Page 12 Mature Living January 2014

Religion is very important toFrancis in his life. He nevermisses Mass, but doesn’t regardhimself as a Holy Joe. He hasalways been impressed bypeople who thank Godgenuinely. “I feel if I died in themorning I wouldn’t haveanything to worry about!” In aninterview with the Irish Catholicnewspaper some years ago hewas not ashamed to admit thathe carried his rosary beads withhim always, particularly onjourneys abroad. “Them and abottle of Lourdes holy waterforever in the briefcase”. Hereceived the Rosary from JohnPaul II personally. He telephoneshis mother (90) wherever he isin the world. He regards her asa vital source of localinformation whenever he istravelling.

He says, however, that thehotel business is the easiest wayof life to lose one’s religion,such is the nature of the hours

to be worked sometimes. Healways tries to facilitate stafffor Mass times – if they wish togo. He values all his staff andorganises a regular annualouting for them.

Francis is so positive andenthusiastic about life and workthat it’s difficult to imagine himhaving any pet hates. However,he admits to having a majoraversion to the weather here,particularly in Winter. It is amajor handicap for those whoare here permanently. This iswhy he is spending Winter inthe US. He also has a problemwith people who dislike hardwork or who abuse the system.

When it comes to relaxationhe is hopeless. He is married tothe business 24/7. While hespends some time in the gardenalso, he feels he should be inthe hotel during those periods.He works every day, but doesn’tregard it as work. He sleeps forabout four hours each night –

usually from 2 a.m. to 6.30. Heis a non-drinker and non-smokerand is in good health, though headmits to eating a lot of redmeat; in the hotel businessthere is usually a lot of goodfood around, so there is alwaysthe danger of excesses.

Francis is a lover of all kinds ofmusic. It can range from Elvis toBeethoven. Living on his own hehas music on all the time. Oneminute it is Carolyn’s Concertoand the next it is the Beatles,the Stones or Mumford & Sons.He has a stock of over 2,000 CDsin his “bachelor pad”. He likes agood read and John McGahernand Sebastian Barry areparticular favourites. Then,occasionally he will read JohnGrisham or similar writers.Having lived in Kerry for thirty-five years he is reluctant toadmit that he never reads thesports pages in newspapersthough he reads the rest of thenewspaper practically from cover

to cover.His message to young people:

“Hard work never killedanybody”. Your job may not bethe one you want, but work at it.He commenced his career inwash-up and these are thepeople he speaks to first everyday. Anybody who has worked inwash-up will find most other jobsa pleasure.

In terms of his hopes for thefuture he feels the hotel andaccommodation industry hasquite a bit to go. Theinternational market is certainlyup. The domestic market is introuble. Household charges andother taxes, coupled withmortgage payments, are reallyeating into disposable incomesand many people can’t afford tospend a week away. Even inKenmare the self-cateringholiday market is struggling withmany houses empty. It will comeright in the end, but there isanother tough budget coming up.

Talk of retirement is not partof his modus operandi just now.Some years ago he would haveplanned to bow out at 55. Now,it will probably be 90 . . . andthere is a tradition of longevityin his family.

The most important thing forhim is to maintain good health.Certainly, if being active andworking hard is the recipe forlong life then Francis has it allin abundance and we will hearmuch more in the years aheadfrom this enigmatic hotelier.

What sums him up best,perhaps, is another remark hemade during an interview,which exposes his attention todetail: There’s a right way anda wrong way to hang a toiletroll And with pillows, the foldshould always be away from thedoor”.

He suspects that those whoknow him best will place apillow and toilet roll on hiscoffin in the end.

At Your Service - Francis and John Brennan

Page 37 Mature Living January 2013

February is the 'beginning of theend' of winter. Although there isno official 'first day of spring'some people regard the firstday of February as the first dayof spring. In Ireland, SaintBrigid's day is the first or secondof February - approximatelyhalf way between the Wintersolstice and the spring Equinox.In any case, it really doesn'tfeel like the first day of spring,and despite the snowdrops andthe crocuses which haveappeared, the rush of springenergy is still a bit away.

If you have damp or heavysoil, you may well have agarden with a good supply ofrushes. If you do, it's simple andfun to make a Saint Brigid'scross. Check out this internetsite link for excellentinstructions on how to makeone:http://fisheaters.com/stbrigidscross.html

It takes all of five or tenminutes and is very satisfying -especially for children. All youneed is rushes or tough grass -no other tools or materials arenecessary.

After spring bulbs haveflowered, remember to allow

their leaves and flowers to dieback naturally. This isimportant, as the plants willstore their energy for nextyear's growth by putting on agrowth spurt now. Flowers suchas wind anemones (Anemoneblanda) set seed afterflowering, so the flowers shouldbe allowed to die back. Ideally,grass around these plants shouldbe left un-mown until late Aprilor May.

It is still the season forplanting bare root trees andshrubs. Stock starts to run lowas the season progresses, andthere is already a European-wide shortage of bare rootprivet, laurel and hornbeam.This is probably because of theprevious harsh winters, leadingto higher-than-average sales ofthe hardiest plants as peoplefear losing the more tendervarieties. These plants arepretty well unavailable, and theprices have gone updramatically as stock becamescarcer and scarcer. However, inthe Irish context, with such arural population and such agreat landscape, we shouldplant native plants wherever wecan: for hedgerows, traditional

species such as Holly, Hawthornand Blackthorn. And forwoodlands, other native species

such as Oak, Birch, Mountainash and Alder. Be sure toresearch well before

purchasing, as trees and shrubshave different requirements interms of site and soil.

The Garden in February

House and Home - by Breda Stack, Declutter Therapist

Declutter for the New YearWith reminders of the excesses of Christmas all around us, this New Year is the perfecttime to declutter and lighten your load.

Decluttering is much more thanputting old items into blackbags. A therapeutic process that

offers many holistic and practicalbenefits, it helps us to cut ties withthe past, accept the present andcreate space for the future -physically, mentally and emotionally.

Over the years Breda Stack gaineddeep insights into our complexrelationships with materialpossessions on both a personal andprofessional level. In Ireland, theimpulsive, consumer-driven society ofthe last few decades conflicts greatlywith traditional values of saving andsparing. Many of us find the prospectsof a clear out fearful andoverwhelming and, as a result, homesare bursting at the seams withclutter. When she was creating theDeclutter Therapy™ book and DVD,her goal was to produce a guide thatempowers someone with the skills todeclutter in a way that inspires self-understanding and positive change.While the principles of style,organisation and interior design arevital to the process, decluttering ismore about mindset than anythingelse.

