Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Aug 1, 2019 | August - September 2019, Giving Care
At some point in our lives, most of us will be given the opportunity to care for someone with cancer. Even though our experience with cancer may be limited, we may have learned enough to ask initial questions of the patient after the diagnosis is made.
Mapuana Taamu, Resident Care Manager, Kina‘ole Estate, Certified PAC Trainer & Dementia Educator and Generations Magazine Staff | May 25, 2019 | Giving Care, June - July 2019
GEMS® is a staging system for dementia. Teepa Snow, OTR and founder of the Positive Approach to Care® philosophy, recreated the Allen Cognitive system of staging dementia with a positive twist. We can now view our Person Living With Dementia as one of Teepa’s GEMS® rather than on a scale of 1 to 7 or on a scale of mild cognitive impairment to profoundly demented.
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | May 25, 2019 | Giving Care, June - July 2019
After gaining years of experience working and caring for the elderly, I can imagine many ways to describe what “aging” means. There are multiple factors that determine if one is considered old. In other words, a high number of years someone has been on this Earth does not define them as being old. In today’s world of medical technology, health products and smarter lifestyles, it may be hard to identify our kūpuna.
Keely Ann Kalama-Lakey, MS, Freelance Writer | May 25, 2019 | Giving Care, June - July 2019
As parents age, many adult children step into the role of caregiver. However, for those who live far from their parents, caregiving presents different challenges. Planning, communication and a team approach can significantly improve the process.
Darlene H. Nakayama, RN, MS, CRRN, Chief Executive Officer, Palolo Chinese Home | Apr 5, 2019 | April - May 2019, Giving Care
As our parents or loved one get older, they may need help or supervision during the day while caregivers are at work, school or other activities. Sending seniors for care during the day may be a difficult decision due to the cost and concern that they may not have “fun” or may be neglected.
Don Weisman, Communications Director, American Heart Association Hawaii Division | Apr 5, 2019 | April - May 2019, Giving Care
Because of the often debilitating nature of heart disease or stroke, the effects of those diseases often impact not just the patient, but family members who are placed in the role as caregivers.
Gina Heshiki, Activities Supervisor and Positive ApproachTM to Care Trainer | Apr 5, 2019 | April - May 2019, Giving Care
Do you know a Person Living With Dementia (PLWD) who repeatedly asks the same question? Does your loved one obsess about leaving the house so that they can go home? Maybe you know of a grandmother who blames everyone in sight for stealing her items. Challenging behaviors are common among PLWD and care partners are burning out trying to address these problems.
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Apr 5, 2019 | April - May 2019, Giving Care
How do family members prepare for the day their senior needs more help? The kind of help that requires loved ones to re-prioritize their lives. If only there were a date set aside for this change in everybody’s life. Planning on change at this level has never been easy because a plan may not be in place.
Jennifer Borja-Johnson, Connect America | Feb 1, 2019 | February - March 2019, Giving Care
Every 13 seconds, an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a fall-related injury. Lower-body weakness, difficulties with walking and balance, and vision problems can make a person more likely to fall. Other causes include home hazards and clutter. Having a medical alert system can reduce a person’s risk of not being able to receive timely treatment, by obtaining immediate medical assistance in the event of a fall or emergency.
Generations Magazine Staff | Feb 1, 2019 | February - March 2019, Giving Care
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.
David Pettijohn, Administrator, Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home | Feb 1, 2019 | February - March 2019, Giving Care
The only state veterans home in Hawai‘i, Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home, celebrated its 10th anniversary of serving veterans from across our nation in 2018. From celebrating our seniors’ accomplishments to bringing the community to our residents, we know the importance of ‘ohana.
Sara Tompkison, LCSW, Positive Approach™ to Care Trainer and Dementia Educator | Feb 1, 2019 | February - March 2019, Giving Care
Human beings use five ways to take in data: sight, touch, smell, taste and sound. From the time we are born, we prefer to take in data first by what we see, then hear and finally through touch. Vision, our primary source for processing new information, is controlled by an area in the back of our brain called the occipital lobe. Dementia attacks and damages the occipital lobe resulting in skewed vision, poor depth perception and diminished peripheral vision.
