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The LynnLeigh JournalLife. Investing. And Everything in BetweenMargaret Newcomb, 69, is a retired teacher, and she’s doing her bestto protect her retirement savings while caring for her 82-year-oldhusband, who has severe dementia. At times, he has wandered awayfrom home, so she attaches a tag to his shoelace with her phonenumber in case he gets lost.Limitations in cognitive and physical health are the primary reasonswhy older adults need help with their daily activities. As we age, wecan’t rule out the possibility that we may develop an impairmentaffecting our independence.CARING FOR LOVED ONES AND YOURPORTFOLIO: STRATEGIES FOR ASECURE FUTUREBy Kelly L. Olczak, CFP® NewsletterHighlightsJ U L Y 2 0 2 4V O L U M E 7Hidden Gems: Top ScenicHiking Trails in the FingerLakes and Rochester AreaMastering Long-TermInvestment SuccessThe Challenges andRewards of CaregivingMedicare and FinancialAssistanceVeterans’ Benefits andMedicaid Caregiver ResourcesCaring for Loved Ones: AI and the IceburgCorporate Profits andEconomic GrowthMarket Breadth Concernsand Equal Weigh IndexMargaret's Story: A Lesson in Caregivingand Financial Planning

J U L Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 72According to The National Institutes of Health, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Healthand Human Services, 59% of adults between the ages of 85 and 89 receive a family caregiver’s help.That rises to 76% for those 90 or older.Taking on the role of a caregiver can be incredibly rewarding. You’re stepping outside of yourselfto help and serve a loved one. But it requires sacrifice and can be emotionally draining. If youignore your own needs, it can take a toll on your health.According to Medical News Today, Medicarepays for caregivers when a person is under thecare of a doctor, a doctor has certified a person ashomebound, or the care delivered is through awritten plan that’s regularly reviewed by a doctor.Medicare may cover eligible home health servicessuch as medically necessary part-time skillednursing care, physical therapy, occupational,speech, and language therapy, and part-timehome health aide services.The Financial Side of CaregivingCovered home health services also include medically necessary part-time or intermittent skillednursing care.Medicare does not pay for 24-hour-a-day care at your home, home meal delivery, homemakerservices (like shopping and cleaning) unrelated to your care plan, and personal care that helps youwith daily living activities (like bathing, dressing, using the bathroom), when this is the only careyou need.

J U L Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 73You must be at least 18 years old, and at least one of these must be true for you:You’re a spouse, son, daughter, parent, stepfamily member, or extended family member ofthe veteran, orYou live full-time with the veteran, or you’re willing to live full-time with the veteran if wedesignate you as a family caregiver.Veterans or family members of a veteran, are you eligiblefor the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for FamilyCaregivers?You may be eligible if you and the veteran you’re caring formeet these requirements.Eligibility requirements for the family caregiver:For the veteran:The veteran you care for has aVA disability rating (individual or combined) of 70% or higher,The veteran was discharged from the U.S. military or has a date of medical discharge,The veteran needs at least six months of continuous, in-person personal care services.Medicaid may be an option, but please be aware that eligibility may be severely restricted by yourincome or assets.

J U L Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 74Avoid hiring a caregiver who isn’t qualified, orworse, puts your loved one in a dangeroussituation. If you have ever engaged with acaregiver, it’s an ever-present worry, but the riskcan be minimized by taking a few simpleprecautions.Let’s review several red flags provided by the Institute on Aging.Your applicant refuses to supply references, a home address, or submit to a background check.This is a huge red flag. Avoid this applicant!The person moves often. Unless there is a reasonable and legitimate explanation, this could be asign they may be evading law enforcement, state homecare regulations, or both.A family member or friend may appear to be the solution, but is that person in over their head?Past elder care experience isn’t a substitute for education, training, certification, licensure,bonding, and proof of insurance.Follow your gut. Does something seem out of place? If so, you are under no obligation to hirethat person.Spotting Trouble Before TroubleEnters Your HomeWhat if you have thoroughly researched a candidate, and they are now assisting your senior, butsomething feels amiss? Let’s review some of the danger signs.Your senior has unexplained illnesses, infections, or bruises. You may have a dangerouscaregiver if medical history doesn’t explain these problems.What are the Signs of a DangerousCaregiver?

J U L Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 75Is your loved one anxious or nervous around their caregiver? Does he or she seem to be afraid oftheir caregiver? The caregiver may be threatening your loved one in your absence.Look for signs of neglect. Is the home a mess or dirty? Is the aide always watching T.V. or notpaying attention to your senior? Is your senior hungry or cold? These are signs of neglect.Those looking for employment may have the bestof intentions, but the Institute on Aging notesthat good intentions should be “backed up with aclean criminal record, affiliation with a reputableagency, and a safe, secure feeling you get whenyou leave your senior in their hands.”Protecting Against ScamsScams targeting individuals 60 and older causedover $3.4 billion in losses last year. That’s upabout 11% from 2022, according to the FBI.Remind your loved one about online scams and fraudsters claiming to work for the IRS, SocialSecurity, and Medicare.Common schemes include romance scams, tech support scams, and the sweepstakes winnerscam.Be careful and be alert.Local Caregiver ResourcesCaring for a loved one can be both rewarding and challenging, especially when navigating thecomplexities of health care and support systems. Fortunately, the Finger Lakes and Rochesterarea offers a wealth of local resources designed to assist caregivers. From support groups andrespite care to educational programs and specialized services, these organizations provide

J U L Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 76 invaluable aid to help caregivers manage their responsibilities and maintain their well-being.Whether you need counseling, case management, or simply a helping hand, these local resourcesare here to support you every step of the way.Lifespan of RochesterWebsite: www.lifespan-roch.orgDescription: Provides a wide range of servicesfor older adults and caregivers, includingcaregiver support groups, respite care, andeducational programs.Finger Lakes Caregiver InstituteWebsite: www.fingerlakescaregiver.orgDescription: Offers support, resources, andtraining for caregivers in the Finger Lakesregion, including counseling and respite care.Alzheimer’s Association Rochester andFinger Lakes ChapterWebsite: www.alz.org/rochesternyDescription: Provides support groups,educational programs, and a 24/7 helpline forcaregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's andother dementias.Monroe County Office for the AgingWebsite: www.monroecounty.gov/agingDescription: Offers services and support forolder adults and their caregivers, includinginformation on local resources, mealprograms, and caregiver support.Catholic Family Center - Aging & AdultServices: Website: www.cfcrochester.orgDescription: Provides various services for olderadults and caregivers, including casemanagement, caregiver respite, and supportgroups.Rochester Regional Health - Caregiver SupportProgramWebsite: www.rochesterregional.orgDescription: Offers resources and support forcaregivers, including educational workshops,support groups, and respite care services.

J U L Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 77Local Caregiver Resources, Cont.Jewish Family Service of Rochester Website: www.jfsrochester.orgDescription: Provides caregiver supportservices, including counseling, caremanagement, and respite care.Ontario County Office for the AgingWebsite: www.co.ontario.ny.us/agingDescription: Offers services and resources forolder adults and their caregivers, includingsupport groups, respite care, and educationalprograms.Wayne County Office for the AgingWebsite: www.waynecountyny.gov/190/Aging-YouthDescription: Provides a variety of services forolder adults and caregivers, including caregiversupport programs, respite care, and informationon local resources.Livingston County Office for the AgingWebsite:www.livingstoncounty.us/274/Office-for-the-AgingDescription: Offers support services for olderadults and caregivers, including educationalworkshops, support groups, and respite careprograms.

J U L Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 78The AI revolution is powering significant gains in technology shares and the S&P 500. Lookno further than AI-chipmaker Nvidia (NVDA), which briefly became the largest publiclytraded company in the world last month. Fortune.com pointed out that shares of the stockaccounted for more than one-third of the S&P 500’s advance this year (through mid-June).Here’s another interesting factoid. Nvidia accounted for 44% of the rise in the S&P 500 since theend of 2021, according to The Wall Street Journal (as of June 21).What’s driving the headlines?Why? The S&P 500 Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index. The top three stocks arevalued at over $9 trillion, comprising a significant portion of the S&P 500’s value of about $46trillion.Look no further than the lesser-known S&P 500 Top 10 Index, which consists of 10 of thelargest S&P 500 companies. It rose nearly 29% in the first half of the year, according to S&PDow Jones Indexes.Outside of AI, other catalysts that have fueled this year’s advance include:Corporate profits that have topped expectations.Job growth is solid, the economy is expanding, and the soft-economic landing scenariostill appears to be in place.Mastering Long-Term Investment SuccessAI and the IcebergIt has been said that only 10% of an iceberg is visible, while the remaining 90% is submerged underthe water. Is that what we’re seeing in today’s market?The S&P 500 and Nasdaq notched several all-time highs in June, according to MarketWatch,building on an impressive advance this year.

8Why? The S&P 500 Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index. The top three stocks arevalued at over $9 trillion, comprising a significant portion of the S&P 500’s value of about $46trillion.Look no further than the lesser-known S&P 500 Top 10 Index, which consists of 10 of thelargest S&P 500 companies. It rose nearly 29% in the first half of the year, according to S&PDow Jones Indexes.Outside of AI, other catalysts that have fueled this year’s advance include:Corporate profits that have topped expectations.Job growth is solid, the economy is expanding, and the soft-economic landing scenariostill appears to be in place.J U L Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 7The AI revolution is powering significant gains in technology shares and the S&P 500. Lookno further than AI-chipmaker Nvidia (NVDA), which briefly became the largest publiclytraded company in the world last month. Fortune.com pointed out that shares of the stockaccounted for more than one-third of the S&P 500’s advance this year (through mid-June).Here’s another interesting factoid. Nvidia accounted for 44% of the rise in the S&P 500 since theend of 2021, according to The Wall Street Journal (as of June 21).What’s driving the headlines?