In 2012, she founded NationalDeclutter Day to promote threeseparate aspects of decluttering:

declutter to feel good, donate tocharity and reuse and recycle. Thisyearly event encourages Irish peopleto routinely take stock and clear outin a way that benefits themselves,local and national causes and theenvironment.

Here are her 5 Top Tips for gaininglong-term freedom from clutter.1. Establish what clutter is to you.One man’s trash is another man’streasure. As a rule, everything youown should be life-enhancing.2. Become aware of how possessionsaffect your emotions. Your space istoo precious to hold onto anythingthat makes you feel bad. 3.Do your bit for our beautifulcountryside by reusing and recyclingunwanted objects. 4.Lessen any guilt by donating tocharity. You can’t change the fact thatyou’ve spent the money. It’s healthyto let someone else enjoy the item.5.Trust that you’ll do the right thing.Listen to your gut and be honest withyourself. As the saying goes ‘If indoubt, throw it out’.

Breda Stack, Declutter Therapistand Author from Limerick-basedcompany LifeStyle Coach. www.lifestylecoach.ie

Travel

Page 18 Mature Living January 2014

Rediscover the world’slost cities

Buried beneath ash andearth, overgrown,destroyed by the fury of

nature, conquered and reborn…Some of the world’s mostspectacular cities were lost to usfor centuries — some known onlyin the history books and storiesthat endured for generations. Explorers, archaeologists andeven Mother Nature herself havebeen working to uncover thesehidden gems, sometimespreserved by the very forcesthat destroyed them.While many ancient cities onlyexist in legend, there are stillsome places we can recapturelost civilizations. Here are sometop spots you may want to addto your travel to-do list:

Pompeii and Herculaneum,ItalyModern day disaster movies havenothing on Mt. Vesuvius, theinfamous volcano destroyed theRoman cities of Pompeii and

Herculaneum during its 79 C.E.eruption. While looters andsome survivors likely visited thetowns, they were never rebuiltand remained for centurieshidden beneath lava, ash anddebris. Since excavations beganin the 18th century, they havebecome one of the most populartourist attractions in Italy.Today, more of Pompeii is opento the public, but what has beenrevealed of Herculaneum is evenbetter preserved. One of themost notable features in bothtowns is the artwork — not justsculpture and wall paintings, butfine examples of mosaics aswell. Experts advise allowing atleast a day to explore, and brushup on your history before you go.For more information, seePompeiisites.org andInCampania.com.

Dunwich, EnglandNatural disasters aren’t the onlyway nature can decimate cities.

If you want to see “Britain’sAtlantis”, you may need somescuba gear. Over the centuries,the sea gradually claimed thismedieval city thanks to stormsand erosion. Built on sandyterrain, its churches, fort, publicbuildings and homes havedisappeared beneath the wavesof the North Sea.Today, visitors can still stop bythe small village to see the city’sremaining traces — the ruins of a13th century Franciscan friaryperched on the cliff’s edge andLeper Hospital chapel whichremains in the presentchurchyard. The Dunwich Museum is keeperof the area’s history, but we maylearn more about the city in theyears ahead as explorerscontinue to use high-techunderwater cameras to hunt forartifacts in the sand and silt onthe sea floor.For more information, visit theDunwich Museum website.

Skara Brae, ScotlandSometimes nature’s power worksin our favour — like the massivestorm that struck the Bay ofSkaill in the Orkney Isles andrevealed the first remains ofSkara Brae among the dunes.Excavation — and more storms —revealed a close-knit cluster ofbuildings once home to farmersfrom 3200 to 2500 B.C.E.How did it survive to be one ofEurope’s best-preservedNeolithic villages? When thecommunity was built, the stonewalled houses were buried insand and clay up to theirrooflines — likely to shield themfrom the elements. Today,visitors can tour the settlement,get a closer look at ancientworlds like in a reconstructed

dwelling and see artifacts at thevisitor’s centre. For moreinformation, visit HistoricScotland and OrkneyJar.com.

Babylon, IraqDecades of sanctions and warhave made this ancient city“lost” once again — to foreignvisitors, that is. Images ofsuffering and destruction mightmake us forget that this troubledcountry is rich with culture andhistory. While you’ve likelyheard of the Hanging Gardens —one of the original SevenWonders of the World — Babylonhas many claims to fame.Settled around 2500 B.C.E., itwas once centre of theMesopotamian world and acapital city under Hammurabi. Ithas been conquered many timesthroughout the centuries, andSaddam Hussein even put hisown stamp on the city in hisattempts at rebuilding.While Iraq likely isn’t on your to-do list, there is one tourcompany that ventures into thearea, Babel Tours. In the future,locals hope to invest money inrestoring Babylon and supportingtourism — but it could takedecades before it’s safe fortravellers to return.

Petra, JordanEver wanted to travel likeIndiana Jones? The rose-redcaverns of Petra caughtaudience’s attention in the TheLast Crusade. Once the capital of theNabataeans and an importantstop along ancient trade routes,the city was lost to the westernworld sometime after the 14thcentury. Legend has it that Petraremained hidden to visitors until

1812 when Swiss adventurerJohann Ludwig Burckhardttricked his way into the heavilyguarded city.What makes the city unique isthat it wasn’t built — its facadeswere carved into the colourfulsandstone. The city isn’t somuch visited as experienced,starting with the kilometre longgorge known as the Siq thatopens up to a view of theTreasury. Various trails hit thehighlights — like the Street ofFacades and Ad Deir (TheMonastery) — as well as somestunning views. Visitors can evenventure out at night for acandle-lit tour.For more information, visit theJordan Tourism Board websiteand Petrapark.com.

Taxila, PakistanConsider it another example oflost and found… and lost again.Dating back to 600 B.C.E., thisWorld Heritage Site wasconquered and rebuilt at leastthree times by various invaders,including Alexander the Great.Through its tenure, it served as ahub for three ancient traderoutes, and became a majorcentre for learning and trade. Unfortunately, the city sufferedwhen the routes fell out of use. The Huns eventually destroyedthe city in the 5th century C.E.Today, the city still shows itsPersian, Greek and Asian roots inits vast network of ruins — andits three areas each cover adistinct time period. Some of the highlights includethe monasteries and temples,including some fine examples ofearly religious art.For more information, visit thePakistan Tourism DevelopmentCorporation website.