Kelika Ishol, Director of Community Relations, ISNR | Feb 1, 2019 | February - March 2019, Giving Care
Breathing is something most of us take for granted. But for those folks with respiratory issues like asthma, breathing can be a struggle. Studies show that a healthy adult will take an average of 12–15 breaths per minute. For those with respiratory issues like asthma,...
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Feb 1, 2019 | February - March 2019, Giving Care
At some point we’ve all had times of forgetfulness or misplacing things. Our keys get lost or we draw a blank trying to remember where the car is parked or what we just ate for breakfast. We can usually sort it out and remember things with some time and patience. But when is forgetfulness or memory loss of concern?
Kelika Ishol, Director of Community Relations, ISNR | Dec 2, 2018 | Dec 2018 Jan 2019, Giving Care
An unexpected life-changing situation can happen in an instant. One minute you’re at a friend’s home, getting ready to enjoy watching UH football, then you slip and fall, and feel excruciating pain. Hours later, on a trip to the emergency room, you learn that you fractured your hip or, even worse, your spine.
Pat Bemis, RN MN, Positve Approach to Care trainer | Dec 2, 2018 | Dec 2018 Jan 2019, Giving Care
As caregivers we reap the benefits of being of service, in a very personal way sometimes, to those that we love. But as the disease/disorders/illnesses rob our loved ones of the spontaneity, intimacy, and active partnership we once had, it also robs us as the caregivers. Our world changes differently than those that we are caring for.
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Dec 2, 2018 | Dec 2018 Jan 2019, Giving Care
Today, more seniors are receiving care in their homes for medical conditions. Many receive it following a hospitalization or discharge from a rehabilitation center and have complex needs. Seniors who require them may have difficulties adjusting to their care and can benefit from transitional care during this period.
Carlene H. Ebisutani, RN & Administrator, Aiea Heights & Waialae Senior Living | Sep 27, 2018 | Giving Care, October - November 2018
When a senior member of your family is in need of 24/7 care, it is fortunate that Hawai‘i has many professional, caring and dedicated homes and facilities to welcome them. What every family wants to know is: “Will my mom or dad be happy living in someone else’s home, eat right, and stay mentally and physically strong?”
Generations Magazine Staff | Sep 27, 2018 | Giving Care, October - November 2018
People living with dementia (PLWD) have challenges with verbal communication: language comprehension, speech production, and vocabulary. But they are not unconscious to what is going on around them. Even as the brain declines, emotional intelligence is preserved. PLWD take in data visually rather than auditorily and react to what they think is happening. As caregivers we must remember that PLWD are really doing the best they can with the abilities they have left.
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Sep 27, 2018 | Giving Care, October - November 2018
Home healthcare providers are often asked what makes a better caregiver. The answer is that, while many factors come to mind, an interest in learning is high on the list, and essential to a caregiver’s progress. For example, an important role caregivers have is recognizing when an individual’s health condition is changing. Those who can reflect and learn from these changes often develop into better caregivers.
Generations Magazine Staff | Sep 24, 2018 | Cover Story, Date, Giving Care, October - November 2018
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?
Ishol, Director of Community Relations and Resource Development, Care Center of Honolulu | Jul 29, 2018 | August - September 2018, Giving Care
I visited Kīlauea several years ago with my hula sisters for the Merrie Monarch Festival. Walking toward the crater to bear ho‘okupu (offering) for Tutu Pele, my lungs suddenly tightened up and I was literally gasping for air.
Katherine Kama‘ema‘e Smith | Jul 29, 2018 | August - September 2018, Giving Care
I don’t know if anyone is really prepared for family caregiving — it all happens so suddenly,” says Terri Jorgensen of Maui. She became a family caregiver in 2016, when Maui Memorial Hospital discharged her 101-year-old Grandma.
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Jul 29, 2018 | August - September 2018, Giving Care
In home care, a question I often get is how to care for someone with Alzheimer’s who asks the same questions over and over again. To better understand and manage what’s going on, it helps to first know a bit on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Kelika Ishol, Director of Community Relations, ISNR | May 19, 2018 | Giving Care, June - July 2018
In the last issue we discussed how people diagnosed with chronic respiratory failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at higher risk for infection. This issue, we focus on ways to ease their breathing problems.
Annette Pang, Relationship Life Coach | May 19, 2018 | Giving Care, June - July 2018
It’s a mistake for family caregivers to forget about their own well-being while caring for their loved ones. Many feel guilty for taking time off for a spa day or a staycation. I encourage them to accept it’s perfectly OK to get away and return reinvigorated and refreshed.
Regency Hualalai staff | May 19, 2018 | Giving Care, June - July 2018
Despite the great advancements in retirement community resident care in recent years — some through government involvement, but most through business owners seeking to create a better quality of life for seniors — one of the challenges faced when discussing senior living options is the negative stigma that immediately comes to mind about “assisted living.”
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | May 19, 2018 | Giving Care, June - July 2018
Technology is ever-advancing these days with information on new devices everywhere. For early adopters this is seen as helpful and even normal. However, for some seniors, adapting to new devices can be challenging due to physical limitations. Vision loss is one of the...
Darlene H. Nakayama, RN, MS, CRRN, Chief Executive Officer, Palolo Chinese Home | Apr 11, 2018 | April - May 2018, Giving Care
Providing seniors care for their body, mind and spirit is critically important. Simply spending time with seniors can improve their emotional well-being and outlook. Palolo Chinese Home, in partnership with Common Grace, a nonprofit organization, recently launched a...
Ishol, Director of Community Relations and Resource Development, Care Center of Honolulu | Apr 11, 2018 | April - May 2018, Giving Care
Being unable to breathe on our own is very scary. Spinal cord injuries, pneumonia, stroke, injury to the chest, muscular dystrophy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can all bring on respiratory failure. Spinal cord injuries often happen when we least...
Cheryl Padaken, Care Home Operator and Administrator, Kinolau Homes Malama, LLC | Apr 11, 2018 | April - May 2018, Giving Care
Memory boxes can help seniors, especially those with Alzheimer’s or with dementia, recall events and people from the past. The contents represent a life they once knew and now have difficulty remembering or have forgotten entirely. Memory boxes help stimulate their...
Audrey Suga Nakagawa | Apr 11, 2018 | April - May 2018, Giving Care
Every morning, 85-year-old Thomas puts on his aloha shirt and heads to “work” at an adult day care center located near downtown Honolulu. Going there gives him a sense of purpose to get up every morning. His family needs to remind him each day where he is going since...
Generations Magazine Staff | Apr 11, 2018 | April - May 2018, Giving Care
Earlier this year, Generations Magazine publisher Percy Ihara interviewed a national speaker on caregiving, Dave Nassaney, for the Generations Radio Show. This is an edited transcript of the short Generations TV interview Percy did after the radio show aired. GTV: Can...
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Apr 11, 2018 | April - May 2018, Giving Care
Throughout our youth, most of us will experience muscle growth up until the age of 30. Thereafter, we begin to lose some muscle mass, strength and performance. This steady decline is called sarcopenia and is the “use it or lose” part of the natural aging process. It...
William , a once overseas caregiver | Feb 2, 2018 | February - March 2018, Giving Care
Many family caregivers come home to Hawai‘i to assist aging parents. But how about caregiving overseas? When my mother died, Dad was 93 and slipping into dementia. His younger brother had retired to the Philippines, with his wife and insisted on providing care for his older brother, who had done so much for his family.
Cheryl Padaken, Care Home Operator and Administrator, Kinolau Homes Malama, LLC | Feb 2, 2018 | February - March 2018, Giving Care
How does one keep the interest of the elderly? It can be challenging. Nature walks, painting, board games, puzzles, word and picture games are among the typical activities of the elderly.
Ishol, Director of Community Relations and Resource Development, Care Center of Honolulu | Feb 2, 2018 | February - March 2018, Giving Care
If you’re like most of us in Hawai‘i, you have no clue what “skilled nursing” means unless you have spent time in a Skilled Nursing and Rehab Facility (SNF). Some think it is the last stop, a depressing place where sick people go when they can no longer take care of themselves.
Generations Magazine Staff | Feb 2, 2018 | February - March 2018, Giving Care
Last November, my mother’s side of the family flew to Las Vegas to see my cousin get married. Family trips usually include everyone, from newborns to our wise elders. So, of course, grandma came along for the trip!
