Category: Giving Care

  • Nutritional Supplements & COVID-19

    Facing the potential that the COVID-19 variants may keep this virus around, it makes sense that practitioners are looking for other treatments to slow the spread of the disease. The results of a clinical trial in India using two natural supplements to treat COVID-infected individuals showed that these herbal products can speed up recovery time…

  • Care Lessons Learned from COVID-19

    Beginning in March 2020, recreation therapists, activity directors and staff were faced with the daunting task of making their activities safe for their residents. Groups were cancelled; family members, volunteers and outside entertainment were no longer allowed inside of nursing homes. Much more time was devoted to cleaning and social distancing.

  • Home Cleaning Help for the Elderly

    Home cleaning might be a simple activity for some of us. However, this could be the opposite to our elderly family  members and friends. Even daily upkeep might require tremendous effort on their part. That is why, as ‘ohana, it is our duty to help and share the spirit of aloha. If you are involved…

  • To Place or Not to Place, That is the Question

    The decision to move to senior living involves a variety of factors based on several circumstances, including finances. Professionals across the country have different answers to the question of whether “to place or not to place” a loved one in senior living. Some feel that older adults should stay in their home with paid caregivers.…

  • Engage With Kūpuna During COVID-19

    Kūpuna who are staying at home or limiting interaction with loved ones may start to experience loneliness. Integrating a variety of activities while caring for kūpuna — both personally and professionally — can provide enjoyment for everyone.

  • Creating Smooth Transitions for Seniors

    Transitioning from living at home to a community that offers independent living, assisted living or skilled nursing care can be challenging for both seniors and their families. Kūpuna may need special care, but may be hesitant to make the big move because they prefer the familiarity of their own home. Many Hawai‘i families also struggle…

  • Our Highest Purpose: Serving Our Kūpuna

    The senior living industry also has frontline workers who have come face to face with the pandemic. Working to protect our kūpuna has been challenging, to say the very least. All staff at community living facilities are frontline workers and they must work together to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.

  • Does Medicare Cover Long-Term Care?

    More seniors and families looking into long-term care solutions have found that the cost can be quite shocking. In the early stages of planning for long-term care, there are two questions that must be considered. First, what long-term care options are available? Second, how will I pay?

  • Empowering Family Caregivers

    When speaking with family caregivers, I often hear a common phrase: “I wish I had known…” They confide there is so much they didn’t know when they started their caregiving journey and had to muddle through on their own. These caregivers didn’t know where to begin, where to turn or even what to ask.

  • Caregiving Tips for the Holidays

    Holidays are a time of fellowship and unity with family and friends. Yet, the holidays can be difficult for families when a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Caregivers may feel  overwhelmed with balancing care and managing holiday traditions.

  • One of the Best Decisions I Ever Made

    My wife, May, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 at age 39. In 2015, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she underwent a Whipple procedure, whereby some of her pancreas, small intestine, stomach and other parts were removed.

  • Safe Family Activities for the Holidays

    Amid all the COVID-19 restrictions, there is a bright spot — the opportunity for families to celebrate the holidays together by engaging creatively in a way that’s enjoyable and safe for everyone. While younger members of the family are on the go and ready to run around the house, seniors (especially those with dementia) will…