Lost and found destinations? Indulge your inner adventurer with a trip to one of theworld's lost cities.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Pompeii, Italy

Page 19 Mature Living January 2014

Angkor, CambodiaWith the remains of the formercapitals of the Khmer Empiredating back to the 9th to 15thcenturies, it’s no surpriseexperts and travellers alikeconsider Angkor to be one ofthe most importantarchaeological sites in South-East Asia. The area is home todozens of notable sites,including Angkor Thom or“Great City” — the last of theKhmer cities. The ancient cityfeatures the Bayon, the statetemple known for its manypeaks, and the Terrace ofElephants.The temple complex of AngkorWat, the largest and bestpreserved in the area, was onceHindu then Buddhist. Today, it’sone of Cambodia’s most populartourist hotspots and a primeexample of architecture andculture. There are many ways

to tour the area — including byelephant.For more information, seeAngkor-visit.com and TourismCambodia.

Carthage, TunisiaRoman history in Africa? If youknow your geography andhistory, you know the idea isn’tso far-fetched. Trade throughthe Mediterranean Sea had topass between Tunisia’s coastand Sicily, and Carthage’slocation made it the ideal spotto flourish. Founded by thePhoenicians as early as the 9thcentury B.C.E., it soon grewinto a large and powerful cityonly to be destroyed and rebuiltby its fierce rival, Rome, in 146B.C.E.Now a wealthy suburb outsideof Tunis, modern-day Carthagestill retains its ancient mark —like the acropolis of Byrsa, the

Antonine Baths and the ancienttheatre. Carthage has a longand remarkable history — wortha read before you go! For moreinformation, seeCometoTunisa.com.

Palenque, MexicoEver dreamed of discovering theruins of a lost city in the jungle?That dream became a realityfor explorers in the 18th to 19thcenturies. From about 500B.C.E. to 700 B.C.E., this Mayancity was at its peak withartistically crafted spaces andbuildings. However, by the late900s the city was conquered andabandoned — and ultimatelyreclaimed by the jungle.

Currently, only about 10 percent of the city has beenuncovered and restored —including the pyramid temple ofPacal Votan and El Palacio (thepalace with its own astrologicalobservatory). The rest? Still lostin the jungle, say experts. Ifyou plan to visit, make sure toprepare for the climate andexpect some challenging terrain— but the surrounding scenerywill be worth it.For more information, seeVisitMexico.com.

Machu Picchu, PeruIn the middle of a tropicalforest in the Andes lies the“Lost City of the Incas”,originally built in 1400s butabandoned a century later whenthe Spanish conquered nearbyCuzco. Legend has it theSpaniards never found the city— it remained a mystery to allbut a handful of locals until

1911 when a guide ledarchaeologist Hiram Bingham toits ruins. Experts still aren’tsure what the Incas used thesite for, but some theories positit was a grand estate or sacredsite, and the Temple of the Sunis one of its most notablebuildings.While the view is spectacular,the city itself is no lessimpressive with its masterfulstonework buildings, walls andterraces that seem a part of thelandscape itself. Unfortunately,this city could be lost to usagain in the future. Restorationis ongoing, but preservation is agrowing concern as half amillion tourists now flock to thispopular site each year and mudslides have threatened thearea.

For more information, visit thePeru Tourism Bureau and SacredSites.

Travel

Palenque, Mexico

Carthage, Tunisia

Petra, Jordan

Health

Reiki is a gentle, yet powerfulform of healing and thebenefits are felt on all

levels. As a natural healingsystem, it can benefit everyone,from young babies to adults andis a safe, non-invasive treatment.It can be used alongside othercomplementary therapies orconventional medicine. Reiki canbe given on a treatment couch orsitting in a chair, therefore

making it an easy treatment toreceive.

Reiki helps the body to reachan inner state of harmony,physically, mentally andspiritually. As well as helpingmany physical ailments, it canalso promote the changing of anynegative mental habits, turningthese into more positive andproductive thought patterns.Once we begin to think more

positively, our lives and ourhealth become more positive too.

Reiki and Stress ReductionTreatments with Reiki energyreduce stress within the body,thereby inducing a state ofrelaxation. The body can then beallowed to begin the healingprocess. While stress is notconsidered an illness, mostpeople have experienced it.When stress is being felt for aprolonged period of time, thenthe body can begin to be affectedboth physically and mentally, as itweakens the immune system. Intodays world many peopleexperience stress at a level thatmakes them ill and unable towork. In addition, to this manypeople are now taking anti-depressants to allow them tocope with life. However, Reikican and does help with stressreduction, which has the addedbenefit of boosting the immune

system. Reiki encourages andsupports positive personalchoices, such as improving diet,taking more exercise, devotingtime for rest or leisure activities,any may reduce the need foralcohol and tobacco. Engenderinggreater inner harmony andbalance, regular Reiki treatmentspromote a calmer response tolife's challenges. Reiki's gentle energy is easilyadapted to most medicalconditions and may be used safelyby people of all ages, includingthe newborn, pregnant mothers,surgical patients, the frail and theelderly, in any situation. Beingcomplementary, Reiki workseffectively alongside orthodoxhealthcare and natural remedies,expanding treatment options.Reiki can enhance everyday livingand regular sessions may help topromote development of ahealthier, more resourceful stateof being.

Achieving altered states ofconsciousness can be datedback thousands of years to

early cultures where chantingand dancing were used as healingrituals. Healing through thehypnotic state can even betraced back as far as the Druidswho referred to the altered stateas "magic sleep". However, it wasnot until the mid 19th Centurythat the current methods ofcapturing a patients' totalconcentration through eyecontact and verbal suggestionwere established.

Even then several schools ofthought were developed andwhen Freud decided not to

use hypnosis in his field ofpsychoanalysis it was many yearsbefore hypnosis as a tool forhealing was again taken seriously.In 1955 the British MedicalAssociation finally approvedhypnosis as a valuable techniquein the world of healing.

Hypnotherapy uses the powerof the mind to help heal physicalas well as emotional problems. Ithelps the patient discover theunderlying emotional andpsychological causes to theirailments. It differs from hypnosisin that there is more interactionbetween the patient and thetherapist in hypnotherapy,allowing the patient to discovermore about the emotionalbackground to his or her currentproblems.

Hypnosis is more suggestivethan therapeutic.

There is no doubt that ourminds and bodies work together,when one is under stress, theother suffers. We have allexperienced it - blushing whenembarrassed, going pale withshock, having sweaty palms whennervous.

These are just small instancesof the way in which our mindscan affect our bodies.

