Thursday, December 29, 2011

10 Ways to Start Exercising

Walking, strength training, running, swimming, biking, yoga, tai chi — the possibilities for exercise are endless. The good news is that it doesn’t matter which one you choose — it just matters that you do some form of exercise. “If you have a choice between not moving and moving — move,” says Heather Nettle, MA, coordinator of exercise physiology services for the Cleveland Clinic Sports Health and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Center. “Ultimately it will help with overall health and well-being.” So go ahead, find an activity you love and get moving with these 10 do’s and don’ts for starting an exercise routine.
1. Do Anything — It’s Better Than Nothing
Experts are quite clear on this point: Get 30 to 60 minutes of exercise three to five days a week for improved energy, as well as to help prevent heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. But if you can’t hit that target for whatever reason, just do something. “One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is having an all-or-nothing mentality,” says Caroline Dawson, MBA, a certified fitness trainer and instructor at Town Sports International in New York City. “If you can realistically only commit to working out three days a week, remember that three is better than zero! Even if you can devote only 10 or 20 minutes to exercise, you’ll always feel better afterward.” To widen your activity horizons, keep a pair of walking shoes in your car or at your desk, and drive or walk to a scenic locale for your walks. On rainy days, the mall makes a great indoor track.
2. Do Keep Track
Tracking your steps with a pedometer is one key to success if you like to walk, says Michael F. Roizen, MD, chief wellness officer at the Cleveland Clinic. Another is recording some basic health information before starting a new routine. “Keeping track of how your body changes inside and out over the weeks and months gives you proof of the healthy changes you’re making,” he says. A few ways to do it:
• Before your first workout, check your blood pressure at your local pharmacy. Then recheck once a month. 
• Time yourself at a track or on a treadmill. See how many minutes it takes you to walk or run one mile. Retest yourself after one month of consistent exercise.
• Measure your waist circumference and your weight. Take these measurements once a week.
• Schedule a visit with your physician and request these tests: lipid panel, vitamin D and C-reactive protein. Check these levels again after six months of consistent exercise. 
3. Do Weight-Train
There’s no question: You’ll shed pounds faster if you lift weights. That’s because strength training builds muscle, and the more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism will be. And women, hear this: You will not bulk up! What you’re doing by lifting weights is preventing muscle loss. Strength training also improves overall body composition, giving you more lean muscle tissue in relation to fat, so you look toned and trim. To experience the most benefit, lift more weight than you think you can. Dashing through your repetitions doesn’t take as much effort because it allows your muscles to rely on momentum. Instead, focus on your form by practicing slow and steady movements on both the contraction and the release. This will help you strengthen every muscle fiber.
4. Do Head for the Hills
Do you follow the same flat path day in and day out when you go for your walk or run? Look for hills along your route that you can slip into your routine. If it’s too much for you to tackle all at once, start by going only halfway up. Walking or running up inclines boosts the intensity of your workout: It burns more calories and helps build muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance. Switching between flat surfaces and hills is a form of interval training, a type of workout that involves short bursts of high-intensity exercise in between moderate activity. This kind of exercise, practiced by elite athletes, can supercharge your workout. It can also help keep boredom at bay. If you have joint problems, go easy on the downhill — slow your pace and shorten your stride.
5. Do Think Outside the Box
Even if you can’t engage in rigorous, high-intensity sweat sessions, there are plenty of other ways to improve your physical health. According to a review in the American Journal of Health Promotion, mind-body practices like tai chi and qigong may help promote bone health, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical function, balance, quality of life, fall prevention and emotional well-being. Described as “meditation in motion,” tai chi and qigong involve a series of flowing, gentle movements — similar to but much slower than yoga. Interested? Get the Gaiam tai chi for beginners DVD in our 360-5.com wellness store.
6. Don’t Do It If You Don’t Love It
The perfect exercise is something you enjoy, according to Gordon Blackburn, MD, director of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at the Cleveland Clinic. He recommends doing something you can fit in on a daily basis and something you can continue doing. Walk briskly, run, bike, use a program like Wii Fit. As the saying goes, it’s all good. Once you find what you love, aim to gradually increase the duration and intensity of your activity. As you get more fit, your functional capacity increases, so you really can do more. If you love your daily walk, add distance and build up speed. If you love bicycling, add another few miles or tackle that big hill. It all adds up, and getting going today will keep your heart going in the long run.
7. Don’t Stretch Too Soon
You probably learned to stretch before exercise in elementary school PE. But science has determined that holding stretches for 20 to 30 seconds prior to the start of a workout actually makes it more difficult for your muscles to perform. A University of Nevada study found that athletes who performed traditional hamstring stretches before working out generated less power from those muscles than athletes who did no stretching at all. For a good-for-you warm-up, do moves that raise your heart rate and promote flexibility, such as a straight-legged march: Kick your right leg straight out in front of you, keeping your toes pointed up. As you kick, reach your left fingertips to touch (or nearly touch) your right toes. Step your weight forward onto your right leg, then repeat on the left side, bringing your right hand to touch your left toes as you kick. Keep going for eight to 10 steps. As for those static stretches from your school days, there’s still a time and a place for them — after you’re done with your workout.
8. Don’t Forget Your Core
It’s no coincidence that core training and balance training are often grouped together. A strong core — which consists of your abdominal, back and pelvic muscles — can function like an insurance policy against balance-related injuries. “When your core is strong, then your protective stabilizing muscles kick in and protect you,” explains Dallas-based Pilates expert Karon Karter, author of Balance Training: Stability Workouts for Core Strength and a Sculpted Body. Studies have shown that taking a holistic view of balance training is probably the most effective route. That means changing up your exercise routine to challenge both strength and balance, and pairing it with core training. Use balance exercises to warm up for things like walking, running or biking. After establishing your balance on one foot (just holding still is a good first step), try raising and lowering your body on one leg, keeping your torso erect while bending at the knee and waist. As you get more confident, add repetitions, go lower, or move your free leg into different positions. 
9. Don’t Walk With Weights
Though it may feel like you’re working harder, strapping on hand or ankle weights while you walk won’t give you the extra burn you’re looking for. And it may just increase your risk of joint problems or injuries. To burn extra calories, you would need to carry at least three- to five-pound weights — and that’s a definite no-no. When you swing the weights, it exponentially increases the force on your shoulder and elbow joints if using hand weights, or knee and hip joints if using ankle weights. For people with heart disease or high blood pressure, using weights can also cause a temporary spike in blood pressure. Leave the weights at home and boost your burn by walking up hills instead.
10. Don’t Focus on Appearance
If you can’t seem to muster the motivation to hit the gym, it may be time to rethink your reasons for going. Working out for the sake of how you look can actually discourage you from exercise. Instead of viewing physical activity as a means to a better-looking body, think of it as a way to stay healthy and feel great. Though you will burn calories, melt fat and build muscle, regular physical activity can also reduce stress, banish bad moods, ramp up energy levels and boost self-esteem. So even if a single workout doesn’t give you a Heidi Klum or Matthew McConaughey body, all that sweat and those endorphins can still make you feel like you look almost as good as they do.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Example of a Special Needs Trust

This document is for display purpose only, it is not intended to give legal advice about the document.  I highly recommend that an attorney in your state be contacted to discuss State Specific Special Needs Trusts.

FAMILY SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST
  
                IRREVOCABLE TRUST AGREEMENT, dated this                       day of                 , 20       between
                           (“Grantor”) residing at                                                     and                             (“Trustee”)
residing at                                                    .


ARTICLE 1:           CREATION OF TRUST

1.1           Trust Property.                    The Grantor hereby establishes an irrevocable trust and assigns, conveys, transfers and delivers to the Trustee (as hereinafter named) the property described in Schedule A (the “Trust Property”) attached hereto and the Trustee accepts such property as the initial Trust estate.  The Trust Property shall be administered and distributed upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

1.2           Additions to Trust.              Grantor or any other person or entity may from time to time transfer additional property to the Trustee to be added to the Trust Property upon the terms of this Trust Agreement.

ARTICLE 2:           MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSITION OF TRUST ESTATE

2.1           It is Grantor’s primary concern in drafting this Special Needs Trust that it continue in existence as a supplemental and emergency fund to public assistance for                                                                                              (the “Beneficiary”), throughout her life.  There exists living needs such as travel, entertainment, and outdoor recreation which public benefit programs for the disabled do not provide.  It is vitally important the Grantor’s child have these programs and enrichments in order to maintain a level of human dignity and humane care.  If this Trust were to be invaded by creditors, subjected to any liens or encumbrances, or cause public benefits to
                be terminated, it is likely that the Trust corpus would be depleted prior to                                           death, especially since the cost of care for developmentally disabled persons is high.  In this event, there would be no coverage for emergencies or supplementation for basic needs.  The following Trust provisions should be interpreted  in light of these concerns and Grantor’s stated intent as Grantor is fully aware that the assets of this Trust are insufficient to independently provide for Beneficiary’s basic care.  This trust is specifically designed to supplement and not supplant the benefits of any public assistance programs to which Beneficiary is or will be entitled.  These programs include, but are not limited to, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid and Medicare, Federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or other programs funded by the local county, state, or federal government which offer rehabilitative or other services.

2.2           The Trustee may pay to or apply for the benefit of the Beneficiary, for Beneficiary’s lifetime, such amounts from the principal or income, up to the whole thereof, as the Trustee in Trustee’s sole discretion may from time to time deem necessary or advisable for the satisfaction of Beneficiary’s Special Needs, and any income not distributed shall be added to the principal.  As used in this instrument, the term “Special Needs” refers to the requisites for maintaining Beneficiary’s good health, safety and welfare when, in the discretion of the Trustee, such requisites are not being provided by any public agency, office or department of the State of                                      , or of any other state, or of the United States. “Special Needs” shall not include food, clothing or shelter, or anything not an excluded item of income or resources but shall include, but not be limited to, special equipment, programs of training, education and rehabilitation, spending money, eyeglasses, monetary requirements to enhance Beneficiary’s self-esteem, situational and essential dietary needs, travel needs and recreation, which are excluded resources under such programs, or not convertible to case or food, clothing or shelter.  No payment of principal or interest of this Trust shall be made to Beneficiary if such payment would disqualify or make Beneficiary ineligible for the programs described in this Trust.

2.3           The Trustee shall, in the exercise of his best judgment and fiduciary duty, seek support and maintenance for Beneficiary from all available public resources, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid and Medicare, Federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and the appropriate regional center for the disabled.  In making distributions to Beneficiary for her special needs as herein defined, the Trustee shall take into consideration the applicable resource and income limitations of the public assistance program for which Beneficiary is eligible.

2.4           No part of the corpus of this Trust created herein shall be used to supplant or replace public assistance benefits of any county, state, federal, or other governmental agency which has the legal responsibility to serve persons with disabilities which are the same or similar to the impairment of Beneficiary herein.  For purposes of determining Beneficiary’s Medicaid or public assistance eligibility, no part of the principal or undistributed income of the Trust estate shall be considered available to Beneficiary.  In the event that the Trustee is requested to release principal or income of the Trust to or on behalf of Beneficiary to pay for food, clothing or shelter or for equipment, medication or services which Medicaid is authorized to provide (were it not for the existence of this Trust), or in the event the Trustee is requested to petition the Court or any other administrative agency for the release of Trust principal or income for this purpose, the Trustee is authorized to deny such request and is authorized in his/her discretion to take whatever administrative and/or judicial steps may be necessary to continue the public assistance Medicaid eligibility of Beneficiary, including obtaining instructions from a court of competent jurisdiction ruling that the Trust corpus is not available to him/her for public assistance programs or Medicaid eligibility purposes.  Any expenses of the Trustee in this regard, including reasonable attorney’s fees, shall be properly charged to the Trust estate.  All references in this instrument to Medicaid shall include any other state’s Medicaid program equivalent.

2.5           No interest in the principal or income of this Trust shall be anticipated, assigned or encumbered, or shall be subject to any creditor’s claim or to legal process, prior to its actual receipt by Beneficiary.  Furthermore, because this Trust is to be conserved and maintained for the special needs of Beneficiary throughout her life, no part of the corpus thereof, neither principal nor undistributed income, shall be construed as part of Beneficiary’s “estate” or be subject to the claims or voluntary or involuntary creditors for the provision of care and services, including residential care by any public entity, office, department or agency of the State of                                        , or of any other state, or of the United States or any other governmental agency.

2.6           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in other provisions of this Trust, in the event that the existence of this Trust has the effect of rendering Beneficiary ineligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid and Medicare, or any other program of public benefits the Trustee is authorized (but not required) to terminate this Trust and the undistributed balance of the Trust estate shall be distributed, free of Trust, to the Grantor’s children other than the Beneficiary.  If one or more of the Grantor’s children other than the Beneficiary are not living at such time, his or her share shall be distributed to his or her issue, per stirpes.  If there be no such issue surviving, then such share shall be distributed to Grantor’s surviving child, other than the Beneficiary, or if there be none, then to such child’s (other than the Beneficiary’s) issue.  If at such time the Grantor has no surviving child or issue of deceased children, other than the Beneficiary’s, then all of such balance of principal and undistributed income shall be distributed as if the Grantor died intestate at the same time of the Beneficiary’s death and all of such balance of principal and undistributed income were to be distributed in accordance with the laws of intestacy as applied to the Grantor.  In determining whether the existence of the Trust has the effect of rendering Beneficiary ineligible for SSI, Medicaid and Medicare, or any other program of public benefits, the Trustee is hereby granted full and complete discretion to initiate either administrative or judicial proceedings, or both, for the purpose of determining eligibility and all costs relating thereto, including reasonable attorney’s fees, shall be a proper charge to the Trust estate.

2.7           Subject to the provisions of paragraph 2.8 herein, this Trust shall cease and terminate upon the death of Beneficiary, and thereupon, the Trustee shall distribute and deliver all of the principal and undistributed income in equal shares to the Grantor’s children other than the Beneficiary.  If one or more of the Grantor’s children other than the Beneficiary are not living at such time, his or her share shall be distributed to his or her issue, per stirpes.  If there be no such issue surviving, then such share shall be distributed to Grantor’s surviving child or if there be none, then to such child’s (other than the Beneficiary’s) issue.  If at such time the Grantor has no surviving child or issue of deceased children, other than the Beneficiary’s, then all of such balance of principal and undistributed income shall be distributed as if the Grantor died intestate at the same time of the Beneficiary’s death and all of such balance of principal and undistributed income were to be distributed in accordance with the laws of intestacy as applied to the Grantor.

2.8           Upon the death of Beneficiary, the Trustee may pay any death taxes regarding assets, passing in accordance with these Trust provisions or otherwise, and all expenses of said Beneficiary’s last illness and funeral, and expenses related to administration and distribution of the Trust estate if, in the Trustee’s discretion, other satisfactory provisions have not been made for the payment of such expenses.  The Trustee shall make no payment for expenses incurred prior to Beneficiary’s death if the Trustee shall determine in his discretion that payment therefore is the obligation of any county, state, federal, or other governmental agency which has the legal responsibility to serve persons with disabilities which are the same or similar to the impairment of Beneficiary herein.

ARTICLE 3:           TRUSTEE POWERS

3.1           In the administration of this Trust, the Trustee shall, in addition to the powers provided by the laws of the state of                , as the same may be in force as of the date first set forth above, or as may thereafter be amended, have the following express powers:]

3.1.1        To retain indefinitely any investments and to invest and reinvest in stocks, shares and obligations of corporations, specifically including the retention of shares of stock in closely-held corporations, of unincorporated associates or trusts, and of investment companies, without giving notice to any beneficiary, or in any other kind of personal or real property, notwithstanding the fact that any or all of the investments made or retained are of a character or size which, but for this express authority, would be unauthorized under the laws of the state of                        .

3.1.2        To make distribution in cash or in kind, in real or personal property, or partially in each.

3.1.3        To delegate discretionary powers to agents, remunerate them and pay their expenses, employ and pay the compensation of accountants, custodians, legal and investment counsel.

3.1.4        To sell, to exchange, to lease and to make contracts concerning real or personal property for such considerations and upon such terms as to credit or otherwise as the Trustee may determine; to execute deeds, transfers, leases and other instruments of any kind.

3.1.5        To improve or develop real estate, to construct, alter or repair buildings or structures on real estate; to settle boundary lines and easements and other rights with respect to real estate; to partition and to join with co-owners in dealing with real estate in any way.

3.1.6        To compromise claims.

3.1.7        To apportion receipts and disbursements of the Trust estate between principal and income in such manner as he/she may deem advisable, in his/her absolute discretion, including the power to pay as income, the whole of the interest, dividend, rent or similar receipts from property, whether wasting or not and although bought or taken at a value at a value above par; to treat as income or principal or to apportion between them stock or securities and proceeds from the sale of real estate, although such real estate may have been wholly or partly unproductive.

3.2           If pursuant to the provisions of this Trust, all or any part thereof shall vest in absolute ownership in minor or minors, Trustee in his sole discretion, and without authorization by any court, is hereby authorized:

3.2.1        To defer, in whole or in part, payment or distribution of any or all property to which such minor may be entitled holding the whole or the undistributed portion thereof, as a separate share for such minor, with all the powers and authority conferred by the provisions of this Trust, including, without limitations, the power to retain, invest and reinvest, both principal and accumulated income, without being limited to investments authorized by law for Trust funds.

3.2.2        To pay, distribute or apply the whole or any part of any new income or principal, at any time held for such minor, including accumulated income, to or for the property support, maintenance, education, and welfare of such minor, either directly or by making payment or distribution thereof to the Guardian or other legal representative, wherever appointed, of such minor to such minor personally, and to pay or distribute any balance thereof to such minor when such minor reaches the age of eighteen (18) years, or in case such minor shall die before distribution of all property held under this Article to the Executor or Administrator of the Estate of such minor, the receipt of the person or persons to whom any such payment or distribution is so made being sufficient discharge thereof, even though the Trustee may be such person or persons.

The authority conferred upon the Trustee by this paragraph shall be construed as a power only, and shall not operate to suspend the absolute ownership of such property by such minor or to prevent the absolute vesting thereof in such minor.  Any law to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall not be required to render and file annual accounting with respect to property so held under this paragraph.

ARTICLE 4:           TRUSTEE

4.1           Trustee.                              hereby agrees to serve as Trustee of the Trust created herein.

4.2           Alternate Trustee.

4.2.1        Designation.  In the event a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee, for any reason,                             shall act as alternate Trustee.

4.2.2        Eligible Substitutes.  Any natural person or corporation authorized to administer trusts shall be eligible to serve as an alternate Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that under no circumstances shall the Beneficiary of the Trust hereby created be eligible to serve as Trustee hereunder.
4.3           Powers of Alternate Trustees.  Every alternate Trustee shall have all the title, rights, powers, privileges and duties herein conferred or imposed upon the original Trustee without any act of conveyance or transfer.  No alternate Trustee shall be obligated to examine the accounts, records and acts of any previous Trustee or any allocation of the Trust estate, no shall such alternate Trustee be required to proceed against a previous Trustee for any act or omission to act on the part of such previous Trustee.

4.4           Bonds Waived.  The Trustee, including any alternate Trustee, shall be permitted to qualify without the necessity of giving a bond or other undertaking in the sate of                                                                             or any other jurisdiction for the faithful performance of such Trustee’s duties, or if any bond shall be required by law, statute or rule of court, without the necessary of sureties thereon.

ARTICLE 5:  CONSTRUCTIONAL RULES

5.1           Governing Law.  The laws of                                    shall govern all questions as to the validity and construction of all trusts created by this instrument.

5.2           Gender Neutral  As used in this trust provision, words in any gender shall be deemed to include the other gender; the singular shall be deemed to include the plural, and vice versa.

5.3           Headings.  The section headings of this Trust Agreement are for reference purposes only and are to be given no effect in the constitution of interpretation of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 6:  TRUST IRREVOCABLE

The Trust hereby established is irrevocable.  The Grantor reserves no right to amend, modify, or revoke this Trust in whole or in part.

ARTICLE 7:  BINDING EFFECT

This instrument shall bind the respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of Grantor and the Trustee.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this instrument on the day and year first above written.


                                                                                                                ____________________________________
                                                                                                                                                                        , Grantor


                                                                                                                ____________________________________
                                                                                                                                                                        , Trustee

SCHEDULE A


The following assets are hereby transferred and conveyed to the Trustees as the initial Trust Estate to be held, administered and distributed in accordance with the terms of the foregoing Declaration of Trust:

-                               Cash [$     ]
-                               Other [     ]

Special Needs Trust...

