Category: Giving Care

  • Transitions in Aging

    Family members see taking care of elderly parents as both an honor and an obligation. It’s a never-ending journey, looking back in awe of the amazing lives our mothers and fathers lived. More so, reflecting on the legacies they have blazed through the ages. As the large Baby Boomer generation ages, more people than ever…

  • The Good Daughter

    Arlene’s mother’s last breath was soft and peaceful. Arlene welled up and sobbed — not entirely from sadness, but also from release. She had done all she could do. She had honored mom’s wishes and here they were, alone at Arlene’s home on O‘ahu; Mom’s pain and frustration were over. Arlene texted her family. They were all here…

  • Consider Memory Care Options

    Independence is a matter of choice and circumstances. And as we age, we naturally become more dependent on others. Living “independently” may mean that you own a home with a yard or a condo, you rent an apartment, or you rent a room in a senior living community. Most people who live a long life…

  • Faithful Companions

    Pets are great at any age. Do you remember your first pet and learning how to care for Spot or Fluffy? It doesn’t take much time and effort to keep a mature pet. The love, attention and companionship they give seems so much more than the protection, food and exercise we offer. The Humane Society…

  • Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness

    The toll on families and individuals caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease can be life-changing. We often hear from family caregivers about the impact Alzheimer’s disease has on their lives and their need for support. More than five million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease. By 2025, it is estimated that…

  • Don’t Let Falls Trip Us Up

    Falls become more common and more serious as we age. The good news is that there are steps you can take to help prevent them. First, identify the health factors that can increase your risk for falling: poor eyesight, reduced reaction time, reduced muscle strength and medications that affect alertness, blood pressure or balance. Whenever…

  • Not Just Clowning Around

    Have you heard that laughter is the best medicine? Well, it’s no joke. Our bodies love laughter! When we laugh out loud we create a positive energy that makes us feel less grumpy, happier and more content with our life. As we age, we are often faced with many challenges surrounding family, finances, and our…

  • Shopping for Home Care

    Remember when you first helped your parents with the holiday decorations? Bringing those boxes of tangled light sets and frosted ornaments down from the attic, you knew something exciting was happening. Those scenes were a preview of family traditions that would be passed on to the generations. Today, as Hawai‘i’s aging population grows, many of…

  • Senior Fall Prevention Awareness

    The number of falls among Hawai‘i’s kupuna is growing at an alarming rate, and impacting families and health care organizations. Annually in Hawai‘i, an average of 86 seniors die, 1,912 are hospitalized and 8,010 are treated in emergency rooms as a result of falls. Among adults 65 and older, these falls are not only common,…

  • Embracing Retirement Communities

    Hundreds of families, including my own, go through the aging process. Historically, and particularly in Hawai‘i, our cultures require us to take care of our kupuna in our homes. However, in current times, adult children have very busy lives working full-time and raising children and grandchildren. Today, an increasing number of families are turning to…

  • There’s Gold in Dem Der Walls

    Have you ever noticed a big gold seal on your hospital’s walls? It’s hard to miss. The emblem — The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval — stands out as a commitment to deliver safe, high-quality patient care under the most rigorous standards of performance. The Joint Commission is the largest and oldest standard-setting and…

  • 5 Tips for Senior Sun Safety

    Summer and family fun is right around the corner! More sunshine not only makes the great outdoors more inviting, but increased UV rays and heat also create a few risks. Seniors don’t “feel the heat” the way younger people do and might not be aware of the risks of high temperatures. Physiologically, as we age,…