Visiting Angels May 2019

Visiting Angels May 2019

May 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 Places You Will Go L ast month, I traveled outside of the United States for the first time since I was a child. I spent some time in Ireland, and it was such a wonderful experience. My eyes were opened to a very different culture, and I developed an appreciation for the wonderful ways of life of people who are five thousand miles away. Amazing Discoveries in Ireland

“People, no matter where they are from, are really no different than us.”

One thing I noticed early on about Ireland is that they use very little plastic, so the streets, public meeting places (aka the pubs), restrooms, and countryside were all much cleaner. It really made a difference, especially in the countryside where you’re surrounded by beautiful rolling green hills. Though the country itself was beautiful, it was the people who captured my heart. The people I met in Ireland were very friendly and helpful. At one point, three different gentlemen helped me with my luggage when I was struggling in 50 mph winds. I refused their help at first, but I soon realized they truly wanted to help me. I would encounter this type of helpfulness wherever we went. Their genuine kindness amazed me. I felt welcomed and encouraged to learn more about these people and their culture. My adventures in Ireland have given me an urge to travel more. Being able to travel is so important, especially for seniors. Traveling has been shown to help seniors stay active and lower their risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and many other diseases. Exploring new places can also help improve your mood and your overall outlook on life. Most importantly, travel stimulates your brain as you encounter new people, places, and cultures.

No matter your age, traveling is also important for expanding your world and who you are as a person. As Mark Twain once said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” This is so true. People, no matter where they are from, are really no different than us. They may speak a different dialect, but the universal language is ever so present. We all want connections with our family and friends, relationships that fulfill us, good health, and a better world for our children. No matter our differences, at our core, we are all very much the same. Sometimes, you have to travel thousands of miles away from home to remember that.

Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

831-430-0616 | 1

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

Clubs: Not Just for High School

The Best Way to Stay Active in Retirement

Get Involved

While it’s great not having your nose to the grindstone nine-to-five, leaving work also means leaving behind a lot of daily activities and social interaction. Eventually, having nothing but free time goes from relaxing to isolating, and that

Think of the causes you’re passionate about and get involved! Animal shelters and soup kitchens are always looking for volunteer help. Book lovers of all ages can join their local Friends of Libraries chapter. To make a difference through politics, help with fundraisers or join an active campaign. If you want to stay closer to home, check out your local homeowners association. There are plenty of ways to engage with like-minded people while making a difference. Don’t know where to start when looking for a group to join? Start online! Try searching “groups for retirees” and see what comes up. You might discover a travel group and start planning your trip to Asia. Or maybe you’ll have more fun mentoring young people in your professional field. Don’t be afraid to spend your retirement doing something new! There’s nothing wrong with enjoying your alone time, but don’t let your alone time turn into a lonely retirement. Joining a group can help you broaden your social circle, stay active, and maybe even learn something new about yourself. example, if your home is considered a historic site within your town, you may want to gift it to a preservation society so that it stays properly maintained. Decide How to Give There are different ways to structure a charitable bequest, giving you the flexibility to make sure your estate planning goals are met. If you have a set sum of money or a particular asset you wish to leave to a charity, you can make a specific bequest in your will. However, if you want to ensure your loved one’s needs are met before giving a portion of your estate to charity, you can make what’s known as a residuary gift. With a residuary gift, once debts have been paid off and your other beneficiaries have received their bequests, a specified percentage of your remaining estate will go to a charity of your choice. Other Avenues Depending on your income level and the kinds of assets in your estate, more complex means of making a planned gift may be available to you. Talk to your estate planner to see if creating a charitable trust or establishing a foundation is the right move for you. Try Something New

can be dangerous to your physical and mental health. When planning for retirement, it’s important to plan ways to stay active and engaged. Joining a new organization or club can be a huge benefit. Here are a few suggestions to help you stay active in retirement.

Enjoy Your Hobbies

Did you spend years dreaming about hitting the golf course every day? While it can be nice to spend some time alone on the green, consider joining a golfers club if you want to mix things up. Enjoy scrapbooking? Check for get-togethers at the craft shop. If you’ve always wanted to try pottery, look for a class at the rec center. It’s easy to find groups dedicated to just about any activity.

