OUR COVER STORY -​ An interview with Leslie Wilcox

We turned the tables and interviewed PBS Hawai‘i President and CEO Leslie Wilcox. Be prepared for some learning moments! And into the bargain, Leslie shares memories about growing up on O‘ahu — another reason PBS Hawai‘i expresses the heart and soul of our islands.

We are still planning to hold our 14th annual Aging in Place Workshop on Aug. 22  — even though there is a possibility we may need to don our facemasks and continue social distancing (depending on state guidelines). If we must postpone the popular event, we will post information on our website and include it in our August-September issue. If we must delay the workshop, we’ll set our sights on an early October date.

Even in this time of uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic, two simple rules dominate the future of your life’s work and options that are available today: 1) Full-time, regular 8 to 5 jobs are off the radar as the singular source for employment. Sometimes we will work for others this way, but who needs long commutes if they can be easily avoided? 2) Even in the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is likely that we will live longer than any previous generation. Do you wonder how you will handle your financial, mental, emotional and physical health? This is the time to consider multiple strategies.

In direct response to the COVID-19  pandemic, Medicare announced the temporary expansions of telehealth services. Even after the pandemic ends, telehealth is here to stay. Telehealth is the virtual visit between doctors and patients using phones and computers,  which enables medical care in the comfort of your home.

In response to this epidemic of isolation, a strategy called “home sharing” has been implemented in many U.S. cities for over 40 years. Recently, the nonprofit Hawaii Intergenerational Network (HIN), with funding from the HMSA, Kaiser and Atherton Family foundations, began a project called “Homesharing Hawaii” to offer a similar program in the state that will help seniors safely age in place and secure very affordable housing for low- and moderate-income renters. It is also a cost effective program because it doesn’t require building new housing or providing ongoing rental subsidies.