Medical literature is now full ofstudies confirming that manydiseases are psycho-somatic(caused in the mind) or stress-related. Some doctors haveestimated that as much as 75% ofmodern disorders are actuallyinduced through stress.Fortunately, the power of themind has also been shown to be aprimary factor in healing manydiseases, even cancer. It istherefore important in anyphysical or emotional healthproblem not to overlookhypnotherapy on the road backto health.

The term yoga comes from aSanskrit word which meansyoke or union.

Traditionally, yoga is a methodjoining the individual self withthe Divine, Universal Spirit, orCosmic Consciousness. Physicaland mental exercises aredesigned to help achieve thisgoal, also called self-transcendence orenlightenment. On the physical

level, yoga postures, calledasanas, are designed to tone,strengthen, and align the body.These postures are performed tomake the spine supple andhealthy and to promote bloodflow to all the organs, glands,and tissues, keeping all thebodily systems healthy. On themental level, yoga usesbreathing techniques(pranayama) and meditation

(dyana) to quiet, clarify, anddiscipline the mind. However,experts are quick to point outthat yoga is not a religion, but away of living with health andpeace of mind as its aims.

Yoga has been used toalleviate problems associatedwith high blood pressure, highcholesterol, migraineheadaches, asthma, shallowbreathing, backaches,

constipation, diabetes,menopause, multiple sclerosis,varicose veins, carpal tunnelsyndrome and many chronicillnesses. It also has beenstudied and approved for itsability to promote relaxationand reduce stress.

Yoga can also provide thesame benefits as any well-designed exercise program,increasing general health andstamina, reducing stress, andimproving those conditionsbrought about by sedentarylifestyles. Yoga has the addedadvantage of being a low-impactactivity that uses only gravity asresistance, which makes it anexcellent physical therapyroutine; certain yoga posturescan be safely used to strengthenand balance all parts of thebody. Modern psychologicalstudies have shown that evenslight facial expressions cancause changes in the involuntarynervous system; yoga utilizesthe mind/body connection. Thatis, yoga practice contains thecentral ideas that physicalposture and alignment caninfluence a person's mood andself-esteem, and also that themind can be used to shape andheal the body. Yoga practitionersclaim that the strengthening ofmind/body awareness can bringeventual improvements in allfacets of a person's life.

The physical, mental and spiritual practices of Yoga

Page 22 Mature Living January 2014

Benefits ofHypnotherapy

Health & WellbeingThe Benefits of Reiki

Page 30 Mature Living January 2014

Food and Drink

Are you used to cooking forcrowds? Save time, moneyand energy with these

simple strategies for smallnumbers.Food companies, cookbookpublishers and grocery stores allseem to operate on theprinciple that people eattogether. However, a busyschedule or change in personalcircumstances means this isn’talways possible, and sometimesit can be tricky to scale downingrained habits. Here’s how toprevent waste and save timeand money when cooking forone or two:

Think aheadIf you’re used to cooking for a

crowd, it’s time to fine-tuneyour meal planning skills andaim to get more mileage out ofmeals. After all, it isn’t muchmore effort to cook two chickenbreasts instead of one, or twiceas much rice and vegetables.You’ll save energy not turningthe oven on every time, andleftovers are a healthy meal tograb on the run. Before youdecide how much to make,think about your overall mealplan for the week so you won’tend up with more leftovers thanyou can reasonably consume.

Also, look for creative ways touse up individual foods. Forinstance, leftover meat can beused in wraps or sandwiches, asa pizza topping or for a proteinboost in meal-sized salads.Extra vegetables cancomplement any meal or snack.A package of pita bread canyield pita sandwiches one dayand pita pizzas the next (justuse the pita in place of a pizzacrust). A bottle of oil-baseddressing can be used on salads(both leafy-greens and pastavarieties), to flavour stir friesand asa marinade for meat orvegetables.

If you’re not used to planningahead for a week, try a visualaid. A list, chart or calendar canhelp you plan your mealsaccording to your schedule andcreate a grocery list. If youstick to the list, you’ll be lesslikely to buy impulse items orend up pitching spoiled food.

Know the limitsWorking within the shelf-life

of fresh ingredients is animportant part of mealplanning. How much you buyand when you buy it should bedictated by how long the foodwill stay fresh and how soon youplan to use it. For example,

carrots, celery and parsnips willlast twice as long in the fridgeas cauliflower, peppers,cucumber and beans. Similarly,apples will endure a wholemonth and citrus fruits can lasttwo weeks, but berries andcherries may only last severaldays. If you’re buying all thesefoods in one trip you’ll need toadapt your food preparationplan to use up certainingredients first.

For flexibility keep somedried, canned or frozen foodson hand. These products willlast for long periods of time andcan be used in a variety ofrecipes. For example, frozenpeas and beans can be added tosoup, chili and salad for extravegetables. Dried legumes suchas lentils, split peas and beanscan be used as a meatsubstitute. If you don’t usemuch milk, skim milk powder isa handy alternative for cooking.Canned chicken, tuna or salmonare also staple items to keepstored.

In fact, it is advisable to havesomething from each of the fourfood groups in your freezer orpantry, both for quick, balancedmeals and emergencypreparedness.

Take advantage of yourfreezer

Almost everything can go inyour freezer, allowing you tomake the most of yourresources.

What you shouldn’t freeze:Eggs, canned foods andprepared salads. Some foodssuch as cream sauces,mayonnaise, cottage cheeseand lettuce can be frozensafely, but chances are youwon’t like the texture andquality later.

If you’re concerned abouthow a dish will fare in thefreezer, try freezing andthawing a small portion as atest. For more information onhow long certain foods can bestored in the fridge or freezer,take a look at The Food SafetyAuthority’s website for furtherinformation.

Remember, the sooner youfreeze a food, the fresher itwill be.

Invest in some smallappliances

Is it worth it to turn on theoven for a single piece ofchicken or fish? A few smallkitchen appliances can help youcut down your energy bills whencooking a small meal, such as:

• A slow cooker. In addition tosoups and stews, you can cook awhole chicken, vegetables andpotatoes in one pot — meaningless energy used and less cleanup than the alternative.

• A toaster oven or convectiontoaster oven. If you allow for a

little extra cooking time, youcan bake meats, fish andpotatoes or heat single-portiondinners without using themicrowave. You can also usethem for quickbreads andmuffins.

• An indoor grill. Models suchas the popular George Foremanline of grills are a low-fatalternative to frying, and theycook meat quickly. They’re alsogreat for grilled cheese andother hot sandwiches.

Small and medium sized pansare also a good investment.Pyrex baking dishes with lidscan also double as storagecontainers.

Find some new adviceWhile many favourite recipescan be halved or scaled down,there are a number ofcookbooks on preparing food forone or two people. In additionto right-sized recipes foreverything from quick meals togourmet dishes, the bookscontain cooking techniques andshopping advice as well as tipsfor freezing, storing and usingup extra food. Browse yourlocal bookstore or try thelibrary for ideas.

When in doubt, a stir fry,salad, mixed vegetable dish orsoup recipe is good for“cleaning out” the fridge.

Whatever the circumstances,more and more people are nowcooking for just one andretailers are beginning to caterto this trend. Keep your eyesopen for special products, booksand advice on cooking for smallnumbers.

Cooking for one

Health

Page 33 Mature Living January 2014

Depression in later life

Adjusting to becoming oldand being old Mostelderly people

experience the same range ofnormal emotions, depending oncircumstances and events, asthey have done during otherperiods in their lives. Mostelderly people are as satisfiedwith their lives as at any otherage, and enjoy theirretirement, their interests,their families and their friends.Despite the increased likelihoodof losing a loved one or ofphysical illness or disability, oldage is not necessarily a time ofsadness and depression. Themajority of older people havethe resources of a lifetime ofexperience to face, in a positiveway, the various changes thatoccur at this stage of theirlives. However, for some olderpeople the challenges can begreat, and tremendous strain isplaced on their ability to copeeffectively. As a result theyexperience increasing distress,anxiety, demoralisation andloneliness. In some cases,increased distress is the start ofmental health problems in oldage.

In other cases, it represents atime of increased sufferingwhich, nonetheless, is finallydealt with constructively.Various factors influence aperson’s ability to cope withstress. These include: pastexperience and personality, the

meaning given to currentproblems, their way of dealingwith previous stresses,resources available to theperson – both their own, andthe friendship, love and supportfrom others. There are,however, stresses that haveparticular association withmental health problems amongthe elderly especially:

• Widow(er)hood• Moving house, especially

moving into a nursing home• Retirement• Ill health• Loss of independence

Psychologists have studied theadjustments that older peoplemust make such as facingdeath, finding meaning in lifedespite loss of role, status orhealth, and facing regrets anddisappointments. They havehighlighted how inner conflictin the face of these changescould set the scene forsignificant anxiety anddepression. What isdepression? Depression is adisabling illness and in somecases, if undetected anduntreated, can result in suicide.It is much different from theresponses of grief and sorrow tothe losses and changes in life,in that even the most basiceveryday task is affected by acontinuous and severe sadness.Those who suffer from it report

that severe depression changeslife completely. The symptomsof depression are: Feelings – ofsadness and or anxiety Energy –lacking in energy Sleep – over orunder sleeping Thinking –sluggishly or negatively Interest– lost, in food, sex, or dailyevents Value – not valuingoneself Aches – headaches,chest or other pains with nophysical cause Living – seeing nopoint in living

Depression affects behaviour,relationships, emotions,motivation, thinking, sleep andother bodily functions. Theperson who could mix wellsocially suddenly becomesisolated and keeps tothemselves. Everything is toomuch trouble and personalappearance is neglected. Thecapacity for enjoyment isreduced or disappearsaltogether. Appetite can beaffected, resulting in theindividual not enjoying foodanymore and so losing weight.

Often, sleep is disrupted andwaking early in the morningmay be made worse by themood being at its lowest in themornings. Severe depressionreduces motivation and slowsmind and body. Often it distortsthinking and even memories,leaving the person preoccupiedwith negative themes such aspoor physical health, guilt, self-reproach and unworthiness.Agitation and anxiety

sometimes complicatedepression and may paralysethe person’s capacity to makedecisions or manifest itself inconstant seeking for comfortand reassurance. There mayalso be more tearfulness thanusual. Mania is far less commonthan depression in older peopleand often occurs in persons witha long standing bipolar disorder.If a person has experienced oneor more manic episodes thenthey would be classified ashaving bipolar disorder ratherthan a pure depressive(unipolar) disorder. Newepisodes of mania in an olderperson may occur following astroke.

The elation in older peoplemay be characterised less byfeelings of well being and moreby irritability and agitation. Ifan individual has 4 or more ofthe symptoms of depression, for2 weeks or more, they may besuffering from a depressiveepisode and should consult theirdoctor. Symptoms and signs oflate life depression It is knownthat ageing may heighten somefeatures of depression andsuppress others. But overall it isimportant to stress thesimilarity of depressionbetween various age groups.Older people are oftenreluctant and embarrassed todescribe psychological oremotional issues. Often acommon feature of depressionis complaints about memorydifficulties that are distressing,and anxiety symptoms maydominate the clinical picturebut are actually secondary tothe depression. Relatives willoften point to a lack of interestand motivation. Behaviouralproblems such asuncharacteristic hostility,frequent unexplained falls,irritability or increased alcoholuse may also point to adepressive picture. Suicidalideas should be probed, as oldermales have a particularly highrate of completed suicide oftenthrough indirect means, such asself-induced starvation ordehydration, or failure to takeimportant medical drugs.

Causes of depression in later life There are factors in a person’sbackground that constitute arisk for depression and lifeevents which often bring itabout. Against these are factorswhich are protective,sometimes called buffers. Theseinclude psychosocial factors,such as social support and thesecurity of a person’ssurroundings. It is usually the

interplay of these thatdetermines whether a persondevelops depressive disorder,rather than one particularfactor. This is why some peopledevelop depression in theabsence of an adverse lifeevent, and why in others amajor life event does not leadto a depression.It’s important to emphasise twopoints:Firstly, that depression in anolder person after a serious lifeevent, such as a bereavement,does not make the depression‘understandable’ and thereforenot worth treating.Secondly, becoming old in itselfdoes not necessarily lead to thedevelopment of a depressivedisorder.

Networks of care Managing a depressive disorderin an older person is not simplya matter of selecting the rightintervention from a range ofmedications and psychologicaltreatments. Holistic care isimportant. Attempting to bringabout a positive style of copingand adapting and good socialsupport can aid recovery fromdepression. Integrating medicaland social services into caringnetworks allows the wholerange of needs of older peopleto be addressed. The supportderived from such a network ofrelationships both formal andinformal is invaluable inbuffering the stresses of ageing.There are numerous local andnational organisations rangingfrom active retirement groups,to national campaigning andlobbying bodies such as Friendsof the Elderly or Age Action, toinformation resourcecentresadvertising services asdiverse as befriending schemes,respite breaks or welfareentitlements. The voluntarysector also fills the gap left bymany statutory services, butmaking older people aware of,and encouraging them and theirfamilies to avail of theseservices is crucial.