J U L Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 79We’ve established that the largest publicly traded companies are, on average, performingadmirably. That said, have investors shunned many of the equities that make up the S&P 500Index in favor of a few firms?OK, for those of you that know me, I am aweirdo when it comes to this type of thing. I loveunderstanding how the market behaves.So, let’s review the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index. As the name implies, every stock in the indexequally contributes to the performance of theindex. In this case, it is the S&P 500 Index. Theequal weight index is up a respectable butmodest 3.25% this year (as of July 2). Notably,the equal-weighted index was off 3.1%% in Q2versus an advance of nearly 4% for the S&P 500market-cap-weighted index.What might this mean?Some market technicians have fretted over the lack of breadth in today’s market.“This Rally Is All About a Few Star Stocks—and Some Investors Are Worried,” The Wall StreetJournal opined.Here’s another one from Barron’s: “The Stock Market’s Rally is Being Driven by a Few Stocks.”But the WSJ story was published on June 6, 2023, and the Barron’s piece hit the wire on April 3,2023.The S&P 500 is up nearly 23% over the last year (ending June 28, S&P Dow Jones Indexes).

J U L Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 710We believe the economic fundamentals—the economy and corporate profits—will have thegreatest influence on the major indexes in the near and medium term. If the ever-elusiverecession materializes later in the year, we’d expect volatility to return.However, a gentle economic slowdown that supports earnings would be expected to create a morefavorable environment for investors.Over a longer period, the optimists argue thatinvestors are underestimating the economicimpact of the AI revolution. The upbeat scenarioargues that technology and AI will driveproductivity, fueling economic growth just asmillennials are entering their prime spendingyears.We’re not market seers. We acknowledge thatvisibility is limited. We’d never dismiss thepossibility of a market pullback.What does this mean to you? However, the market’s long-term track record provides a compelling reason stocks should beincluded in a comprehensive financial plan.Hidden Gems: Top Scenic Hiking Trails in the Finger Lakesand Rochester AreaIf you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Finger Lakesand Rochester area, exploring the local hiking trails is a must. Here are some of the best trails thatpromise breathtaking views and a peaceful escape:

V O L U M E 711Watkins Glen State Park:Description: Known for its remarkablegorge, Watkins Glen State Park features 19waterfalls along its two-mile trail. The stonesteps and bridges add a unique charm to thehiking experience.Highlights: The Rainbow Falls, SpiralTunnel, and the stunning views from theGorge Trail are not to be missed. Be sure tobring your camera!Letchworth State Park:Description: Often called the "GrandCanyon of the East," Letchworth State Parkoffers over 66 miles of hiking trails. The parkis famous for its dramatic cliffs and threemajor waterfalls on the Genesee River.Highlights: The Gorge Trail offersspectacular views of the waterfalls and thelush, forested surroundings. Look out forthe stunning autumn foliage if you visit inthe fall.J U L Y 2 0 2 4Letchworth State Park:Description: Often called the "GrandCanyon of the East," Letchworth State Parkoffers over 66 miles of hiking trails. The parkis famous for its dramatic cliffs and threemajor waterfalls on the Genesee River.Highlights: The Gorge Trail offersspectacular views of the waterfalls and thelush, forested surroundings. Look out forthe stunning autumn foliage if you visit inthe fall.*Disclaimer - I am slightly biased to this park because I grew upso close to this park that I could hop on my horse and ride thetrails everyday during the summer...

V O L U M E 712Taughannock State Park:Description: Home to one of the tallestwaterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains,Taughannock Falls State Park offers trailsthat lead to an awe-inspiring view of the 215-foot waterfall.Highlights: The Gorge Trail takes you to thebase of the falls, providing a majestic viewand a refreshing mist from the cascadingwater. The South Rim Trail offerspanoramic views from above.Chimney Bluffs State Park:Description: Located along the shores ofLake Ontario, Chimney Bluffs State Park isknown for its striking clay formations thatrise dramatically from the shoreline.Highlights: The Bluff Trail offers close-upviews of the unique formations andsweeping vistas of Lake Ontario. It's arelatively easy hike, suitable for all skilllevels.J U L Y 2 0 2 4

J U L Y 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 713LynnLeigh & Company - A Registered Investment AdvisorThis information is provided by LynnLeigh & Co. for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable – LynnLeigh& Co. advisors cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances. To the extent that thismaterial concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayershould seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice. Pastperformance is not a guarantee of future returns. We hope you found this edition of our newsletter both informative and inspiring. As we embracethis vibrant summer season, it's crucial to maintain a balanced and diversified investmentstrategy. By focusing on your long-term goals and staying steady through market fluctuations andpolitical changes, you can secure your financial future.Meanwhile, don't forget to take some time to enjoy the wonderful activities the Finger Lakes andRochester areas have to offer. Whether you're exploring scenic hiking trails, visiting local wineriesand breweries, or immersing yourself in the rich cultural history of our region, these experiencesnot only enrich our lives but also create cherished memories.As always, we are here to support you in achieving your financial goals and making the most of theopportunities around you. If you have any questions or need personalized advice, please don'thesitate to reach out.Wishing you a prosperous and joyful summer!