Van Dyck Law - 3rd Quarter, 2022

Van Dyck Law - 3rd Quarter, 2022

VanDyckLawGroup

QUARTER 3, 2022

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Looking Back at Some of My Summer Jobs The Summer of Discontent

The summer season is often an exciting time for kids and young adults alike. They’re free from school and confront several opportunities to start new experiences. Many will start their first job or find a new activity suited to their interests. I had various commendable jobs growing up — from babysitting to delivering newspapers. However, the summer of 1982 will always stick out in my mind as the summer of discontent because I really struggled to find a job I enjoyed. At the dawn of summer, I walked into a local Dunkin’ Donuts and asked for a job. After a few questions, I was handed an apron and started right then on the spot. There were many Dunkin’ Donuts in the area, but I felt like I was personally delivered to this one. A French family’s car broke down in front of the location within the first few hours of my first shift, but I could speak French fairly fluently. I communicated with the driver to help them get roadside assistance. Afterward, I walked back into Dunkin’ Donuts and was informed that it was time to make donuts again. I folded up my apron and promptly quit after only three hours of work — this was before Dunkin’ Donuts had baristas. I learned I needed to work a job that satisfied my interests and provided a challenge. Dunkin’ did neither for me at the time. My next job was at a plant nursery out in the country. I worked in the potting shed during my first day, which operated like a factory. Plants would come down a conveyor belt and I scooped soil into the pots before putting the plants in them. The following day, I was moved out into the field where I would move plants around. There were massive metal rings that could turn the field into a greenhouse when the weather got cold, and we worked under those while out in the field. On my third day of work, a thunderstorm took place while out in the field. Lightning struck everywhere and it felt

incredibly unsafe. I brought my concerns to a coworker who told me not to mention it to anyone. But it felt too dangerous to be out there! So, I brought my concerns to the foreman, who told me to keep working. I eventually quit and learned to never settle for unsafe working conditions. Two more jobs came afterward. In the evening, I worked at a life insurance office and called people who had recently submitted applications for insurance. I asked them a series of extremely personal questions. It felt weird asking those questions as a teenager, but everyone I talked to was kind and answered cooperatively. I kept this job for some time and learned that being kind to others is the best way to get them to open up. During the day, I worked for a beauty supply company that sold only to salons. This was the era of big hair, and we had sought-after products everyone wanted to get their hands on. By talking to the clientele, I figured out exactly what they wanted and the products they needed, which taught me how to talk to people to figure out their true needs. This skill helps us to find solutions for our clients even if they don’t know exactly what they are looking for. People won’t remember what you said, but they’ll remember how you made them feel. We make sure every client we work with feels recognized, appreciated, and taken care of. Summer jobs provide ample learning opportunities. Sometimes, we can even use the lessons learned during these first work experiences throughout our lives. If your kids are starting their first job or you’re transitioning into a new role yourself, I wish you the best of luck going forward! -Fiona Van Dyck

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‘Test-Drive’ Your Retirement Spot Thought Back on Track Have you heard? There’s a new trend for pre-retirees: test-driving retirement destinations, just like new cars! Thanks to remote work, many folks in their 50s and 60s can spend weeks or months immersing themselves in potential retirement destinations. With a long-term rental or RV (and good Wi-Fi), you can soak up a place’s culture, weather, and way of life. This strategy worked perfectly for Rutgers professor Barbara O’Neill. According to AARP, O’Neill left her home in New Jersey to test-drive the community of Ocala, Florida, several times over three years. She spent nine months there on sabbatical and working remotely before falling in love with Florida and buying a home. Of course, that doesn’t mean test-driving retirement is right for you. The Pros • You’ll experience the perks and pitfalls of your retirement spot. A Google search of “Palm Beach, Florida” can give you a bulleted list of the city’s pros and cons, but it can’t let you experience them. Is the coffee actually good? Is the humidity annoying or just downright unbearable? You’ll only know if you make the trip yourself. • You’ll see past the “vacation bubble.” As one wealth manager told AARP, “When you’re living there full time, it’s a different lifestyle than when you’re on vacation.”

