In the current issue…

OUR COVER STORY

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. That’s because it’s the only theatre on the island focused exclusively on stories that involve the experience of locals in Hawai‘i.

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.

Adult day care centers are key providers of long-term care services. They provide activities, health monitoring, socialization and assistance with daily activities. These programs allow individuals to continue to live in their homes and to receive needed care in a supportive, professionally staffed, community-based setting. Adult day care also benefits family caregivers, enabling them to remain in the workforce or take needed respite. Educational programs and support groups are also tailored to caregivers.

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.

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. While residential care homes can be wonderful places, most people want to remain in their homes and “age in place” for as long as possible. This can, however, present some unique challenges.