The October-November issue of Generations Magazine features the heartwarming story of popular Hawaii performer Kalani Pe’a’s grandmother and her progression into dementia from Alzheimerʻs. You’ll also read about help that’s available to kūpuna during the pandemic; a story on how the power of music helps those with dementia; we have some hearing tips for the Covid-19 days; and you’ll learn about “Purpose Pals,” a kūpuna-youth connection.
The Assistance League of Hawaii (ALH) is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization with 100-plus members and volunteers who strive to make a difference to the people of Hawai‘i. The ALH Thrift Shop in Honolulu continues to be the primary source of funding for its philanthropic programs. The shop is staffed and managed entirely by member volunteers. All monetary donations and thrift shop profits stay in Hawai‘i.
When medications are not properly administered, the result can be harmful — even fatal. Research indicates there is a vital need for people to manage their medications to avoid adverse drug reactions. This is especially true for our kūpuna.
If you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, know that you are not alone. Know that you are not the only one who has experienced the wrath of these diseases or felt the roller coaster of emotions that accompanies watching a loved one disappear.
Pomai has become worried as she sees Papa, her grandfather, become more forgetful. She wants Papa to play with her, but he is losing his memory and is no longer able to make poi with her or take her to the beach. In Pomai and Her Papa: Growing Up with Memory Loss and Holding On to What Matters Most, a short, illustrated storybook, Pomai sets off on her journey to learn how to help Papa and her family.
With the reopening of the state after shutdowns mandated by local government in recent months, kūpuna and other vulnerable people have become more fearful of venturing out into the community to shop and run errands as the coronavirus continues to spread with more people out in public. The demand for food, supplies and assistance has grown in response to unemployment. An increasing number of kūpuna say they do not have sufficient resources to feed themselves.
The April-May 2020 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource for Life, features an in-depth look at Leslie Wilcox, President and CEO of PBS Hawaii, we look at lifework and planning amid Covid-19, the expansion of telehealth services and a look at solutions for loneliness and housng.
Forty years ago, medical exercise specialists Debbie and Norm Compton met in Hawai‘i and made fitness the key element in both their personal and professional lives. Personal training, stunt work, injuries and their continual quest for excellence compelled them to write Stacking: Your Skeletal Blueprint for Posture. In their book, the Comptons share techniques for regaining posture as you age.
Lawrence Fumio Miwa was born in Hawai‘i in 1931 and lived in Hiroshima, Japan, from age 2 to 15. Now 89, he was 14 years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945. Although he was in school approximately 20 miles away from his Hiroshima home, he could see what happened.
Shoppers across the county and around the globe cleaned out shelves of toilet tissue, disinfectant sprays/wipes, rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizers during the beginning of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. Stores were overwhelmed due to fears of supply chain disruptions, although none occurred.
Tax season is officially under way, and Hawai‘i residents can count on AARP Tax-Aide volunteers to help reduce tax stress. Beginning Feb. 1, AARP-trained and IRS-certified volunteers will be available at 45 locations throughout the state to help taxpayers prepare basic federal and state forms.
The men in Stuart Ho’s family have been heavy weights in business for three generations. His father, legendary developer Chinn Ho, turned the ‘Ilikai into the state’s first high-rise luxury resort in the 1960s. Stuart served on the boards of such notable companies as Aloha Airlines, Gannett Co., and Pacific Resources in a long and successful career as state legislator, attorney and executive. Today, son Peter Ho is continuing the family tradition of business stewardship as president and CEO of Bank of Hawai‘i. At 75, Stuart is busier than ever in retirement.
Anyone who has ever moved, regardless of age, knows how stressful it can be. But it’s particularly challenging for older adults and their families when it’s time to pack up a home filled with a lifetime of possessions and memories. Just the thought of moving and starting all over somewhere else can be overwhelming.
Emmet White—local attorney turned retirement community CEO—offers us insight into the business of aging in Hawai‘i. At Arcadia Retirement Residence he sees firsthand the costs and benefits of senior care.
It’s the holiday season, meaning most of us will be out and about more often than usual. Shopping malls, restaurants, parties, church services— wherever we are, it’s a good idea to remember that crowds provide the perfect environment for influenza viruses (the flu) to spread by coughs and sneezes.
The “Extra Help” and the “Medicare Savings Programs” now allow more people with Medicare to pay $2.50 for generics drugs, $6.30 for brand name drugs, never experience the “donut hole” and to get help from the State of Hawai‘i in paying for their Medicare Part A and/ or B Premiums.
The first few steps on a care-giving journey can seem fairly simple but within just a few days the path turns rocky and is full of turns and twists that confuse even the most experienced caregiver or capable family member.
The greatest party has arrived here in Hawai‘i. The Zumba® Fitness craze is exploding in popularity across the Islands. The Zumba program fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms with easy-to-follow moves for all ages, shapes and sizes. This one-of-a-kind fitness program aims to get you hooked and make you want to workout.
Now that we have your attention … Medicare is available in all 50 states and territories, including Las Vegas. Now is the time to review your Medicare options for both health and drug plans. Medicare Open Enrollment is November 15th to December 31, 2010, but you can compare options beginning October 15, 2010.
The objective at Club 50 Fitness is simple and direct: to improve the lives of people who are 40 years of age and above with fitness training and overall good health. As many Club 50 members will tell you, exercise is medicine! Just ask Rose, who says that exercise has been the best thing for her mentally and physically. “The days I’m tired or stressed, I have learned to let it go with exercising. I feel so much better after I leave,” she says. “I have maintained my weight for four years by just exercising. Everyone here is friendly, including the staff.”
More than 1 million people shop at the 25 market sites each year. Each market operates once a week and lasts about one hour. Prices are usually 35% lower than retail stores. The POM staff closely regulates the markets. The staff conducts weekly price surveys at various stores to determine a recommended price for the POM vendors to follow. Vendors may sell below, but not over, the recommended prices.
The event had more than 22,000 attendees and 250 exhibit booths, including free seminars, craft demonstrations, valuable information on travel and leisure, financial advice, exercise equipment, home products, nutrition, seasonal flu shots, reverse mortgages, retirement communities, games and federal, state and city & county services.
If you’re one of more than 193,000 Hawaii residents who depend on Medicare for stable, affordable health care, the new health reform package passed by Congress this year offers benefits you should know about.
Blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. Blood pressure readings include two numbers, such as 120/80 (say “120 over 80”). The first number is the systolic pressure. This is the force of blood on the artery walls as the heart pumps. The second number is the diastolic pressure. This is the force of blood on the artery walls between heartbeats, when the heart is at rest.
The Hawaii Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) includes a website and statewide single access phone number designed to make comprehensive information on aging, health and disability services readily available to seniors and disabled adults, as well as their caregivers.
The Elderly Affairs Division (EAD) is the designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and serves as the City and County of Honolulu’s focal point for older adults. The agency is part of a national network of 56 state units on aging created by the Older Americans Act of 1965.
GM: Where did you grow up? In a big city? Or small-town America? KM: I grew up in little towns all around Oregon. I went to high school on a former Indian reservation, Siletz. Graduating class of 12. GM: What was your first job? Was it in media or in a different field?
KM: My first broadcasting job was in Coos Bay Oregon at a small radio station. I had the opportunity to do EVERYTHING. It was a great learning experience.
May Day is Lei Day in Hawai‘i Nei. The first Lei Day was in 1927 and celebrated in downtown Honolulu with a few people wearing lei as a symbol of friendship and goodwill. From that it grew and more and more people began to wear lei on May 1.
An AARP survey of Hawai‘i residents age 50 years old and over shows a gap between the importance they place on health and financial security and their confidence in meeting those needs. More than 9 out of 10 older residents in Hawai‘i say staying healthy, mentally sharp and having adequate health insurance coverage are extremely or very important to them. Yet only 3 out of 10 say they have everything they need relative to these concerns.
For generations grandparents in Hawai‘i have helped raise their grandchildren while the parents worked the farms or harvested the crops. While things changed in modern Hawai‘i, the tradition continued as busy parents headed off to work, grandparents often took the grandchildren to school or after school activities. And, by the late ’90s, many grandparents found themselves caring for their grandchildren on a full time, 24/7 basis.
Given the rapidly growing senior populace, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i remains dedicated to creating and providing services that keep seniors engaged and independent. Services include case management, transportation, chore and housekeeping, affordable housing, respite for caregivers, socialization and volunteer opportunities.
Shimeji Kanazawa, or “Shim” as most of us know her, is Hawai‘i’s original pioneer of aging issues. She has advocated for programs and services that help our senior population for five decades. In doing so, she Shim has worked with every governor, from Gov. Quinn to Gov. Abercrombie.
If you have some time, energy and love to spare, the Maui Humane Society in Pu‘unēnē offers an opportunity to open your heart and home to foster one of its shelter animals. Foster pet parents provide temporary care in their home for companion animals when the shelter is full or for those not yet ready for adoption.
There are many questions that families have as their parents age. Many adult children have never had to provide care for a senior. When they begin, they soon find it is not an easy task. Assisting your parents as they age in place seems like a good idea until we realize how much time it takes to provide meals, and clean and maintain an additional house, along with continuing our own career and meeting life’s demands.
The April-May 2020 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource for Life, features an in-depth look at Leslie Wilcox, President and CEO of PBS Hawaii, we look at lifework and planning amid Covid-19, the expansion of telehealth services and a look at solutions for loneliness and housng.
The April-May 2020 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource for Life, features an in-depth look at Kawaiahaʻo Church, as well as tips on avoid Coronavirus and much more.
A Greek proverb says, “A society grows great when old people plant trees under whose shade they will never sit.” This is the basis for an expanding network that is harnessing the power of the over-50 age group. The demographic landscape has changed over time, requiring a paradigm shift regarding what we think and how we feel about people over 50 — including how they work and contribute to society.
The Hawai‘i State Archives is a little-known, virtually untapped (by most of us) compilation of Hawai‘i’s history. It’s mission is to ensure open government by preserving and making accessible the historic records of state government and to partner with state agencies to manage their records. The division is organized into two branches — the Historical Records Branch, which is accessible to the public, and the Records Management Branch, which does not offer services directly to the public.
Jane Hiranaga volunteers as a greeter for her senior community at The Plaza Assisted Living at Waikīkī. She also organizes group outings to Mānoa Valley to visit her granddaughter, Erin Uehara, a specialty chocolatier and owner of the Choco Le‘a chocolate shop.
“Who doesn’t love chocolate?” says Erin.
Pearl Hakulani Robins filled out her Generations Magazine reader survey, hoping she’d win. Soon she’s headed to Las Vegas on a Vacations Hawai‘i deluxe package — no taxis, no lugging suitcases, plenty of legroom on the plane — and four nights at the newly renovated California Hotel. Congratulations Pearl!
An interview with author Michael W. K. Yee, Financial Advisor and Ameriprise Certified Financial Planner
Dying at home can be traumatic for loved ones. We long for a peaceful walk into a beautiful sunset. But most have never seen anyone die and that first indelible experience will stick with us. We may wish to die in our sleep, suffer an accident where we “never knew what happened” or drop dead while enjoying a favorite activity. But the odds are even — just as many people suffer and fight death to the last breath. Loved ones who witness such death throes simply don’t talk about it. We are compassionate people who avoid pain and go to great lengths to protect our loved ones from suffering. So why is there controversy about Hawai‘i’s Our Care, Our Choice Act, the aid-in-dying law that allows terminal patients to have medications that will ensure a peaceful passing?
The year 2006 was a difficult time for Sandi Yorong and her family. Her father started the year undergoing treatment for low-grade prostate cancer. The mild radiation treatment made him tired, but there were no other complications. By mid-year, however, he began experiencing upper back pain. In November, he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
Hawai‘i is generally a retirement-friendly state. Taxation of retirement income is relatively benign. Our warm climate and surrounding ocean allow ample opportunities for year-round outdoor exercise and connecting with nature. Our culture is generally inclusive and promotes venues for social interaction. All of these factors form a foundation for a thriving senior population that can enjoy fulfillment and longevity. The key is recognizing the treasure trove and taking full advantage of it.
The October-November 2019 Issue features Anona and Joseph “Nappy” Napoleon and their love of the sea, “Kō ā Moana: Those of the Ocean.” Youʻll also see stories about our long journey on Earth, a local prostate cancer support group, how to handle your aging parentsʻ finances and much, much more.
The October-November 2019 Issue features Anona and Joseph “Nappy” Napoleon and their love of the sea, “Kō ā Moana: Those of the Ocean.” Youʻll also see stories about our long journey on Earth, a local prostate cancer support group, how to handle your aging parentsʻ finances and much, much more.
Many seniors approaching retirement age have not built up adequate savings in their Social Security accounts. By finding employment before taking SS withdrawals, seniors can build up accounts and ensure a healthier retirement payments when the time comes. The Honolulu Community Action Program Inc. administers the Senior Community Service Employment Program for low-income seniors who meet the program’s eligibility requirements:
Are you caring for someone over 60 who is living at home? Then, Project Dana has a special program just for you, called the “Caring Giver Support Group” or CGSG. Using education and group training sessions, CGSG helps caregivers to better understand their loved ones while learning to care for themselves, as well. Group sessions are also a safe place to connect and talk story about the joys and frustrations of being a caregiver.
Falling can become a major threat to our quality of life. According to Hawai‘i’s Department of Health, it is the No. 1 cause of fatal injuries in seniors. The DOH reports that one in three people over 65 will fall this year. While there are a number of precautions you can take, you can also protect yourself by learning how to fall safely.
Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, is also known as kadō — the way of the flowers. Based on an ancient Buddhist ritual of using flowers to honor the spirits of the dead, kadō is one of the three Japanese arts of refinement.
The August-September 2019 Issue shines the spotlight on Breast Cancer awareness, from the cover story about the latest treatment options, clinical trials and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure fundraiser, to stories about a cancer survivor who went on to become a star paddler and a group of Maui paddlers who, in their hot pink shirts, gives us all hope. You’ll also find a newly updated resource guide for Senior Savings and much more.
Like cilantro, beets are one of those foods that spark strong feelings. Whether you think they taste like dirt or you love their earthy sweetness, most people know that beets are healthy — and now there is science to back that up.
Punchbowl was once used as a lookout for Hawaiian warriors. Now, it’s one of only two national memorial cemeteries in the USA — the other is Arlington, Virginia. It is the final resting place for those that have courageously served in the U.S. Armed Forces. For the 14th year, the 100th Infantry Battalion Club 100 members invite the public to help decorate 1,000 heroes’ graves with flowers Saturday, Sept. 28, from 8 to 11am.
The June-July 2019 Issue includes stories on caregiving from affair, eating healthy with organic produce, changing lives with community action on Maui and the complete schedule of events at the 2019 Aging in Place workshop that’s coming in August.
Last year in the United States, sales of organic food and products topped $48 billion — that’s up almost 10 percent over the previous year, according to the Organic Trade Association. And while this growing industry is showing no signs of stopping, organic farming is hardly a trend; it’s how our parents and grandparents tended to their crops and cattle. Then in the 1950s, pesticides and artificial fertilizers were introduced — creating what is now called “conventionally-grown” food. So what’s the difference and why does it matter?
A lot of people, especially those new to the islands, say Hawai‘i doesn’t have seasons, but longtime locals know that’s not true — we have whale season, hurricane season and the most important, mango season! Whether you prefer to eat your mango in bread, jam or just off the tree, come celebrate Hawai‘i’s favorite fruit at Mango Jam Honolulu. It’s a free annual event for the whole family with live entertainment, food and craft booths, cultural activities, a beer garden and a farmers market.
If hula is the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people, then get ready for some cardio, because the 42nd Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival is almost here! Featuring two days of hula, a Hawaiian-themed craft fair, cultural demonstrations and more, the largest non-competitive hula event in Hawai‘i returns for the third year on Saturday and Sunday, July 20 & 21, 2019, at ʻIolani Palace
Excerpt from April – May 2019 Issue
One of the challenges for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia is finding ways to engage their loved one or patient in tasks that strengthen the ability to recall who people are and what their relationship with them is. Dr. Warren Wong, a local geriatrician with decades of experience working with such patients, took on that challenge and has developed a free iPad app to fill that need: MemorC.
Most of life’s memorable experiences are memorable because they’re shared. What if there were an easy way to not only write down your memories for family and friends but to also give them the opportunity to reminisce with you about them? There is! Developed by a team right here in Hawai‘i — led by local entrepreneur Beth N. Carvin — JamBios is an easy-to-use memoir writing platform that lets you write one story at a time while also keeping you organized.
In January 1, 2019, Hawai‘i became just the seventh state in the US to permit medical aid in dying. The Our Care, Our Choice (OCOCA) law allows terminally ill adult patients with capacity to make medical decisions to be prescribed an aid-in-dying medication if all the requirements are met.
One of the pleasures of being a grandparent is spending time with the grandkids, and reading books together is a wonderful way to do just that — whether introducing a toddler to the alphabet or helping a sixth-grader research a project. Here are some ideas for locally published books to share with your special keiki.
From a very young age, Carole Kai showed a flair for the dramatic — sometimes pulling a bedsheet off the clothesline and holding it tightly across her shoulders while flying around the backyard like a superhero. Other times, she showed a more businesslike approach — like the time she hosted a boxing match in her backyard and sold tickets to neighborhood kids for 5 cents apiece.
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter was a caregiver herself and she believed that family caregiving is a cycle of life that touches everyone. In this issue, four people, each at a different point on the cycle, share their care stories from the heart, offering words of wisdom and points of caution. As you read, consider your journey on the Cycle of Caregiving.
The 12th Aging in Place Workshop held on August 18 at the Ala Moana Hotel brought our readers and their friends and family in contact with Generations Magazine’s partners in a vibrant atmosphere of sharing and learning.
Former first lady Rosalynn was a caregiver herself and she believed that family caregiving is a cycle of life that touches everyone. Here, four people, each at a different point on the cycle, share their care stories from the heart, offering words of wisdom and points of caution. As you read, consider your journey on the Cycle of Caregiving. Where are you? Are you prepared?
The Office of Elections and county clerks of Hawai’i are looking for volunteers to help conduct the 2018 General Election on Tuesday, November 6.
More than 4,000 volunteers are needed to fill various positions on Election Day which include assisting voters at the polling place, transporting election materials and supplies, and resolving inquiries from the control center.
Many seniors, especially those who live alone, might not realize that there are items they should have in their hurricane emergency kit other than Spam, baked beans and Vienna sausage. June marks the beginning of the six-month-long hurricane season and reminders about being prepared are all over the media.
Giving back. That’s the theme and the name of a special — and talented — seniors group who entertain other seniors as a way of giving enjoyment back to their community.
Project Giving Back is a group of 36 singers, ranging in age from 60 to 87, who are now in their 8th year of performing. Wayne Uejo is the founder and administrator of the group, overseeing the singers and coordinating the concert schedule at venues across O‘ahu.
Children who attend Seagull Schools in Kapolei have a special bond with seniors at Seagulls Adult Day Center. Not only do the kūpuna and keiki regularly meet to play bingo, exercise on the lawn and do arts and crafts, but they also dine together.
ukiko Murata, who will turn 102 in March, has a sharp wit and sunny outlook on life. To stay healthy, she eats fresh foods, takes classes at the University of Hawai‘i and plays hanafuda (Japanese card game) every Thursday at the Lanakila Senior Center, together with her daughter, Joanne Murata, and son-in-law, James Kramer. Yukiko shared advice with Generations Magazine:
Faith and Benny Agbayani celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary this year, and both agree that the success of their partnership is doing things together. Maintaining a close relationship is more than saying, “I love you;” it’s taking on challenges as a team, mastering new skills and learning together. Overcoming obstacles in life requires commitment, sacrifice and a willingness to cooperate. The Agbayanis do all these things well, but simply call it “sticking together.”