The Pros and Cons of Long-Term Stays

• You’ll build confidence. You’ll find out for sure if your retirement spot is right for you. The Cons • Test-driving is expensive. Airline tickets and gas can be pricey and so can testing all of the “experiences” of a new place like restaurants and excursions. If travel isn’t in your budget, this strategy may not be for you — yet. • Not everyone has work flexibility. If you or your spouse has a career where remote work isn’t an option, test driving may not be feasible. Instead, consider waiting for retirement, then using an RV to visit multiple locations before buying a home. If you think test-driving your retirement is for you, schedule several extended stays in different seasons (Airbnb and Vrbo are your best friends). Consider your spouse’s reaction, the weather, cost of living, tax situation, health care options, and distance from family. Ultimately, getting ready for retirement should be fun, not stressful!

CAN’T-MISS EVENTS

At the Education Center at Van Dyck Law

Finding Joy Through the Creative Arts — Create When: Wednesday, Aug. 24 from 10–11:30 a.m. After a brief video, we will have some fun and create together. You do not need any special “artistic talent” to participate in this workshop. All supplies will be provided. Finding Joy Through the Creative Arts — Poetry and Shared Reading When: Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 10–11 a.m. Reading poems aloud and shared reading can have a significant impact on mood, concentration, and social interaction. Join us as we explore the joy of words and their impact on brain health. Become a Certified Dementia Practitioner! Sponsored by Brandywine Living When: Tuesday, September 20, from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. This seminar is required for health care workers who want to obtain their Certified Dementia Practitioner designation. Attendance will count as CE hours for social workers, certified case managers, nurses, CALA, LNHA, and ADC.

The Education Center at Van Dyck Law provides individuals from our community with materials and information related to dementia, estate planning, and healthy aging. We have some valuable, informative events coming up soon that you don’t want to miss. All programs take place at the Education Center at Van Dyck Law located at 707 State Road, Suite 102, in Princeton. These events are open to all members of the community, clients, and professionals unless otherwise noted. Please call 609-580-1044 to register. Finding Joy Through the Creative Arts — Songwriting When: Wednesday, July 13, from 2–3 p.m. Join us for this invigorating hour of turning our sweetest memories into a beautiful song with the help of our own talented singer/songwriter Sheli Monacchio. Finding Joy Through the Creative Arts — Movement, Music, and Memories When: Wednesday, July 27, from 2–3 p.m. Presented by the founder of Dementia Living Solutions, Francine Pannella, this participative

hour will focus on movement to music, interactive cognitive stimulation, and fun. Finding Joy Through the Creative Arts — Explore When: Wednesday, Aug. 10, from 10–11 a.m. Join us on a virtual tour of an art museum. We will look at some very well-known art pieces and discuss our impressions, how art influences us, and how art makes us feel. Become a Certified Dementia Practitioner! Sponsored by Platinum Home Care When: Tuesday, July 19, from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. This seminar is required for health care workers who want to obtain their Certified Dementia Practitioner designation. Attendance will count as CE hours for social workers, certified case managers, nurses, CALA, LNHA, and ADC. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Please call us at 609-580-1044 to register. Finding Joy Through the Creative Arts — Discuss When: Wednesday, Aug. 17, from 10–11 a.m. After a brief video, we will discuss how art affects the brain while sharing some resources.

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WHEN CAN SOMEONE BE DECLARED LEGALLY INCOMPETENT?

It can be a difficult situation watching our loved ones age, but it can become even more difficult if your loved one is experiencing memory loss or suddenly starts making poor decisions. When this happens, you may wonder what needs to be done. The truth is that determining whether someone is incapable of making their own decisions is a complicated process. If a loved one is unable to make decisions for themselves, the court may appoint a guardian or conservator to serve as their substitute decision maker. This is often a last resort if the individual does not have a power of attorney already in place. There are different levels of guardianship, though. Depending on the state and situation, an individual may need someone to act as a guardian who handles all of their affairs or as a guardian who only oversees their finances. The court will usually look at a number of factors to determine if a guardian is needed. They will decide if the individual is capable

of comprehending important medical or financial information. They will also look at the individual’s ability to make reasonable decisions with the information available and their ability to maintain a safe environment. Additionally, in New Jersey, all applications for guardianship require an up-to-date assessment from a psychologist, psychiatrist, or medical doctor who is licensed in the state. If someone is simply making irresponsible decisions, they cannot be declared incapacitated. They will only be declared incapacitated if they are shown to lack the capacity to make sound decisions. Additionally, a developmental disability or mental illness is not, by itself, enough to declare a person incapacitated. It can be stressful when a loved one begins to struggle with their ability to make decisions. If you’ve found yourself in this situation and are unsure what to do, give us a call. We would be glad to offer advice and help make the situation easier for everyone involved.