If you’re looking fordepression support optionsplease callAware National Office on tel.01 661 7211Age Action Ireland LtdTel: (01) 4756 989Alone Tel: (01) 679 1032Friends of the Elderly Tel: (01) 873 1855Federation of ActiveRetirementAssociations Tel/Fax: (01) 679 2142Senior Help Line Tel/Fax: (046 95) 57766

Page 34 Mature Living January 2014

Motoring

This is always a mine fieldand nothing guaranteessuccess but there are a

few things to look out forbefore parting with your hardearned cash.

PRE-SHOPPING ADVICEThe depreciation of used cars ismuch less than new cars and,therefore, they are a more costeffective purchase. Get yourfinance in place before choosingyour car, this saves time as youknow exactly which vehicles youcan or cannot afford. Considerall different outlets such astrade-ins at new cardealerships, private sales etc.,not just secondhand cardealers. However, thepurchaser has more rights andsafeguards when purchasingthrough trade rather than aprivate sale. Cars less thanthree years old which have beendriven 10,000 - 15,000 annuallyare probably the best buys. Anaverage annual mileage is about10,000, so for a 3 year old carmileage between 25,000 and35,000 would be reasonable.Anything over this could havebeen used for business anddriven hard.

GENERAL ADVICE WHENINSPECTING VEHICLESNever buy a car without testdriving is yourself. First makesure you are insured to drive itthen, if possible, take it on adrive that covers a mixture ofconditions i.e. fast motorwaydriving, slow urban driving,twisting roads and don't forgetto check reverse.

BODYWORKAlways inspect the bodywork ingood light. Look for corrosionor rust. Rust is probably themost damaging thing of all oncars over five years old. Surfaceblisters can be relativelyharmless and easily treated butcorrosion coming from theinside of the body panels ismore serious. Look for rust atthe top and rear of the frontwings, along the side sills,below front and rear bumpersand the bottoms of the doors.Sometimes a rust blemish onthe paintwork can indicatemore serious corrosionunderneath. Press the panelgently with your thumb. Ifthere is a cracking noise itindicates advanced corrosion.

It is usually not worthrepairing rust that hasperforated the bottom of doors,

the bodywork around the frontand rear screen rubbers, ontrailing edges of bootlids ortailgates and leading edges ofbonnets and on rear wingpanels. These can only berepaired expensively byspecialists and subsequentpainting is costly.

Walk around the car and lookalong the doors and wings fromeach of the four corners. Anycrash repairs will show up ifthey have not been well done.You will see ripples or a changein the texture of the paint ifthere is a lot of body fillerunderneath. Take a smallmagnet with you, it will beattracted to metal but not toplastic body filler. Look also forvariations in the paint colour.Water stains in the boot, aroundwindows, on carpets and aroundthe sunroof opening mayindicate leaks.

COLLISION DAMAGEA car that has been in a

collision can be dangerous,especially if its suspensionand/or steering have beendamaged. Examine under thebonnet for damage, creasing orreplaced inner wings (unsightlywelds are a give-away). Alsoinspect the engine bay forwardpanels and forward chassis legsfor repairs or creases. Whentest driving the car the steeringshould be consistent with notendency to pull either left orright. Look under the carpetbetween the front and backdoors for signs of welding orrepair in case two halves ofdifferent cars have been weldedtogether (cut and shut), whichis extremely dangerous.

INSIDE THE CARCheck the odometer, if the

numbers are out of line themileage may have been altered.

Look to see if the mileagecorresponds with the generalcondition of the car. A wornbrake pedal and wear marks onthe gear lever indicate a carthat might have done more than60,000 miles. A worn or saggingdriver's seat and carpet areother signs of high mileage. Avery low mileage may indicatethe car might have been leftunused for long periods or usedonly for short journeys. Bothcan cause engine problems. Acar that has been regularly usedand serviced is a better bet.

ENGINEHave a look at the general

state of the engine. A dirtyengine and surrounding areasuggests that the car hasn'tbeen well looked after and thatservicing may have beenneglected.

Conversely, a sparkling cleanengine could have been steamcleaned to disguise problemssuch as oil leaks etc.

Before starting the engineremove the dipstick and checkthe colour of the oil. If it isvery black the car has probablynot been recently, or regularly,serviced. Also check for beige"mayonnaise" on the dipstick, apossible symptom of headgasket leakage.

Heavy rattling or knockingnoises shortly after start upcould indicate wear of thecrankshaft and big-endbearings. Listen for clatteringor light knocking noises fromthe top of the engine whichindicate camshaft wear. Turn onthe ignition and open thethrottle sharply. Check forblack or blue smoke from theexhaust.

Blue smoke comes fromburning oil and shows enginewear, whereas black smoke isun-burnt fuel and has manypossible causes. Check forsmooth idling when warm.

When test driving check theengine does not misfire butpulls strongly and cleanly.

Check there are no pinkingsounds (i.e. metallic rattlingsound that occurs when thethrottle is open). If the cardoes misfire and the engine haselectronic fuel or ignitioncontrol only buy it if the misfireis put right first.

Finally check for oil leaks.

STEERINGIf the steering is vague and

heavy the tyres may be worn orunder pressurised. Rock thesteering wheel gently whilewatching the front wheel, thereshould not be any noticeabledelay between steering wheeland road wheel movement.

Check for wheel wobble atspeed. This is oftenattributable to unbalancedfront wheels. Steering wheelshimmy at low speeds indicateddistorted wheel rims.

BRAKESThe brake pedal should offer

good resistance and not sinkmost of the way to the floorwhen applied.

If a servo is fitted, check thatit works by pumping the brakepedal several times, holding thepedal down and starting theengine. You should feel thepedal creep down as itoperates. The car should notswerve when the brakes areapplied hard at speed. If it

does, it may have seized orleaking wheel cylinders orcalipers. If the car judderswhen you apply the brakes thisimplies distorted front brakediscs. Inspect discs for heavyscoring or unpolished orcorroded areas, they may needrenewing.

Check the brake hoses underthe wheel arches for cracking,chafing, swelling or leaks.

BEFORE MAKING AN OFFERIf the car passes your

inspection and test drive hereare a few more things to bear inmind before making an offer:-Every car over three years oldmust have a NCT and,therefore, ensure thecertificate is current (althoughthis does not guarantee the caris still safe).

