Wanda Anae-Onishi, Volunteer, Hawaii SHIP | Jul 14, 2023 | July - August 2023, Programs & Services
It’s official: You signed up for Original Medicare Parts A and B. Your enrollment isn’t quite finished yet though — at least, it shouldn’t be. Your next step is to enroll in a prescription drug plan. This is true even if you’re not presently taking any medications. It is important that you enroll in a timely fashion to avoid lifetime late enrollment penalties.
Martha Khlopin, Radio Host of “Morning Drive With Martha" | Jul 14, 2023 | July - August 2023, Programs & Services
Whether you are newly enrolled into Medicare or had coverage for awhile, you may be one of the beneficiaries subject to a higher monthly premium for Medicare Part B. Approximately 7% of all Medicare enrollees pay a higher premium. Those impacted are notified by letter.
Roseann Freitas, PR & Communications Manager, Better Business Bureau | Jul 14, 2023 | Programs & Services
Shopping online can feel like walking through a bustling bazaar. Unique finds and great deal are everywhere, but not all sellers are created equal. This is true whether you’re shopping for gifts, buying clothes, ordering vitamins from an online pharmacy or reserving a hotel room for your next trip off island.
Sophia Calio, Director of Kūpuna Programs, YMCA of Honolulu | Jul 14, 2023 | July - August 2023, Programs & Services
Seniors in our communities have been severely impacted by the pandemic, often struggling with hardships, health issues and feelings of disconnection. A staggering 45% of those surveyed in Honolulu County reported distress due to loneliness, anxiety and isolation.
Hermi Arjona, RN, volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association – Hawaii | Jul 14, 2023 | Giving Care, July - August 2023
Caring for anyone with memory loss is difficult. Patients with memory loss can be fearful. Unsure of what’s happening around them. Imagine, after all, forgetting the faces of your loved ones. Driving and suddenly realize you can’t recall your destination.
Vance Yamamoto, RN, CEN, CSA | Jul 14, 2023 | Giving Care, July - August 2023
Moving to a care home can be a life-changing decision, one that is often fraught with emotional and practical considerations. As our loved ones age, their care needs change, and it’s crucial to evaluate the key factors in making this decision.
Gary A. Powell, Founder & Executive Director, The Caregiver Foundation | Jul 14, 2023 | Giving Care, July - August 2023
Stayin’ Alive: the Bee Gees’ message remains important for those of us involved in caregiving. Too often we allow our own health and wellbeing to decline while we try to keep our loved ones safe and content. Here are a few easy to do things that can help keep you — the caregiver — alive… Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother!
Kahala Howser, Wellness and Events Manager, Hawai‘i Dental Service | Jul 14, 2023 | Health, July - August 2023
The connection between oral and total body health is well-known. For example, poor oral health increases your risk for heart disease, stroke, and other serious illnesses. Likewise, your dentist can identify conditions like diabetes, oral cancer, osteoporosis, anemia, HIV, eating disorders and more during your dental visits. So, what about the relationship between oral health and mental health?
Clint Evans, Senior Personal Trainer, Board Certified at the Tai Chi for Health Institute | Jul 14, 2023 | Health, July - August 2023
Staying steady in your golden years may be simpler than you think. It’s not about speed or agility, but the art of balance. Just 10 seconds a day can transform your confidence in your own footing — and prevent potentially disastrous falls.
Courtesy of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors | Jul 13, 2023 | July - August 2023, Living Life
Trends in technology for older adults highlight continued adaption in a variety of services, including health care. Older adults are continuing to live better because of technological innovation. A recent AARP report about tech trends shows that adults over 50 have nearly as high an adoption rate for smartphones, wearables, voice assistants and smart home technologies as their younger counterparts.
Times Pharmacy | Jul 13, 2023 | July - August 2023, Living Life
Medications and insulin may be necessary to help you manage diabetes, but diet and exercise can have great impacts on your health. Noticeable benefits of a healthy lifestyle include improved glucose levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol; maintaining a healthy weight...
Courtesy of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors | Jul 13, 2023 | July - August 2023, Living Life
Save money, help the environment, and get a fresh look all at the same time by shopping the Gen Z way: at thrift stores.
Frank B. Shaner, a Senior with a Burning Desire to Express Himself | Jul 13, 2023 | Column, July - August 2023
Well, Generations wanted me to expound on the inevitable and that is…dying. I can safely say that I know something about dying because for many years as a stand-up comedian, I died many times on stage. It’s not a good feeling.
Nancy Downes, Director of Marketing, Legacy of Life Hawai‘i | Jul 13, 2023 | Column, July - August 2023
If you could save a life, would you? We are all asked this vital question at the DMV. Checking the box YES to be an organ or tissue donor means we are willing to selflessly pass on the gift of life to those desperately in need.