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Feb 2, 2018 | February - March 2018, Giving Care
As a handpicked Labradoodle, Ruby is highly trained and recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a certified therapy dog. She loves her time visiting children and adults in hospitals or in their homes, and she enjoys the special relationships she has meeting and greeting everyone.
John McDermott, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, EOA | Dec 2, 2017 | Dec 2017 - January 2018, Giving Care
Many seniors are aware of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and its role as their advocate if they have a problem or concern regarding a nursing home, adult residential care home, assisted living facility or community care foster family home. What they may not...
Generations Magazine Staff | Dec 2, 2017 | Dec 2017 - January 2018, Giving Care
Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia — isn’t that the same thing? The simple answer is no. Dementia is an umbrella term for the different types of diseases that affect the brain. Alzheimer’s Disease is only one form of dementia. Also on the list we have Lewy body...
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Dec 2, 2017 | Dec 2017 - January 2018, Giving Care
The search for holiday perfection can set the bar high for caregivers. Starting as early as Thanksgiving, they’re flooded by images of families happily enjoying one another. And why not? As a home healthcare provider, we know family support goes a long way for parents...
Alvin Susuki | Oct 1, 2017 | Giving Care, October - November 2017
In March, during a mainland trip to visit our college daughter, I started receiving phone calls from old family friends whom I haven’t heard from in years. What I thought were surprise hellos were concerned calls. My mother, Kimiko Suzuki, 88, had reached out to them...
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Oct 1, 2017 | Giving Care, October - November 2017
As home healthcare providers, we’re often asked if a senior can live alone at home. While each situation is different, seniors who are alone can have additional risks that affect their health and well-being. In 2016, the Administration on Aging reported 29 percent, or...
Dan Ihara (RA), Coldwell Banker, Senior Real Estate Specialist | Jul 24, 2017 | Aug-Sept 2017, Giving Care
By Dan Ihara, RA, CAPS, CLHMS, Senior Real Estate Specialist, RS-65892 As we all age and watch those around us get older, concerns about the safety of our loved ones may increase. Whether it is memory loss, falls, a decrease in appetite and hygiene, or the absence of...
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Jul 24, 2017 | Aug-Sept 2017, Giving Care
By Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care Life is full of choices as a consumer. We try to make informed choices but sometimes getting there takes a bit of experience and know-how. Online product or service reviews are helpful at times but can mean different things...
Ishol, Director of Community Relations and Resource Development, Care Center of Honolulu | Jun 7, 2017 | Giving Care, June-July 2017
Ever think about growing old? Even when we become caregivers for aging loved ones, or start to feel pain in our joints, or experience the “where did I leave my keys?” and “what was I gonna say?” moments, we may still not attribute them to aging.
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Jun 7, 2017 | Giving Care, June-July 2017
Most seniors I meet say they prefer to age in place and live at home for as long as they can. Who wouldn’t want that, right? But living out your life safely at home may require a bit of help and experience. Home healthcare is particularly suited here; clients can manage their care with medical professionals to help make safer and more informed decisions.
Generations Magazine Staff | Jun 4, 2017 | Giving Care, June-July 2017
by Generations Magazine Staff Hospice Hawaii Lāna’i is celebrating the one-year anniversary of Hope House, a home-away-from-home for many patients and their families. “We’re so excited to celebrate this milestone with our friends at Hospice Hawaii Lānai,” said...
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Apr 11, 2017 | April – May 2017, Giving Care
In 2014, the Hawai‘i Department of Health, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion Division reported that 82 percent of the state’s adults have at least one of the following chronic diseases or conditions: heart disease, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, asthma,...
Brian Suda | Apr 11, 2017 | April – May 2017, Giving Care
My mother had always been a healthy, determined and spirited woman who was guided by her faith. With a high degree of humor and a strong work ethic, my mother, Tokiko Suda, along with my father, Sakae, raised four children and operated several restaurants in Honolulu....
Mark Tsuda | Apr 11, 2017 | April – May 2017, Giving Care
When a loved one shows the first signs of dementia or is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it can feel overwhelming. Getting early, quality care is crucial for maximizing their well-being, but knowing where to start is a challenge for many families. A support system...
Mary Steiner, Campaign Manager for Compassion & Choices Hawai‘i | Jan 27, 2017 | February - March 2017, Giving Care
Ten thousand people die each year in Hawai‘i. For some terminally ill, the medical care they receive is insufficient to ease their pain, loss of autonomy or feelings of indignity as they begin the dying process. In Hawai‘i, these individuals have limited options to...
Melissa Mansfield | Jan 27, 2017 | February - March 2017, Giving Care
The in-home care business is one of the fastest and largest growing industries nationwide, and the demand for services will continue to grow into the foreseeable future. In fact, over the next 15 years, the entire baby boomer generation will pass the age of 65;...
Cate Bishop | Jan 27, 2017 | February - March 2017, Giving Care
Do you know someone who has fallen and experienced detrimental effects on their physical health, confidence and emotional state? A “stairlift” is a viable solution for those who want to stay in their homes and it provides peace of mind for the family. Wearing the...
Shayna Fujimoto | Jan 27, 2017 | February - March 2017, Giving Care
Every year, 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Of those, many will rely on their families for support. We often define illness as a term relevant only to the one suffering from a particular disease, yet PD reaches far beyond the individual....
Martha Samson | Jan 27, 2017 | February - March 2017, Giving Care
I’ve been a volunteer caregiver for about 25 years now and know well that it is undoubtedly the most difficult and underappreciated job on the planet. However, in caring for my own father, I found that it is also a privilege and a sacred trust, sharing the most...
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Jan 26, 2017 | February - March 2017, Giving Care
The Joint Commission’s Home Care Accreditation program provides certification for more than 6,000 programs that provide home healthcare services directly or through contracted individuals or organizations. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint...
Lynn Wong | Dec 1, 2016 | December – January 2017, Giving Care
As our loved ones grow older, they often want to live at home for as long as possible. But many seniors who live alone are often unable to manage their daily needs. Senior wellness centers, also referred to as adult daycare centers, offer services to those who are...
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Dec 1, 2016 | December – January 2017, Giving Care
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...
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Oct 1, 2016 | Giving Care, October - November 2016
Serving Senior Veterans by Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care from the Oct-Nov 2016 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource for Life
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Aug 1, 2016 | August - September 2016, Giving Care
Senior Travel Assistance by Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care from the August-September 2016 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource for Life
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Jun 1, 2016 | Giving Care, June - July 2016
Animal Assisted Therapy by Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care from the June-May 2016 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource for Life
Gerry Silva, State President AARP Hawai‘i | Apr 1, 2016 | April - May 2016, Articles, Giving Care, Living Life
Do you use your lunch hour or leave work early to run errands for your parents? Spend more time tending to mom’s prescriptions than your own? As our parents age, it’s more a matter of when, not if, they will need our help. In a recent AARP survey of Hawai‘i registered...
Generations Magazine Staff | Apr 1, 2016 | April - May 2016, Articles, Giving Care
Kokua Mau is Hawai‘i’s resource for accurate information on hospice and palliative care services. Visit them online. Then call your health insurance company or local hospice to have all your questions answered. What people say about hospice is sometimes inaccurate: I...
Kristina Wong, Care Manager, Altres Medical | Apr 1, 2016 | April - May 2016, Articles, Giving Care
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. Home care starts at four hours per day. Home care services generally offer flexible care plans...
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Apr 1, 2016 | April - May 2016, Articles, Giving Care
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...
Generations Magazine Staff | Apr 1, 2016 | April - May 2016, Articles, Giving Care
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...
Steve Nawahine, General Manager of Kalakaua Gardens | Apr 1, 2016 | April - May 2016, Articles, Giving Care
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...
Generations Magazine | Feb 1, 2016 | Articles, February - March 2016, Giving Care
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...
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Feb 1, 2016 | Articles, February - March 2016, Giving Care
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...
Santiago Rivera, Chief Operating Officer, Interim Healthcare Honolulu | Feb 1, 2016 | Articles, February - March 2016, Giving Care
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...
Teri Bruesehoff, CEO, HiHomeCare (The Hawaii Group subsidiary) | Jan 15, 2016 | Articles, August - September 2014, Giving Care
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...