Ask to see service and repairhistory and well as repairreceipts.

Check the mileage on theodometer tallies with serviceand repair receipts. Check thecar's registration and chassisnumber matches those on theregistration document. If youare buying from a trader,depending on the value of thecar, it may be worth investing ina warranty. Read the warrantysmall print very carefully assome warranties exclude morethan they cover.

Hints and tips when buyinga used car What to look out for when buying second hand

Technology

Technology enables us to dogreat things — but ourfavourite gadgets and

gizmos can actually disable ustoo. As our use of computers,cell phones and other tech toysincreases, so too does our riskfor repetitive stress injuries.

You may have heard some ofthese funny-sounding conditionsin the media, but their effectsare far from hilarious.

Blackberry thumb: Rememberthe “Nintendo Thumb” of the80s and 90s? Meet its successor.This time it’s the grown-upswho are feeling the pain in thethumbs, caused by frequenttext messaging and emailing ontiny keyboards. Using our not-so-dexterous thumbs forpurposes for which they weren’tdesigned can cause tendonitis(i.e. “trigger thumb”),aggravate arthritis and can evensend pain shooting all the wayup the arm.

Wii shoulder or “Wiiitis”:Active video games systems nowmake us get up and move, butthe bad news is that repeatingthe same motions over and overagain is going to hurt. Best casescenario: you’re workingmuscles you haven’t used in a

while, and the pain gets betterwith rest and regular exercise.Worst case scenario: strains andsprains that require ice packsand anti-inflammatorymedications, at the least.

Cell phone elbow: It’s thelatest media darling, completewith warning pictures of thedreaded “ulnar claw”.Technically, the condition iscalled cubital tunnel syndrome,and it’s a close cousin to carpaltunnel syndrome. Bothconditions are caused bypinched or compressed nerves.In this case, it’s the ulnar nervein the elbow that’s affected,and it causes pain, numbnessand tingling in the two outermost fingers. It’s caused byother things too, like sleepingwith your elbow at a certainangle, but gripping the cellphone and talking for hours onend is the latest cause forworry.

Just how common are theseproblems? While the conditionshave been discussed in medicaljournals and there’s plenty ofanecdotal evidence, therearen’t any hard numbers yetbecause more research isneeded.

However, as the CBC reports,the general trend is that anincrease in technology use alsoleads to an increase in theseailments. For example, as cellphones become increasinglypopular — and people use themmore often and for longerperiods of time — doctors areseeing more cases of cubitaltunnel syndrome.

Don’t let the cute-soundingnames deceive you — theconditions are serious enough towarrant medical attention. Addthem to the growing roster ofrepetitive stress injuries (RSIs)and other conditions such ascomputer vision syndrome andit’s easy to see why experts areconcerned. These ailmentsaren’t likely to kill anyone, butleft untreated they can lead todisability, surgery and persistentproblems.

These problems will get worseover time, so if you’re startingto see symptoms like pain,tingling and numbness, it’s timeto take action. Here are somethings you can do to preventand treat tech-related troubles:

Exercise daily. Perhaps we’retired of hearing the advice, but

are we following it yet? Itstands to reason that thingsthat are kept in good shape willfunction better and are lessprone to problems — and ourjoints and muscles are noexception. Think of it as a littledaily maintenance.

Take breaks. Doing any taskover and over again is going totake its toll whether it’s typing,texting or playing a video game.The remedy? Get up, movearound, stretch and dosomething different for a fewminutes each hour. Whentalking on the phone, switchhands from time to time.

Go hands-free. Another optionfor those who need to be on thephone a lot is to swap thehandset for a headset. Youwon’t be prone to bad habitslike not switching positions,balancing the phone on yourshoulder or gripping your phonetoo hard.Go ergo. Maybe you laughed atthose funny-shaped keyboards,or at people who had to havetheir desk set up “just so”.However, if you spend hours ata desk then it’s important to

have a properly set up workstation, complete with the rightlighting to avoid both eyestrainand those oh-so-awkwardpositions we get into to viewthe screen.

What about when you’re onthe road, or on your livingroom couch? It’s easy to slackoff a little when it comes toproper form. Experts warn thatletting your laptop live up to itsname can cause back, neck andshoulder pain as well as do anumber on your wrists. If youcan’t avoid it, keep it inmoderation.

Splint it. Maybe you need alittle restraint to keep yourelbow, wrist or thumb in goodshape. A splint can help restrictmovements and keep you fromcurling your body parts into oddpositions that could causestress. But talk to a health carepractitioner first, as resting onepart of your body could placeundue stress on another.

Tidy up. Believe it or not,simply having a computer canbe hazardous to your family’shealth. Between 1994 and 2006,over 78,000 people in the U.S.ended up in hospitals thanks toinjuries sustained from theirpersonal computer. And we’renot talking only about repetitivestrain injuries — according to arecent article on BBC News, it’strips, bumps and falls that areto blame and dangling cords areone of the chief culprits.

Pay attention. Experts warnthat we shouldn’t ignore thesymptoms — even if all we’refeeling is just a minor pain or abit of tingling. As with otherhealth concerns, little problemscan turn into big ones overtime. They’re much easier toaddress before things get tooserious.

One sure-fire way to treat theproblems: reduce your usage orstop altogether. Of course, that’s easier saidthan done for many people dueto our heavy reliance on ourcomputers and tech toys(they’re called “Crackberries”for a reason). However, a little R&R for ourbody is likely going to be part ofany recovery program. Use yourtechnology, but don’t abuseyour body.

This time it’s the grown-ups who are feeling the pain in the thumbs

A Pain in the techToday's technology can be a real pain. Injuries you should watch out for, and ways to solve these "technical difficulties".

Page 35 Mature Living January 2014

Page 37 Mature Living January 2014

Health

SOME people don’t want tocontemplate it . . . to themthere is something

“terminal” about it. However,when it’s done it provides peaceof mind, particularly forbusiness, home owners orparents with money or assets. Inorder to protect family andloved ones it is essential toorganise your Will. By doing so,you will ensure your estate isdistributed as you wish and yourfamily may also avoidunnecessary taxes and charges.

The options and format formaking the Will are quitesimple, once you have decidedhow your estate is to be dividedafter your death. Templates areavailable from many sources andthere is no legal requirement toconsult a solicitor. However, toensure your Will is valid it isadvisable to consult with asolicitor; it might help avoidpotential pitfalls down the road.The cost of making a will usuallydepends on the size andcomplexity of your estate, butthe average cost in Ireland is€120 + VAT.

