Visiting Angels - January 2021

Visiting Angels - January 2021

January 2021

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

You Can Learn New Tricks

How We Can Help You Achieve Your Goals in 2021

When we’re young, we set huge goals for ourselves. Whether it’s to see the world or write a great book, we all have big dreams when we’re young and ambitious. As we get older, life tends to get in the way. We raise families, create homes, and build our careers. We get so busy in the day to day that those big dreams we once had seem to fall by the wayside. Then one day when we’re older and perhaps retired, we may find ourselves sitting at home and thinking our big dreams are impossible. We’re not as young as we once were and opportunities have passed us by. Yet, I don’t think this is entirely true. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but I ask, “Why not?” As we age, our goals and dreams may not be as lofty, but we don’t have to give up on them just because we reach a certain age. There’s no expiration date on doing something new! I remember when my grandmother was in her 60s and 70s and she expressed how she wished she had traveled more. She claimed that she was too old, but I egged her on. As I pressed for more, I learned that it wasn’t her age that was stopping her. She just didn’t know where to start!

So, I decided to help. First, we sat down and discussed where she wanted to go. The amazing part was that it wasn’t any place exotic or extravagant. She wanted to go to Texas. She had a good friend there and knew this friend had acquaintances in Mexico. Grandma wanted to see her friends and get close again to the people she once knew so well, but she didn’t know where to start. Then, we got brochures and looked at flights. We considered what kinds of obstacles there would be for her traveling alone, and we prepared for her next adventure. Finally, we sent her on her way — and it was great! Grandma connected with her friend and made great memories in Texas, all by traveling on her own. Later, she met a man who became her new husband, and they traveled all across the U.S. in a little travel trailer. She was even in the area when Mount St. Helens erupted in Washington! I still remember the little bags of ash she brought back from that adventure. In the end, Grandma wasn’t too old to travel; she was at just the right age. She worked hard her whole life, and after she retired, she was ready to do the things she promised herself she would do. All she needed was a little nudge and a travel trailer.

As we celebrate a new year, this idea of goal setting creeps into our minds. I know some of you may think you’re too old to try something new or that setting a goal for yourself is hopeless, but that’s not true! Your goal doesn’t have to be as lofty as traveling the world. It can be as simple as learning how to do a new craft or writing letters each day. You can do it. As you do, the most important thing to remember is that you don’t have to do this task alone. I was able to help my grandma, and our caregivers can help with whatever goals our clients set out to accomplish. (Sometimes clients teach us a thing or two, too, like the lost arts of crocheting and quilting!) When we sent out a survey to all our clients asking them if there was something, anything, they always wanted to do, one of our respondents said she always wanted to learn how to play chess. So, our caregiver went out, bought a chess set, and they learned how to play chess — together. You can do anything you set your mind to, even if you need a little help getting there. If we can support you with your goals — big or small — this year, please let us know. We’re happy to help. Happy New Year!

Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

831-430-0616 | 1

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

NEW TAX RULES FOR CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS IN 2020

Deductible Contributions If you choose to itemize your deductions, almost any gift to a qualified charitable organization can be deducted against your

Many people tackled deep-cleaning projects while spending more time at home last year. If your cleaning spree ended in donating items to a local charity, or if you donated funds to help local organizations supporting pandemic relief, you can look forward to some tax breaks! To feel confident in claiming them, here’s what you need to know about filing your 2020 taxes, including some unique additions from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Itemized vs. Standard Deductions When filing your taxes, you’ll need to first decide whether you want to itemize your deductions or take the standard deduction set by the IRS. Even those who cannot claim other tax credits or breaks qualify for the standard deduction. However, if you do have qualifying deductions and they add up to more than the standard deduction, it’s smarter to itemize your deductions. Take note that the standard deduction was increased in 2020 because of the CARES Act. In 2019, the standard deduction for a single person was $12,200; in 2020, it’s $12,400. For those who are married and filing jointly, the standard deduction was $24,400 in 2019 and $24,800 in 2020. And the standard deduction for heads of household in 2019 was $18,350 and it’s $18,650 in 2020.

taxable income. It’s very important to keep records of all your contributions. According to the IRS, when donating items to a local charity like the Red Cross or Goodwill, the deductible value equals the fair market value of your items. If you made cash donations in 2020, there is a special rule to be aware of: Donations to public charities are now 100% deductible instead of 60%. However, this doesn’t apply to private foundations. An Additional Charitable Deduction If you choose to take the standard deduction rather than itemize deductions on your 2020 tax return, you may qualify for a new dedication courtesy of the CARES Act. If you donated to a qualified charity before Jan. 1, 2021, you can deduct up to $300, for single filers, or $600 per married couple. The CARES Act can save you hundreds of dollars on your 2020 tax return. Use this guide to navigate the upcoming tax season. Happy filing!

How Habit Tracking and Daily Resolutions Could Transform Your Life

Yearly resolutions are so last year … if they’re your only resolutions, that is.

It’s important that you stick with it because habits take a long time to create. One study published by the European Journal of Social Psychology asked people about a simple habit they wanted to form, like drinking water at lunch or taking a walk before dinner. They found that the average amount of time it took before the action became automatic was 66 days! Don’t be too hard on yourself if you miss a day, but know that sticking to a new habit is serious work, so starting small might help you out. Another important aspect of forming new daily habits is rewarding yourself. Bad habits, like smoking, have an inherent reward. However, healthy habits can have rewards too! Try consuming a bit of dark chocolate after a workout or treating yourself to a fresh beverage or relaxing to a podcast after tackling an important task. Find ways to reward yourself, and you’ll be more likely to stick to your new habit. Certain daily resolutions don’t have to be related to exercise or diet to majorly improve your life. For example, having a gratitude journal might boost your long-term happiness by 10% and improve your blood pressure. Don’t hesitate to improve your quality of life! Just start small, and you’ll be amazed by how far you’ll go.

