Visiting Angels January 2019

Visiting Angels January 2019

January 2019

5274 Scotts Valley Dr., #102 Scotts Valley, CA 95066 831-430-0616 www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast 229 Reindollar Ave., Suite E Marina, CA 93933 831-392-0876

A

e S

The Power of Goals A s we begin the new year, there’s a lot of talk about New Year’s resolutions. Personally, I’m not a fan of making resolutions. I’d rather start the new year by reflecting on the past and setting goals to make this next year more enjoyable. The reason I prefer goals over resolutions is in the definitions of the words themselves. A resolution is “a firm decision to do or not to do something.” A goal is “the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.” I think it is more productive to make goals than resolutions because a resolution is the decision to act, while a goal is the reason why you act. Your goal might be to have more energy to play with the grandkids, so you start taking longer walks each day to build up your strength. Put simply, goals are the motivations behind the resolutions. When a resolution gets tough, looking forward to the goal we’ve set for ourselves can help us stick with it. My goal for 2019 is to travel more. For years, my go-to getaway has been the family condo in Hawaii. Don’t get me wrong — Hawaii is beautiful, and I always have a relaxing time. But a friend recently pointed out that I’m stuck in the same vacations. They encouraged me to move out of my comfort zone. So when the opportunity to take a trip to Ireland recently came up, I took it. Now I have plans to visit Ireland in March, and I’m so excited. I’m Irish, and I have always wanted to learn more about my heritage. Furthermore, planning this trip has changed my mindset. If I can go to Ireland, I can travel to other places, too. This one trip could broaden my whole world. As we begin the new year, it’s important for everyone to have things they can look forward to, especially seniors. Goals are an excellent way to keep us motivated to enjoy life. How We Can Enjoy Life More

“Goals are an excellent way to keep us motivated to enjoy life.”

Make a goal to keep in touch with your family by installing Facetime on your phone and scheduling weekly calls. Or try something new this year by taking classes at the senior center. A good goal should be attainable, but it should also put you out of your comfort zone a little and challenge you to experience life a little differently. Our Visiting Angels caregivers can help a lot in this regard. While our caregivers are there to help with household chores and personal care, they also offer a great deal of support and companionship to seniors. This is incredibly beneficial to a senior’s mental and emotional well-being. Plus, it’s easier to keep our goals when we have someone in our life walking beside us who wants to see us succeed. I encourage you to set a goal to enjoy life more. No matter your age, there are plenty of ways you can enjoy life each day.

Happy New Year from all of us at Visiting Angels.

Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

831-430-0616 | 1

Personalized Homecare ... When You Need It ... From People You Trust!

A Guide to Downsizing

What to Keep, Gift, Donate, and Throw Out

Many homeowners reach a point in their lives when they’re ready to move from the house they raised their families in to something smaller and more manageable.

others. These items can be donated to one of many worthy organizations, such as Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or St. Vincent de Paul. Donations are a way to give back to the less fortunate instead of simply giving or throwing things away. Give Gifts to Loved Ones If you have children, they will undoubtedly want to keep a few cherished mementos and precious possessions. Deciding who will keep what can be a sensitive subject, so you’ll need to devise an equitable way to divvy up the goods. Some families engage in the process collaboratively, but there should always be some communication before anything is thrown out. Your kids may value certain items more than you ever realized. If you suspect a certain heirloom could be a source of contention, it’s best to hold on to it and make it part of your estate plan. Only Keep the Essentials After completing the first three steps, you should be left with only those items you actually use and those that have the most sentimental value to you. These are the objects worth bringing to your new home. you’re the type of person who regularly meets and exceeds your budgeting goals, you can probably make it work. If not, you may want to consider a plan that allocates more money with each passing year of retirement. In the event of increased medical costs or other later-life expenses, an escalating plan provides a financial safety net. What to Spend On Some of your spending choices will come down to personal preference and interests, but you might be surprised to learn that one category of spending consistently proves more fulfilling than others. Professor Michael Finke of The American College surveyed nearly 1,500 retirees and found that spending money on leisure activities and experiences caused the lowest rate of regret. Finke calls this “social spending” and surmises that it’s favored because it encourages older adults to get out into the world and enjoy their retirements. There is no perfect plan for how to spend your savings during retirement. But there is one very wrong way to go about it, and that’s mindlessly. However you choose to spend your savings, make sure you have a plan.

While finding the right place can be a challenge, the hardest part of

downsizing is often sorting through a lifetime’s worth of possessions. This process, called contents downsizing, is much easier when you follow this four-step system. Start With the Junk Beginning your downsizing with the hardest items will only lead to frustration and inaction. Instead, start by tackling areas of the house that are full of documents, knickknacks, and boxes you haven’t touched in years. These will be the easiest to part with and will put you in the right downsizing mindset. Donate Unwanted Items The next category contains items that are no longer valuable to you or your family but may be useful to

How to Spend Wisely in Retirement

Make Your Savings Last

When it comes to retirement and finances, there’s enough material about saving to fill a library. You see commercials on TV showing one tiny domino gradually becoming a massive tower, you hear advice from coworkers and family members, and you read books and articles on the topic. Much less attention, however, is paid to how to spend those savings once you’re actually retired, even though it’s a significant part of the equation. After all, it doesn’t matter how much you save if you blow it all in a year. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind as you begin chipping away at that nest egg. How Much to Spend The easiest way to budget for your retirement is with a level spending plan. In this system, you simply estimate how many years your retirement will last and divide your savings by that number. It’s better to make a generous estimate rather than a conservative one. A survey of financial planners conducted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) found that outliving savings is the No. 1 concern of those approaching retirement. Underestimating your life span is an easy way for this fear to come true. Of course, a level spending plan assumes that your financial needs won’t change over the course of your retirement. If

2

| www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast

READY TO HAVE A GREAT YEAR? 3 Tips to Keep Your Goals in 2019

Do you have big plans for the new year? That’s great! It’s always a good time to make the decision to live your best life. As you take the first steps toward your goals, here are a few tips to help you succeed. Make Attainable Goals There’s nothing wrong with dreaming big, but if you make a goal to lose 50 pounds by March, and halfway through February you’ve only lost 15, it can be discouraging. A good strategy is to set small goals through the year. If you want to work out every day, start by saying you’ll work out twice a week. When you hit that goal consecutively, build from there. Marathons are won with a series of small steps. Forgive Your Mistakes You are probably going to fall off the wagon. Maybe you had a bad week and skipped your workouts, or you let a few

months slip by without starting that new hobby. That’s okay! Don’t be hard on yourself when you fall off the horse. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again tomorrow. You don’t fail until you give up your goals altogether. Celebrate Your Victories Were you able to walk a little longer than yesterday? Resist that doughnut? Sign up for a new class at the senior center? Give yourself a pat on the back. You have to keep motivated in order to achieve long-term goals, and the best way to do that is by taking time to celebrate your achievements every step of the way. Don’t be shy to talk about your wins! Goal setting is challenging, but it’s a great way to enjoy your life and have a great year. Whatever your goals may be in 2019, Visiting Angels wishes you the best of luck.

SUDOKU

Citrus and Avocado Salad

Inspired by Bon Appétit

Ingredients • 1 blood, cara cara, or navel orange, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded • 1 Meyer or regular lemon, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • 1 bunch arugula • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves • 1 avocado, cut into wedges • Salt and pepper, to taste juice. Season with salt and let sit for 5 minutes. 4. Add citrus, arugula, and mint to onion mixture. Drizzle with remaining oil, season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss thoroughly. 5. Add avocado, combing very gently to not crush avocado.

Directions 1. Heat oven to 425 F.

2. In a rimmed baking sheet, toss citrus slices with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast citrus until lightly charred and caramelized, about 10–15 minutes. Let cool. 3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine onion and lemon

831-430-0616 | 3

Personalized Homecare ... When You Need It ... From People You Trust!

5274 Scotts Valley Dr., #102 Scotts Valley, CA 95066 24/7 831-430-0616

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Scotts Valley Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday–Friday

www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast Home Care Organization #444700002

Inside

1

Should You Make a Resolution?

2

Why Less Stuff Means More Freedom

Spending Tips for Older Adults

3

3 Tips to Enjoy 2019

Citrus and Avocado Salad

4

Local Events

Start the New Year Off Right

Have More Fun in 2019!

PASSPORT CELEBRATION DAYS WHERE: Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 19; 12–5 p.m. ADMISSION: $65 WEBSITE: SCMWA.com/event Raise a glass to the new year with some of the finest wine in California. The Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers

candy bars, and plenty of fun. Tickets are limited and will not be available at the door. The first 50 girls registered get their own star on the Wall of Fame, so be sure to claim your spot at this awesome event! MIGRATION FESTIVAL WHERE: Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 9; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ADMISSION: Free with museum admission WEBSITE: SantaCruz.org/upcoming-events

Association invites you to explore 50 tasting rooms at wineries across the city, including rooms normally closed to the public. Get ready for the first Passport Celebration Days of 2019.

There are still a few weeks left of winter, but all kinds of animals are making the trip to their summer homes. To celebrate, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks are putting on a full day of activities. Play games, listen to live music, and enjoy a slice of famous habitat cake as your family learns about the migration of birds, butterflies, and blue whales, too!

DAUGHTER & ME DANCE: HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS WHERE: Bruno’s Bar and Grill, Scotts Valley

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 26; 6–10 p.m. ADMISSION: See website for tickets

WEBSITE: SVEF.net/events/daughter-me-dance Scotts Valley Educational Foundation’s favorite fundraiser is back again, and it’s sure to be a night to remember! Show your daughter or granddaughter she’s a star in your eyes with an evening of dancing, prizes,

4

| www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast