Communication & Grief
Grief is a natural response to the loss of someone special. The process of grieving allows the griever to adapt to a new world of existence without the loved one.
Hawai‘i Lawyers Helping Seniors
Fifteen years ago, the Hawai‘i State Bar Association created the Senior Counsel Division (SCD). Its members are Hawai‘i attorneys who are 50 years of age or older (which is over half the Hawai‘i State Bar), and number in the thousands.
Covering Your Assets
Think of asset protection planning as a game. Follow the rules and you may avoid detours through lawyers’ offices and courtrooms.
Insurance You May Not Realize You Need
Insurance is a product for the what-ifs in life. A good insurance policy can reduce the financial impact of an adverse event, mitigate financial losses, provide stability and offer some peace of mind during difficult times. Some insurance coverage is deemed so important, it’s mandated by law. But there is also lesser-known insurance coverage worth exploring. Consider these optional coverages to trade uncertainty for financial protection.
‘We Never Talked About It’
The patient is in a coma. The doctor at the hospital is asking, “What kind of care would your dad have wanted if he could speak?” Too often, the answer is “I wish I knew. We never talked about it.”
SSA Talks Audio Series
Will Social Security be there when I retire? That’s the question we’re answering in the latest episode of our audio series, SSA Talks. Our Chief Actuary Steve Goss sheds light on our trust funds and how they relate to your future benefits. The 12-minute episode includes a fact sheet and transcript. The fact sheet provides more information about the trust funds and how much protection our benefits offer.
Smiling Faces at Moloka‘i’s Friendly Places
Senior programs on Moloka‘i are provided by a wide range of nonprofits. There is no designated “senior center,” but a number of facilities welcome program providers. The Moloka‘i Rural Health Community Association (MRHCA) is one such provider. Its Kupuna Program was established post-COVID with funding from Maui County’s Office of Economic Development and Office on Aging to promote overall health and wellness. Program Manager Ku‘ulei Arce describes MRHCA as a “one-stop place that aims to help kūpuna live a well-rounded life.”
Preventing & Reporting Healthcare Fraud
Prevention education is the best defense in the fight against healthcare fraud and abuse. When there is malicious intent to commit fraud, the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) gets involved and works with state and federal partners to report cases for investigation.
Increase Your Independence
Do you ever find yourself having difficulty with routine tasks that you used to be able to do with ease? Making lunch? Brushing your hair? Reading a novel? Hearing the television? Assistive technology (AT) can help with all of these and more. AT can help with a variety of challenges: hearing, vision, communication, computer/phone access, activities of daily living and recreation.
The Importance of Senior Living
Seniors may feel hesitant about making the move to a senior living community and believe the transition will come with a decrease in independence and quality of life.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Eat Superfoods to Feed Your Brain
It turns out you can feed your mind with food in addition to knowledge. Researchers have found superfoods for the brain that are part of what’s known as the MIND diet—Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay.
The Key Ingredient for a Sweet Smile
Sweets can be irresistible. We can easily succumb to scoops of ice cream, indulging in chocolates or falling for delectable cookies.
Diabetes’ Impact on Eye Health
In the US, a staggering 34.2 million grapple with diabetes, marking a critical public health concern, particularly for older adults. This chronic condition impacting blood sugar levels significantly threatens seniors’ eye health. Elevated blood sugar can damage delicate retinal blood vessels, leading to diabetic retinopathy—a condition that, if left untreated, can result in vision impairment and possible blindness.
Train Your Brain
Just like it’s important to maintain your physical health by adopting an in-home exercise regime, it is important to maintain your mental health by engaging in challenging activities that promote cognitive function. Changes in cognitive function are a natural part of aging. With time, your brain loses agility and can deteriorate further if you don’t take steps to maintain it.
Children’s Book Explores Dementia
Frances H. Kakugawa, a Hawai‘i Island native, began writing poetry a half-century ago, then stopped for some years to work for the public school system. But when she became the primary caregiver for her mother, she found that writing poetry helped ease her stress.
Should You Insure Your Pet?
If your pet is healthy, is pet insurance still necessary? The American Veterinary Association suggests pet insurance to defray costs, which can be around $250 for a simple treatment to over $8,000 if the condition is more serious. The over 85 million pet households in the US spend a whopping $75 billion on pet care annually.
Homemade Matcha Mochi
Matcha is a powdered green tea that is rich in antioxidant compounds due to its special cultivation method. Traditionally, the tea bushes are covered with bamboo mats to shade the leaves from direct sunlight, therefore producing higher amounts of amino acids, chlorophyll and theanine. Matcha is known for its vibrant color and unique, bitter taste. Matcha is low-calorie and fat-free. Compared to other green teas, matcha is relatively high in caffeine.
Empathy vs. Sympathy
As a society, we have faced much grief over the last few years. When in the mode of navigating care for ourselves or others, we often run into misconceptions about what we should or shouldn’t do.
Writing Helpful Reviews: A Guide for Seniors
Most customers read online reviews before purchasing a product or service. But when was the last time you wrote one? Remember, when you write a review, you are helping others and yourself.
Maui Fires Spark Pioneering Spirit
It has been nearly a year since wildfires fueled by powerful winds from Hurricane Dora destroyed the town of Lahaina and parts of Kula. The wildfire that killed at least 101 people is the deadliest in the US in more than a century, and the most lethal natural disaster to occur in Hawai‘i since statehood in 1959.
Mahalo for the Memories!
My mother and father lived to 92 and 94, respectively, and as the years passed, it was sometimes difficult to choose gifts for them, so I had to be creative. For Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, I want to share some special gift ideas for seniors like my parents.
Disaster-Proofing Your Documents
A fireproof safe may not be 100% effective, as evidenced during Maui’s wildfires last year. In parts of Lahaina, the heat was so intense that safes were found melted.
Driven by Legacy, Crafted with Aloha
Did Manuel Nobriga know when he began crafting ice cream from scratch at Maui Soda & Ice Works in Wailuku in 1932 that he would be leaving an enduring legacy that would be perpetuated and celebrated for many generations? Well, as it turns out, Manuel’s ideas, formulas and methods have become the blueprint for a cherished family recipe that would expand to more than 70 flavors over time. “Roselani” was to become a household name on Maui and their family’s delicious dessert would become an integral part of special occasions across the islands for nearly a century. Through four generations of hard work, consistency, integrity and heart, Maui Soda & Ice Works, LTD, remains a truly remarkable family business.
The Language of Emotion
Many may feel that it’s somehow “too late” and that there is some sort of an expiration date for starting to learn an instrument. Both Royal Hawaiian Bandmaster Clarke Bright and Eric Kop, assistant administrator and principal horn, emphasize that it is never too late to get into music, in whatever form it takes.
The Royal Hawaiian Band
“To promote and foster music, preserve the Hawaiian musical culture, inspire young musicians and enrich the lives of the people of Hawai‘i” is their mission. As the only full-time municipal band in the United States — and the only one with a royal legacy — the Royal Hawaiian Band has touched and continues to move the hearts of people young and old for almost two centuries, beginning with their founding in 1836 by King Kamehameha III, Kauikeaouli.
Minimize Asset Distribution Drama
Minimizing estate asset distribution conflicts among survivors proves to be a challenging consequence of death. Hard-to-divide assets such as a family heirloom or the family home can cause the fracturing of relationships.
What’s in YOUR Toolbox?
Trusts are tools. Like screwdrivers, they come in a variety of sizes and shapes, each designed to accomplish a defined result. You need a screwdriver with a tip that looks like a straight line for a screw with a head that has a straight slot in it. You need a screwdriver with a tip shaped like a plus symbol for a screw that has a head with a plus-shaped recess.
Before Cosigning Your Child’s Loan…
As your child heads off to college or starts life as an independent young adult, he or she will likely face new financial responsibilities, such as a car purchase, rent or college tuition payments. Given their lack of credit history, it may be difficult for them to obtain a loan without a parent or another adult cosigning the loan.
Smart Long-Term Care Search Strategies
More than 50% of us will experience stress and anxiety while seeking long-term care, according to a recent AARP study. Firstly, it is difficult to find information about all the available services. Worse yet, without a way to easily compare them, they are seemingly indistinguishable (after all, there are over 1,800 senior care facilities and providers in Hawai‘i).
Mediwhat? Medigap!
For beneficiaries on Original Medicare (Parts A and B), a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan may provide the extra coverage they need.
Medicare Special Enrollment Period
A Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is the time when an eligible Medicare beneficiary may sign up for a Medicare plan under exceptional circumstances.
Q&A: Retirement Benefits
Q: My cousin and I are both retired and get Social Security. We worked for the same employer for years, but he gets a higher Social Security benefit. Why is that?
Golden Care for the Golden Years
Primary care services play a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of geriatric patients, addressing their unique healthcare needs and promoting a higher quality of life. Access to timely and comprehensive primary care is particularly crucial for this demographic.
Homemade Meals to Smile About
While brushing twice a day, flossing daily and seeing your dentist are essential to maintaining a healthy smile, it’s important to remember that our dietary choices also impact our teeth and gums. Nutritious, home-cooked meals have been linked to a lower risk of tooth decay and gum disease because you can better control the ingredients.
The Power of Music in Memory Care
Programming for the residents of a memory care facility can be challenging. Everyone is at a different place health-wise. Many activities are not appropriate for everyone. Even one-on-one activities can be challenging with this population.
The Gift of Whole-Body Donation
Whole-body donation is a no-cost process and a profound act of generosity that allows individuals to contribute to the advancement of medical education, research and the improvement of healthcare practices.
Time for Spring Cleaning?
The season of spring is often associated with a strong desire to do a deep, thorough cleaning of your home. It’s a global phenomenon practiced in big cities, rural communities and remote villages. Social scientists who have studied the annual ritual believe there are health benefits to decluttering, organizing and cleaning up your home. It seems people who adopt the annual habit experience more energy, a sense of accomplishment, contentment and sleep better.
Shrimp, Cucumber & Avocado Salad
A salad made with shrimp, cucumber and avocado is perfect for family gatherings because it’s delicious, hearty and makes even the pickiest of eaters smile.
Before Purchasing a Subscription Service…
There are a few things you need to know before purchasing a subscription service. Tips to ensure you’re making a wise investment:
Grieving the Loss of a Pet
If you had a beloved pet as a child, you may have been overwhelmed with feelings of sadness and grief after he or she passed away. For many of us, this was our first experience with death. And as we age, we will most likely experience additional losses of our furry friends. Each and every time is sad and difficult.
It’s Time to Have Some FUN!
Think about it… you worked many, many years, sacrificing your desire to do something different; something creative; something for yourself. Now you are retired and it is go time! It’s time to do something fun! What could be more enjoyable than going back to school to express your creativity through art?
Playing Music for Fun & Friendship
Back in 2017, just after retiring to Moloka‘i, I stumbled upon a group of kūpuna having a lot of fun. Seated around tables at the Coffees of Hawaii plantation store, they were playing ‘ukulele and singing, much to the delight of onlookers. One gentleman in the audience on a group outing from the local retirement home leapt up and picked a partner before dancing to the tune.
Maui County’s Hub of Senior Activity
A division of the County of Maui’s Department of Housing and Human Concerns, Kaunoa Senior Services provides a wide range of exciting and exceptional services, activities and programs in Maui County for a new generation of seniors with changing and diverse needs and interests.
Let the Games Begin!
Since the creation of the Senior Classic Games in 1980 by Herbert Yasuhara, the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) senior clubs have held games in March at the Halawa District Park.
Savings Accounts for the Grandchildren
I’m not a financial planner, banker or even good with my own finances, but I know that this simple gesture for our grandchildren will be our legacy.
From the Airwaves to Living Aloha
I’m a long way from Kansas! Wichita is where I started, but my journey has taken me across the US — from the balmy west coast of South Florida to the crisp mountains of Colorado and the high desert of Santa Fe.
Exploring Different Variations
While the basic premise of crash gambling remains consistent across platforms, there are various variations and features that distinguish one site from another. From different multiplier algorithms to unique bonus systems, exploring these variations can help players...Esther Chan: Cybercrime Fighter
She may not wear a mask or a cape, but in the eyes of Hawai‘i’s kūpuna, Esther Chan is their very own superhero as she continues her battle against online crime in cyberspace — one workshop at a time — wielding only her mighty curriculum and stalwart spirit. If...Dealing With Details While Grieving
With death comes grief, the natural emotional response to losing someone meaningful. With death comes a myriad of complexities that grievers face that can significantly interfere with the natural progression of grief and adaptation to a new life without the...I’m a Trustee… Now What?
Inheriting property can be both a gift and challenge. As a trustee, you’re not just receiving real estate, you’re inheriting family responsibilities, property maintenance and tax implications. In Hawai‘i, the complexity increases given the unique real estate...What’s Wrong With Probate?
Probate can be a simple, painless process. Sometimes, however, it can be a nightmare, and that’s what gives it a bad name. Probate just means “to prove.” Your personal representative has to prove to the court that the document being offered for probate is your last...Do You Have Retirement Questions?
Most hardworking Americans dream about retirement, but the path to get there can be less than clear. For those relatively new to the workforce, the idea of retiring may feel distant and abstract. However, even people who are only a few years from retirement are often...Do You Like Helping Kūpuna?
Are you 55 years or older and looking for a fulfilling way to spend your time? Do you enjoy connecting with other seniors and making a difference in their lives? Whether you’re a recent retiree or an empty nester, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i has an opportunity for you....
The Legacy of the 100th Infantry Battalion
Since it was built in 1952, the unassuming one-story building long known as Club 100 on Kamoku Street in Honolulu served as a gathering place for veterans of the legendary 100th Infantry Battalion. The battalion originated as a primarily all-Japanese-American combat...
AARP: Support Family Caregivers
Cheryl, a caregiver from Makawao, had to retire early to take care of her mother, who has dementia. “But now, how am I going to pay the bills?” Every day, Hawai‘i’s 154,000 family caregivers help their parents, spouses and other loved ones remain at home — where they...What to Say & Not to Say to Grievers
Grief hurts. It hurts to witness our loved ones hurt. So a typical response to someone who is grieving is to try to comfort them and make them feel better. There is nothing wrong with trying to comfort the bereaved, but making them feel better is not possible. A...Start a Healthy New Year at the Y
For new exercisers, the gym can be a daunting place. They may not be sure what to do or how to get started. That holds true even more so for kūpuna, who perhaps have not been to a gym in a long time — maybe not ever. • The YMCA is an excellent place for new...Can You Keep Your Teeth as You Age?
Nearly one in five adults aged 65 or older has lost all of their teeth, impacting their quality of life. While some assume that tooth loss is an inevitable consequence of aging, proactive dental care can preserve both your teeth and overall health throughout your...Overcautiousness Can Lead to Health Risks
Striving to ensure safety and fear of falls consistently top the list of concerns for kūpuna. Unfortunately, fear itself can become a risk factor, leading to anxiety, hesitancy and overcautiousness. Being cautious is natural during activities that involve risk....Preventing Transfer Trauma
Ensuring our elderly loved ones’ well-being during their transition into care homes is crucial. This emotional and often stressful journey demands a meticulous approach to prevent transfer trauma, which can result from frequent relocations and adjustments to new...The Realities of Caregiving
Caregiving has been part of mankind’s existence from the beginning. We’ve all had caregivers — usually known as Mom and Dad. Many of us have been caregivers of our own children. And as needs changed, parents adjusted their caregiving duties. That is the very first...Buyer Beware
During Sam C. Dobbs’ time, the early 20th-century, advertising promised consumers various outcomes; however, the claims weren’t based on any facts. This inspired him as the head of Coca-Cola to create a group of businesses to monitor each other’s advertising. The...How to Use Mobile Payment Apps Safely
Digital person-to-person payment services and mobile payment apps have become part of everyday life for millions of people. Mobile payment services and apps such as PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, Apple Pay and Google Pay let you send money to people without having to write a...Lions & Dragons Usher in the New Year
The 2024 Chinese New Year — the Year of the Dragon — begins on Feb. 10 and ends on Jan. 28, 2025, when the Year of the Snake begins. Marking the end of winter and the beginning of the spring season, observances traditionally take place starting on Chinese New Year’s...Good Nutrition for Health & Vitality
As we welcome the New Year, a key goal for many revolves around health and vitality. Good nutrition, what you eat to “fuel” your body, combined with physical activity, are key. Many conditions (heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis) can...Lanakila Serves as Model Senior Center
In the former location of taro patches and rice paddies, Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center (LMPSC) managed by Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, nestled in Liliha in the heart of Honolulu, offers camaraderie, education, recreation, exercise, health promotion, volunteer...Love is Here!
The November/December 2023 “Ask a Kupuna” column posed this question: “Do you have a favorite Valentine’s Day story to share?” Marlene wrote, “After a disappointing experience the year before at an upscale downtown restaurant, we decided to never go out to dinner...Senior Dating: It’s All in the Delivery
Valentine’s Day is coming up — a good time to talk about dating as a 70ish, single senior male. You were married for 45 years and now you’re alone because your lovely wife passed a while back. You’re wanting companionship and thinking even about dating. Your health is...Social Security Benefits Increase in 2024
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 71 million Americans increased 3.2% this year. On average, Social Security retirement benefits increased by more than $50 per month starting in January 2024. More than 66 million Social...Genius Tip: Designing Your Game Plan
Albert Einstein famously said that an intellectual solves problems, while a genius avoids them. Here is an example of how you should employ this mindset when you put your estate plan in place.
Grief & Bereavement — Part IX
In the last article we introduced and discussed the process of the virtuous circle of communication. In this article we will discuss how to communicate in a family meeting.
No Kids? 5 Tips for Your Retirement
Many people build their retirement and estate plans around their children and grandchildren. Everything from where they live, to how they spend their time and money, to the legacy they want to leave behind is considered through the prism of their role as parents and grandparents. For those without kids and grandkids, a different formula may apply as these individuals may have more financial freedom and flexibility as they enter retirement and beyond. But they still need to be as vigilant — if not more — about planning for their later years.
Nurturing Your Financial Freedom
As we all get older, our needs in life change. That can happen in both large and small ways. But one thing we all need to consider is the journey of long-term financial planning. While that can seem like a huge task, by breaking it down into manageable steps, we can all work towards financial security in retirement. Here are some thought starters to consider.
Helping Dogs Help People
Assistance Dogs of Hawaii (ADH) began in 2000 with a mission of training Service Dogs to assist people with limited mobility. The Maui based non-profit organization has grown over the last 23 years to provide dogs to a wide array of Hawai‘i residents with special needs.
Medicare Can Be A Slam Dunk!
According to the dictionary a “slam dunk’ is a scoring shot in which a player jumps and forces a ball down through a basket for an effortless shot. Even though the player may be part of a team and has a coach — a “slam dunk” is an individual play.
Volunteer to Protect Kūpuna
Medicare fraud is big business for criminals. Medicare loses approximately $60 billion annually due to fraud, errors and abuse. When thieves steal from Medicare, there is less money for the healthcare we really need.
IRA Changes to Part D in 2024
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which cut costs on some insulins and Part D vaccinations in 2023, continues to roll out more money-saving changes to prescription drugs in 2024. Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec.7) is the ideal time to consider how the following changes may affect your choice of healthcare insurance plan.
Supplemental Security Income
Social Security has expanded its outreach to people in critical need of financial help who may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI provides monthly payments to adults age 65 and older or to other adults — and children — with a disability or blindness who have limited income and financial resources. SSI helps pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine.
Care & Self-Care Holiday Gifts
Gearing up for the holidays often means thinking about gifts. Giving them and receiving them! Caregivers in general are givers. Most give of their time; many, of their own resources; and some give their entire personal purpose as they care for another. The Caregiver Foundation (TCF) works to support caregivers, kūpuna, and disabled adults.
Dementia Care in Times of Crisis
Caregiving for your loved one with dementia, especially during a crisis, can present special challenges. Those with dementia often do not do well with changes in their routine, making it difficult to care for them when the unexpected happens.
Game On!
Since this issue is focused on the Sports world, I thought it would be fun to show the “sporting events” that are held in adult day care centers!
Dana is a Joy!
DANA (pronounced Donna) is a Sanskrit word that is defined as selfless giving of time and energy; providing compassion and care without the desire for recognition or expression of appreciation. Dana is not someone’s name, or an acronym. Dana is an expression of love, compassion, faith, and caring.
How to Make Your Smile Merry & Bright
Staying active and healthy during the holidays can be difficult with family gatherings and holiday sweets. While you try your best to avoid sugary treats, don’t forget to incorporate exercise into this cheerful season, because it could help you maintain a healthier smile!
How to Age Gracefully, Inside and Out
My grandma once told me, “getting old is not for sissies!” As we get older, we may wonder how to age as well as possible. Here are some simple tips for aging gracefully as our bodies change.
Champions at Heart
Chances are that you’ve heard of Dave Shoji and Vince Goo, two of Hawai‘i’s most beloved coaches. Known far and wide for their stellar coaching careers at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM), these individuals boast hundreds of wins and have earned the titles of the winningest coaches for their respective programs — for Shoji, volleyball, and for Goo, basketball. Today, the coaches stay active in their respective sports, along with playing rounds of golf, surfing and advocating for Hawai‘i’s kūpuna through their work with Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program).
Becoming the Reason Someone Smiles
Volunteering brings fun, joy and a sense of purpose into your life. It has certainly made my retirement more meaningful and enjoyable! The skills I learned in my working life are put to good use and are the foundation of the WIN-WIN relationships forged between me and those in need of assistance.
Be Prepared and at Ease for the Holidays
Grief is a natural response to a loss, change, transition, or death. Grief affects everyone uniquely. It could be emotionally, mentally, physically, intellectually, and/or spiritually. As the 2023 holidays approach, take time to self-care with positive activities. Examples are reading uplifting stories and poems, journaling, stretching, meditating, connecting with people, appreciating nature walks, etc. Find your source of strength and peace each day. Be prepared for the upcoming holidays.
My Reflections on Caregiving
Aloha! When we hear the words “kūpuna care,” it can bring forth many thoughts, perhaps of taking care of a parent, grandparent, neighbor or friend. For me, “kūpuna care” has also meant a career of three decades working in senior care communities in California and Hawai‘i. As a licensed administrator, I’ve been there in the continuum of care: independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing. I strived, with other staff members, to provide the highest quality of care and services.
Grandma’s Butter Crunch Jello Cream Cake
My fondest memories of my late grandma, Shirley Ihara, are of watching her cook and bake in the kitchen. During the holidays, she would make her Butter Crunch Jello Cream Cake and it was one of my favorites. She actually taught me this recipe when I was a child, but I really didn’t make it on my own; for some reason, hers always tasted much better.
Ban the Grinch This Christmas
Holidays are for giving, but for some it’s a season of taking. Don’t let a Grinch ruin your holiday! Below are some common scams and what to look out for to avoid them.
Ask a Kupuna
It’s that time of year when we fondly reminisce about family gatherings and vacations, so my question for this issue was: “What is your favorite Christmas memory?”
Finding Balance and Joy in Your Life
Some things are universal to the human race. The night sky is one of them, for we can all look up and feel connected to the moon and stars. Perhaps we have even placed a lost loved one there in the firmament and look to them for guidance when times are tough. In her recent memoir, Under a Full Moon and a Guiding Star, Lani Almanza shares the wisdoms she learned while caring for her youngest son Jacob, who passed away in 2005, from cancer, at age 22.
The Sewing Hui
Nestled in the quiet paniolo town of Makawao in Upcountry Maui lies a powerhouse of volunteer sewists. Jennifer Oberg, a dressmaker who specializes in custom wedding gowns, opens her studio on a weekly basis for The Sewing Hui to gather, create, and talk story. On most Thursdays, you’ll find people from Upcountry, Kihei, Kahului, Lahaina and even visitors sewing together.
Grief & Bereavement — Part VIII
In Sherry Turkle’s book, Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk In A Digital Age, she writes about the process of the virtuous circle of communication by discussing the poet, Henry David Thoreau’s moving to Waldon Pond to live more deliberately. Thoreau furnished his cabin with three chairs. One chair to represent solitude, where he could self-reflect on matters most important for him. Two chairs to engage in conversation where he could express his thoughts to another.
Estate Planning 101
The first step in the estate planning process is learning. What do you need to learn? I suggest this as your starting point: You need to discover how to stay in control of your stuff while you are able to be in control, as well as how to be sure that that your wishes will be carried out when incapacity or the grim reaper catch up with you. Sorry to rub it in, but at least one of those things is going to happen to you. Odds are that both of them will.
Tips for Entering Retirement Solo
Approximately 23 million Americans ages 65 and older are single, divorced or widowed, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Census Bureau. That means there are many people in this country who are planning their retirement on their own, without the help of a spouse or partner.
Now That I Am Ready to Retire…
To qualify for Social Security benefits, you must earn a certain number of credits. The number of credits you need depends on your age when you apply and the type of benefit. No one needs more than 40 credits for any Social Security benefit.
Deciding Your Level of Care & Intentions
Have you heard of POLST? It stands for Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. The document is printed on bright green paper so that it is easily seen, and often is found on the refrigerator, near a medicine cabinet or on a bedside table. The form can be quickly understood by all healthcare professionals, including first responders and ambulance personnel.
Medically Tailored Meals for Kūpuna
Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels (HMoW) is dedicated to meeting the nutritional needs of the kūpuna on O‘ahu. We have developed a program to provide medically tailored meals to kūpuna who have multiple chronic health conditions, limited caregiver support and who require assistance with government benefit enrollment.
Medicare Season Attracts Millions
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, more than 10,000 people are turning 65 every day and may qualify for Original Medicare insurance. Once an individual obtains the core parts of Medicare, other options may lower out-of-pocket costs. Some beneficiaries choose to get their coverage from Part C Medicare Advantage plans.