Edward Motosue, Co-Principal and Vice President of Financial Benefits Insurance Inc. | Jul 13, 2023 | Column, July - August 2023
I was sitting outside an Ala Moana Hotel meeting room texting on my phone. Suddenly, I looked up. I had no idea where I was. I realized I was actually lying on the floor and looking at the walls and ceiling. Sweat seemed to be pouring down my face. I reached up to wiped the perspiration, only to discover it was blood. Soon a physical therapist appeared, asking me to follow his finger with my eyes. He asked me to raise my hands above my head, then to smile. He said I didn’t have a stroke or heart attack.
Sherry Goya, Generations Magazine Staff | Jul 13, 2023 | July - August 2023, Senior News
You could feel the excitement and electricity in the center of Windward Mall in Kāne‘ohe, O‘ahu, on Friday, May 19, when Generations Magazine held our first “Generations Senior Fair at Windward Mall” since January 2020. There were six rows of Generations partners, offering their services, knowledge and experience. Everyone brought their wealth of information and welcomed attendees, who were able to speak one-to-one with professionals in the many fields serving kūpuna and their families.
Fusao Nishibun, Division of Treasury, Tax Relief Section | Jul 13, 2023 | July - August 2023, Senior News
If you’re a Honolulu homeowner concerned about property taxes, relief is on the horizon as the City and County of Honolulu announces its Real Property Tax Credit program, open for applications starting July 1.
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Jul 13, 2023 | July - August 2023, Senior News
The Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society (HPGS), is thrilled to announce its 2023 biennial conference from September 7–8 following the success of its virtual conference in 2021.Designed for a diverse audience that includes kūpuna practitioners in the health and human service fields, businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations serving kūpuna, HPGS extends a warm invitation to its two-day event at the Ala Moana Hotel.
Sherry Goya, Generations Magazine Staff | Jul 13, 2023 | July - August 2023, Senior News
After more than 40 years teaching at secondary and post-secondary schools in Illinois and Hawai‘i, Kathy Jaycox is now dedicated to volunteering for nonprofits. The work touches her heart and soul, she says.
Jason Genegabus | Jul 13, 2023 | July - August 2023, Senior News
Carl “Kini Popo” Hebenstreit was well past retirement age when he made the decision to launch Generations Hawai‘i, which he described as “one of the happiest and most satisfying activities” of his life. “There is a need for it. That’s been a Trade [Media Hui] DNA tag since [1954],” when the original parent company of Generations was founded, he explained in an email to a colleague in 2006. Even then, at the age of 77 himself, Carl could tell the Great Silver Wave was nowhere near its crest.
Rosa Barker, Generations Magazine | Jul 12, 2023 | Cover Story, July - August 2022, July - August 2023
Few places can outshine Hawai‘i when it comes to healthy outdoor activities. The weather and the environment provide countless opportunities for exercise, whatever your fitness level. Canoe paddling challenges the physically fit, just as a short walk in a park or on a beach might challenge someone who has mobility issues. One sport that welcomes all fitness levels is pickleball.
Stephen B. Yim, Attorney at Law | May 10, 2023 | May - June 2023, Wisdoms
While the attorney is an expert in the estate planning process, the client is the expert about their own life, grief and choices. The attorney, as counselor, helps clients find solutions and make choices as they compassionately facilitate the estate planning process....
Kela Holt, CTFA, Principal, Hawaii Fiduciary Services LLC | May 10, 2023 | May - June 2023, Wisdoms
Aging is a process that’s changing. We’re now living longer and more active lives. And as we approach our later years, many of us have strong feelings about where and how we want to spend this period of our lives.
Scott A. Makuakane, Counselor at Law, Est8Planning Counsel LLLC | May 10, 2023 | May - June 2023, Wisdoms
You can devise your estate plan without lawyers or accountants. All you need is a credit card, a computer, a printer and access to the internet. Armed with those four things, you can create one or more documents that may — or may not — accomplish what you expect.
Michael W. K. Yee, Financial Advisor and Certified Financial Planner | May 10, 2023 | May - June 2023, Wisdoms
Having a child with special needs presents unique challenges. When their condition limits their ability to earn a living and pay for living expenses upon reaching adulthood, financial worries can abound. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure your child has sufficient financial resources and a dedicated support system. As you work towards protecting your child’s future, consider these six strategies:
Jane Burigsay, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Hawai‘i | May 10, 2023 | May - June 2023, Programs & Services
We strive to provide the public with accurate and helpful information. In addition to the resources available on our website at ssa.gov, we also regularly post useful information on our blog and on social media. We invite you to read our posts and share items of interest with your family and friends.