In preparing for your wellness it is important to understand Special Needs Trust. A special needs trust is created to ensure that beneficiaries who are disabled or mentally ill can enjoy the use of property which is intended to be held for their benefit.[1] In addition to personal planning reasons for such a trust (the person may lack the mental capacity to handle their financial affairs) there may be fiscal advantages to the use of a trust. Such trusts may also avoid beneficiaries losing access to essential government benefits.
A trust for a disabled beneficiary may be set up in any of the common law countries or other countries which recognise the concept of the trust. They have particular advantages in legislation in relation to both taxation and state benefits in, for example, in relation to the provision of healthcarelong-term care and nursing home benefits under the state-sponsored Medicaid welfare system in the United States of America.
Special needs trusts can provide benefits to, and protect the assets of, the physically disabled or the mentally disabled. Special Needs Trusts are frequently used to receive an inheritance or personal injury settlement proceeds on behalf of a disabled person or are founded from the proceeds of compensation for criminal injuries, litigation or insurance settlements.
A common feature of trusts in all common law jurisdictions is that they may be run either by family members (a private trust) or by trusteesappointed by the court. Especially where a trust is to be established for a disabled child or young person, great care is generally taken in the choice of appropriate trustees to manage the trust assets and to deal with future replacement appointments. The use of a private discretionary trust can not only be more efficient in terms of taxation and access to government benefits but can also allow for more efficient investment of funds held than where funds are held by a court official  However where no appropriate trustees can be found, e.g. on the death of existing trustees, the court will intervene.
Special Needs Trusts are also known as Supplemental Needs Trusts.
WHY USE A SUPPLEMENTAL NEEDS TRUST?
To Preserve Governmental Benefits And Protect Assets...

A Supplemental Needs Trust (sometimes called a Special Needs Trust) is a specialized legal document designed to benefit an individual who has a disability. A Supplemental Needs Trust is most often a “stand alone” document, but it can form part of a Last Will and Testament. Supplemental Needs Trusts have been in use for many years, and were given an “official” legal status by the United States Congress in 1993.
A Supplemental Needs Trust enables a person under a physical or mental disability, or an individual with a chronic or acquired illness, to have, held in Trust for his or her benefit, an unlimited amount of assets.  In a properly-drafted Supplemental Needs Trust, those assets are not considered countable assets for purposes of qualification for certain governmental benefits.
 Such benefits may include Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, vocational rehabilitation, subsidized housing, and other benefits based upon need. For purposes of a Supplemental Needs Trust, an individual is considered impoverished if his or her personal assets are less than $2,000.00.
A Supplemental Needs Trust provides for supplemental and extra care over and above that which the government provides.
Supplemental Needs Trusts had been used for years based upon case law. In 1993, Congress created an exception under the amendments to the Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act (OBRA-93) which specifically authorized the use of Supplemental Needs Trusts for the benefit of individuals who are under the age of 65 years and disabled according to Social Security standards. The Social Security Operations Manual authorizes the use of Supplemental Needs Trusts to hold non-countable assets.
Each Supplemental Needs Trust is its own "entity" with its own Federal Identification Number (Employer Identification Number) issued by the Internal Revenue Service. The Trust is not registered under either the Grantor's or the Beneficiary's Social Security Numbers.
According to Congress a Supplemental Needs Trust must be irrevocable. A properly-drafted Trust will include provisions for Trust termination or dissolution under certain circumstances, and will include explicit directions for amendment when necessary.

WHAT CAN A SUPPLEMENTAL NEEDS TRUST BE USED FOR?
To Ensure That Your Disabled Family Member Has Every Opportunity For A Fulfilled And Happy Life . . .
According to the law, a Supplemental Needs Trust can be used for "supplemental and extra care over and above what the government provides." A properly-drafted Supplemental Needs Trust will work on a "sliding scale"; that is, in the impossible event that the government provides for 100% of the disabled beneficiary's needs the Trust will provide 0%. If there are no governmental benefits available, the Trust can provide 100%. Most people fall somewhere along the scale, and the Trust supplements governmental coverage. If a beneficiary falls into a Medicare "doughnut hole" for example, it becomes the Trust's job to cover the shortfall.
Although there are Medicaid rules that say that the Trust cannot be used for housing or food, these rules have to be interpreted carefully. For example, there is no restriction on purchasing an accessible home or making accessibility adaptations to an existing home and having the Trust own or pay for them.  Likewise, although foodstuffs are not strictly allowable under the rules, social events such as dinner parties  are; likewise, vacations and entertainments are permitted.
It is important to remember that a Supplemental Needs Trust is a living legal document that is meant to not only maintain benefits eligibility, but also to bring enjoyment and new, positive experiences to the beneficiary.