Trinity Elder Law & Estate Planning - December 2021

Trinity Elder Law & Estate Planning - December 2021

Peace of Mind Post

DECEMBER 2021

THE ERA I MOST WISH I COULD VISIT Take a Journey Through History

Time traveling back to last year when my horse Sassy really got in the holiday spirit

events unfold. Yet, that’s not why I would opt to travel to this era. Instead, I would go visit my grandma. My grandma and I were incredibly close. I grew up spending a lot of time with her on her farm, and many of my favorite memories include her fantastic cooking and us watching “Jeopardy!” together. But I would love to meet the little girl and young woman who would eventually become my grandmother. Grandma was a transplant from Missouri. She spent her youth, teens in Missouri, and I would love to learn more about this time in her life. I have so many questions about how she grew to be the woman who turned into my best friend. How did her time in Missouri shape who she would become? What was the land like where she grew up, and what did she do? When she served in the Navy in Hawaii, what was her life like? Was it hard to move to Pennsylvania? It would be a gift if I could be a fly on the wall in her life or even meet the young woman she was. She was part of the greatest generation for a reason, having lived through world wars, the Great Depression, and other historical moments. Her resiliency, productivity, and strength were so apparent, and I would love to learn how that happened. There’s a reason why her generation was known as

As someone who majored in history during undergrad, I have a problem with Pretend To Be a Time Traveler Day, which takes place on Dec. 8. It’s not that I don’t like the holiday; I actually find it quite humorous and fun. But when you are fascinated by so many aspects of history, how do you choose where to go? There are many eras I would love to visit, including colonial America and the founding of our country. I want to see what Pennsylvania looked like when the Europeans began settling here and before we started building on the land. This state was so wild and rugged at one point — and to an extent, it still can be — and I would love to see how it evolved. But if I had to choose one time in history to visit, I would forgo my curiosity with the founding of the U.S. and Pennsylvania and choose to visit the decades between the 1920s and the end of the 1940s. This was a time of tremendous change and historical significance. We ended one world war only to spiral back into a second, the U.S waffled on Prohibition and alcohol use, and the Great Depression left a significant mark on our country’s history. All of these historical moments would be fascinating to witness, and as someone who’s still a bit of a history nerd, I get excited thinking about the prospect of watching these

the Greatest Generation, and I think we could all learn a little from them — if only we could experience it. Instead, we have to rely on historical retellings and notes, and it’s imperative that we make learning history a priority. As author George Santayana wrote (and is frequently paraphrased), “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it!” But I also believe learning about history does so much more than teach us how to create a better future. It also gives us a connection. It reminds us — particularly in dark or devastating moments — that this isn’t anything we haven’t lived through before. History does have a way of repeating itself, and by learning about it, we can be better equipped to cultivate a stronger future.

So, where would you go?

–Julie Anderson

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WHAT TO CONSIDER FOR PET If you view your pet like family, then you might wonder what happens if you get sick, sustain an injury, or become unable to care for them. What happens to your pet if you move into Your Pet Is a Part of

HOW TO WAKE UP REFRESHED THE TYPE OF SLEEP YOU GET MATTERS!

a retirement home? This is where estate planning for your animals can fill the gaps. It provides the tools you need to stay connected to your furry family member, so here is what you need to consider when planning for your pet. Decide Who Will Care for Your Pet The first step is to identify who will have custody of your pet. This caregiver will be

Are you getting enough shut-eye but still feeling groggy when you wake up? The type of sleep you get matters, and a sleep schedule can help ensure you’re cycling through all the stages of sleep your body needs.

Sleep is broken up into four different stages. During the first stage, which

responsible for the daily care of your pet throughout its lifetime. No two pet owners are the same, so it is imperative to decide who will care for your pet. You may consider family or friends, but you need to have conversations with them and confirm that they are able to take on this responsibility. You have to evaluate how they will maintain your pet’s standard of living. Let’s say that your friend has a dog, and they tie them to a tree out in the backyard, but your dog lives indoors. Would they be a good fit for your pet? No, they would not.

only lasts about 5–10 minutes, your body is softly drifting off, and as your brain slows down, your breathing and heartbeat slow as well.

When you transition to the second stage, you become less aware of your surroundings, your eye movements cease, and your body temperature drops. Moving into the third stage, your body will drift into a deep sleep, where you will not be awakened by small noises and your muscles are completely relaxed. In the fourth stage, your body is in a deep, restful state. In stages three and four, you’re getting REM sleep, which is when your body is in its deepest sleep, and your breathing, heart rate, and temperature all reach the lowest level. In these stages, your body is able to fight sickness, begin repairing itself, and commit information to memory. During REM sleep, which occurs about 90 minutes after your head hits the pillow, your body is completely relaxed, and you begin to dream. Throughout the night, you will progress through these stages of sleep multiple times, but usually not in a perfect sequence. You will likely be in each stage of sleep about 4–5 times per night, and one cycle typically lasts about 90–110 minutes. Too much or too little REM or non-REM sleep can affect the quality of your sleep and how refreshed you feel. Quality sleep is important to make sure you are recharging your body, strengthening your mind and immune system, and prioritizing your health. If you never achieve deep sleep throughout the night, sleep deprivation sets in, and you won’t get the proper rest you need to recover. By setting a sleep schedule, you can make sure you are hitting the hay each night at a reasonable hour and allowing yourself to properly cycle through the different stages of sleep. Be sure to clear your mind before tucking yourself into bed and make sure your bed is comfortable to promote the best possible sleep — your body counts on it!