Van Dyck Education Center’s Upcoming Events

Healthier Hot Dogs With Slaw

The Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Seminar Sponsored by Platinum Home Care will be held on July 19 from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. This event is open to health care professionals only. The Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Seminar Sponsored by Brandywine Living will be held on September 20 from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. This event is open to health care professionals only.

Inspired by RachaelRayMag.com

• 2 tsp ground cumin • 1 tbsp grill seasoning • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 2 tbsp maple syrup • 8 organic chicken sausage links • 8 whole-wheat hot dog buns, toasted

INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp vegetable oil • 1 green apple, peeled and diced • 1 red onion, thinly sliced • 1 small head red cabbage, cored and shredded

Community Education Topics (Open to the Public)

July 13, 2 p.m.: Finding Joy Through the Creative Arts – Songwriting July 27, 2 p.m.: Finding Joy Through the Creative Arts – Movement, Music, and Memories Aug. 10, 10 a.m.: Finding Joy Through the Creative Arts - Explore (The Joy of Art) Aug. 17, 10 a.m.: Finding Joy Through the Creative Arts – Discuss (The Joy of Art) Aug. 24, 10 a.m.: Finding Joy Through the Creative Arts – Create (The Joy of Art) Sept. 14, 10 a.m.: Finding Joy Through the Creative Arts – Poetry and Shared Reading For more information about these events, please see Page 2 of the newsletter!

DIRECTIONS 1. In a large skillet over high heat, warm the vegetable oil. Saute the apple, onion, and cabbage and toss until wilted. Season with cumin and grill seasoning and cook for 10–12 minutes, until tender. 2. Add the vinegar and maple syrup, then toss to combine. Cook for 1 minute and set the slaw aside. 3. On the grill, cook your chicken dogs according to the package instructions. 4. Assemble the works, starting with the bun and piling in the chicken dog and slaw. 5. Dig in! For an extra health boost, serve with grilled summer vegetables.

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707 State Road, Suite 102 Princeton, NJ 08540 VANDYCKFIRM.COM | 609-580-1044 Inside 1 2 3 Reflecting on Past Summer Jobs

Should You ‘Test-Drive’ Your Retirement? Upcoming Events at the Education Center

When Can Someone Be Declared Legally Incompetent? Healthier Hot Dogs With Slaw Upcoming Events

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Why Summer Can Be Dangerous

4 Common Summertime Injuries PT Can Help Alleviate

No. 3: Tennis or Golf Elbow In summer, many people dust off their tennis racket and golf clubs to start playing again. Unfortunately, these sports can lead to some awkward movements for your body, especially your elbows. Tennis or golfer elbow can occur from repetitive strain on your elbow tendons. Even people who don’t play tennis or golf can suffer from these injuries, so they benefit from a diagnosis and a treatment plan that can help them avoid future problems. No. 4: Shin Splints If you plan on doing a lot of high impact activities, such as running and jumping, you may experience shin splints. You’ll need plenty of rest and ice to heal from this injury, but physical therapy can also help to get you back on your feet! A treatment plan that may include specific stretches, strengthening exercises, and massages can help alleviate the condition. If you’re upset about an injury putting a stop to your outdoor fun this summer, you aren’t alone. We see patients with life-disrupting and even life-changing injuries all the time. Your pain deserves proper treatment, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Summer is a fun, exciting time of year. However, it can also lead to being less careful than usual because of all the fun activities we participate in! Here are some common summer injuries to try and avoid. No. 1: Knee Injuries

Knees are one of the most commonly injured joints in the human body. You might experience knee pain after a fall while playing sports, or you can even tear your ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), which connects the front center of your knee to your shin bone. Luckily, you don’t have to live in pain. Physical therapists can design stretches and stability/ strengthening exercises to address your specific problems.

No. 2: Ankle Sprains If you’ve ever gone out for a run and suddenly felt a pulsing pain in your ankle, then you may know how easy it is to get ankle sprains. These painful and debilitating injuries can leave you helpless on the sofa, but a little physical therapy can get you back into the wilderness again.

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