OUR COVER STORY – Generations Magazine recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a resource article about women affected by this disease. Their stories, the education and research that Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation® provides, and new treatment trends available in Hawai‘i will encourage you to become part of the More Than Pink movement. By 2026, Komen Hawaii® wants to reduce the annual number of breast cancer deaths by 50 percent and we can help. The two most significant risk factors for breast cancer are being female and aging. So, learning about breast cancer detection, treatment, and support options and passing on the information to families and neighbors helps senior women seek diagnosis and rapid treatment.

At some point in our lives, most of us will be given the opportunity to care for someone with cancer. Even though our experience with cancer may be limited, we may have learned enough to ask initial questions of the patient after the diagnosis is made, such as what kind of cancer and where is it? What stage is it in? Do you need surgery? The most important part of helping someone through cancer is to be there, hold their hand and give support, no matter the outcome.

Do you know anyone who has cancer? Do you know what to say or do? We know — and we are bringing that skill set to the workplace. Typically, we all work hard, provide for our families, plan for the future of our children and look forward to retirement someday. However, with one phone call from your doctor, all of that is put on hold, an unplanned journey begins, priorities and perspectives change — and it can all be overwhelming.

A POLST is a special document in which you say what measures should be used to keep you alive. The acronym stands for — Provider Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment. It’s different from an Advance Directive in that it will be followed by emergency personnel before you reach the hospital, provided that they are  aware of its existence.

Our updated Senior Savings resource page gives you a full list of restaurants, shops, grocery stores, movies, museums and attractions where you, as a senior, can get great discounts and offers. Half-price on a pizza? 50-cent soft drinks? An all-you-can eat buffet for only $16.99? That’s right – you can receive those benefits and many more simply by being aware that they exist. Before you head out the door, check our guide and save some money!