Gary Simon, State President, AARP Hawai‘i | May 10, 2023 | May - June 2023, Programs & Services
The Hawai‘i Family Caregiver Coalition was formed to develop new partnerships at local and state levels to advance a coordinated approach to address the needs of Hawai‘i’s family caregivers. As caregiving touches everyone, the mission of the Hawai‘i Family Caregiver Coalition (HFCC) is to improve the quality of life of those who give and receive care by increasing community awareness of caregiver issues through continuing advocacy, education and training.
Norma Kop, Director, Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawaii | May 10, 2023 | May - June 2023, Programs & Services
With our state’s senior population growing at a rapid rate, protecting kūpuna against the threat of Medicare fraud and abuse is essential. More than 10,000 Americans turn 65 each day, becoming eligible for Medicare as they blow out their birthday candles. As of 2020, one in four Hawai‘i residents is 65 or older, with this population growing at an annual rate of 17%. Hawai’i also has the highest life expectancy in the country, with an average of 83.1 years of age. Together, these facts mean that by 2030, a third of Hawai’i’s total population will be Medicare eligible.
Debbie Kim Morikawa, Owner, GYMGUYZ Urban Honolulu | May 10, 2023 | Health, May - June 2023
We’re traditionally taught that to get someone off the floor, have them lean on a chair, get one leg up and push to straighten the knee until the other leg can plant the foot to have 2 legs to stand on. This requires a significant amount of compression force through the knee and very strong quad muscles. I remember going through this method and always struggling when someone had knee pain or very weak legs. And then my mom taught me a different way.
Dr. Steven Rhee, Medical Director and Cornea Specialist, Hawaiian Eye Center | May 10, 2023 | Health, May - June 2023
Summer means tons of local produce is in season and readily available. A variety of nutrients and antioxidants can likewise be found in Hawai‘i’s abundance of crops and seafood, which help to improve eye health and decrease the risk of certain ocular diseases. Local eye doctors urge everyone residing in the state to take advantage of summer’s supply of fresh foods.
Serena Lo, MD, Geriatrician, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii | May 10, 2023 | Health, May - June 2023
Blood pressure measures how hard the blood pushes against the walls of your arteries as it moves through your body. Measurements are taken when your heart beats and gain when it rests. Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure (HBP) can increase. Often described as a “silent killer,” HBP has no apparent symptoms.
Kahala Howser, Wellness and Events Manager, Hawai‘i Dental Service | May 10, 2023 | Health, May - June 2023
Hydration is essential to staying fit and healthy, especially during warm summer months. As you venture outdoors to cool off, keep your flask filled with water. It’s the best beverage for your teeth and body. Water has many benefits; there’s no sugar or acids that can affect your oral and overall health.
Kathy Wyatt, RN, MSN, MBA, LNHA, President, Hale Hau‘oli Hawaii | May 10, 2023 | Giving Care, May - June 2023
Adding some sparkle to your social life can be a challenge at any age, especially in life’s later decades. For many, adult day care is a low-stress foray into an activity-filled social life. Adult day care centers are key providers of long-term care services. They provide activities, health monitoring, socialization and assistance with daily activities.
Kathlyn Clore | May 9, 2023 | Cover Story, May - June 2023
Permanently housed in a black box venue in the historic Kamehameha V Post Office Building at the corner of Bethel and Merchant streets in Honolulu, the theatre known to locals as “Kumu” has a special place in the hearts of many theatre lovers in the state.
Jen Eaton, CEO, Islands Hospice | May 9, 2023 | Living Life, May - June 2023
While they can be difficult conversations to navigate, early discussions about end-of-life care can help you and your ‘ohana navigate the stress that arises alongside health challenges.
Dan Ihara, RA, CAPS, CLHMS, SRES - RS-65892, Certified Real Estate Planner | May 9, 2023 | Living Life, May - June 2023
Imagine living life on your terms, free to focus on family, friends and your passions. Few among us don’t desire to live this way. Passive income streams can help lead you to this reality. There are many ways to begin forming them.
Carol Hickman, Recreational Therapist, Manoa Cottage & Manoa Cottage Kaimuki | May 9, 2023 | Living Life, May - June 2023
Going through security at the airport is stressful. The lines are long. People around you are losing their minds. Airport air conditioning is way too cold, and when you finally get to the security scanner, TSA officials are shouting confusing directions: “Take your shoes off!” “Pour out that water!”
Cynthia Arnold, Generations Magazine | May 9, 2023 | Living Life, May - June 2023
The city and county’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Senior Citizens Program made a splash this year hosting an annual event Valentines Day dance titled Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Sponsored by Bank of Hawaii and DPR. Music by the Royal Hawaiian Band. 850 hearts (people) attended!
