OUR COVER STORY -​  A Great First Lady Cares

Hawai‘i’s first lady, Dawn Amano-Ige, is a wife, a mother of three, a sister and a daughter. Dawn’s mother, Mitsue Amano, provided childcare for the Ige kids when Dawn was a young, working mother and David was a new legislator. Today, at 94 years old, Mitsue is no longer the family’s caregiver. That’s now Dawn’s role.

There is plenty of evidence revealing that work boosts cognitive health. Delaying full-time retirement means mitigating the risk of several types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s. Almost 30 percent of us are over 60. But the flexible workforce favors those prepared at any age. What better time to learn? Community colleges, adult learning schools and four-year universities are awash with learning opportunities that you can take advantage of from your home.

During the coronavirus pandemic, most adult day centers and community senior centers have closed or cut their services, and families across the state have had to scramble to provide caregiver services at home. If you’re now caring for a loved one with memory or other health issues, follow these tips and find links to resources below.

My mother, Paz Pontillas Celebrado, graduated from college in the Philippines and dreamed of coming to America to start her nursing career. Her dream came true when she fell in love with my father, Felipe Celebrado, a U.S. Navy man. They immigrated to America in 1959 and she adjusted to a new life as a military wife and mother, and as a nurse for the next 40-plus years.

Deciding when is the right time to find senior care for your kupuna can be an intimidating task. You want to provide the best care possible for them, but how do you know if it’s the right time; where do you start? First, understand and identify the level of care your senior needs to conduct day-to-day activities and care for themselves. Identifying your senior’s needs early in your search will help you understand the options available.