Trinity Elder Law - July 2021

Trinity Elder Law - July 2021

Peace of Mind Post

JULY 2021

Are You Listening?

THE VALUE OF GOOD LISTENING SKILLS

between generations can be difficult. This can sometimes act as a barrier between what one person says and what another person understands. This July, I challenge you to look at the ways in which you listen. Put your phone down and don’t think about what you have to do after a conversation or get distracted by people in the background. Truly focus all of your attention — and body language — onto the person speaking to you. And when they finish, don’t leave it be. Ask questions and engage with what they are saying, so they know you either understood what they had to say or that you need more information to fully understand it. Active listening can transform relationships and build a better foundation for everyone you interact with — especially aging loved ones. You’re not alone in this endeavor either. Despite having a knack for listening, I am continually working to improve my craft, and I’ve read about ways to fine tune this skill. That’s just how important I believe this trait can be. After all, listening is so critical to our existence and interactions with others. It’s what connects us to other people. I hope you take time to improve this July, and if you do, I know your relationships will improve as a result.

Listening is a critical function of interacting with others, and on World Listening Day — which is July 18 — I think it’s important that everyone considers the ways in which they can be better listeners. As an estate planning and elder law attorney, I have to be a good listener. I like to think I’ve always been a good listener, but it’s certainly a trait I’ve had to become more aware of utilizing and improving. People are seeking my expertise, and in many cases, they may not actually know what it is they want. I have to be acutely aware of what they are really trying to explain and what they need in order to create a plan that best suits their needs. This all starts by just listening. I want to know why people have sought my help and what issue or event prompted this meeting. Then, I ask a lot of questions. I want to know what keeps my clients up at night. What is a major sdf

You don’t have to have ears like Betty the Donkey to be a good listener.

concern, and what would lift that concern? Why do they need my help?

Usually, I hear very similar answers to these questions, but sometimes it’s surprising. I can’t go into autopilot at these moments, or I could risk missing an important detail, even if these details are similar to what I’ve heard before. I never want to miss the mark and jeopardize our clients’ futures. As I’ve grown, I’ve learned that being a good listener is about so much more than being a good attorney, too. It’s critical to fostering good personal and family relationships, and for my clients, it can be crucial to develop these good listening skills in order to maintain that relationship with a loved one. Caring for an aging parent or communicating

“ACTIVE LISTENING CAN TRANSFORM RELATIONSHIPS AND BUILDA BETTER FOUNDATION FOR EVERYONE YOU INTERACT WITH — ESPECIALLYAGING LOVED ONES.”

–Julie Anderson

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Stay Home Longer DON’T FEEL THE BURN! NATURAL PREVENTION SECRETS AND TREATMENTS FOR SUNBURNS Staying independent and in

our homes as we age is a very common goal, but illnesses, accidents, medications, and general aging can make this increasingly difficult, especially when the home ages as well. However, simple organization and decoration strategies can create a home that’s built for aging seniors.

Summer is in full swing, and that means it’s time for pool parties, barbecues, vacations, bike rides, and endless days at the lake or baseball field. It can feel great to soak up some sunshine after a long winter, but it can also lead to sunburns and aging skin. Sadly, many common sunscreens can be loaded with added chemicals.

However, you can avoid sunburns and chemicals by naturally preventing and treating sunburns. Here’s how!

Try your hand at a few of these tricks and safely stay home for as long as you want. Update and Improve Lighting A major hazard in a home are any items you cannot see. Our eyesight tends to worsen due to degeneration from aging, and this can make seeing in dim light or perceiving certain objects more difficult. All of that works against you and can make it easier to slip or trip up in your home. Install more lights or update to brighter lighting. This is especially important in hallways, closets, and basements, around corners, and on the stairs — areas where it’s notoriously hard to see. Clear Your Walkways There is no reason for a pile of boxes to sit in your hallway or an end table to jut out past a corner. These hazards make it easier for you to fall! Clear all of your walkways and replace Kind Words FROM OUR CLIENTS “During a challenging time, Julie helped us understand the best way forward in both explanation and execution. Thanks to Trinity Elder Law, I am confident that my family is prepared for any circumstance that might arise. A thorough and gratifying experience was had at a reasonable rate. Thanks, Julie!” -Barry C. Thoughtful compliments like this one from Barry make the work we do worth it! We would like to thank everyone who has recently rated and reviewed Trinity Elder Law on Facebook and Google. Your reviews are the best way for potential clients to learn about our work.

Natural Prevention Sunscreen is often the first tool people grab, but it doesn’t have to be. Instead, try limiting the direct exposure you have to the sun. Wear hats that cover your head, face, and ears and loose

clothing that covers your shoulders and legs. Avoid going outside during the hottest part of the day when the sun is at its most intense and try to sit in the shade.

The Right Sunscreen Store-bought sunscreen can be beneficial, but it’s often filled with added chemicals and ingredients. Conversely, many homemade salves are not effective. Opt for naturally made sunscreens and read the ingredients to ensure it doesn’t contain unnecessary additives like parabens. These chemical compounds

preserve beauty products but are potentially linked to cancer and other ailments. Do your research on every ingredient before choosing a natural sunscreen for your family!

There are key ingredients you need to look for when choosing the right sunscreen, and as a bonus, they are naturally occurring! Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide reflect and scatter the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Without these ingredients, you will only lessen your exposure to some of the sun’s rays, but not the two most dangerous — UVA and UVB. Treatment for the Burn First, run a bath with cool, tepid water. Allow your skin to cool in the bath and use ice packs for quick relief. Stay hydrated by drinking water, which will help your skin absorb and hold in moisture. Regularly apply natural lotions or lubricants to further help your skin lock in moisture. Coconut oil, aloe vera, and honey can also relieve pain, swelling, and burning. (Do not use honey on babies who are 12 months or younger.)