Courtesy of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors | May 9, 2023 | Living Life, May - June 2023
Rapid advances in healthcare technology allow many older adults to monitor their vital signs with a glance at their wrist. But is the wristband health technology accurate? You’ve probably seen the multitude of health monitors you can strap on your wrist. And you assume that they have passed testing to show that they are accurate and reliable. Well, think again.
Dr. Sandra von Doetinchem, Specialist Faculty, UH Ma¯noa & Director, Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society | May 9, 2023 | Living Life, May - June 2023
The population structure in the U.S. is rapidly changing. Increased life expectancy, strong immigration and a fertility rate of presently 1.64 children per woman — higher than in other developed countries — will cause a population increase from 336 million (2023) to 373 million (2053). The population ages 60 and older will experience the strongest growth, and their share in the total population is expected to increase from 12 percent (1950) to 28 percent (2050). These developments are also visible in Hawai‘i.
Stephen B. Yim, Attorney at Law | Mar 7, 2023 | Mar - Apr 2023, Wisdoms
Clients who start the estate planning process do so with the knowledge that they will die one day. This death awareness comes with some degree of death anxiety, as well as anticipatory grief.
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Mar 7, 2023 | Mar - Apr 2023, Wisdoms
When Hiroko hired a healthcare agency to assist her in caring for her husband, she trusted that the company would provide her with caregivers who were responsible and professional. Unfortunately, this agency sent a “caregiver” who helped herself to Hiroko’s jewelry. This is only one of many cases of caregiver abuse handled by the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, but it highlights the need for people to become aware of the risks involved when hiring a stranger as a caregiver.
Scott A. Makuakane, Counselor at Law, Est8Planning Counsel LLLC | Mar 7, 2023 | Mar - Apr 2023, Wisdoms
The first steps in your estate planning journey are learning 1) how to stay in control of your stuff while you are able to be in control and 2) how to make sure your wishes are carried out when incapacity or the grim reaper catch up with you. Sorry to rub it in, but there is a 100% probability that at least one of these things is going to happen to you and a 70% probability that both of them will.
Martha Khlopin, Radio Host of “Morning Drive With Martha" | Mar 6, 2023 | Mar - Apr 2023, Wisdoms
The number of infants born in the US jumped significantly after World War II and continued to increase through the mid-1960s. Social scientists believe it was the result of the thousands of WWII veterans returning home to a booming economy and GI Bill benefits that provided access to home ownership, encouraging them to marry and start families. These infants born between 1946 and 1964 are known as baby boomers.
Michael W. K. Yee, Financial Advisor and Certified Financial Planner | Mar 6, 2023 | Mar - Apr 2023, Wisdoms
Retirement marks the end of a chapter in your career and the start of a new lifestyle. This unique transition can bring a myriad of emotions, most commonly, excitement and apprehension. If you’re pondering retiring in the next year or so, here are five tips to help you transition smoothly.
Daniel Shelverton, Executive Director of CSI Trust Company | Mar 6, 2023 | Mar - Apr 2023, Programs & Services
Many of us go through life believing everything will go according to plan. However, as the saying goes, even the best-laid plans go astray. So, to avoid unnecessary interruptions later in life that can be both financially and emotionally costly, it is wise to plan now for the possibility of incapacity.
Jane Burigsay, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Hawai‘i | Mar 6, 2023 | Mar - Apr 2023, Programs & Services
If you have a personal my Social Security account, you can view your Social Security Statement online to learn about your future benefits and recent earnings history. Included with the statement are fact sheets that provide useful information based on your age group and earnings situation.
Kahala Howser, Wellness and Events Manager, Hawai‘i Dental Service | Mar 6, 2023 | Health, Mar - Apr 2023
If you’ve noticed your teeth are getting longer and your gums are getting shorter, perhaps it’s time to see a dentist. Gum recession can affect anyone, even those who brush twice a day and floss daily. Although it can’t be reversed, there are some things you can do to stop them from receding.
Faith Gianan, General Manager of Roselani Place Assisted Living | Mar 5, 2023 | Giving Care, Mar - Apr 2023
There are many reasons why working with seniors became my passion. One was to prepare myself to care for my loved ones as they age. We will all eventually encounter the challenges of caregiving. What better way to prepare than by choosing gerontology as a career?
Kristina Wong, Care Manager, Altres Medical | Mar 5, 2023 | Giving Care, Mar - Apr 2023
As we age, our loss of independence can lead to reluctance to both accept or ask for help. Often, finding a caregiver who is compatible with you or your loved one and their particular personality traits can help them transition to receiving care.
Gary A. Powell, Founder & Executive Director, The Caregiver Foundation | Mar 5, 2023 | Giving Care, Mar - Apr 2023
When you see a gray-haired person clinging to the few possessions they have and wandering the streets, it is because they are trying to find shelter, a safe place to sleep and something to eat. Among Hawai‘i’s houseless population, there are aging persons unable to live in safe and healthy environments.
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Mar 5, 2023 | Giving Care, Mar - Apr 2023
Technology is ever-advancing these days, with information on new devices everywhere. For early adopters, this is seen as helpful and even normal. However, for some seniors, adapting to new devices can be challenging due to physical limitations. Vision loss is one of the more common problems experienced, as is age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that typically affects older adults.
Rosa Barker, Generations Magazine | Mar 2, 2023 | Cover Story, Mar - Apr 2023
The Institute for Human Services (IHS) has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a ministry distributing peanut butter sandwiches to those sleeping on the streets of Chinatown in the late 1970s. The team Connie Mitchell put together after joining IHS in 2006 can be justly proud of how the nonprofit tackles the many challenges faced by the unhoused.
Lisa Darcy, Founder of Share Your Mana | Mar 2, 2023 | Column, Mar - Apr 2023
Growing up modestly in a suburb of Chicago, I remember the first time we went camping. I was so excited, because this was a family vacation. My brothers and sisters helped pack the hot dogs and buns, collected our sleeping bags and pillows, and gathered wood for the fire. We were thrilled to eat canned beans! It was an exciting adventure… until the doorbell rang.
Haley Burford, GM Contributing Writer/Proofreader | Mar 2, 2023 | Column, Mar - Apr 2023
Whether the distance spans countries or oceans, living separated from your loved ones is always difficult — especially when the loved ones are our elders — namely, our grandparents.
Robin Reisinger, Insurance Agent | Mar 2, 2023 | Mar - Apr 2023, Programs & Services
When my Hawai‘i Medicare Advantage members move to the mainland, they often don’t want to look for a new agent. So I find myself getting licensed in other states so I can help them find a new healthcare plan. What I keep learning is that compared with the mainland, Hawai‘i has really great plans.
Courtesy of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors | Mar 2, 2023 | Living Life, March-April 2022
As cannabis becomes more accepted in the medical community, a rising number of seniors are trying it, especially for pain.
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Mar 2, 2023 | Column, Mar - Apr 2023
Many of us include the ritual of spring cleaning around this time of year. Spring cleaning is all about tackling the areas you may have neglected during the rest of the year. And nothing is more satisfying than a sparkling clean home, right? But don’t forget about your computer and devices.
Trisha Smith | Jan 1, 2023 | Cover Story, Jan - Feb 2023
Many claim they are leaving a legacy, yet Henry Kapono Ka‘aihue lives his every day, instilling pure aloha into everything he does. In his alleged “Golden Years,” when most are retired or slowing down, this remarkable music man has no intention of doing any of that any time soon.
Stephen B. Yim, Attorney at Law | Jan 1, 2023 | Jan - Feb 2023, Wisdoms
All grief starts as anticipatory grief. Dr. Daniel Miller defines the term “anticipatory grief” as the “process of grieving that starts prior to a loved one passing away.”
Christopher Duque, Online Security Advisor | Jan 1, 2023 | Jan - Feb 2023, Wisdoms
Data from the Federal Trade Commission show that more consumers than ever report falling prey to romance scamming, also called “catphishing.” The total reported lost over the past five years has now reached $1.3 billion. How Do They Do It?
Scott A. Makuakane, Counselor at Law, Est8Planning Counsel LLLC | Jan 1, 2023 | Jan - Feb 2023, Wisdoms
Estate planning involves protecting what is important and then passing it on to our loved ones and future generations. Many concepts central to Hawaiian culture are applicable to estate planning. Starting with the concept of ‘ohana, all the way through lokahi, estate planning and the culture of our islands can interweave to form a rich tapestry of aloha.
Michael W. K. Yee, Financial Advisor and Certified Financial Planner | Jan 1, 2023 | Jan - Feb 2023, Wisdoms
We all know couples who fight about money. You may even be in a relationship where finances are a source of tension. It’s no mystery why these kinds of conflicts are so common — money fuels our ability to take care of ourselves and our dependents. Managing it requires discipline and a plan, but often, couples don’t see eye-to-eye on what that means.
Jane Burigsay, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Hawai‘i | Jan 1, 2023 | Jan - Feb 2023, Programs & Services
Changes are coming in 2023 regarding when Medicare Part B coverage starts. Please forward this article to those who may need it.
Wanda Anae-Onishi, Volunteer, Hawaii SHIP | Jan 1, 2023 | Jan - Feb 2023, Programs & Services
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the number of Medicare beneficiaries in Hawai‘i has grown to 281,091. Seventy-two percent of beneficiaries have prescription drug coverage through Medicare Parts C and D. Even so, prescriptions can be expensive. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is intended to help lower copays for covered medications.
Norma Kop, Director, Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawaii | Jan 1, 2023 | Jan - Feb 2023, Programs & Services
During my 12-plus years in the Medicare health insurance field, I have talked to many people aging into Medicare. In our discussions, I am consistently told that they never get sick and take few drugs, so they are just looking for the cheapest plan. I am always surprised, because I have noticed that health problems tend to manifest as seniors move into their 60s, 70s and beyond.
Norma Kop, Director, Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawaii | Jan 1, 2023 | Jan - Feb 2023, Programs & Services
Protect your identity and help prevent healthcare fraud by guarding your Medicare card like you would a credit card. Scammers are expanding their targets, especially kūpuna, and they can be very convincing. A fraudster recently contacted a Honolulu resident, stating the resident’s name and date of birth. The con artist then offered to replace the resident’s Medicare card if he would share his Social Security Number. Luckily, the resident did not cooperate with this scammer.
Debra Lordan, GM Senior Editor | Jan 1, 2023 | Programs & Services
There is nothing a grandparent gets greater satisfaction from than helping their mo‘opuna. This may be especially true if the grandchild has special needs. Their ongoing health and financial welfare is priority one. But for too long, people with disabilities could not save for the future out of fear of losing essential government benefits — the ones they depend upon each and every day.
Debbie Kim Morikawa, Owner, GYMGUYZ Urban Honolulu | Jan 1, 2023 | Health, Jan - Feb 2023
We’ve all heard the saying, “If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.” And while exercise is always at the top of the list of what you can do to stay healthy, it’s so easy to run out of time and defer it to tomorrow.
Debra Lordan, GM Senior Editor | Jan 1, 2023 | Health, Jan - Feb 2023
Eating together is good. Read “Eating Together” (www.generations808.com/eatingtogether) in our last issue. But Generations overlooked something in that article.
Serena Lo, MD, Geriatrician, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii | Jan 1, 2023 | Health, Jan - Feb 2023
Medicine is an important part of treatment for many health conditions. For medications to be most effective and work safely, you need to take them exactly as prescribed. If you experience problems, such as new symptoms or side effects, talk to your doctor immediately.
Mark Sweet, DDS | Jan 1, 2023 | Health, Jan - Feb 2023
A healthy smile requires everyone to commit to three simple actions: Brush twice a day, floss daily and see your dentist twice a year. You may have also considered new technology to make your oral hygiene routine a little easier and more efficient. So, which is better, manual or electric?
Christine Spencer, Maui County Regional Coordinator, Alzheimer’s Association – Hawaii | Jan 1, 2023 | Giving Care, Jan - Feb 2023
Caregivers are some of the most selfless people you will find, constantly putting the needs of others before their own. In Hawai‘i, over 65,000 people are family caregivers for almost 30,000 loved ones living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. In my seven years of experience working with family caregivers, I’ve seen caregivers who make many sacrifices, sometimes neglecting their own health and often postponing vacations for years. If this is you, it’s time to focus on self-renewal.
Carol Hickman, Recreational Therapist, Manoa Cottage & Manoa Cottage Kaimuki | Jan 1, 2023 | Giving Care, Jan - Feb 2023
Much more than just a time-filler, live music holds therapeutic benefits for nursing home residents. According to a 2016 study, live music has been shown to reduce cortisol levels in the body, allowing for a stronger immune system, reduction in depression, better memory and many other benefits. It’s no wonder that nursing homes schedule in a healthy dose of live music!
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Jan 1, 2023 | Giving Care, Jan - Feb 2023
Those of us in the home healthcare business have the opportunity to witness and share amazing stories of families in need each and every day. These stories come from the connections and meaningful moments between care providers and those they care for.
Frank B. Shaner, a Senior with a Burning Desire to Express Himself | Jan 1, 2023 | Jan - Feb 2023, Living Life
I like to think of myself as a realist. I know we are all going to die and that 75 is actually not the new 50. Sorry to disappoint you. It ends up that 75 is really more like — wait for it — the old 74. What is also true is that time does fly by when you’re having fun.
Debra Lordan, GM Senior Editor | Jan 1, 2023 | Jan - Feb 2023, Living Life
Turns out, you just might find more than two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun at your local McDonald’s. Venetia Angel, 63, routinely visited her local McDonald’s in Pukalani on Maui. One evening, she approached a group of senior ladies who were playing cards. She noticed them there often. That evening, she asked what they were playing. Although she did not know the game called “books and straights,” they insisted she join them the next night.
Debra Lordan, GM Senior Editor | Dec 31, 2022 | Jan - Feb 2023, Living Life
Rose Singarella and Mladen Karcic, both 53 when they met through an online dating site, did not wade in the shallows during their initial conversations, but plunged right into the deep end. Mladen’s mother was seriously ill; Rose was still recovering from the loss of her fiance. She had promised him that she would look for love again. So with pain still fresh from her own loss, Rose sought to help Mladen grapple with his mother’s illness and eventual death. It just doesn’t get any deeper than that.
Debra Lordan, GM Senior Editor | Dec 31, 2022 | Jan - Feb 2023, Living Life
Valley Isle Chocolates, a small family business on Maui, is beginning the New Year with a new kitchen space, new equipment, new packaging and new ideas for the future. Now, they are very busy making chocolates, developing recipes and selling their wares at many farmers markets and local brick-and-mortar stores. At the end of last year, Susan Schwartzkopf “and sons” moved production from their certified home kitchen to a commercial kitchen space in Kahului.
Courtesy of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors | Dec 31, 2022 | Jan - Feb 2023, Living Life
Downsizing sounds like a great idea… until you begin to wrap your head around the massive task of moving. The thought of leaving a longtime home, with all of its associations — the height chart on the laundry room doorframe, the grave of a beloved pet — can be heart-wrenching. Add to that the cost of moving and the burden of offloading half (or more) of your possessions, and the project can quickly overwhelm even the most capable older adult.
Christy Nishita, PhD, Interim Director & Gerontologist, UH Center on Aging | Dec 31, 2022 | Jan - Feb 2023, Senior News
Sen. Mazie K. Hirono met with the Kupuna Collective, a network of support organizations that focus on maximizing the health, independence and engagement of Hawai‘i’s older adults, for a roundtable conversation about supporting seniors in Hawai‘i in early October 2022.
Debra Lordan, GM Senior Editor | Dec 31, 2022 | Jan - Feb 2023, Senior News
The 8.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 65 million Social Security (SS) beneficiaries in January 2023. Increased payments to more than 7 million Supplemental Social Security (SSI) beneficiaries will begin on Dec. 30, 2022.
Stephen B. Yim, Attorney at Law | Nov 4, 2022 | Nov - Dec 2022, Wisdoms
Facing one’s mortality is the unspoken uneasiness that rests just below the surface of the conversation with an estate planning attorney. Estate planning attorneys are well-versed in the law of estate planning. But as they focus heavily on probate avoidance and tax minimization, they may overlook the emotional, human side of estate planning. Therefore, the best estate planning attorneys are counselors of law with the emphasis on counselor more than law.
Scott A. Makuakane, Counselor at Law, Est8Planning Counsel LLLC | Nov 4, 2022 | Nov - Dec 2022, Wisdoms
Charities depend on gifts from people like us to do their good works. That’s why they are not shy about asking us for money. Here are some ideas about maximizing your charitable gifts.
Michael W. K. Yee, Financial Advisor and Certified Financial Planner | Nov 4, 2022 | Nov - Dec 2022, Wisdoms
Many grandparents spend money on their grandkids, whether by chipping in on big expenses like tuition bills and travel expenses, or covering smaller costs like meals and holiday gifts. The inclination to be generous is understandable and many seniors say it brings them joy to support (or even occasionally spoil) their grandchildren. But lavishing them with gifts shouldn’t come at the expense of your or grandparents own financial security.
Martha Khlopin, Host of "A Medicare Moment with Martha Radio Show" | Nov 4, 2022 | Nov - Dec 2022, Programs & Services
It’s Medicare Annual Enrollment time again! So are you looking at a ton of information and videos online, and reviewing stacks of sales materials from insurance companies? Too much information can cause more questions than answers and more confusion than common sense.
Peter Reyes, Program Director, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i | Nov 4, 2022 | Nov - Dec 2022, Programs & Services
The holiday season is a joyful time to spend with loved ones. However, it can be challenging or seniors who are alone or on limited income. Getting to the market or medical appointments is difficult when you have few transportation options. For those on a limited income, it may involve making a tough choice — using their funds to buy food or pay monthly bills.
Margaret Wong, Sales & Marketing Director, Copeland Insurance Group | Nov 4, 2022 | Nov - Dec 2022, Programs & Services
Medicare and Medicaid agents are scheduled to begin recording calls and providing a new disclaimer at the beginning of phone calls this fall during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. These changes directly result from new compliance rules from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Norma Kop, Director, Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawaii | Nov 4, 2022 | Nov - Dec 2022, Programs & Services
If you are considering a donation to a charity during this season of giving, Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawaii warns you to be wary. Charities use the phone, face-to-face contact, email and the internet — and so do scammers. The Federal Trade Commission, an SMP partner, offers these tips to keep you safe from scammers.
