Page 17 - Mid Valley Times 12-2-21 E-edition

Thursday, December 2, 2021 | A17 | Mid Valley TiMes
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By Jim dueck
On average, we are all living longer these days, about 30 years longer than those
who lived 100 years ago. Seniors today are faced with different challenges than those who came before them. We now have email, social media,
online banking and bill pay and 24-hour cable news. There seems to be more and more unscrupulous people these days that, if given the oppor- tunity, will steal your money, your identity and everything they can through a wide variety of online scams.
Many seniors have learned to do their banking and bill pay- ing online and have gotten used to do- ing much if not all of their financial trans- actions in an online
manner. This can be convenient but can also lead to unintend- ed risks.
When a senior becomes vulnerable, which could be for
a variety of reasons, one of the first things to do is protect their assets. Many seniors are very independent and can be resistive to anyone assisting with their financial affairs. Family usually gets involved and hope- fully not before it is too late. It is impor- tant for those respon- sible for seniors to be
involved enough in their financial affairs to be in a position to step in when the need arises.
There are several legal documents that are important to have in place before you need them. First is Power of Attorney for finances and health- care. Medical Power of Attorney allows the person named to act on behalf of a person when they cannot make medical deci- sions for themselves. Financial Power of Attorney allows the
named person to be able to pay bills and make financial deci- sions on behalf of
a person. It is also important for trusted and ethical fam-
ily members to have signature authority on bank accounts so they can pay the bills when someone is incapaci- tated.
Having Power of Attorney in place is similar to having fire insurance for your home and collision insurance for your car. You do not plan for your house to burn
down or your car to get totaled but you will be glad you have this in place should the unexpected hap- pen.
Because 70% of se- niors today will need long term care, this
is care that is needed when a senior can- not be left alone, it
is important to have all legal documents
in place before they are needed. Being proactive will help to insure everything goes smoothly when un- expected changes to health take place.
What to do when a senior becomes vulnerable
SUBSTITUTIONS
carrot, banana, pump- kin, or apples to reci- pes to boost moisture. These ingredients also add extra flavor and nutrients. The ratio is generally one-to-one for the replacement. However, cooks may want to experiment to find the best ratio for their recipes.
Original ingredi- ent: Buttermilk
Substitution: Milk and lemon juice
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand
or if you feel that it is too high in calories, mix enough milk (low fat if desired) with enough lemon juice or light vinegar to reach 1 cup.
Original ingredi- ent: Water
Substitution: Stock
Make a batch of vi- tamin- and nutrient- rich vegetable stock to use with foods that are boiled, such as pastas and rices. The stock will add flavor and nutrition.
Original ingredi- ent: Egg
Substitution: Vin- egar, baking powder and liquid (baking) or
egg substitute (cook- ing)
When baking, 1⁄2 teaspoon of baking powder plus 1 table- spoon vinegar plus 1 tablespoon of a liquid can replace an egg in
the recipe if you’re avoiding eggs.
Original ingredi- ent: Sour cream
Substitution: Plain Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt, with
its natural helpful probiotic bacteria, can be a healthy substitu- tion for sour cream
in dips, dressings and other recipes that call for sour cream or even mayonnaise.
Food substitutions can help people cus- tomize recipes to fit their dietary needs. People can experiment with various ingredi- ents to develop deli- cious meals.
Continued from Previous Page
ground. Whole wheat flour has extra fiber that aids in digestion and can lower risk
for certain diseases. Those with a gluten intolerance can use nut flours, like almond flour. Whole wheat flour and nut flours are denser than white flour, so you may need to experiment with 3⁄4 cup to 1 cup of white flour ratios in recipes.
Original ingredi- ent: Sugar
Substitution: Ap- plesauce
Sugar is the founda- tion of many baked goods, but too much sugar provides empty calories and can con- tribute to various ill- nesses if eaten in large quantities. Swapping one cup of unsweet- ened applesauce for one cup of sugar can provide sweetness with more health benefits, such as added fiber and vitamins.
Original ingredi- ent: Oil or butter
Substitution: Fruit or vegetable puree
Try adding pureed
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