Leaving a Legacy of Giving Making Charity a Part of Your Estate Plan

Your estate plan is far more than just a set of documents. It’s a declaration of what you find most important and a roadmap of the legacy you’d like to leave. Not only does a proper estate plan ensure that your loved ones will be taken care of when you’re gone, but it also allows you to make an impact on the wider world through charitable giving. Many avenues exist for making planned gifts to nonprofits, but here are some basics on how to make giving a part of your plan. Name a Charity in Your Will The most basic way to give to a charity is by naming it in your will. Simply name the charitable organization you wish to support among your beneficiaries, and specify the assets you wish to give. If estate or income taxes are a concern, ensure your chosen organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. These are the charities the IRS deems tax-exempt. Match the Assets to the Charity Almost all charities will accept cash bequests, though it is always a good idea to notify an organization about what you are planning to give. Smaller philanthropies may not accept complex assets, such as stocks or real estate. On the other hand, some charities may specialize in specific assets. For

2

| www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast

ADVENTURE AWAITS 3 TIPS TO SAVE CASH WHILE TRAVELING

Where do you want to go? Are you still putting off that trip to Asia you swore you would take after retirement? Have you been thinking about treating your family to a fun cruise? If you have a bit of wanderlust in your heart, stop waiting and start going! Here are a few tips to help you save money no matter where your travels take you. Skip the Hotel Hotels aren’t the only option for a comfortable stay during your vacation. Hostels offer affordable prices and unique experiences and can be as comfortable as an expensive hotel. You can also find a place to stay using the app Airbnb. Spend your trip in someone’s spare bedroom, an empty home, or even an igloo! Forget about “Vacation Season” Retirees have the luxury of no longer being chained to the clock. Most people have to wait until a holiday or a long weekend to travel. But you can easily take advantage of the

off-season savings. Flights on Monday through Wednesday tend to be much cheaper, and travel accommodations offer great discounts during the slow season. Fewer crowds, more savings. Invest in Travel Insurance Seniors can especially benefit from the protection of travel insurance. Not only are you covered in the event of lost luggage or last-minute cancellations, but you’ll also have help with medical expenses. Not all health insurance plans provide coverage when you’re out of the country. Travel insurance can make up the difference and save you a lot in the long run. There are so many places in the world to explore and experience. With a little planning, almost any adventure is affordable. So the real question is this: What are you waiting for? Strawberry Mango PALETAS

SUDOKU

Ingredients • 1 1/4 cups strawberries, chopped • 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice Directions 1. In a saucepan, toss strawberries with 1/4 cup sugar and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. 2. Add 1/4 cup water and bring to a simmer over moderate heat. Cook strawberries until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. 3. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Let cool completely, about 45 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, in a blender, purée mangoes with 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth. Scrape into a medium bowl and

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt • 2 medium ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and chopped

clean the blender. Then, purée strawberry mixture until smooth. 5. Into 8 3-ounce ice pop molds, spoon 2 tablespoons mango purée. Add 2 tablespoons strawberry purée to each mold, then top with remaining mango purée, leaving 1/2 inch between filling and top of mold. 6. Using a small knife, gently swirl layers together. 7. Insert ice pop sticks and freeze until solid. 8. Dip molds in hot water for a few seconds, then unmold paletas and serve immediately.

Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine

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

Adventures on the Emerald Isle

2

Which Club Is Right for You?

Making Charity a Part of Your Estate Plan

3

Top Senior Travel Tips

Strawberry Mango Paletas

4

Local Events

It’s Gonna Be May! LOOK TO THE PAST FOR FUTURE FUN

38TH ANNUAL CIVIL WAR BATTLES & ENCAMPMENT REENACTMENT WHERE: Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton WHEN: May 25–27 ADMISSION: See website for tickets WEBSITE: RoaringCamp.com This Memorial Day weekend, catch a ride on an 1880s “iron horse” and see history brought to life at one of the longest-running historical reenactments in the West. History and Civil War experts carefully recreate the

To kick off the summer, the Santa Cruz Symphony is bringing back its celebrated Tchaikovsky Spectacular. The program will feature music from Tchaikovsky’s greatest works, including “Romeo and Juliet,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “1812 Overture.” And if the grand musical performances weren’t enough, the evening will be capped off by a spectacular light show! Grab your tickets now and experience Tchaikovsky as you never have before.

CAPITOLA ROD & CUSTOM CLASSIC CAR SHOW WHERE: Capitola Village, Esplanade Park, Capitola

encampments of Union and Confederate soldiers, complete with sights and sounds of cavalry charges, musket fire, and skirmishes on Bear Mountain. New this year is the “Night in the Encampment” event where guests can experience the camps after sunset. Here’s your chance to travel back in time!

WHEN: June 8–9 ADMISSION: Free WEBSITE: CapitolaCarShow.com

Car lovers rejoice! You’re in for an amazing weekend of iconic rides at one of California’s favorite car shows. American hot rods, classics, customs, and vintage muscle cars of all makes and models will be gleaming in the bright California sun on the best beach in town. Come see these outstanding cars, meet other car enthusiasts, enjoy seaside dining, and celebrate America’s love of quality cars.

SANTA CRUZ SYMPHONY: TCHAIKOVSKY SPECTACULAR! WHERE: Santa Cruz Civic Center Auditorium, Santa Cruz

WHEN: Saturday, June 1, 7:30 p.m. ADMISSION: See website for tickets WEBSITE: SantaCruzSymphony.org

4

| www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast