Absolute Trust Talk

Dementia is a prevalent disease in our society, our country, and throughout the world. Even though millions of Americans are living with dementia, families are often in the dark. They don’t understand the impact on their loved ones, and they don’t know what’s coming as the disease progresses. Why? Well, there are many reasons, but most people just don’t want to face them. The problem with that is, by the time acute care is needed, it’s too late to plan appropriately, according to the wishes of the person suffering, which makes it harder for everyone.

Joining Kirsten in the studio is Dr. Michelle Dhanak of ElderConsult Geriatric Medicine. Michelle has an extensive background in addressing complex medical and psychosocial issues in older individuals, and her unique focus and expertise in dementia and agitation have had a significant impact on improving care systems for challenging patients. Michelle believes that all older adults who are suffering deserve to live out the rest of their lives with dignity, respect, and self-efficacy.

Throughout this episode, Kirsten and Michelle dive into what dementia really is, the different types, and how it impacts not only the person living with it but the loved ones who are making decisions and caring for that person.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the brain changes associated with dementia may begin 20-plus years before symptoms start appearing. It’s scary to know what could be happening in our heads. This episode is full of insights on how to plan and manage this difficult disease, so listen in and share it with your friends.

Big Three from Episode #034:

1. Families need to take the time to prepare for what to expect.
2. If possible, don’t wait to plan and make decisions. Include the person who is diagnosed with the disease so they can decide what they want to happen.
3. Ultimately, we all want the person with dementia to age in place and live out the rest of their life as comfortably as possible.

Time-stamped Show Notes:

4:23 – What happens at the end of life for a person with dementia?

7:39 – This causes 50% of death in people with dementia.

11:20 – What role does hospice play for those with dementia?

15:15 – Michelle discusses how she works with families to prepare for dementia.

19:03 – What are neural psychiatric symptoms?

21:17 – Michelle shares insights on how to choose the right hospice.

25:41 – How do families deal with a new diagnosis of dementia?

29:25 – What is delirium? What is the impact?

33:37 – What should family members and loved ones keep in mind when making decisions for those with dementia?

36:44 – Michelle shares how people get on, and stay on, hospice.

39:30 – Since Medicare covers hospice, does that mean we don’t pay out of pocket?

Resources/Tools/Links Mentioned in This Episode:

https://www.elderconsult.com

[Ad] It’s never too early or too late to put a plan in place. We can help ensure your wants, needs, and wishes are carried out the way you want them in the case that you’re not able to decide for yourself. Get started today by scheduling your free pre-consultation call. >> https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/scheduling/.

Who needs to think about long-term care? That’s something for down the road. Or maybe you’re healthy, you have your wits about you, and you just don’t think that is something you will ever need. Well, believe it or not, 70% of people over the age of 65 will need long-term care at some point while aging. Unfortunately, health insurance doesn’t cover it, and Medicare and Medi-Cal may cover a small portion of care, but only if certain conditions are met.

Joining us on the show today is long-term care insurance expert Patrick Johnson. Patrick has been in the financial planning marketplace for over 30 years and holds advanced degrees in life insurance and long-term care planning. In this episode, Patrick helps provide clarity about why people need long-term care coverage, the types of options that are available, and how they fit into the bigger picture of your future planning. Patrick also shares insights into the costs of long-term care and the next steps you should take to get the process of obtaining coverage started.

We get it, long-term care insurance is a confusing topic, but today we unearth the answers you’ve been waiting for and share why everyone should think about planning for tomorrow today.

Big Three from Episode #033:

1. Do your homework and do your research to help determine the best solution for your needs.
2. Seek a qualified professional who can help.
3. Have a plan!

Time-Stamped Show Notes:

3:30 – Why do people need long-term care?

4:30 – What types of care do long-term care insurance policies cover?

5:22 – What qualifies someone for long-term care in terms of a policy kicking in?

6:12 – Patrick discusses what an elimination period is as it relates to your policy.

8:05 – Patrick lays out the different types of long-term care insurance.

15:40 – What is a long-term care rider?

18:45 – When thinking about insurance, it’s important to clarify that you are talking about these two categories

21:43 – You could still qualify for long-term care insurance at an older age

22:55 – What is an annuity, and how could it help with long-term care?

26:38 – Patrick shares insights on one other financial vehicle that could be used

28:17 – Bottom line: What are the costs of long-term care?

30:14 – How do you find a new long-term care facility in California?

32:00 – What are the next steps in obtaining long-term care?

Episode 033 Freebie: What’s Your Plan Brochure

Have you planned for your future? Have you thought about how you would finance long-term care if you were to need it? You have options, but you need to do your homework. Today’s guest and long-term care insurance expert Patrick Johnson is giving listeners exclusive access to his “What’s Your Plan” brochure. This document is a valuable resource to have on hand because it not only breaks down all the options available, but also, it compares the various solutions and explains who would benefit from each. Click here to download your free copy now!

Resources/Tools/Links Mentioned in This Episode:

www.lookingforcare.com

www.patrickjohnsonltc.com

[AD] Planning for long-term care can be confusing, but with the right guidance, it doesn’t have to be. We understand the solutions available and can help ensure that you have control over your financing options and your plans. Click here to schedule a FREE pre-consultation to get started today. Let’s protect you and your needs.

We all age, right? It’s a natural part of our life cycle. But unfortunately, we often fail to take advantage of the lifelong opportunities we are given to maximize our health and age gracefully, ensuring we remain healthy and active as we get into our later years. Dr. Nancy Rolnik, who has special expertise in sports, lifestyle, and regenerative medicine, understands that better than most. Her unique training gives her the knowledge to treat each patient holistically, combining the best of Western and Eastern medicine to help her patients recover and thrive. She is amongst a growing group of regenerative pioneers around the world aiming to help patients heal instead of using band-aids to control pain. Dr. Rolnik knows all too well the pain and suffering that comes from experiencing too many fitness-related injuries, so she easily empathizes with her patients and creates a whole-body treatment plan to help her patients recover from their injuries or reduce chronic pain without surgery or pain pills. There’s no cookie-cutter medicine at Remedy! Her goal is to safely and quickly get her patients back to the sports, workouts, and daily activities that make their lives full. Dr. Rolnik helps you stay healthy for life!

Dr. Rolnik earned her BS in biochemistry from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and attended medical school at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. She is board certified in family and sports medicine and has worked tirelessly over the past 20 years to advance her training, knowledge, and skills in lifestyle and regenerative medicine treatments to offer patients safe, effective, and state-of-the-art options for injury and pain management.

Joining the show today, Dr. Rolnik and Kirsten discuss the best options for pain management, how health and wellness are vital for maintaining optimal function, and the steps you can take to implement a healthier lifestyle one improvement at a time. Whether you’re an athlete or daily workout junkie, or you experience wear-and-tear pain, this episode will help you recognize what you might be missing and help get you back on track.

Highlights from Episode #032:

1. Our body is the only true healer of pain. Modern medicine helps the process.
2. Getting into the groove of a healthy lifestyle can be hard and overwhelming. Pick one thing you want to work on or improve, whether that is giving up soda or going for a walk every day at lunch, and master that. Then, once you have that down, add on something new. Tracking progress with a planner helps.
3. We all need to take responsibility for our own health and wellness – there is no magic pill or program to make you healthy. Daily efforts to maintain or improve your health add up to a healthier life! Living to an advanced age with vitality requires a plan and consistency.

Time-stamped Show Notes:

5:44 – How do you advise for pain management and chronic pain?

10:20 – How much is enough exercise for the average person?

14:42 – Dr. Rolnik shares an excellent tip for incorporating stretching into your routine.

16:11 – How can maintaining your fitness and wellness impact cognitive needs?

18:55 – How do you compare the health span to life span?

20:50 – What is an even more significant factor in maintaining overall health and wellness?

22:30 – Dr. Rolnik and Kirsten discuss inflammation and how to address that root cause.

25:05 – What are the most common foods that are inflammatory?

32:36 – Dr. Rolnik weighs in on whether coffee is good or bad for you.

36:46 – Kirsten and Dr. Rolnik break down the process of platelet-rich plasma Injections.

Episode #032 Freebie: The Remedy Wheel of Hope

There are various approaches to injury and pain management. Many depend on your efforts, and some depend on the advice and skills of healthcare professionals. The strategy that helps your knee pain, for instance, will look entirely different for someone else. Dr. Rolnik is providing Absolute Trust Talk listeners exclusive access to her resource, The Remedy Wheel of Hope. This pie chart breaks down eight different non-surgical factors that Dr. Rolnik uses in custom combinations to reduce pain and improve function without resorting to going under the knife or using opioids. Some people will improve simply with a few of these options without consulting with a physician, and others need to incorporate all of them in some form or fashion. Dr. Rolnik assesses each individual and formulates the best combination for success. Click here to download your FREE copy now.

Many people are lawful owners of firearms. And if you are the lucky inheritor of a firearm in the state of California, it is your responsibility to ensure the transfer is handled legally – within the scope of state and federal laws. Interestingly enough, rules regarding such transfers largely depend on your relationship to the testator and the type of firearm bequeathed.

In today’s episode, we are excited to welcome associate attorney Joseph Fenton of Campbell Green LLP to the show. While Joseph represents clients in probate, trust administration and litigation, protected proceedings, and elder law, he also has unique expertise in the laws governing ownership and transfer of firearms.

Unlike other assets you list in your estate plan, you might not be able to simply give a beneficiary a firearm, even if it’s been legally documented. Joseph and Kirsten discuss the specific rules that need to be followed to properly transfer firearms in the state of California and how firearms are included in an estate plan. Joseph also defines the many potential problems that could arise, and the careful consideration that needs to be made when the executor is handling the firearm.

Whether you are a gun owner, a family member of someone who is, or the representative of an estate that involves a firearm, this podcast is the resource you need to make sure all processes and procedures remain compliant with the necessary laws.

Big Three from Episode #031:

1. If you have firearms and believe in the right of firearm ownership for whatever reason, and you want to pass your firearms on, it’s essential to understand that you must legally do so. And if you can’t legally do so, you shouldn’t try to work around the law. It’s to the benefit to all who enjoy firearm ownership to realize that we have to follow specific rules.
2. Always have your Firearms Safety Certificate. If you don’t have one, take the test. It is a simple test that anyone can pass. Anyone and everyone who touches a firearm in California should already have this!
3. If you don’t know how to handle or proceed with a firearm, seek help.

Time-stamped Show Notes:

3:48 – What is the key difference in these terms – firearms vs. guns?

4:03 – What rules do you need to follow to transfer firearms in California?

4:21 – Where do firearms fall into an estate plan? How should it be included?

5:26 – Joseph recommends using this specific language as a “plan B” if a firearm can’t transfer as planned.

6:38 – What is a gun trust? What is the problem with gun trusts in California?

8:51 – So, what happens to firearms after someone passes away?

10:25 – As soon as you recognize a firearm is included in an estate, you should first do this before proceeding.

11:51 – How should one go about securing a firearm? NOTE: You CANNOT learn this on the Internet!

12:34 – Joseph discusses the importance of cataloging the firearms that are part of the estate.

13:57 – It’s important to recognize the places you cannot have firearms stored.

14:40 – Is a preowned gun worth less than a new one?

17:12 – What four things do you have to do to get rid of an assault weapon when someone passes away?

20:26 – These documents from the Bureau of Firearms will aid you in transferring firearms, other than assault weapons.

20:40 – What happens if you find evidence of firearms but you cannot locate them?

24:20 – How do you properly transfer firearms to another person?

26:30 – How do you transfer firearms specifically to the immediate family that has a right to own them?

29:04 – So, what happens to the gun after transfer?

Episode #031 Freebie:

Are you an executor of an estate that includes a firearm? While they do require special consideration, it is possible to safely and legally transfer possession. Normally the transfer of gun ownership is handled by a Federal Firearm Licensed (FFL) dealer. The gun is held by the dealer during the mandatory 10-day waiting period and the parties are required to complete a Dealer’s Record of Sale (DROS). That initiates a background check with the state Department of Justice. In addition, gun purchasers are required to secure a Firearm Safety Certificate before taking possession of the gun. However, those rules do not apply to the transfer of a firearm by gift, bequest, intestate succession, or other means if specific requirements are met. Click here to download your FREE copy of Stick to Your Guns: How to Handle Firearms in an Estate checklist to understand what these requirements are and to help get the process started. If you’re new or inexperienced with handling firearms, then you’ll definitely want to have this resource on hand.

Resources/Tools/Links Mentioned in This Episode:

CA Department of Justice: https://oag.ca.gov/firearms

The Following Forms Mentioned in This Episode Can Be Found Here: https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/forms

• Bureau of Firearms Form 53 – Automated Firearms Request Form
• Bureau of Firearms Form 4546 – Notice of No longer in Possession
• Bureau of Firearms Form 116 – Personal Firearms Eligibility Form
• Bureau of Firearms Form 4544A – Interfamilial Transfer Form

Firearms Safety Certificate Program FAQs: https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/fscpfaqs

Blog Post: https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/california-regulates-the-inheritance-of-guns/

Aging is a natural part of life, and it is one that certainly deserves respect. All of our elders should be able to thrive throughout their later years. There is no one who believes in this philosophy more than our latest Absolute Trust Talk guest, Nicole Howell.

Nicole is executive director of Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa and Solano Counties and is responsible for ensuring that the 13,000 residents of long-term care in her community have access to the highest level of care and respect, and above all, can live free of abuse and neglect. She joins us in the studio to talk about how the Ombudsman Program came to be and the work that they do to connect with older adults and help them live their best lives.

“Ombudsman,” pronounced “om-buds-man,” means an advocate, a person who investigates an individual’s complaints and ultimately helps settle them. If you or a loved one is struggling to stay connected with the opportunities or activities available or is dealing with neglect and abuse, then this is an episode you will want to tune in to. 

Big Three from Episode #030:

1. Aging is a normal and natural yet distinct phase of life.
2. It’s okay to be planning for our own aging process and to be mindful of who we are as people and what we are hoping for the future, and that we might not be as we once were.
3. Bottom line: Make the appropriate plans so your life can be as comfortable as possible when the time comes for the end.

Time-Stamped Show Notes:

3:54 – How do ombudsman services fit into the long-term care landscape?

6:12 – Other than providing ombudsman services, what does Nicole’s organization do?

12:19 – What exactly does “ombudsman” mean?

15:09 – How does Ombudsman get involved in a concern?

19:00 – Nicole discusses what happens when it’s time for a solution to be presented.

20:52 – What happens when a facility is resistant to a particular solution?

25:37 – Nicole shares some of the most common concerns her team works with.

32:40 – Are ombudsman services available across the country?

35:04– Nicole shares her thoughts on the governor of California’s Master Plan on Aging.

Resources/Tools/Links Mentioned in This Episode:

www.CCOmbudsman.org

Master Plan on Aging

Kirsten and Dori begin their discussion defining exactly what Alzheimer’s is and what it does to the body. Dori then goes on to share the importance of her organization and details how the Alzheimer’s Association helps families and individuals impacted by the illness. Dori highlights vital warning signs, how a patient is diagnosed, the advantages of being diagnosed early, and how crucial it is to plan ahead financially if at all possible. One in three seniors who die each year has Alzheimer’s or another dementia. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the state of California alone. Alzheimer’s is a rapidly growing national health crisis, and the more we all understand, the better. We recommend listening and sharing this episode, because one way or another, this disease touches us all.

Big Three From Episode #029:

1. If possible (with early diagnosis), plan ahead with your family.
2. If you notice warning signs, talk to a physician.
3. If you are a caregiver, you are not alone!

FOCUS Your Business and Continue to Provide Innovative Solutions For Critical Elder Care Issues.

We’re thrilled to announce to you that we’re bringing a unique educational event to our community this fall called, Elder Advocacy & Law Boot Camp!

Our goal is to build Contra Costa’s most important annual gathering of long-term caregivers, geriatric case managers, social workers, and nursing home administrators to learn about effective tools and resources for urgent matters facing our elders.

This is a one-day educational experience aimed at strengthening your elder care solutions. For more information or to take advantage of our early bird pricing click here. We can’t wait to see you there!

Time-Stamped Show Notes:

2:15 – Over 5 million people all across our country have Alzheimer’s. Dori explains what Alzheimer’s is and what it does to the body, and identifies the ways in which Alzheimer’s differs from other dementias.

5:59 – Dori discusses what her organization does and how it helps those who have Alzheimer’s and their families.

11:15 – Dori describes the warning signs of Alzheimer’s and explains how these differ from normal signs of aging.

22:30 – Dori and Kirsten discuss how Alzheimer’s is diagnosed in a patient.

27:35 – Dori identifies the advantages of getting a firm Alzheimer’s diagnosis and early detection.

30:08 – Dori explains what a mild cognitive impairment diagnosis looks like.

36:30 – Kirsten and Dori discuss the importance of planning ahead financially if possible.

39:55 – Dori describes what families experience when they get in touch with the Alzheimer’s Association.

48:00 – Dori discusses other community resources available to seniors in need.

Episode #029 Freebie: Know the 10 Signs

As mentioned in this episode, signs, and symptoms of Alzheimer’s can be confused with normal signs of aging. Regardless, it’s a growing epidemic, and it’s important to be able to understand and recognize key warning signs of the disease. Absolute Trust Talk guest Dori Sproul works hard to educate clients, the community, and all who contact her through the Alzheimer’s Association on tips, tools, strategies, resources, and all aspects of this illness. Today, she is sharing an exclusive tool with listeners called “Know the 10 Signs – Because Early Detection Matters” — a detailed checklist to help you identify the early signs of Alzheimer’s. Click here to download your checklist now!

Resources/Tools/Links Mentioned in This Episode:

TrialMatch – website tool to match with clinical trial

1.800.272.3900 – Alzheimer’s Association Help, Crisis, and Resource Line to address questions or concerns 24 hours a day

ALZ.org – educational content, tools, and resources

In episode 28 of Absolute Trust Talk, Kirsten welcomes Francesca Vogel, home care liaison for Home Care Assistance, to the show. Francesca works with seniors and their families to help navigate their specific care needs. Francesca is such a valuable asset in her field, not only because of her 24 years of health care experience but her vast knowledge base and her endless network of connections across the state of California and beyond.

Discussing home care and even potential end-of-life care is not an easy subject for people, but it’s something that every family should talk about, so they know and understand their options. Kirsten and Francesca dive into what services a home care assistant provides, who looks for home care, the questions to ask when looking for the right caregiver, the differences between home care and hospice, and why it’s not recommended to hire just a friend or neighbor. Whether you are in the middle of working these issues out with the seniors in your life or are only in the planning stages, this is an episode not to be missed.

Top Three From Episode #028:

1. Ask questions
2. Use your resources – Google and Yelp reviews, professionals like bankers and attorneys
3. Remember you are never alone

FOCUS Your Business and Continue to Provide Innovative Solutions For Critical Elder Care Issues.

Time-stamped Show Notes:

3:24 – What’s happening in someone’s life when they should be thinking about home care?

6:07 – What kinds of services are a professional caregiver hired for?

9:28 – Francesca defines the difference between hospice and home care.

12:10 – Kirsten asks Francesca to discuss who works for and with Home Care Assistance.

20:14 – What do people need to be thinking about when looking for home care assistance?

22:05 – What kind of questions should potential clients ask about how a client care manager works?

23:12 – Why someone should not just hire a friend or neighbor to give home care assistance.

28:55 – When you need to hire home care, do you sign a contract?

35:50 – What do you do when an elderly client is against care?

Episode #028 Freebie:

“We all lose our keys and forget where we put our reading glasses as we get older. It’s normal.”

In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, home care expert Francesca Vogel highlights how vital it is to educate seniors and their families on their care options and to provide tools to help them age as happily, healthily and comfortably as possible. Family members will see their elder loved ones start to lose their memories and automatically think the worst, but that’s not always the case. As discussed in today’s episode, Francesca is sharing a guide with listeners called How to Spot the Early Signs of Alzheimer’s. It goes through the various things you might be seeing in your loved one and offers a step-by-step guide to help notice the first signs of Alzheimer’s or determine if there might be something else going on. Click here to download your copy now!

Resources/Tools/Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Book Series by Home Care Assistance Founder

• Mind Over Gray Matter – Mentioned

https://homecareassistance.com

Are you worried that you will end up spending all of your savings on nursing home care? Yes, nursing home care does cost A LOT of money. And a high number of us will eventually be in a nursing home at some point. But it is possible, with proper planning, to become eligible for Medi-Cal if you are not already.

In this episode, we will discuss long-term care for disabled people over 65. We will break down what Medi-Cal is and how it differs from Medicare. We will also talk about how to become eligible and dispel some common myths and misconceptions regarding how Medi-Cal works.

Big Three from Episode #027:

1. Medi-Cal and Medicare are not the same things
2. A lot of times, people are already eligible
3. It’s important to see what your options are in terms of long-term care insurance

Time-stamped Show Notes:

1:55–What is Medi-Cal?

2:58–This is the difference between Medicare and Medi-Cal

6:56–Here’s how you become eligible for Medi-Cal

8:34–What assets can you have to qualify for Medi-Cal?

13:21–Kirsten highlights a common misconception on exempt assets

16:35–What should you do if you have too much income?

Episode #027 Freebie:

Wonder what type of assets you’re allowed to have to be eligible for Medi-Cal? Click here to download our FREE resource, Medi-Cal Resource Limits for Nursing Home Care–it lists all the exempt assets you can have.

Resources/Tools/Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Helping You With Effective Medi-Cal Planning Strategies

More on Medi-Cal Eligibility Planning

Are you struggling with your aging or taking care of an older loved one? Aging can be overwhelming, but you and your loved ones don’t have to stop living life to the fullest, just because getting older throws you a curveball or presents challenges. If you have the right guidance, direction, navigation, and sound advice from the get-go, you, your family, and your loved ones don’t have to suffer.

In today’s episode, Kirsten welcomes Licensed Family Therapist, certified Professional Care Manager, and founder of Eldercare Services, Linda Fodrini-Johnson, to the show. Linda has become a pioneer in geriatric care management, not just in the greater Bay Area, but across the country, with her firm becoming one of the largest care management and home care agencies, which is now celebrating 30 years of practice.

Kirsten and Linda will explore what geriatric care is, the available resources, and how you and your family can formulate a plan to move forward with long-term care, no matter what stage of planning you and your loved ones are in. Are you ready to continue living a comfortable, fulfilling life? Or, help a loved one who deserves to? Then it’s time to press play and listen in!

Highlights from Episode #026:

1. Life doesn’t have to end. You can bring joy to your life and continue to live a FULL life if you have good direction and navigation.
2. Don’t be penny-wise and pound-foolish.
3. Get good advice in the beginning.

Time-stamped Show Notes:

3:06 – Linda shares what geriatric care is and the other resources that her company, Eldercare Services, provides.

4:55 – Kirsten asks her to share how she got into eldercare.

6:24 – Linda highlights what an aging lifecare associate is.

11:21 – What are standard areas of knowledge that an individual needs to have, to be in this type of profession?

14:45 – Linda shares what families need to think about when it comes to quality of life for an aging parent.

19:07 – What are some transitions that families have to plan for with long-term care?

27:40 – What happens when a parent transitions into a child’s home?

35:04 – Linda and Kirsten discuss the importance of a trial run.

39:00 – How eldercare services can help a family save money

Episode #026 Freebie: Mom is Moving In – The Rewards, Concerns and Realities

It’s great that you have the opportunity to take care of a family member or loved one, and it may seem like the best option at the moment, but when it comes down to it, have you stopped to think about how it will impact daily living? Today’s guest, and geriatric care expert, Linda Fodrini-Johnson, is sharing with listeners her checklist resource, “Mom Is Moving In – The Rewards, Concerns, and Realities.” This is a valuable tool in helping you to think about and explore important aspects of having a loved one move in. Click here to download your copy.

Resources/Tools/Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Eldercare Services

1808 Tice Valley Blvd

Walnut Creek, CA 94595

[email protected]

(866) 587-4930

https://eldercareanswers.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Absolute Trust Talk Host Kirsten Howe brings you a powerful new episode featuring Michael Crvarich, Vice President of Legacy Giving at the John Muir Health Foundation. Michael started his career as a public accountant specializing in high-end financial and estate tax planning at international accounting firms such as Ernst & Young and Arthur Anderson. After eight years he found a new opportunity in the Office of Gift Planning at the University of Washington. Over the last eighteen years, Michael has worked with individuals and families at the University of Washington, University of California, Irvine, and the John Muir Health Foundation to help implement a values-based approach to philanthropy known as Legacy Planning. 

Legacy Planning is a donor-centered approach that recognizes that philanthropic decisions are connected to an individual’s core value system and seeks to integrate the intellectual, emotional, spiritual and physical dimensions of a person with an organization’s core social mission. In this episode, Kirsten and Michael dive into the details behind this gift planning approach, how the landscape has shifted with recent changes in law, and how families can successfully go about becoming involved in charitable giving.

Highlights from Episode #025:

1. What is your WHY behind your donation? Share it with your family members – it gives them opportunities to share your values and what’s important to you. It can provide a sense of pride and inspiration to others who hear your story and your WHY.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask the charities you support to help you with the process of sharing their history and your reason for supporting them.

Time-stamped Show Notes:

3:28 – Michael highlights the mission of the John Muir Health Foundation

6:37 – Kirsten and Michael discuss how the changes in tax law have had an impact on charity

10:30 – Michael shares what he has seen because of the changes in tax law

17:55 – What is the John Muir Health strategy on growth?

19:09 – Michael shares some of the growth accomplishments built out of the successful partnerships of the John Muir Health Foundation

21:49 – Michael discusses vehicles in which families can get involved in charitable giving

Episode #025 Freebie:

Don’t miss out on the chance to plan, build, and share your legacy planning story. Along with this episode, legacy planning expert and guest Michael Crvarich is offering exclusive access to a few valuable planning tools:

1. A Workbook on creating a family mission statement – This resource allows you and your family to go through the process of identifying shared vision, values, goals, and purposes. It will then guide you in crafting your mission statement, tagline, or phrase for your family.
2. A variety of E-Booklets that explore the different ways of giving under the new tax law.
3. Visit givehealthjmh.org/Legacy for a look at these and other informative tools.
4. 1-hour consultation – For anyone interested in exploring values-based philanthropy and giving, or to discuss philanthropy in general. Call John Muir Health Foundation at 925-947-4449 or email [email protected] and mention the Absolute Trust Talk podcast.

Resources/Tools/Links Mentioned in This Episode:

John Muir Health Foundation