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Dec 1, 2015 | Articles, December - January 2016, Giving 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...
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Oct 1, 2015 | Articles, Giving Care, October - November 2015
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....
Ishol, Director of Community Relations and Resource Development, Care Center of Honolulu | Oct 1, 2015 | Articles, Giving Care, October - November 2015
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...
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Aug 1, 2015 | Articles, August - September 2015, Giving Care
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...
Teri Bruesehoff, CEO, HiHomeCare (The Hawaii Group subsidiary) | Jun 1, 2015 | Articles, Giving Care, June - July 2015
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...
Eileen Phillips, RN, Attention Plus Care | Jun 1, 2015 | Articles, Giving Care, June - July 2015
You know mom’s getting worse and you’re overwhelmed, with no time to even look for help. Don’t wait until you are running on empty and need help immediately to understand your choices, prioritize needs and know exactly how to select a qualified home health care...
Teri Bruesehoff, CEO, HiHomeCare (The Hawaii Group subsidiary) | Apr 1, 2015 | April - May 2015, Articles, Giving Care
The American Red Cross, featured in this issue of Generations Magazine, is a historic organization that has served our country for more than 134 years. Not only does Red Cross provide assistance during crises, but it also educates the public on disaster preparedness....
Generations Magazine Staff | Apr 1, 2015 | April - May 2015, Articles, Giving Care
National surveys say 80 percent of people want to “die in the comfort of their home,” but in Hawai‘i, only 22 percent of families use hospice services. Hawaii also ranks high (number 2 in the U.S.) in emergency room deaths. Are we getting what we want? Dr. Angelo...
Beth Slaven, Administrator, Kina ‘Ole Estate | Feb 1, 2015 | Articles, February - March 2015, Giving Care
Cara had to face it — after 7 years, she couldn’t care for Dad at home any more. He needed 24/7 supervision and care and she was worn out. After calls to five facility managers, and getting no answers she collapsed in tears. Cora needed help right now… Cara’s story...
Teri Bruesehoff, CEO, HiHomeCare (The Hawaii Group subsidiary) | Feb 1, 2015 | Articles, February - March 2015, Giving Care
Do you have so many medications that you feel you can’t manage them all? We call this “the medication blues.” Keeping your prescriptions straight, organizing pills or disposing of unused meds, can be truly overwhelming. The first step to cure the medication blues is...
Generations Magazine Staff | Dec 1, 2014 | Articles, December - January 2015, Giving Care
Na Hoaloha “Go Go” volunteers donate thousands of hours to serve Maui homebound seniors. On any given day throughout the year, there are Na Hoaloha volunteers driving a homebound senior, making a visit or helping family caregivers — with a mission to help Maui’s...
Teri Bruesehoff, CEO, HiHomeCare (The Hawaii Group subsidiary) | Dec 1, 2014 | Articles, December - January 2015, Giving Care
Dignity is vital to self worth throughout our lifetime; in the later stages of life, preserving a sense of respect and honoring the individual is especially important. Rarely will anyone argue this point. However, unless careful planning and clear communication is...
Kathy Newkirk Leong, RN, CEO, Kahu Malama Nurses, Inc. | Oct 1, 2014 | Articles, Giving Care, October - November 2014
The first thing that many families face in hiring a private caregiver is whether to use someone referred to them by a friend or to hire from an agency. The questions are: How well do you know the person? Who is responsible if there is an untoward incident? How has the...
Teri Bruesehoff, CEO, HiHomeCare (The Hawaii Group subsidiary) | Oct 1, 2014 | Articles, Giving Care, October - November 2014
Let’s make Thanksgiving the day we celebrate Elder Wisdom by asking older people to tell us their advice for living. Our society portrays older persons as sick, frail, unproductive, and even the culprits for busting the federal budget. We have become segregated by age...
Stan Michaels, MFA, DOH Injury Prevention Coordinator & Public Health Educator | Oct 1, 2014 | Articles, Giving Care, October - November 2014
Senior fall injuries are serious and deadly. One senior will be taken to the ER every hour — for injuries from a fall. Many of these patients will die or never return home to resume a normal life. The pity is that most falls are preventable. As we age we lose muscle...
