Trinity Elder Law - November 2020

Trinity Elder Law - November 2020

Peace of Mind Post

NOVEMBER 2020

Stronger Together A s we honor Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month this November, I can’t help but think of my grandparents. Personally, I consider myself very lucky to have had four grandparents — only one of whom lived with dementia. These days, that’s not so common. About 5.8 million people in the U.S. alone have Alzheimer’s. The cognitive disease destroys a patient’s memory and attacks other vital components of their daily life, like causing difficulty with self-care or eating and swallowing. For many families living with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, each day is its own battle that comes with an exhaustive and increasing need for care. There are great days when your loved ones are just themselves. You have them back and you relish those moments. Then there are the bad days, when the person with Alzheimer’s doesn’t have as much control. Today, there is a lot of exciting research and discussion about what can be done to treat, prevent, or even cure Alzheimer’s. So much has been developed over the years, but we still have a lot to do. I often think back on the last years of my grandfather’s life 20 years ago, and I can’t help but think how different things were then compared to now. It felt strange or awkward to address his challenging circumstance and the odd things that would happen.

HELP US RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT ALZHEIMER’S THIS MONTH

resolve an issue with a care facility that his father, who has dementia, is living in. They were struggling with

helping this man adjust to his new

surroundings, and we were able to suggest techniques to help our

client’s father settle into his new home and help the staff there care for him as best as they could.

To further help our clients and their families, both Amy and I have undergone additional, specialized training to become Certified Dementia Practitioners. Additionally, I have developed two books, each titled “You’re Not Alone.” We have one edition for caregivers and another for individuals who have received a dementia diagnosis. We provide resources for care and assistance, encouraging people to connect with this strong community of Alzheimer’s family supporters. Our goal has always been to raise awareness of this disease and to help families prepare for the future, regardless of what that may look like. If you would like a copy of this book or if you know of someone who could benefit from it, please contact our team today. The mission of Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month is to educate the public about dementia and the resources that are available for those living with it — either as patients or family members. It’s a mission we fully support here at Trinity Elder Law, and it’s helped us progress further than we could have imagined in dementia research and education.

No one wanted to discuss it.

That’s why I have made it my mission to have those discussions in my career. They are difficult, and they can still be awkward, but these conversations are necessary. Given the work we do each day at Trinity Elder Law, it should be no surprise that we often deal with Alzheimer’s and help patients create plans, should they receive the diagnosis. But we wanted to go above just drafting documents and creating legal fail-safes. Alzheimer’s feels like an uncontrollable disease, and in many ways, it is. But we do not have to be alone in our journeys. We can work together to better understand the disease and mitigate its effects. Just the other day, I was helping a client

We are stronger together.

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The Most Important WHY YOU NEED TO NAME Hi, everyone! It’s Julie, again. I wanted to use the space we typically reserve for estate planning education each month to offer some personal wisdom from my years of experience.

MEDITATION ALTERNATIVES

FOR PEOPLE WHO DON’T LIKE TO MEDITATE

Meditation is lauded for its health benefits and is often suggested as an effective way to clear the mind, organize thoughts, and reduce stress. Realistically, however, it’s not for everyone. In fact, some people don’t experience any benefits at all from meditating. In a recent study published in New Scientist about the effectiveness of meditation, researchers confirmed that some people do not benefit from meditation and that about 8% of people who try meditation experience an “unwanted effect,” such as an increase in anxiety. If you’re not interested in meditation, or it just doesn’t work for you, here are some alternative ways to clear your mind and reduce stress. Get serious about physical activity. Aerobic exercises — like walking, jogging, running, cycling, and swimming — are great for clearing your mind and getting your body moving. Really, any exercise that gets the heart pumping and increases your respiratory rate will do. Research supports that aerobic exercise is a great alternative to meditation that yields many of the same benefits. Exercising outdoors or in nature — especially in new places — enhances these benefits. Because your surroundings are going to be unfamiliar, your mind is more focused, which can help if you’re searching for clarity. Stay mentally engaged. Many people achieve clarity, focus, and stress reduction through simple but engaging tasks, such as immersing themselves in an adult coloring book, doing brain teasers, or assembling LEGO sets, which proves they can be effective therapeutic tools or alternatives to meditation. The LEGO Company has actually been developing more products for adults with this sort of research in mind. But why LEGO products specifically? In addition to being objects you touch and push together, LEGO products come with clear, step-by- step instructions, which make them easy to put together and allow you to focus more on the task at hand. Even if you don’t complete the piece in one sitting, working on a project a few minutes a day can be a beneficial way to find a little clarity.

During these unprecedented times, it’s never been more important for us to be prepared for what could happen. As we’ve all learned, when we

make plans, somewhere, God is laughing. One of the most important decisions you’ll make for your future and your family’s future is whom to designate as your power(s) of attorney. You can designate more than one person for this, but whomever you choose should be incredibly trustworthy.

This is an extremely big decision to make, and this person should be someone you completely trust to make decisions for you on your behalf when you cannot. They should make the same decisions you would make if you were able, whether that be deciding on medical care, paying your bills, or adjusting your finances as needed.

SUDOKU

Solution on Page 4

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t Decision You’ll Make E A POWER OF ATTORNEY These designations have never been more important. I’ve always firmly believed that making someone your medical or financial power of attorney is one of the most vital decisions you make in your life, and as we have all seen, it is needed now more than ever.