At all times it is advisable tocomplete and keep an updated alist of your assets. A very usefulform “Where my possessions arekept” can be found on theCitizens Information website. Itwill make it easier to identifyand trace your assets after youdie. You should keep the list in asafe place.

What happens if there is nowill?

If you die without making awill, the law on intestacy(Succession Act, 1965) decideswhat happens to your property.A will can ensure that properarrangements are made for your

dependants and that yourproperty and money isdistributed in the way you wishafter you die, subject to certainrights of spouses/civil partnersand children. Also, most of us,after years of hard work, wouldlike to have a say in where ourmoney goes.

It is useful, perhaps, to look atwhat happens when there is nowill (i.e. a person dies intestate)or an invalid will:

If you die intestate, thismeans your estate, or everythingthat you own, is distributed inaccordance with the law by anadministrator. To do this, theadministrator needs permissionin the form of a Grant ofRepresentation. The intestacyrules also apply when a will hasnot dealt with all yourpossessions.

In such cases, after debts andexpenses have been deducted,the estate is distributed in thefollowing way.If you are survived by:

• A spouse/civil partner but nochildren (or grandchildren): yourspouse/civil partner gets theentire estate.

• A spouse/civil partner andchildren: your spouse/civilpartner gets two-thirds of yourestate and the remaining one-third is divided equally amongyour children. If one of yourchildren has died, that sharegoes to his/her children.

• Children, but no spouse/civilpartner: your estate is dividedequally among your children (ortheir children).

• Parents, but no spouse/civilpartner or children: your estateis divided equally between yourparents or given entirely to oneparent if only one survives.

• Brothers and sisters only:

your estate is shared equallyamong them, with the childrenof a deceased brother or sistertaking his/her share.

• Nieces and nephews only:your estate is divided equallyamong those surviving.

• Other relatives only: yourestate is divided equallybetween the nearest equalrelationship.

• No relatives: your estategoes to the state.

Where there is a will...As outlined earlier, one of the

reasons to consult with asolicitor is to ensure your will isvalid . . . some may not beaware that the Succession Act,1965 places certain limitationson a person’s freedom to pass onproperty and money towhosoever they wish.

If you have made a will, youare called a testator (male) ortestatrix (female). Such a personis said to have died 'testate'. Ifyou die testate, then all yourpossessions will be distributed inthe way you set out in your will.After completion of the will youmust choose an executor. Choosewisely as they are entrusted tocarry out your wishes. Anexecutor can also be abeneficiary under the will.

When your estate isdistributed, the legal rights ofyour spouse/civil partner andchildren, if any, will be fulfilledfirst after any debts are paid,before any other gifts areconsidered.

Legal rights of spouses, civilpartners and children

In general, you are free todispose of your belongings orestate as you wish, but your willis subject to certain rights ofspouses/civil partners and othermore limited rights of children.These rights are as follows:

Rights of a spouse or civilpartner:

If your spouse/civil partnerhas never renounced or given uphis/her rights to your estate,and is not "unworthy to succeed"in legal terms, then thatspouse/civil partner is entitledto what is called a "legal rightshare" of your estate. This legalright share is:

• One-half of your estate ifyou do not have children

• One-third of your estate ifyou do have children

You can also make a bequestin your will that increases yourspouse's/civil partner's legalright share, although if you do

not specify that this gift ismeant to be in addition tohis/her legal right share, theexecutor may consider it part ofthat share and not an extraelement to it.

It is possible for a spouse/civilpartner to renounce his/herrights to the legal right share.This may happen in the case of asecond marriage or aspouse/civil partner settingaside rights in favour ofchildren. However, any suchrenunciation may be ignored incertain circumstances, forexample, if there is evidence ofundue influence or evidence thatthe spouse/civil partner did notunderstand what he/she wasdoing or did not haveindependent legal advice.

If a couple is separated, suchrenounciation is usually includedin a separation agreement.Divorce or dissolution of a civilpartnership, however,automatically ends successionrights. Cohabiting partners haveno automatic legal right to eachother's estates, although recentlegislation has improved theposition.

Rights of children under a willUnlike a spouse/civil partner,

children do not have anyabsolute right to inherit theirparent's estate if the parent hasmade a will. Children born insideor outside marriage and adoptedchildren all have the same rightsand there are no agerestrictions.

However, a child may make anapplication to court if he/shefeels that he/she has not beenadequately provided for. It isimportant to seek legal advicebefore making such anapplication. Each case isconsidered individually, but it isimportant to remember that thelegal right share of the spousecannot be infringed in order togive the child a greater share ofthe estate. It can, however,reduce the entitlement of a civilpartner.

Requirements and format of avalid willIt is possible to draw up a willyourself or you can engage thehelp of a solicitor. For a will tobe valid the following are somekey requirements:• The will must be in writing • You must be over 18 or havebeen or be married • You must be of sound mind • You must sign the will in thepresence of two witnesses.• Your two witnesses must signthe will in your presence

• Your two witnesses cannot bepeople who will gain from yourwill.• The will must be dated.

Format: While the will does notrequire a set format it shouldinclude the following:• Your name and address• A Statement that says yourevoke all earlier wills andcodicils• A clause or section to appointexecutors• How property “not dealt within the will” should bedistributed.

Review of the WillIt is important to review your

will every few years and change,if necessary. Life is constantlychanging; your financialsituation or even your familymay have changed. You can alsochange your will in the form of amemorandum or written notethat is signed by you and yourwitnesses that refers clearly tothe changes.

To change your will, you canalso make a separate document,called a codicil, which is like anupdate added to the end of yourwill. This document, againsigned by you and yourwitnesses, should set out clearlyand accurately the changes youwant to make to your will.

It is always possible for you torevoke your will. This can onlybe challenged if your mentalcapacity when you revoked yourwill is called into question.

Inheritance PlanningOf equal importance, of

course, is the entire business offinancial planning. Without thisyou could end up leaving asignificant Inheritance Taxliability on your death,depending on the size of yourestate, which could considerablyreduce the amounts received bythe beneficiaries.

Inheritance tax may also bedue on assets you may havegiven away during your lifetime,i.e. property, investments,possessions and money. There isno Inheritance tax liability whenassets are passed betweenspouses.

There are many tax reliefsavailable and proper inheritanceplanning can minimize theexposure. Farmers and businessowners have generous tax reliefswhen passing the farm orbusiness to their heirs.Consequently, good independentfinancial advice may also benecessary when drawing up yourwill.

Protecting your family when you’re not around

Where there’s a will...