Kind Words FROM OUR CLIENTS

Online reviews are one of the best ways for you to help us help others! We would greatly appreciate it if you could leave us a review on Google or Facebook if our team has helped you in any way. Trinity Elder Law. We never looked back! Attorney Anderson and her staff put us at ease, kept things simple, and made what we thought would be a trying experience very easy. And reasonable as well. Take this step with Trinity, and you will be relieved, confident, and pleased with the results! Attorney Anderson is a wonderful asset for people needing to get their advanced planning finished!” –Paul W. “My wife and I knew we had to get our wills written but had no idea where to go. Oh sure, pick out someone from a directory and see how it goes. Fortunately, our good friends recommended

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IT’S OKAY TO PUT YOURSELF FIRST! How Caregivers Can Improve Their Well-Being Caregiving can take a toll on your physical, emotional, and mental health. One of the most important — but often forgotten — tasks is caring for yourself. Studies show that caregiving compromises health, with 60% of caregivers showing signs of clinical depression. If you’re caring for a loved one who feels lonely, or if your job requires caregiving that feels draining, it’s easy to become stressed out and forget to care for yourself. But caring for yourself is always important; the saying “You can’t love someone until you love yourself” pertains to caregivers as well. You can’t provide the right care to your patients unless you are providing care for yourself. Taking care of yourself provides you with fulfillment in work and in life and helps you take better care of others.

f Your Family!

T PLANNING

Configuring Finances Depending on where your pet will be staying and their standard expenses, you need to carefully consider how much money to leave behind. If your pets are staying in your home, then you will add the expenses of maintaining the property and the home. If they will be relocating, then you want to consider compensation for your caregiver. Be sure to provide a cushion for your pet in case any illnesses occur. Create a Pet Trust and Name a Trustee Selecting a trustee to manage the money of your pets will be crucial. Your trustee will be responsible for making sure your wishes for your pet are granted and that the money is distributed as stated. It is not recommended that your trustee be the same person as the pet caregiver because it can create a conflict of interest. Have any questions about pet planning? Allow Trinity Elder Law & Estate Planning to help! Call us at 724.256.8850, and we will be happy to assist you.

Caregiving can negatively impact your health, but there are tools that you can use to take care of your own personal well-being.

Identify Personal Barriers Your attitudes and beliefs can form personal barriers that can hinder you from taking care of yourself. Ask yourself these questions to identify personal barriers: • Is it selfish to put my needs first? • Is it scary to think of my own needs? • Do I have trouble asking for help?

Once you identify personal barriers, you can begin to change your behavior.

DIY Holiday Eggnog

Inspired by TastesBetterFromScratch.com

Reduce Personal Stress To manage your stress, recognize the warning signs and sources and identify what you can and cannot control. Knowing what causes stress and how you react can help you change your behavior. Another way to reduce stress is by taking a break and doing activities that relax you. If you need some

Making your own eggnog is easier than you think! This creamy, delicious drink will be a hit with your holiday guests

Ingredients

• • • • •

6 egg yolks 1/2 cup sugar

• • •

1 pinch salt

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

tips, PickTheBrain.com has resources and information on motivation, relaxation, productivity, health, and self-improvement.

1 cup heavy whipping cream

Cinnamon and whipped cream, for garnish

2 cups milk

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until light and creamy. Set aside. 2. In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together the cream, milk, nutmeg, and salt. Bring to a simmer. 3. Add a spoonful of the milk mixture to the egg mixture. Whisk vigorously and repeat, one spoonful at a time. 4. When most of the milk is whisked in, add the egg mixture to the saucepan. 5. Whisk until the liquid thickens slightly or reaches 160 F. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. 6. Pour the eggnog into a glass container and cover. Refrigerate. 7. When the eggnog has thickened, pour it into glasses, garnish, and enjoy!

Being a caregiver is hard work, but no matter how overwhelmed you

may feel, remember that you’re not alone. It’s okay to ask for help and to care for yourself.

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340 N. Main St., Suite 103 Butler, PA 16001 724.256.8850 www.TrinityElderLaw.com

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INSIDE This Issue

1

The Era I Would Visit if Given the Chance

2

Get the Most Out of Your Sleep Is Your Pet Provided For?

3

Caregivers Need to Care for Themselves DIY Holiday Eggnog

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Helping Hands Monkey Helpers for the Win

No Monkeying Around HELPING HANDS MONKEY HELPERS FOR THE WIN

BY DIALING 911

itch, pushing buttons on electronic devices, and performing other menial tasks within the home.

You’ve heard of service dogs, but what about service monkeys? For many years now, capuchin monkeys have been lending helping hands to people with disabilities!

Each human applicant and the capuchin monkeys undergo a pairing process to find the best fit for placement! A social worker and placement specialist work together to sift through applications

Helping Hands Monkey Helpers, located at Monkey College in Boston, Massachusetts, is a nonprofit organization designed to

and determine which monkeys will be the right choice for the applicants based on lifestyle preferences and the tasks that will be most helpful to the person with disabilities. Plus, Helping Hands Monkey Helpers ensures that the monkeys are completely free of charge to the recipients!

help people with disabilities and mobility issues, such as quadriplegia, by pairing them with a monkey service animal. These simian helpers are specifically trained to help with daily tasks while providing companionship, happiness, and a renewed sense of purpose that many struggle with when navigating an injury or disability. When monkeys graduate, they will have developed the ability to navigate major household appliances and electronics as well as basic items within the home. They can even retrieve a canned beverage from the refrigerator, open it, and put a straw in it!

The human-animal bond created along the journey after placement is absolutely beautiful. Helping Hands Monkey Helpers brings love, companionship, and laughter to many who are fortunate enough to work with the organization. These monkeys are the best, hands down. And, monkeys, thank you for going to monkey college, and thank you for your service!

A service monkey can also assist with retrieving things that are dropped or out of reach, turning pages in a book, scratching an

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