CAN YOU PREVENT ALZHEIMER’S? Small Steps That Can Have a Big Impact Alzheimer’s is a cognition function and memory disease that affects more than 5.8 million people in the U.S. It can be a devastating diagnosis, and there is still no known cure. But based on the current medical understanding of this disease, there are steps you can take today to lower your risk. Keep in mind that Alzheimer’s is not fully preventable. Genetics, your environment, past health conditions, and lifestyle all play a role in a dementia diagnosis. But you can lower your risk with these three steps. Stay Active Regular exercise and a healthy diet are not only great for fitting into your favorite pair of jeans, they are helpful for your brain, too! Exercise increases the flow of oxygen to your brain, which keeps it healthy and protected as you age. Meanwhile, studies suggest that a heart-healthy diet may also be the key to protecting your brain. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the same nutrients that protect and strengthen your heart, may also benefit your brain. Plus, a healthy heart pumps a healthy amount of blood to your brain. It’s a win-win! Stay Connected Your brain needs to be challenged and engaged. What better way to do that than to connect with friends and find new hobbies? Getting involved in social or hobby groups has been shown to lower the risk of cognitive decline in participants. Researchers are still trying to find a definitive link, but the thinking is that social and mental stimulation improve your brain. Think of dinner with a friend or a painting class as your It should come as no shock that head injuries or trauma can play a significant role in your risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia. You can protect yourself by wearing a helmet when you ride your bike or Rollerblade, and always wear a seat belt in the car. This is a simple action that is usually not necessary, as we often don’t fall from our bikes or get into car accidents. But it can protect our heads in the event that an accident does happen. brain’s exercise. Stay Safe

If you were to go to the hospital — even if it were for something not related to COVID-19 — you may be restricted in what you can do. A power of attorney could help you in that situation. Heaven forbid, but if you were to become incapacitated or unconscious, your family would not have to worry about how to act on medical or financial decisions. Instead, your trusted power of attorney will be called to act. That is the only time they will have access to your accounts and decision-making. At Trinity Elder Law, our goal is to help your family and you prepare for your future, and with that comes preparing for

what may be. If you need to make adjustments to your plan or designate a power of attorney in light of COVID-19, give us a call today. You deserve the peace of mind that comes with having a plan that’s

working for you in place.

Luxurious Vegan Chocolate Mousse Making chocolate mousse with avocados may sound strange, but we promise it’s a match made in heaven! This sinfully delicious recipe is a great holiday treat.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup almond milk • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1–3 tsp maple syrup, to taste • Fresh berries, for garnish

• 4 oz vegan dark chocolate, chopped • 2 large avocados, pitted and skinned • 3 tbsp cocoa powder

DIRECTIONS

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the dark chocolate. Heat in 15-second intervals, then stir and repeat until melted. Set aside to cool. 2. In a food processor or blender, combine the cooled chocolate and other ingredients. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding additional sweetener as desired. 3. Scoop into glasses and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Top with berries and serve!

Learn more about dementia at the Alzheimer’s Association website, Alz.org.

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INSIDE This Issue

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A Resource for Families and Patients Struggling With Alzheimer’s

Clear Your Mind in a Different Way The Value of a Power of Attorney

Luxurious Vegan Chocolate Mousse

3 Ways You Can Lower Your Risk of Alzheimer’s

Woman Sues Starbucks Over ‘Too Much Ice’

ICE, ICE, LAWSUIT WOMAN SUES STARBUCKS OVER ‘TOO MUCH ICE’

“The plaintiff would not have paid as much,” her lawyers stated in a court document, “if anything, for the cold drinks had she known that they contained less, and in many cases, nearly half as many,

Sometimes, there is such a thing as “too much ice.” You’re sipping your cold beverage when suddenly, it’s gone far quicker than you

expected. All you’re left with is a cup full of ice. It’s disappointing, for sure, but is it so disappointing that you would want to file a lawsuit against the company that supplied the beverage? That’s exactly what Stacy Pincus did in 2016. She ordered an iced coffee from Starbucks, only to find “too much ice” in her drink. The lawsuit, filed in Chicago, alleged that the drink was advertised as a 24-ounce beverage, but once the ice was factored in, Pincus and her lawyers claimed the drink was really only “14 fluid ounces.” “Starbucks’ advertising practices are clearly meant to mislead consumers when

fluid ounces than claimed by Starbucks. As a result, the plaintiff suffered injury in fact and lost money or property.”

Starbucks’ response: “Our customers understand and expect that ice is an essential component of any ‘iced’ beverage. If a customer is not satisfied with their beverage preparation, we will gladly remake it.” The company also reaffirmed that you can order any iced beverage with “light ice” and receive half the ice normally included. Interestingly, a second lawsuit against

Starbucks popped up in Los Angeles a few months later, but both cases were thrown out. Pincus never saw a cent of that $5 million, nor did she recoup her attorneys’ fees. The case went on to be

combined with the standard practice of filling a cold drink cup with far less liquid than the cup can hold,” the suit claimed. NBC News reported that Pincus sought damages to the tune of $5 million against the coffee chain.

called “one of the most frivolous lawsuits of 2016.”

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