Having long-term goals isn’t a bad thing, but do you have a daily plan to reach them? The huge boost of motivation in January isn’t always enough to sustain you all year long. That’s why there are major benefits to starting new healthy habits, whether you increase your weekly exercise time, eat healthier foods, or work on getting better or more sleep.

Luckily, sticking with these habits might be as easy as making daily resolutions to complement your yearly goals.

BJ Fogg, a Stanford University professor and author of “Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything,” notes that tiny habits can make a new habit easy to implement into your daily ritual. For example, taking a short daily walk could lead to an exercise habit, or keeping an apple in your bag every day could encourage healthier snacking.

2

| www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast

3 Goals That Are Better for Your Health Than Losing Weight

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is losing weight. Many people try to cut sugar, exercise more, and opt for a fruit over a slice of cake. Yet, studies show that many resolutions fail before February! The reason? Our goals are too lofty and not applicable to our lives. If you have been promising yourself that you will lose weight year after year, we suggest a different tactic. Here are our top three wellness goals for older adults that are far better than shedding a few pounds. Opt for a Heart-Healthy Diet Your ticker works hard to keep you alive, so give it a little boost! Artery- clogging foods like red meat and processed snacks only make your heart’s job more difficult. When you choose leafy greens, whole grains, fresh fruit, nuts, and even dark chocolate, your heart receives essential vitamins and your body gets the “good” fat it

needs. Look for the heart-healthy seal on your food labels and make one swap each meal! As a bonus, you just might lose weight, too. Do Something New While your heart keeps you alive, your brain helps you function. Conditions like Alzheimer’s or heart disease can limit this function, but you can lower your risk and strengthen your brain by learning something new, which creates unique neural pathways. Learn a new language, pick up an instrument, try a new craft, or tour your city by walking. (Ask us for help before you begin!) Make a commitment to spend 30 minutes each week with your new hobby. You just might create a new habit — or find a good story. Get Outside More — Safely It’s no secret that sunlight is one of the best treatments for what ails you. Soaking up vitamin D helps combat depression and boosts the immune

system. In fact, the University of Maryland Medical School cites vitamin D as a critical nutrient for fighting off the flu and colds. So, get outside! Commit to walking around your block at least once a day. (Again, we can help with this!) As you grow comfortable doing that, walk longer or try the park! Just be sure to wear sunscreen and walk in places that are mobility-friendly. Tackle your health in 2021 like you never have before! If we can help you create a plan to accomplish your goals, give us a call today. Good luck!

Sudoku

EASY ONE-POT LENTIL SOUP Inspired by MinimalistBaker.com

Ingredients • 2 tbsp coconut oil • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 2 shallots, diced • 4 large carrots, sliced thin • 4 stalks celery, sliced thin • Sea salt, to taste • Black pepper, to taste

• 3 cups red • potatoes, cubed

• 4 cups vegetable broth • 2–3 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme, chopped • 1 cup uncooked green lentils, rinsed and drained • 2 cups chopped kale

Directions 1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat and sauté garlic, shallots, carrots, and celery for 4–5 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. 2. Add potatoes to pot, along with more salt and pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes. 3. Add vegetable broth and herbs, then bring soup to a simmer. 4. Add lentils, stirring until soup returns to a simmer. Then, turn the heat to low and cook soup uncovered for 15–20 minutes. 5. Finally, add kale and additional salt and pepper as needed. Cook for 3–4 minutes, thin soup with additional vegetable broth as needed, and serve!

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

You’re Never Too Old for Your Goals

2

How to Deduct Charitable Contributions on Your 2020 Taxes How Habit Tracking and Daily Resolutions Could Transform Your Life

3

3 Goals That Are Better for Your Health Than Losing Weight Easy One-Pot Lentil Soup

4

3 Ways to Enjoy Our Natural Beauty

Get Outside This Year!

Start 2021 With the Great (Local) Outdoors

We’ve been cooped up for so long; it’s time to get outside! Explore our region safely by staying outside and taking in these great sites.

both on land and in the ocean at this state park. Some amenities, such as the visitors center, are closed due to the pandemic, but the park was virtually unscathed by the community’s recent battle with wildfires. This makes Wilder Ranch the perfect place to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of our California coastline. Plan your next adventure at Parks.CA.gov.

Path of History Where: Monterey

Explore nearly 3 miles of history with this self-guided walking tour of Monterey! You can see the oldest structure in Monterey, the Royal Presidio Chapel, which was built in 1794; visit Colton Hall, home to the first California Constitutional Convention in 1849; or check out one of the many other stops on the tour. We recommend starting at the Pacific House and choosing your own adventure. The best part? You don’t have to finish your tour in one visit! See a few sites and plan your next leg for another day! Learn more and find instructions on how to get a map at SeeMonterey.com.

West Cliff Drive Where: Santa Cruz

If you’re not prone to seasickness, West Cliff Drive is the perfect place to check out ocean views. Walk or bike along the path or head to the beach for a relaxing stroll. The path leads you past a lighthouse, historic motels, and beautiful residential neighborhoods. You may even spot a few dogs and their owners playing frisbee on the beach! However you choose to enjoy West Cliff Drive, you will reap the benefits of that ocean air. Learn more at SantaCruz.org. Please be sure to check with local establishments about their COVID-19 restrictions. And have fun! We can’t wait to see photos of your adventures!

Wilder Ranch State Park Where: Santa Cruz

Explore the rolling cliffs of Wilder Ranch State Park. With beaches and trailheads, there’s plenty to explore

4

| www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast