According to a state Department of Health report, 82 percent of adults have at least one chronic disease and over half (53 percent) have two or more chronic diseases.
“We find that like the foundation of a family, experienced home healthcare agencies form a structure that is effective, efficient, and responsive to the needs and values of seniors and their families,” said Marissa Ramos, RN.
“Even though studies show Hawai‘i seniors live longer, they are still more likely to have one or more chronic conditions, such as cognitive impairment or heart disease,” said Marissa. “With chronic conditions come a greater likelihood of pain, loss of function and increased dependence. Skilled, licensed providers can help by carrying out physician’s orders, making assessments, assisting with managing pain and educating and training families.”
Home healthcare agencies are uniquely equipped to help seniors and their families manage a wide range of care. Experienced providers can assess needs that are less complex, yet very important to the ongoing safety and quality of life of a senior family member.
As seniors continue to age, more direct personal care may be needed. Home health aids and nurse supervisors are trained to provide both basic and more advanced levels of care.
“When consulting with adult children and their parents, it’s important to understand the fine details of our senior’s life and history,” said Janet Grace, a home healthcare sales and marketing director. “This brings a special level of trust to the discussion and allows for a more comprehensive clinical plan of care to be developed, making an uncertain and difficult task better to accomplish.”
“Every day, I have the privilege of hearing the amazing stories of our clients lives, the work they’ve done, the sacrifices they made and important lessons passed down through generations,” said Janet. “Because of these experiences, I’m deeply touched by how committed adult children are to making these same sacrifices for their parents by ensuring that safe and reliable home care is easy to access. This helps to preserve and perpetuate the legacies passed down from one generation to another.”
Caring for parents or loved ones may appear to be a relationship where one person gives and the other receives. However, research shows that the relationship actually goes both ways. Adult children caregivers experience tremendous moments of comfort, appreciation and great satisfaction.
Teaching our keiki to respect and love their kūpuna and informing them about their rich history and heritage will continue a family’s legacy of immense joy and reward far into the future.
ATTENTION PLUS CARE
Accredited by The Joint Commission
1580 Makaloa St., Ste. 1060, Honolulu HI 96814
808-739-2811 | www.attentionplus.com
AGING IN HAWAII EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM:
a monthly program to provide resources for seniors and
their families, instructed by a registered nurse, who covers
a different aging topic each month.
For class information on fall prevention and upcoming
topics, call 808-440-9356.
Recently, a longtime client of mine was looking more energetic and less arthritic than usual. I asked him what’s new and got the I-know-something grin. After checking his nasal cannula and portable oxygen concentrator, I smiled; his doctor had already given me the scoop on his Las Vegas plans. That was the reason why I was there to help him. He laughed, saying Vegas is his therapy.
Giving your kūpuna the opportunity to age at home is wonderful, but at some point, you will need to ask for help. Don’t let these four myths about home care hold you back.
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 will find themselves caring for aging parents or family members. Here in Hawai‘i, there is great respect and admiration for our kūpuna.
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.
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 can expect to move from one level of independent living to another as yard work, driving and housekeeping become impossible tasks. The newest senior living communities now offer several options in one living complex: independent living, assisted living, short-term respite care for rehabilitation, a memory care neighborhood, and skilled nursing facility. This broad array of services allows clients to easily transition to a higher level of assistance and care within their new home.
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.
Need more encouragement? Just look at this cute dog who was up for adoption in January. We missed the chance to give him a home then — but the pet of your dreams may be waiting for you right now at your local Humane Society.