Teri Bruesehoff, CEO, HiHomeCare (The Hawaii Group subsidiary) | Jun 1, 2014 | Articles, Giving Care, June - July 2014
When we celebrate the 4th of july with family, friends, food and fireworks, it is a time to remember what it means to be free. With many of our aging, recuperating or ill ‘ohana, independence means being able to receive quality care in the privacy and comfort of their...
Gerry Silva, State President AARP Hawai‘i | Jun 1, 2014 | Articles, Giving Care, June - July 2014
Hawaii’s family caregivers are starting to get the support they need. These caregivers are among the 247,000 sons, daughters, husbands and wives who help loved ones stay independently at home for as long as possible — providing help with everyday tasks. In mid-April...
Jeannette Koijane, MPH, executive director of Kokua Mau | Apr 1, 2014 | April - May 2014, Articles, Giving Care
Momi and Roland are a retired couple living in Central O‘ahu. Last year Roland learned he has incurable lung cancer and has been in the hospital several times. The couple has had many conversations together and with the doctors. Because of his short life expectancy...
Teri Bruesehoff, CEO, HiHomeCare (The Hawaii Group subsidiary) | Dec 1, 2013 | Articles, December - January 2014, Giving Care
Caring for stroke survivors at home can be overwhelming for anyone. Getting outside help from home care agencies can make a difference in your ability to balance your life with your loved one’s needs. Ask the following questions to find a trustworthy company with...
Jeannette Koijane, MPH, executive director of Kokua Mau and Leanne Logan, a nurse educator who specializes in palliative care | Dec 1, 2013 | Articles, December - January 2014, Giving Care
Auntie K was having trouble breathing at home and her son called 911. She is now in the Intensive Care Unit. The doctor asks the family, “What would your mother want us to do if she could speak for herself right now? She’s having more trouble breathing. Do you want us...
David Nakamaejo, Comforting Hands Senior Care | Oct 1, 2013 | Articles, Giving Care, October - November 2013
The role of being a “reverse parent” didn’t occur to me until I dropped off my father on his first day at adult day care. While walking back to my car, I said to myself, I hope the day care doesn’t call me and say they’re sending him home because he soiled his...
Teri Bruesehoff, CEO, HiHomeCare (The Hawaii Group subsidiary) | Oct 1, 2013 | Articles, Giving Care, October - November 2013
It’s only natural to want to stay at home. So being informed about good caregivers and their services can enrich your home experience by making everyday tasks a little easier and safer. The services you need depends on your and health strategies and type of support,...
Stan Michaels, MFA, DOH Injury Prevention Coordinator & Public Health Educator | Oct 1, 2013 | Articles, Giving Care, October - November 2013
There I was, the Hawai’i State Fall Prevention Coordinator, fallen, spread eagled, with a dent in my car door in the shape of my own forehead. It happened so fast, one second of inattention and I was flat on the ground. And to make matters worse, I had just left the...
Jeffrey B. Sisemoore, JD, National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii | Feb 1, 2013 | Articles, February - March 2013, Giving Care
Taking good care of ourselves and helping others who suffer from disease is important not only for ourselves but for others who may be impacted by disease. In the context of Chronic Kidney Disease and kidney transplantation even young children can learn much and be...
David Nakamaejo, Comforting Hands Senior Care | Oct 1, 2012 | Articles, Giving Care, October - November 2012
I have several friends who are caring for either one or two parents, and when we meet, of course, we ask about each other’s parents. No sooner does the conversation drift to sharing “war” stories about caring for our parents. Taking care of my parents has taught me to...
The Staff of Kahala Nui | Oct 1, 2012 | Articles, Giving Care, October - November 2012
Disney fun at Hi’olani Care Center For the assisted living residents at Kahala Nui’s Hi‘olani Care Center, there is always fun to be had. Thanks to the creative staff, the center always has new, engaging activities and themes for its annual weeklong “theme week.” This...
Valerie Takahashi | Oct 1, 2011 | Articles, Giving Care, October - November 2011
Kupuna Concierge offers a very effective approach to senior care at home. The beauty of seniors living at home is that they can keep and enjoy the lifestyle they spent decades perfecting. Sometimes all it takes to remain independent is a little day-to-day help. Kupuna...
