and juiciest, which means the nutrients your body needs are packed into these red jewels. In particular, tomatoes are rich in vitamins A and C and lycopene. All three of these nutrients can ward off diseases.

Martial arts get added to the list of activities we can’t do as we age, right? Unless you’re doing tai chi or aikido, most people think there’s no place in contact sports for aging folks.

Except, as it turns out, there is.

From hip shows like “Cobra Kai” (and its basis, “The Karate Kid”) to centuries of

tradition, older people and martial arts actually mix quite well — and they can be a great throughline for an active life. Martial arts took off in the United States back in the 1980s with the “Karate Kid” franchise, which continues today. The original movies showed us Pat Morita, an Okinawan expatriate and karate master who trains Ralph Macchio’s character, Daniel LaRusso. Morita’s Mr. Miyagi is no spring chicken, but he’s able to take LaRusso to new levels of karate expertise — and also beat down bad guy John Kreese in the process, despite Kreese being a much younger man.

Lycopene has been linked with lower rates of heart disease and cancer, vitamin A boosts the immune system, and vitamin C can help you heal faster and make your bones stronger.

Add It: Tomatoes add rich flavors to burgers, salads, and dips — or eat them straight! Try to avoid ketchup, though. Its sugar quantity cancels out the tomato benefits.

Sweet Watermelons You can always tell when you pick a

Mr. Miyagi is based on a “stock” character, or archetype, from traditional Asian martial arts culture. But there’s a

good piece of watermelon. It’s often dark in color and the flavor bursts as soon as you bite down! That sweet, candy flavor doesn’t just taste good — it’s also good for you! Watermelon actually has more lycopene than tomatoes, but it’s also packed with

Kind Words FROM OUR CLIENTS “During a challenging time, Julie helped us understand the best way forward in both explanation and execution. Thanks to Trinity Elder Law, I am confident that my family is prepared for any circumstance that might arise. A thorough and gratifying experience was had at a reasonable rate. Thanks, Julie!” -Barry C. Thoughtful compliments like this one from Barry make the work we do worth it! We would like to thank everyone who has recently rated and reviewed Trinity Elder Law on Facebook and Google. Your reviews are the best way for potential clients to learn about our work.

potassium. This nutrient, also found in bananas, helps your body regulate functions. It keeps the muscles and nerves moving, helps your heart beat at a

regular pace, and can prevent high blood pressure.

Add It: Slices of watermelon make for the perfect side dish, but you can add watermelon to salads and salsas, too! Or, serve it up with whipped cream for a healthy sweet treat. Crunchy Chard (And Other Leafy Greens) Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the rich, full flavors of greens, and none are more diverse than Swiss chard. Packed with nutrients, its biggest claim to fame is the high dose of vitamin K flowing through its leaves. This nutrient helps build proteins that allow for blood clotting. (Spinach, which is also in season, is also full of vitamin K.) Other leafy greens like kale, lettuce, and arugula can also house many, many nutrients. Add It: Chard, arugula, spinach, and other greens are the perfect way to add spice to salads. Try sautéing it with some spices for a unique side dish, too!

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Arts?

TELL IT TO MR. MIYAGI

THE SOUND OF AMEMORY Why Music Is a Powerful Anti-Aging and Cognitive Treatment Tool Music is ingrained in everything we do. Our weddings, our graduations, the birth of our children, and so much more often coincide with music — whether it’s the tune we heard in that moment, the song we danced to, or popular songs on the radio. As a result, music is a powerful anti-aging and dementia treatment tool. Exerts at Harvard Medical School found that music stimulates the same parts of our brain that are used when we try to remember something. Furthermore, studies on stroke patients who have damage to the left side of their brain — where our ability to speak is housed — have found that music and singing, which stimulates the right side of the brain, can help a patient learn how to speak again. Music therapy is often used by practitioners to treat those with dementia or those who have cognitive decline. According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy programs can vary by patient. Some experts use group music experiences to help older adults return to who they once were for a brief moment, while others use instrumentation and vocalization during one-on-one sessions to better target that stimulation. Outside of a therapy setting, music can still improve brain health and function. For example, experts believe learning new things or taking up new hobbies can lower the risk of developing dementia. The act of learning something new — whether that’s learning how to play an instrument or learning a new song — can create new neural pathways and a stronger brain. Think of music like a workout for your mind! Furthermore, music can be a social booster. Dancing, playing songs with friends, or listening to music at an event can bring older adults together and fight social isolation, which can be one of the biggest threats to senior health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) links isolation with the development and worsening of chronic conditions, like dementia or heart disease. Whether it’s used in therapy or is part of your daily routine, music is a powerful anti-aging tool that you can utilize to lower your risk of cognitive decline or to help improve your cognitive functioning.

grain of truth to it, whether you’re looking at real-life martial artists (Henry Plée comes to mind, who practiced well into his 80s) or

fighting school founders in medieval Japan — who often viewed karate as integral to their understanding of Zen and other spiritual matters, and thus essential as they got older.