Serena Lo, MD, Geriatrician, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii | Nov 4, 2022 | Health, Nov - Dec 2022
With the holiday season upon us, it’s important to look after one’s mental health and emotional well-being. While the season typically includes family and social gatherings, holidays can also be stressful, and trigger feelings of grief, loneliness and depression. Consider some of these steps to help support your emotional health and find joy during the holidays and beyond.
Steven Ito, Chief Executive Officer, Mi-Care Plus | Nov 4, 2022 | Health, Nov - Dec 2022
Telemedicine facilitates medical professionals in providing medical care to patients outside of the traditional office setting by using modern technology. “Telemedicine” and “telehealth” are often used interchangeably. However, telehealth specifically describes the electronic and communications technologies being used to provide services remotely. Telemedicine can be viewed as the professional medical consultations you may receive remotely or outside of the clinical office.
Kahala Howser, Wellness and Events Manager, Hawai‘i Dental Service | Nov 4, 2022 | Health, Nov - Dec 2022
In Hawai‘i, everyone loves to spoil their loved ones with sweet treats during the holidays. It’s okay to indulge in a treat or two, but don’t forget the toll it takes on your teeth and gums. Here are some oral health tips when eating common holiday sweets.
Society of Certified Senior Advisors | Nov 3, 2022 | Health, Nov - Dec 2022
Quit feeling guilty over your morning cup(s) of joe. Research shows that coffee can help prevent dementia, improve cardiovascular health and increase lifespan. Coffee can help seniors maintain a healthy lifestyle. That is the conclusion of a plethora of studies on the steamy liquid that is synonymous with waking up for many Americans over 60.
Mary Lester, RN, VP and Maui COO, VIVIA by Ho'okele Home Care | Nov 3, 2022 | Giving Care, Nov - Dec 2022
It is important that seniors and their families understand their choices when it comes to in-home care, so they can decide what will best fit their needs. For some folks, traditional time-based in-home care services are the best option, while others will find task-based in-home assistance to be less intrusive, more affordable and an effective way to continue to live well at home independently.
Gary A. Powell, Founder & Executive Director, The Caregiver Foundation | Nov 3, 2022 | Giving Care, Nov - Dec 2022
Every year at this time, The Caregiver Foundation witnesses and acknowledge the “extras” caregivers provide for individuals who would otherwise not benefit from any holiday spirit. Cleo, a caregiver for a 100-year-old bed-ridden client with dementia, brought in a dazzling Christmas tree. Lights danced in our client’s eyes; a smile in remembrance of holidays past softened her face.
Faith Gianan, General Manager of Roselani Place Assisted Living | Nov 3, 2022 | Giving Care, Nov - Dec 2022
Many professional caregivers have deeply rooted memories that inspired them to pursue a career in a field — such as assisted living. My first experience with dementia, caregiving and compassion involved my own grandparents, my Lolo and Lola.
Carol Hickman, Recreational Therapist, Manoa Cottage & Manoa Cottage Kaimuki | Nov 2, 2022 | Giving Care, Nov - Dec 2022
According to a 2021 research review on the impact of gardening in dementia treatment, exposure gardening activities has shown many benefits for the dementia population. Some of these benefits include reduction in depression and aggressive behaviors, an increase in engagement, improved mood and an increased sense of purpose.
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Nov 2, 2022 | Giving Care, Nov - Dec 2022
The average life span has increased more in the past century than in all the years humans previously existed. As approximately 10,000 baby boomers (those born between 1944 and 1964) are turning 65 every day, it would appear that we will have a large influx of aging people over the next couple decades who may need services appropriate for “old people.” But is 65 really old?
Debra Lordan, GM Senior Editor | Nov 2, 2022 | Living Life, Nov - Dec 2022
Many forms of yoga have been developed over the centuries by serious practitioners who strive for the benefits of mind-body balance. Popular styles of yoga include Ashtanga, Hatha, Iyengar and many more. But if the thought of mindful meditation in a somber setting is not your cup of chai tea, there is good news for you. Laughter Yoga, a relatively new, alternative form of yoga that incorporates laughter with movement and breathing exercises, aims to cultivate joy, spark creativity, reduce stress and even boost your immune system, says Jenna Pascual, a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader and Life Coach on Maui.
Mahlon Moore | Nov 2, 2022 | Living Life, Nov - Dec 2022
At 71, Rolando Sanchez has the energy of a man half his age. Scratch that. He has the energy of a man a quarter of his age. If you’ve been in Hawai‘i for any length of time, you’re familiar with the charismatic percussionist/singer/band leader Rolando Sanchez, known for his high-energy shows that established Latin dance music in the islands that has continued for over 40 years.