We would greatly appreciate it if you could review us on Google and Facebook, too. Thank you for your support!

Always call your doctor if a sunburn gets worse or if you have a bad reaction to a natural remedy.

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3 TIPS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

or repair rugs with curled ends or slippery bottoms. If you want to keep or redecorate with these items, find open spaces that you’re less likely to walk past or store these items away from common areas. Keep storage at hip height to make these items easier to grab, too!

HAVE SUMMER FUN — THE PAWAY!

3 Day Trips From Butler County

As states like Pennsylvania continue to open up and welcome local and long-distance visitors once again, we can think of no better time to explore the landmarks that make this region a great place to live. Become a tourist in Western Pennsylvania this summer when you visit these three great spots!

Consult With a Medical Professional There could be a number of reasons why your home is no longer safe. Perhaps you have balance concerns and need to install more grab bars in your bathroom and on the stairs. Another reason could be your medication or worsening hearing. Whatever the case is for you, a medical professional can help you find resources — like doorbells that light up and sound an alarm for those who are hard of hearing — that could improve your specific situation. Bonus: Wear a medical alert necklace or pin. If you do fall, every minute you spend on the floor or injured is critical. Medical alert necklaces allow you to easily notify medical professionals for help! As you and your family improve your home for independent living, it could spark conversations about your later-in-life care or estate planning needs. Please contact our team today if you would like to make changes to your plan.

Seven Springs Mountain Resort When: All day, every day Where: 777 Water Wheel Drive, Champion Website : 7Springs.com

You may know Seven Springs as a ski resort destination about two hours from Butler, but this small mountain oasis is also the perfect spot for summer fun. Enjoy bike riding around its many trails, or take the grandchildren on a zip lining adventure or down the slides. Target shooters and horseback riders will also enjoy the amenities found at this resort. If you want to keep the fun going, book an overnight stay with the whole family! Moraine State Park When: Park office open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: 225 Pleasant Valley Road, Portersville Website: DCNR.PA.gov This is the perfect escape for nature lovers! Moraine State Park is full of dense greenery and babbling waters. Get lost in the hills when you hike, bike, boat, or ride your horse through its many trails and along the water. The grandkids will love swimming in the water, while the family history buff will get a kick out of the story behind the park’s founding. (It was preserved by the community!)

Plant-Based Blueberry Muffins

Inspired by MyDarlingVegan.com

It’s blueberry season! Whip up this simple muffin recipe to celebrate in style.

Ingredients

• • • • •

1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp canola oil

• • • • • •

1 cup soy milk

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups flour

Fort Ligonier When: Every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: 200 South Market St., Ligonier Admission: $8–$15 Website: FortLigonier.org

Zest of 1 lemon

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

2 cups fresh blueberries

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Directions

Step back in time to the 18th Century at Fort Ligonier! Complete with its own storied history, Fort Ligonier is a fully reconstructed replica of the fort by the same name that once housed and trained soldiers for battle. The fort regularly features re-enactments and offers tours and historical exhibits so the whole family can learn more. You can even take a peek at George Washington’s saddle pistols!

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a muffin tin and set aside. 2. In a bowl, combine soy milk and apple cider vinegar. Set aside. 3. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. 4. In a third bowl, combine sugar, oil, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Add milk mixture and stir, then add flour mixture. Stir to combine until well-incorporated but not smooth. Fold in the blueberries. 5. Spoon batter into muffin tin, filling each well 3/4 full. Bake 20–25 minutes, cool, and enjoy!

Note: Please check COVID-19 precautions and guidelines at each location before planning your trip.

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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

Why You Need to Listen

Prevent and Treat Sunburns Naturally!

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Be Independent With These 3 Home Maintenance Tips

3

Plant-Based Blueberry Muffins

3 PA Day Trips You’ll Want to Try This Summer

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Poor Safety Meets Molten Enamel

Poor Safety Meets Molten Enamel NOTHING COLDABOUT THESE REFRIGERATORS

And disaster struck in November 1906 when, in the course of Adams’ normal duties, the holding tank full of molten enamel exploded while he operated it at close distance — at the instruction of his foreman who was overseeing the operation. It’s a miracle that Adams wasn’t killed, although he lived in severe pain for the rest of his life. His employer attempted to dodge all responsibility, and Adams was forced into the courts to get some kind of justice. As you can imagine, the judicial system took note of the incident and, after examining everything in detail, came to some groundbreaking conclusions, at least for the day. The chief one was that Adams’ injury could not have been foreseen by an average person, because although he had

If you don’t know what enamel is, you’ve probably seen it around: It’s the colorful, protective coating that covers tiles and all kinds of fancy cookware. But how does it get on to things? For that, you need heat — enough to melt enamel into a workable, molten-hot liquid. It’s dangerous stuff to work with, which means facilities need to provide extensive training, personal protective equipment, and proper maintenance. The Grand Rapids Refrigerator Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan, had not met its duty in any of those three areas when Harry Adams, an employee, was working for them in the early 1900s. The company used enamel to line the inside of its refrigerators in a process that involved introducing molten enamel to water, a hardening reaction that had a high potential for disaster.

experience, he lacked understanding of the materials he was working with — an understanding that his employer had not provided. Molten enamel has similar properties to lava, and an exploding tank full of the stuff is not a hazard anyone should have to deal with in the workplace. The shockwaves of Adams’ near-fatal injury have reverberated for over a century now and provide valuable precedence when it comes to the duty employers have to their employees, whether that person has experience or not, which is why even today, when we attend ongoing, yearly safety training, we benefit from the hard lessons learned in Adams v. Grand Rapids Refrigerator .

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