Netflix’s “Cobra Kai” carries on the tradition, showing us a much-older LaRusso who takes on the Miyagi role, opposite his longtime “frenemy” Johnny Lawrence. LaRusso and Lawrence have both returned to karate in middle age, and even Kreese reappears, now in his 70s and as formidable as ever. Is that realistic? You bet! According to one study, the average karate practitioner is 55 years old, and the average martial artist is 46. Many in both groups report regular sparring and contact practice. If you’re a martial artist, you may have to make some adjustments as you get older, but you’ll never have to give up your discipline entirely. And if you’re new to the world of martial arts, it’s never too late to start — as long as you find the right teacher and school!

Iced Green Tea, 2 Ways Inspired by 101Cookbooks.com

Ingredients

Option 2: Ginger Mint •

• •

2 tbsp loose-leaf green tea

4 cups filtered water, divided Option 1: Rose and Coriander • 1 tbsp dried rose petals • 1 tbsp whole coriander seeds

1 handful fresh mint leaves 1 inch fresh ginger, cut into coins

•

Directions

For Rose and Coriander Tea: 1. In a large pitcher, place green tea, rose petals, and coriander seeds. 2. Bring 1/2 cup water to just below boiling. 3. Pour hot water over tea leaves, petals, and seeds. Let steep for 10 seconds, then add the remaining 3 1/2 cups water. 4. Refrigerate 4–8 hours until tea reaches your desired strength. Strain and serve over ice. For Ginger Mint Tea: Follow the instructions above, substituting the mint leaves and ginger coins for the rose petals and coriander seeds.

Ask your medical provider or visit the American Music Therapy Association’s website at MusicTherapy.org for more details.

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INSIDE This Issue

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Protect Your Pets With Four- Legged Family Member Planning

The Aging Benefits of Summer Produce ‘Too Old’ for Martial Arts?

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Iced Green Tea, 2 Ways The Power Music Has on Your Mind

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Why It’s Illegal to Sell Exploding Golf Balls in Massachusetts

Explosive Swings Are Allowed on the Golf Course EXPLOSIVE BALLS (AT LEAST IN MASSACHUSETTS) ARE NOT

According to Chapter 148, Section 55 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, “Anyone who sells or knowingly uses … a golf ball containing any acid, fluid, gas, or other substance tending to cause the ball to explode” can be fined $500 for the first offense and up to $1,000 or imprisoned for a year for any offense after that. You would think that the existence of this law means that at some point, people were just smacking exploding golf balls around the Bay State before the lawmen kiboshed it. However, the truth is a little more nuanced. While it’s unknown what exactly prompted the legislation, there are a few clues as to what sorts of incidents Massachusetts governments were trying to avoid. The first clue is that prior to the late 1960s and early 1970s, golf balls were actually manufactured with a caustic liquid at the center. This led to the unforeseen injury

of a boy named William J. in 1912, who, while “dissecting” a golf ball, ruptured the rubber fluid sack at the center. Some of the liquid got in his eye and caused permanent damage to his sight, despite multiple visits to the doctor. Even though golf ball manufacturers stopped using caustic liquids in the centers of their golf balls in the 1920s, the liquid centers of golf balls made in the following decades could still cause harm. If someone dissected a golf ball and ruptured the fluid sack of one of these later balls, the crystalline material within could still cause injuries. Fortunately, solid core golf balls became common during the 1970s, removing liquid core golf balls from the course for good. However, even though they’re gone, their legacy lives on in this strange Massachusetts law.

With the U.S. Open coming up in June (barring any major COVID-19-related developments), the participants are sure to leave audiences in awe of their explosive drives. While “explosive” in this context doesn’t mean anything is actually exploding, there is a precedent for golf balls that literally explode. In fact, that precedent led to the creation of a pretty interesting state law in Massachusetts: No one is allowed to sell exploding golf balls.

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